Dr. Lauren Calhoun is an Assistant Professor for the Professional Counseling Program in the Department of Counseling and Human Services. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology; she received her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a trauma concentration from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Calhoun has presented at two professional conferences. In 2018, she conducted an educational session at the Atlanta ACA conference based on the article she published in Counseling Today: Incorporating Geek Culture into Individual and Group Therapy: Vol 1. Comic Book. In 2017, she presented a poster at the ACES conference that explored comic books as a therapeutic tool. Her doctoral dissertation, “The Empowerment of Women in Geek Culture: A Phenomenological Examination of Women’s Understanding of Comic Book Heroines and Implications for Counselor Education,” continued her interest in the use of comic books by conducting an IPA study that explored the experiences of women who read comic books. In addition to her interest in the application of geek culture in the counseling field, she has research interests in imposter syndrome and cohort size.

She has a variety of clinical experiences working in various settings and with a wide array of clients. From community mental health centers, a therapeutic school, and the emergency room of a hospital. She has worked with children with the primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and adults with a various diagnoses.

In the classroom, Dr. Calhoun’s teaching philosophy is learning-centered; she strives to create an interactive, dynamic, and empowering environment for students that promotes growth in their professional development. She is passionate about teaching and views each course as a collaborative journey that enhances the development of students and teachers. She is excited to

be a part of the Oshkosh community.