Helen Runyan, Ph.D.

Bio

Dr. Helen Runyan began her higher education pursuit at the age of 35 with three children. Today, she holds a B.S. in Psychology from Regent University, as well as both an M.S. and Ph.D. in Counseling from Old Dominion University. It is her earnest desire to see students understand how to apply their own Christian worldview to counseling in an ethical manner. To this end, she challenges her students to analyze their Christian foundation juxtaposed with their current learning critically and welcomes them to challenge her along the same lines. As a veteran, Dr. Runyan enjoys being able to give back to the military community. She provides counseling to veterans through The Headstrong Project. Dr. Runyan also volunteers time with the American Red Cross as a Service to the Armed Forces Reconnections Workshops Facilitator.

Dr. Runyan volunteers her time in other areas as well. She is a Small Group Coordinator of the Nursery/Preschool areas at her church. Runyan co-founded the Women’s Resource Collaborative to provide no- to low-cost mental health treatment for trauma victims in the Hampton Roads area. She joined the Virginia Beach Medical Reserve Corps when there was a mass shooting and offered long-term stabilization mental health care on-site for city employees who continued to work after the tragedy. Runyan continues to be a Crisis Care Team Member with the Medical Reserve Corps in case of major crises. She also volunteers with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as a Disaster Behavioral Health Team Member.

Because of these experiences, one of Dr. Runyan’s favorite research areas is trauma. Dr. Runyan’s other interests include school counseling, social justice, spirituality, women’s issues, wellness, veterans, phenomenology, and Delphi studies.

On a personal note, Dr. Runyan lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, four of her six children, and four dogs. She loves reading, playing pickleball, and spending time with family. Her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Credentials

Ph.D. Counseling, Old Dominion University
M.S. Counseling, Old Dominion University
B.S. Psychology, Regent University

Licensure/Certification: Licensed Professional Counselor & Registered, Approved Supervisor (VA), National Certified Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, CPT-certified Provider, ASIST-certified

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles:

Michel, R. E., Hays, D. G., & Runyan, H. I. (2015). "Faculty member attitudes and behaviors toward male counselors in training: A social cognitive career theory perspective." Sex Roles, 72, 308-320. [Invited manuscript]

Michel, R., Hall, S., Hays, D., & Runyan, H. (2013). "A mixed methods study of male recruitment in the counseling profession." Journal of Counseling and Development 91, 475-482.

Books/Booklets/Book Chapters:

Runyan, H. (2013). "Racism." In B. Erford & R. Byrd (Eds.), Applying techniques to common encounters in school counseling: A case-based approach. New York, NY: Pearson. [Invited chapter]

Runyan, H., & Grothaus, T. (2013). "De-escalating extreme behaviors/emotions." In B. Erford & R. Byrd (Eds.), Applying techniques to common encounters in school counseling: A case- based approach. New York, NY: Pearson.

Encyclopedia Entries, Interviews & Book Reviews:

Runyan, H. (2009). [Review of the book School counseling to close the achievement gap: A social justice framework for success, by C. Holcomb-McCoy]. The Counselor’s Bookshelf: Professional Books. Greensboro, NC: CSI, International.

Magazine Articles:

Runyan, H., Laoch, A., & Harricand, J. (2016, October). VCA Leadership Academy. The Virginia Counselor: The Official Newsletter of the Virginia Counselors Association, 15.

Runyan, H. (2016, July/August). Classroom management the school counseling way. ASCA School Counseling Magazine, 53(6), 36-41.

Runyan, H. (2015, November). Virginia Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (VAMCD). The Virginia Counselor: The Official Newsletter of the Virginia Counselors Association, 12.

Anderson, K., Grothaus, T., Stone, T., Upton, A., & Runyan, H. (2011). "Supporting students of military families." VSCA Voice, 10.

Thompson, S., Sanderfer, M., Davis, J., & Runyan, H. (2010). "Solving the supervision Rubik’s Cube: Adding dimension to cultivating supervisee development." Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) Newsletter, 6(3), 9.

Affiliations

2006-present American Counseling Association, Member
2006-present Hampton Roads Counselor Association, Member
2006-present Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Member
2006-present Virginia Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, Treasurer
2006-present Virginia Counselors Association, Member
2007-present Virginia School Counselor Association, Member
2007-present American School Counselor Association, Member
2008-present Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Member
2008-present Chi Sigma Iota, Chair Awards and Membership
2008-present Virginia Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Member
2015-present Journal of School Counseling, Reviewer
2015-2016 Virginia Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, President
2016 Virginia Counselors Association, President-elect
2016-2017 Virginia Counselors Association, President
2017-present Virginia Counselors Association, Past-President