The member spotlight highlights individual achievements, contributions, and unique qualities within the group work community and as members of ASGW, fostering recognition, connection, and inspiration. It acknowledges members' efforts, motivates others through their successes, and builds camaraderie by sharing personal stories. Additionally, spotlights promote diversity, inclusion, and knowledge-sharing while reinforcing ASGW’s core values. This practice strengthens community bonds and aligns group members with shared goals through platforms like newsletters, social media, and events.
Dr. Chantrelle D. Varnado-Johnson
Dr. Chantrelle D. Varnado-Johnson holds the following licenses: Nationally Certified Counselor, Board Certified Tele-Mental Health Provider, Registered Play Therapist, and Licensed Professional Counselor Approved Supervisor (LA).She has Louisiana Appraisal Privilege as well. Dr. Varnado-Johnson coordinates the school counseling program in the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Studies at Nicholls State University, where she is a tenure-track assistant professor of counseling. The University of New Orleans awarded her a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision. At the University of New Orleans, she obtained master's degrees in school counseling and human services besides sociology.
Dr. Varnado-Johnson, who has 20 years of clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health treatment facilities, has provided clinical mental health counseling to adults, adolescents, and children with a variety of issues. She has experience working in schools and private practice, as well as crisis intervention. Her research interests include ways to improve the social justice competency of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) graduate students in mentoring relationships, advocating for anti-racism principles in K–12 environments, and supervising socially ascribed groups through play therapy and creativity. Furthermore, she is actively involved in the profession as evidenced by serving in leadership roles, presenting at conferences, while holding membership in the American Counseling Association (ACA), American School Counseling Association (ASCA), Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC), Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling in Louisiana (ACACL), Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors (ACES), Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness (ACCSW), Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC), Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, Association for Play Therapy (APT), Association for Specialist in Group Work (ASGW), Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society International (CSI), European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA), Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ), Golden Key International Honour Society, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (LACES) Counseling Association, Louisiana Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (LAMCD), Louisiana Association for Play Therapy (LAPT), Louisiana Career Development Association (LCDA), Louisiana School Counselor Association (LSCA), Louisiana Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE-LA), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the National Leadership Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), Phi Kappa Phi, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervisors (SACES), and the Urban League of Louisiana (ULLA).
She currently holds the positions of Co-Chair of the Social Justice and Human Rights Committee (SACES), and AMCD Membership & Strategic Planning Co-Chair. In addition, she serves as the campus faculty advisor for the Xi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., and the chief faculty advisor for the Gamma Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. She is a 2025 recipient of a Counselors for Social Justice ‘Ohana Award.
Dr. Varnado-Johnson, thank you for your contributions to the field of group work!!
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