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Devon Romero, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Doctoral Program Director, Counseling

Devon Romero, Ph.D.

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Bio

Dr. Devon E. Romero is an Associate Professor and Director of the Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral Program in the Department of Counseling. She obtained her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Alabama. As a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, Dr. Romero has specialized experience with trauma, neurofeedback, marriage and family counseling, and child and adolescent counseling. Dr. Romero’s research primarily focuses on studying trauma among 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 counselor training, research, and practice. Due to her graduate certificate in quantitative educational research, Dr. Romero also collaborates on projects that require her expertise in research methodology and contribute to researcher development. Dr. Romero has over a decade of experience working with and managing large federally funded projects, smaller externally funded projects, and institutionally funded research. She is the co-founder of the Counselors Against Sex Trafficking Research Lab (www.castrl.com) and serves as the Chapter Faculty Advisor for the Sigma Alpha Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. Within the profession, Dr. Romero currently serves as the Secretary of Chi Sigma Iota International and the Treasurer of the Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.

 

Teaching

  • Research; Assessment
  • Seminar in Professional Development
  • Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling

Research Interests

  • Trauma
  • Sex Trafficking
  • Counselor Training and Development
  • Neurofeedback

Degrees

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, The University of Alabama, 2018
  • M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, The University of Alabama, 2014
  • B.S., Psychology, The University of Alabama, 2011

Recent Media and Clips

Honors and Awards

  • Chi Sigma Iota International Outstanding Chapter Faculty Advisor Award
    • Year Awarded: 2024
  • Texas Counseling Association Research Award
    • Year Awarded: 2023
  • Sigma Alpha Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, Outstanding Research Award
    • Year Awarded: 2022
  • Sigma Alpha Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, Outstanding Research Award
    • Year Awarded: 2020

Presentations

  • Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Prasath, P. R., Romero, D. E., Harrichand, J. J. S., & Thompson, D. (2024, November, accepted). Trauma and thriving: Counselors' guide to survivors' experiences [90-minute Workshop].
    • Location: Texas Counseling Association: Professional Growth Conference, Dallas, TX, United States.
    • Presentation Date: November 2024
  • Harrichand, J. J. S., McVay, K., Romero, D. E., & Daou, C. (2024, November, accepted). Looking towards TCA 2025 legislative advocacy day: What can counselors do to prepare? [Content session]. 
    • Location: Texas Counseling Association:  Professional Growth Conference, Dallas, TX, United States.
    • Presentation Date: November 2024
  • Prasath, P. R., Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Harrichand, J. J. S., & Garza Mendoza, L. Uncovering post traumatic growth among survivors of sex trafficking: What counselors need to know? [Poster presentation].
    • Location: International Association for Counselling Conference, Naples, Italy.
    • Presentation Date: June 2024
  • Harrichand, J. J. S., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Romero, D. E., Prasath, P. R., & Smith, K. Social determinants of health with sex trafficking survivors in the United States. [Poster presentation].
    • Location: International Association for Counselling Conference, Naples, Italy.
    • Presentation Date: June 2024
  • Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., & Prasath, P. R. Unveiling the multidimensional impact of sex trafficking: Insights from survivors’ experiences. 
    • Location: Trauma and Thriving Symposium. San Antonio, TX, United States.
    • Presentation Date: April 2024
  • Harrichand, J. J. S., McVay, K., Romero, D. E., & Daou, C. Expanding the three-tiered legislative professional advocacy model. [Education session]. 
    • Location: Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (TACES) 2024 Midwinter Conference, Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center, Georgetown, TX, United States.
    • Presentation Date: February 2024
  • Romero, D. E., Daou, C., & Martin, J., & Prasath, P. R. Maintaining wellness when working with complex trauma: Considerations for the master’s clinical experience. [Poster presentation]. 
    • Location: Texas Counseling Association: Professional Growth Conference, Houston, TX, United States.
    • Presentation Date: November 2023
  • Romero, D. E., Prasath, P. R., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Harrichand, J. J. S., & Martin, J. Surviving sex trafficking: A phenomenological study. [Research session].
    • Location: American Counseling Association (ACA) Conference and Expo, Toronto, Canada.
    • Presentation Date: April 2023
  • Interiano-Shiverdecker, C.G., Romero, D. E., Prasath, P., Satel, E., Smith, K., & Whiting, M. Advocating for research labs in counseling programs. [Poster presentation]. 
    • Location: Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES). Baltimore, MD, United States.
    • Presentation Date: November 2022
  • Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., McVay, K., & Jones, B. School counselors’ training: Child sex-trafficking in the community and the impact of COVID-19. [Content presentation].
    • Location: Texas Counseling Association: Professional Growth Conference, Galveston, TX, United States.
    • Presentation Date: November 2021

Grants, Patents and Clinical Trials

  • Counselors Fight Against Modern Day Slavery: A Sex Trafficking Project. UTSA Internal Research Awards – INTRA program
    • Total Amount: $5,000
    • Duration: 2024-2026
    • Role: PI
  • Counselors Against Sex Trafficking. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – Minority Health Research and Education Grant Program
    • Total Amount: $396,705
    • Duration: 2021-2024
    • Role: PI
  • Program Evaluation of Centro Seguro Drop-In Shelter at Roy Maas Youth Alternatives. Sub-Contract - Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office
    • Total Amount: $39,990 (Under Review)
    • Duration: 2020-2021
    • Role: Co-PI
  • Strengths-Based Trauma-Informed Approach and Resilience Services in Schools (STARSS) Project. Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program.
    • Total Amount: approx. $5,000,000
    • Duration: 2024 (Under Review). Submitted: 2024
    • Role: PI

Publications

  • Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., McVay, K., & Jones, B. (2024). Child sex trafficking and professional school counselor preparedness in Texas. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 18(2), 1-12.
  • Spears, J. R., Romero, D. E., Robertson, D., & Prasath, P. R. (2024). Development of neurofeedback training competencies for counselors: A Delphi study. Counselor Education and Supervision, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12318
  • Spears, J. R., Romero, D. E., McVay, K., & Surratt, E. (2024). Trauma-informed Neurofeedback for law enforcement occupational and organizational stress. NeuroRegulation, 11(1), 81-91. https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.11.1.81
  • Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Romero, D. E., McVay, K. E., Satel, E., & Smith, K. (2024). “A learning curve”: Counselors’ experience working with sex trafficking. The Professional Counselor, 13(4), 385-403. https://doi.org/10.15241/cgis.13.4.385
  • Gregory, J. C., Romero, D. E., Jones, M. S. (2023). Single-case research design: Exploring anxiety-based, individualized neurofeedback protocols. NeuroRegulation, 10(3), 159-169. https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.10.3.159
  • Elliot, J. E., & Romero, D. E. (2022). Intimate partner homicide and recommendations for counselors. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 44(4), 283-296. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.44.4.01 • Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Romero, D. E., & Elliot, J. (2022). Development of child sex-trafficking competencies: A Delphi study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(1-2), NP1397-NP1423 https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221090569
  • Interiano-Shiverdecker, C., Romero, D. E., Anderson, A., & Castellon, N. E. (2022). Content analysis of sex trafficking instruments. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-021-09463-9
  • Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Castellon, N. E., & Strentzsch, J. (2021). A review of child sex trafficking instruments. Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling, 7(1), 56-69. https://doi.org/10.1080/23727810.2020.1835421
Book in Preparation
  • Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., & Prasath, P. R. Counseling survivors of sex trafficking: A guide to competent practice.