Elisa Pellegrino, PhD, LPC, LCADC, ACS, MAC, NCC, CCFE, EMDR

Assistant Professor
Florida Department of Counseling  

Programs/Classes Taught: 

CMHC

• HSC 501 Fundamentals of Counseling
• HSC 504 Clinical Techniques of Counseling
• HSC 505 Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
• HSC 506 Theory and Practice of Family Therapy
• HSC 512 Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling
• HSC 524 Introduction to Mental Health Counseling
• HSC 533 Counseling Practicum
• HSS 534 Perspectives in Substance Abuse Counseling
• HSC 542 Psychopharmacology for Counselors
• HSC 581 Counseling Internship I
• HSC 582 Counseling Internship II

CES

• CES 620 Foundations of Mindfulness
• CES 649 Teaching in Higher Education
• RES 654 Methods and Analysis of Qualitative Research

Areas of Expertise: 

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling Across the Continuum of Care
• Substance and Process Addictions and Co-Occurring Disorders
• Advanced Clinical Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, and Case Conceptualization
• Counselor Education, Clinical Supervision, and Professional Identity Development
• Ethics and Standards in Professional Counseling Practice
• Systemic and Relational Approaches to Therapy
• Group Counseling Dynamics, Processes, and Therapeutic Factors
• Compassion Fatigue, Vicarious Trauma, and Clinician Resilience
• Burnout Prevention and Sustainability in High-Intensity Clinical Settings
• Trauma-Informed Counseling and EMDR-Based Interventions
• Psychopharmacology for Professional Counselors and Interdisciplinary Care
• Neurobiological Foundations of Behavior and Mental Health
• Trauma-Informed Pedagogy and Andragogy in Counselor Training
• Qualitative Research Methodology and Applied Clinical Inquiry

Biography:

Dr. Elisa Pellegrino is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at National Louis University. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and two master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Substance and Process Addiction Counseling, reflecting advanced graduate training supported by dual licensure. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), she integrates academic scholarship with clinical expertise, serving clients in New Jersey, Florida, and Colorado. Her clinical background spans inpatient care, Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and outpatient programs, where she provides individual and group therapy across the lifespan, engages in clinical consultation, and leads family-centered initiatives. She is the Founder and Board President of the Return to Learn Project, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on promoting postsecondary educational reentry and degree completion among the stay-at-home mother population.

Dr. Pellegrino holds advanced national credentials as a Master Addiction Counselor (NAADAC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (NBCC), and National Certified Counselor (NBCC),

along with certification as a Compassion Fatigue Educator and advanced training in EMDR. She has been recognized for academic excellence and professional distinction, including the Highest Academic Distinction of her graduating class, the faculty-nominated Outstanding Master’s Student Award, and the Peg Carroll Scholarship Award from the Association for Specialists in Group Work. Her academic work centers on the preparation of future counselors and counselor educators, emphasizing clinical rigor, professional identity development, and leadership. Her research examines the influence of collective language, the dynamics of addiction, innovative therapeutic interventions, and trauma-informed pedagogy and andragogy. Dr. Pellegrino presents nationally across graduate programs, professional conferences, and interdisciplinary forums, and is an invited speaker on topics including substance and process addiction, trauma-informed care, counselor development, and stigma reduction within clinical and educational contexts. Her work reflects a translational and integrative approach that bridges research, clinical practice, and counselor training. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time in nature and remains committed to advancing mental health access through pro bono clinical services and community-based outreach.

Education

• Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision (CACREP Accredited); Specialization: Substance and Process Addiction Counseling; Research Concentration: The Impact, Influence, and Complexity of Language, University of the Cumberlands
• M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited), University of the Cumberlands
• M.A., Substance and Process Addiction Counseling (CACREP Accredited), University of the Cumberlands
• B.A., Psychology and Sociology, Hunter College

Credentials

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), NJ; Telehealth (FL, CO)
• Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), NJ
• Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals
• National Certified Counselor (NCC), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• Certified Compassion Fatigue Educator (CCFE), Green Cross Academy of Traumatology
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trained, EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)

Research and Interests: 

The influence and impact of collective language, narrative construction, and stigma within and across relational systems; substance and process addictions and co-occurring disorders; trauma and trauma-informed care; women’s mental health and gender-responsive care; the intersection of trauma, addiction, and relational systems; counselor development and professional identity formation; clinical supervision in counselor education; compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and clinician sustainability; group counseling processes and mechanisms of therapeutic change; family systems and relational dynamics; translational integration of research, clinical practice, and counselor training.

