Tanya Middleton

Headshot of Tanya Middleton

Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Studies

middleton.221@osu.edu

Biography

Dr. Tanya J. Middleton is an alumna of The Ohio State University (’03 BA in Communication/Criminology minor). Dr. Middleton earned her MA in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University and completed her doctorate in Counselor Education & Supervision at The University of Akron. She is an Assistant Professor in the Educational Studies Department, Counselor Education Program. Dr. Middleton also serves as coordinator and Director of Field Placement for the Clinical Mental Health Program. Dr. Middleton has authored/co-authored book chapters and numerous refereed journal articles on access, equity, and inclusion in counselor education, higher education, gifted and talented education, addictions, social justice, and clinical supervision. She has also presented her research at local, regional, and national counseling and education conferences. She has been invited to serve as a guest lecturer, keynote speaker, and panelist on relevant and related topics.

Dr. Middleton is also a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with supervisory credentials, a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor, and a Substance Abuse Professional with over 15 years of experience in community and private practice settings.

Education

  • PhD Counselor Education and Supervision, The University of Akron, 2020
  • MA Clinical and Mental Health Counseling, John Carroll University, 2011
  • BA Communication/Criminology minor, The Ohio State University, 2003

Research Interests

Research Summary

Dr. Middleton's research explores how multilevel trauma, systemic inequities, and sociocultural factors affect the mental health and well-being of Black youth, families, and communities. Her scholarship promotes culturally responsive, anti-racist, and trauma-informed approaches to counseling, counselor education, and behavioral health practice. Her areas of inquiry include race-related and intergenerational trauma, substance use disorders, resilience and protective factors, counselor preparation and supervision, educational equity, and the mental health experiences of Black students across P-20 settings. Through community-engaged, strengths-based research, she develops interventions, frameworks, and training practices that foster healing, belonging, and equitable outcomes for historically marginalized populations.

Selected Grants

  • October 2026
    • OpenAI Submitted
    • The Human Side of AI: Investigating ChatGPT's Influence on Teen Hope and Belonging
    • Total Funding: $182,149
    • PI: Brett Zyromski  
    • Co-PI: Tanya J. Middleton, Abena Anyidoho, David Julian, Jiarui Xie, Scott Graves, Kisha Radliff, Shelby Gonzales, and Demetrius Cofield 
    • Key Personnel: Melissa Ross
    • Focus: This study will provide insight into the emotional development and well-being of teens, especially related to agency and social connection. Further, participants perceptions of the influence of their interactions with ChatGPT and social development and relationships will also be explored, with belonging, relationships, and how AI and human connection mediates or moderates those constructs a particular focus. Finally, outcomes will be explored through patterns, contexts and variance across demographics, specifically time spent, type and purpose of use, age, ethnicity, and other contextual factors.
  •  April 2025
    • Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (GR141453) – Funded
    • Mental Health Learning Modules for Ohio’s Educators and School Personnel
    • Fiscal Agent: The Ohio State University
    • Total Funding: $661,500
    • Primary Investigator: Gabrielle Johnson
    • Co-Primary Investigators: Hadley Bachman, Abena Anyidoho, Adrienne Boggs, Barbara
    • Boone, David Julian, Melissa Ross, Traci Lepicki, Tanya J. Middleton, & Brett Zyromski
  • April 2023
    • Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Student Success Research (SASR)—Funded
    • Critical Perspectives on ePortfolio Learning
    • Fiscal Agent: The Ohio State University
    • Total Funding: $22,305
    • Primary Investigator: Matthew Van Jura, Teresa Johnson, Melissa Beers, & Tanya J. Middleton
  • April 2021
    • The College of Human Ecology, Dean’s Emerging Scholars Seed Grant—Funded
    • Pathways to the Professorate
    • Fiscal Agent: The Ohio State University
    • Total Funding: $15,000
    • Primary Investigator: Tanya J. Middleton and Ezekiel Peebles III

