Aparna Ramaswamy, EdD, PhD, LCPC, ACS

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Counselor Educator, Clinical and Academic Supervisor for Masters and Doctoral level counseling students striving to cultivate an authentic engagement that is inclusive and conducive to self-acceptance and inspired growth, both in the counseling office and in a classroom - learning space. Values such as humility, empathy, non-judgmental acceptance are integrated with structured guidance and an unwavering focus on working towards desired educational and therapeutic goals. Counseling and educational passion to reclaim multicultural healing practices as world traditions that add value to Western counseling theories. This has guided research articles and academic course creations to re-present dance, music and meditation as therapeutic modalities thereby advocating for under-represented communities of women and men dancers, performing artists, and immigrant populations that may not have a counseling history but hold a legacy of healing practices that often pre­ date formal counseling constructs.

TEACHING PEDAGOGY

Teaching pedagogies include Master’s and Doctoral level andragogical and transformative learning approach to cultivate a progressive learning environment that inspires critical reasoning, experiential learning, and empowered leadership infused with values of social equity, cultural humility, and professional integrity. Creative teaching methods reflect a multidisciplinary approach and employ experiential educational methods that are delivered in traditional classroom settings, and in asynchronous and synchronous online learning formats using HIPAA compliant learning management systems within Blackboard and Zoom.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING ORIENTATION

A passion to identify culturally effective strategies that integrate Western counseling constructs with multicultural healing traditions that include dance, movement, music, and meditation to empower each person to be their own center of healing. Clinical supervision orientation is aligned with concepts from Integrative Developmental Model of supervision that foster counselor’s personal growth and professional competence across developmental domains.

EDUCATION

University of the Cumberlands. Williamsburg, Kentucky (CACREP accredited) Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision (2017)

California Institute of Integral Studies. San Francisco, California. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Transformative Studies (2012)

Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore, Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2004)

Stella Maris College, India BS in Biology (1985) 1

Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy 240 506 2793; [email protected]

CITIZENSHIP: United States of America

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (Licenses Current)

State licensure: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Maryland (2006)

 State / District licensure: Licensed Professional Counselor, Washington, DC (2014)  Approved Clinical Supervisor (2015)  Professional Clinical Mental Health Counseling (15+ years of experience)  Graduate Teaching experience (5+ years of experience)  Online pedagogies specific to clinical training program (5+ years of experience)  CACREP Standards and Program Evaluation (3 years of experience)  Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling (15+ years of experience)  Developing Multicultural Supervision Competence (2+ years of experience)  Delivery of hybrid classes (3+ years of experience)  Learner-centered education delivery (5+ years of experience)  Experiential learning and social engagement methods (25+ years of experience)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE and PROGRAMMATIC LEADERSHIP

Johns Hopkins University, MD (Counseling program) Visiting Assistant Professor (2015 – present) Adjunct faculty (2014 – 2015)

 Proposed and designed new course titled Integrating alternative approaches to mental wellness  Proposed and designed new course titled Meditation and Mindfulness in Counseling  Revised asynchronous online course titled Appraisal and Testing in Counseling  Asynchronous Online teaching experience using Blackboard LMS o Introduction to Clinical Mental health Counseling o Appraisal and Testing in Counseling o Ethical and Legal issues in Counseling  Face-to-face teaching experience o Counseling Theory and Practice o Counseling Techniques o Career / Life Development and Planning o Diagnosis in Counseling o Meditation and Mindfulness in Counseling o Integrating Alternative Approaches to Mental Wellness o Clinical Practicum: Clinical Mental health Counseling (academic and clinical supervisor) o Clinical Internship – Clinical Mental health Counseling (academic supervisor)  Advisor to 75 counselors-in-training  Programmatic Leadership o Initiated and collaboratively created standardized syllabi for 5 core counseling courses adhering to CACREP, CAEP and MSDE standards for learning outcomes and assessments o Admission of candidates that match programmatic emphasis on rigorous learning, research interest, and experiential involvement in community. o Writing support for international students and non-native English speakers 2

Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy 240 506 2793; [email protected]

University of the Cumberlands, Kentucky (School of Counseling) Director of CES Doctoral Studies (2017 – 2018)

 Directed CES doctoral program with over 125 doctoral students using hybrid learning format  Compliance with CACREP Standards and Program Evaluation  Application evaluation and Admission interviews for doctoral students  Supervision and delivery of high-quality course content that reflected a learner-centered and andragogical teaching pedagogy  Presentations and Workshops during on-campus residencies  Leadership in admissions screenings and increasing enrollment of student  Created Dissertation manual per CACREP requirements  Dissertation Chair and committee member for doctoral candidates  Introduced new course titled Dissertation proposal writing for quicker dissertation completion  Course steward for Multicultural Issues in Counselor Education and Supervision to focus on Multicultural Supervision Competence  Course steward for Dissertation seminar and Advanced Educational Research

Synchronous Online instructor using Blackboard LMS and Zoom

 Advanced Internship for doctoral students (supervision)  Multicultural Issues in Counselor education supervision  Advanced Educational Research  Dissertation seminar - literature review  Dissertation – writing proposal and dissertation

California Institute of Integral Studies, California (Transformative Leadership Program) Teaching Assistant (2011 – 2012)

 Hybrid teaching format  Doctoral level courses o Research design and methodology o Integral Approaches to dream analysis  Co-created research methodology course o Integral Research: Arts and Imagination

Susheelam Center for Indian Cultural Studies, Germantown, MD Lead Instructor and Owner (1990 – 2011)

 Taught classical Indian dance for over 20 years to 250 young girls and women using experiential learning and social engagement methods  Developed Dance Curriculum designed to preserve integrity of an ancient theatrical tradition  Promoting teamwork, collaboration, respect, and self-esteem through group and social engagement working with students from 5 years old to adults  Offered individualized dance lessons to emphasize individual strengths through learner centered teaching and performance techniques.

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Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy 240 506 2793; [email protected]

RESEARCH INTERESTS, PUBLICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

EdD Research

 Mixed method research culminating in dissertation on Multicultural Counseling Competence  Correlational analysis between counselor’s meditative practices and their social empathy, advocacy and openness to diversity  Current studies on efficacy of Meditation and Mindfulness coursework on counselor’s Multicultural Counseling and Social Justice Competence

PhD Research

 Reclaimed yoga as guiding principles of multicultural practices that lead to meditation  Distilled core principles of yoga from ancient Indian manuscripts  Completed arts-based phenomenological research on classical Indian dance  Used self-heuristic inquiry on meditative dancing experience

Counseling Research

 Developed integrative approach combining expressive arts, music and meditation with cognitive and behavioral counseling orientation (published article)  Completed qualitative research study on efficacy of integrative approach in treating depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder (published article)  Completed Action Research study to develop meditative model for schizophrenia (published article)

PUBLICATIONS

Refereed Journal article

 Ramaswamy, A., Werries, J., Wesley, M., Bluemlein, J., and Simpson, J. (2017). The role of meditation in cultivating cultural humility and multicultural competence (under review)  Ramaswamy, A. (2016). Integrative Yoga Therapy to relieve symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder. Proceedings of Yoga and Psyche Conference (2014). Caplan, M. and Axel, G. (Ed.). UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 137–154.  Ramaswamy, A., and Deslauriers, D. (2014). Dancer – Dance – Spirituality: A phenomenological exploration of Bharatha Natyam and Contact Improvisation. Dance, Movement and Spiritualities, 1(1), 105–122.  Ramaswamy, A. (2014). Natya yoga therapy: Using movement and music to create meditative relief in schizophrenia (based on ashta anga yoga). Action Research, 12(3), 237–253.  Ramaswamy, A. (2014). Natya yoga therapy: Using movement and music to create meditative relief in schizophrenia (based on ashta anga yoga). Action Research, 12(3), 237–253.

