Academic Credentials.

Ph.D.

Bio

Sr. Hellen Khisa is a professor of practice in the School of Counseling at Marymount University. She has been a counselor educator for three years at Marymount University. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with Spiritual and Pastoral Integration from the Graduate Theological Foundation University in Sarasota, Florida. She also holds an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, an M.A. in Special Education and a B.A. in Special Education from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania; Diploma from National Teachers College, Nangongera in Tororo, Uganda, East Africa; Diploma in African Studies from Tangaza University in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa.

 

Her research has focused on the mental well-being and mental illness of immigrants and refugees from East Africa in the United States, as well as the integration of religion and spirituality into counseling.

Teaching Areas

Foundations, Ethics, and Professional Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counseling for Individuals, and Bases of Psychopathology

Research Interests

East African immigrants and refugees and their coping skills in the United States, factors influencing the mental health of African immigrant youth, faith diversity, multi- and cross-cultural education, improving access to minorities’ mental health care,

burnout and compassion fatigue among religious women and self-care.   

 

Khisa, H. (2025). Burnout in Women Religious, Presented to Group Home employees, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Khisa, H. (2024). Stressors Experienced by New African Immigrants to the United States and The Need to Integrate Spiritual Coping Skills: Best Practice for A Global Application. Mini Session. Presented at the MR-CA conference, Heidelberg, Germany. 

Khisa, H. (2024). Encouraging International Students to Enter the Counseling Profession: Categorization of International Students.

Khisa, H. (2023). Dissertation: Perceptions of Religious and Spiritual Coping on Mental Wellbeing: A Phenomenological Exploration of East African Immigrants in the United States.   […]

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