Melanie Person, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Counselor Education, & Director of MOC Canada

Dr. Melanie Person is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Gonzaga University where she directs the Master of Counselling program in Canada. She has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and...

Melanie Person

Contact Information

Education & Curriculum Vitae

Ph.D. - Counselor Education and Counseling
Idaho State University

M.Coun - Mental Health Counseling
Idaho State University

B.S. - Sociology
University of Idaho

B.S. - Psychology
University of Idaho


Dr. Melanie Person is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Gonzaga University where she directs the Master of Counselling program in Canada. She has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education from Idaho State University. Melanie is passionate about teaching and research in the field and is currently focused on research related to counselor development and professional identity. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Idaho. In conjunction with her role as an educator, Melanie has maintained a private practice for the past 15 years specializing in personality disorders, addictions, and adolescents.

Articles

  • Person, M., Baigent, M., Case, S., & Dobson, M. (2024). The relational impact of graduate training in a CACREP-accredited universities, In review.
  • Person, M., Baigent, M., & Case, S. (2024). A Grounded Theory examining the impact of counselor training on significant interpersonal relationships of graduate students. In review
  • McCormack, K., Person, M., & Olson, A. (2024). You cannot hotshot your way through life: A grounded theory analysis of interpersonal relationships of hotshots. In review
  • Person, M., Bruland, P., & McKinney, R. (2024). Professional counsellor identity difference between United States and Canadian counsellors. *revision for applicable journal
  • Roy, N. & Person, M. (2024). Multicultural competencies: A comparison of online and site-based education formats for neophyte counsellors. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy (In review)
  • Person, M. (2020). Borderline Personality Disorder treatment: Therapy, medication, lifestyle, and self- help. Choosing Therapy.
  • Person, M. (2020). Online therapy vs. in person therapy. Choosing Therapy.
  • Person, M. (2020). Borderline Personality Disorder: Signs, symptoms and treatments. Choosing Therapy.
  • Person, M. (2020). Does therapy work? The effectiveness of psychotherapy. Choosing Therapy.
    Person, M. (2020). Psychotherapy: What it is and who it’s right for. Choosing Therapy.
  • Person, M. (2020). Online therapy. Choosing Therapy.
  • Person, M. (2020). 2018-2019 Program Evaluation Report: Annual Program Review.
  • Person, M., Garner, C., Ghoston, M., & Petersen, C. (2020). Counselor professional identity development in CACREP and non-CACREP accredited programs. Journal for Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 13(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.7729/131.1335
  • Garner, C., Person, M., Goddard, C., Patridge, A., & Bixby, T. (2019). Satisfaction in consensual non-monogamy. The Family Journal, 27(2).
  • Person, M. (2019). Building your practice through contracting with online counseling companies. Counseling Today, 61(7), 44-50.
    Person, M. (2019). Building your practice through contracting with online counseling companies. The Counseling Insider.
  • Minor, A., Moody, S., Tadlock-Marlo, R., Pender, R., & Person, M. (2013). Music as a medium for cohort development. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 8, 381-394
  • Person, M. & Unruh-Hunt, D. (2013) A Brief Overview of the New DSM 5 with Ethical Citations. Washington Counseling Association: Washington. 

