Dr. Valerie E. D. Russell is Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Florida International University. Dr. Russell received her PhD in 2011 from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in Rehabilitation Administration and Ed S in 2008 from The Florida State University in Rehabilitation Counseling. Dr. Russell received her MA in 2001 from University of South Florida in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. Dr. Russell had 17 years of previous work experience in the areas of community mental health, rehabilitation, substance abuse, crisis intervention and criminal justice. She also had extensive experience developing statewide staff training initiatives as a consultant for various statewide community agency settings, prior to becoming an Assistant Professor at FIU in 2011.

Dr. Valerie E. D. Russell’s research interests include: Counseling Skills and Techniques, Staff Development, Training and Program Evaluation, Ethical Issues in Counseling, Multicultural Concerns, Special Populations, Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Disorders.