Selected Publications

  • Moore, M. S., & Middleton, T. J. (2026). Intergenerational trauma and substance use in Black families: implications for family-centered counseling practice. The Family Journal, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807261480099
  • Middleton, T.J. (2026). Healing invisible wounds: Applying optimal theory to address race-related trauma for Black students in urban P-12 schools. "Historical and New Outlooks on Urban Education 60th Anniversary", Urban Education Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/00420859261433881
  • Ford, D.Y., & Middleton, T.J. (2026). Black lives sure matter: Decolonizing the academic experiences of academically advanced Black students. "Historical and New Outlooks on Urban Education 60th Anniversary", Urban Education Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/00420859261433881
  • Hines, E. M., Middleton, T. J., Ford, D. Y., Moore III, J. L., & Fletcher Jr., E. C. (2026). Becoming culturally competent school and school-based mental health counselors for gifted and talented Black students: Theories and practices for support. Roeper Review, 48(2), 108-118. https://doi.org/10.1080/02783193.2026.2647731
  • Mills, K. J., Reyes, H.L., Middleton, T.J., Wynne, T., & Quaye, S.J. (2026). Reducing racial battle fatigue to foster success among Black students. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory, & Practice. [IF 1.1 (2025)]. https://doi.org/10.1177/15210251261427426
  • Gibson, D.M., Dollarhide, C.T., Middleton, T.J., Fort, J., * Fraley, A., * Glover, B., * & Cartwright, I. * (2026). Intersectional factors contributing to racial and professional identity development of Black entry-level counseling students. Counselor Education & Supervision. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.70019
  • Hines, E.M., Middleton, T.J., Ford, D.Y., & Moore III, J.L. (2026). Broaching as an equitable approach to counseling Black students in advanced academics. Journal of Multicultural Counseling & Development. http://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.70015
  • Hines, E.M., Ford, D.Y., Mayes, R.D., Middleton, T.J., Moore III, J.L., & Emory, A. (2025). A culturally responsive, ecological approach to cultivating and engaging twice exceptional Black males in gifted and talented and special education. Educational Psychologist, 60(3), 189-207. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2025.2473901
  • Moreno, O., Williams, C. D., Munoz, G., Santana, A., Hernandez, C., Elias, M.J., Chartier, K.G., Hood, K. B., Johnson, K.F., Middleton, T.J., & Montemayor, B. N., The Spit for Science Working Group, Vassileva, J., Dick, D. M., & Amstadter, A. B. (2025). Interpersonal ethnic-racial discrimination and tobacco products: The moderating role of critical action. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 31(3), 421-428. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000646
  • Hines, E.M., Ford, D.Y., Mayes, R.D., Middleton, T.J., Moore III, J.L., & McGlone, D. (2025). Debunking myths: Preparing Black students who are accelerated learners for postsecondary opportunities. Journal of College Access, 10(3), 105-122. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jca/vol10/iss3/7
  • Middleton, T.J., Arjune, B., * Parsons-Christian, E., * Peebles, E., * Hughes, D., * Sumler, C., * Dollarhide, C.T., & Ford, D.Y., Hines, E.M. (2025). Thriving against the odds: An examination of protective factors to support African Americans in counselor education. The Journal of Black Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1177/00957984251394440
  • Middleton, T.J., Obinnakwelu Jr., E., * Shabazz, K., * Tamakloe, I., * & Rodgers, J. * (2025). Perceived preparedness: A phenomenological study of licensed counselors' readiness to treat substance use disorders. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 46(2), 119-154. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaoc.70002
  • Moore, M., & Middleton, T.J. (2025). Engaging African American families: Suggestions to improve treatment utilization for opioid use disorders. The Family Journal, 33(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807251322171
  • Dollarhide, C.T., Middleton, T., Burciaga, L., Casani, J., Dockery, N., * Fraley, A.M., * Karkhanis, S., Levine, A., Lynn, M., Mushunje, R., Osei Twerefour, I.H., * & Shrewsbury-Braxton, S. (2024). Social justice content in counseling journals: Comparison of publication rates. Journal of Counseling & Development, 102(3), 350-360. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12520
  • Ford, D. Y., Hines, E. M., Middleton, T. J., & Moore, J. L. (2024). Brown vs. Board of Education: Implications for gifted and talented education. Gifted Child Today, 47(3), 216-220. https://doi.org/10.1177/10762175241242493
  • Ford, D. Y., Hines, E. M., Fletcher Jr., E. C., Mayes, R. D., Middleton, T. J., & Moore III, J. L. (2023). Dispositions promote or inhibit cultural competence and anti-racism: Discussion and resources for gifted education. Gifted Child Today, 46(3), 220-224. https://doi.org/10.1177/10762175231168798
  • Ford, D. Y., Hines, E. M., Middleton, T. J., & Moore III, J. L. (2023). Inequitable representation of Black boys in gifted and talented education, Advanced Placement, and special education. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 51(4), 304-314. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12283
  • Ford, D.Y., Middleton, T.J., Hines, E.M., Fletcher, E.C., & Moore III, J.L. (2023). Theories and models: Anti-racist, culturally competent counselors for Black gifted and talented students. Gifted Child Today, 43(6), 63-69. https://doi.org/10.1177/10762175221131063
  • Hines, E. M., Ford, D. Y., Middleton, T. J., Fletcher, E. C., Moore III, J. L., Wright, B. L., & Grantham, T. C. (2023). Good trouble, necessary trouble: Adding culture to transformational gifted and talented students and programs. Roeper Review, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/02783193.2023.2212370
  • Middleton, T. J., & Owens, D. (2023). African American women and self-esteem. The Family Journal, 32(1), 33-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807231207730
  • Middleton, T. J., Toole, K. M., * Culpepper, D., * Hughes, D. C., * Parsons-Christian, E., * & Dollarhide, C. T. (2023). Decolonizing & decentering oppressive structures: Practical strategies for social justice in school and clinical counseling. Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, 10(2), 112-122. https://doi.org/10.1080/2326716X.2023.2237023
  • Middleton, T.J., Arjune, Bhudayal, Peebles III, E., Hughes, D., & Dollarhide, C.T. (2022). Optimal Theory and educational realities for African Americans: Suggestions for humanistic counselors working K-16. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, 62(1), 15-24. https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.12198

