Kesha S. Burch, Ph.D., LCPC
Assistant Professor
Clinical Mental Health Counselling
Chicago
“The classroom remains the most radical space of possibility in the academy.” -bell hooks
OVERVIEW
Dr. Burch is a professional Counsellor, Counsellor educator, scholar, and mental health leader committed to advancing culturally responsive Practise in the Counselling profession. She is an assistant professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counselling Program at Adler University, where she teaches, supervises, and conducts research on Counselling and culture. Dr. Burch received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Counsellor Education and Supervision from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Dr. Burch brings more than two decades of clinical experience to the classroom. She also brings her deep commitment to accessible, culturally attuned mental health care to bear in every aspect of her professional life. Dr. Burch spent her formative professional years in community mental health and community-based Practise settings, supporting clients with complex Behavioural, social and systemic needs.
Today she teaches and practices from an integrative perspective that marries the best of evidence-based approaches with depth-oriented psychodynamic, relational, and culturally grounded frameworks. Her scholarship and clinical work are informed by a longstanding dedication to understanding the lived experiences of diverse clients and communities. Dr. Burch hopes to inspire in her students curiosity about the multicultural Counselling work and confidence to make an impact in the lives of others.
At Adler University, Dr. Burch teaches courses in multicultural Counselling, ethics and legal issues in Counselling, human growth and development, and the practicum and internship seminar She is the co-creator of the Counselling Skills Lab, an experience for counselors-in-training to sharpen their clinical skills and receive supportive feedback while strengthening their professional identity development. Its innovative model is designed to deepen trainee self-awareness, cultural responsiveness, and professional identity development. Overall, her work with students centers the cultivation of cultural competence and reflective capacity as core components of Counsellor preparation.
Dr. Burch is the lead researcher in the Mental Health Counselling and Culture Lab, where her work examines the intersection of culture and mental health, with particular attention to the responsibilities of professional counselors and other mental health providers working with diverse and historically marginalized populations. Her scholarly interests include multicultural Counselling competence, reflective Practise, and the role of mental health professionals in promoting equity and well-being.
In addition to her academic and clinical work, Dr. Burch provides extensive service to the profession and the broader community. She is a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and has served as parliamentarian for the Illinois Counselling Association and the American Counselling Association Midwestern Region. She currently is a volunteer leader for a grant-making and service organization supporting women and families in the Evanston and Northshore communities.
MEMBERSHIPS + ASSOCIATIONS
- American Counselling Association, Member.
- Association for Multicultural Counselling and Development, Member.
- Chi Sigma Iota, Member.
- Illinois Counselling Association, Member.
- Illinois Counsellor Education and Supervision, Member.
- North Central Counsellor Education and Supervision, Member.
- National Association of Parliamentarians, Member.
Publications + Presentations
Publications
Authentic Assessment in Counsellor Education: Building AI Resistant Assignments. Education Session.
Education Session.
Counselling Skills Lab: Guiding Counselling Skill Development from Intro Through Internship.
and Supervision. Rosemont, IL.
African American Same Race Counselling Relationships: Rewards and Opportunities.
Educating Culturally Competent Counselors: The Needs of Students of Colour.
Counsellor Education and Supervision Omaha, NE. Accepted.
Artificial intelligence: Promise, bias, and cultural considerations for Counsellor education.
Supervision (ACES), Seattle, WA.
Innovative Strategies to Address Racial Battle Fatigue: #BlackLivesMatter
for Counselling Educators & Supervisors. Bloomington, MN.
Presentations
Cultural self of the Therapist. In, Baptiste, D. & Gooden, A. (Eds). Black Women’s Mental Health.
Ethical Implications of White Fragility in Counselling.
Women and leadership: Building community.
Uncovering racial battle fatigue: Understanding the impact of everyday racism.
Social Justice and Advocacy in Counselling: Experiential Activities
for Teaching. New York, NY: Routledge.
Collaboration with Clients in Couple and Family Therapy. In: Lebow J., Chambers A., Breunlin D. (Eds.).
doi:10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_173-1
Lessons for liberation: Brief reflections on the study of bell hooks and Paulo Freire by Women of Colour.
LEADERSHIP + ENGAGEMENT
- American Counselling Association, Midwest Region, Parliamentarian, 2020-21.
- Association for Counsellor Education and Supervision, Member, Conference Program Reviewer, 2015.
- Association for Multicultural Counselling and Development, Ethics Committee, Member.
- Association for Multicultural Counselling and Development, Ethics Committee Chairman, 2020-21.
- Chi Sigma Iota, Delta Beta Sigma, Nu Upsilon Chapter, Faculty Adviser, 2019-present.
- Illinois Counselling Association, Parliamentarian 2022-Present.
- North Central Counsellor Education and Supervision, Bylaws Committee Member, 2019-21.
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Counselling Program, Advisory Committee 2018-22.
- Naomi Ruth Cohen Foundation for Mental Health Education, Annual Conference, Planning Committee, 2005-06.