Rob McKinney, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Counselor Education

Having an opportunity to work for the Department of Counselor Education was really exciting and appealing to me. I knew I wanted to work with a great group of professional educators who had teaching at the heart of what they were doing and I found th...

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Rob McKinney, Ph.D.

Contact Information

Education & Curriculum Vitae

Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Kent State University

M.S., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Eastern Illinois University

M.Div., Pastoral Care and Counseling, Lincoln Christian University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Preaching Ministry, Lincoln Christian College

Associate of Science (A.S.), General Studies, John Wood Community College

Biography Publications

Having an opportunity to work for the Department of Counselor Education was really exciting and appealing to me. I knew I wanted to work with a great group of professional educators who had teaching at the heart of what they were doing and I found that at Gonzaga. Also, I was previously working at another Jesuit university and I greatly appreciated the Jesuit principles incorporated into higher education. Gonzaga seemed like a very natural "fit" for me. One of my professional passions is multicultural counseling considerations. I hope within my teaching, service, and research here at Gonzaga that I can share this passion in various ways with the SOE. Already I am teaching Diversity in Counselling for students in Vancouver and I hope to only increase the amount of work I can do for the SOE related to this passion. When I was younger, I wanted to be a paleontologist. I was convinced I was going to live in Montana and use a tiny chisel and toothbrush to dig up dinosaur bones. The first Jurassic Park movie came out around this time and it only added fuel to my early professional desire. I shared this early dream with a colleague a few years ago and she told me that as a counselor I can help dig up, not dinosaur bones, but buried thoughts and feelings within others.

Manuscript Publications

  • McKinney, R., & August, M.* (2024). Experiences of CCU counselors with LGBTGEQIAP + students: Holding tensions and honoring sacredness. Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling, 18(3), 236–252.
  • August, M.,* & McKinney, R. (2023). Support for counselors at Christian colleges and universities, Interactions, 33(1), 6-7.
  • Champagne, B.,* & McKinney, R. (2022). A rollercoaster experience: Gay males pursuing couples counseling, Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling, 16(2), 130- 147. 
  • West, E., Moate, R., & McKinney, R. (2022). Novice school counselors’ role closing the achievement gap with low-income adolescents. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development.
  • McKinney, R. & Storlie, C. (2021). A narrative understanding for counselors: An inquiry into gay Christian male identity. Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling, 15(4), 372-388.
  • McKinney, R. & Britton, P (2021). Coming alongside supervisees: Introducing the skillset of companioning to counselor supervision. Journal of Counselor Practice, 12(1), 24–47.
  • McCarthy, J.,* & McKinney, R. (2021, Winter). More than a mat: Infusing counseling with spirituality through yoga. Interactions, 31(2), 5-6.
  • McKinney, R., Desposito, M., & Yoon, E. (2020) Promoting identity wellness in LGBTGEQIAP+ adolescents through affirmative therapy, Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 14(3), 176-190.
  • Buchanan, L.,* & McKinney, R. (2020, Winter/Spring). What counselors need to know when working with clergy members. Interactions, 30(2-3), 10-11.
  • Kocet, M. M., Rose, J. S., Thompson, I., Flores, M., McKinney, R., & Suprina, J. S. (2019). Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling’s Best Practices in Addressing Conscience Clause Legislation in Counselor Education and Supervision. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 13(1), 2-27.
  • Storlie, C., Hilton, T., McKinney, R., & Unger, D. (2018). Family career genograms: Beginning life design with exploratory students. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 27(1), 84-91.
  • McKinney, R., West, E., Fye, M., Bradley, R., & Storlie, C. (2018). Chi Sigma Iota chapter faculty advisors’ experiences of professional identity. Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, 5(1), 56-70.
  • McKinney, R., Larson, H., Moody, A., Schwartzkopf, M., Hale, A., & Conn, S. (2014). Altruism, commitment, and leadership in high school mentors. Journal of Counseling in Illinois, 3(1), 17-26.
  • Larson, H., Kim, S., McKinney, R., Swan, A., Moody, A., Offenstein, K., German, D., & Puchalski, S. (2014). This is just a test: Overcoming high stakes test anxiety through relaxation and gum chewing when preparing for the ACT. Eastern Education Journal, 43(1), 42-55.

