Background

Family History

I was born in Atlanta and grew up in Decatur, Georgia (a suburb of Atlanta) where I attended the public schools. (Go Decatur!). My parents, Russell and Gertrude Gladding were both Virginians. My father was a businessman and my mother was a fourth grade teacher. I am the youngest of three and was named for my grandfather, Samuel Huntington Templeman who was a Baptist minister in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the 1930s. I have two older siblings:  a sister, Peggy, who lives in Atlanta, and a brother, Russell, who lives in Vidalia, Georgia.

Education

I have a bachelor’s degree in history and a masters degree in counseling from Wake Forest University. I also have a masters degree in religion from Yale. My Ph.D. is from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) in human development and family studies with cognates in counselor education and psychology. In addition, I completed an 18 semester hour post-doctorate in psychology at UNCG.

Military

I took Army ROTC for three years in high school and four years in college; completed basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduating from Wake Forest; and served as a first lieutenant at the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia. I completed the rest of my military obligation as a reservist,  was promoted to captain, and received an honorable discharge. In 2016, I was inducted into the U.S. Army’s ROTC National Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Work History

My previous academic appointments have been at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Fairfield University (Connecticut), and Rockingham Community College (Wentworth, North Carolina). I was also Director of Children’s Services at the Rockingham County (North Carolina) Mental Health Center for five years before going into the academic world. From 1990 until 1997, I was assistant to the president for special projects at Wake Forest University and was the associate provost from 1997 to 2007. In the latter position I was responsible for various administrative departments in the University, including admissions, financial aid, institutional research, the public radio station — WFDD, the registrar, research and sponsored programs, international studies, and the Secrest artists series. I also chaired the Department of Counseling during this time. (Whew!). Now I am a professor in the Department of Counseling where I teach a variety of courses on campus and online including orientation to counseling, family counseling, the creative arts in counseling, the capstone class, and a first year seminar on creativity through the lifespan.

 Present Family

I am married to the Claire Tillson (now Claire Tillson Gladding). Claire was a middle school librarian in Fairfield, Connecticut, before our marriage. (I checked her out and took her out of circulation). Now she works full time in the home, babysits, volunteers with the Forsyth County Libraries, and tutors in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools . She is an avid Wake Forest basketball fan. We have three children (all boys, all joys)– Benjamin (Ben), Nathaniel (Nate), and Timothy (Tim) — who are handsome and intelligent young men. Ben is married to Sara Chisesi and they are the parents of Leo, our first grandchild.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Publications 

I have authored numerous publications and media materials. These include

• 18 books (with 8 of them being published in multiple editions — 42 in all)
  
• 10 videos
• 92 articles in refereed counseling journals
• 32 book chapters
• 45 poems in refereed counseling journals
  

In 1999 I was cited as being in the top 1% of contributors to the flagship journal of the American Counseling Association, the Journal of Counseling and Development, for the period 1978-1993.

       Some of my most recent books are:

• Off the Courthouse Square: A Memoir of My Life Up to Age 21 (2020)
• Group Work: A Counseling Specialty (8th ed.) (2020)
• Choosing the Right Counselor for You (with Kevin Alderson) (2019)
• Family Therapy: History, Theory, & Process (7th ed.) (2019)
• Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession (8th ed.) (2018)
• The Counseling Dictionary: Concise Definitions of Frequently Used Terms (4th ed) (2018)
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Community and Agency Settings (5th ed.) (with Deborah Newsome) (2018)
• The History of Wake Forest University, volume 6 (1983-2005) (2016)
• The Creative Arts in Counseling (5th ed.) (2016)
• Counseling Theories for Human Services Practitioners: Essential Concepts and Applications (2015)
• Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in the Practice of Marriage and Family Counseling (5th ed.) (with Allen Wilcoxon & Ted Remley) (2013)
• Becoming a Counselor: The Light, the Bright, and the Serious (2011) (2nd ed)

      Some of my most recent films are: 

•  Adventures in Mental Health (2019). Alexandria, VA: Alexander Street Press.
• Conveying Information: Lessons from Homiletic, Ted Talks, and Carl Rogers (2017). Alexandria, VA: America Counseling Association.
• The Poetics of Counseling: Therapeutic Writing for Clients and Counselors (2016). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
• Spirituality and Counseling: Integration, Inspiration, and Insight (2015). Alexandria, VA: Alexander Street Press.
  
• Promoting Growth within a Group: Performing in the Here and Now (2013). Alexandria, VA: Alexander Street Press.
  
• Family Therapy: Universal and Unique Approaches to Solving Problems (2011). Alexandria, VA: Alexander Street Press.       
• Spirituality and Counseling (2009). Alexandria, VA: Alexander Street Press.
  
• Becoming Creative as a Counselor: The SCAMPER Model (2007). Alexandria, VA: Alexander Street Press.

