Dr. Michael S. Leeman is an Associate Professor in the Graduate Counseling Program at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he teaches a range of CACREP-accredited graduate courses focused on clinical mental health including, Crisis Intervention and Grief Counseling, Marriage Couple and Family Counseling, Diagnosis and Counseling Techniques. His teaching emphasizes ethical, evidence-based clinical practice, trauma informed care, and fostering counselor self-awareness, self-compassion, and resilience. He is also a recipient of a 2024 Student Technology Fee Grant to support clinical training of students.
Dr. Leeman earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Georgia State University, where his research focused on psychological trauma and posttraumatic growth. He also holds an M.S. in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University and a B.A. in Psychology from Piedmont College. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Leeman is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Louisiana and Georgia, a board-approved clinical supervisor (LPC-S), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). He has served on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) Standard Setting Committee and maintains active in clinical practice specializing in trauma, relational issues, and marriage counseling.
Dr. Michael S. Leeman’s areas of expertise include trauma counseling, posttraumatic growth, and ethical practice in clinical supervision. He has specialized training in trauma informed care, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and his clinical background spans work with children, adolescents, couples, and families in private practice, community counseling clinics, schools, and hospital settings. He has presented nationally and internationally on topics including trauma-informed care, disenfranchised grief, counselor self-care, and ethical supervision. His research explores how coping strategies and individual lifestyle factors influence psychological recovery and growth following trauma. He is a co-author of multiple peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals, including a 2023 study on posttraumatic growth among healthcare professionals and was selected as an Outstanding Author by the Journal of Hospital Management and Health Policy.
