Dr. Janeé Avent Harris is an accomplished scholar, teacher, counselor, coach, leader, author, consultant, and speaker. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Ph.D in Counseling and Counselor Education from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 

 

Dr. Avent Harris has a diverse counseling background and has served children, adults, couples, and families in a variety of clinical settings including a child/adolescent behavioral health center, college counseling, and Level 1 Trauma center. She is a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (NC).

 

Dr. Avent Harris’ scholarship seeks to understand the intersections of faith and mental health with a special focus on how religion and spirituality impact the mental health attitudes and help-seeking behaviors in Black communities. She is passionate about empowering pastors and spiritual leaders in promoting emotionally healthy faith communities and churches. Additionally, Dr. Avent Harris’ scholarship and service focuses on diversity, equity, and social justice in counseling, education, academia, and beyond.  Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Counselor and Development, Counselor Education and Supervision, Counseling & Values, The Professional Counselor, Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, and others. She has received numerous awards and honors for her work including the North Carolina Counseling Association Research and Writing Award, the Association for Spiritual, Religious, Values, and Ethics in Counseling (ASERVIC) Biggs-Pine Award for Counseling and Values’ Article of the Year, ECU College of Education Profiles in Diversity Award, and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Outstanding Article for Counselor Education and Supervision. 

 

Dr. Avent is active in state, regional, and national professional organizations. She has served as an editorial board member for scholarly journals as well as been elected as a Board member for ASERVIC. 

 

Dr. Avent Harris has been asked to lend her expertise and consultation to various local and national organizations, spiritual leaders, programs, and media outlets.