Hi! I am Misty and I’ve spent my life-giving back to those in need, advocating and educating my community. I’ve held several jobs, including creating programs for Justice Involved Veterans, mentoring, and overseeing clinical programs as their Director. Currently, I am a full-time professor at East Texas A&M University for their MSW program and is a published author. Throughout my career I have created and implemented several treatment protocols such as artHEALS groups, narrative/poetry therapy, music therapy, and many others to assist Veterans in healing from their traumatic experiences. I’ve worked for several years with the Veterans treatment courts in north Texas with grants awarded by the Texas Veterans Commission throughout the state. After serving nine years on active duty in the Marine Corps, I worked in several capacities including therapist for domestic violence/sexual assault victims, substance abuse prevention/education, suicide prevention/education (overseas), federal officer (federal prison) and a probation officer in Texas.
But you want to know about the alphabet that is typed after my name, don’t you? I have several designations, but most frequently I am Misty Ely, EdD, LCSW, MA, BS. I have specialized training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), for the treatment for PTSD in adults and children
I have a Bachelors in Social Psychology from Park University. I received my Master’s in Social Work with concentration in Mental Health/Veterans Services from the University of Southern California. I also have a Master’s degree in Behavioral Medicine/Health Psychology from Northcentral University. My love of academia brought me to a Doctorate degree in Education in Community Counseling with emphasis on Traumatology from Liberty. I have traveled the state provided training on justice involved veterans, military sexual trauma, self-care for clinicians, and many other topics. I absolutely love teaching, and I believe that comes across to every student I meet. As an avid reader, I seek knowledge about new treatment approaches, training opportunities, and advocacy work so that my skills continue to grow and evolve with my clients. I am an artist and poet. These skills became my self-care activities when I needed them most and saved my life. As a Mental Health Peer Specialist I used my lived experience to help others work through their mental health challenges through peer groups and educational opportunities.
