Hector Zavala, MA, LCPC, NCC

Title:

Assistant Professor

Programs/Classes Taught:

Clinical Mental Health

Areas of Expertise:

Anxiety, stereotype threat, college counseling, marriage and family counseling, couples counseling, and children and adolescent counseling.

Biography:

After completing his BA in psychology at Elmhurst College, Hector began working in community mental health, and later received his MA in Community Counseling from Argosy University. He holds his LCPC in the state of Illinois, and has also practiced as a counselor in New Mexico. Hector has been an active member of various professional organizations including the Illinois Counseling Association, American Counseling Association, Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association, Illinois Couples and Family Counseling Association, Illinois Counselor Educators and Supervisors, North Central Counselor Educators and Supervisors Association.

Hector has been running his own private practice for 5 years, and began teaching in higher education in 2013. Over the past 13 years, Hector has worked in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, DCFS, with incarcerated individuals, and with clients of all ages. Among his favorite populations to work with are children with autism, as they bring a bright energy and a unique, pure view of the world. Hector has demonstrated passion for being an advocate for multicultural issues. Hector holds PhD (ABD) in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adler University. At the core of his dissertation topic is developing interventions to help undergraduate minority males strengthen their identities and break free from the assumptions others hold about them based on race and oppressive stereotypes. His research is dynamic and lively, and hopes to show students how they can explore their own ideas through research, and that it doesn’t have to be dry or something to fear. Hector is also an enthusiastic proponent for involvement in professional organizations as a way to advocate for the profession and build connections with other counselors. He encourages all students to try volunteering at the ICA conference or attend an event by NLUCA to get started. For self-care, Hector enjoys working with a personal trainer to stay strong and energized, playing video games, and spending time with his wife and pets: 2 dogs, Osiris and Athena, and a bearded dragon. Hector emphasized how crucial it is to recharge your batteries as a counselor so that you can connect with others in both professional and personal settings.

Education:

Ph.D (ABD) from Adler University
Masters of Arts in Community Counseling from Argosy University
Bachelors of Arts in Psychology

Research and Interests:

Hector’s current research is focused on reducing anxiety amongst minority male undergraduates through group college counseling expressive techniques.

Areas of research and interests:

- Multicultural
- Stereotype Threat
- Undergraduate minority male retention and completion
- College Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Expressive Counseling Techniques

Contact Information:

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Hector Zavala, MA, LCPC, NCC

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