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Dr. Rachita Sharma

Chair

University of North Texas

Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services

(940) 565-2795

Email: Rachita.Sharma@unt.edu

Education

  • PhD, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2017
    Major: Rehabilitation Counseling
    Dissertation: Resilience and Social Support among College Students with Disabilities
  • MS, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 2010
    Major: Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology
    Dissertation: Cognitive Interviewing to Assess a New Measure of Attitudes and Beliefs Held by Candidates for Bariatric Surgery 
  • BA, University of Texas at Dallas, 2007
    Major: Psychology
  • BS, University of Texas at Dallas, 2007
    Major: Biology (Pre-Med)

Licensures and Certifications

  • Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor, Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. (2013 - Present).
  • Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor. (2010 - 2021).

Professional Memberships

  • Texas Rehabilitation Association. (2015 - Present).
  • National Rehabilitation Association. (2012 - Present).
  • National Council of Rehabilitation Educators. (March 2013 - 2023).
  • National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns. (2012 - 2019).
  • American Psychological Association. (2012 - 2018).

Development Activities

  • Conference Attendance, Academic Chairperson's Conference, University of North Texas. Denton,TX,United States of America. (February 2022).
  • Workshop, Art of Participatory Leadership, University of North Texas. Denton,TX,United States of America. (January 2022).
  • Workshop, Community of Respect, University of North Texas. Denton,TX,United States of America. (December 2021).
  • Conference Attendance, National Council on Rehabilitation education, University of North Texas. Denton,TX,United States of America. (October 2021).
  • Conference Attendance, Texas Rehabilitation Association's Annual Conference, Texas Rehabilitation Association. virtual,Texas,United States of America. (August 2021).
  • Conference Attendance, National Council of Rehabilitation Educators, National Council of Rehabilitation Educators. United States of America. (June 2020).
  • Conference Attendance, Texas Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference, Texas Rehabilitation Association. San Antonio,TX,United States of America. (January 2025 - October 2025).
  • Conference Attendance, Texas Association of Persons Supporting Employment First, TXAPSE. San Antonio,TX,United States of America. (October 2024 - October 2024).
  • Conference Attendance, Texas Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference, Texas Rehabilitation Association. San Antonio,TX,United States of America. (January 2024 - September 2024).
  • Conference Attendance, Academic Chairperson's Conference, Kansas State University. New Orleans,LA,United States of America. (February 9, 2023 - February 10, 2023).
  • Workshop, The growth Mindset, UNT President's Office. United States of America. (October 2020 - January 2021).
  • Conference Attendance, National Council of Rehabilitation Educators's (NCRE) Annual conference, NCRE. Washington,District of Columbia,United States of America. (October 22, 2018 - October 25, 2018).
  • Conference Attendance, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns, NAMRC. Las Vegas,Nevada,United States of America. (July 13, 2018 - July 17, 2018).
  • Workshop, Connect Bootcamp, Career Connect at UNT. Denton,TX,United States of America. (June 15, 2018 - June 30, 2018).
  • Seminar, Portugal's War on Drugs, Council on International Educational Exchange. Lisbon,n/a,Portugal. (June 20, 2017 - June 30, 2017).
  • Workshop, Teaching Portfolio, University of North Texas Office for Faculty Success. United States of America. (June 20, 2016 - June 24, 2016).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • ADDS 4075 - Drugs and Alcohol, 1 course.
  • CJUS 4870 - Topics in Criminal Justice, 3 courses.
  • CJUS 5800 - Topics in Criminal Justice, 3 courses.
  • HLSC 6900 - Special Problems, 1 course.
  • HLSC 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation, 1 course.
  • RHAB 3000 - Microcounseling, 1 course.
  • RHAB 4500 - Assessment in Rehabilitation, 3 courses.
  • RHAB 4800 - Studies in Rehabilitation, 4 courses.
  • RHAB 4880 - Rehabilitation Practicum, 21 courses.
  • RHAB 4881 - Addictions Practicum, 10 courses.
  • RHAB 4900 - Special Problems, 3 courses.
  • RHAB 5250 - Topics in Rehabilitation, 4 courses.
  • RHAB 5721 - Rehabilitation Counseling Applications, 3 courses.
  • RHAB 5734 - Psychopathology in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, 4 courses.
  • RHAB 5740 - Rehabilitation Assessment, 11 courses.
  • RHAB 5811 - Practicum in Rehabilitation, 41 courses.
  • RHAB 5812 - Internship in Rehabilitation, 27 courses.
  • RHAB 5900 - Special Problems, 11 courses.

