LoriAnn Stretch is an LCMHC-S (NC), LPC (VA), NCC, ACS, and BC-TMH. Dr. Stretch serves as the Past President (2024-26) for the Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC), the conference co-chair of ACC, the co-chair of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision’s Teaching committee, and a member of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development’s International Concerns Group. She is a team lead for the Council for the Accreditation of Counselor Education and Related Programs (CACREP). Dr. Stretch is also actively engaged with the Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness (ACSSW); Chi Sigma Iota (CSI); International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling (IARTC); and Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE). Previously, served on the ACA Ethics Appeal Panel, presented at numerous ACA conferences, taught several invited pre-conference learning institutes, and served on the ACA Cyber Taskforce. Dr. Stretch also served as the Chair, Ethics Chair, and Treasurer for the NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
Dr. Stretch was the recipient of the Thelma Duffey Vision and Innovation Award (2021) and Samuel T. Gladding Inspiration and Motivation Award (2023). The Nu Sigma Chi chapter of CSI recognized Dr. Stretch as their 2019 Distinguished Alumni. Dr. Stretch recently co-edited the National Counselor Exam (NCE) and Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) Review with Springer.
She has served as a clinical director of a multidisciplinary mental health agency and practiced counseling for over 25 years. Dr. Stretch specializes in experiential therapies, global counseling, trauma recovery and stabilization, sexually marginalized populations, telehealth, and supervision. Her advocacy work focuses on identifying inequity, speaking up, and educating about social justice. She teaches her students that the day-to-day actions ultimately make the difference. Dr. Stretch enjoys reading, creating stained glass art, and renovating homes.