Monica Cummings

Dr. Monica L. Cummings has dedicated her life to being of service to others. Drawing on her experience as a college basketball player, Army Officer, Peace Corps Volunteer, parish and community minister, university faculty member, Warriors at Ease Level 1 and iRest® Yoga Nidra Meditation Level 1 instructor, and substance use counselor, Dr. Cummings supports clients with an inclusive, non-judgmental, compassionate and relational approach to counseling. As the former Director for Diversity Training and Educational Programs and Faculty member at regional universities, Dr. Cummings has extensive experience as a speaker on topics such as; The Influence of Culture and Spiritual/Religious Beliefs on Treatment Outcomes, The Influence of Culture on Identity Formation, LGBT in Religious Communities, Gender Identity and Expression, Sexual Orientation, Addiction Education, Bereavement and End-of-Life Care. Dr. Cummings is trained in trauma sensitive yoga and meditation which influences her practice and identity as a substance use counselor. She believes that for some people talk therapy alone is not enough to heal from trauma and that basic yoga poses and meditation can help support people in reconnecting with themselves mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually in the healing process. As a trained pastoral counselor, Dr. Cummings is willing and able to work with clients who want to engage in conversations about the role or relationship their (religious, spiritual, agnostic, atheist) beliefs have on their life and treatment. Dr. Cummings received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Rutgers University-Camden, N.J., her Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology and her Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Claremont School of Theology. Dr. Cummings is available for keynotes, consulting, training, moderator, podcast, T.V., radio appearances and personalized yoga and meditation programs for individuals and groups.