John Beckenbach, Ed.D.

Title: Associate Professor

Programs/Classes Taught:

• Research methods
• Diagnosis
• Testing and Assessment

Areas of Expertise:

• Trauma counseling
• Couples counseling

Biography: 

Education:

• Doctorate of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision (CACREP)
  Northern Illinois University  - Dissertation: Sexual Abuse and Forgiveness

Selected Publications:

Lee, K., and Beckenbach, J. (Fall 2025). The Butterfly Journey: A narrative therapy based
workshop for adolescent identity development. Wisconsin Counseling Journal, 38, 99-112.

Adeboyejo, R., and Beckenbach, J. (2025). A Phenomenological Exploration of the Therapeutic Experiences of Therapists of Color. Journal of Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory, & Research, 1-16.

Patrick, S., & Beckenbach, J. (Summer, 2017). IAMFC Scotland Summer Counseling Institute. The Family Digest: IAMFC Newsletter.

Beckenbach, J., Patrick, S., Carlino, G., Carlino, S., Gross, K., Einig, K., and Pyle, E. (2014).
The Couples Enhancement Workshop: A brief approach for group work with couples. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 39(2), 164-182.

Beckenbach, J., Patrick, S., Sells, J., & Terrazas, L. (2014). The Statement of Us: A Narrative-
Based Practice for Enhancing Couples’ Preferred Identity. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 33(2), 50-61.

Select Presentations:

Patrick, S, Beckenbach, J., & Panchenko, O. (2025). Why am I doing this: Demoralization in
Counselor Education. The International Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Philadelphia. PA.

Beckenbach, J. & Patrick, S. (2023). Use of Outsider Witnessing and Insider Witnessing
Practices to Enhance Counseling Students' Clinical Training. The International Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Denver, Co.

Beckenbach, J., Patrick, S., & Sells, J. (2023). Relational Grace, Justice, Forgiveness and Trust: Clinical Challenges in the Path to Relationship Restoration. International Association of Marital, Couples, and Family Counselors Conference, Saint Petersburg, FL.

Beckenbach, J. (2023). Narrative Approaches for Couples Effected by Childhood Sexual Abuse. International Association of Marital, Couples, and Family Counselors Conference, Saint Petersburg, FL.

Beckenbach, J., & Patrick, S. (2021). Project I Am: Reclaiming identity from the effects of traumatic oppression. Education session, International Narrative Inquiry Conference - Ireland, online.

Contact Information:

• Email: jbeckenbach@nl.edu
• Phone: (636) 459-0918