Irene Mass Ametrano

(she/her)

A photo of Irene Ametrano.

Professor

Leadership and Counseling

304 John W. Porter Building

734.487.0255

[email protected]

Education

  • Ed.D. Counseling Psychology, Rutgers University
  • Ed.M. Counseling Psychology, Rutgers University
  • B.A. Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

License / Certifications

  • Licensed Professional Counselor - Michigan (LPC) (#6401000003)
  • Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) (#00490)
  • National Certified Counselor (NCC) (#429)

Biography

Irene Mass Ametrano, Ed.D., is a Professor in the Counseling Programs at Eastern Michigan University. She began her professional career as a college counselor at Fairleigh Dickinson University (Teaneck, NJ). From there she went to Apalachee Community Mental Health Services (Tallahassee, FL) where she served, first, as a Counselor in the Emergency Services unit and then as the Supervisor of that unit. She joined the counseling faculty at Eastern Michigan in 1981. At EMU Dr. Ametrano's teaching focuses on courses in clinical mental health counseling, including counseling process, crisis intervention, ethical and professional issues, and diagnosis and treatment planning. She also supervises practicum and internship students. Dr. Ametrano provides clinical supervision for limited licensed professional counselors (LLPCs) who work in agencies and private practice.

Dr. Ametrano has held a variety of leadership positions in professional associations in Michigan, but her primary efforts have been in promoting counselor licensure. She served as President of the Michigan Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (MACES) and as Secretary of the Michigan Counseling Association (MCA). As co-chair of the MCA Counselor Licensure Committee, she worked on drafting the legislation that ultimately was signed into law in 1989. Dr. Ametrano was appointed to and served on the first Michigan Board of Counseling. During her years on the Board, Dr. Ametrano was integral in writing the first set of Administrative Rules, which clarified training and experience requirements as well as the scope of practice for counselors. She continues to serve as the co-chair of the Michigan Mental Health Counselors' (MMHCA) Public Policy and Licensure Committee, working to promote and strengthen the professional counseling license. Most recently, Dr. Ametrano played a central role in writing and obtaining passage of a new licensure law, which strengthens the LPC scope of practice. The new law went into effect in January 2020. Dr. Ametrano is co-author (with Dr. Sara Sue Schaeffer) of a widely used monograph entitled, "Counselor licensure and scope of practice in Michigan: Historical perspectives and current practice".

Publications and Presentations

Unpublished Monograph

  • Schaeffer, S.S. & Ametrano, I.M. (2020). Counselor licensure and scope of practice in Michigan: Historical perspectives and current practice.

Selected Publications

  • Ametrano, I. M. (2014). Teaching ethical decision making: Helping students reconcile personal and professional values. Journal of Counseling and Development, 92, 154-161.
  • Ametrano, I. M. (2010) "Chapter 1 - Learning ethical decision making: Reflections on the process,"The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at EMU, Vol. 3, Article 5. Available on EMU's Digital Commons website.
  • Ametrano, I. M., Choudhuri, D. D., & Parfitt, D. L. (Summer, 2009). Training counselors to be consumers of supervision. Vistas Online, Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
  • Choudhuri, D. D., & Ametrano, I. M. (2008). The overlooked group: Career preparation for counselors-in-training. Michigan Journal of Counseling: Research, Theory, and Practice, 35, 1-13.
  • Ametrano, I. M., & Stickel, S. A. (2001). Assessment in counselor education: Admissions, retention, and capstone experiences. In G. R. Walz & J. C. Bleuer (Eds.), Assessment: Issues and challenges for the millenium. Greensboro, NC: ERIC/CASS.
  • Ametrano, I. M., Callaway, Y. C., & Stickel, S. A. (2001). Culturally competent counselors: A self-assessment rubric. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 449 424 CG030657).
  • Stickel, S. A., Ametrano, I. M., & Callaway, Y. L. (2000). Preventing school violence: Training for school counselors. In D. S. Sandhu and C. B. Aspy (Eds.), Violence in American schools: A practical guide for counselors. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
  • Ametrano, I. M., & Stickel, S. A. (1999). Restructuring the on-campus counselor education laboratory: Contemporary professional issues. Counselor Education and Supervision,38, 280-292.
  • Ametrano, I. M., & Pappas, J. G. (1996). Client perceptions of counselors-in-training: The effects of sex and gender-role orientation. Counselor Education and Supervision, 35, 190-203.


Selected Presentations

  • Ametrano, I.M. & Parfitt, D. Liability in Clinical Supervision: What Are My Risks? Roundtable presented at the 2019 ACES Conference, Seattle, WA, October 2019.
  • Ametrano, I.M. & Parfitt, D. Rationale, Implementation, & Coordination of a SBCMHC for Practicum CITs & Interns. Roundtable presented at the 2017 ACES Conference, Chicago, IL, October 2017.
  • Ametrano, I.M. & Parfitt, D. Supervising Private Practitioners: Ethical Issues in Referral" Roundtable presented at the 2017 ACES Conference, Chicago, IL, October 2017.
  • Ametrano, I. M. & Parfitt, D. "Teaching Private Practitioners to Navigate the Ethical Challenges of When to Refer." Presented at the 2015 ACES Conference, Philadelphia, PA, October 2015.
  • Ametrano, I. M. & Choudhuri, D. D. "Teaching Crisis and Trauma: Strategies and Caveats", Presented at the 2015 ACES Conference, Philadelphia, PA, October 2015.
  • Ametrano, I. M.& Choudhuri, D. D. "Strategies for Helping Supervisees Reconcile Value Differences with Clients." Presented at the ASERVIC Conference, New York, NY, July 2015
  • Ametrano, I.M., & Parfitt, D. L. "Helping Supervisees to Reconcile Personal Values and Beliefs with Professional Ethics." Presented at the 2013 ACES Conference, Denver, CO, October 2013.
  • Ametrano, I. M., Choudhuri, D.D., Dugger, S.M., Francis, P.C., & Greden, L.R., "Ward v. Wilbanks et al.: Implications for Counselor Education Programs." Presented at the 2011 ACES Conference, Nashville, TN, October 2011.
  • Ametrano, I. M., Choudhuri, D.D., Dugger, S.M., Francis, P.C., & Greden, L.R., "Ward vs. Wilbanks et al.: Implications for Counselor Education." Presented at the 2011 ACA Conference, New Orleans, LA, March 2011.

Additional Information

Professional Affiliations

  • American Counseling Association
  • Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
  • American Mental Health Counselors' Association
  • Michigan Mental Health Counselors' Association
  • Michigan Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
  • Chi Sigma Iota (Honor Society for Professional Counselors)