Dr. Jose Luis Tapia Jr. (he, him, his) is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He graduated with a Ph.D. in counseling at the University of North Texas. His research is focused on disability-responsive care across the lifespan. Dr. Tapia is the past President of the Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. He has served as the graduate student representative for the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, the National Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and the National Council for Rehabilitation Education. Dr. Tapia has been highlighted for his service by the American Counseling Association with the Arthur A. Hitchcock Distinguished Professional Service Award, the Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award by ACES, and the Doctoral Student of the Year Award from the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association.

He has served on various committees in ACES and ACA to promote the profession of counselor education and advance equity and inclusion for graduate students and new professional members. He has a clear passion for serving the fields of counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and counselor education in advancing the voices of others and promoting equitable and inclusive practices. Lastly, Dr. Tapia has served the community in public and private rehabilitation settings, as well as in private and community practice for 7 years. He has provided individual, relationship, play, and family therapy with an emphasis on serving people with disabilities in three languages (English, Spanish, and American Sign Language). He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and National Certified Counselor. Additionally, Dr. Tapia is a Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapy-Supervisor and has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy.

To view Dr. Tapia's CV, click here. 

Dr. Tapia's research interests center around improving the service delivery of mental health services to the disabled community across the lifespan.