Debra L. Ainbinder B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Associate Dean
Professor
Core Faculty, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Chair, Counseling and Psychology

Debra Ainbinder

Professional profile

Debra Ainbinder is a professor of counseling with a degree in counseling and a specialization in marriage and family counseling. Ainbinder's professional endeavors are further evidence of her belief in a scientist/practitioner model of professional growth and behavior. Currently, she is involved in clinical work and research work outside of academic responsibilities. As a member of the Lynn University faculty, she is encouraged to pursue professional ambitions and supported in professional goals. This support from administration has allowed her to bring these experiences back to the classroom and to represent Lynn University in national and international arenas.

Most notable is her professional emphasis on prevention research, interventions and training. She has brought these ideals to the Lynn Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) graduate program. Ainbinder has been a co-principal investigator on two prevention research projects. One was a collaborative effort with the Pennsylvania State University Prevention Science Department on parent interventions to decrease alcohol use and related consequences. This project was titled Project ENHANCE and included over three years of data collection, analysis and presentations. The social action research project she was involved with was for the Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education Task Force (NOPE), which provides community programs in Broward and Palm Beach County. This task force involves local law enforcement, community members, county judicial representatives, and state legislators. Project NOPE is a program evaluation of the many presentations provided by this task force.

Ainbinder has been an active professional in the field of counseling since 1985. Her work has included agency work and private practice. She has counseling across the lifespan continuum working with children through individuals in late adulthood. Her most recent clinical work includes Clinical Supervisor, Lynn University Group Facilitator, Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education Task Force Support Group and Group Facilitator, Boca Pointe Moving Forward Discussion Group.

Education

  • B.S., University of Florida
  • M.S., Nova University
  • Ph.D., Barry University

Teaching philosophy

Debra Ainbinder's academic work mirrors her clinical work in that she believes in finding the strengths and competencies of her students and allowing these to foster a desire to learn and to seek personal growth. She sees her classroom as the fertile ground the students need to gain knowledge and the necessary skills to blossom into lifelong learners and future professionals. As a proponent of the scientist/practitioner model, Ainbinder teaches and encourages this model in her classes. She is as comfortable teaching a research methods course as an applied counseling course. At Lynn, she has taught and mentored students in more than 20 different courses. Her teaching responsibilities are in the CMHC graduate program. Recently, Ainbinder's focus has been on preparing undergraduates and graduates for professional practice after their academic experience. This has involved teaching the graduate practicum and internship courses as well as providing clinical supervision and professional growth opportunities for all Clinical Mental Health Counseling Students.

Teaching specialties

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Areas of scholarship

  • Case conceptualization in counselor education: Scaffolding as a method for enhanced learning
  • Wellness tribes as a means to counselor self-care
  • Counselor education and curriculum planning

Awards and honors

  • Board Certified Professional Counselor (BCPC) (2008)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC GA: LPC005046)
  • National Certified Counselor (NCC) (2007)
  • Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) (2007)
  • Certified Stepfamily Counselor Certification from Stepfamily Foundation, Inc., New York, NY (2006)