Teaching at Other Institutions

  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Ethics in Rehabilitation Counseling, Summer 2019.

Directed Student Learning

  • Undergraduate Honors Thesis Chair, "*Yet to be finalized*," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (January 2021 - May 2022).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Dissertation (title not formalized yet)," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (August 12, 2020 - 2021).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study, "Harm-Reduction Treatment Models in Heroin Users: An ethical and evidence-based approach," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (August 15, 2020 - December 15, 2020).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study, "Professional development during Study Abroad in India," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (September 12, 2020 - December 11, 2020).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study, Rehabilitation and Health Services. (June 2019 - August 2019).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study, Rehabilitation and Health Services. (June 2019 - August 2019).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study, Rehabilitation and Health Services. (June 2018 - August 2018).
  • Directed Individual/Independent Study, Rehabilitation and Health Services. (August 2015 - December 2015).

Awards and Honors

  • Award for Distinguished Contribution to International Education, UNT International. (April 17, 2025).
  • Justin Dart National Alumni award, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. (June 2021).
  • President’s Award, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns.. (July 26, 2017).
  • Marilyn Padget Extra Mile Award, Texas Rehabilitation Association. (October 27, 2016).
  • Silvio Sean Reyes Student of the Year Award, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns.. (July 20, 2015).
  • Marilyn Padget Extra Mile Award, Texas Rehabilitation Association. (September 2024).
  • Faculty Associate for Community of Respect, UNT International. (June 2021).
  • Charn Uswachoke Scholar, University of North Texas. (2016).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Abstracts and Proceedings

  • Meier, N., Sharma, R., Garland, P.H., Moore, A.R. (2023). Views on helpful substance use recovery pathways: Do older Americans differ from their younger counterparts?. Innovation in Aging. 7 (Suppl 1) 780. England, Oxford Academic. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10738784/

    • Book Chapter

  • Sharma, R., Mincer, W. (2020). PHILOSOPHY, SOCIAL POLICY, AND REHABILITATION. Rehabilitation Services: An Introduction for the Human Services Professional 4th edition. 225-260.
  • Levingston, B.D., Sharma, R., Mincer, W. (2020). Professionalism. Rehabilitation Services: An Introduction for the Human Services Professional 4th edition. 225-260.
  • Sharma, R. (2019). PHILOSOPHY, SOCIAL POLICY, AND REHABILITATION. Rehabilitation Services.
  • Sharma, R., Levingston, B. (2019). PROFESSIONALISM. Rehabilitation Services.
  • Sharma, R., Flatt, K. (2019). Empowering Families Transitioning into Early Adulthood. Systemically Treating Autism. 146-154. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315141831-18

