College of Education

Education

• Ph.D., Rehabilitation Counseling Education, Michigan State University
• MA, Rehabilitation Counseling, Michigan State University

Biography

During her undergraduate studies in Sociology at Portland State University, Brenna became involved with a program providing sustainable food practice and food justice education to individuals incarcerated in various Oregon correctional facilities. This experience cemented both her passion for working with marginalized and underserved communities, as well as her intention to serve people with disabilities who are also justice involved.  Brenna pursued a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at Michigan State University and while working as a licensed clinician providing mental health, substance use, and vocational counseling, went on to complete a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling Education. Here at EMU, Brenna teaches masters level counseling courses, as well as special topic undergraduate courses at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

Interests and Expertise

Research Interests

• Incarceration and reentry
• Mandated counseling
• Substance use
• Disability

Courses

• COUN 686 Practicum In Counseling
• COUN 540 Group Counseling Process

Publications and Presentations

Selected Publications

• Levine, A., & Breshears, B. (2019). Discrimination at every turn: An intersectional ecological lens for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation Psychology, 64(2), 146.
• Breshears, B. (2021). Processes and Relationships within Substance Use Intervention: A Phenomenological Study of the Mandated Treatment Lived Experience. Michigan State University

Selected Presentations 

• Breshears B & Van- Buren Hay, B. (August 2022) Mandated Treatment: Perceiving the Needs of Justice Involved Clients Through and Intersectional Lens. Skill building session presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.