Dr. Patrick K. Faircloth, PhD, LPC-S (AL) LPC (MI), NCC, AMHCA Diplomate, is a retired Tenured Associate Professor, and Associate Chairperson from a Department of Counseling and now is a remote fixed-term full-time faculty for Central Michigan University in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership & Higher Education. He currently maintains a small clinical, supervision, and consultation practice, in Troy, Alabama. In brief, Dr. Faircloth has worked in private practice, community, agency, and university settings for about 20 years as a clinician, supervisor, and researcher. Dr. Faircloth has served in several leadership/service positions in the Michigan and Alabama Counseling Association for a detailed account please see his curriculum vita. 

Ryan Gamble is an Associate Licensed Counselor and A National Certified Counselor. He currently works at The Living Well Outpatient Center counseling LGBTQ+ clients anxiety, depression, trauma, and other challenges. Ryan also has history of working in the HIV field to advocate for LQBTQ+ and people living with HIV on a local and state level, while receiving training and mentorship on the national level. 

Celia Hodnett is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Alabama and is recognized as a National Certified Counselor. She is in private practice at Peacock & Hodnett Counseling, LLC in Birmingham, AL. Currently, she is an adjunct professor in the Counselor Education program at UAB. She has been in the field of counseling for over seven years, and has experience as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, a Career Counselor, and a School Counselor. Celia is pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Alabama. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Alabama at Birmingham and received an Educational Specialist certificate in Counseling from the University of West Alabama. 

Hope Bonitz has been working with clients for nearly five years, and she approaches her work from an eclectic and multicultural perspective, valuing the differences that make each individual special. Hope works in private practice in Florence, AL, serving children, teenagers, adults, and families dealing with trauma, grief, and identity exploration. In her personal and professional life, Hope values new experiences and the opportunity to learn something every day, whether that means attending an exciting training or playing a challenging new board game. She believes creating spaces for LGBTQ+ counselors to share their experiences and support each other makes the profession better. 

Jennifer Burgess serves as a volunteer case manager for Prism Counseling & Community Services, helping provide a safe, supportive, and empowering space for the local LGBT+ community. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Management from Troy University. I am continuing my educational pursuit in Troy University’s Clinical Health Masters Program. I am a doting mom to an amazing teenage son who I love to pieces, as well as I have 3 fur babies, Roscoe, Link, and Hermione. I am also an ordained minister and in my spare time, enjoys reading, watching Netflix, hiking, painting, and photography. 

Michelle Ocampo is a doctoral student at the University of Alabama where she is seeking a doctor of philosophy degree in Counselor Education. Michelle obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology and Spanish and master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in school counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Michelle has served as a high school and elementary school counselor. She is currently the parent/liaison and attendance coach at Tarrant City Schools, and she is teaching at UAB. Michelle is passionate about helping youth of diverse backgrounds increase their emotional awareness, improve their mental health, and learn positive coping skills. 

Amanda is an Alabama (LPC) and Nationally (NCC) accredited mental health counselor who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Troy University. She has over 8 years of counseling experience, with 5 of those years in private practice at Prism Counseling Services of Enterprise, AL. Her passion for positively impacting LGBTQ+ healthcare and justice led her to create Prism Counseling and Community Services, a non-profit organization providing pro-bono individual and group therapeutic care to adolescents and adults with emotional, psychological, and behavior management problems related to the partner, domestic, sexual, bullying and other forms of violence. Her roles at PCCS include being CEO, therapist, and Co-Chairing the South Alabama Pride Festival.