    • Journal Article

  • Craig, J.M., Sharma, R., Zettler, H.R. (2025). Justice Beyond Borders: Best Practices in Organizing and Implementing Interdisciplinary Study Abroad Programs. Journal of Criminal Justice Education. 36 (3) 488-502.
  • Craig, J., Sharma, R., Zettler, H. (2025). Justice Beyond Borders: Best Practices in Organizing and Implementing Interdisciplinary Study Abroad Programs. Journal of Criminal Justice Education. 1-15. Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2025.2500333
  • Thepthien, B., Tinn, C.S., Sharma, R. (2024). Establishing the Association Between Traditional Tobacco, E-cigarette and Dual Use and Mental Health Problems Among High School Students: Results from a 2022 Behavioral Surveillance Survey. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. 22 (6) 4148-4168. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-023-01109-8
  • Natesan, P., Contractor, A., Compton, S., Sharma, R., Dranger, P. (2024). Evaluation of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 across United States and India samples: An Item Response Theory analyses using the Graded Response Model.. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
  • Natesan Batley, P., Contractor, A.A., Compton, S.E., Sharma, R., Dranger, P. (2024). Evaluation of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM–5 across United States and India samples: An item response theory analysis using the graded response model.. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. 16 (4) 676-685. American Psychological Association (APA). https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001309
  • Watts, J.R., Chumbler, N.R., Sharma, R., Baniya, G. (2023). Examining the Mental Health Needs of Post-secondary Students with Child-maltreatment Histories Seeking Campus Counseling Services. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy. 37 (4) 355-370. Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2022.2098001
  • Jin , L., Sharma, R., Hall, B., Natesan, P., Alghraibeh, A., Aljomaa, Contractor, A.A. (2022). Ethnic cultural value typologies and mental health parameters among Indians.. International Journal of Intercultural Relations.
  • Dolan, M., Jin, L., Sharma, R., Weiss, N., Contractor, A.A. (2022). The relationship between number of trauma types, resilience, and psychological symptoms in ex-military personnel from India. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
  • Watts, J.R., Chumbler, N., Sharma, R., Baniya, G. (2022). Examining the mental health needs of post-secondary students with child-maltreatment histories seeking campus counseling services. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy.
  • Dolan, M., Jin, L., Sharma, R., Weiss, N.H., Contractor, A.A. (2022). The relationship between number of trauma types, resilience, and psychological symptoms in ex-military personnel from India.. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. 14 (3) 437-445. American Psychological Association (APA). https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001050
  • Jin, L., Sharma, R., Hall, B.J., Natesan Batley, P., Alghraibeh, A.M., Aljomaa, S.S., Contractor, A.A. (2022). Ethnic cultural value typologies and mental health parameters among Indians. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 86 95-108. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2021.11.008
  • Lederman, J.S., Lederman, N.G., Bartels, S., Acosta, K., Akubo, M., Aly, S., Andrade, M.A., Atanasova, M., Blanquet, E., Blonder, R., Brown, P., Cardoso, R., Castillo-Urueta, P., Chaipidech, P., Concannon, J., Dogan, O.K., El-Deghaidy, H., Elzorkani, A., Ferdous, T., Fukuda, N., Gaigher, E., Galvis-Solano, L., Gao, Q., Guo, S., Gwekwerere, Y., Gyllenpalm, J., Hamed Al-Lal, S., Han-Tosunoglu, C., Hattingh, A., Holliday, G., Huang, X., Irez, S., Jiménez, J., Kay, G., Koumara, A., Kremer, K., Kuo, P., Lavonen, J., Leung, J.S., Liao, Z., Carden, M.L., Lin, S., Liu, C., Liu, E., Liu, S., Mamlok-Naaman, R., Mcdonald, C.V., Möller, A., Morales, M., Mulvey, B.K., Neumann, I., Neurohr, A., Pan, Y., Panjaburee, P., Penn, M., Plakitsi, K., Picholle, E., Ramnarain, U., Raykova, Z., Rundgren, C., Salonen, S., Santibáñez-Gómez, D., Schwartz, R., Sharma, R., Srisawasdi, N., Takiveikata, S., Urueta-Ortiz, T., Vitlarov, K., Voitle, F., Wishart, J. (2021). International collaborative follow-up investigation of graduating high school students’ understandings of the nature of scientific inquiry: is progress Being made?. International Journal of Science Education. 43 (7) 991-1016. Informa UK Limited. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2021.1894500
  • Contractor, A.A., Weiss, N., Schick, M., Natesan, P., Forkus, S., Sharma, R. (2020). Comparison of latent typologies of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms across military personnel from India and the US. Journal of Anxiety Disorders.
  • Contractor, A.A., Weiss, N.H., Schick, M.R., Natesan Batley, P., Forkus, S.R., Sharma, R. (2020). Comparison of latent typologies of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms across military personnel from India and the US. Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 70 102195. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102195
  • Callahan, K., Foxx, R.M., Swierczynski, A., Aerts, X., Mehta, S., McComb, M., Nichols, S.M., Segal, G., Donald, A., Sharma, R. (2019). Behavioral Artistry: Examining the Relationship Between the Interpersonal Skills and Effective Practice Repertoires of Applied Behavior Analysis Practitioners. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 49 (9) 3557-3570. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04082-1
  • Mercado, A., Talavera Garza, L., Popan, J., Finn-Nguyen, K., Sharma, R., Colunga-Rodriguez, C. (2019). Impairment of functioning and substance use in a Latino population. Other. 18 (3) 402-414. Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2017.1404953
  • Mercado, A., Ramirez, M., Sharma, R., Popan, J., Avalos Latorre, M.L. (2017). Acculturation and substance use in a Mexican American college student sample. Other. 16 (3) 276-292. Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2016.1196630
  • Sharma, R. (2015). Receptiveness towards complementary and alternative medicine by veterans and military service persons: Implications for counseling professionals..
  • Sharma, R. (2013). Osteoporosis and Spinal Cord Injury. Journal of Life Care Planning. 12 (2) 55-62. The International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals. https://doi.org/10.70385/001c.151503

