Meet the Team
Founders and Faculty Directors
Dr. Devon E. Romero
Dr. Devon E. Romero is an Associate Professor and Doctoral Program Director in the Department of Counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio where she also serves as the Co-Faculty Advisor for the Neurofeedback Society of UTSA, and Chapter Faculty Advisor for the Sigma Alpha Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. She has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision, and graduate certificate in Quantitative Educational Research from the University of Alabama. She is a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas with specialized experience in marriage and family counseling, child and adolescent counseling, neurofeedback, and trauma. In addition to her research collaborations at UTSA, she has an on-going research collaboration with faculty from the Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama. Dr. Romero has over a decade of experience working with and managing large federally funded projects, smaller externally funded projects, and institutionally funded research. Examples of project foci include projects focused on historically marginalized, at-risk and underserved populations including: (a) children and youth and (b) sex trafficking utilizing complementary interventions and evidence-based outcome research for informing training, research, and practice.
Dr. Claudia G. Interiano-Shiverdecker
Dr. Claudia G. Interiano-Shiverdecker is a Fulbright Scholar and an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She received her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (supervised by Scott Peters, PhD, LPC-S) specialized in providing bilingual counseling services to Spanish-speaking populations. Previously, she was a licensed psychologist in Honduras and worked with Spanish-speaking adolescents. Her research focuses on (a) social justice and multicultural considerations for marginalized communities, particularly the Latinx community; (b) counseling competencies to work with trauma and specific populations vulnerable to trauma; and (c) advocating for underrepresented populations in higher education. Since 2015, she has been involved in some capacity with large externally or institutionally funded projects focused on marginalized groups. Along with Dr. Romero, she has collaborated on numerous research projects focused on sex trafficking victims. Among them, Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker led a research project to develop the Child Sex Trafficking Counseling Competencies. She has been published in peer-reviewed professional journals, co-authored book chapters, and presented numerous presentations on these topics.
Affiliate Faculty
Dr. Priscilla Rose Prasath
Dr. Priscilla Rose Prasath (PhD, LPC, MBA, MSc, GCSC) is an Associate Professor of Counseling in the Department of Counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Prasath graduated with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Dr. Prasath’s research focuses on studying factors that promote mental health and well-being from a positive psychological and strengths-based lens in the areas of (a) group counseling; (b) college student development; (c) creativity in teaching and counseling; (d) underserved minority and foreign-born populations; (e) leadership and career development; and (f) training curriculum and program development. The long-term goal of Dr. Prasath’s research is to impact and empower diverse communities with empirically-tested, creative, culturally responsive strengths-based practices and programs that promote overall well-being and mental health. She has written/co-written over 25 peer-reviewed journal articles and 10 books/book chapters and has presented at several international, national, and regional professional conferences on these topics. At UTSA, since 2020, Dr. Prasath directs the Strengths and Wellbeing Research Lab for graduate students in the Counseling Department. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, she offers clinical mental health counseling to individuals and couples through her private practice. She is also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Dr. Prasath currently serves as the President of ASGW-the Association for Specialists in Group Work, which is a national professional division of the American Counselors Association.
Dr. John J. S. Harrichand
John J. S. Harrichand, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, CCTP (he/him/his) is a Canadian of Chinese and East Indian ancestry, an immigrant to Canada and the son of immigrants, who was born and raised in Guyana, South America. He is a proud International Faculty in the US and an Associate Professor at Montclair State University. Dr. Harrichand’s scholarship centers on counselor education leadership, development, and burnout; cross-cultural counseling and minoritized populations (i.e., LGBTQIA+, immigrants, refugees, international students, sex-trafficking survivors); clinical supervision and gatekeeping; and ethical, professional, and social justice advocacy using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. He is actively involved in several professional counseling organizations including ACA, ACES/SACES, ASERVIC, AARC, CSI, CACREP, and NBCC. Dr. Harrichand is a recipient of the Chi Sigma Iota Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy Outstanding Article Award, AMCD Young Emerging Leader Award, the AADA President’s Outstanding Service Award, SACES Outstanding Pre-Tenured Counselor Educator Award, and the Texas Counseling Association Professional Writing Award. In Dr. Harrichand’s downtime, he enjoys traveling and food.
Dr. Katherine McVay
Dr. Katherine McVay is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UTSA. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Her broad research topics include rural community counseling, ethical considerations in counseling topics, and counselor development. She has also published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences in varying counseling advocacy topics.
Dr. Donghun Lee
Dr. Donghun Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He has obtained his doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Arkansas. His primary research interests lie in the areas of professional identity and development, counselor burnout and wellness in relation to counseling efficacy, multicultural and social justice counseling, and dispositional assessment. He is serving as an Executive Director at the Korean Counseling Association – International Chapter (KCA-IC) and has held KCA-IC annual conferences in partnership with American Counseling Association (ACA). He is an active member of diverse counseling associations and is currently serving as a reviewer for the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling and Journal of Asia Pacific Counseling.
