mbidell@hunter.cuny.edu
212 772-4714
1114 West

I earned a doctorate in Combined Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a master’s degree in Counseling at Sonoma State University. My undergraduate degree is in Human Nutrition from Ohio State University, which helped in my development of a systemic and holistic view of health and wellness. Currently, I am an Associate Professor in the graduate Counseling Program at Hunter College. I came to Hunter College with previous experience in Counselor Education from the Universities of New Mexico and San Francisco State. 

Teaching

Teaching and mentoring graduate counseling students represents an essential aspect of my identity as a counselor educator. Specifically, I have extensive experience teaching theoretical and applied field-based counseling courses focusing on students’ ability to deliver competent, professional, ethical, and multiculturally aware services to a diverse range of clients. My research interests in multicultural and sexual orientation counselor competencies provides insight as well as tools to help counseling students work effectively with minority and under-served populations. In addition, my teaching is influenced by the extensive school and community based counseling experiences I have acquired.

Research

My research focuses on multicultural and sexual orientation counselor competency and education. I developed the first instrument, the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale, to assess the awareness, skills and knowledge of counselors working with lesbian/gay/bisexual clients. Much of my current research projects utilize this scale in order to advance multicultural counselor education and pedagogy. Currently, I am conducting a national study that examines the retrospective experiences of adult transgender individuals regarding the psychosocial and medical issues they faced as adolescents.

In addition, I develop and evaluate community-based interventions for at-risk adults and youths which often incorporate experiential interventions (Adventure Based Counseling). In teaching, research, and service, social justice and multiculturalism are the underpinnings of my work. In my free time, I am an avid photographer. I also love to ski, backpack, and practice yoga.

Publications

Bidell, M. P. (2007). Gay straight alliances. G. L. Anderson & K. Herr (Series Eds.),     Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Bidell, M. P., Ragen, J. K., Broach, C. & Carillo, E. (2006). First impressions: A multicultural     content analysis of professional psychology program Web sites. Training and Education in     Professional Psychology, 1. 204-214.

Bidell, M. P. (2005). The Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale: Assessing attitudes, skills, and knowledge of counselors working with Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual clients. Counselor Education and Supervision, 44. 267-279.

Bidell, M. P., Turner, J. A., & Casas, J. M. (2002). First impressions count: Ethnic/Racial and Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual content of professional psychology application materials. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 97–103. (Reprinted in Training and Education in Professional Psychology, S(1), p. 112-121, 2006.)

Bidell, M. P., Turner, J. A., & Casas, J. M. (2002). First impressions count: Ethnic/Racial and Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual content of professional psychology application materials. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 97–103.

Bidell, M. P., Furlong, M. J., Dunn, D. M., & Koegler, J. E. (2000).  A case study of attempts to enact self-service tobacco display ordinances: A tale of three communities. Tobacco Control, 9, 71-77.