Focusing on family dynamics: Ileana Ungureanu
By Laura Pohl, Contributing writer
Dr. Ileana Ungureanu likes to prepare her students with an enlightening lesson: don’t expect perfection in the field of counseling and therapy. “I start my courses by telling them there is no such thing as a perfect couple or family,” she said. “If you happen to be part of one or encounter one, please let me know!”
This “normalizes” their experiences in her classes, Ungureanu said, as well as their understanding and exploration of their own family dynamics and those of prospective clients.
Ungureanu is an Associate Professor in the Division of Psychology and Counseling at Governors State University (GovState) and was granted tenure in 2025. She completed both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University, and is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Illinois. Her teaching and clinical interests are related to trauma, loss, and chronic medical issues in couples and families.
Real-world experience engages students
Sharing her own extensive experiences in clinical practice helps bring to life the theoretical concepts her students are learning about. “I also encourage my students to apply the concepts to their own family dynamics,” said Ungureanu.
Students learn that their experiences help shape them as effective counselors. “I strongly believe in ‘self-of-the-therapist/counselor,’ the idea that the therapist/counselor uses their own self-awareness—including emotions, thoughts, values, and vulnerabilities—to be effective and ethical in therapy. A counselor is not a blank slate—we inevitably bring our whole self into the counseling room.”
Learning happens both ways
Ungureanu is passionate about teaching all aspects of therapy, including theory-oriented classes and skills courses, and conducting supervision. She seeks to make her classroom enriching for everyone. “My teaching philosophy is inspired by my favorite Romanian philosopher, Constantin Noica, who talks about his ideas on what a perfect school should be,” she explains. “It’s a school where one can no longer say who gives and who receives, for both partake in the same becoming, which is my loose translation. I like the idea of learning on both ends.”
A foundation for success
Degree programs in counseling at GovState offer tangible benefits for both graduates and their future clients. “I love GovState for its dedication to our students’ development, for helping them get the foundation they need to better their lives in the counseling profession, while also positively impacting the lives of others. I love being a part of this process!”
Interested in applying to the Counselor Education and Supervision program at GovState? Click here to learn more.