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Chicago | Assistant Professor
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (On-Ground Modality)

Reylla Santos, Ph.D., LCPC

Overview

Overview

As a counselor educator, I teach to transform. From the very basics, I help students transform knowledge into practice, but also transform students into social justice advocates, and content receivers into thinkers and disruptors of the status quo. My classes are filled with discussions, activities, case studies, and critical questions to elicit conversations and application of the material. As a professor, I aim to foster a non-judgmental and authentic environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and learning from their mistakes.

I believe that everyone has something meaningful to contribute and adult learners bring valuable experiences that are used in classes to enrich learning. Therefore, I seek to empower them to find their own counselor identity and create a unique path in their chosen field. Yet, I challenge students to expand their awareness personally and professionally to help develop more authentic and culturally humble professional counselors.

Students who would benefit the most from my teaching philosophy are those who are passionate about social justice and lean on uncomfortable discussions. Paulo Freire said, “There’s no such thing as neutral education. Education either functions as an instrument to bring about conformity or freedom” and I teach to free people so they can free their clients.

Education

Education

  • PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Adler University
  • M.A. in Forensic Clinical Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  • B.S. in Psychology, Pontificia Universidade Catolica (Brazil)
Current Licensures

Current Licensures

  • LCPC – IL
Professional Memberships

Professional Memberships

  • American Counseling Association
  • Association of Counselor Education and Supervision
  • Illinois Counseling Association
  • International Association for Addiction and Offender Counseling
  • Textbook and Academic Authors Association
Areas of Expertise

Areas of Expertise

  • Recovery from substance addiction
  • Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling
  • Liberation Psychology
Select Publications

Select Publications

  • Santos, R. (2021). “Treatment approach to hope: understanding how to instill and cultivate hope in African American men mandated to addiction treatment.” [Doctoral dissertation, Adler University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Select Presentations

Select Presentations

  • Santos, R (2023, December). Social justice in addiction counseling. [Professional Presentation]. Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
  • Santos, R. (2023, November). Hope Approach to Addiction Treatment. [Conference session]. 75th Annual Conference of Illinois Counseling Association (ICA), Chicago, IL.
  • Santos, R. & Chow, T. (2019, November). Hope for Change in People of Color Mandated to Addictions Treatment. [Conference session]. 71st Annual Conference of Illinois Counseling Association (ICA). Chicago, IL
  • Santos, R. (2019, April). The Interdependence of Dependence. [Panel Presentation]. 2019 Bridge/Work Annual Conference with the theme Opioids & Society: a community conversation. Valparaiso, IN
  • Santos, R. (2015, April) An alternative program for Intellectually Disabled offenders. [Poster presentation]. 2015 Mental Health in Corrections Conference, Springfield, MO

Chicago Campus

Located in the heart of the city, the Chicago Campus was designed to provide and inspire the learning and living experience. To that end, we have created an environment that caters to your mental, emotional, and intellectual growth. Our classrooms are bright and spacious with windows to the outside world and the latest technology. In our Library, you will find every resource you need to research, form, and shape your journey. At Adler University, we have more than enough room to share your thoughts and flex your intellect.

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