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Chicago | Director of Training,
Department of Counseling and Integrated Programs |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.)

Erica Wade-Ball,
Ph.D., LCPC, ACS

Overview

Overview

I view teaching as a creative dance, sometimes difficult to follow or understand, however, with an environment of metacognition (thinking about what you are thinking), students/counselors-in-training (CIT) can reach their full potential, gain knowledge and skills to be culturally competent professional counselors. Also, through engagement, challenges, and inspiration, I invite students/CIT to reflect and explore their styles of learning to strengthen their critical awareness as it pertains to counselor education. Furthermore, I believe that every student brings to the classroom a different worldview, experiences, and a different way of learning. Therefore, it is the role of the instructor to maintain a neutral stance on controversial material, political, and social issues. Remaining neutral allows for a supportive environment for students/CIT to feel that their ideas and thoughts are respected. As such, students/CIT will develop a sense of autonomy and space for critical thinking.

Additionally, I possess the following qualities: passion, leadership, classroom management, flexibility, and content knowledge. I also accommodate the academic, social, and emotional needs of students/CIT. Furthermore, I am an active listener and focus on ways to help students/CIT to be successful. I take pride in responsibility and integrity as a professor. I bring three overarching goals to the classroom and within supervision; relationship, experiential/skills, and knowledge; rooted in the idea that teaching is a relationship between the teacher and the student.

Above all, I believe that every student/CIT is capable of lifelong learning and learning is continuous, therefore I hope to prepare students/CIT to be critical thinkers and competent in working with clients from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, I encourage students/CIT to understand that I am open to their thoughts, eager to hear their opinion, and thrilled to learn about, with and through them. In sum, my teaching and training philosophy reflects my personality and my value as a Counselor Educator.

Education

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Counselor Education and Supervision, Northern Illinois University, CACREP Accredited
  • Certificate of Advanced Quantitative Methodology in Education, Northern Illinois University
  • Master of Science, Clinical Psychology, Benedictine University
  • Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Aurora University
  • Associates of Arts, Psychology College of DuPage
Areas of Expertise and Academic Research Interests

Areas of Expertise and Academic Research Interests

Areas of expertise and interest are group therapy, multicultural concerns, anxiety concerns, interpersonal violence, grief and loss, relational concerns, substance use, training and supervision. Research interests are impostor phenomenon, counselor self-efficacy, racial identity development, creative practices within supervision, diversity, and student athletes.

Past Experience Highlights

Past Experience Highlights

  • Director of Counseling & Wellness, Governors State University
  • Substance Use Assessment Coordinator, Northern Illinois University
  • Clinical Coordinator, Northern Illinois University
  • Outreach Coordinator/Staff Counselor, Northern Illinois University
  • Contractual Clinical Therapist, DeKalb County Jail
  • Clinical Therapist, Braden Counseling Center
  • On-Call Social Worker/Discharge Planner, Kishwaukee Hospital (part of Northwestern Medicine)
  • HIV Prevention Specialist, DeKalb County Health Department
Professional Memberships

Professional Memberships

  • American Counseling Association
  • Black Counselors Association, Doctoral Liaison, July 2017-July 2018
  • Illinois Counselors of Social Justice, Treasurer, July 2017-July 2018
  • Illinois Counselors Association, October 2017-October 2019

 

Select Publications

Select Publications

  • Wade, E. D. (2019). Counselor self-efficacy re-examined: Components of racial identity development and impostor phenomenon among counseling graduate students of color. Northern Illinois University.
Select Presentations

Select Presentations

  • Wade, E (2021 April). CSE Re-Examined: Components of RID and IP among Counseling Graduate Students of Color. Roundtable session accepted for the annual American Counseling Association Conference, Orlando, FL.
  • Wade, E. & Wilkerson, K. (2017, March). What is your armor? Roundtable session presented at the annual American Counseling Association Conference, San Francisco, CA.
  • Nazon, M., Wade, E. & Vinson, L. (2016, September). The intersection of Religious/Spiritual Beliefs, Competency, and Supervision of African American Counseling Students: Implications for Counselor Education and Clinical Practice. education session presented at the annual Dennis H. May Conference on Diversity Issues and the Role of Counseling Centers, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
  • Wade, E, Kestner, J (2016, May). Connecting Students to Services. Education session presented at annual Student Affairs & Enrollment Management (SAEM) Conference, Northern Illinois University.
  • Wade, E, Edwards, A. (2016, April). Creating sustainable connection: successful strategies for student engagement via campus outreach. Roundtable session presented at annual research symposium, Northern Illinois University.
Select Awards or Recognitions

Select Awards or Recognitions

  • 2019 Recipient of Professional Development and Life-Long Learning Award at the Governors State University Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Recognizing Innovation and Excellence
  • Awarded Excellence in Advocacy and Social Justice at the 70th Annual Illinois Counseling Association conference
  • Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International)
  • Kappa Delta Pi (International Honor Society in Education)
  • Awarded Best Township Program for DeKalb Township Committee on Youth (COY)