FACULTY PROFILE
"Access to education is a basic human right. However, education is more than just imparting information. I believe that we make meaning through experience with others. Thus, I strive to create a safe, all-inclusive space; allowing individuals the freedom and security to be active agents in their learning process. I also recognize that we all learn in distinctive ways, so I try incorporate various modalities to cater for differing learning styles.
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I have worked with individuals in outpatient, intensive outpatient, and inpatient settings; conducting child, individual, family, couple and group therapy, as well as case management services. This experience has provided me with exposure to a wide range of diverse populations, presenting with a varying degree of severity in mental illness and substance use, which allows me to bring real-world experiences into the classroom.
I have taught in the areas of grief, trauma, and crisis counseling. My research has investigated the effects of a fear of flying educational program and a Sex Trafficking 101. I have presented nationally and internationally in the areas of ethics, sexual misconduct, human rights, trafficking, and youth suicide. In an attempt to make a broader impact, I have been an active member of the American Counseling Association Human Rights Committee.
Prior to accepting a tenure-track position at GSU, I engaged in a three year fellowship with the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education, whose mission is to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, as stigma often acts as a barrier for individuals receiving much-needed support. To further educate communities about mental health and substance use, I am a Mental Health First Aid and QPR Instructor, where I teach people about the warning signs of a crisis and how to effectively respond.
Being born and raised in South Africa instilled in me the need to be connected to a community. I have engaged in various community activities in South Africa, Ireland, and the United States. It is this engagement that has highlighted the importance of maintaining mutual, authentic connections. I am glad to be a part of the GSU, and am excited to contribute to such a thriving community."
- Claire Openshaw, PhD, LCPC
View My Curriculum Vitae