Victoria Sepulveda
Dr. Sepulveda has more than 20 years of experience in the human services and counseling field, including over 14 years as a full-time counselor educator. Her professional background spans clinical mental health counseling, addiction counseling, family preservation and reunification, and intimate partner violence. Throughout her career, she has provided grant writing, consultation, and supervision to support programs and professionals in the field.
Her research and writing interests include psychopharmacology in counselor education, trauma-informed practice, addictions and co-occurring disorders, and the intersections of professional development, supervision, and social change in counseling. She has been active in professional service, including roles as past-president of the North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Midwest Region Chair of the American Counseling Association, and past-president of the Wisconsin Counseling Association.
Dr. Sepulveda earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Toledo, along with an M.A. in Community Counseling and a B.S. in Family Studies from Central Michigan University. She also maintains a private practice in Wisconsin, where she provides strength-based, culturally affirming counseling to clients of all ages. She is passionate about preparing the next generation of counselors to engage with empathy, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to social change.
Courses Taught
COUN 6743 - Psychopharmacology
COUN 6730 - Counseling Addictive Disorders
COUN 6723 - Multicultural Counseling
COUN 6001 - Professional Dispositions and New Student Orientation
COUN 6626 - Research Methods and Program Evaluation
COUN 6771 - Practicum
COUN 6682 - Internship
Education
PhD, The University of Toledo
MA, Central Michigan University
BS, Central Michigan University
Public Service
Wisconsin Counseling Association, Board Member -
Lakeshore Productions, Inc., Board Member -
Awards / Honors
David Van Doren Leadership and Service Award, Wisconsin Counseling Association, 2023
NCACES Outstanding Professional Leadership Award, North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, 2018
NCACES Innovative Counselor Education Program Award (co-recipient with faculty), NCACES, 2016
North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NCACES) Student Research Grant, Investigating psychopharmacological knowledge within CACREP-accredited counselor education programs., NCACES, 2008
Second Place, Graduate Student Ethics Competition, American Counseling Association, 2007
Chi Sigma Iota Intern Award, Chi Sigma Iota, 2007
Recipient, Centralis Scholar Award, Central Michigan University, 1996
Publications
Sepulveda, V., Piazza, N. J., Devlin, M., Ritchie, M., Salyers, K., Tucker-Gail, K. (2016). Psychopharmacology in counseling, psychology, and social work education: An interdisciplinary history and implications for professional counselors. Wisconsin Counseling Association Journal
Moe, J., Perera-Diltz, D., Sepulveda, V. (2014). Beyond competence: Fostering LGBTQQI ally development through supervision.. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling
Moe, J., Perera-Diltz, D., Sepulveda, V., Finnerty, P. (2014). Salience, valence, context, and integration: Conceptualizing the needs of sexually and gender diverse youth in P-12 schools. Journal of Homosexuality
Moe, J. L., Cates, K., Sepulveda, V. (2013). Wicca and Neo-Paganism: A Primer for Counselors. Journal of Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory & Research
Moe, J. L., Perera-Diltz, D., Sepulveda, V. (2010). Are Consultation and Social Justice Advocacy Similar?: Exploring the Perceptions of Professional Counselors and Counseling Students. Journal of Social Action in Counseling & Psychology
Mahon, M. M., Hill, T. M., Sepulveda, V. I., Lange, A. M. (2010). End-of-life issues and the supervisory relationship.
Sepulveda, V. I. (2010). Substance abuse, chemical dependency, and incarcerated women: Possible barriers to treatment and suggestions for counselors. Wisconsin Counseling Journal
Sepulveda, V. I. (2009). Multicultural supervision: Strategies, successes, and implications. The Journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association
Sepulveda, V. I. (2009). Online survey research: Benefits and limitations. . Journal of Counseling Practice.
Presentations
Sepulveda, V., Young, P. (2023). Turning professional passion into purpose: counseling organizations and you. Wisconsin Counseling Association
Duncan, K., Barrio Minton, C., Fernandez, S., Kress, V., Sepulveda, V. (2022). The importance of advocacy for advancing professional counselor identity. North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Sepulveda, V. (2021). Coping with relational aggression among helping professionals. Wisconsin Counseling Association
Glowiak, M. V., Sepulveda, V. (2021). Best practices for online student engagement. Wisconsin Counseling Association
Sepulveda, V. I. (2019). Be an ethical counselor…or, just look like one. Wisconsin Counseling Association
Sepulveda, V. (2018). The counseling needs of clients who have undergone clinically significant weight loss. ACA
Sepulveda, V., Jenkins, C. (2017). Deconstructing the well-meaning white counselor and building multicultural counseling competency. ACES
Ong, L., Sepulveda, V. (2017). Using a relational ethic framework in multicultural clinical decision making. Wisconsin Counseling Association
Sepulveda, V. (2017). Embracing the (sometimes) awkward: Tips for speaking with your legislators. Wisconsin Counseling Association
Scheidegger, T., Kraemer Smothers, M., Sepulveda, V., King, C., Ong, L. (2017). Evaluation of counselor trainee skills and self-efficacy. ACES
Sepulveda, V., Cortes, E., Floyd, M., Hein, S., LaPlante, N., Lesofsky, M., Marshall, B., Mays, S., Moran, S., Rich, I. (2016). Deconstructing the well-meaning white counselor while building multicultural competence and confidence in our students: A panel discussion. Wisconsin Counseling Association
Kraemer Smothers, M., Ong, L., Sepulveda, V., Jashinsky, T. (2016). Assessment of counselor trainee skills and self-efficacy. NCACES
Sepulveda, V. (2016). Preventing practitioner impairment and burnout while promoting personal wellness. Wisconsin Counseling Association
Sepulveda, V. (2016). The accidental English professor, or how I address social justice through students’ writing needs. NCACES
Sepulveda, V., Crethar, H., Hammer, T., Brace, A. (2014). Moving past the basic tenets of counseling to true client service: A reflection. NCACES
Min, A., Sepulveda, V. (2012). Navigating unchartered waters: Finding life and career balance after graduation from counselor education programs. North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Sepulveda, V., Frederick, A. (2012). What do I need to know about medications? Exploring graduate students and new professionals' opinions regarding psychopharmacology in counselor education. North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Sepulveda, V., Piazza, N. (2011). The formal instruction of psychopharmacology in CACREP-accredited counselor education programs. Association of Counselor Education and Supervision