Dr. Michele Rivas
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Bio
Dr. Rivas is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education from Syracuse University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She also has a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Disability Studies from Syracuse University. Dr. Rivas is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Marist College. Dr. Rivas has worked in a variety of settings, including clinical and higher education. Dr. Rivas is committed to professional engagement that strengthens counseling, counselor education, and clinical supervision of counselors. Her scholarly interests include multicultural counseling competencies, disability counseling competencies, counselor development, and disability rhetoric within the counseling discourse. Dr. Rivas has presented at multiple professional counseling conferences at the state, regional, and national levels in topics related to counselor education and development, clinical supervision, and multicultural competencies of counselors in training. Her participation on multiple committees and professional associations has afforded her a broader understanding of how to promote the advancement of the counseling profession through mentorship, service, and advocacy. Dr. Rivas maintains a part-time private practice providing individual counseling and clinical supervision to pre-licensed counselors.
Education
BS, Psychology, Universidad Central de Venezuela, 2006
MS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Long Island University, NY, 2013
CAS, Disability Studies, Syracuse University, NY, 2017
PhD, Counseling and Counselor Education, Syracuse University, NY, 2017
Research Interests / Areas of Focus
Multicultural Competencies in Counselors in Training, Disability Counseling Competencies, Counselor Development, and Clinical Supervision of Counselors
Selected Publications
Peters, H. C., & Rivas, M. (2018). Affirmative Client Care: Reconciling Evidence-Based Practices within Humanistic Engagement. The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 10(1). Retrieved from https://repository.wcsu.edu/jcps/vol10/iss1/11
Rivas, M. & Hill, N. R (2018). Counseling Clients with Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study of Trainees’ Experiences. Counselor Education and Supervision, 57(2), 116-131
Vereen, L., Hill, N. R., & Lopez (Rivas), M. (2015). African American Athletes and Higher Education. In M. A. Shillingford-Butler & J. Curry (Eds.), The Journey Unraveled: College & Career Readiness of African American Students. NY: Lexington Books
Selected Presentations
Rivas, M., & Hill, N. R. (2018). Innovating in Disability Cultural Competence Pedagogy: Implications from Licensed Professional Counselors. (Roundtable) North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Burlington, VT
del Rosario, P., Rivas, M., & Killian, T. (2018). Multicultural and Social Justice Frameworks in Counselor Supervision: A 10 year review. (Roundtable) North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Burlington, VT
Hiscox, M., & Rivas, M. (2018). Innovative Conversations Around Ethics: A Review of Literature on Recommendations for Professional Counselors Working with Child Custody Cases. (Poster Session) New York Mental Health Counseling Association. Albany, NY
Rivas, M., Hill, N. R., & Seward, D. (October, 2017). The Development of Disability Cultural Competence: A Grounded Theory. (Education session) Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Chicago, \ Illinois
Awards and Honors
Outstanding Graduate Student Award, NARACES (2016)
Emerging Leader, ACES (2015)