Book Chapters

  • McKinney, R. (2024). Choosing your giant: Mentorship in graduate education. In C. Williams & T. Mikolon (Eds.), The Making of a Mental Health Professional: Inspirational, Motivational, and Humorous Stories of Challenges, Victories, and Wisdom. Cognella Publishing.
  • McKinney, R. (2024). Leaning in: The more you put in, the more you get out. In C. Williams & T. Mikolon (Eds.), The Making of a Mental Health Professional: Inspirational, Motivational, and Humorous Stories of Challenges, Victories, and Wisdom. Cognella Publishing.
  • McKinney, R. (2018). The tale of an elephant: Trumpeting the acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in religious communities. In P. C. Miller (Ed.), Negotiating Spiritual Violence in the Queer Community. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Professional Papers Presented

National & International

  • Allgood, N.,* & McKinney, R. (2024, October). Counseling considerations in Greece: Identity, advocacy, and the future. Poster presentation for Chi Sigma Iota, virtual.
  • McKinney, R., Robson, M.,* Lenig, E.,* & Livingston, J.* (2024, October). Lived experiences of bisexual women in heterosexual-presenting relationships: A literature review and proposed study. Poster presentation for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, Golden Colorado.
  • McKinney, R., Pinto, S., White, M., & Akers, W. (2024, October). From competencies to guidelines: Upcoming changes from SAIGE taskforces. Educational presentation for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, Golden Colorado.
  • August, M.,* & McKinney, R. (2024, April). Working with LGBTQ+ student clients at Christian colleges: A phenomenological study. Poster presentation for the American Counseling Association, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Dockery, G., Davis, T., Fulton-DeLong, B., Man, J., & McKinney, R., (2024, April). Changing times: Addressing present concerns for LGBTQ+ individuals for future success. Educational presentation for the American Counseling Association, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • McKinney, R., August, M.,* & Lenig, E.* (2023, October). How to hook ‘em: Engaging students and supervisees with creativity and intentionality. Educational presentation for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Denver, Colorado.
  • Schramm, M., Tapia, J., Lollar, S., & McKinney, R. (2023, October). RMACES Grad Student Louge. Panel discussion for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Denver, Colorado.
  • McKinney, R., (2023, October). Presidential address and welcome. Presentation for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, virtual.
  • McKinney, R., & Westcott, J. (2023, September). SAIGE presidential address & town hall. Presentation for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, online
  • Bell, T., Sierra, M., McKinney, R., & Jenkins, C. (2023, March). Inclusive representation in leadership: A call to action. Presentation for the American Counseling Association Conference, Toronto, Canada.
  • McKinney, R., & Coria, M.* (2022, October). Experiences of Christian university counselors: Using leadership to develop mentorship and advocacy. Education presentation for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, Chicago, Illinois.
  • Toscano, M., Rheineck, J., McKinney, R., & Bell, T. (2022, October). LGBTGEQIAP+ inclusivity in leadership: A panel discussion. Presentation for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, Chicago, Illinois.
  • Michaels, K., Landrum, D., Hawkins, P., * McKinney, R. (2022, April). Examining mental health needs in aging LGBTGEQIAP+ populations. Poster presentation for the American Counseling Association Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Tjaden, S.* Gillette, A., * McKinney, R., & Ausloos, C. (2022, April). Advocacy in identity: Working with community stakeholders for LGBTGEQIAP+ youth. Poster presentation for the American Counseling Association Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • McKinney, R., Michaels, K., Landrum, D., & Kabera, P. (2021, October). Introduction to LGBTGEQIAP+ issues in counseling: A primer. Education presentation for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, online.
  • McKinney, R., Mayers, K.,* Boyle, C.,* Champagne, B.,* & Lewis, M. (2021, April). Creative approaches to difficult situations: Speed dating style. Educational presentation for the American Counseling Association Conference, virtual.
  • McKinney, R., Therthani, S., Scott, B., Ayers, J. (2021, April). Counseling considerations for transgender adolescents presenting with substance concerns. Presentation for the American Counseling Association Conference, virtual.
  • McKinney, R., & Champagne, B.* (2020, October). Considerations when counseling gay males couples: It can be a rollercoaster!. Poster presentation for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, online.
  • Flores, C., Marasco, V., Smith, H., & McKinney, R. (2020, October). LGBTGEQIAP+: How counselors can work with people across the acronym. Poster presentation for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, online.
  • McKinney, R., & Champagne, B.* (2019, October). Professional considerations and mandates for educating future counselors on gay male couples. Presentation for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Seattle, Washington.
  • McKinney, R., & Buchanan, L.* (2019, October). Ableism in counselor education: Creating an inclusive learning environment through electronic accessibility. Presentation for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Seattle, Washington.
  • McKinney, R., Bennett, E., Cram, D.,* Singh, S.,* Singh, R.,* Swanson, S.,* Paulson, M.,* Brinser, H.,* Champagne, B.,* & Durstling, N.* (2019, March). Creative approaches to difficult situations: Speed dating style. Presentation for the International Family Therapy Association, Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • McKinney, R., Bennett, E., Brinser, H.,* Champagne, B.,* Cram, D.,* Singh, R.,* Singh, S.,* Paulsen, M.,* Durstling, N.,* & Swanson, S.* (2019, March). Attachment: Family therapists partnering with schools and communities. Present