The best project you'll ever work on is you. I want to help you master that project.

Dr. Kari Mika-Lude, Founder/CEO, Clinical Supervisor, and Consultant

kari mika-lude, PhD, LPC (WV), LCPC (IL), AADC-S (WV), CAADC (IL), ALPS (WV), NCC, MAC, ICAADC, CCTP, CCCJS, ACS, NREMT
(she/her/hers)

areas of expertise

Trauma/PTSD
First responder mental health
Clinical supervision
Addiction/co-occurring disorders
Private practice consultation
Program development
Other topics as needed/requested

in the news

First Responders Are People, Too: Study Shows How Dehumanization Leads to Burnout (9/5/23)
Mental Health Expert Discusses Research on First Responders with Lawmakers (5/18/2023)
Mental Health Awareness Key for First Responders (5/8/2023)
WV Legislative Interims: Fire, EMS discuss suicide prevention, more funding for first responders (5/8/2023)
Hurricane Husband and Wife Operate Mental Health, Addiction Recovery Services Practice (1/23/2019)
Shout Out: Kari Mika-Lude heading into the Ridgewood High School Alumni Hall of Fame (9/19/2018)

current research: participants needed

RESEARCH

Heroes and Villains: The Dehumanization of First Responders

Approved by the Northern Illinois University Institutional Review Board (IRB) - protocol #HS22-0483

To participate in this ANONYMOUS online survey, please click here.

Open to all active or retired, paid and/or volunteer first responders (including 911/dispatch and National Guard).

Heroes or Humans? The Dehumanization of Healthcare Workers

Approved by the Marshall University Institutional Review Board (IRB) - study #2053872

To participate in this ANONYMOUS online survey, please click here.

Open to all healthcare, behavioral health (including 988 and other crisis workers), and EMS.

education & training

Northern Illinois University (CACREP-accredited), 2014-2016; 2020-2022

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Counselor Education and Supervision

Dissertation: Merely Mortal: A Quantitative Examination of the Dehumanization of First Responders

Oakton Community College, 2013-2014

Certificate, Advanced Substance Abuse/Addictions Counseling

EMDR International Association, 2012-2013

EMDR trained, Level I and Level II

Adler University - Chicago, 2009-2012

Master of Arts (MA), Counseling Psychology

University of Illinois at Chicago, 2004-2008

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Applied Psychology

licenses & certifications

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Approved Licensed Professional Supervisor (ALPS) in the State of West Virginia (license #2276)
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the State of Illinois (license #180.009652)
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor / Clinical Supervisor (AADC-S) in the State of West Virginia (certificate #16-323)
Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) in the State of Illinois (certificate #32778)
Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICAADC)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Master Addictions Counselor (MAC)
Clinically Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCCJS)
Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS; #ACS01983)
40-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention and Advocacy certification
40-hour Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention and Advocacy certification
Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT)

publications

Mika-Lude, K. M., Degges-White, S., & Isawi, D. (2023). Under fire: Meta-dehumanization and burnout among first responders. Journal of Employment Counseling, 60(3), 144-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/joec.12208

Mika-Lude, K. M. (2022). Merely mortal: A quantitative examination of the dehumanization of first responders (Publication No. 2936412) [Doctoral dissertation, Northern Illinois University]. ProQuest.

seminars, workshops, and in-service trainings

Mika-Lude, K. M. (April 2023). First responder mental health. West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services
Regional State Communication Meetings: Virtual

Mika-Lude, K. M. (April 2023). Kryptonite: The impact of dehumanization on first responders. West Virginia Licensed
Professional Counselors Association (WVLPCA) spring conference: Charleston, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. (March 2023). Psychological disaster preparedness for first responders and military: An existential
perspective. West Virginia Counseling Association (WVCA) spring conference: Virtual.

Mika-Lude, K. M. (March 2023). Kryptonite: The impact of dehumanization on first responders. West Virginia Counseloing
Association (WVCA) spring conference: Virtual

Mika-Lude, K. M. (March 2023). The impact of dehumanization on the first responder workforce and its implications for the
healthcare workforce. West Virginia Hospital Association Human Resources Leadership Meeting: Charleston, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. (February 2023). Question, persuade, prefer (QPR). Emergency Services Conference at Pipestem
(ESCAPe): Pipestem, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. (May 2022). Deconstructing trauma: Understanding and providing trauma-informed care. The Training
Center Summer Continuing Education Series 2022: Virtual.