Doctoral Dissertations

 Ramaswamy, A. (2017). Cultivating Multicultural Counseling Competence (Doctoral dissertation). University of the Cumberlands, KY.  Ramaswamy, A. (2012). Natya Yoga – the yoga of Bharatha Natyam (Doctoral dissertation). California Institute of Integral Studies, CA. 4

Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy 240 506 2793; [email protected]

Book chapter contribution

 Ramaswamy, A. (in press). Meditation and Mindfulness in Counseling. In Corey, G, Austin, J., and Muratori, M. (2018) Counselor self-care. VA: American Counseling Association.

Single Author Book

 Ramaswamy, A. (2015). Bharatha Natya Yoga: Understanding Bharatha Natyam as an Embodiment of Ashta Anga Yoga. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Work Cited by

 Bowe, K. P. (2016). (R) Evolution of self: an ethnographic investigation into the stratums of inspiration in the rhythms of yoga and music (Doctoral dissertation, San Diego State University).  Crothers, J. A. (2018). The Rider-bike Assemblage: A Qualitative Investigation of the Embodied Adult Learning of Amateur Bicycle Road Racers. The Pennsylvania State University.  Dupiton, L. M. (2019). Wearing a Mask to Supervision: A Phenomenological Exploration of Black Female Therapists and Covering in Cross-Racial Clinical Supervision (Doctoral dissertation, Eastern University).  Ford, B. C. (2018). " I Felt Safe in My Body Again": The Experience of MFTs Who Practice Yoga as Self-Care (Doctoral dissertation, Alliant International University).  Gayá, P., and Phillips, M; (2016); Imagining a sustainable future: Eschatology, Bateson’s ecology of mind and arts-based practice. Organization, 23(6), 803-824.  Patibanda, S. (2017). Understanding the design of breathing exercise games.  Pisharody, I. C., , M. S. K., and Aithal, S. (2016). Auditory Temporal Processing Skills in Dancers and Non Dancers. Board of Reviewers, 37.  Vaughan, M. (2016). Generating states: exploring the kinaesthetic and energetic relationship between the moving body-mind and environment, through the lens of a dancer, a choreographer and a performer.  Williamson, A. (2014). Glancing back–looking forward. Dance, Movement and Spiritualities, 1(3), 361-365.

Presentations Presenter at noteworthy presentations in the past 8 years

 Proposal accepted: License Portability and an Interstate Compact for Distance Counseling, American Counseling Association (ACA) March 2019  License Portability and an Interstate Compact for Distance Counseling, Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES), Oct. 2018  Cultivating Counselor Cultural Humility with Meditation and Mindfulness Training, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Annual Conference, Chicago, IL. Oct. 2017  Multicultural Orientation in Teaching. University of the Cumberlands Doctoral Residency, Williamsburg, KY. 2017.  Bridging the Gap in a Polarized Society. University of the Cumberlands Doctoral Residency, Williamsburg, KY. 2017.  Cultivating Multicultural Counseling Competence. Johns Hopkins University School of Education, Baltimore, MD. 2017.  All Counseling is Multicultural, Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD. 2016

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Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy 240 506 2793; [email protected]

 Visible and Invisible Race, Ethnicity and Culture, Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD. Nov. 2016  Sound Healing seminar, IACCM, Chantilly VA, 2015 and 2016  Natya Yoga Therapy, Yoga and Psyche conference, San Francisco, CA. 2014  Natya Yoga, University of Chicago, IL. 2013  Expressive Dance workshop, University of Chicago, IL.  Meditation in Movement, Sivananda Ashram, San Francisco, CA. 2012  Natya Yoga, Cultural Integration Fellowship, San Francisco, CA. 2012  What is natya yoga? Auroville, India. 2011  Natya Yoga and Yogasutra, ICYER, Gitananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India. 2011  Natya Yoga, Yoga Institute, Mumbai, India. 2011  Healing Tradition of Natya Yoga Therapy, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Science, Advanced Yoga Treatment Center for Schizophrenia, Bengaluru, India. 2011  Bharatha Natyam and Natya Yoga, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI. 2011  Spirituality in Indian Dance, International Association of Yoga Therapy Conference, Pacific Grove, CA. 2011  Meditation in Movement, International Association of Yoga Therapy Conference, Pacific Grove, CA. 2011  Bharatha Natyam as Natya Yoga, Integral Yoga Foundation, Satchidananda Ashram, , VA. 2011