Presentations Given

    Invited Talk

  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) conference, Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals, International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, Frisco, United States of America. (2024).
  • Baker, C.A. (Presenter), Sharma, R. (Presenter), UNT Chair Development Hub, Skills and Active Listening for Department Chairs, UNT Office of Faculty Success, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (2026).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference, Navigating Emotional Boundaries: Managing Counselor Emotions When Working with Clients with Severe Mental Illness, Texas Rehabilitation Association, Galveston, United States of America. (2025).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference, The Ethics of Sustaining Ourselves: Self-Care Practices for Long-Term Success in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Texas Rehabilitation Association, Galveston, United States of America. (2025).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Nguyen-Finn, K. (Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference, Empowering Futures: Cultivating Vocational Growth Amidst Trauma and Cultural Contexts for People with Disabilities, Texas Rehabilitation Association, Galveston, United States of America. (2025).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Project SEARCH 18th Annual Conference, Cultivating Presence: Integrating Mindfulness into Professional Life for Resilience and Focus, Project SEARCH, Austin, United States of America. (2025).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Workforce Commission Mental Health Symposium, Navigating Emotional Boundaries: Managing Counselor Emotions When Working with Clients with Severe Mental Health Disorders, Texas Workforce Commission, San Antonio, United States of America. (2024).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Workforce Commission Mental Health Symposium, The Ethics of Sustaining Ourselves: Self-Care Practices for Long-Term Success in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Texas Workforce Commission, San Antonio, United States of America. (2024).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Finn, K.N. (Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference, Ethically Aligned Self-Care: Enhancing Well-Being for Rehabilitation Counselors, Texas Rehabilitation Association, San Antonio, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Workforce Commission Training for CCRC, Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals, Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center (CCRC), Austin, United States of America. (2024).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Finn, K.N. (Author & Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association, Burnout & the Ethics of Self-Care, San Antonio, United States of America. (2023).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Workforce Commission Foster Youth Conference, Burnout and Mindfulness for Foster Care Workers, Texas Workforce Commission, San Marcos, United States of America. (2023).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association, Self-Care for rehabilitation Professionals in the New Year, Lunch and Learn, Virtual, United States of America. (2023).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals National Conference, History and Ethics of Vocational Evaluations, International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, Forth Worth, United States of America. (2022 - 2022).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), The Texas Workforce Commission, The Ethics of Self Care, Vocational Rehabilitation Solutions, Dallas, United States of America. (2022 - 2022).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals National Conference, Social Media and Ethics, International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, virtual, United States of America. (2021 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), International Association of Rehabilitation Professional’s Annual Training conference, Ethics and Social Media, International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, virtual, online, United States of America. (2020).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), Baker, C. (Presenter), World Mental Health Day UNT Virtual Conference, Beyond Bubble Baths: Self-Care through Mindfulness for Real People, University of North Texas, Zoom, United States of America. (2020).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Houston Area Rehabilitation Association training, Ethics and Rehabilitation, Houston Area Rehabilitation Association, Houston, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Annual training, Ethics in Rehabilitation, Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, Austin, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Students for sensible drug policy, Portugal’s War on Drugs: Creating Sensible Drug Policy, Austin, TX, United States of America. (2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), Carey, C.D. (Presenter), Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services Annual training conference, An overview of Mental Health Disabilities, Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services, United States of America. (2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), National Association of Psychometrists Annual Training conference, Ethics for Psychometrists, National Association of Psychometrists, Seattle, WA, United States of America. (2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), National Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference, Ethics and Multiculturalism: Promoting Effective Rehabilitation Services, National Rehabilitation Association, Corpus Christie, TX, United States of America. (2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), American College Counseling Centers Association Conference, From chaos to harmony: The process of cross-cultural communication, American College Counseling Centers Association, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Recovery to Practice conference, Multicultural needs in Recovery, UNT Collegiate Recovery Program, Dallas, TX, United States of America. (2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), Lunch & Learn, Colors Personality Assessment, UNT Collegiate Recovery Program, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2016).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association’s Annual Training conference, The Pursuit of Ethical Origins, Texas Rehabilitation Association, Galveston, TX, United States of America. (2016).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), Carey, C.D. (Presenter), Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Annual Training, An overview of Mental Health Disabilities, related barriers to employment, and effective job accommodations, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Arlington, TX, United States of America. (2016).

