Dr. Christopher Leonard Psy.D.

Academic Interests and Expertise

Education

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology with Adult Psychology Emphasis (Spalding University, 2014)
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (Spalding University, 2011)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Quincy University, 2008)

Licensure

Licensed Psychologist, State of Kansas, #2357

Publications

Publications

Leonard, C. & Adams, L. (2025). How to start your career with a boss who mentors: Recommendations for success. Eye on Psi Chi, 30(1), 26-29.https://issuu.com/psichieye/docs/eye_on_psi_chi_fall_2025.
Zettle, R. D., Lyons, G. A., Larson, J. M., & Leonard, C. (2025). Psychometric properties of the self-as-context scale with a university counseling center sample. Behavioral Sciences, 15(7), 910. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070910.
Adams, L., Leonard, C., & Provines, J. (2024). Suicide prevention takes a village at universities: Eight key strategies. Psychotherapy Bulletin, 60(1), 7-10.
Leonard, C. (2017, August). One side of the coin: How I grew from saying yes. [Web article]. Retrieved from: http://www.societyforpsychotherapy.org
Leonard, C. (2017). Positives and Potential Pitfalls of Saying Yes. Psychotherapy Bulletin, 52(1), 29-31.
Leonard, C. (2015). Ten Ways to Feel Connected on Your Doctoral Internship. Psychotherapy Bulletin, 50(1), 46-48.

