Dr. Aaron S. Hymes serves as Associate Professor of Counseling at Milligan University, where he is core faculty, Coordinator of Practicum and Internship Experiences, and directs the Addictions Counseling Concentration in the Master of Science in Counseling program. His areas of specialization include co-occurring mental health and addictive disorders, integrated care, clinical supervision, and the integration of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) within trauma-informed and dual-diagnosis treatment frameworks.

Dr. Hymes holds multiple professional licenses and certifications, including Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Service Provider and Tennessee Board-Approved Supervisor [LPC-MHSP(S)], National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Master Addictions Counselor (MAC). He brings more than a decade of clinical experience to his teaching and supervision, having worked across community mental health, private practice, integrated care, recovery courts, and probation and parole settings. His clinical background includes extensive work with adults, youth, and families in both mental health and addictions contexts.

His scholarly contributions include multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals, textbook chapters, and regional and national presentations focused on counselor training, supervision, and integrated approaches to treating co-occurring disorders.

As a counselor, educator, and supervisor, Dr. Hymes views his professional identity as a continual blending of faith, service, scholarship, and mentorship, each grounded in the core values of the counseling profession and guided by the principles of Christian servant leadership. His work is shaped by a desire to live out Christ-centered values such as humility, empathy, compassion, and the growth of others. He understands the integration of faith and counseling not as an effort to impose beliefs, but as an opportunity to reflect grace, offer genuine presence, and serve others in ways that promote healing, hope, and human flourishing. Central to his professional identity is a commitment to servant leadership, a philosophy that prioritizes service, humility, and the growth of others. This conviction has guided his path as a counselor, clinical supervisor, and professor at Milligan University, where he seeks to model leadership through mentorship, collaboration, and advocacy for both clients and students. His faith journey has been integral to this calling, shaping how he understands counseling as both a professional vocation and a ministry of compassion, and inspiring his ongoing commitment to help others find meaning, resilience, and purpose in their own journeys toward wholeness and growth.

At Milligan, Dr. Hymes teaches courses in diagnosis, addictions counseling, and clinical internship, preparing graduate students for professional practice in diverse and ethically grounded settings. His ongoing scholarship and professional development work center on counselor formation, co-occurring disorders, and applied approaches to supervision. Beyond the classroom, he maintains strong partnerships with regional treatment providers, enhancing opportunities for students to gain meaningful clinical experience within the community.

Education:
BA, Psychology, Concord University
Med, Counseling and Human Development, Lindsey Wilson College
PhD, Counselor Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte