Asha Dickerson, PhD, LPC, NCC, CPCS

Dr. Asha Dickerson is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Professional Counselor.

Although she’s made her home in Georgia, Dr. Dickerson provides workshops, training, and other services throughout the U.S. and in other countries. She’s active in several organizations; currently serving as the Southern Region Representative of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD).

Dr. Dickerson’s clinical and academic specialties include social and cultural diversity, addictions, and blended family issues. Her goal is to educate, encourage, and enrich the lives of her clients, students, and the community through her commitment to advocacy, mental health, family wellness, and leadership.

How did you get started in the human services field?
My experience began in Child Protective Services (CPS) in Alabama, where I worked with teenagers who were aging out of the foster care system. No matter where I placed them, they would run away from very nice, stable homes to be with their families of origin. 

Where does your interest in co-occurring disorders and addiction come from?
Over 80% of CPS cases in the state at that time were linked to substance use in some way, so I decided that I wanted to do work that dealt with the root of the issue. I went back to get a master’s degree and provide family counseling to people with substance use and co-occurring disorders.

How did you become interested in counseling education?
As a supervisor, I encountered many students and interns who I felt were not adequately trained to work in the field. So I decided to go into academia. I taught part time at several universities before teaching full time at Argosy University Atlanta before they closed. I’m an Argosy transfer, like some of our students!

What is so special about the culture at AGS?
AGS is like a family. I like that everyone is a part of the decision-making. And I’m especially grateful to be working with Dr. Solange Ribeiro again — she taught me at University of Alabama Birmingham and is the reason I began studying Adlerian theory. 

Anything else you’d like the AGS community to know?
When I was in school, I was a single mother, working full time. I know that there are a lot of responsibilities to juggle, but I also know that adjustment and sacrifice are essential to success. Work hard today, so that you can reap the benefits tomorrow!