Program Faculty

ELC Counseling Program Faculty (left to right): Dr. Samir Patel, Dr. Rebecca Pender

Dr. Susana Contreras Bloomdahl, Dr. Alan Bakes

Counseling Program Coordinator
Dr. Alan Bakes, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education
3228 Alexander Hall, Murray, KY 42071
270-809-5313

Alan Bakes has been teaching counselor education at Murray State University since 2005 and holds a doctorate in Counselor Education and Counseling (Ph.D.) and a Master's of Counseling (M.Coun.) from Idaho State University. He is primarily responsible for teaching individual and group counseling skills, career counseling, and counseling ethics, as well as supervising practicum and internship. Professionally, he has provided personal counseling and career counseling at both university and small community counseling settings. Areas of scholarly interest include counselor supervision, career development and counseling skill training.

School Counseling Program Coordinator
Dr. Susana Contreras Bloomdahl, Ph.D., NCC
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education
3246 Alexander Hall, Murray, KY 42071
270-809-6968

Susana Contreras Bloomdahl, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the counseling program at Murray State University. She has earned her doctorate in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas in 2007. Originally from El Salvador but raised in South Louisiana, Dr. Bloomdahl has knowledge and experience in cultural diversity issues. She has worked with the minority populations within the school systems of New Orleans, Louisiana and with the immigrant student populations in Northwest Arkansas. Her areas of expertise are in Multicultural Counseling and School Counseling.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Coordinator
Dr. Samir Patel, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education
3218 Alexander Hall, Murray, KY 42071
270-809-6123

Samir H. Patel, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the counseling program and earned his doctorate in Counselor Education from the University of Central Florida in 2010. He is the current president of the Kentucky Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Research interests include (a) the promotion of evidence-based practices in counselor education, (b) exploring outcome factors of the supervisory working alliance, and (c) improving treatment outcomes for juvenile sex offenders.

Practicum & Internship Coordinator
Dr. Rebecca Pender, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education
3220 Alexander Hall, Murray, KY 42071
270-809-6905

Rebecca Pender received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Counseling from Idaho State University and her M.S.Ed, in Community Counseling and Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Before joining the faculty at Murray State University, she worked as a counselor with children, adolescents, and adults at Family Services Alliance of Southeast Idaho, a small organization that facilitates services for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. Over this past summer, she worked with the H Group of Illinois providing crisis counseling services and assessments. Her scholarly and research interests include mental health counseling, play therapy, marriage, couple and family counseling, trauma and crisis work, group work, and supervision. Rebecca currently serves as the Practicum and Internship Coordinator for the Counseling Program. Specialty Areas: Play Therapy, Crisis and Trauma, Substance Abuse, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling, Group Counseling.

Counselor Education Program Advisory Board

2011 - 2012

*Amy Washington* President West Kentucky Mental Health Counselors Assoc.	Melissa Doom Counseling Student Representative
*Mindy Sturm* School Counselor North Marshall Middle School	Tamra Parker School Counselor Fulton County Elem/Middle School
*Adrienne Hubbard* Missions Administrator Heartland Worship Center	Jan Roberson School Psychologist Retired
*Trudy Bramblett* School Counselor Crittenden County Elementary School

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