Latoya Haynes-Thoby was appointed an assistant professor of counseling in Fall 2022. She came to the Neag School from the University of Florida’s College of Education, where she served as an assistant professor. Haynes-Thoby’s work explores the benefits of trauma prevention and trauma-responsive counseling that is culturally relevant and promotes resilience. As such, her research focuses on individual and community healing from trauma.
Q: What was your deciding factor in joining the Counselor Education Program at UConn’s Neag School of Education?
A: Being able to work with such an awesome group of students and colleagues that I was excited to partner with was one of the largest factors in my decision to join the Counselor Education Program at UConn. So far, my assessments of students and faculty have been accurate. I have really enjoyed working with everyone, and I look forward to getting to know some of the students that I have not yet had the pleasure of having in classes thus far.
Q: How did your first semester go?
A: My first semester was great! I taught the Advanced Counseling course this past fall, and I had the opportunity to work with many of our amazing first-year students as they engaged many components of the core counseling skills. I am teaching the Counseling Theories and the Practicum courses this semester and we are off to another fantastic start!
Q: What is your favorite part about being a Counselor Educator?
A: One of my absolute favorite parts of being a Counselor Educator is having the opportunity to encounter new counselors-in-training as they connect their passion for service to their work in counseling.
Q: What is your counseling experience?
A: My counseling experience includes work with adolescents and adults, including college students, parents, and teens who have experienced trauma. My work has allowed me to serve victims and survivors of intimate partner violence as a Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Counselor in Pennsylvania; career counseling; and trauma counseling related to childhood trauma, amongst counseling other populations. I have also provided counseling supervision for about eight years for counselors, utilizing culturally responsive and trauma-informed supervision approaches.
Q: What does self-care look like for you?
A: I really enjoying gardening, hiking, or spending time with my family. Self-care looks like regrounding myself or spending time with my friends and family.
Q: What is your favorite book or movie?
A: My favorite book is “Mama Day” by Gloria Naylor, which I have read over and over. This book reminds me of the importance of acknowledging one’s story and pride in connection.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: One of my favorite quotes reminds me of the privilege that counselors have as they bear witness to the stories of others and is by one of my favorite authors, Gloria Naylor: “Not only is your story worth telling, but it can be told in words so painstakingly eloquent that it becomes a song.”