Book Chapters

  • Ford, D.Y., Middleton, T.J., Barnes, H., & Mayes, R.D. (2026). Using Ford's Bloom-Banks matrix to end academic violence for Black and other minoritized students in the United States. In K.M. Margo (Ed.), The Emerald Handbook on Teaching Global Competencies: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Applications Inside and Outside the Classroom. Emerald Publishing.
  • Owens, D., Middleton, T.J., & Carter, D. (2026). School and career counselors in supporting Black males' educational and career attainment. In E.M. Hines (Ed.), Counseling Black Males with Excellence: Exploring Career, Clinical, and School Contexts. Emerald Publishing.
  • Middleton, T.J. (2025). Empowering resilience through protective factors: A strength-based paradigm/approach for supporting mental health for Black Students in K-12. In E.M. Hines, The American Dream 2.0: Recognizing the Academic Gifts and Talents of Black Students. Kendall-Hunt Publishing Company.

Selected Presentations

International

  • Zyromski, B., Roberts, S., Payno, E., Martin, I., Middleton, T.J. (June 2025). Applying Funds of Knowledge, Community Cultural Wealth, and Asset Mapping to Build Hope and Belonging for Students in School Settings. The International Academic Forum (IAFOR): The Paris Conference on Education. Paris, France. [In-person].

