Introduction to Culturally Relevant Wellness Practice

Dr. Ann Shillingford, PhD, is the co-owner of UnCage, LLC, a consulting and advocacy firm on a mission to empower marginalized populations by addressing their unique needs through research, public engagement, and consultation. Dr. Shillingford is also an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. She has several years of experience as a professional school counselor prior to completing her doctorate at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Shillingford has written several articles and book chapters and through rigorous inquiry, aims to illuminate disparities, sociocultural concerns, resilience factors, and mental health issues affecting marginalized communities, fostering a nuanced understanding of their experiences. Dr. Shillingford’s co-edited book, Demystifying the DSM for School Counselors, was published in 2020. Dr. Shillingford’s newest text, Intersectional Counseling Skills: The Journey to Becoming a Culturally Inclusive Counselor, was published in Summer 2024. 

Dr. Mary Hinson is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and is certified in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She also serves as a member of the clinical faculty at Southern New Hampshire University and is a board member for Licensed Clinical Counselors of North Carolina. Dr. Hinson operates her private practice, Live Well Counseling Solutions, where she consults with school systems and organizations to support their workforce with wellness and Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion initiatives. Serving as a change agent in her community she founded Pickens Peace Project, an organization serving at-risk youth and their families along with youth in unstable housing situations.