Immigration in Healthcare & Higher Education: Clinical Responsibilities and Client Rights

Dr. Mariaimeé Gonzalez (she/her/ella) is a counselor educator, human rights advocate, and scholar with two decades of experience advancing social justice, Indigenous wellness, and mental liberation through higher education, counseling, and community-based mental health work. Since 2008, she has shaped master’s- and doctoral-level counseling programs, mentoring students, guiding research, and preparing the next generation of socially conscious and culturally grounded mental health professionals. A committed leader and advocate, Dr. Gonzalez currently serves as the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Governing Council Representative (2025–2028) and on the executive board of the American Counseling Association of Washington State. Her scholarship amplifies Indigenous, Latine, and other marginalized voices, with publications focused on social justice, cultural responsiveness, leadership, and counselor education. She is the recipient of multiple mentorship and service awards and is co-developing a textbook centered on Indigenous wellness. In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Gonzalez maintains a private practice dedicated to immigration justice, providing culturally responsive mental health services and advocacy for Indigenous, immigrant, and other historically underserved communities.