    • Keynote/Plenary Address

  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Project SEARCH 18th Annual Conference, How to Sustain Ourselves While Sustaining Others, Project SEARCH, Austin, United States of America. (2025).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), National Association of Psychometrists Annual Training Conference, History and Ethics of Vocational Testing, National Association of Psychometrists, Chicago, United States of America. (2025).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference, Crisis intervention in Rehabilitation Counseling, Texas Rehabilitation Association, San Antonio, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association, Mental Health for All: No More Stigma, No More Shame, San Antonio, United States of America. (2023).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Distinguished Lecture in Sustainability and Beyond Colloquium Series., Sustainable mental health for all., Amrita University, Kerala, India, India. (2022 - 2022).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), National Association of Psychometrists annual conference, Psychometric evaluation for working with people with disabilities, National Association of Psychometrists, San Diego, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Contractor, A.A. (Author & Presenter), Caldas, S. (Presenter), Sharma, R. (Presenter), WARMCAMP conference, One size does not fit all: Heterogeneity in Traumatic Experiences and Posttraumatic Responses, Military Mind Academy, Pune, India, India. (2017 - 2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), Texas Rehabilitation Association’s Annual Training conference, Ethics in Action, Texas Rehabilitation Association, Galveston, TX, United States of America. (2016).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), National Association of Psychometrists Annual Training conference, Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury, National Association of Psychometrists, Austin, TX, United States of America. (2015).

    • Lecture

  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Baker, C. (Author & Presenter), UNT World Mental Health Day Conference, Mindfulness for Busy Professionals, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas/Virtual Zoom, United States of America. (2021 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Baker, C. (Author & Presenter), UNT System Mental Health Awareness Month, Beyond Bubble Baths: Self-Care and Mindfulness through a Pandemic, UNT System, Zoom, United States of America. (2021 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Recovery Conference, An Intro to Mindfulness, UNT Collegiate Recovery Program, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2015).

    • Oral Presentation

  • Levingston, B.D. (Presenter), Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author), Texas Workforce Solutiond - VR Services North Central Texas Eunit End of the Year Celebration, Ethics of Self-Care, Texas Workforce Solutions, Weatherford, TX, United States of America. (2022).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), Baker, C. (Presenter), UNT Equity and Diversity Conference, Beyond Bubble Baths: Self-Care and Mindfulness, University of North Texas Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity, Zoom, United States of America. (2021).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), National Rehabilitation Educators Conference, Rehabilitation and the Recovery to Practice Initiative, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Online, United States of America. (2020 - 2020).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Blanco, E. (Author & Presenter), NAADAC annual conference, Portugal's war on drugs- Harm reduction in action, NAADAC, Houston, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), NAMRC annual conference, Portugal's War on Drugs- Harm Reduction in action, National Association of Multicultural Rehab concerns, Las Vegas, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), National Council on Rehabilitation Education Annual training conference, So you think you can Assess: A guide to Suicide and Substance Use Assessment, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2015).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), Lunch & Learn Program, How our personality affects our relationships, UNT Collegiate Recovery Program, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2015).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), NAMRC 22nd Annual training conference, University Study Abroad programs as tools for raising multicultural competencies among rehabilitation studies students, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns, St. Louis, United States of America. (2014).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), National Council on Rehabilitation Education Annual training conference, Assistive Technology and Smartphone Apps in Healthcare, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Washington DC, United States of America. (2013).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), NAMRC 19th Annual training conference, Multicultural Issues in Treatment of Eating Disorders, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America. (2012).

    • Other

  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), CapeAbilities, Job Readiness, Texas Workforce Solutions, Rehabilitation Services Division, Arlington, United States of America. (2019).

