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- About - Experience + My Story + My Path Teaching Supervision Research - Contact + Connect
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+ Kayla Newkirk

Kayla Newkirk, MA, MHC-LP

-

Counselor Educator
& Clinical Practitioner

+

Counselor Educator
& Clinical Practitioner

- PhD candidate in Counselor Education & Supervision at Waynesburg University. - Dedicated to developing the next generation of counselors through trauma-informed - mentorship, evidence-based teaching, and clinical excellence grounded in compassion. + I believe that the heart of our work as counselors lies in the relationships we build, + the spaces we create, and the courage we have to walk alongside one another through + both struggle and growth.

- Explore My Work + Welcome CV Resume
- Kayla Newkirk
- -
+ +

About

-

About Me

-
-
-

- I am a limited permit clinical mental health counselor (MHC-LP) and counselor educator in training, - deeply committed to lifelong professional growth and the advancement of the counseling profession. - I hold an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. Bonaventure University and am currently - pursuing my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Waynesburg University. -

-

- My professional identity is built on three pillars: leadership through advocacy and service, - mentorship through clinical supervision and teaching, and trauma-informed practice - across clinical, educational, and supervisory settings. I believe that the most impactful counselors are - shaped by intentional, relationally grounded training — and I strive to be part of that shaping process - for every student and supervisee I work with. -

-

- My clinical experience spans crisis intervention, addiction counseling, and long-term individual therapy, - with additional service as a doctoral student supervisor and graduate assistant supporting academic success - initiatives. I am passionate about bringing evidence-based, culturally responsive care to every setting I enter. -

+

My Story

+
+

+ I am a limited permit mental health counselor (MHC-LP) and a PhD candidate in Counselor + Education and Supervision at Waynesburg University. My path into this field began with + a deep curiosity about people, their stories, and the conditions that help them heal and grow. + That curiosity has carried me through crisis counseling, addiction treatment, community mental + health, and now into the classroom and supervision room where I support the next generation + of counselors finding their own way. +

+

+ Three commitments guide my work. Leadership, because I believe that advocating for + our clients, our students, and our profession is not optional. Mentorship, because + none of us become the counselors we hope to be alone. And trauma-informed practice, + because understanding the weight people carry is essential to offering care that does not + cause more harm. These commitments show up in every session I facilitate, every class I teach, + and every supervision relationship I enter. +

+

+ Outside of my professional roles, I am someone who finds meaning in quiet moments of reflection, + in the honesty of a good conversation, and in the small, steady work of showing up. I believe + that good counseling and good teaching are not so different they both ask us to listen carefully, + respond thoughtfully, and trust the process. +

+
+
+
+ + +
+
+

Education & Background

+

My Path

+
+ +
+

Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision

+

Waynesburg University — 2025 to Present

+

Doctoral training in counselor supervision, teaching pedagogy, research methodology, and advanced clinical practice. My doctoral work centers on trauma-informed approaches to supervision and preparing future counselors to work with complex, marginalized populations.

-
-
-
- -

PhD Candidate

-

CES, Waynesburg University

-
-
- -

MHC-LP

-

Clinical Mental Health

-
-
- -

Doctoral Supervisor

-

Master's-level students

-
-
- -

Trauma-Informed

-

Clinical & educational settings

-
-
+ +
+

Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision (First Year Completed)

+

University of Arkansas — 2023 to 2024

+

Completed the first year of doctoral studies, including an advanced supervision practicum, a teaching assistantship in an undergraduate helping relationships course, and collaborative research on gaming addiction and qualitative methodologies.

+
+ +
+

M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, magna cum laude

+

Saint Bonaventure University — 2023

+

A CACREP-accredited program that shaped my clinical foundation through internships in addiction counseling, community mental health, and university-based clinic settings. Here I learned that the most meaningful clinical work happens when we meet clients where they are, with humility and genuine presence.

+
+ +
+

B.S., Psychology — Minor in Human Development

+

SUNY Geneseo — 2019

+

My undergraduate years introduced me to the power of research and the complexity of human development. I worked as a research assistant studying language dynamics between children and their siblings and friends, and had the opportunity to present our findings at a national psychology conference.

