Dr. Ashley Roberts
Assistant Professor of Counseling; Clinical Placement Coordinator; Core Counselor Education Faculty
Education
Ph.D. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, 2022
M.S.Ed., Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, 2018
B.S., Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois, 2015
Associated Academic Programs
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Counseling and Psychology Counseling and Psychology“I believe that relationships are core to human development. As individuals made in the image of a Triune God, we are inherently relational. However, our understanding of self and others becomes distorted as we move through a world that is not what it ought to be. Studying counseling can help us understand where we stopped seeing ourselves made in the image of good, and redirect us to a more full humanity.”
Prof. Ashley Roberts believes that what happens between client and counselor is not only healing, but sacred. “Thus, I am very interested in studying the relational process of counseling and how to foster counselor development,” she said. “I find it exciting and challenging to explore these topics that are full of nuance and paradox.”
Roberts wants her students to feel safe enough in her classroom to be challenged and grow. “The traditional classroom is ordered in a such a way, that the professor is an authority figure that endues information to students,” she said. “While this can promote learning, I believe that growth occurs in the context of relationships where individuals are empowered and authentic. The classroom environment can be challenging to foster those traits, because students may be inclined to perform rather than be.”
What drew her to Trinity:
Teaching at Trinity, in many ways, felt like returning home for Roberts. “While studying psychology and theology as an undergraduate at Trinity, I became very curious about the vastness of the human experience,” Roberts said. “This curiosity continued with me into my graduate studies and now as a professional counselor. I am grateful to return to Trinity as a faculty member and foster curiosity in students.”
Research interests:
Some her favorite research questions involve phenomena that are difficult to study. “I love attempting to capture and understand invisible dynamics between client and counselor like power, connection, and the counseling process,” she said. “I think a lot about how research can be used to better understand and undermine oppressive contexts and increase human flourishing.”
When she’s not teaching:
Roberts enjoys listening to podcasts about topics ranging from counseling theory to politics to popular culture. “I travel as much as possible, especially to New Mexico to my family cabin. Some of my favorite moments are cooking and eating with family and friends.”
Carter, A.W. & Roberts, A.S. (2018, April 29) Using Grounded Theory to Understand Grief Experiences of Preschool Aged Children.[Poster Presentation]. American Counseling Association, Atlanta, Georgia.
New York Life Community Services Expansion Grant for HOPE Project- 2018
Northern Illinois University Dean’s Grant for HOPE Project- 2017
- + Expertise
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Prof. Ashley Roberts believes that what happens between client and counselor is not only healing, but sacred. “Thus, I am very interested in studying the relational process of counseling and how to foster counselor development,” she said. “I find it exciting and challenging to explore these topics that are full of nuance and paradox.”
Roberts wants her students to feel safe enough in her classroom to be challenged and grow. “The traditional classroom is ordered in a such a way, that the professor is an authority figure that endues information to students,” she said. “While this can promote learning, I believe that growth occurs in the context of relationships where individuals are empowered and authentic. The classroom environment can be challenging to foster those traits, because students may be inclined to perform rather than be.”
What drew her to Trinity:
Teaching at Trinity, in many ways, felt like returning home for Roberts. “While studying psychology and theology as an undergraduate at Trinity, I became very curious about the vastness of the human experience,” Roberts said. “This curiosity continued with me into my graduate studies and now as a professional counselor. I am grateful to return to Trinity as a faculty member and foster curiosity in students.”Research interests:
Some her favorite research questions involve phenomena that are difficult to study. “I love attempting to capture and understand invisible dynamics between client and counselor like power, connection, and the counseling process,” she said. “I think a lot about how research can be used to better understand and undermine oppressive contexts and increase human flourishing.”When she’s not teaching:
Roberts enjoys listening to podcasts about topics ranging from counseling theory to politics to popular culture. “I travel as much as possible, especially to New Mexico to my family cabin. Some of my favorite moments are cooking and eating with family and friends.” - + Courses, Publications & Research
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Carter, A.W. & Roberts, A.S. (2018, April 29) Using Grounded Theory to Understand Grief Experiences of Preschool Aged Children.[Poster Presentation]. American Counseling Association, Atlanta, Georgia.
- + Awards
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New York Life Community Services Expansion Grant for HOPE Project- 2018
Northern Illinois University Dean’s Grant for HOPE Project- 2017