    • Panel Presentation

  • Sharma, R. (Discussant), Texas Workforce Commission Educators Forum, Vocational Rehabilitation Educators Panel discussion with TWC Managers and Supervisors, Texas Workforce Commission, Austin, United States of America. (2024).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Watts, J. (Author & Presenter), McDaniels, B. (Author & Presenter), Virtual Spring Conference of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Challenges and opportunities associated with the shift to online rehabilitation counseling education., NCRE, Virtual, United States of America. (2021).
  • Sharma, R. (Panelist), Texas Rehabilitation Association annual training conference, TRA's advocacy on Capitol Hill, TRA, San Antonio, United States of America. (2019).
  • Sharma, R. (Panelist), International Hindi Association Annual conference, Empowerment of South Asian Women, International Hindi Association, Dallas, TX, United States of America. (2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Panelist), PACE Bioethics Conference, Ethical Issues in Practice in Small Communities: Boundaries and Dual Relationships., University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, United States of America. (2013).

    • Paper

  • Craig, J.M. (Author & Presenter), Sharma, R. (Author), Zettler, H.R. (Author), Annual Meeting, Justice Beyond Borders: Best Practices in Organizing and Implementing Interdisciplinary Study Abroad Programs, American Criminal Justice Society, Denver, CO, United States of America. (2025 - 2025).
  • Compton, S. (Author & Presenter), Natesan Batley, P. (Author & Presenter), Contractor, A. (Author), Sharma, R. (Author), Dranger, P. (Author), 37th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Psychometrics of the PCL-5 across culturally distinct samples., United States of America. (2021 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), NAMRC 24th Annual training conference, Resilience and Social Support Among College Students with Disabilities., National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns, Dallas, TX, United States of America. (2017).

    • Poster

  • Moore, A.R. (Author), Meier, N. (Author & Presenter), Sharma, R. (Author), Garland, P.H. (Author), Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Views on helpful substance use recovery pathways: Do older Americans differ from their younger counterparts?, GSA, Tampa, FL, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Duran, A. (Author & Presenter), Dolan, M. (Author), Sharma, R. (Author), Contractor, A. (Author), 37th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Examining the Role of Resilience in the Relationship between Trauma Type Count and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Severity among Ex-Military Personnel from India., Virtual, United States of America. (2021 - 2021).
  • Dolan, M. (Author & Presenter), Jin , L. (Author), Sharma, R. (Author), Contractor, A. (Author), 36th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, The relationship between number of traumatic event types, resilience, and psychological symptoms in ex-military personnel from India, United States of America. (2020 - 2020).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), American Psychological Association annual training conference, Acculturation and Substance use in a Mexican-American sample, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), National Council on Rehabilitation Education Annual training conference, Clinical Supervision at University Counseling Centers, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Washington DC, United States of America. (2015).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), NAMRC 23rd Annual training conference, Creating culturally competent and world minded citizens through Study Abroad Programs, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns, St. Louis, United States of America. (2014).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), National Council on Rehabilitation Education Annual training conference, Creating culturally competent and world minded citizens through Study Abroad Programs, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Newport Beach, CA, United States of America. (2014).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), NAMRC 21st Annual training conference, Complementary and Alternative Medicine usage among Student Veterans, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns, United States of America. (2013).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), NAMRC 21st Annual training conference, Use of Smartphone Applications in Healthcare, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns, United States of America. (2013).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), National Council on Rehabilitation Education annual training conference, Vocational Implications of Traumatic Brain Injury, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2012).
  • Sharma, R. (Presenter), National Rehabilitation Association Annual training conference, Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury and Use of Smartphone Applications., National Rehabilitation Association, United States of America. (2012).

    • Professional Meeting Contribution

  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Finn, K.N. (Author & Presenter), Texas Workforce Commission Educators Forum, Mental Health and Burnout in Vocational Rehabilitation, Texas Workforce Commission, Austin, United States of America. (2023).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), National Council of Rehabilitation Educators Annual Conference, Social Media and Ethics in Rehabilitation Counseling, NCRE, San Diego, United States of America. (2019).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), North Texas Area Rehab Association Meeting, Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals, NTARA, Dallas, TX, United States of America. (2016).

    • Symposium

  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Recovery Conference, Portugal’s War on Drugs: Harm Reduction in Action, UNT, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2017).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), Annual Training meeting for EPPA, From chaos to harmony: The process of cross-cultural communication, El Paso Psychological Association, El Paso, TX, United States of America. (2016).

