Dr. Cian L. Brown is a dedicated scholar and licensed counselor whose research focuses on adventure therapy, experiential education, and single-case research design in counseling. With a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and a Master’s in Statistics and Analytics, Dr. Brown brings a unique blend of clinical insight and methodological rigor to the field. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, often collaborating with students and interdisciplinary teams, and has several additional works under review. His work explores innovative interventions—such as mountain biking and nature-based therapies—to support social-emotional development and mental health, particularly among youth and marginalized populations. Dr. Brown also contributes significantly to research methodology through publications that guide best practices in single-case research design. He is a board-certified neurofeedback practitioner and certified clinical adventure therapist, reflecting his commitment to applied, evidence-based practice. Through his research, supervision, and mentorship, Dr. Brown exemplifies leadership, innovation, and impact in counselor education and development.
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Dr. Cian L. Brown holds an impressive academic background spanning counseling, psychology, and statistical analysis. He earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas, where his dissertation examined the effects of a mountain biking adventure therapy program on middle school students. He further expanded his quantitative expertise by earning a Master of Science in Statistics and Analytics, producing a thesis focused on effect indices in single-case research designs. Dr. Brown also holds a CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Counseling from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University. This multidisciplinary training equips him with a unique skill set combining therapeutic practice with advanced research methodologies. His educational journey reflects a deep commitment to evidence-based counseling, experiential learning, and methodological innovation, forming the foundation for a career that bridges theory, practice, and impactful scholarship in counselor education and developmental intervention research.
Dr. Cian Brown is a licensed professional counselor with supervisory credentials in Arkansas and Oklahoma, and previous licensure in Texas. He is also board-certified in neurofeedback and certified as a Clinical Adventure Therapist and Wilderness First Responder. His professional journey includes roles in academic, clinical, and experiential settings, where he applies counseling and adventure therapy to diverse populations. He has supervised emerging counselors, led outdoor therapeutic interventions, and worked within higher education as a researcher and educator. Dr. Brown’s expertise spans youth development, trauma-informed care, and nature-based wellness programs. His work is marked by leadership in training, mentoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He is recognized not only for his clinical effectiveness but also for his ability to translate research into practice. Through his supervision roles, fieldwork, and academic appointments, Dr. Brown brings a practitioner-scholar model to life—advancing the counseling profession while actively contributing to community-based mental health and educational initiatives.
Research Interest
Dr. Brown’s research interests center around adventure therapy, single-case research methodology, experiential education, and the use of nature-based interventions to support mental health and development. His work frequently examines the effectiveness of outdoor programs—such as mountain biking and wilderness therapy—on youth resiliency, anxiety reduction, and social-emotional learning. He also studies the use of neurofeedback-assisted mindfulness and develops methodological guidance for single-case research design and graphing in counseling contexts. Dr. Brown is particularly invested in working with underrepresented populations, including Indigenous communities and first-generation college students, integrating culturally responsive and eco-informed frameworks. His interdisciplinary focus merges counseling, neuroscience, education, and statistics, allowing him to produce high-impact studies that are both theoretically grounded and practically applicable. Whether evaluating intervention outcomes or advancing research design standards, Dr. Brown’s scholarship emphasizes innovation, empirical rigor, and relevance to the evolving needs of clients, educators, and the broader counseling field.
While specific award names are not listed, Dr. Cian Brown’s scholarly and professional achievements speak to a career worthy of recognition. He has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed articles in respected journals, collaborated with numerous student co-authors, and contributed significantly to the methodological literature in counseling research. His work consistently appears in top-tier publications and reflects a level of productivity, leadership, and mentorship that positions him as a top candidate for honors such as the Best Researcher Award. Additionally, Dr. Brown holds specialized credentials including national board certification in neurofeedback and clinical adventure therapy, signaling professional excellence and peer recognition. His ability to secure multiple publications annually, often on innovative or underserved topics, highlights his influence and relevance in the field. Dr. Brown’s career is marked by a rare combination of scholarly impact, teaching excellence, clinical expertise, and service—making him a standout figure in counselor education and mental health research.
Dr. Cian Brown exemplifies the qualities of a scholar-practitioner whose work bridges research, education, and clinical practice. With a strong foundation in counseling and statistics, he has emerged as a leading voice in adventure therapy and single-case research methodology. His prolific publication record, ongoing mentorship of students, and focus on applied interventions for youth and marginalized populations demonstrate his commitment to meaningful, evidence-based change. Dr. Brown’s interdisciplinary approach, blending counseling psychology with neuroscience and experiential education, makes his research both innovative and impactful. His professional credentials and supervisory roles reflect leadership and trust within the counseling community. As a researcher, educator, and practitioner, Dr. Brown not only advances academic knowledge but also enhances real-world therapeutic practices. He is a highly deserving candidate for prestigious recognition, including the Best Researcher Award, and continues to set a standard for excellence in the field of counselor education and development.
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Title: Experiential education during the COVID-19 pandemic: A reflective process
Authors: DD Christian, DL McCarty, CL Brown
Year: 2021
Citations: 135
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Title: Recommendations for the role and responsibilities of school-based mental health counselors
Authors: DD Christian, CL Brown
Year: 2018
Citations: 61
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Title: Preparing Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral Students Through an HLT Lens: The Importance of Research and Scholarship
Authors: CL Brown, AJ Vajda, DD Christian
Year: 2020
Citations: 24
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Title: Group climate and development in adventure therapy: An exploratory study
Authors: DD Christian, CL Brown, TL Portrie-Bethke
Year: 2019
Citations: 21
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Title: Effects of an adventure therapy mountain bike program on middle school students’ resiliency
Authors: CL Brown, DD Christian, HM Crowson
Year: 2023
Citations: 10
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Title: Methodological guidance for single-case graph construction in counseling outcome research and program evaluation
Authors: CL Brown, C Peltier, DY Lee
Year: 2023
Citations: 9
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Title: Examining the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention using a neurofeedback device on adolescent introspection: A quasi-experimental time-series design
Authors: EC Smarinsky, CL Brown, DD Christian
Year: 2023
Citations: 9
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Title: An integrative pedagogical approach to teaching counseling supervision
Authors: AR Broadwater, CL Brown, M Moore
Year: 2022
Citations: 9
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Title: A systematic review of single case research design graph construction in counseling
Authors: CL Brown, C Peltier, DY Lee, FR Webster, A Al Shabibi
Year: 2024
Citations: 8
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Title: Student experiences of an adventure therapy mountain bike program during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: CL Brown, EC Smarinsky, DL McCarty, DD Christian
Year: 2022
Citations: 8
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Title: Using Adventure Therapy to Improve Self-Efficacy of Middle School Students
Authors: DD Christian, P McMillion, CL Brown, TJ Schoonover, BA Miller
Year: 2021
Citations: 8
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Title: Navigating adventure therapy: Using Adlerian theory as a guide
Authors: DD Christian, DL McCarty, CL Brown
Year: 2021
Citations: 7
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Title: Using the AT-EcoWellness framework to increase the intentional use of nature in adventure therapy
Authors: CL Brown, DD Christian, RF Reese, NS Bellegarde
Year: 2023
Citations: 6
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Title: The power of Kawa: Metaphor in counseling supervision
Authors: CL Brown, AR Broadwater, DD Christian
Year: 2023
Citations: 6
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Title: Recommendations for counselor education and supervision programs to improve gatekeeping processes developed from doctoral student experiences
Authors: EC Smarinsky, CL Brown, E Popejoy
Year: 2023
Citations: 5