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. (2026). Leadership is Love: A Practical Guide for a Radical Idea. Flint Hills Publishing.
• Bruns C.M., LeViness, P., Carusone, K.L., Hurst, T., Fitzpatrick, N.Y., & Leonard, C. (2026). AUCCCD 2025 Monograph. Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors. https://www.aucccd.org/public
• 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

• Bruns, C., LeViness, P., Carusone, K., & Leonard, C. (Fall 2026). Highlights from the 2024-2025 AUCCCD directors’ survey and longitudinal data. (ACCEPTED)Association for University College Counseling Center Directors Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
• Leonard, C. (Summer 2026). Leadership is love: A radical idea for leading. Keynote address delivered at the Great Plains Association for College Admissions Counseling (GPACAC) Summer Institute, Wichita, Kansas.
• Morrison, M., Leonard, C., & Davis, M. (Spring 2026). Clinical supervision in practice: Navigating the rewards, challenges, and unexpected lessons of training future clinicians. Higher Education Counseling Centers of Kansas (HECCK) Conference, Lawrence, Kansas.
• Leonard, C. (Spring 2026). Leadership is love: A radical idea for leading in today’s workplace. Keynote address delivered at the Kansas Higher Education Professionals Conference in May 2026, Wichita, Kansas.
• Leonard, C. (Spring 2026). Student Mental Health Today. The Academic Center for Biomedical and Health Humanities at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.
• Davidson K, Leonard, C., & Stafford, H. (Spring 2026). CARE Team confessions: What we can tell you…and what we really, really, can’t. Staff Trainings Resources Initiatives Values and Engagement (STRIVE) Conference, Wichita, KS.
• Leonard, C. (Spring 2026). Excelling through relationships & community. Keynote address delivered at the Wichita State University Community College Day, Wichita, Kansas.
• Leonard, C. (Spring 2026). Leadership is love: A radical idea for leading in today’s workplace. 23rd Annual POWER Conference, Wichita, Kansas.
• Leonard, C. (Spring 2026). Leadership is love: Supporting staff mental health. Wichita Habitat for Humanity Staff Retreat, Wichita, Kansas.
• Leonard, C. (Fall 2025). Uncommon bond: Supporting each other and ourselves in uncertain times. Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Conference, Wichita, Kansas.
• 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

• Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB)
  • Licensed Psychology Advisory Committee Member 2024 – Present
• Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) Member 2023 – Present
  • Survey Team 2025 – 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 – 2026, 2025, & 2024
• HECCK – 2026 & 2025
• Power Conference – 2026
• Michael Tilford Conference on Diversity and Multiculturalism – 2024

Clinical Experience

• Director – Wichita State University Counseling and Psychological  Services (WSU CAPS) (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

• Health Care Hero (Health Care Educator), Wichita Business Journal 2026
• Scholarly Publication Award, Kansas Higher Education Professionals 2026
• Delta Tau Delta Fraternity 2025/2026 40 under 40 Honoree 2026
• 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

Grants

• Enhancing Student Health at Wichita State University (2016). Grant funded for $24,979.50 by the Kansas Health Foundation.

Areas of Service

Committees

• University Staff Senate 2024–Present
  • President Elect 2026–2027
  • Vice President 2025–2026
  • Professional Development Chair 2024–2025

• Steve Clark YMCA Advisory Board Member August 2026 – Present
• The Neighboring Movement Board Member Spring 2026 – Present
• WSU CARE Team
• WSU Tech CARE Team
• Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT)
• Suspenders4Hope Black Out Stigma Game 2024, 2025, & 2026
• Suspenders4Hope 5k & 1 Mile Memorial Walk Planning Committee 2022 & 2023
• University Staff Senate 2024–Present
  • Vice President 2025–2026
  • Professional Development Chair 2024–2025

Liaisons

• Liaison to WSU Student Health Services

Additional Information

In his free time, Dr. Leonard is an avid runner, golfer, and enjoys the arts.

Most importantly, he is blessed with a wonderful supportive family.