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Virginia G. Quiñonez

Virginia Quinonez

Department Chair and Associate Professor
  • Department Faculty
    Clinical Counseling
    Associate Professor
    M.A. Clinical (Counseling) Department Chair
Department
Clinical Counseling
Address
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Chicago, IL 60654
Office Location
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Room 4089
Office Phone
312-329-6623
On-campus Ext.
6623
Email
VQuinonez@thechicagoschool.edu
Website
Biography
Dr. Quiñonez has been Chair of the MA Clinical Psychology department for over three years. Prior to joining The Chicago School, she was a training coordinator at a university counseling center and a consultant and evaluator in Child Welfare Assessment. She also practiced in community health settings where she focused on the treatment of survivors of trauma and clinical supervision before she became an administrative director. In private practice, Dr. Quiñonez consulted to The CORE Center, the Department of Children and Family Services, NEIU-ENLACE Project, and to a number of human service agencies. A graduate of the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, her professional interests include cross-cultural and multicultural psychology; trauma theory; minority students in higher education; gay, lesbian, bisexual issues; and HIV Mental Health. More recently, Dr. Quiñonez has developed scholarly interest in the experience and practice of clinical supervision in cross cultural settings.
Education
  • B.S. in Psychology, University of Texas-El Paso
  • M.A. in Counseling, Northeastern Illinois University
  • Psy.D., Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Licensure(s)
Areas Of Expertise

Select Presentations

  • Battering in the Lesbian Community
  • HIV/AIDS in the Latino Community
  • Identifying Cultural Transference and Counter transference Issues
  • Immigrant Battered Women: Issues and Services
  • Treatment Issues with HIV Patients

Community Involvement

  • Chicago Battered Women's Network-Board Member, Fundraising Committee, Founded Mental Health Issues Committee
  • Chicago ENLACE Project-Advisory Board Member, Assessment Committee
  • Chicago Foundation for Women-Community Advisor, Fundraising Committee

Professional Memberships

  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • National Latino/a Psychologists Association

Q&A

Q: Please describe your teaching philosophy.
A: I believe that teaching needs to be student centered. That is, the focus must be not just on the accurate dissemination of knowledge and technique, but in using appropriate tools that will communicate the information across learning styles. To that end, student and professor must be very honest and direct about the learning needs and the instructor's best modality for teaching.

Q: Why did you choose to enter the field of psychology?
A: I've been fascinated with psychology since I discovered the word as a 7th grade student. The idea of studying human behavior and its possibilities was fascinating and continues to this day. As I matured and gained greater understanding of myself as a cultural being, I added another component to that curiosity and interest that continues to be fed by the complexity of global issues and national concerns.

Q: What advice would you give to a student entering The Chicago School?
A: The Chicago School is an institution where you will be challenged, not only academically, but you will be expected to be a full participant in your training and education. Our innovative programs place an emphasis on the student taking an active role in her or his development as a professional in training. It is a wonderful challenge that can advance the student in ways not possible at other institutions.

Campus Affiliation
The Chicago School Chicago