+
+ +
+

A.A., Liberal Arts, cum laude

+

Cayuga Community College — 2016

- -
+ +
-

Education

-

Academic Background

-
-
-

Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision

-

Waynesburg University, Waynesburg, PA — 2025–2027

-

Doctoral training in counselor supervision, teaching pedagogy, research methodology, and advanced clinical practice. Dissertation focus on trauma-informed supervision practices.

-
-
-

Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision

-

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR — 2023–2024

-

Completed first year of doctoral studies including advanced supervision practicum, teaching assistantship, and research collaboration.

-
-
-

M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, magna cum laude

-

Saint Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY — 2023

-

CACREP-accredited program with clinical internships in addiction counseling, community mental health, and university clinic settings.

-
-
-

B.S., Psychology — Minor in Human Development

-

SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY — 2019

-

Research assistant in developmental psychology lab. Presented at APS national convention and SUNY GREAT Day.

-
-
-

A.A., Liberal Arts, cum laude

-

Cayuga Community College, Auburn, NY — 2016

-
-
-
-
+

Clinical Work

+

Clinical Experience

- -
-
-

Experience

-

Clinical & Professional

-
-
- Clinical -

Limited Permit Mental Health Counselor

-

2024–Present

-

True Talk Mental Health Counseling, Manhasset, NY

-
    -
  • Provide individual counseling for anxiety, depression, life transitions, and trauma-related concerns
    • -
  • Utilize evidence-based approaches including CBT, person-centered, and trauma-informed care
    • -
-
-
- Crisis & Advocacy -

Crisis Line Counselor & Shift Lead

-

2021–2023

-

Contact Community Services, Syracuse, NY

-
    -
  • Managed crisis interventions across 11 hotlines including 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    • -
  • Supervised staff, coordinated emergency responses, and provided real-time support to callers in distress
    • -
-
-
- Addiction -

Addiction Counseling Intern

-

2023

-

University of Arkansas Online Clinic

-
    -
  • Performed intake, evaluation, treatment planning for substance use disorders
    • -
  • Developed individualized treatment plans for clients of diverse backgrounds
    • -
-
-
- University Clinic -

Clinical Mental Health Counselor Intern

-

2022–2023

-

Branches of Growth, Syracuse, NY & University of Arkansas Online Clinic

-
    -
  • Delivered remote and in-person mental health services addressing academic stress and personal challenges
    • -
  • Completed comprehensive intake evaluations, treatment plans, and documentation
    • -
-
+
+ Private Practice +

Limited Permit Mental Health Counselor

+

True Talk Mental Health Counseling, Manhasset, NY — 2024 to Present

+

+ I provide individual counseling to adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, + and trauma. My approach is grounded in person-centered and cognitive-behavioral frameworks, + and I am intentional about creating a space where clients feel safe enough to explore the + parts of their lives that feel the most tender. Each session is an opportunity to witness + someone's resilience, and I carry that responsibility with care. +

+
+ +
+ Crisis & Community +

Crisis Line Counselor & Shift Lead

+

Contact Community Services, Syracuse, NY — 2021 to 2023

+

+ On the other end of a crisis line, every call is different. Some callers need immediate + safety intervention; others need someone to listen without judgment at 2 AM. Over two years, + I managed calls across eleven hotlines including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, + supervised shift operations, and supported staff through high-stress situations. This work + taught me more about presence, patience, and the weight of silence than any textbook could. +

+
+ +
+ Addiction +

Addiction Counseling Intern

+

University of Arkansas Online Clinic — 2023

+

+ Working with clients navigating substance use disorders, I learned how deeply shame and + stigma can wound. My role involved conducting intake evaluations, developing treatment plans, + and offering individual counseling that honored each person's readiness for change. I carried + forward a lasting belief that recovery is not a straight line, and our job as counselors is + to walk alongside, not ahead. +

+
+ +
+ Community Mental Health +

Clinical Mental Health Counselor Intern

+

Branches of Growth, Syracuse, NY & University of Arkansas — 2022 to 2023

+

+ Across two internship placements, I provided both in-person and remote counseling to clients + facing a range of concerns from academic stress to deep personal challenges. I conducted + comprehensive intake assessments, built treatment plans collaboratively, and learned to + adapt my approach to each client's unique context and culture. +

@@ -589,38 +552,44 @@

Teaching

-

Teaching Experience

-
-
- Co-Instructor -

The Helping Relationship (CNED 3053)