Dr. Christopher Leeth
Dr. Christopher Leeth is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He earned his doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Texas at San Antonio. After graduating, he served as the associate director at college counseling center for several years. He has been teaching both master’s and doctoral level courses for over 10 years. During this time, he has presented at several local, state, and national conference on various topics. His research interests include problematic gaming, bullying, suicide, addiction, body image and eating disorders, and perfectionism.
External Collaborators
Arianna Robinson
Arianna Robinson graduated with her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UTSA in 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Penn State in 2020, focusing on Neuroscience and minoring in Biology. Arianna became involved with the CAST research lab in 2023 as the social media committee chair and currently volunteers as a research assistant. Her professional experience includes working with diverse populations, including children and families affected by abuse (3+), foster care youth (12-17), and adults (18+). Currently, she serves as a Resident in Counseling in Virginia, supporting clients with various mental health diagnoses. Arianna’s work with at-risk youth has deepened her commitment to a trauma-informed, person-centered approach, incorporating somatosensory work, mindfulness, and creative methods like art and play therapy to facilitate healing from trauma beyond traditional talk therapy.
Kendra Smith
Kendra Smith is a graduate of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at UTSA. She has a passion for research and is a research assistant with the CAST lab where she is focusing on qualitative data. It is her goal to pursue a PhD so that she may be an expert in the mental health field and continue contributing to research. Kendra has a desire to work with underserved populations. She believes that advocacy is essential to being a good counselor and is a part of best practice. Kendra also believes that being heavily involved in professional organizations is an important part of living out an individual’s professional identity.
Graduate Students
Leslie Garza Mendoza
Research Assistant and CAST Professional Development Committee
Leslie Garza Mendoza is a doctoral student in the UTSA Counselor Education and Supervision program and a graduate of the UTSA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She has been involved with the CAST grant-funded program for over a year as an Administrative Assistant and joined the CAST Research Lab as a Research Assistant. She loves learning about the biology of trauma and how to best work with clients who have experienced trauma.
Andrea Mendoza
Research Assistant
Andrea Mendoza is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education PhD program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She is a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor. She is pursuing certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and works in private practice serving marginalized children, adolescents, couples, and sex trafficking survivors. Her research focuses on culturally responsive practices with Latine couples, counseling trauma and sex trafficking survivors, and the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy. Mendoza is the recipient of multiple awards, including the CSI Doctoral Research Excellence Award, the 2024 SACES Emerging Leader Award, and the 2025 Emerging Leader Awards from the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Counselors and the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling.
Bella Nieto
Research Assistant and CAST Social Media Committee Chair
Bella Nieto is currently pursuing her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UTSA. She grew up in Midland, Texas and established roots in San Antonio in 2020 when she began her journey in higher education, obtaining a Bachelors in Political Science in Spring 2023. A part from school, Bella works with a political organization called Texas Rising where she registers community members to vote and promotes social justice issues locally. In between her educational and professional pursuits, Bella enjoys reading, running, and baking.
Elaine Oyama
Research Assistant
Elaine Oyama is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a graduate certificate in Integrated Healthcare. Her professional goals are rooted in her background as a Specialist in Crisis, Human Trafficking, and Child Exploitation. Elaine is currently pursuing professional licensure and is passionate about working with survivors of trauma.
She serves as President-Elect of the Sigma Alpha Chi chapter of Chi Sigma Iota and was a member of the winning team in the 2024 American Counseling Association Master’s-Level Ethics Competition.
Seth Robinson
Research Assistant
Seth is currently pursuing his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His academic background includes a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Texas A&M University. He is currently licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. He has clinical experience working in community mental health, where he has worked with adolescents and adults in the intensive outpatient setting in the clinic and in schools. His research interests include trauma and suicide, specifically exploring the drivers or catalysts of suffering, as well as interventions and personal strengths that promote recovery, healing, and growth.
Kaela Schneider
Research Assistant
Kaela is a Master’s student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), with a strong foundation in trauma and crisis intervention. She is dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence and sex trafficking, drawing on her experience as a victim advocate and her work with the Children’s Advocacy Center to address the sexual exploitation of children in South Central Texas through partnerships with local agencies.
Kaela looks forward to deepening her understanding of how best to support individuals impacted by sex trafficking and is passionate about helping future counselors become better equipped to aid in the healing process.
Christa Vento-Jones
Research Assistant
Christa Vento-Jones is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of the Incarnate Word in 2023. She has previously volunteered in faculty research and co-authored presentations for the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling Conference, Texas Counseling Association Professional Growth Conference, and Southwestern Psychological Association Conference. With experience in research related to gaming disorder, prolonged grief, and media exposure, she is honored to be working with the CAST Research Lab to help promote their mission of advocacy. She has recently been selected as a 2025-2026 Chi Sigma Iota Leadership Fellow and is looking forward to exercising this role to further serve her community.
