TUCCCC 2026 (February 5-6)
Keynote Speaker
Terra Wagner, Ph.D., LPC-S
Counselor Educator • Clinician • Supervisor • Advocate • Mentor
Dr. Wagner is a counselor educator, licensed professional counselor supervisor, private practice owner, and advocate dedicated to advancing the counseling profession through teaching, clinical practice, research, and mentorship.
She serves as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling at Southern Methodist University, where she has taught and supervised graduate students in counseling skills, practicum, multicultural education, and group counseling. In this role, she has also directed the SMU Center for Family Counseling, overseeing clinical training clinics across Dallas, Plano, and Frisco, and leading the transition to university telehealth services. She is currently the Cultural Intelligence Officer for Simmons School of Education and Human Development, where she focused on increasing cultural intelligence to ensure a respectful and collaborative experience for students, faculty, and staff.
As the owner of TheraCare Las Colinas, Dr. Wagner provides counseling services for high-risk clients with extensive psychiatric histories, trauma survivors, and high-functioning professionals managing stress and burnout. Her private practice reflects her philosophy of inclusivity, accessibility, and excellence in client care. She is also approved to provide continuing education for clinicians and offers LPC-Associate supervision. TheraCare Las Colinas has a culture of openness and belonging where clinicians can gain experience and confidence, then feel empowered for the next steps in their journey.
Dr. Wagner has extensive experience as a crisis interventionist and psychiatric assessor, working in hospitals, emergency rooms, shelters, and community agencies to assess and intervene in cases involving suicide, homicide, psychosis, and other acute mental health crises.
Her research and publications focus on multicultural education and group counseling, and she is a frequent conference presenter and trainer on these topics. She is also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of counselors, fostering both clinical skill and cultural competence.
Dr. Wagner earned her Ph.D. in Counseling from the University of North Texas (UNT), her M.Ed. in Counseling from UNT, and her B.S. in Psychology from Bethune-Cookman University. Her diverse education has equipped her with unique experiences that help her better understand people across the world. These experiences directly inform her ability to educate and supervise in a way that prioritizes people, connection, and purpose.