-

Fall 2023

-

University of Arkansas — Undergraduate elective

-
    -
  • Co-taught in-person course exploring foundational helping skills including empathy, active listening, and mindfulness
    • -
  • Designed mock interviews, reflective exercises, and group presentations to develop practical skills
    • -
-
-
- Guest Lecturer -

Advanced Counseling Theory & Methods (CNED 6013)

-

April 2024

-

University of Arkansas — Doctoral-level course

-
    -
  • Delivered comprehensive lecture on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
    • -
  • Created research-based materials incorporating historical context and contemporary clinical application
    • -
-
-
- Workshops -

Wellness & Study Skills Facilitator

-

2022–2024

-

University of Arkansas & Community Settings

-
    -
  • Presented "Mindfulness 101: Stress to Rest" and "Stress Management" at university and public library settings
    • -
  • Designed and delivered exam preparation, time management, and study strategy workshops for engineering students
    • -
-
+

Teaching & Facilitation

+ +
+ Co-Instructor +

The Helping Relationship — CNED 3053

+

University of Arkansas, Undergraduate — Fall 2023

+

+ I co-taught this undergraduate elective for students exploring helping professions like + counseling, teaching, and coaching. We focused on foundational skills that are deceptively + simple and profoundly hard: listening without fixing, sitting with discomfort, offering + empathy genuinely. Students practiced through mock interviews, reflective writing, and + group presentations that pushed them to engage not just with the material, but with themselves. +

+
+ +
+ Guest Lecturer +

Advanced Counseling Theory & Methods — CNED 6013

+

University of Arkansas, Doctoral-Level — Spring 2024

+

+ I was invited to deliver a lecture on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to a + CACREP-accredited doctoral class. I created research-based materials connecting REBT's + historical foundations to its contemporary clinical applications, and facilitated a peer-level + discussion on how theory shows up in practice. Teaching doctoral students reminded me that + learning is never finished, and the best teachers remain students at heart. +

+
+ +
+ Workshops & Community +

Wellness, Study Skills & Community Presentations

+

University of Arkansas & Onondaga County Library — 2022 to 2024

+

+ I have led workshops on mindfulness, stress management, and academic success strategies + in settings ranging from university classrooms to public libraries. Whether teaching a group + of engineering students how to prepare for finals or offering a guided imagery exercise to + colleagues, I aim to make wellness practices accessible, practical, and grounded in evidence. +

@@ -629,41 +598,44 @@

Supervision

-

Supervision Experience

-
-
- Doctoral Supervisor -

Internship Supervision

-

Fall 2025–Present

-

Waynesburg University

-
    -
  • Provide advanced clinical supervision to two master's-level internship students
    • -
  • Focus on professional identity, autonomy, advanced intervention strategies, and complex case navigation
    • -
  • Evaluate performance through direct observation, case presentations, and documentation review
    • -
-
-
- Doctoral Supervisor -

Practicum Supervision

-

Summer 2025

-

Waynesburg University

-
    -
  • Supervised two master's-level practicum students developing foundational counseling skills
    • -
  • Conducted individual online supervision sessions with targeted feedback for initial client interactions
    • -
  • Monitored clinical hours and ensured program compliance with ethical standards
    • -
-
-
- Doctoral Supervisor -

Practicum & Internship Supervision

-

Spring 2024

-

University of Arkansas

-
    -
  • Provided clinical supervision to four master's-level students (two practicum, two internship)
    • -
  • Facilitated weekly sessions reviewing case conceptualization, ethical dilemmas, and documentation skills
    • -
  • Fostered collaborative learning environment supporting supervisee growth toward competency
    • -
-
+

Supervision Experience

+ +
+ Doctoral Supervisor +

Internship Supervision

+

Waynesburg University — Fall 2025 to Present

+

+ I currently supervise two master's-level internship students, supporting them as they + transition toward independent practice. Our work together focuses on professional identity + development, advanced intervention strategies, and navigating the complexity that comes with + longer-term client relationships. I evaluate their growth through direct observation, case + presentations, and thoughtful documentation, always with an eye toward what they need most + at this stage of their development. +

+
+ +
+ Doctoral Supervisor +

Practicum Supervision

+

Waynesburg University — Summer 2025

+

+ I supervised two master's-level practicum students as they took their first steps into + clinical work. These early sessions are formative, and I worked to create a supervision + environment where students felt safe enough to be uncertain, honest enough to ask hard + questions, and supported enough to take risks with their clients. +