Mika-Lude, K. M. (April 2022). Trauma-informed supervision: Supporting your supervisees and their clients. West Virginia
Licensed Professional Counselors Association (WVLPCA) conference: Morgantown, WV.

Gage, G., Cade, S., Mika-Lude, K. M., Renquist, R. (April 2022). Developing and growing your ideal private practice: What

we learned along the way. West Virginia Licensed Professional Counselors Association (WVLPCA) conference:
Morgantown, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. (April 2021). Psychological disaster preparedness for first responders and military: An existential

perspective. West Virginia Licensed Professional Counselors Association conference: Charleston, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. & Lude, P. A. (July 2020). CODE GREY: Finding calm in the chaos. City of St. Albans and City of Nitro first responder in-service training: Nitro, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. & Lude, P. A. (February 2020). CODE GREY: Finding calm in the chaos. Emergency Services Conference at Pipestem (ESCAPe): Pipestem, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. & Lude, P. A. (January 2020). CODE GREY: Finding calm in the chaos. Wood County Fire School: Parkersburg, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. & Lude, P. A. (March 2019). CODE GREY: Finding calm in the chaos. Cabell County

in-service training: Huntington, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. & Lude, P. A. (January 2019). CODE GREY: Finding calm in the chaos. Dunbar Fire Department

in-service training: Dunbar, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. & Lude, P. A. (December 2018). CODE GREY: Finding calm in the chaos. Kenova Police Department

in-service training for officers and supervisors: Kenova, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. (April 2018). Sexual violence and addiction. West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information Services

18th Annual Sexual Assault and Stalking Symposium: Roanoke, WV.

Mika-Lude, K. M. (March and April 2018). Toward a trauma-informed TSA workforce. Transportation Security

Administration Supervisory/Leadership Summit: Charleston, WV.

Mika, K. M. (September 2016). Building" confident counselors: Introducing scaffolding and experiential learning into

counseling courses. Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision: Steamboat Springs,

CO.

Mika, K. M., Cox, S. A., Wise, S. M., Parker, L. C., McMillion, P. L. R., Hart, K. A., & Rheineck, J. E. (October

2015). Accepted: Standardizing and quantifying the graduate admission process for counseling programs. Association

for Counselor Education and Supervision: Philadelphia, PA.

professional affiliations

American Counseling Association (ACA)
National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
West Virginia Counseling Association (WVCA; current President-Elect).
West Virginia Licensed Professional Counselors Association (WVLPCA); current member of the Board of Directors
Cabell County Critical Incident Stress Management (CCCISM) Team
International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP)
Chi Sigma Iota, the Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society International
Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Golden Key Honour Society
National Association of Forensic Counselors (past)
Illinois Counseling Association (past)
Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association (past)
Illinois Association for Specialists in Group Work (past)

testimonials

If you are looking for an engaging trainer, Kari is your person for that. She brings her full expertise to each event, is highly engaging, welcomes feedback, and tailors her presentation to her audience. I had the opportunity to have her provide some professional development training for my staff in the area of addiction, particularly assessing for level of care determination. The team was impressed with her, her knowledge, and her style. All walked away having learned something new!

Kari is an excellent consultant, as well. Her knowledge and experience are solid, and she is a great resource to consult, train individuals on a team, or develop programs. When my agency became licensed to provide addiction services up to an Intensive Outpatient (IOP) level, we immediately reached out to Kari for assistance. She worked closely with our Clinical Director to develop the program and was instrumental in developing the 24-session curricula for adults and adolescents. She brought experience, creativity, and professionalism to that role.

- Rita R., past Executive Director of Barrington Youth & Family Services (BYFS) in Barrington, IL

I really appreciate the feedback Kari provided. I feel that I grew as a clinician and became more assertive under her supervision, and I am less scared to have difficult conversations with clients and co-workers alike. These skills will be especially useful as I continue my work with people who struggle with addiction.

- M, former supervisee

Kari was a sound, effective supervisor. She has an attention to detail that supports accurate clinical documentation. She is also an empathic listener and active problem-solver. She is able to create mutual respect to lend support, direction, and education to the supervisory relationship.

- Lisa F., former supervisee

Kari was an amazing group [supervision] leader! She really pushed me to think differently about things, and I learned so much from her.

- MB, former supervisee

It was a privilege to have Kari as a group [supervision] leader. She showed up, set the bar, and facilitated sessions that changed me. Her insight, her passion for this field, and her direction gave me confidence in the space. She makes a difference, she changes people for the better, and I am so appreciative and grateful.

- MR, former supervisee