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Jason Oliver Perry

overview

  • Dr. Perry is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Counselor Education Program within the Department of Interdisciplinary Professions at East Carolina University. With more than 25 years of experience in the mental health profession, he has dedicated his career to counselor education, clinical practice, research, and professional leadership. Dr. Perry earned his Master's degree in Counselor Education from East Carolina University and completed his doctoral training at North Carolina State University. At East Carolina University, he serves as Graduate Faculty, Director of the McClammy Counseling and Research Laboratory, Faculty Co-Adviser to the Rho Omega Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, and as a Rural Education Institute Faculty Affiliate within the College of Education.Throughout his career, Dr. Perry has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional service and advocacy within the counseling profession. He received the Association for Humanistic Counseling's distinguished Emerging Leader Award in recognition of his contributions to the field and later served as Secretary of the North Carolina Counseling Association. He has also contributed to statewide mental health and wellness initiatives through service with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and as an advisory committee member for the North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program. In recognition of his impact as an educator and mentor, he was nominated for the 2026 Alumni Association Award and the Robert L. Jones Award for Outstanding Teaching.Dr. Perry's scholarship reflects a longstanding commitment to counselor development, rehabilitation, wellness, and innovative mental health interventions. His research and presentations have explored themes including career development interventions for ex-offenders and criminal justice populations, restorative justice practices, multicultural counseling competence, mindfulness and wellness strategies, rural mental health, school-based clinical mental health approaches, and counselor self-care. More recent scholarly work has examined the integration of virtual and extended reality technologies into counseling practice, including XR-based exposure therapy for phobic disorders and the use of virtual reality in dialectical behavioral therapy approaches. His work has been presented at local, state, regional, national, and international conferences, including presentations in Beijing, China, and he has contributed to scholarly publications, book chapters, and peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Counseling &; Development. He also serves as an invited manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Research in Rural Education and has participated in graduate student mentorship and dissertation committee service.Dr. Perry's professional philosophy is grounded in the humanistic traditions of Alfred Adler and Carl Rogers, emphasizing person-centeredness, the therapeutic alliance, and unconditional positive regard. These values shape his approach to teaching, mentorship, scholarship, and clinical practice. In addition to his academic work, he remains actively engaged in community outreach through educational workshops, collaborations with schools and community organizations, and initiatives supporting students, veterans, and underserved populations.Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dr. Perry is happiest sailing on the Pamlico Sound.

presentations

professional service activities

  • Invited Manuscript Reviewer Journal of Research in Rural Education 2025
  • Secretary (2023-2024), North Carolina Counseling Association The North Carolina Counseling Association represents diverse interests of its membership through an Executive Council, geographically located members, specialty organizations, and committees.The fundamental purposes (per the association's website) of the North Carolina Counseling Association shall be:

    To provide a united organization though which all persons engaged or interested in any phase of the counseling profession can exchange ideas, seek solutions to common problems, and stimulate their professional growth.
    To promote professional standards and advocacy for the counseling profession.
    To promote high standards of professional conduct among counselors.
    To promote the acceptance and value of individual differences and the well-being of all individuals.
    To conduct professional, educational, and scientific meetings and conferences for counselors.
    To encourage scientific research and creative activity in the field of counseling.
    To become an effective voice for professional counseling by disseminating information on, and promoting legislation affecting counseling.
    To encourage and support divisions and chapters.

    Duties/Roles:

    2023-2024 Secretary 2022 - 2023
  • Faculty Co-Adivsor, Chi Sigma Iota, Rho Omega Chapter Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society International,Chapter: Rho Omega - East Carolina UniversityRole: Faculty Co-AdvisorRho Omega ChapterEast Carolina University, Greenville, North CarolinaEstablished in 1989Our chapter has active members including current students, alumni, and faculty. We focus on promoting excellence in the profession of counseling and hope to get members more involved in professional development, community engagement, wellness, and more.Duties as Faculty Co-Advisor, as indicated on the CSI website:Chapter Faculty Advisors (Primary and Co-/Back-Up CFAs) are selected by their respective counselor education department to serve in this critically important mentoring role. Perhaps no responsibility is more important than that of a CFA.
    They serve a multitude of functions including reviewing and endorsing virtually every nominee from their chapter, helping to identify talent among the membership who aspire to make a difference through leadership, service, and advocacy, and guiding them in wise decision making associated with their leadership roles.
    According to the CSI International Bylaws, they are the key person through which all CSI correspondence and initiatives are sent.
    The CSI Bylaws provide for chapter accountability that rests in large measure with the CFAs to comply.
    Most will attend conferences where CSI conducts special CFA Trainings.
    Many serve without recognition or credit from their administrators or colleagues.
    A strategic planning Membership Survey which included CFAs indicated that serving in this capacity was principally the most satisfying part of their various responsibilities as a faculty member.
    Apparently intrinsic satisfaction and not external rewards or recognition is their chief motivation for being a CFA. 2022

preferred title

  • Rural Education Institute Faculty Affiliate