3rd Year Doctoral Cohort
Pamela Vance (Meridian), ShaRhonda Stevenson, Shantelle Tjaden, Angelica Castillo (Meridian), Conner Vrba
Pam Vance, LPC, CRC (she/they) is a doctoral candidate in Counseling Education and Counselor Supervision at Idaho State University in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. She integrates eco-counseling practices with clients and nature-based practices in the classroom setting. They believe connecting with nature supports well-being and invites students and clients to explore their connection to themselves, others, and their environments. Pam recently graduated with her master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, emphasizing disability wellness and disability counseling competencies. With their current research interest in disability and climate justice, they hope to promote more nature-based interventions in rehabilitation counseling education and research. Pam loves to recharge by playing volleyball with her kids, backpacking with their partner, and swimming in Idaho mountain lakes.
Hello! My name is Shantelle Tjaden (she/her/hers), and I am a third-year doctoral candidate at Idaho State University at the Pocatello campus. I completed my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Gonzaga University (Go Zags!) in 2022. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Idaho, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS). I am also the current president of ISU’s chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, an
international honor society for professional counseling. My professional interests center around human-animal relationships and the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental well-being. I serve as the assistant director of the Research on Anthrozoological Relationships (ROAR) lab housed in ISU’s Department of Counseling. I was also elected as the student board member for the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) and have been lucky to present research at two ISAZ international conferences alongside some of the amazing ROAR lab faculty and students! I am currently conducting research on the impact of integrating the human-animal bond into education and counseling services. In my free time, you can find me with my dogs, a book, and a cup of tea! I am excited to be entering my last year in the doctoral program at ISU. Please feel free to reach out with any questions!
Shantelletjaden@isu.edu
2nd Year Doctoral Cohort
Back Row: Erin Burgess (Meridian), Nicolette (Alex) Green. Front Row: Renyi Huang, Ananda Lettner, Maddison Burton (Meridian), Cade Kirkhart (Meridian).
Hello! My name is Maddie Burton (she/her/hers), and I am excited to be a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at ISU. I am from the Midwest, where I grew up in Indiana and received my B.S. in Psychology from Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!) before moving across the country to Spokane, Washington to complete my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Gonzaga University!
Now, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Idaho and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) in Indiana. Before coming to ISU, I have experience working with kids, teens, young adults, and families in K-12 settings both as a clinical mental health counselor and as a school counselor. I primarily love utilizing creative interventions such as art, play, and sand tray techniques. My professional research interests include school counselor identity, advocacy and collaboration in school counseling, persons with disabilities in counselor education and intersectionality with disability identity.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, thrifting (you can find me often at your local half priced books or vintage clothing stores), crocheting, and spending time with my cat Bean! Please reach out if you have any questions: madisonburton@isu.edu
Hello, everyone! My name is Ananda Lettner, LCPC, NCC (she/her). I started the Counselor Education and Counseling doctoral program in Pocatello in Fall 2023. I am so excited to be a part of the work we do here! I went to undergrad at Luther College in Decorah, IA, where I double majored in Psychology and Environmental Policy and ran cross country and track. I completed my Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Substance Abuse Counseling at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. During that time, I worked as a parent educator for Child Protective Services and a personal trainer.
In my Master's program, we set "growth goals." One of my goals was to move out West--so I chose Idaho for the mountains, trails, and the opportunity to work as a counselor in rural integrated behavioral health. My husband and our two dogs came with me, and we have all loved our time in Pocatello. I have enjoyed the local running club and working with a variety of clients as a trauma-informed generalist counselor. As part of the doctoral program, I have loved being able to work with the Master's of Counseling students! My research interests include environmental justice, counselor supervision, best teaching practices, exercise and wellbeing, community-based interventions, and trauma-informed care. Please reach out if you have any questions! anandalettner@isu.edu
Hey y’all! :-) My name is Erin Burgess (they/she). I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho and a second-year doctoral student at ISU on the Meridian campus. I completed my MS in Professional Mental Health Counseling--Addictions at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR, but I’m originally from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, so I’ve always been comfortable out on the water. After leaving home but before landing in Portland, I lived in both Boston and Los Angeles while completing my undergraduate degree, and on the road in a converted ’89 Dodge Ram van after that (so please ask me about my favorite state and national parks, okay, I’m on the edge of my seat).
I am passionate about advocacy and activism. Clinically, I work with individual adults, couples, and clients with substance use disorders (SUDs). However, much of my clinical experience has centered around developing group curriculums and running groups with youth in both residential and PHP settings. Additionally, I regularly incorporate elements of eco-wellness and eco-therapeutic interventions across all of these areas. My research interests include how to best prepare beginning counselors to help clients explore sexuality and perceptions of beginning counselors when working with clients with SUDs. If you have any questions or just want suggestions for fun things to do in the Boise metro area, drop me a line at erinburgess@isu.edu.
1st Year Doctoral Cohort
Adenike Adedapo, Laura Campbell, Franchesca Anderson, Monique Woodson, Adriana Gaffey, Bella Colson
Laura Campbell: I grew up a third culture kid in Mexico and Colombia came to the United States for college earning a BA in Art and Spanish from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. I worked for two years in graphic design before realizing advertising was not my passion. I earned a Foreign Language Secondary Education degree while teaching high school Spanish on a limited license in Indianapolis and Manual Tech High School. I planned to settle into a career as a high school Spanish teacher but the more pressing needs of my students led me to start work on Education Specialist degrees in Counseling and Counselor Education at Indiana University and earn degrees in school and community mental health counseling. Moving into therapeutic work, my clinical experience has focused on family therapy, addiction recovery, dual diagnosis treatment, group processes and crisis management in community and university settings. For the past three and a half years I have been the Clinical Director for Center of Change in Boise. We are the highest level of care for eating disorder treatment in Idaho. I am passionate about life long learning, quality supervision and clinical development. I am so excited to start a PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education.
Hi! My name is Bella Colson (she/her). I’m a first-year doctoral student on the Meridian campus and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boise State University and my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Idaho State University. I’m excited to continue my educational journey at ISU!
Before becoming a counselor, I worked, volunteered, and conducted research within the mental health field; particularly focusing on crisis, suicide, and eating disorders. Clinically, these topics have remained some of my favorites to work with. My professional research interests include best practices for eating disorder treatment/assessment, crisis management, and the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in supervision of counselors.
When I’m not at school or seeing clients, I enjoy reading, walking, running, watching reality TV, and playing video games.
Adriana C. Zarate (she/ella) is a bilingual Clinical Mental Health Counselor with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Idaho State University. She has been practicing in Utah for three years, providing therapeutic services to children, teens, and adults.
Academically, Adriana is honored to be pursuing her Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision. She considers it an immense responsibility to hold space and pave the way for BIPOC in education. Her research focuses on Latine mental health, aiming to make therapy more inclusive and accessible for the Latine population. Adriana believes that representation matters and hopes to mentor and inspire others as she has been by those who came before her.
Working from a feminist and multicultural lens, Adriana understands individual needs by empathizing and actively listening in a judgment-free environment. Adriana believes that experiences, culture, and identity significantly influence mental well-being. Her goal is to help people embrace their identities and empower them through a sensible and culturally responsive approach. She strives to create a therapeutic space where people feel they belong and their stories matter.
More than a clinician, Adriana aspires to be a "healer," or as known by her people, "una curandera." This role involves not only addressing mental health issues through clinical methods but also integrating holistic and culturally rooted practices to foster overall well-being and connection. As a healer, Adriana aims to honor the cultural traditions and wisdom of her heritage while providing comprehensive mental health care.
