LaReine Meinersmann

LaReine Meinersmann is completing her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her dissertation study explores the relationship between an intense style of mothering, a sense of empowerment, and mental health implications for mothers. LaReine’s research interests have centered on motherhood, and how mothers navigate working and other responsibilities, including how marginalized mothers navigate these processes.

LaReine received her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Georgia in 2018. Her clinical experience includes offering in-home therapy services in the North Georgia Mountains to clientele ranging from childhood to later adulthood. This work included marginalized populations, many with comorbid diagnoses. Her work included offering group work to families involved in foster care and drug court. Following this, she provided counseling and crisis consultation in a university setting. 

LaReine has taught helping skills and helping relationships for several years to both undergraduate and graduate students. She has co-taught diagnosis and guest lectured for research methods, human development and family studies courses, and an advanced theories course. Additionally, LaReine has provided individual, triadic, and group supervision and facilitated many practicum experiences for Masters students. LaReine has presented at several national and local conferences during her time at UNCG. Her presentations have covered topics such as trauma informed pedagogy, working mothers’ mental health implications during the pandemic, race- based bias in assessment, and protective and risk factors associated with various mothering styles.

LaReine recently moved from North Carolina to Maine with her husband, two sons, nephew, and two dogs. In her downtime, LaReine enjoys creating art, renovating and remodeling projects, swimming and paddle boarding, and spending time with her family. She looks forward to teaching Crisis Intervention, Orientation to the Counseling Profession, and Group Process and Procedures while becoming a part of the USM community.