Meet Dr. Mark Vander Ley
Degrees and Experience
- Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision (Adams State University)
- M.A., Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy (University of Phoenix)
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (IL)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (MO)
Biography and Professional Achievements
Dr. Mark Vander Ley is a full-time online faculty member. He joined the school of counseling in 2023 after teaching at another institution for five years. His clinical experience spans a variety of settings including residential treatment, outpatient, school-based services, and private practice. Dr. Vander Ley has specialized in working with adolescents, couples, and families.
Dr. Vander Ley is passionate about counseling and believes that counselors are active participants in God’s story of redemption for the world and individuals. He enjoys exploring the integration of the Biblical story, counseling theory, and counseling practice.
Dr. Vander Ley lives in Quincy, Illinois with his wife and four children. He enjoys running, playing volleyball, guitar, drums, and working outside.
Presentations
- Vander Ley, M (2021, March). Father as Attachment Figure: Utilizing the father-child activation relationship to strengthen attachment bonds. Illinois Counseling Association, Spring Conference, Virtual Live.
- Vander Ley, M (2017, November). Creatively Counseling the “New Nurturant Father”: How Fatherhood and Emotional Intelligence (EI) Converge in the Counseling Relationship. Illinois Counseling Association, Annual Conference, Lisle, IL.
- Vander Ley, M (2017, October) The emotionally intelligent classroom: Your emotions, your student’s emotions and classroom engagement. Quincy Conference 2017. Quincy, IL.
- Vander Ley, M (2016, October). Sunshine Circles II. Quincy Conference 2.1. Quincy, IL.
- Vander Ley, M & Caple, R. (2015, November). The supervision journey toward cultural and developmental competence: Narratives of the supervisory experience across the career span. Poster session presented at the annual conference of the Illinois Counseling Association, Skokie, IL.
- Runck, L., Audsley, R., Vander Ley, M., Pechek, A. (2015, October). Online Counselor Education Programs: Success no Matter The Age. Association of Counselor Education and Supervision Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
- Vander Ley, M & Ryan, M (2014, October). Looking at Kids Through a Different Lens. Illinois, District 117 Staff Improvement Program. Jacksonville, Illinois
- Vander Ley, M, Howerton, M. (2013, January). Fathers and faith: How belief and spirituality integrate with modern Parenthood. Dad2.0 Summit 2013, Houston, TX.
- Nelson, K & Vander Ley, M. (2011, September). The Impact of Trauma on Your Child. The Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership, Springfield, IL.
Audio Publications:
- Vander Ley, M. Podcast Producer/Author. “Resilient, Strong, Connected.” 2019-2022. https://theconnectedfamily.podbean.com.
- Vander Ley, M. Contributor. “Attachment And Fatherhood Part 1” Attachment Theory in Action with Karen Doyle Buckwalter. June 16, 2020. https://attachmenttheoryinaction.podbean.com/e/mark-vander-ley-attachment-and-fatherhood-part-1/.
- Vander Ley, M. Contributor. “Attachment And Fatherhood Part 2” Attachment Theory in Action with Karen Doyle Buckwalter. June 23, 2020. https://attachmenttheoryinaction.podbean.com/e/mark-vander-ley-attachment-and-fatherhood-part-2/.
Faith and Learning
As a Counselor Educator, I believe that I am called to participate in Christ’s work to redeem creation by providing counseling and training others to provide counseling that leads to healing and restoration. In light of recent societal challenges, I am very passionate about the integration of biblical principles and counseling practice. Biblical principles integrate very well with my personal theory of counseling and teaching in that I believe in the value of all people and the necessity for redemption and healing from pain caused by sin’s impact on the world. I also believe that all Christians are called to participate in God’s plan to redeem creation. To this end, I am very happy to be involved in CCU's mission of transforming students to impact the world with Grace and Truth.