+
+ +
+ Doctoral Supervisor +

Practicum & Internship Supervision

+

University of Arkansas — Spring 2024

+

+ I provided clinical supervision to four master's-level students across practicum and + internship placements. Each week we met to review case conceptualizations, explore ethical + dilemmas, and build documentation skills. I learned that supervision is not about having + all the answers, but about asking the questions that help supervisees find their own. +

@@ -671,155 +643,164 @@
-

Research

-

Research & Publications

+

Research & Scholarship

+

Research & Publications

+
-

Publication

-
    -
  • - Henry, H., Newkirk, K., & Guggenberger, L. - "The Power of Choice: Comparing Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning." - Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 2025. -
    • -
+

Publication

+
    +
  • + Henry, H., Newkirk, K., & Guggenberger, L. + "The Power of Choice: Comparing Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning." + Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 2025. +
    • +
-

Research Experience

-
-
- Dissertation Collaboration -

Prone to Prejudice: Trans Experiences & Structural Harm

-

University of Arkansas — 2025

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    -
  • Applied qualitative thematic coding to 60+ post-incarceration statements
    • -
  • Identified recurring themes and sub-themes for research team analysis
    • -
+

Research Experience

+ +
+ Qualitative Research +

Prone to Prejudice: Trans Experiences and Structural Harm in the U.S. Prison System

+

Dissertation Research Collaboration, University of Arkansas — 2025

+

+ I collaborated on qualitative data analysis for a dissertation examining the experiences + of transgender individuals within the U.S. prison system. I applied thematic coding + techniques to over 60 post-incarceration statements, identifying emergent themes and + patterns that illuminated the structural harm these individuals endure. This work reinforced + my commitment to research that amplifies marginalized voices and presses toward justice. +

-
- Gaming Addiction -

Research Assistant — Gaming Addiction Study

-

University of Arkansas — 2023

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    -
  • Coded 250+ gaming posts individually and assisted with 500+ as a team
    • -
  • Contributed to qualitative data analysis for addiction research
    • -
+ +
+ Addiction Research +

Gaming Addiction Study

+

Research Assistant, University of Arkansas — 2023

+

+ I was part of a research team investigating gaming addiction, where I coded over 250 + individual gaming posts for qualitative patterns and contributed to team coding of over + 500 posts. This experience taught me the discipline of rigorous qualitative analysis and + the importance of collaborative, consensus-driven research processes. +

-
- Child Language Development -

Language Dynamics in Sibling & Peer Interactions

-

SUNY Geneseo — 2017–2019

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    -
  • Analyzed assertive and affiliative language patterns in 7-year-old children
    • -
  • Presented findings at APS 31st Annual Convention and SUNY GREAT Day
    • -
+ +
+ Developmental Psychology +

Language Dynamics in Children's Relationships

+

Research Assistant, SUNY Geneseo — 2017 to 2019

+

+ I studied how seven-year-old children use assertive and affiliative language differently + depending on whether they are interacting with siblings or friends. I analyzed video + recordings, calculated language patterns, and collaborated with the research team to + present our findings at the Association for Psychological Science 31st Annual Convention + in Washington, D.C. and at SUNY Geneseo's GREAT Day. +

+ +

Selected Presentations

+
    +
  • + "Evaluation in Counseling Supervision: Enhancing Practice through Feedback" — Virtual + continuing education presentation with Jennifer Morris, LPC. Spring 2024. 20+ local + practitioners attended. +
    • +
  • + "We Care on the Go" — Guided imagery and psychoeducation session. + University of Arkansas, GRAD 340. April 2024. +
    • +
  • + Narcan Training — Substance Education, Assessment, and Recovery (SEAR) Ambassadors. + Alpha Chi Omega Sorority House, Fayetteville, AR. 2023. +
    • +
  • + "Implementing Evidence-Based Wellness Practices for Counselors to Mitigate Long-Term + Professional Burnout" — CSI Days Virtual Poster Session. 2022–2023. +
    • +
  • + "Mindfulness 101: Stress to Rest" — Virtual presentation and Onondaga County Library. July 2023. +
    • +
  • + "Stress Management" — Virtual presentation and Onondaga County Library. July 2023. +
    • +
  • + "Gender and Task in 7-Year Old's Assertive and Afflictive Language with Siblings and Friend" + — APS 31st Annual Convention, Washington D.C., 2019 and SUNY Geneseo GREAT Day, 2019. +
    • +
+
- -