Presentations

Leonard, C. (Spring 2025). Unifying college counseling in Kansas. Welcome address delivered at the Higher Education Counseling Centers of Kansas (HECCK) Conference, Wichita, Kansas.
Leonard, C. (Spring 2025). Regulations & statutes: board & beyond. Wichita Collaborative Psychology Internship Program doctoral seminar, Wichita, Kansas.
Davidson K, Lockhart, C. & Leonard, C. (Spring 2025). Mental wellness in the workplace: Self care & connection. Staff Trainings Resources Initiatives Values and Engagement (STRIVE) Conference, Wichita, KS.
Leonard, C. (Spring 2025). Artful therapy & therapeutic arts. Panel member for The Academic Center for Biomedical and Health Humanities at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.
Adams, L. & Leonard, C. (2025). Wait-Time: Examining the link between wait-times at university counseling centers and attended appointments. Poster presented at Southwestern Psychological Association Annual Conference, Little Rock, AR.
Santiago, A. & Leonard, C. (Fall 2024). Fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace: Bringing people together through vulnerability and joy. Michael Tilford Conference on Diversity and Multiculturalism, Wichita, KS.
Leonard, C. (Spring 2024). Building blocks for tomorrow: Challenges today, success tomorrow. Hesston High School, Hesston, KS.
Leonard, C. (Fall 2023). Thinking outside the classroom. Panel member for Wichita State University Academic Resources Conference, Wichita, KS.
Lyons, G. A., Larson, J. M., Zettle, R. D., & Leonard, C. (Spring 2023). Evaluation of the Self-as-Context scale in a treatment-seeking sample of college students. Poster presented at the Wichita State University Research Roundup, Wichita, KS.
Leonard, C. (Spring 2022). Art + Mental Health. Panel member for Wichita State University Ulrich Museum of Art Community Forum, Wichita, KS.
Leonard, C., Backer-Fulghum, L., & Jackson, S. (Accepted Spring 2022). Integration planning of in-person & telehealth services upon returning to a college campus.Poster to be presented at Kansas Telehealth Summit 2021, Virtual Conference.
Leonard, C., Backer-Fulghum, L., & Jackson, S. (Fall 2021). Integration planning of in-person & telehealth services upon returning to a college campus. Poster to be presented at Kansas Telehealth Summit 2021, Virtual Conference. (Postponed and not rescheduled)
Leonard, C. (Spring 2020). Ethics and navigating ethical dilemmas. Wichita Collaborative Psychology Internship Program doctoral seminar, Wichita, Kansas.
Leonard, C.(Accepted Spring 2020). Don’t be an island: Partnering with care teams/UBITs to better serve students & center staff.Association for the Coordination of Counseling Center Clinical Services (ACCCCS) Annual Conference, Miami, FL. (Canceled due to COVID-19 Pandemic)
Leonard, C.(Accepted Spring 2020). Walking Away from Walk-In: Predicting Access Points using a Localized Model.Association for the Coordination of Counseling Center Clinical Services (ACCCCS) Annual Conference, Miami, FL. (Canceled due to COVID-19 Pandemic)
Schaad, A., Seifert, A., & Leonard, C. (Fall 2017). Lessons learned in diversity staff development. Dennis H. May Conference on Diversity Issues and the Role of Counseling Centers: Promoting Inclusion and Support for Students with Disabilities, Urbana, Illinois.
Leonard, C. (2014). The impact of language: How the language we use impacts our perception of sexual assault responsibility. Poster presented to Division 9 (Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues) at American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
Leonard, C. (2014). Brief in a just world may vary, but victim and perpetrator responsibility may not. Poster presented to Division 8 (Society for Personality and Social Psychology) at American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
Leonard, C., Lim, N. K., Lai, L., Baki, L. O’Neil, T., Smalley, L., & Gustafson, B. (2013). Trouble with facebook: Consequences of adolescent facebook Usage. Poster presented to Division 53 (Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology) at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Lai, L., Lim, N. K., Leonard, C., Baki, L. O’Neil, T., Smalley, L., & Gustafson, B. (2013). Correlation between facebook usage and adolescent Behaviors. Poster presented to Division 46 (Society for Media Psychology and Technology) at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mauntel, G., Fritz Weaver, K., Oerther, A., Borchman, B., Leonard, C., & Nash, B. (2013). Beating the odds: Tips on securing a predoctoral internship. Panel Discussion at the Southeastern Psychological Association 59^th Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.
Leonard, C., Oerther, A., Mauntel, G., Ballesteros, A., & Nash, B. (2011). In a clear voice: The impact of active/passive tense on the perception of sexual assault. Poster presented to Division 56 (Trauma) at American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
Oerther, A., Leonard, C., Ballesteros, A., Mauntel, G., & Nash, B. (2011). The language of sexual trauma: Effects on the perception of victim impact. Poster presented to Division 8 (Society for Personality/Social Psychology) at American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
Mauntel, G., Ballesteros, A., Leonard, C., Oerther, A., & Nash, B. (2011). Perceptions of perpetrators: The effects of language and gender. Poster presented to Division 9 (Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues) at American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
Ballesteros, A., Mauntel, G., Oerther, A., Leonard, C., & Nash, B. (2011). Perceptions of criminality: Language of rape. Poster presented to Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service) at American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
O’Neil M., Lai, L., & Leonard, C. (2011). Advocating for your child and techniques for you and your child. Hodgenville Elementary, Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Leonard, C. Lai, L., & O’Neil M. (2011). ADHD assessment and evidence based treatments. Hodgenville Elementary, Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Lai, L., Leonard, C., & O’Neil M. (2010). What ADHD looks like and myths. Hodgenville Elementary, Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Leonard C., Lai, L., Tapp, R., & Nash, B. (2010). Mindfulness-based stress reduction applied in a prison setting. Poster presented at the Celebration of Scholarship Day, Spalding University, Louisville, Kentucky.
Duff, A., Mauntel, G., Ballesteros, A., Leonard, C., & Nash, B. (2010). Language matters: Perceptions of sexual assault severity. Poster presented at the Celebration of Scholarship Day, Spalding University, Louisville, Kentucky.
Leonard C., Lai, L., Tapp, R., & Nash, B. (2010). Mindfulness-based stress reduction applied in a prison setting. Works in Progress Poster Session at the Kentucky Psychological Association Spring Academic Conference, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.
Duff, A., Mauntel, G., Ballesteros, A., Leonard, C., & Nash, B. (2010). Language matters: Perceptions of sexual assault severity. Poster presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association 56^th Annual Meeting, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Duff, A., Mauntel, G., Leonard, C., Ballesteros, A., Walther, J., Fallon, V., O’Neil, T., Simon, B., Emsley, T., & Nash, B. (2009). Language matters: Perceptions of sexual assault severity and criminality. Poster presented at the Celebration of Scholarship Day, Spalding University, Louisville, Kentucky.
Duff, A., Mauntel, G., Leonard, C., Ballesteros, A., Walther, J., Fallon, V., O’Neil, T., Simon, B., Emsley, T., and Nash, B. (2009). Language matters: Perceptions of sexual assault severity and criminality. Works in Progress Poster Session presented at the Kentucky Psychological Association Spring Academic Conference, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
Leonard, C. (2007). Name letter effect & your last name in marriage. Poster presented to Quincy University community at Quincy University, Quincy, Illinois.

