Dr. Ddungu is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
Program at California State University, Fresno. He comes to California State University,
Fresno after 4 years as a counselor educator. After a Bachelor of Arts with Education
(BAED) from Makerere University, Uganda, he proceeded for graduate studies at Cleveland
State University, Cleveland, OH., where he obtained Master’s degrees in Clinical Mental
Health Counseling (CACREP) between 2012-2014. After working with therapeutic foster
care children and families in Cleveland, and then working as Assistant Clinical Supervisors
at a Residential Treatment program and Substance abuse Center, Maryland, he went on
to pursue his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a special concentration
in vicarious trauma. Dr. Ddungu obtained his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
in 2023.
Dr. Ddungu’s scholarship is multidisciplinary with a focus on HIV/AIDS and disparities
affecting the minority communities in Uganda, the United States and other parts of
the world, mental health and school counseling systems in international global contexts,
and the interface of public and mental health. Similarly, he brings an interdisciplinary
approach to counselor preparation and clinical practice that engender culturally and
trauma-responsive counseling practices to the developmental needs of diverse populations.
He uses his classroom to take students’ perspectives to understand their world view
and experience and this allows him to engage students into developing new skills to
become multiculturally sensitive and competent counselors. He is a Licensed Clinical
Mental Health Counselor in Maryland and a nationally board-Approved Clinical Supervisor
(ACS).
Teaching Interests
Multicultural Issues in Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Counseling Theories and
Strategies, Crisis and Trauma Counseling, Group Processes and Dynamics, Clinical Practicum/Internship,
Advanced Counseling Skills
Research Interests
Behavioral Health and HIV/AIDS care, multicultural issues in supervision, mental health
and school counseling systems in global contexts, Diversity, equity, and inclusion
(DEI) in clinical mental health, Counseling and Guidance in sub-Saharan Africa.
