Kesha S. Burch, Ph.D., LCPC
Assistant Professor
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Chicago
“The classroom remains the most radical space of possibility in the academy.” -bell hooks
OVERVIEW
Dr. Burch is a professional counselor, counselor educator, scholar, and mental health leader committed to advancing culturally responsive practice in the counseling profession. She is an assistant professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Adler University, where she teaches, supervises, and conducts research on counseling and culture. Dr. Burch received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor 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 practice settings, supporting clients with complex behavioral, 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 counseling work and confidence to make an impact in the lives of others.
At Adler University, Dr. Burch teaches courses in multicultural counseling, ethics and legal issues in counseling, human growth and development, and the practicum and internship seminar She is the co-creator of the Counseling 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 counselor preparation.
Dr. Burch is the lead researcher in the Mental Health Counseling 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 counseling competence, reflective practice, 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 Counseling Association and the American Counseling 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 Counseling Association, Member.
- Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, Member.
- Chi Sigma Iota, Member.
- Illinois Counseling Association, Member.
- Illinois Counselor Education and Supervision, Member.
- North Central Counselor Education and Supervision, Member.
- National Association of Parliamentarians, Member.
Publications + Presentations
Publications
Authentic Assessment in Counselor Education: Building AI Resistant Assignments. Education Session.
Education Session.
Counseling Skills Lab: Guiding Counseling Skill Development from Intro Through Internship.
and Supervision. Rosemont, IL.
African American Same Race Counseling Relationships: Rewards and Opportunities.
Educating Culturally Competent Counselors: The Needs of Students of Color.
Counselor Education and Supervision Omaha, NE. Accepted.
Artificial intelligence: Promise, bias, and cultural considerations for counselor education.
Supervision (ACES), Seattle, WA.
Innovative Strategies to Address Racial Battle Fatigue: #BlackLivesMatter
for Counseling 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 Counseling.
Women and leadership: Building community.
Uncovering racial battle fatigue: Understanding the impact of everyday racism.
Social Justice and Advocacy in Counseling: 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 Color.
LEADERSHIP + ENGAGEMENT
- American Counseling Association, Midwest Region, Parliamentarian, 2020-21.
- Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Member, Conference Program Reviewer, 2015.
- Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, Ethics Committee, Member.
- Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, Ethics Committee Chairman, 2020-21.
- Chi Sigma Iota, Delta Beta Sigma, Nu Upsilon Chapter, Faculty Advisor, 2019-present.
- Illinois Counseling Association, Parliamentarian 2022-Present.
- North Central Counselor Education and Supervision, Bylaws Committee Member, 2019-21.
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Counseling Program, Advisory Committee 2018-22.
- Naomi Ruth Cohen Foundation for Mental Health Education, Annual Conference, Planning Committee, 2005-06.