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Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Glenda Nanna

Meet Dr. Glenda Nanna

Degrees and Experience
  • Ph.D., Counselor Education (Walden University)
  • M.A., Counseling (Columbia International University)
  • B.S., Occupational Education (Wayland Baptist University)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor (LPC-S, South Carolina)
Biography and Professional Achievements

Dr. Glenda Nanna is a licensed professional counselor in the state of South Carolina since 2000. She maintains a private practice, Charis Counseling & Consulting, LLC, where she provides individual, marriage, and group counseling services. She previously worked in inpatient and outpatient clinics, university counseling centers, and as a clinical supervisor. She enjoys supervising counselors in training and new counselors who are pursuing licensure. She has taught in graduate counseling programs since 2012 and transitioned to Colorado Christian University in December 2024. Prior to that she taught at Columbia International University for 12 years. During her time at CIU, she taught counseling courses as an adjunct professor and later as a core faculty member and as Director of Graduate Counseling Programs. Dr. Nanna taught both undergraduate and graduate students in residential and online settings. Prior to CIU, she taught undergraduate courses and served as Director of Counseling & Disability Services at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC.

Dr. Nanna has a background in Christian ministry working with women, children, and adolescents. Her training includes theological coursework and she has an interest in robust clinical and theological integration. She is passionate about helping students think through how to integrate their faith ethically and effectively. Her research interests span a variety of topics, including ethics, integration, supervision, attachment, God-attachment, internal family systems, emotion-focused counseling, adoption issues, and trauma.

Dr. Nanna has been married to the love of her life for over 40 years, and they have eight children: four biological and four through adoption from China. They have 13 grandchildren (so far)! Dr. Nanna enjoys jet skiing and watersports, singing in church and with an ensemble called All4Him, and serving at church in the student ministry.

Publications
  • Nanna, G. & Gibson, G. (2025). Supervision training and certification. In Bill Owenby & Katherine Campbell (Eds), The Encyclopedia of Mental Health Trainings, Certifications, and Credentials. Arizona: ONBLLC Publishing.
  • Hill Nanna, G. K. (2022). Challenges in using online data collection for quantitative survey research. In SAGE Research Methods Cases. https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781529601572
  • Nanna, G. H. (2022, November 16). 7 ways to diffuse tension at the Thanksgiving table. Crosswalk.com. https://www.crosswalk.com/specialcoverage/thanksgiving/ways-to-diffuse-tension-at-the-thanksgiving-table.html
  • Nanna, G. H. (2019). Relationship between novice counselors’ supervisory attachments and boundary practices and perceptions (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).
Professional Associations and Affiliations:
  • Member of the American Counseling Association (ACA).
  • Member of Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES).
  • Member of American Association of Christian Counselors.
  • Awarded Administrator of the Year 2007–2008, Tri-county Counseling Association, Charleston, SC.
Conference Presentations:
  • Nanna, G. H., & French, V. (2025). Grace under pressure: Nurturing counselor resilience with self-compassion and God attachment [Conference presentation]. Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Annual Conference.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2024). Attachment influences in the therapy room [Conference presentation]. Care Cola Continuing Education Event at Columbia Crossroads Church, Columbia, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H., & French, V. (2024). A review of the healing nature of God attachment and self-compassion through an Internal Family Systems perspective [Conference presentation]. Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Annual Conference.
  • Nanna, G. H., & Kinney, N. (2023). Facilitating post traumatic growth with clients recovering from religious trauma and spiritual abuse [Conference presentation]. Christian Association for Psychological Studies Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.
  • Nanna, G. H., Loosemore, P., & Scott, S. (2022). Developing common standards for spiritual integration and faith formation [Conference presentation]. Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS).
  • Nanna, G. H. (2020). Boundary practices in therapeutic relationships [Conference presentation]. Arkansas Counseling Association Annual Conference.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2019). Legal and ethical issues in supervision [Conference presentation]. Supervision Course Presentation for the South Carolina Association of Licensed Professional Counselors (SCALPC).
  • Nanna, G. H. (2018, May 11). Supervision workshop: Supervision of sexual attraction in therapy [Conference presentation]. SCALPC Supervisor Workshop, Conway, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2018). Legal and ethical issues in supervision [Conference presentation]. Supervision Course Presentation for the South Carolina Association of Licensed Professional Counselors (SCALPC).
  • Nanna, G. H. (2017, March 17). What should I do? Being prepared for ethical dilemmas [Conference presentation]. Christian Mental Health Network of the Midlands.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2017). Monthly Supervisor’s Forum [Co-created and co-led]. South Carolina Association of Licensed Professional Counselors (SCALPC).
  • Weaver, A. C., Nanna, G. H., & Arnold, D. A. (2016). Supervision in attachment theory and emotion-focused therapy [Workshop]. Columbia International University, Columbia, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2016). Attachment theory in clinical practice [Presentation]. Columbia International University, Columbia, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2015). Ethical decision making in supervision for the mental health professional [Conference presentation]. SCALPC Summer Workshop, Columbia, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2014). Boundaries in small groups [Presentation]. Eastlake Community Church Small Groups Training, Irmo, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2013). Ethical decision making for the Christian professional [Presentation]. Christian Mental Health Network of the Midlands, Columbia, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2013). Professional ethics for the Christian counselor [Presentation]. Christian Mental Health Network, Charleston, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2011). Attachment and your relationship with God [Presentation]. Midway Baptist Church, Goose Creek, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2011). Christian faith integration in professional counseling [Presentation]. Lowcountry Christian Counseling Professionals Meeting, Charleston, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2006). Strategies to combat stress during times of transition [Conference presentation]. American Society of Military Comptrollers Conference, Charleston Air Force Base Officer’s Club, Charleston, SC.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2005). Service learning [Conference presentation]. Romania Study Abroad Panel, 51st Annual Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) Conference, Nashville, TN.
  • Nanna, G. H. (2005). Faith integration in counseling [Presentation]. Psi Chi Psychology Club Meeting.
Faith and Learning

I am excited to serve at CCU because of CCU's unwavering commitment to biblical values and clinical excellence. Professional counselors have an obligation to act ethically and not impose their values, but that does not mean that we should not have values. Wholeness and healing are found through Christ, and we can be His hands and feet as we minister to the lost and hurting around us. I love teaching students how to share His love and hope in ethical ways.