Hue-manistic: Examining How BIPOC Counseling Students Reconcile Their Research Identity Through A Racialized Lens

Alfonso Ferguson, Ph.D., LMHC, LPC, ACS, NCC is an Afro-Caribbean male who migrated to the U.S. during his formative years. His Caribbean heritage has shaped his identity as an adult, partner and professional. Alfonso's personal mission is to provide brave and safe spaces for marginalized to communities to feel heard, affirmed, and celebrated. Alfonso is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (NY; FL), Licensed Professional Counselor (NJ), Approved Clinical Supervisor, and National Certified Counselor. He prides himself on providing culturally responsive counseling services to underserved communities. Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling from Montclair State University and now holds a position as a core faculty member in the Counseling department at Saybrook University. As a counselor educator, Alfonso contributes to the diversity readiness of the counseling field by preparing counselors in training to be culturally responsive in their work with intersectionally minoritized communities. He intentionally teaches all courses through a social justice lens. He believes that if we effectively prepare counselors of tomorrow, we are all more likely to have a better future. Alfonso has gained a variety of experiences in individual and family counseling services to those who are experiencing psychosocial stressors, family issues, and mood disorders. He has a strong interest to work with LGBTQ+ Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) struggling with mood disorders and psychosocial stressors. His clinical experiences include case management, inpatient therapy, outpatient therapy, private practice owner, supervision, and consultation. Alfonso is the founder and executive director of GoodWerk, a group psychotherapy private practice where he and his team provide counseling services to individuals, couples and families living in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. 

LaShawn “Shawnie” Adams is a cis-gender Black woman from Newark, New Jersey. She is a doctoral candidate in Montclair State University’s Counseling program. She’s a 2023 recipient of the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program and a Licensed Associate Counselor in New Jersey. She’s the past president of the Chi Sigma Iota chapter at Montclair State University and the treasurer for the Counselors for Social Justice. Shawnie is an adjunct counselor educator teaching counseling courses at Montclair State University and Kean University. She works in private practice at Hearts Empowerment Counseling Center, providing individual and group counseling sessions to BIPOC women and adolescents.

Sunanda “Suni” Sharma is a doctoral candidate in the Counseling PhD program at Montclair State University. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of New Jersey, a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in the state of Ohio, and a nationally certified counselor (NCC). Suni received her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Monmouth University in 2019. Suni remains engaged in clinical work in private practice at Empowerment Center, LLC in New Jersey where she provides telehealth counseling services. Suni has served as a master’s level NBCC minority addictions fellow in 2018 and a doctoral minority fellow in 2022. Suni highly values advocacy work as well and has been volunteering with the only domestic violence shelter that works with South Asian survivors of domestic violence for the last several years. 

Bisola E. Duyile, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Counseling at Montclair State University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (DC, VA), a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider, and a National Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She has experience working with families and individuals with disabilities. Bisola's research examines how social determinants of health factors influence family functioning, resilience, and mental health concerns. Specifically, through interdisciplinary efforts, she explores equity, the lived experiences of families of children with developmental disabilities, and the impactful roles of counselors and counselor educators