Site Location:
Akron, Restore Addiction Recovery
Clinical Interests:
Dr. Blankenship has over 20 years of clinical experience and has been licensed in Tennessee, Alabama, and Ohio with experience working in outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient therapy, inpatient hospitalization, partial hospitalization, and a residential treatment center with years of experience in each setting. He has also spent years working with children, adolescents, adults, geriatric, and autism spectrum disorder clientele. One of his highest achieved experiences was the clinical director of a 52-bed residential treatment center and day school while supervising many staff. Dr. Blankenship was the owner of Freedom Source Counseling, LLC, a private counseling practice from 2017–2020. His areas of proficiency are in trauma and anxiety with training in rapid resolution therapy and other advanced trainings.
Dr. Blankenship has taught 14 different CACREP-accredited master’s level courses and three doctoral-level courses at the University of Akron in the School of Counseling from 2013–2020, as well as supervised many counselors-in-training. He has simultaneously taught at Youngstown State University in the Department of Counseling, School Psychology and Educational Leadership from 2016–2018.
His research is currently focused on integrating cognitive neuroscience in counseling, diagnostic accuracy, and effective treatments for trauma. Dr. Blankenship has a co-authored publication titled “Racial disparities in psychotic disorder diagnosis: A review of empirical literature” with the World Journal of Psychiatry receiving over 30 citations in the first four years, and one solo publication titled, “Five recommended efficacious treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: An empirical review” with the Journal of Mental Health Counseling. In addition, he has three publication manuscripts awaiting finalization for submission.
Current clinical areas of focus:
• Trauma (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• OCD
• Dissociative disorders
• Depression
• Reoccurring unresolved issues
Population Served:
Primary focus is adults and adolescents; some children (7+), couples, and families.
Education:
B.S. Human Services – Tennessee Wesleyan University, Athens, TN
M.S. Community Mental Health Counseling – Lee University, Cleveland, TN
Ph.D. Counseling: Counselor Education & Supervision – The University of Akron, Akron, OH
Clinical Trainings/Certificates:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Rapid resolution therapy (level 1, level 2)
Comprehensive energy psychology (level 1)
National Certified Counseling (NCC; 2007–2019)
Formational Prayer Training
EMDR Level 1 & 2 Trained
Emerge & Community Involvement:
As the coordinator of education and addiction treatment partnerships, Dr. Blankenship oversees the growth and development of the Emerge educational programs (e.g., Center for Professional Development, Center for Pastoral Counseling, seminars, etc.) and addiction treatment partnerships (e.g., Restore Addiction Recovery). He also serves at Grace Church at the Bath campus with his wife.