Professional Papers Presented

National & International

  • Person, M. & Baigent, M. (2024). Relational impact of counsellor training. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Prince Edward Island, CA
  • Person, M. (2024). Repaving the royal road: Using dreamwork in modern therapy. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Prince Edward Island, CA
  • Phillips, G. & Person, M. (2024). Understanding the shared experience of non-problematic psilocybin use in couples: Implications for couples therapy. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Prince Edward Island, CA
  • Person, M. (2023) The relational impact of graduate training in counseling. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Denver, CO
  • Roy, N. & Person, M. (2022). Multicultural and diversity course: A comparison of online and site-based education formats for counsellors-in-training. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy
    Association
    , Prince Edward Island, CA
  • Malone, C. & Person, M. (2022). Canadian student athlete mental health concerns as a result of COVID- 19. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Prince Edward Island, CA
  • Roy, N., Person, M., & Olsen, A. (2021). Multicultural counseling courses: A comparison of online and site-based education. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Atlanta, GA
  • Malone, C. & Person, M. (2021). Students-athlete mental wellness through COVID: Implications for counselor educators and counselors-in-training. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Atlanta, GA
  • Person, M., & Crawford, N. (2019). Is it Bed-Time Yet?! Parenting Stress in Counselor Education. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Seattle, WA
  • Person, M., Young, M., Min, C., Stockton, L., Swanson, S. (2019). Applying Principles of Athletic Mastery to Pre-Practicum Courses. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Seattle, WA
  • Person, M. & Ghoston, M. (2017). Transformative learning…in research and statistics! Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Chicago, IL
  • Person, M. & Pitts, M. (2017). Shifting focus: Moving from 2009 to 2016 CACREP Standards. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Chicago, IL
  • Person, M. (2015). Objective tools for solid gatekeeping. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
  • Person, M. & Perkins, S. (2015). A two-pronged approach to preparing practitioner-researchers within a multi-track department. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
  • Minor, A., Moody, S., Person, M., Tadlock-Marlo, R. & Pender, R. (2011). Bases loaded: Use of music in counselor cohort development. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
    Conference
    , Nashville, TN.

Regional & Local

  • Person, M. & Tjaden S. (2024). The impact of training on relationships: Suggestions for supporting students and preventing burnout. WACES conference, Tucson, AZ.
  • Person, M. & Phillips, G. (2024). CIT Understanding of psilocybin use among couples: Implications of a phenomenological inquiry. WACES conference, Tucson, AZ.
  • Person, M. (2024). Repaving the royal road: Training CIT in dream work. RMACES conference, Whitefish, MT.
  • Person, M., Rapp, M. & Gillette, A. (2022). Teaching in the age of Tiktok. RMACES conference, Coeur d’Alene, ID.
  • Person, M., Tjaden, S., & Case, S. (2022). A new era of self-care: Balancing mindfulness with mindlessness. RMACES conference, Coeur d’Alene, ID.
  • Person, M., Rapp, M. & Malone, C. (2020). Enhancing the ACA Code of Ethics through international comparison. RMACES Conference, virtual.
  • Young, M., McKinney, R., Person, M., Bennett, E., Garner, C., & Wissel, A. (2020). What do counselor educators do best? RMACES Conference, virtual.
  • Person, M. & Schaffer, M. (2020). Hegemonic masculinity and service member mental health. WACES Conference, Tucson, AZ. (Conference cancelled)
  • Person, M. (2020). Online counseling: Training the next generation. WACES Conference, Tucson, AZ. (Conference cancelled).
  • Person, M. (2018). International professional identity: Implications for education. Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Park City, UT.
  • Person, M. & Bruland, P. (2018). International counselor identity development: Or is it counsellor?! Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Santa Rosa, CA.
  • Person, M. (2018). Counselor experience providing technology-assisted counseling services. Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Santa Rosa, CA.
  • Person, M. (2014). Measurable outcomes in group work. Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Jackson, WY.
  • Person, M. (2014). Promoting the working alliance in the face of evaluation. Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Jackson, WY.
  • Person, M. (2014). The use of storytelling in counselor education and supervision. Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Jackson, WY.
  • Person, M. & Tucker, J. (2014) Facebook me: Ethics and social media. Idaho Counseling Association Conference, Boise, ID.
  • Person, M. (2013). Neuroscience and counseling. Idaho Counseling Association Conference, Coeur d’Alene, ID.
  • Person, M. (2012). Finding employment as a professional counselor. Idaho Counseling Association Conference, Boise, ID
  • Person, M. (2012). Characteristics that impact client engagement in the counseling process. Idaho Counseling Association Conference, Boise, ID.

Research Interests

  • Counselor development
  • Relationship factors
  • Professional identity