Karena J. Heyward, Ph.D., LPC, ACS is the Assistant Clinical Coordinator and Instructor in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling. She received an MEd in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from The College of William and Mary. She is a licensed professional counselor, and her clinical experience includes work with a variety of populations and presenting concerns, specializing in couples and family counseling, liberation-focused support, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and somatic approaches. She also serves as a clinical supervisor for residents in counseling. Her supervision style is largely informed by her clinical approaches, systemic theories and the Integrated Developmental Model. Dr. Heyward is passionate about service to the field and has held faculty and administrative positions. She previously served as the president of the Virginia Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling and in various roles with the Virginia Association of Couples and Family Counseling. Dr. Heyward engages in continued scholarship, presenting at the state, regional and national levels. Her research interests include body psychotherapy and somatic counseling, transpersonal psychology, sexuality counseling, community-oriented advocacy, liberation-focused healing methods, and international perspectives on the counseling profession. Her teaching, supervision, and advocacy has been honored by the following awards: The 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award from Southern New Hampshire University, The Edward A. Polloway Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching from Lynchburg College/University of Lynchburg, The Virginia Association for Couples and Family Counseling Division Member of the Year award, and The Margaret, The Lady, Thatcher Award for Scholarship, Character and Service from The College of William & Mary.