NBCC Awards Spotlight: Research Innovations in Counseling Practice and Counselor Education

NBCC is proud to recognize S Anandavalli, PhD, NCC, LPC, CCTP; and Loni Crumb, PhD, NCC, LCMHC; as the 2025 Research Innovations in Counseling Practice and Counselor Education Award recipients. This award honors the scholarly contributions of Drs. Anandavalli and Crumb in innovative, transformative research impacting mental health services, counselor preparation, and clinical practice. 

Dr. Anandavalli serves as an Adjunct Professor at Palo Alto University and Oregon State University, clinical faculty at Southern New Hampshire University, associate editor for The Professional Counselor (TPC), and owner of Soulfulness Counseling, LLC. 

In her research, Dr. Anandavalli is passionate about highlighting the mental health needs of under-researched communities and how mental health can become more accessible. This extends to her role as an associate editor for TPC.  

She wants to ensure counseling professionals have an opportunity to contribute their findings, no matter what topic they study. If a manuscript is rejected, Dr. Anandavalli provides expert feedback to encourage the researchers and help them learn from their mistakes. 

“We’re really trying to ensure that [The Professional Counselor] is open access. Not just for people who want to receive the contributions, but it’s truly open access in terms of its philosophy, in terms of contributing to the journal,” she says.  

Currently, Dr. Anandavalli is researching how maternal mental health care can become more equitable, accessible, and relatable for birthing parents who need support. She is also researching the unique counseling supervision needs of specific populations of counselors-in-training. Dr. Anandavalli wants to increase knowledge on mental health accessibility to support individuals who may not benefit from common counseling practices, like adaptations of cognitive behavioral therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy.  

“I communicate to the clients that I’m not going to come in with any assumptions, and I want to know the worldview that you are coming in from so that I can do my best to offer strategies to offer treatment options that work within that setting, as opposed to asking you to change how you see the world,” she says.  

Dr. Anandavalli credits her research participants and colleagues for supporting her work. She shares that this award belongs to her community and those who have empowered her throughout her counseling career.  

“It’s an award that belongs to my research participants who have generously shared narratives of such vulnerable aspects of their lives. It is such a collective win, even if it’s my name that’s on the award itself,” she says.  

Dr. Anandavalli encourages other counselors to be authentic and open to new opportunities. Counseling degrees do not limit professionals to becoming a clinician or an educator.  

“I have found myself creating unique combinations with different things that I enjoy doing because it works for me. It makes sense for me, and most importantly, it’s genuine for me,” Dr. Anandavalli shares. “Listen to [your] genuine, authentic voice and pursue that. That’s how we’re going to make an impact, by being ourselves.” 

Dr. Crumb is the CEO of Carolina Cares & Consulting, PLLC, and an Associate Professor in the counselor education program at East Carolina University (ECU). Her research focuses on rural mental health and education, disaster preparedness and response, and international topics. 

Among her projects, Dr. Crumb is particularly proud of a grant-funded initiative titled Don’t Wait-Communicate: Disaster Mental Health Preparation and Response in Rural Schools and Communities. This project, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), established disaster preparedness and behavioral health response programs in rural school districts across eastern North Carolina. 

“Project Don’t Wait was one of my most impactful projects,” Dr. Crumb reflects. “We were able to support not only the students and teachers but entire communities. When a natural disaster occurs, it affects everyone.” 

Working collaboratively with counselors-in-training, researchers, and community stakeholders, Dr. Crumb helped build systems to address mental health needs following natural disasters, such as hurricanes along the North Carolina coast. Though Project Don’t Wait concluded in 2021, its impact continued, informing mental health responses after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina in 2024 and other subsequent disasters. 

For Dr. Crumb, engaging counselors-in-training in research and service initiatives is a vital part of her professional mission. These experiences not only support communities in need but also prepare students for impactful careers in behavioral health. She actively connects students to internships and collaborative opportunities to address provider shortages and strengthen partnerships between ECU and local organizations. 

“It makes a significant difference for students to be involved in these communities even before graduation,” she explains. “Many of them choose to remain in these areas, continuing to serve where they’re most needed.” 

As a National Certified Counselor, Dr. Crumb finds the award recognition deeply meaningful. 

“When I received the award, I was over the moon,” she shares. “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized nationally. NBCC’s principles closely align with my own values.” 

Dr. Crumb encourages fellow counseling professionals to embrace the transformative power of the profession. “Counseling changes lives,” she emphasizes. “As counselors, we hold the power to create meaningful, lasting change in individuals and communities alike.” 

Innovative research has a tremendous impact on advancing mental health and the counseling profession. NBCC is honored to recognize Drs. Crumb and Anandavalli for their contributions. Hear their stories on the NBCC 2025 Awards video playlist. Videos highlighting the award winners will also be posted on NBCC’s Facebook and LinkedIn.


S Anandavalli, PhD, NCC, LPC, CCTP, serves as an adjunct professor at Palo Alto University and Oregon State University, clinical faculty at Southern New Hampshire University, associate editor for The Professional Counselor, and owner of Soulfulness Counseling, LLC. She earned her Doctor of Education in counselor education/school counseling and guidance services from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  

 Loni Crumb, PhD, NCC, LCMHC, is the CEO of Carolina Cares & Consulting, PLLC, and an associate professor at East Carolina University. Dr. Crumb received her doctoral degree in counseling and student personnel services from the University of Georgia.