Memberships

• American Counseling Association
• American Psychological Association
• Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
• Association for Specialists in Group Work
• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
• Green Cross Academy of Traumatology
• International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling
• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals
• National Board for Certified Counselors

Selected Presentations and Publications

Pellegrino, E. (2026, April). Conference coordination and presenter support. Donna Kirkpatrick-Pinson Legacy Conference, National Louis University (Virtual).

Schmuldt, L., & Pellegrino, E. (2026, February). Triggered by the headlines: Understanding the impact of media coverage on survivors of sexual abuse. Presentation at the Crisis to Connection: Navigating the Continuum of Care Mental Health Symposium (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E., Ingram, S., & Schmuldt, L. (2025). EMDR with children and adolescents. In T. Mikolon & D. Perez (Eds.), Counseling children and adolescents: Diagnostic and treatment considerations for specialized issues (pp. xx–xx). Cognella Academic Publishing.

Schmuldt, L., & Pellegrino, E. (2025, November). Reframing abortion: Creative pathways to dismantling stigma across cultures through art, storytelling, and narrative. Presentation at the Association for Creativity in Counseling Conference (Virtual).

Schmuldt, L., & Pellegrino, E. (2025, November). Triggered by the headlines: Understanding the impact of media coverage on survivors of sexual abuse. Presentation at the Crisis to Connection: Navigating the Continuum of Care Mental Health Symposium (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E. (2024). Are You Still Asking Me If I Work? A Narrative Exploration of How Stay-At-Home Mothers Navigate Their Worlds Through Words [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of the Cumberlands.

Pellegrino, E. (2023, November). Power of community: Supporting the student-parent population in counseling programs. Presentation at The Power of Together: Building a Collaborative Culture Conference (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E. (2023, November). Showing the power of collaboration: Students and faculty working together in counseling programs. Presentation at The Power of Together: Building a Collaborative Culture Conference (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E., Cross, A., & Beekmans, D. (2023, November). Bridging connections between students and faculty through Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society: International Leadership and Mentoring. Presentation at The Power of Together: Building a Collaborative Culture Conference (Virtual).

Schmuldt, L., & Pellegrino, E. (2023, November). Exploring doctoral professional identity through EMDR research and supervisory mentorship. Presentation at The Power of Together: Building a Collaborative Culture Conference (Virtual).

Schmuldt, L., & Pellegrino, E. (2023, November). Tapping together: Group EMDR as a healing modality. Presentation at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Conference (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E. (2023, November). Advanced case conceptualization: Concentration on theoretical integration, multicultural and ethical counseling considerations, and multicultural and social justice counseling competencies. Presentation at the University of the Cumberlands (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E. (2023, July). Neuroanatomy and behavioral medicine: Neurobiology of addiction expanded. Presentation at the University of the Cumberlands (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E. (2023, April). Andragogy in counselor education and supervision: Teaching philosophy, curriculum and instructional design, delivery methods, self-evaluation, and ethical and cultural considerations. Presentation at the University of the Cumberlands (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E. (2022, July). Neuroanatomy and behavioral medicine: Neurobiology of addiction. Presentation at the University of the Cumberlands (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E. (2022, April). Leadership and advocacy: Bullying in the school system. Presentation at the University of the Cumberlands (Virtual).

Pellegrino, E. (2021, November). Suicide prevention: Risk assessment, reliability, and correlation. Presentation at The Counseling Center, New Jersey.

Pellegrino, E. (2021, September). Metaphors for the win: Therapeutic benefits of clinicians using metaphors with substance use and mental health clients. Presentation at The Counseling Center, New Jersey.

Pellegrino, E. (2021, June). Motivational interviewing with adolescents seeking treatment for bullying behavior. Presentation at The Counseling Center, New Jersey.

Pellegrino, E. (2021, May). Pleasure unwoven: An explanation of the brain disease of addiction. Presentation at The Counseling Center, New Jersey.

Pellegrino, E. (2021, April). Managing relapse in group: A focus on protocol and staff safety. Presentation at The Counseling Center, New Jersey.

Pellegrino Kohutis, E., & Pool, A. (2020). Student success: The impact of professor-student relationships in online programs: One counseling student’s COVID-19 story. Chi Sigma Iota Exemplar, 35(3), 23–26.

Pellegrino Kohutis, E. (2020). The Zoomster Party Program: One master’s student’s way of making a difference. Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling Newsletter – Division of the American Counseling Association, 7(2), 20–22.

Contact Information:

Email (NL): Epellegrino1@nl.edu

Email (Personal): elisakpellegrino@gmail.com

Zoom: https://nl.zoom.us/my/doctorpellegrino