Professional Experience

Professional Organizations

Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) Member 2023 - Present

Survey Team 2025 - Present

Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB)
Licensed Psychology Advisory Committee Member 2024 – Present
Wichita Collaborative Psychology Internship Program (WCPIP)
Higher Education Counseling Centers of Kansas Conference (HECCK)Conference Chair 2025
Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH)Advisory Board Member 2022 – 2025
The National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA)
American College Health Association
Association for the Coordination of Counseling Center Clinical Services (ACCCCS) 2017-2023

Recent Conferences Attended

AUCCCD – 2025, 2024
Michael Tilford Conference on Diversity and Multiculturalism - 2024

Clinical Experience

Wichita State University Counseling and Psychological Services (WSU CAPS)

Director (July 2023 – Present)
Director of Counseling Services - Wichita State University Counseling and Prevention Services (July 2021 - 2023)
Associate Director, Clinical Director - Wichita State University Counseling and Prevention Services (August 2018 - June 2021)
Assistant Director/Clinical Director - Bowling Green State University Counseling Center (August 2017 - July 2018)
Staff Psychologist - Wichita State University Counseling and Testing Center (August 2014 - July 2017)
Psychology Intern - Wichita Collaborative Psychology Internship Program (August 2013 - August 2014)
- Wichita State University Counseling and Testing Center
- COMCARE Centralized Intake and Crisis Intervention Services
Therapist, Licensed Psychological Associate - Communicare Inc. Behavioral Health Clinic, Radcliff, Kentucky (November 2011 - April 2013)
Graduate Practicum Clinician
- Central State Hospital - Louisville, Kentucky (July 2012 - July 2013)
- Indiana University Southeast Counseling Center - New Albany, Indiana (August 2011 - August 2012)
- Communicare Inc. Behavioral Health Clinic - Radcliff, Kentucky (March 2012 - August 2012)
- Communicare Inc. Behavioral Health Clinic - Elizabethtown, Kentucky (August 2010 - August 2011)
- Uspiritus - Louisville, Kentucky (March 2010 - August 2010)
- Kentucky State Reformatory Nursing Care Unity - La Grange, Kentucky (August 2009 - February 2010)

Awards and Honors

Kansas Board of Regents Staff of the Year Award 2025
Wayne Carlisle Distinguished Service Award, Wichita State University 2025
Transformational Leader Award, Wichita State University Division of Student Affairs 2025
Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award (WSU), Insight Into Academia 2025
Hall of Fame Induction, Spring Valley C.C.S.D. Foundation 2025
Health Care Heroes (Suspenders4hope), Wichita Business Journal 2023
R.A. ‘Jiggs’ Nelson Quality of Life Award (WSU CAPS) 2023
Campus Partner of the Year, Housing & Residence Life (WSU CAPS) 2019
Outstanding Commitment to the LGBTQ+ Community (BGSU CC) 2018
Public Health Hero (11/15/2016), Sedgwick County Health Department 2016
Wichita State University Title IX Design Contest Winner 2016