      Some of my most recent articles in refereed counseling journals are:

• Casares, D. R., & Gladding, S. T. (2020). Using comedy to explore racial-ethnic identity with clients: A narrative approach. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 15, 69-80.
• Gladding, S. T. (2019). From 27 to 72: Career and personal development of a productive counselor over the lifespan. Adultspan Journal, 18, 17-26.
•  Gladding, S. T., & Binkley, E. (2019). Twenty-eight Strategies for Writing over the Lifespan: Reflections and Suggestions. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 32(2), 121-126
• Gladding, S. T., & Wallace, M. D. (2018). Scriptotherapy: 18 Writing Exercises to Promote Insight and Wellness. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 13, 380-391.
  
• Gladding, S. T., & Crockett, J. (2018). Religious and Spiritual Issues in Counseling and Therapy:  Overcoming Clinical Barriers. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 21(2), 152-161.
•  Gladding, S. T., & Wallace, M. J. D. (2016). Promoting beneficial humor in counseling: A way of helping counselors help clients. Journal of Creativity in Mental  Health, 11, 2-11.
• Gladding, S. T., & Villalba, J.  (2014). Imitation, impersonation, and transformation: Using male role models in films to promote maturity. Journal of  Counseling and Development, 92, 114-121.
•  Gladding, S. T., & Wallace, M. D. (2012). Perspectives on creativity, counseling, and the contributions of counselors and entertainers to mental health: The Rogers. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 7, 2-10.
•  Kaplan, D. M., & Gladding, S. T. (2011). A vision for the future of counseling: The 20/20 Principles for unifying and strengthening the profession. Journal of Counseling and Development, 89, 367-372.
•  Gladding, S. T., & Wallace, M. D. (2010). The potency and power of counseling stories. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 5, 15-24.
• Gladding, S. T. (2011). Understanding Counseling Ethics: The Essentials. Temas Selectos en Orientacion Psicologica  (Mexican Counseling Association  Journal), VI, 7-12.
•  Gladding, S. T., & Cox, E. (2008). Family snapshots: A descriptive classroom exercise in memory and insight. The Family Journal: Counseling for Couples and Families, 16, 381-383.
•  Gladding, S. T. (2008). The impact of creativity in counseling. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 3(2), 97-104.
• Gladding, S. T. (2007). Tapping into the wellspring of wellness. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education, and Development, 46, 114-118.

      Some of my most recent book chapters are:

• Gladding, S. T. (2018). For what has been: Thanks! In M. Dalton (Ed.), Sharing Gratitude: Daily Reflections  (p.10). Winston-Salem, NC: Library Partners Press.
• Gladding, S. T. (2016).  Professional involvement for counselors.  In T. Kimbel & D. H. Levitt  (Eds.). A Guide to Graduate Programs in Counseling (pp. 125-138). New York: Oxford University Press.
•  Gladding, S. T. (2013). Creativity: Spark of wellness. In P. F. Granello (Ed.), Wellness counseling (pp. 204-211). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
•  Gladding, S. T. (2012). Art in counseling. In C. A. Malchiodi  (Ed.), Handbook of art therapy (pp. 263-275). New York: Guilford.

•  Gladding, S. T., & Ivers, N. N. (2012). Group work: Standards, techniques, practices, and resources. In D. M. Perera-Diltz & K. C. MacCluskie (Eds), The counselor’s survival guide (pp. 171-186). New York: Routledge.

• Gladding, S. T. (2011). Perceptions: Changing the picture. In H. G. Rosenthal (Ed.), Favorite counseling and therapy techniques (2^nd ed.) (pp. 133-136). New York: Routledge.

• Gladding, S. T. (2010). Facing mortality: Living with cancer. In M. Trotter-Mathison, J. M. Koch, S. Sanger, & T. M. Skovholt (Eds), Voices from the field (pp. 242-246). New York: Routledge.

•  Gladding, S. T. (2010). Creativity and spontaneity in groups. In R. K. Conyne (Ed), The Oxford handbook of group counseling (pp. 383-398). New York: Oxford University Press.

•  Gladding, S. T., & Martin, B. (2010), Creativity and self-esteem in later life. In M. H. Guindon (Ed,). Self-esteem across the lifespan (pp. 311-324). New York:  Routledge.

•  Gladding, S. T. (2009). A guide to having a healthier family. In I. Marini & M. A. Stebnicki (Eds.). The professional counselor’s desk reference (pp. 583-590). New York: Springer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Leadership

Since I been an academic most of my professional life, I have had an opportunity to assume leadership in the field of counseling. That service has included being president of:

• the American Counseling Association
• the American Association of State Counseling Boards
• Chi Sigma Iota (international counseling academic and professional honor society)
• the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
  
• the Association for Specialists in Group Work
• the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision

      I have also been editor of the Journal for Specialists in Group Work,  vice president of the Association for Humanistic Counseling, and chair of the American Counseling Association Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognitions

I have been fortunate to be the recipient of several honors for my leadership, scholarship, and service in counseling and for my academic achievements and service at the academic institutions with which I have been associated. I have also had a couple of awards named in my honor. The list of these recognitions are:

