EDUCATION
J.D. 1984 Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, MS
M.A. 1980 The University of Mississippi, University, MS, Community Counseling
B.S. 1978 The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, Political Science
PROFESSIONAL STATUS
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) – License #0914, Mississippi
Mississippi Bar - Bar #8346
COUNSELING EXPERIENCE
November 2012 thru present
Debra Lee Carr Counseling and Consulting, LLC,
34 Milbranch Road, Suite 60, Hattiesburg, MS 39402 and
357 Towne Center Blvd., Ste. 402, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Private practice providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling.
November 2011 thru November 2012
Journey Counseling & Consulting, LLC, 1 Commerce Park, Suite 205, Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Private practice providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling
June 2008 thru November 2011
Journey Counseling & Consulting, LLC, 140 Mayfair Road, Suite 300, Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Private practice providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling.
March 2006 thru November 2008
Debra Lee Carr, Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
5192 Old Highway 11, Hattiesburg, MS 39402. Private practice providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling.
January 2005 thru March 2006
The Personal Growth Center, 1003 W. Pine St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Private practice group providing individual, couples, family, group counseling.
January 1994 thru May 2005
The University of Southern Mississippi Counseling Center, Box 5075, Hattiesburg, MS 39406
Counselor/Instructor responsible for intake and assessment; individual, couples and group counseling; advisor/instructor for peer counselors; counseling center outreach.
June 1991 - November 1993
Sassafras Hill Counseling Center, 4824 Old Highway 11, Purvis, MS 39475-9339
Intern Counselor/Family Program Coordinator Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment. Responsible for assessment, individual/couples/group counseling, and administrative duties including program planning and marketing.
September 1988 - April 1989
Pine Belt Mental Health Alcohol and Drug Services, 1107 South 28th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Family Program Coordinator Intensive Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program. Responsible for assessment, individual/couples/group counseling, and program planning
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
June 1991 – January 1994
Attorney at Law, Private practice primarily in Family Law, #30 Godfrey Road, Purvis, MS 39475
September 1989 - April 1991
Heidelberg, Sutherland and McKenzie, 301 West Pine Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Associate Attorney, practice specializing in Insurance Defense
September 1986 – May 1987
Legal Services Corporation of Alabama, 3-F Lyric Square Building, Anniston, AL 36201
Staff Attorney Candidate
February 1985 – December 1986
Main and Smith, 301 AmSouth Building, Anniston, AL 36201
Law Clerk, Practice specializing in Real Estate Law
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
June 2003 – June 2008 Mississippi Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors Appointed by the Governor as examiner for the 4th Congressional District
July 1996 - through August 2009 Mississippi Professionals Health Program Assisted in program development; provided consultation on identification, treatment, and monitoring of physicians with chemical dependency or mental illness and impact on family members.
2001-2004 Mississippi Medical Political Action Committee Physicians, lay persons, and Medical Association officials who plan and implement the legislative agenda
2002-2005 and 2008-present Director, Mississippi Counselors Political Action Committee
Plans, supports, implements the legislative agenda for professional counselors.
September 2001 – 2002 Mississippi Coalition for Chemical Dependency Treatment
Treatment providers and representatives of the National Council on Alcoholism and Addiction worked with Mississippi’s Attorney General to educate the public and legislature on chemical dependency and failure to provide access to effective treatment in Mississippi with goals of changing state law regarding Medicaid, insurance, mental health parity, and criminal law.
UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE
Instructor, Psychology 313, Vocational Development, Spring 2007 and Spring 2008
Instructor, Psychology 492, Leadership Scholars Class, course for developing the skills of freshman recipients of Leadership Scholarships at The University of Southern Mississippi – 1998-2004.
Advisor and instructor for P.A.C.E.R.S., a peer counselor/educator group, part of the outreach services of the University Counseling Center.
University Committees – University Appeals Committee
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Counseling Association
American Mental Health Counselors Association
Southern Region Director 2008-2010
Public Policy and Legislation Committee
Mississippi Counseling Association
Conference Chair 2004 and 2014
Ethics Committee Chair 2014-2016
Strategic Planning Committee 2007-2012
President, 2005-2007
President Elect, 2004-2005
Clinical Chair, Government Relations/Legislation, 2001-2004
Ethics Consultation team, 2001- present
Chosen Emerging Leader for Southern Region of ACA, 2001
Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors Association
Executive Director
President, 2001-2003
President Elect, 2000-2001
Editor, newsletter, The Clinical Courier
Mississippi Bar Association
PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP TOPICS
Shame and the Dysfunctional Family
Current Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
Ethical Counseling Practice: Not One Size Fits All
Ethical Counseling Practice and Duty to Warn
Stress in the Workplace
Update on HIPAA
Families in Recovery
A Model for Training in Supervision for Licensed Professional Counselors
Working Responsibly with Families and Couples: Current Ethical and Legal Issues
Families in Crisis: Chemical Dependency and the Family
Legal and Ethical Issues: Areas of Potential Conflict
HONORS/AWARDS
2008 Public and Community Service Award, American Mental Health Counselors Association
2003 Licensed Professional Counselor of the Year, Mississippi Counseling Association
2002 Post-Secondary Counseling Program of the Year, Mississippi Counseling
Association, for The PACERS
2002 Post-Secondary Counseling Program of the Year, Pine Belt Counseling
Association, for The PACERS
2000College Counselor of the Year for Mississippi Counseling Association
2000College Counselor of the Year for Pine Belt Counseling Association