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Dr. Robert Casares

Associate Professor

Faculty Member at Wake Forest University since July 2017

Mailing Address: WFU Department of Counseling, Box 7406, Winston-Salem, NC 27109

Email address: casaredr@wfu.edu

Office phone: (336) 758-5804

Location: Carswell 228

Education:

Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Holy Cross, 2016

M.A., Marriage and Family Counseling, University of Holy Cross, 2014

B.A., British and American Literature & Theology, Franciscan University, 2005

Research and Special Interests:

Boomerang children, creativity in counseling, the clinical and pedagogical uses of podcasts.

Counseling Experience: 

  • Counselor, Private Practice, Winston-Salem, NC, 2018-present
  • Counselor, North Shore Pastoral Center, Covington, LA, 2016-2017
  • School Counselor, Archbishop Hannan High School, Covington, LA, 2013-2017
  • Clinical Intern, Catholic Counseling Service, New Orleans, LA, 2014
  • Clinical Intern, Thomas E. Chambers Counseling and Training Center, New Orleans, LA, 2013

Professional Licensure and Certifications:

  • Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), North Carolina
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Louisiana
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Virginia

Professional Service (selected):

  • Chair, Technology Committee, International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
  • Member, Editorial Board, International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling
  • Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Creativity in Mental Health
  • Member, Editorial Board, The Family Journal
  • Member, Ad Hoc Editorial Board, The American Journal of Family Therapy
  • Member, Marriage and Family Counseling Program CACREP Advisory Committee, M.A. Counseling Degree Program, University of Holy Cross
  • Chair, Technology Committee, Department of Counseling, Wake Forest University
  • Chair, Spring Seminar Committee, Department of Counseling, Wake Forest University
  • Member, School Counseling Committee, Department of Counseling, Wake Forest University
  • Member, Online Student Residency Committee, Department of Counseling, Wake Forest University

Podcasts (selected):

Recent Presentations (selected):

  • Casares, R., & Pistorius, J. (2025, February). Legal, ethical, and professional considerations for novice supervisors. Presentation to the 2025 Law and Ethics in Counseling Virtual Conference.
  • Casares, R. (2025, January). Addressing couples and family issues related to problematic social media use. Presentation to the annual International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors World Conference. New Orleans, LA.
  • Pistorius, J., & Casares, R. (2025, January). Safeguarding online privacy: Approaches to navigating digital safety for practitioners and families. Presentation to the annual International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors World Conference. New Orleans, LA.
  • Casares, R. (2024, February). Humorous approaches to healing: Using laughter to enhance work with couples and families. Presentation to the annual International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors World Conference. St. Petersburg, FL.
  • Pistorius, J., & Casares, R. (2024, February). Strategies for addressing problematic technology habits in family counseling. Presentation to the annual International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors World Conference. St. Petersburg, FL.
  • Casares, R. (2024, January). Producing mental health-related podcasts: Ethical, professional, and technical considerations. Presentation to the 2024 Law and Ethics in Counseling Virtual Conference.
  • Casares, R., & Pistorius, J. (2024, January). Legal, ethical, and professional considerations related to practicing cross-disciplinary consultation and collaboration. Presentation to the 2024 Law and Ethics in Counseling Virtual Conference.
  • Casares, R. (2023, February). Utilizing digital media to expand bibliotherapy practices with couples and families. Presentation to the annual International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors World Conference. St. Petersburg, FL.
  • Pistorius, J., & Casares, R. (2023, February). Strategies for helping couples and families navigate work-related relocations. Presentation to the annual International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors World Conference. St. Petersburg, FL.
  • Casares, R. (2023, February). Counseling boomerang children and their families: Ethical, cultural, and professional considerations. Presentation to the 2023 Law and Ethics in Counseling Virtual Conference.
  • Casares, R., & Pistorius, J. (2023, February). Legal, ethical, and technological issues associated with counseling couples and families via telehealth. Presentation to the 2023 Law and Ethics in Counseling Virtual Conference.
  • Casares, R. (2022, December). Creative approaches to premarital counseling. Presentation for The IAMFC Webinar Series, Fall 2022.
  • Casares, R. (2022, February). Creative approaches to teaching ethics in marriage and family counseling courses. Presentation to the 2022 Law and Ethics in Counseling Virtual Conference.
  • Pistorius, J., & Casares, R. (2022, February). Conceptualizing gatekeeping as a continuum: Ethical and professional considerations. Presentation to the 2022 Law and Ethics in Counseling Virtual Conference.

Peer-Reviewed Publications:

Media Interviews:

Lusinski, N. (2022, February 9). This is when it’s time to do couples therapy, according to therapists. The Zoe Report.

Kelly, H. (2021, March 15). From podcasts to Clubhouse, audio is filling more of our time. For some families, that’s a problem. The Washington Post.

Personal:

Enjoys playing tennis, reading, listening to podcasts, and supporting Liverpool FC.

Counseling Faculty