• the American Counseling Association’s Gilbert and Kathleen Wrenn Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person,
• the American Counseling Association’s David K. Brooks Distinguished Mentor Award,
• the American Counseling Association’s Arthur A. Hitchcock Distinguished Professional Service Award,
• the American Counseling Association’s Counselor Educator Advocacy Award,
• the American Counseling Association’s Fellow Award,
• the American Counseling Association’s Samuel T. Gladding Unsung Heroes Award,
• the Chi Sigma Iota’s Thomas J. Sweeney Professional Leadership Award,
• the Chi Sigma Iota’s Joe Wittmer Distinguished Service Award,
• the Association for Humanistic Counseling’s Joseph W. and Lucille U. Hollis Outstanding Publication Award,
• the Association for Creativity in Counseling’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Samuel T. Gladding Inspiration and Motivation Award,
• the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling’s Humanitarian Award,
• the Association for Specialists in Group Work’s Eminent Career Award, Fellow Award, and Outstanding Article of the Year Award,
• the American Counseling Association Foundation’s Bridgebuilder Award,
• the International Association for Marriage and Family Counseling Research Award,
•  the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision’s Outstanding Publication Award and the Outstanding Leadership Award,
  
• the North Carolina Counseling Association’s Ella Stephens Barrett Leadership Award and Professional Writing and Research Award,
• the Alabama Counseling Association’s Distinguished Professional Service Award,  Publication Award, and Presidential Award,
• the UAB Counselor Education Program’s Hall of Fame for Distinguished  Service to the Counseling Profession Award,
• the Nathan and Julie Hatch Prize for Academic Excellence at Wake Forest University (for study at Oxford University),
• Excellence in Advising Award, Wake Forest University,
• the Hubert McNeil Poteat Lectureship and Award for Outstanding Academic and Scholarly Contributions, Wake Forest University,
• the Distinguished Alumni Award, School of Health and Human Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro,
• U.S. Army ROTC National Hall of Fame and Wake Forest ROTC Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel and Service for Counseling

I have traveled extensively (which I never expected to do). Regardless, much of it has been professional in nature. I have keynoted counseling conferences in almost every state that has a conference from Maine and Florida in the east to Washington State and California in the west (with a lot of stops in between). I have lectured or presented workshops at over 60 colleges and universities. In addition, I have made presentations on every continent except Antarctica (where I have heard the penguins are not that interested in counseling). I have been a Fulbright Specialist twice, once to Turkey (2010) and once to China (2013). I have also taught and worked with universities in Malaysia, Estonia, Sweden, Qatar, Singapore, The Philippines, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.

In service to counseling and humanity, I worked with the Red Cross in providing psychological first aid to families of those killed in the New York World Trade Center terrorist attack of 2001. I also worked with faculty and students at Virginia Tech after the tragic shootings there in 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel and Service for Wake Forest University

Since 2002 I have taken Wake Forest graduate counseling students four times to Vienna, Austria, to study the Viennese theorists (Freud, Adler, Moreno, and Frankl) at the University’s Flow Haus. I have worked on educational service learning with undergraduates, too, with my most meaningful experience being a three week trip with a group of 12 Wake Forest sophomores and juniors to Calcutta, India, where we did a variety of menial and meaningful tasks in the homes of Mother Teresa. We lived as close to the poverty level as we could so we would better understand what it was like to be poor.

Besides my tenures in the administration of Wake Forest, chairing the Department of Counseling, and teaching a variety of graduate and undergraduate courses, I have served Wake Forest in other ways. Specifically, I have chaired the University’s Library Committee (twice), chaired the President’s Race Relations Committee, been a member of the Faculty Senate and its Senior Appointments Committee, been a member of College’s tenure and promotion committee, been a member of the Wesley Foundation Advisory Committee, been a Faculty Fellow (focusing on the well being, and academic success of first year students), been a faculty adviser to the Honor Council and Omicron Delta Kappa, and was the organizer and the moderator of a  panel for a University “Voices of our Time” seminar (College of the Overwhelmed). I finished writing the 6th volume of The History of Wake Forest University (1983-2005) in 2015. It was published in 2016 and is my longest book (677 pages) — a project I started in 2006!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winston-Salem Activities

Around Winston-Salem, I have been a counselor for CareNet of the Triad. I have also been active as a member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church, occasionally teaching Sunday School, acting in dramas, and chairing the Staff-Parish Committee twice. I served as president of Leadership Winston-Salem in the early 2000s and on its executive committee for a number of years. When my children were growing up I was a den leader for Boy Scout Pack 934 as well as an Optimist Soccer coach. As hobbies I enjoy swimming, walking, reading, history, and humor. I would not describe myself as a “birder” but I put out feeders and blue bird houses as the seasons dictate. Claire and I love to attend theater performances, art gallery exhibits, film festivals, and musical events in Winston-Salem (“City of the Arts and Innovation”) and dine out in the many interesting restaurants in the area. We are avid Wake Forest athletic fans as well, especially in football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and tennis. Go Deacs!!