Susan F. Branco, PhD

I am a licensed professional counselor in Virginia and Maryland. I am an approved supervisor in Maryland, Board Certified Counselor (NCC), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Board Certified Telemental-Health provider (BC-TMH). I earned my BA in Human Services and MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from the George Washington University. I completed a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Virginia Tech. For fourteen years I maintained an independent clinical practice specializing in working with adults, children, and families connected to adoption and foster care. In addition, I have professional experience working in community mental health, pre natal care clinics, and with immigrant populations. I utilize attachment theory, family systems, and trauma informed approaches in clinical practice. Currently, I serve as a supervisor to others working towards full licensure.

 

I previously served in brick and mortar institutions as a Clinical Assistant Professor overseeing a clinical mental health counseling training clinic, a Director of Clinical Training, and Department Chair prior to my current role as tenure track Assistant Professor in the School of Education at St. Bonaventure University. 

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My research interests examine transracial and Colombian transnational adoption practices and clinical supervision practices with BIPOC counselors. In addition, I have several peer-reviewed publications related to my research agenda. I am a 2014 National Board of Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) Fellow and served on the Minority Fellowship Program Advisory Council. In 2019 I was awarded the Excellence in Counselor Education and Supervision, Bridging the Gap Award from the National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation. In 2021 I received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors.

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I am proud to be a steering committee member of the Society of Adoptee Professionals of Color in Adoption. I am a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA). I am also a division member of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), where I am active in the Latinx concerns group and serve as co Vice President of the Native American Concerns group. I also hold memberships in the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) and the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC).