Meet
Chaley Knight, MA, NCC, LPC
University Counselor at Waynesburg University.
Licensed Professional Counselor
National Certified Counselor
Background
Chaley received her masters degree in Counseling Psychology in 2007 from Waynesburg University. For the past 15 years, her professional counseling experiences has included working with children and adults in community mental health, along with substance abuse disorders by providing both group and individual therapy within a co-occurring disorder treatment facility (Partial Hospitalization Therapist). For the past 11 years, Chaley has been working with college students as a University Counselor. Chaley is currently enrolled as a student in a Doctorate of Philosophy program focused on Counselor Education and Supervision at Waynesburg University.
Professional Experiences
July 2005 - June 2007
Resident Director, Waynesburg University, Waynesburg, PA
Oversaw an all female resident hall, and supervised a staff of six female resident assistants. This job consisted of building community, providing holistic learning opportunities outside the classroom, enforcing policies, and providing leadership development to undergraduate students.
October 2008 - April 2011
Partial Hospitalization Therapist, Wesley Spectrum Services, Washington, PA
Provided individual and group counseling (partial hospitalization level of treatment) to those clients in recovery, suffering from a co-occurring disorder (addiction + mental health), advocated for clients who were part of "drug treatment court", and outsourced education to the greater community.
August 2007 - October 2008
Outpatient/Home-based Therapist, Summit Center, Doddridge, WV
Served as the solo therapist at a community mental health agency in the poorest county of West Virginia. Serving a small community by traveling to schools, and providing both outpatient and home-based therapy to children and adults.
April 2011 - Present
University Counselor, Waynesburg University, Waynesburg, PA
Provide personal, career, and academic counseling to students. Serve as an advocate for student's mental health, and provide faculty and staff with resources to help support students who are struggling with symptoms of a mental health diagnosis or rupture in their daily functioning.
Education
August 2000 - May 2004
Psychology, BA, Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, PA
August 2005 - May 2007
Counseling Psychology, MA, Waynesburg University, Waynesburg, PA
August 2019 - Present
PhD, Counselor Education and Supervision, Waynesburg University, Waynesburg, PA
Teaching Philosophy
Courses Instructed
Counseling Philosophy
I believe that collectively humanity is longing to be SEEN, HEARD, and UNDERSTOOD!
Considering the work that I do with students on a daily basis, I am often reminded of the limitations around love. Seigel (2011) stated that “curiosity, openness, and acceptance in many ways are the fundamental ingredients of love” (p.206). Until our clients acknowledge their own inner landscape which include experiences wrapped around lack of attachment and trauma, they will struggle to accept and love themselves. The result of not loving self makes it hard to love others, which will ultimately disconnect them from not only themselves, but the world at large.
Attachment theory and the Enneagram could incorporate enough structure and insight to ground clients as they begin to acknowledge all aspects of self. Although this process can be uncomfortable for clients, Seigel (2011) reminds us that when we become comfortable with uncertainty, we decrease isolation, which breeds rigidity. Furthermore, this comfortability with uncertainty brings forth the natural flow of our essence and our energy, freeing us from our imprisoned selves.
Advanced Counseling Courses Completed
CNS 625 Advanced Counseling Theory and Skills
Course provides an in-depth look into trauma and attachment. The course provided a framework on trauma through the work of both Van Der Kolk and Siegel. In addition, the course integrated the work of Attachment in Psychotherapy by Wallin.
CNS 607 Advanced Supervised Practicum in Counseling
(In progress)
Course is taken parallel to a practicum experience in counseling. The course educates the learner on the skills of a master practitioner and how to apply advanced techniques such as nonlinear thinking.
Counseling Skills
Passion & Expertise
Client-Centered Approach
Attachment Theory
Enneagram
Advanced
Creating a safe "holding space" for clients to feel seen, heard, and understood, is built on the foundational components of Carl Rogers' Client-Centered Therapy. These components include: Empathy, Positive-Regard, and Genuineness. Client-Centered Approach aligns with my Counselor Identity and illuminates my authenticity within each therapy session.
Intermediate
Within therapy, client's are often stuck in habitual patterns of reactivity based on the patterns of their development, specifically around relationships. It is important within therapy to recognize these habitual patterns that are maladaptive and are creating barriers to a client's healing and growth. Integrating attachement theory into the therapeutic process allows for clients to understand their inability to create and maintain healthy relationships with others and self, this realization is often transformative.
Intermediate
This psycho-spiritual tool offers insight into one's attachement, personal schema constructs, core fears and desires, and adaptive coping skills that may be blocking their abilities to heal, grow, and evolve. I have been studying the Enneagram for 5 years, and I am a certified Enneagram Approach Practitioner.
Foundational Aspects of My Counseling Approach
Empathy
Brene Brown on Empathy
Brene Brown provides an excellent media clip to understanding the difference between "empathy" and "sympathy". As a therapist, I create space for clients to experience "empathy", an experience many have never had before walking into my office.
Identity
Chris Heuertz on the Sacred Enneagram
During this video Chris Heuertz's provides clarity to how the Enneagram supports are journey toward finding our true self. As a therapist, I have a great desire to help each client claim their uniqueness. I believe many people, no matter the age, are on a journey toward claiming their identity. The Enneagram is a tool that not only parallels the attachment theory, but it illuminates one's true self by confronting our ego structures.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma Informed Care is about focusing on the process and not the problem. Trauma is experienced in small and big ways, and can leave lasting effects on individuals daily functioning. Below are images and quotes that support the trauma-informed care that is integrated into my counseling approach.
Professional Goals
University Professor / Public Speaker / Owner of a Spirituality - Retreat Center
University Professor
Action Steps:
- Complete PhD Coursework
- Adjunct Instructor at Waynesburg University during Spring 2022
- Write Dissertation Proposal
- Dissertation Proposal Accepted
- Complete Dissertation Research
- Write Dissertation
- Defend Dissertation
-Apply for University Professor positions
Director of Retreat Center
This is a long-term goal and I am unsure of the definite steps at this point. I hope to create spaces in the 5 years to begin practicing the art of a retreat center.
"Between stimuli and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response, lies our growth and freedom."
Viktor E. Frankl
Contact Me:
Chaley Knight, MA, NCC, LPC
Doctorate of Philosophy Student, Waynesburg University
51 W. College Street
Waynesburg, PA 15370
