Professional School Counseling

Melissa Boas works full-time at Lancaster Bible College as the Director of the Professional School Counseling program.  Prior to coming to LBC she worked 12 years in public education as a former middle school and high school counselor, and a supervisor of school counseling services. Melissa believes that school counselors are integral within school districts in meeting the needs of all students social emotional development, fostering academic growth, and providing career education services.  Melissa believes that the profession of school counseling is a special calling from God, a very rewarding career, and is excited to train the next generation of school counselors.  Melissa serves as an associate professor, teaches multiple courses, and supervises and advises future school counseling students.  She is currently working on her Doctorate in Education degree and when she is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband, Joel, and three children Joel Jr., Luca, and Maverick.

Holding a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Kuehner considers himself fortunate to serve students as Associate Professor, Director of the M.A. Professional Counseling Program, and Chair of the Counseling Social Work Department. Whether through ongoing research projects, student instruction and advisement, clinical practice, curriculum development, admissions management, or accreditation endeavors, Dr. Kuehner brings a wealth of scholarly and practical knowledge toward the goal of maintaining and growing premier undergraduate and graduate programs. Surrounded by extremely gifted colleagues, Dr. Kuehner is enthused to collectively forge ahead in training students in both the art and the science of professional psychotherapy undergirded by Integrationist Theory. Areas of instruction for Dr. Kuehner encompass psychopharmacology, abnormal psychology, biopsychology, professional ethics, applied counseling techniques, theories of personality, specialized therapies, and advanced applied research practicum. Dr. Kuehner has been married for 13 years; he and his wife have three children.

Dr. Troxell has extensive experience in PA public schools, where he served as teacher, counselor, principal, and supervisor of counseling services. Most recently, he served as the District Supervisor for Counseling Services for the Hempfield School District, in Lancaster County. Currently, he serves as a full time professor in the Counseling & Social Work department at Lancaster Bible College. He has taught courses career education, elementary and secondary counseling systems, human growth & developmental issues, research and statistics for the social sciences, research and statistics for school counselors, group counseling leadership, introduction to school counseling, educational leadership, professional ethics, and counselor practicum/internship. Dr. Troxell served as an educational consultant and trainer for the Education Trust, Washington, DC, actively involved in the training of professional school counselors throughout PA. In addition, he served on the board of the Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Service Administrators (PAPSA), and speaks on the topic of data analysis and disaggregation in schools; the supervision of pupil services; the evaluation of professional school counseling programs; and the effective use of group counseling in schools.  Dr. Troxell assisted the Pennsylvania Department of Education in the design and developmental of evaluative criteria for Pennsylvania School Counselors. He presented findings on this topic and updated school district administrators at the PAPSA Conference in Lancaster, PA.  Dr. Troxell is also trained in the use of data analysis and disaggregation techniques for professional school counselors. In addition to his vast experience in education, Dr. Troxell was originally trained as a music teacher and professional clarinetist. He has been a member of the Hershey Symphony, the Central Penn Symphony, and the Hershey Big Band, which he founded. In addition, Dr. Troxell performs regularly at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, PA., where he and his wife attend. He performs regularly with the Franklin & Marshall Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and other musical venues at the college, and continues to perform with the Allegro Chamber Orchestra of Lancaster, under the direction of Dr. Brian Norcross. He has studied clarinet with Drs. William Higgins and Ronald Miller (Messiah College), Beverly Butts, principal clarinetist with the Maryland Symphony, and Richard Hawkins, Fenelon B. Rice Associate Professor of Clarinet at Oberlin Conservatory and professional clarinetist.

Professor Sean Dougherty is blessed to serve as an assistant professor in the Master of Education in the school counseling degree program at LBC | Capital's main campus and the Associate Dean for Student Development & Success for the college's traditional undergraduate program. Professor Dougherty is a two-time graduate of Lancaster Bible College, holding a master’s degree of education in school counseling and a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies. His second master’s degree is from the California University of Pennsylvania in Sports Management. Dougherty is a certified school counselor and worked in public and private school settings for more than 10 years. He also spent several years working as a child and adolescent therapist. Dougherty is passionate about youth mental health and his areas of instruction at the college have included career counseling, group counseling and exceptional learners. He remains actively involved with his local school district and is married with five beautiful children.