Christian Brothers University is known for its inclusive, caring community, one of the Lasallian core values. It’s a place where people watch out for their neighbors, offer a helping hand, and encourage one another to succeed. No place is perfect, but the university is intentional about weaving the Lasallian core values into every part of the CBU experience. 

When Dr. Amanda Russell, LPC-MHSP, was completing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at another local university, she interned at the Exchange Club Family Center (now Kindred Place) in the area of family violence—abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of an adult or child by a family member. 

The experience was pivotal and expanded her understanding of what it means to support your community. 

Few people have sympathy for individuals who abuse their spouse, partner, or children—understandable but also more complicated and layered than it is on the surface.  

At the Exchange Club Family Center, Dr. Russell worked with families stressed by family violence and often worked with and counseled the offenders. Violent behavior often stems from trauma, and Dr. Russell understood that it is better and safer for the community if she helped the offenders change their behavior.  

“It was very rewarding to be able to help offenders that most people thought were unhelpable,” said Dr. Russell. “They are how they are for a reason and when given the help needed to be able to change, our society and community benefit.” 

A couple years after earning her master’s degree, and while pursuing her PhD in Counselor Supervision and Education, Dr. Russell moved from interning to full-time employment at the Exchange Club Family Center. While there, she worked with Dr. Paul Dunaway, who would later become her colleague in the Clinical Mental Health program at CBU. 

“From my first experience working with Dr. Russell in 2015 at the former Exchange Club Family Center, I saw a clinician with exceptional judgment and a natural ability to supervise and support others,” said Dr. Dunaway, Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at CBU. “When I began building the CMHC program at CBU, I knew she would bring a great deal to the program, and I’m grateful the hiring committee saw that same potential, because that blend of warmth and rigor is exactly what she brings to our students.” 

Dr. Russell was hired as an Assistant Professor the summer before the CMHC program launched, so she has experienced its growth over three cohorts and one graduating class of students, to date. 

“We’ve learned so much from our students,” said Dr. Russell. “They are happy guinea pigs. Thanks to their feedback, we’ve combined a couple of courses, switched the order of the courses, and we’ve made our policies more clear. We get as much feedback as we can, and we utilize it to make sure we are providing the best way for our students to be prepared for work as clinicians post-graduation.” 

Of the first cohort of 15 students, all students who were looking for employment in the field were offered employment in the field within six months of completing the program. This speaks to the quality of the preparation and the demand. 

Eva Garcia was in the program’s first cohort and has been working in the field since September 2025, just weeks after she graduated.  

“Dr. Russell has been one of the best professors and mentors I’ve had,” said Garcia. “Her deep knowledge and the way she consistently made herself available to support her students were incredibly meaningful to me as a new counselor navigating the challenges of the field.” 

“Dr. Russell balances strength and compassion in a way that truly supports her students’ growth,” Garcia added. “It was clear how much effort and intentionality she put into her classes because she genuinely wanted us to learn, think critically, and grow into capable counselors.” 

Unlike programs in larger universities, CBU is unique in that the small class sizes allow students to establish a great deal of trust in one another. 

“It makes such a difference,” said Dr. Russell. “We talk about really hard problems in class. Students have to face their own biases. We have intense discussions in class. The students have to be really comfortable with each other. We make a community, so it’s a really safe place for learning.” 

Dr. Russell’s office is in the Rosa Deal School of Arts.