Dr. Kaffenberger is an Associate Professor and the Program Coordinator in the in the Counseling and Development Program, College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She teaches courses including Counseling Theory and Practice, Counseling Children and Adolescents, and School Counseling Practicum. She was interim co-coordinator of the Counseling and Development Program 1999-2000. Previously, she was an adjunct professor at George Mason University.

Dr. Kaffenberger’s research interests focus on helping children with chronic illness, the transformation of school counselors, and the effectiveness of school counseling preparation programs. Current research projects include: a collaborative study with GMU College of Nursing of the perceptions of school personnel, healthcare professions and parents of the school reentry experiences of students with cancer; and, collaborative research with Virginia School Counselor Association, College Board National Office for School Counselor Advocacy/University of Maryland of Virginia school counselors. Professional presentations include coping with chronic illness for children and adolescents, transforming counselor education programs, implementation of the ASCA National Model, and narrative counseling in schools. She has written professional articles and chapters on school reentry issues, coping with cancer and chronic illness, the diagnosis of mental disorders in children, the transformation of school counseling, and counseling practices. She developed a model for school reintegration for students with chronic illnesses and provided training to practicing school counselors, social workers and public health nurses. She is a MetLife consultant for the Education Trust and a consultant for the American School Counselor Association and provides national training for practicing school counselors focusing on the transformation of school counseling and use of data driven strategies to provide effective educational programs for all students.

Dr. Kaffenberger received her Ph.D. in 1999 from George Mason University. She received the Outstanding Achievement Award and Academic Excellence in the Doctor of Philosophy in Education Program. Dr. Kaffenberger has a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Education in Special Education, and a Master of Arts in Education in Student Personnel Services. She was employed by the Fairfax County Public Schools for 22 years as an elementary learning disabilities teacher, and then as an elementary school counselor.

• School Reintegration for Children with Chronic Illness
• Transformation of School Counseling Programs

• Kaffenberger, C., Murphy, S., & Bemak, F. (2006). School Counseling Leadership Team: A statewide collaborative model to transform school counseling. Professional School Counseling,9(4), 288-294.
• Kaffenberger, C. (2006). School reentry for students with chronic illness: A role for professional school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 9, 223-230.
• Murphy, S., & Kaffenberger, C. (in press). ASCA’s National Model: The foundation for supervision of practicum and internship students. Professional School Counseling.
• Kaffenberger, C. (2006). Caring for students with chronic illness. Principal, 85(3), 34-37.
• Kaffenberger, C. (2004). School reentry for students with chronic illness. In B. T. Erford (Ed.). Professional school counseling handbook: A handbook of theories, programs & practices (pp. 681-692). Austin, TX: PRO-ED, Inc.
• Cook, J. & Kaffenberger, C. (2003). Solution Shop: A Solution-focused counseling and study skills program for middle school. Professional School Counseling, 7(2), 116-123.
• Kaffenberger, C. & Seligman, L. (2003; second edition revision, in press). Helping students with mental and emotional disorders. In B. T. Erford (Ed.) Transforming the school counseling profession. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice-Hall.
• Kaffenberger, C. (2005). When a counselor is dealing with an irate parent. School counseling principles: Foundations and basics (pp. 161-163). Alexandria VA: American School Counselor Association.
• Bemak, F., Murphy, S., & Kaffenberger, C. (2005). Community-focused Consultation: New directions and practice. In C. Sink (Ed.). Contemporary school counseling: Theory, research and practice. Boston: Houghton-Miflin Co.

Favorite Links (each opens in a new window)

• The American School Counselor Association - http://schoolcounselor.org
• The Virginia School Counselor Association - http://www.vsca.org
• The Education Trust Transformation of School Counseling - http://www2.edtrust.org/EdTrust/Transforming+School+Counseling
• The American Counselor Association - http://counseling.org
• Virginia Department of education (VA DOE) - http://www.pen.k12.va.us/

• Graduate School of Education
• Counseling and Development

• Practicum in Counseling (EDCD - 755)
• Counseling Children and Adolescents (EDCD - 606)

• Counseling Theories and Practice (EDCD - 603)
• Principles and Practices of School Counseling (EDCD - 626)
• Practicum in Counseling and Development (EDCD - 754)
• Internship in Counseling (EDCD - 791)
• Advanced Topics in Education (EDCD - 797)