Speaker Bios

Anthony McCrovitz

Anthony (Tony) M. McCrovitz, Ph.D., LMHC, HSPP, BCPC, IMH-E® (II), DAPA is a Licensed, Clinical Psychologist and Mental Health Counselor, specializing in child development and holistic, bio-psychosocial approaches. The north star of his work is Gentle Teaching, a philosophy of unconditional acceptance and a relationship-building framework for creating meaningful connections and integrating quality-of-life values.

A Quality-of-Life Model™ of business was developed for agencies, groups, and other organizations who provide direct services for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. He is a dedicated advocate for individuals with IDD, focusing on breaking down cultural and community barriers. 

Dr. McCrovitz is the executive director of Quality of Life Institute, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is ‘to inform, inspire, and increase quality of life. The nonprofit organization is committed to research and quality-of-life solutions enhancing overall well-being, with a (primary) outreach toward professionals who interact and directly serve individuals with special needs and whose foundational practice integrates quality-of-life values with a framework of Gentle Teaching. He facilitates quality-of-life programs at The Institute that include Navigating the Heart for crisis intervention, Exercube for holistic fitness, and The Clubhouse (peer-focused) for mental health and wellness, offering employment programs, skills development, education, and community-building. (housing support?) 

In addition to mentoring individuals and training professionals, He has held adjunct faculty positions at local colleges and universities, teaching developmental psychology and lifespan coursework to undergraduate and graduate students.

His commitment to the sharing and study of knowledge and resource materials on a global scale engages him with other professionals and international organizations in speaking, training, research, and development of quality of life approaches and solutions. that support both personal and professional growth. In addition to training and workshops that focus on applications for direct services, he presents on topics connecting neuroscience and sensory integration to facilitate inclusive learning for all that focus on creating sustainable solutions with quality-of-life outcomes.

He has been an active member of the Gentle Teaching International community since its establishment in 2009, and serves as a board member of the International Snoezelen-MSE Association (ISNA-MSE.org) and the Institute of Multi-Sensory Environments (I-MSE.org).

Tony holds a Ph.D. in I/O Psychology from Walden University, a respecialization in Clinical Psychology from Adler Professional School of Psychology, an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a master's degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola University of Chicago. 

Dr. McCrovitz publishes materials on topics related to Gentle Teaching, Quality of Life Model, multi-sensory environments (MSE), and neuro-science as it relates to mental health and well-being, social-emotional learning through a lens of quality-of-life values, and mentoring processes for therapeutic frameworks. MSE 03, Creating Meaningful Moments was published in 2024. Other books he has authored include Anthony's Backpack: A Child's Journey into Gentleness (2010) and Return to Gentleness: Journeying with Gentle Teaching (2021).

Robin Switzer

Dr. Robin Switzer is an Assistant professor in the Counselor Education and Family Studies program at Liberty University with a master’s in counseling and a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Clinical Supervision.  A Nationally Board-Certified Counselor, member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Counselor Educators, and the Missouri Counseling Association. Dr. Switzer is EMDR trained and has worked with traumatized children/adolescents/adults from hospitalization, residential treatment, day treatment, in home care, outpatient, and has continued that practice through multiple states becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Missouri, Colorado and Nevada (CPC).

José Miguel Maldonado 

Dr. José Miguel Maldonado is a Professor of Counselor Education at Liberty University. Dr. Maldonado has over 25 years of professional experience as a school counselor, mental health counselor, and professor working with culturally diverse students and families. He has provided consultation and outreach to families in urban environments focusing on multicultural counseling. Dr. Maldonado has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from East Stroudsburg University, a Master’s Degree of Education in Counseling Psychology from Lehigh (LE-HI) University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from (will -ks)Wilkes University and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas. His research interests include multicultural counseling, at-risk populations, and school administration.

Julie Vogel

Julie Vogel is a Professional Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has worked in the community actively since 1990 and has had many different roles during that time. She began as an Elementary School Teacher in the inner city of Milwaukee and then went on to become a Community Organizer. While working as an Intensive Case Manager in Sayville, NY she received her Masters in Mental Health Counseling. She briefly became the Regional Director of an Adoption Agency, later continued with case management, and ran a drop-in center for adults with chronic and severe mental illness. After moving to the state of Tennessee she worked as an adult facilitator of an Intensive Outpatient Treatment program for adults with drug and alcohol issues. Later working as a therapist in a Community Mental Health Agency and then went into private practice. She has had her license since 2008 and is now supervising those who wish to attain their state license. She has worked with a variety of populations including populations in both rural and urban settings. Julie prides herself on being an advocate for those who appear to have no voice in our society whether it is due to mental illness, economics, race, or culture. Her overall personal philosophy comes from a place of strength and optimism. She believes all individuals have the capacity to create for themselves a meaningful and fulfilling life, whatever they consider that to be. Currently, Dr. Vogel is working at South University in West Palm Beach. She is full-time faculty in the clinical mental health counseling program.

Dale Wayman

Dr. Dale Wayman has been a clinical director, administrative supervisor, clinical supervisor, psychiatric social worker, involuntary commitment officer, pastoral counselor, guardian ad litem, clinical examiner, expert witness, professor, assistant professor, and guest lecturer. He is presently a full-time professor at Capella University in the CACREP approved Masters in Community Mental Health Counseling Program. He is a licensed mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. He is also the past executive director of ICA and presently serves on the ICA Board of Directors. His website is http://www.drwayman.com

Aleksandar Drobnjakovic 

Dr. Aleksandar Drobnjakovic earned his doctorate (Ed.D. CES; CACREP accredited program) from Argosy University, Nashville, TN. He also holds a master’s degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling and a bachelors in theology from Sydney College of Divinity, Sydney, Australia. Dr. Drobnjakovic has more than ten years of counseling and teaching experience. He has presented at the local, national, and international conferences on multicultural considerations, supervision, and the use of technology in counselor education. Out of the office, Dr. Drobnjakovic enjoys reading books, and along with his wife, hiking, traveling, and gardening.