Biography
Naomi Ruth Coleman Medina, PhD, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Texas State University and earned her Master of Arts degree in Health Psychology, Licensed Professional Counselor Clinical Track, at Texas State University. She earned her doctoral degree in Doctor of Counselor Education and Supervision at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Medina is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Psychology at Texas State University. She is proficient in the study of Social Psychology, Psychopathology, Health Psychology, and Forensic Psychology. She has recently been provided the opportunity to serve as the Internship instructor for LiveOak Living Community for the spring, 2027 semester, and will be supervising undergraduate student interns in their experiences in working with those who have suffered traumatic brain injury, diagnosed with mental illness, and those with cognitive disabilities.
In the Department of Psychology, she also serves as the Pre-Clinical Career Advisor. In this role, she provides resources for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in the clinal professions. She accomplishes this by organizing events, scheduling presentations, meeting with students, and collecting resources that are placed on the departmental webpage. As a clinician, Dr. Medina especially enjoys opportunities to mentor and provide guidance to students who aspire to enter a clinical profession.
In addition to serving as a fulltime faculty member for the Department of Psychology, Dr. Medina is also a per course lecturer for the Department of Professional Counseling at Texas State University. In her role as a counselor educator, she is proficient in Advanced Ethics, Counseling Diverse Populations, Professional Counseling Orientation, Basic Skills and Abnormal Behavior, Counseling Practicum, and Counseling Internship.
Dr. Medina is also a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and owns a private counseling practice in San Marcos called, “Metamorphosis.” She is an ecotherapist and offers Walk Talk Therapy, a nature-based intervention. She has been committed to health and wellness for many years and is also fitness coach. Dr. Medina is a gardener and finds great joy in growing orchids.
Dr. Medina is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Psychology at Texas State University. She is proficient in the study of Social Psychology, Psychopathology, Health Psychology, and Forensic Psychology. She has recently been provided the opportunity to serve as the Internship instructor for LiveOak Living Community for the spring, 2027 semester, and will be supervising undergraduate student interns in their experiences in working with those who have suffered traumatic brain injury, diagnosed with mental illness, and those with cognitive disabilities.
In the Department of Psychology, she also serves as the Pre-Clinical Career Advisor. In this role, she provides resources for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in the clinal professions. She accomplishes this by organizing events, scheduling presentations, meeting with students, and collecting resources that are placed on the departmental webpage. As a clinician, Dr. Medina especially enjoys opportunities to mentor and provide guidance to students who aspire to enter a clinical profession.
In addition to serving as a fulltime faculty member for the Department of Psychology, Dr. Medina is also a per course lecturer for the Department of Professional Counseling at Texas State University. In her role as a counselor educator, she is proficient in Advanced Ethics, Counseling Diverse Populations, Professional Counseling Orientation, Basic Skills and Abnormal Behavior, Counseling Practicum, and Counseling Internship.
Dr. Medina is also a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and owns a private counseling practice in San Marcos called, “Metamorphosis.” She is an ecotherapist and offers Walk Talk Therapy, a nature-based intervention. She has been committed to health and wellness for many years and is also fitness coach. Dr. Medina is a gardener and finds great joy in growing orchids.
Research Interests
Dr. Medina's research interests for her dissertation entitled, "Inviting the Outside In: Nature's Contribution to Counselor Wellness," explored how inclusion of the natural world within the counseling session was associated with counselor wellness. Her current research with Dr. Natalie Ceballos is investigating how engagement with the natural world may lower anxiety levels in college students.
Teaching Interests
At Texas State University, Dr. Medina teaches Forensic Psychology, Social Psychology, Health Psychology, and Psychopathology. Prior to her faculty position with Texas State University, she taught Introduction to Psychology, Biopsychology, and Human Growth and Development over the span of 9 years as an adjunct faculty member at Austin Community College. She has also taught Counseling Theories, Community Counseling and Social Justice, and Counseling Practicum to counseling graduate students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling program at St. Mary's University. She taught Internship, Crisis Intervention, Assessment, and Counseling Theories for the Department of Counseling, Health, and Kinesiology graduate program at Texas A&M University - San Antonio. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology at Texas State University where she has proficiency in teaching Professional Counselor Orientation, Basic Skills and Abnormal Behavior, Counseling Diverse Populations, Dynamics and Processes in Group Counseling, Counseling Practicum, Counseling Internship, and Advanced Ethics.