Sexuality Counseling: Theory, Research, and Practice

About Amber L. PopeBenjamin T. (Tinsley) WillisBenjamin T. WillisChristine E. (Elizabeth) MurrayChristine E. Murray

Dr. Christine E. Murray is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Couple and Family Counseling Track in the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Department of Counseling and Educational Development. Dr. Murray received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education with a specialization in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Florida. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology at Duke University. She teaches graduate-level courses in family counseling family violence sexuality counseling and counseling research. Dr. Murray is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in North Carolina. She has worked as a therapist in the adult outpatient department in a community mental health agency where she worked primarily with adults who experienced chronic mental health disorders. She also has provided counseling in a variety of other settings including a school for at-risk adolescents a childrens outpatient mental health treatment department a juvenile delinquency diversion program and churches. Dr. Murrays primary research interest relates to the bridging the gap between research and practice in the area of domestic violence. In addition she has published in the areas of sexuality counseling counselor education premarital counseling and the role of resources in couple relationships. Dr. Murray has authored over 45 published or in press articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals. Dr. Murray is the lead author of Responding to Family Violence a book on conducting psychotherapy with clients impacted by various forms of family violence which was released in September 2012 by Routledge Mental Health. In addition Dr. Murray wrote a popular press book Just engaged: Prepare for your marriage before you say I do which was based on her dissertation research and was published by Adams Media in 2008. She is also the co-founder of the See the Triumph campaign (www.seethetriumph.org) which aims to end the stigma surrounding intimate partner violence. Amber L. Pope PhD LPC LMHC CCTP is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at William and Mary in Williamsburg Virginia where she leads the Couple Marriage and Family Counseling Area. She earned her graduate degrees in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Currently she serves on the editorial boards for the Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling and the Journal of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness. Additionally she is the Research and Scholarship Committee Chair for the Association of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness and the Supervision Representative for the Virginia Association of Counselor Education and Supervision. The Southern Association for Counselor Education recognized her as an Emerging Leader. Dr. Popes research interests focus on culturally responsive counselor education and supervision primarily improving training in LGBTQ+ affirmative counseling and sexuality counseling. Her books include Sexuality Counseling: Theory Research and Practice and the forthcoming coedited text LGBTQ Affirmative Counseling: An Evidence-Based Guide for Students and Practitioners. In addition to her own books Dr. Pope has contributed to chapters in multiple textbooks and has over twenty peer-reviewed counseling research and practice publications. Dr. Pope is a licensed professional counselor and licensed mental health counselor with certifications in clinical trauma work telehealth emotionally focused therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Her clinical expertise is in couples and family counseling sexuality counseling and LGBTQ+ affirming counseling. She lives in Williamsburg Virginia with her husband and dog. Ben T. Willis is an Assistant Professor and co-Program Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.  He regularly teaches and supervises masters in counseling students in research methods assessment and diagnosis group process and practice professional issues practicum and internship.  Dr. Willis received his M.S. with a specialization in Couples and Family Counseling and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  He received his bachelors degree in biology from the UNC Chapel Hill.  He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in North Carolina as well as a National Certified Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor.  He has experience counseling in community agency private practice and college university settings working with a variety of presenting concerns including mood anxiety identity relationship development and adjustment sexuality substance issues child abuse/neglect and health concerns.  He has completed an externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and utilizes a developmental and wellness approach in working with clients and students.  His research is focused around how people develop and change their self-conceptualization of specific identities as well as their general sense of self.