Dr. Catherine Hallam, c0-owner

 I hold credentials as a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), Board Certified Telemental Health Counselor (BC-TMH), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), Advanced Certified Autism Specialist (ACAS), and AutPlay® Therapist.

I specialize in assisting neurodivergent adolescents and adults in developing sustainable, lifelong skills. Working with the neurodivergent population has been a central focus of my academic research, clinical work, and teaching. My doctoral dissertation, Correlational-Predictive Study: K-12 Teacher Self-Efficacy with Autistic Learners, examined the impact of autism-specific professional development on teacher self-efficacy. My earlier master’s thesis explored strategies to close the gap between the neurodivergent population and the lack of trained career counselors equipped to serve them.

As a scholar-practitioner, I have contributed to the counseling profession through publications, including:

• Hallam, C. (2025, Dec). Leveling Up Together: Partnering with Parents in Play Therapy for Neurodivergent Children. Play Therapy Magazine, 20(4), 24-31.
• Hallam, C. & Pohevitz, A. (2025, May). Neurodiversity-Affirming Parenting: Practical Strategies for Supporting Autistic Children in ways that honor their strengths and needs. Autism Parenting Magazine.
• Hallam, C. & Young, J. (2024). Enhancing counseling education through pop culture media: A novel approach in graduate training. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Teaching Practice Briefs. [In Press]
• Hallam, C., Young, J., Grigg, K., Cilliers, H., & Hattery, Z. (2024). Support needs for students with autism beyond university accommodations: Enhancing awareness. Journal of Scholarly Engagement, 7(2), 71–81.
• Hallam, C. & Young, J. (In Peer Review). Career counseling and ASD: Counselor efficacy in career development among adults with ASD.

I have also presented nationally, including:

 Hallam, C., & Krupp, D. (2025, Aug). Press Start: Addressing Video Game Addiction in Individuals with     Autism Spectrum Disorder. Southwest Behavioral Health Conference, Phoenix, AZ.

Hallam, C. (2025, Oct). Creativity in the Classroom and Online: Engaging Counseling Students Through Innovative Activities. ACES 2025 Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Hallam, C., & Krupp, D. (2024, Aug). Crossing Paths: Bridging the Gap Between Autism and Substance Use Counseling. Southwest Behavioral Health Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Hallam, C. (2024, Apr). Therapeutic Pathways: Differentiating Treatment Strategies for OCD and ASD. Annual Behavioral Health Conference, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ.

Hallam, C. (2025). Crossing Paths: Bridging the Gap Between Autism and Substance Use Counseling. Accepted through national peer-review process for presentation at the NBCC Foundation Bridging the Gap Symposium: Eliminating Mental Health Disparities (Symposium canceled due to federal funding constraints).

In addition to my clinical practice as the owner of Chapter & Page Counseling, I serve as Chair of the Behavioral Health Department at Grand Canyon University, where I teach and mentor future counselors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. I also provide licensure supervision across multiple counseling specialties.