Counseling in Mandarin: What professional counselors and mental health providers need to know

Dr. Susan Rodríguez Branco

Susan Rodríguez Branco, PhD, LPC (VA), NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, (she/her/ella), is a transracial and transnational adoptee from Colombia, South America. She is an advocate for increased adoption related research and training within counselor education and is passionate about improving mental health outcomes for transracially adopted persons. Dr. Branco utilizes attachment theory, family systems, and trauma informed approaches in her clinical practice. Currently, Dr. Branco is a practicing counselor, board-approved clinical supervisor, and an Associate Professor in the Counselor Education program at Palo Alto University. Her research interests include transracial adoption and mental health, Colombian adoption policy, and clinical training and supervision practices for BIPOC counselors. She has authored or co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed journal or book chapter publications and is co-creator of the Adoptee Consciousness Model. Her work has been featured in national and international news media to shed light on unethical international adoption practices.