John Gruenewald is the Lead Regional Faculty for the Newhall/Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley, and Bakersfield areas in the School Counseling Program at the University of La Verne. He received his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Washington State University (2009) and Master of Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa (2002). Upon completion of his master’s, he worked as both a school counselor and behavioral health therapist for the Hawaii School Districts. He is currently working on completing the necessary post-doctoral requirements for licensure in California as a Psychologist. He has worked with professionals from Japan and Taiwan developing a cross-cultural understanding of psychological needs and positive individual and social behaviors. John’s current professional interests include school safety, psychological well-being, self-determined behaviors, and cross-cultural aspects of counseling.