Dr. Zori Paul (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Sciences and Professional Programs. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University, and a B.A. in Comparative Human Development with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies from the University of Chicago. Dr. Paul is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri, with specialized training and certification in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Before joining academia, she practiced in diverse clinical settings, including school counseling centers, community agencies, and private practices.
Dr. Paul’s research centers on three main areas: the mental health and lived experiences of individuals with multiple marginalized identities, with a focus on bisexual+ women of color; cross-cultural mentorship in counseling programs; and the ethical integration of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) in the counseling profession.
At UMSL, Dr. Paul teaches in the Counseling program, where her courses include Helping Relationship Skills and Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling.
