Faculty
Jessica Z. Brao, PhD, LPC, NCC, BC-TMH
Program Director
Associate Professor
Dr. Jessica Z. Brao is an Associate Professor, Director of the Clinical Counseling program, CACREP program liaison, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Dr. Brao obtained her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Certificate in University Teaching from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, her M.S in Nonprofit Management from Johnson & Wales University, her M.A. in Professional Counseling from McKendree University, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri, a National Certified Counselor, and a board certified TeleMental Health provider. She serves as a CACREP site visit team member, a member of the Coalition for Mental Health Counselors, an ethics committee member for the International Association for Wellness Counseling, and a member of the Professional Advisory Board for Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis. Her professional counseling-related specializations and interests include psychosocial aspects of medical illness and disability, crisis intervention, trauma-informed approaches to counseling and counselor education, ethics, and program evaluation.
Areas of expertise: Psychosocial aspects of medical illness and disability, trauma-informed approaches to counseling and counselor education, program assessment and evaluation
Andrea Brooks, PhD, LPCC-S (KY)
Assistant Program Director
Associate Professor
606-210-3003
Dr. Andrea Brooks is an Associate Professor for the Master of Science in Clinical Counseling (MSCC) graduate program at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. She has 20 years of experience as a counselor and supervisor for counselors and over 18 years of experience as a counselor educator. Dr. Brooks served an 8-year stint as a board member for the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Counselors. During her two terms, she served three years as the Vice-Chair and three years as the Chair. Dr. Brooks was the Kentucky delegate for the Counseling Compact, where she served as the inaugural Vice Chair on the Executive Committee and the Rules Committee Chair. As the Rules Committee Chair, Dr. Brooks created many of the Counseling Compact rules that are in existence today. Dr. Brooks earned an MEd in Counseling and Human Development and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. Clinical experience includes the areas of school-based counseling, residential children’s services and foster care, substance use, and healthcare for the homeless. Dr. Brooks lives in eastern Kentucky with her husband (Nick), her daughter (Natalie), her son (Declan), and their miniature schnauzer (Sadie).
Areas of expertise: Licensing/Credentialing, Law and Ethics, Counseling Compact
Angela “Dr. T” Ryckman-Thalassites, PhD, LPC, CMHC
Associate Professor
720-923-2323
Dr. Angela “Dr. T” Ryckman-Thalassites is an associate professor in the Clinical Counseling department at Central Methodist University, an AASECT-certified sex therapist, and a licensed professional counselor and supervisor in Missouri, Colorado, and Florida. Dr. T's area of research and clinical interests is in human sexuality and sexual development across the lifespan. Dr. T’s teaching experience and expertise include the following topics: human sexuality, sexual issues, counselor identity, supervision, eating disorders, ethics, BIPOC wellness, social justice, and diversity. Dr. T is the co-founder and first president of the Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness (www.counselingsexology.com), the governing council representative for the American Counseling Association, and serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness.
Areas of Expertise: Human Sexuality, Sexual Issues, Counselor Identity, Supervision, Eating Disorders, Ethics, BIPOC Wellness, Social Justice, and Diversity
Andrew Benesh, PhD, LPC
Associate Professor
Clinic Director
913-349-2175
Dr. Andrew Benesh is an Associate Professor, MSCC Virtual Clinic Director, MSCC Department Newsletter editor, and on the MSCC Department Remediation Committee. Dr. Benesh obtained his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, his Masters in Community Counseling from Baylor University, and his Masters in Theology from Truett Seminary, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri. His professional counseling-related interests and areas of expertise include diversity issues, religion and spirituality in counseling, working with substance use clients, working with sex offenders, and working with incarcerated clients. Dr. Benesh lives in the Kansas City area with his wife (Ashton) and son.
Areas of Expertise: Religion and spirituality in counseling, diversity issues in counseling, working with sex offenders and incarcerated clients, and substance use issues
Theresa L. Keown, PhD, LPC, NCC
Associate Professor
Coordinator of Creative Counseling Partnerships and Programs
573-915-7455
Dr. Theresa Keown is a Ph.D. in Psychology, Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She completed her master’s program with an emphasis in Community Mental Health, Marriage, and Family Counseling. Since 2003, she has worked extensively in the counseling field, and since 2006, she has also contributed to the field of counselor education. Her career began in Wisconsin and has continued in Missouri for the past 19 years. Clinically, she has served a broad range of populations, including children, adolescents, families, couples, and groups as well as other diverse populations. Her therapeutic work spans diverse settings such as outpatient clinics, residential treatment facilities, private practice, and in-home services. She holds professional training in Gottman Method Level I, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Areas of expertise: Mental health, relationship/couples/family counseling, career counseling, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution
Kathryn Blair Plymale, PhD, LPCC-S, RPT
Assistant Professor
606-669-1031
Dr. Kathryn Plymale has been in the field of mental health since 2004 and has experience with many populations. Kathryn got her Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Lindsey Wilson College. Her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision was obtained in 2018 at University of the Cumberlands. Kathryn has presented at conferences and is a member of the association for play therapy. Kathryn has been teaching at the graduate level since 2013. She specializes in play therapy, family counseling, conduct disorders, and SUD.
Areas of expertise: Play therapy, family therapy, parenting issues, SUD, ADHD, conduct disorders
Kimberly Ream, M.Ed, LPC, LMFT
Field Experience Coordinator
Assistant Professor
Kimberly Ream is a Licensed Professional Counselor (since 2009) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (since 2012). She earned her B.S. in Sociology with minors in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Central Missouri, and her M.Ed. in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy from Stephens College. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning. She is currently completing her MBA to strengthen her leadership and supervisory skills while gaining a foundation in business operations within the education and mental health fields. Kimberly has worked in diverse settings, including family crisis counseling, private practice, and higher education. She has been in counselor education since 2013, and she is trained in EMDR and Gottman Level I. She has training in Integrative Medicine for Mental Health and is an ACE Health Coach. Outside CMU, she owns a private wellness business centered on addressing the whole person through services in mental health, fitness, and nutrition. In her free time, she enjoys all things fitness, traveling with her husband, and time with her pets.
Areas of Expertise: Counselor Education-Field Experience, Marriage and Family Therapy, Holistic Wellness
Jerri Carter
Graduate Operations Coordinator
660-248-6254
