Elsa Soto Leggett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S

Elsa Soto Leggett is an associate professor and practicum/internship coordinator at Truman State University Sole Proprietor, Shelter Counseling and Supervision. Leggett is a Mexican-American counselor whose unique perspective of service has been influenced by the voices of her past.

EDUCATION:

PhD, Counselor Education, Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi MS, School Counseling, Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi BS, Elementary Education, Texas Southern University 

CERTIFICATION(s) and or LICENSES:

LPC-Supervisor (Texas) LPC (Missouri) RPT-S™ Certified School Counselor (Texas)

CURRENT POSITION:

Associate Professor and Practicum/Internship Coordinator, Truman State University Sole Proprietor, Shelter Counseling & Supervision 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Associate Professor, Practicum/Internship Coordinator - Truman State University 2021–present Professor, Department Chair - Houston Baptist University 2017–2020 Professor, Program Coordinator - University of Houston-Victoria 2008–2017 Assistant Professor - Texas Southern University 2004–2008 Shelter Counseling & Supervision since 2006 Certified School Counselor 2001-2005 

ASSOCIATION EXPERIENCE:

ACA - Executive Council, Governing Council, International Committee ACAC - Inaugural Board Member, Past President, President, President Elect, Journal of Child & Adolescent Counseling Review Board TCA - Past President, President, President Elect, Conference Coordinator, CEO Search Committee Co-Chair, Board Member, Region Director, Senate Board TACES - Past President, President, President Elect, Conference Coordinator, Senator, Emerging Leader, Director of Guidance Conference Co-Coordinator 

ACA/DIVISION/BRANCH MEMBERSHIP:

ACA, ACAC, ACES, APT, SACES, CSI TCA, TACES, TAPT, TSCA, FBCA, HCA 

AWARDS and HONORS:

Leadership Awards - Southern Region 2023; TACES President 2013; UHV Faculty Service 2016; TCA Outstanding Service and Leadership 2011; ACAC National Leadership & Advocacy Award 2011 for the Development of a New ACA Organizational Affiliation Distinguished Recognition – Ashley Jadine Foundation Award 2022; TSCA Counselor Educator Award 2019; UHV Teaching Award 2015; Dr. Jamesanna Kirven Outstanding Counselor Award 2012 Service Awards – TCA 2021 & 2020; ACA 2019; ACAC 2019; Methodist Children’s Home 2016 

PUBLICATIONS:

Publications concentrate on counseling children/ adolescents as a marginalized and underserved population and include book chapters, journal articles, and book co-editor. Recent publications: • Jacob, Cory, Russ, Leggett, Vaughn, Woodliff, & Tobin (under review). Child and adolescent counseling competencies. Journal of Child & Adolescent Counseling. • Leggett & Boswell (2022). Theoretical frameworks and applications in child and adolescent counseling. In Jones, Duffey, & Haberstroh (Eds) Child and adolescent counseling case studies: Developmental, relational, multicultural, and systemic perspectives. • Ybañez-Llorente, Leggett, & Cartwright (2021). Conducting supervision in Lenz & Flamez (Eds.) Practical approaches to clinical supervision across settings. • Leggett (2018). Puppet play in solution focused brief therapy. In Drewes & Schaefer (Eds.) Puppet play: A practical guidebook. • Leggett & Boswell (Eds.) (2017). Directive play therapy: Theory, technique, and treatment. • Leggett (2017). Solution focused play therapy. In Leggett & Boswell (Eds.) Directive play therapy: Theory, technique, & treatment. • Leggett & Boswell (2017). Directive play therapy. In Leggett & Boswell (Eds.) Directive play therapy: Theory, technique, & treatment. 

PRESENTATIONS:

I have provided over 100 peer-reviewed presentations at local, state, regional, and national conferences. Four recent presentations include: Understanding the ACAC counseling competencies: Ethical & competency considerations for counseling children & adolescents; Creative group interventions: Commonalities across settings; Supervision, creativity & cultural awareness; Solution focused play therapy. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Board of Directors, Methodist Children’s Home (2013-2019); Inaugural Board - Association for Child & Adolescent Counseling, including work to establish it as the newest ACA division (2009-2019); Contributed to development of child & adolescent counseling competencies (2022), and have served on the editorial review board for the Journal of Child & Adolescent Counseling since 2012.