National

  • Middleton, T.J., Shabazz, K., Tamakloe, I. (October 2026). Applying an Intersectional Lens to Clinical Supervision for Diverse Campus Communities. North Central Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (NCACES). Des Moines, Iowa. [In-person]. *
  • Middleton, T.J., Mushunje, R., * & Hicks, D. * (March 2024). Addressing Stigmas and Disparities in Substance Abuse Treatment: A Community-Based Approach. National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation Symposium. Washington, D.C. [In-person] *
  • Middleton, T.J., Hughes, D.C., * & Dollarhide, C.T. (October 2022). Reconstructing the Pathway to the Professoriate for African American Faculty in Counselor Education. North Central Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (NCACES). Omaha, Nebraska. [In-person]. *
  • Middleton, T.J., Hughes, D.C., * Parsons-Christian, & E., * Sumler, C. * (May 2-3, 2022). Reconstructing Pathways: Challenges and Opportunities to Diversifying the Professoriate. The Ohio State University's National Conference on Diversity, Race, and Learning (NCDRL): Forward Progress: Making Diversity, Equity, & Inclusive Excellence, a Priority. [In-person]. *
  • Middleton, T.J., Tamakloe, I., & Shabazz, K. (November 5, 2026). From Wounds to Wisdom: Restoring Wholeness and Healing Intergenerational Trauma. All Ohio Counselors Conference (AOCC). Columbus, OH [In-person].
  • Middleton, T.J., & Moore, M. (November 4, 2026). Honoring Culture, Strengthening Recovery: Supervision That Responds. All Ohio Counselors Conference (AOCC). Columbus, OH [In-person].
  • Moore, M., & Middleton, T.J., Gilan, A. *(October 2025). Behavioral Health Navigators: Enhancing Wellness and Support for Counselors in SUD & BH Treatment. All Ohio Counselors Conference (AOCC). Columbus, OH [In-person]. *
  • Dollarhide, C.T., & Middleton, T.J. (October 17, 2023). Bridging the Divide between Multiculturalism and Social Justice. All Ohio Counselors Conference (AOCC). Columbus, OH [In-person].
  • Moore, M., & Middleton, T.J. (October 17, 2023). Techniques for Addressing Stigmas and Resistance Amongst Minorities in Behavioral Health Settings. All Ohio Counselors Conference (AOCC). Columbus, OH [In-person].
  • Middleton, T.J., Dollarhide, C.T., Arjune, B., * Brashear, K., * Culpepper, D., * Christian-Parsons, E., * & Shewsbury, S. * (October 2022). Decolonizing & Decentering Oppressive Structures: Social Justice in School and Clinical Counseling. All Ohio Counseling Conference Pre-Conference Session. Columbus, OH [In-person]. *

Invited Presentations

  • Middleton, T.J. (February 19, 2026). Reducing Risk: Exploring the Intersection of Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health for Youth in P-12 Schools. ACT Coalition, Dublin City Schools.
  • Middleton, T.J. (October 25, 2024). Compassion Fatigue and Mental Wellness, The College of Education and Human Ecology, LARC Professional Development Day, The Ohio State University [In-person].
  • Middleton, T.J. (November 4, 2022). Wellness & Justice Work. Leading Anti-Racism Change in Education (LARC). Columbus, OH [in-person]
  • Chapman, E.C., Henfield, M., Middleton, T.J., Murray-Brown, S. (July 19, 2022). Panelist, The Case for CRT in the Fight for Social Change. The African American Policy Forum: Critical Race Theory Summer Summit 2022. [Online].
  • Middleton, T.J. (February 16, 2022). Systemic Racism in Family Therapy. The University of Utah. Dr. William A. Smith-Doctoral Seminar Course. [Online].

Keynote Presentations

  • Middleton, T.J. (July 2025). Keynote Speaker, Breaking Down Barriers and Building Bridges: A Guide to Addressing the Health Needs of Youth Facing Neurodivergent Challenges. The NeurodivURGENT Conference. New Orleans, LA. [Online].
  • Middleton, T.J. (March 26, 2025). Keynote Speaker, Wellness for Teachers, Family Engagement Symposium, Department of Educational Studies, The Ohio State University [In-person].
  • Middleton, T.J. (November 9, 2023). Keynote Speaker, Wellness, and Justice Work, Westerville Professional Development Day, Westerville City Schools [In-person].
  • Middleton, T.J. (November 4, 2022). Keynote Speaker, Wellness & Justice Work. Leading Anti-Racism Change in Education (LARC). Columbus, OH [in-person].