Char Newton

Dr. Charmeka Newton is a fully licensed psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the School Counseling Program in the College of Education & Human Development at the University of North Dakota. Dr. Newton is also the owner of Legacy Mental Health Services, PLLC. She has over 10 years of experience in clinical, academic, and community settings, including teaching experience at both undergraduate and graduate levels of higher education. Her areas of expertise include multicultural counseling, research methods, tests and measurement, career counseling, and clinical supervision of master’s-level counseling practitioners and students. In addition to her clinical and teaching expertise, Dr. Newton is also a member of the Michigan Board of Psychology, appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She is a sought after psychology expert featured in prominent magazines and newscasts, recently featured on the June 2020 broadcast of West Michigan Woman, where she discussed how to have difficult conversations with your family about race. She is also co-author of the soon to be released book, Black Lives Are Beautiful: 50 Tools to Heal from Trauma and Promote Positive Racial Identity, published through Routledge, an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, LLC., as well as co-author of the peer-reviewed article, “Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavior Therapy as a Model to Address Internalized Racism Among African American Clients,” published in the April 2022 issue of the Journal of Mental Health Counseling.

Education:
• PhD, Counseling Psychology, Western Michigan University, 2009
• MA, Community Psychology & Social Change, Pennsylvania State University, 2004
• BA, Psychology and Communications, University of Michigan, Dearborn, 2002

Awards:
• Michigan Psychological Association, 2022 Distinguished Psychologist Award
• West Michigan Woman Brilliance Award Finalist, 2020

Professional Appointments:
• Michigan Board of Psychology, December 2019-Present
Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Media Appearances:
• “How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race With Your Family,” West Michigan Woman Broadcast, Grand Rapids, MI, June 2020
• “Managing Your Emotional Health During a Pandemic,” WOODTV, Grand Rapids, MI, May 2020
• “When to End a Toxic Friendship,” West Michigan Woman, January 28, 2019, https://westmichiganwoman.com/relationships/2278-when-to-end-a-toxic-friendship

Recent Publications:
Steele, J. M., & Newton, C. S. (2022). Culturally adapted cognitive behavior therapy as a model to address internalized racism among African American clients. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 44(2), 98-116.