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Private practice – Germantown, Maryland and Washington, DC Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor (2003 – present)

 Established private counseling practice serving South Asian community  Provide individual counseling addressing inter-generational and relational conflicts, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder  Developed integrative approach combining meditation, expressive arts and conventional counseling techniques  Offer clinical supervision to graduate students working towards professional license  Extensive experience in non-profit and pro-bono domains providing counseling needs assessment, professional counseling services, and supervision of trained volunteers

Contemporary Therapeutic Services, Germantown, Maryland Diagnostic Specialist (2006 – 2010)

 Provided individual and group counseling for all ages in outpatient mental health setting addressing symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, AD/HD, and oppositional defiant disorder  Worked as primary intake and diagnostic specialist utilizing highly individualized approach in outpatient mental health clinics in three counties - Montgomery, Prince George, and Washington counties, MD

Vesta, Inc., Lanham, Maryland Residential Rehabilitation Service Coordinator (2005 – 2006)

 Provided residential rehabilitation service coordination for adults with schizophrenia 6

Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy 240 506 2793; [email protected]

 Offered individual and group counseling on self-advocacy, symptom management, and independent skills development

Washington Assessment and Therapy Services, Gaithersburg, Maryland Counseling Intern and Professional Graduate counselor (2003 – 2005)

 Provided psychiatric rehabilitation counseling at outpatient day program for adults with schizophrenia  Offered individual and group counseling at outpatient mental health center for children, adolescents and adults  Offered group counseling promoting self-advocacy, creative expressions, meditation, and symptom management skills  Worked with families in high-risk situations referred by court systems, medical practitioners and child protective services.

Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists Member (2016 – present) Vice-Chair (2018 – 2019)

 4 year appointment by Governor of MD after extensive interviews  Legislation and Regulation Committee member developing regulations for professional therapy  Regulate professional practice of counseling and supervision

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Children and Adult Educational program, Sri Siva Temple, Maryland Education Coordinator (2015 – present)

 Lead teacher at Sunday school program  Event organizer o Annual Yoga Conference o Women’s empowerment conference o Annual Educational symposium

Image-in-Asian productions, MHz Network Television Host (2006 – 2012)

 Created and hosted Ask a Counselor promoting mental health needs to the South Asian community in Washington, DC metro area  Conducted weekly narrations of Indian mythological stories explaining social relevance of traditions

Mitra Mandala (Circle of friends) Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, Lanham, MD Coordinator (2006 – 2010)

 Supported South Asian community with outreach initiates to families  Completed needs assessment for counseling and support services  Provided crisis support – bereavement, medical, financial and housing emergencies  Supervised trained volunteers working in the community 7

Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy 240 506 2793; [email protected]

AWARDS AND HONORS

Awards

 Nominated for Excellence in Teaching by Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association (2019). Nominated by Masters Level counseling students.  Received Excellence in Teaching award from Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association (2017). Nominated by Masters Level counseling students.  Recognized as traditional healer and distinguished scholar in Creative Systemic Studies online doctoral program at University of Louisiana, Monroe (2013)  Recognized as leading teacher of Indian dance by the President Clinton’s Committee for Arts at the United States Millennium Celebrations (2000)

Memberships

 Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) - Lifetime membership  American Counseling Association (ACA) o Counselor Education and Supervision . Interest group on Multicultural Supervision Competencies o Multicultural Counseling Development . Counselors for Social Justice

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Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy 240 506 2793; [email protected]