Faculty Biographical Sketches
Michael Gilles, Department of Education & Educational Psychology
Dr. Michael Gilles, Assistant Professor of Education and Educational Psychology, coordinates the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, and serves as is the CACREP Unit Leader for the Counselor Education Western Connecticut State University (WCSU). Dr. Gilles received his Doctorate in Counselor Education from The University of South Dakota in 1996, and his Masters in School Counseling from South Dakota State University in 1982. Dr. Gilles has worked as an Elementary and Middle School Counselor. As a School Counselor, Dr. Gilles presented at Middle Level Education Institutes, served as Chairperson of a Child Protection Team, and was an active member of The South Dakota Counseling Association. Upon completion of his doctoral program, Dr. Gilles began work as a Family Therapist with Children’s Home Society where he worked with children and their families in a residential setting. Dr. Gilles then moved into a new role as a Clinical Supervisor for residential treatment program at Mille Lacs Academy in Minnesota where he developed a residential treatment program for children with sexual behavior problems. Dr. Gilles is National Certified Counselor, Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in a Connecticut. Dr. Gilles has served as the 2009-2011 President of the Connecticut Counseling Association, the 2001-2002 President of the Connecticut Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and Faculty Liaison for the Western Connecticut Counseling Association. Dr. Gilles received the Northeastern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision “2011 Counselor Educator of the Year Award”, the Connecticut Counseling Association 2012 “Immediate Past President Award”, and the Connecticut Association for Counselor Education “2004 Division Leadership Award”. Dr. Gilles teaches courses in Counseling Theories, Case Management, Group, Individual, Adlerian, Couples, Marriage and Family and Sexuality Counseling as well as Practicum and Internship Supervision. Dr Gilles developed and maintains a Counselor Training Clinic at WCSU, which provides no-cost family counseling and parent education for families in the Greater Danbury Area, along with enhanced-envivo family counseling training for Clinical Mental Health Counseling students at WCSU.