Lorelei Voronin
Research Assistant
Lorelei Voronin is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Texas and a Registered Art Therapist. She earned her Master of Science in Art Therapy from Florida State University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Lorelei has extensive experience providing trauma-informed care in a variety of mental health settings, serving children, adolescents, and adults. She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and integrates art therapy techniques to support clients in processing and healing from both recent and complex trauma. Her clinical work emphasizes the transformative power of creativity in reducing trauma symptoms, fostering resilience, and promoting self-discovery through the art-making process.
Her current research interests include art-based supervision, art-based research methodologies, trauma-informed care, and the use of art therapy to decrease trauma symptoms across the lifespan. She is also actively involved in the Counselors Against Sex Trafficking Research Lab, conducting qualitative interviews with survivors of sex trafficking and multidisciplinary team members who work with this population. Lorelei’s work is driven by her passion for exploring the intersections of creativity, healing, and social justice.
Students Previously Involved
Doctoral Research Assistants
Dr. Jordan E. Elliott
Casandra Jones
Christine Mayorga
Whitney Rich
David Thompson
Dr. Mary Whiting
Master’s Research Assistants
Greg Cummins
Elizabeth Hargis
Jessica Martin
Leslie Garza Mendoza
Whitney Rich
Emily Satel
Kendra Smith
Emily Surratt
Travis Walker
Mary Whiting
Undergraduate Work Study Students
Isabella Muniz
Committee Members
Angelina Flores
Jazmine Grant
Christine Mayorga
Lillian Pemberton
Rahela Radu
Travis Walker
Committee Chairs
Arianna Robinson
Christa Vento-Jones
Contributors by Research Project
Counselors Fight Against Modern Day Slavery: A Sex Trafficking Project
- PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Prasath
- Graduate Research Assistant: David Thompson
- CAST Research Assistant: Lorelei Voronin
- CAST Research Assistant: Kaela Schneider
- CAST Research Assistant: Seth Robinson
- CAST Research Assistant: Elaine Oyama
- CAST Research Assistant: Bella Nieto
- CAST Research Assistant: Simone Raaths
Self-Care Practices of Counselors Working with Sex Trafficking Survivors
- PI – Dr. McVay
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI & CAST Research Assistant: Andrea Mendoza
- Project Collaborator: Dr. Leeth
Developing Sex Trafficking Counseling Competency in Counselors-in-Training
- PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Prasath
- CAST Research Assistant: Arianna Robinson
Counselor Advocacy Identity Development: Perceptions of Counselor Trainees Following the CAST Training and Internship Experience
- PI – Dr. Harrichand
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Prasath
- CAST Research Assistant: Christa Vento-Jones
Developing Intellectual Humility, Quiet Ego, and Emotional Intelligence in Counselors-in-Training Through the CAST Training and Internship Experience
- PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Prasath
- Project Collaborator – Dr. Lee
Counselors’ Experience Working with Sex Trafficking
- PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Project Research Assistant – Katherine McVay
- CAST Research Assistant – Kendra Smith
- CAST Research Assistant – Emily Satel
Relational Healing: Survivors of Sex Trafficking and Their Experiences of Connection, Disconnection, and Growth
- PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Harrichand
- Graduate Research Assistant: David Thompson
Unveiling the Multidimensional impact of sex trafficking: Insights from survivors
- PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Harrichand
- Graduate Research Assistant: David Thompson
- CAST Research Assistant: Jessica Martin
Social Determinants of Health with Sex Trafficking Survivors in the United States
- PI – Dr. Harrichand
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Prasath
- CAST Research Assistant: Kendra Smith
Post-traumatic Growth Among Sex Trafficking Survivors in the United States
- PI – Dr. Prasath
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Harrichand
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- CAST Research Assistant: Leslie Garza-Mendoza
Scoping Review of Theoretical Frameworks and Models in Serving Clients Impacted by Sex Trafficking
- PI – Dr. Prasath
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- CAST Research Assistant – Whitney Rich
- CAST Research Assistant – Mary Whiting
Development of Child Sex Trafficking Competencies for Counselors: A Delphi Study
- PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Doctoral Research Intern – Jordan Elliott
Child Sex Trafficking and Professional School Counselor Preparedness in Texas
- PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Project Research Assistant – Dr. Katherine McVay
- Manuscript Co-Author – Dr. Brenda Jones
Child Sex Trafficking and the Impact of COVID-19 in Texas Schools
- PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Project Research Assistant – Dr. Katherine McVay
- Manuscript Co-Author – Dr. Brenda Jones
Content Analysis of Sex Trafficking Instruments
- PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Co-PI – Dr. Romero
- Project Research Assistant – Aneesa Anderson
- Manuscript Co-Author – Dr. Nancy Castellon
A Review of Child Sex Trafficking Instruments
- PI – Dr. Romero
- Co-PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
- Project Research Assistant – Nancy Castellon
- Manuscript Co-Author – Dr. Julie Strentzsch
Counselors Against Sex Trafficking 