Jon Sperry, BSW, MSW, Ed.S., Ph.D., LMHC, LCSW, NCC, QS

Professor, Counseling Core Faculty, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

  • Assaf Academic Center - Room 107

Personal profile

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Education/Academic qualifications

B.S.W., Social Work, Florida Atlantic University (2006)

M.S.W., Social Work, Barry University (2007)

Ed.S., Counselor Education, Florida Atlantic University (2009)

Ph.D., Counselor Education, Florida Atlantic University (2011)

Professional Qualifications, Certifications, and Licenses

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor- Qualified MH Supervisor
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Qualified SW Supervisor
  • Qualified Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor
  • Certified Addictions Professional
  • Board Certified Nationally Certified Counselor
  • Diplomate in Adlerian Psychotherapy (DNASAP)
  • Certified Adlerian Psychotherapist
  • EMDR trained

Professional Information

  • Practicing mental health practitioner since 2007.
  • Sperry has co-authored eight books on counseling and psychotherapy, several of which have been translated into over five languages worldwide.
  • Sperry has given professional workshops and lectures around the globe - including Albania, Bulgaria, The Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Wales.  
  • Practiced as a staff therapist at Florida Atlantic University’s Counseling & Psychological Services (FAU CAPS) for 15 years, providing mental health services to university students.
  • Served as a group communications consultant with FAU’s Medical Initiative Program, supporting at-risk high school students preparing for careers in medicine.
  • Provided group drumming sessions and psychosocial support and counseling for individuals impacted by cancer at Gilda’s Club of Fort Lauderdale since 2006.
  • Delivered mental health and substance abuse treatment at Broward House, working with individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

Professional Organizations

  • North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP)
    • President, North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP), 2017–2018
  • Faculty member and board member, International Committee for Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes (ICASSI), 2015-Present
  • American Counseling Association (ACA)

External Affiliations

  • Co‑Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Individual Psychology, 2017-Present

Areas of Scholarship

  • Case Conceptualization
  • Group Drumming
  • Individual Psychology

Funded Research

Ongoing Funded Research

  • Title: Immediate Effects of Therapeutic Group Drumming on Affective Stress and Biomarkers of Stress
    Funding: RayBiotech
    Amount: $1,500
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    Summary: While group drumming has shown promise for reducing stress and enhancing social bonds, our pilot study (n=34) suggests that age, prior music experience, and academic status may shape how college students respond to this intervention. Based on these findings, we are investigating how a short, community-focused drumming impacts mood and physiological markers of stress. This multi-level analysis will help us determine whether drumming benefits all students similarly or by specific subgroups.

Awards and Honors

  • Scholarship and Creative Activities Award, Lynn University, 2022
  • Kathleen Cheek Milby Endowed Faculty Fellowship Sabbatical, Spring 2020
  • Scholar Award, Lynn University, College of Arts and Sciences, 2017-2018

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

Related documents

Research Interests

  • Case Conceptualization
  • Group Drumming
  • Individual Psychology