Presentations

-
    -
  • - "Evaluation in Counseling Supervision: Enhancing Practice through Feedback" - — Virtual CE presentation with Jennifer Morris, LPC. Spring 2024. 20+ local practitioners in attendance. -
    • -
  • - "We Care on the Go" — Guided imagery exercise and psychoeducation. - University of Arkansas, GRAD 340. April 2024. -
    • -
  • - Substance Education, Assessment, and Recovery (SEAR) — Narcan Trainings. - Alpha Chi Omega Sorority House, Fayetteville, AR. 2023. -
    • -
  • - "Implementing Evidence-Based Wellness Practices for Counselors" - — Virtual 2022–2023 CSI Days Poster Session. -
    • -
  • - "Mindfulness 101: Stress to Rest" — Virtual presentation and Onondaga County Library. July 2023. -
    • -
  • - "Stress Management" — Virtual presentation and Onondaga County Library. July 2023. -
    • -
  • - "Gender and Task in 7-Year Old's Assertive and Afflictive Language with Siblings and Friend" - — APS 31st Annual Convention, Washington D.C., 2019 & SUNY Geneseo GREAT Day, 2019. -
    • -
- +
-

Leadership & Service

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Academic Service & Leadership

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- Graduate Assistant -

Calculus Academic Coach

-

2023–2024

-

University of Arkansas

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    -
  • Managed case load of 10–15 students per semester for academic skill development
    • -
  • Created course content and developed department-wide academic support initiatives (20 hrs/week)
    • -
-
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- Group Facilitator -

CMHC Program Process Group Facilitator

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2023

-

University of Arkansas

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    -
  • Designed and implemented weekly processing group for master's counseling students
    • -
  • Facilitated communication, feedback, self-growth, and reflection activities
    • -
-
-
- Graduate Assistant -

Research & Departmental Support

-

2021–2023

-

St. Bonaventure University

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    -
  • Literature review, article dissection, and co-writing for faculty publications
    • -
  • Collaborated on department-wide projects totaling 300+ hours
    • -
-
+

Service

+

Academic Service & Leadership

+ +
+ Graduate Assistantship +

Calculus Academic Coach

+

University of Arkansas — 2023 to 2024

+

+ As a graduate assistant for the College of Engineering, I worked one-on-one with 10 to 15 + students each semester to help them build academic skills, study strategies, and confidence. + I also collaborated with faculty to develop course content and department-wide academic + support initiatives. This role taught me that teaching is not just about content, it is + about helping someone discover that they are capable of more than they believe. +

+
+ +
+ Group Facilitation +

CMHC Program Process Group Facilitator

+

University of Arkansas — 2023

+

+ I designed and facilitated a weekly process group for master's students in the Clinical + Mental Health Counseling program. The group was a space for students to reflect on their + growth, offer honest feedback to one another, and practice the interpersonal skills that + are at the core of our work as counselors. +

+
+ +
+ Graduate Assistantship +

Research and Departmental Support

+

St. Bonaventure University — 2021 to 2023

+

+ I supported faculty research by locating and reviewing literature, writing literature + reviews, and co-authoring a journal article. Over 300 hours of collaborative work across + multiple departmental projects deepened my appreciation for the scholarship that informs + our clinical and teaching practices. +

- -
+ +
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-

Connect

-

Let's Connect

-

- I welcome opportunities for collaboration in teaching, supervision, research, and clinical practice. - Whether you're a prospective student, fellow educator, or potential collaborator — let's connect and grow together. -

-
- - kayla.newkirk@student.waynesburg.edu - - - LinkedIn - - - Portfolio Source - -
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-

Download My Credentials

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- - Curriculum Vitae - - - Resume - -
-
+

Connect

+

Let's Connect

+

+ Whether you are a prospective student exploring the field, a fellow educator interested in + collaboration, or someone who simply wants to reach out, I would love to hear from you. + The best conversations are the ones where we show up as we are. +

+
+ + kayla.newkirk@student.waynesburg.edu + + + Connect on LinkedIn + +
+
+ + Download CV + + + Download Resume +