    • Webinar

  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), UNTWISE Webinar, Self-Care during the Holidays, UNTWISE, United States of America. (2020 - 2020).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), UNTWISE Webinar, The Ethics of Informed Choice, UNTWISE, United States of America. (2019).
  • Sharma, R. (Author & Presenter), UNTWISE Webinar, Ethics of Disclosure, UNTWISE, United States of America. (2019).

Media Contributions

    Internet

  • "Equity and Diversity Conference," NBC 5. (February 2021).
  • "UNT professors offer 9 tips for handling holiday blues, stress," UNT Brand Strategy and Communications. (December 10, 2020).
  • "UNT rehabilitation and addiction faculty member honored by national association," UNT News Service. (August 16, 2017).

    • Newspaper

  • "Denton police mental health unit could curb people away from the criminal justice system," Denton Record Chronicle. (August 2022).
  • "Want to feel less anxious about tomorrow? An expert shares her tips," The Dallas Morning News. (June 22, 2020).

    • TV

  • "Virtual Resources Help North Texas Counselors Stay Connected With Students, Each Other," NBC5. (August 23, 2020).

Contracts, Grants, Sponsored Research

    Grant - Research

  • Keyes, L.M., Sharma, R., Andrew, S., ", Unlocking Mobility: Incentivizing transportation for enhanced mobility of elderly and disabled," sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Blue Shield Texas Impact Grant, Private, $25000 Funded. (2025 - 2026).
  • Mukherjee, D., Carey, C.D., Sharma, R., "Expanding Trauma-informed Community Health Worker Training Program focusing on Opioids and other Substance Use Disorder (CHW-OSUDS) in Integrated Health Settings in Underserved Communities," sponsored by Department of Health and Human Services - Health Resources and Services Administration, Federal, $1865898 Funded. (2022 - 2025).
  • Zettler, H.R., Sharma, R. (Co-Principal), "Addressing Health Disparities for Aging Persons on Probation," sponsored by Office of Research and Innovation, University of North Texas, $10000 Funded. (2024 - 2025).
  • Zettler, H.R. (Principal), Sharma, R. (Co-Principal), "Addressing Health Disparities for Aging Persons on Probation," sponsored by University of North Texas, University of North Texas, $10000 Funded. (2024 - 2024).
  • Sharma, R., "Global Venture Fund," sponsored by UNT International, University of North Texas, $2700 Funded. (2022 - 2022).
  • Contractor, A.A. (Principal), Slavish, D. (Supporting), Craig, J. (Supporting), Caldwell, L. (Supporting), Sharma, R. (Supporting), "UNT-Military Health Collaborative," sponsored by University of North Texas Team Grant Mentoring Program, University of North Texas, $4000 Funded. (2020 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R., "Recovery to Practice and the Recovery Oriented Systems of Care," sponsored by SAMHSA and ATTC, National, $30000 Funded. ( - 2021).
  • Sharma, R., Heller Garland, P. (Co-Principal), "Recovery To Practice," sponsored by SAMSHA and ATTC (Addiction Technology Transfer Center), Federal, $36400 Funded. (2021 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R., "Recovery To Practice," sponsored by SAMSHA and ATTC (Addiction Technology Transfer Center), Federal, $29900 Funded. (2019 - 2020).
  • Sharma, R. (Principal), Contractor, A.A. (Co-Principal), "Examining Mental Health Needs and Help Seeking Barriers in Asian Indians," sponsored by University of North Texas India Venture Fund, University of North Texas, $2700 Funded. (2017 - 2020).
  • Contractor, A.A. (Principal), Sharma, R. (Co-Principal), "Traumatic experiences and mental health correlates among ex-military personnel in India," sponsored by University of North Texas India Venture Fund, University of North Texas, $2900 Funded. (2017 - 2019).
  • Barrio, B.L. (Principal), Carey, C.D. (Co-Principal), Mpofu, E. (Other), Gafford, L.V. (Other), Keller, M.J. (Co-Principal), Savage, M.N. (Co-Principal), "UNT ELEVAR: Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Program for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Texas," sponsored by U.S. Department of Education, FED, Funded. (2020 - 2025).
  • Sharma, R., Heller Garland, P. (Co-Principal), "Recovery To Practice," sponsored by SAMSHA and ATTC (Addiction Technology Transfer Center), Federal, Funded. (2021 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R. (Principal), "A Study of Training and Service gaps in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) in Texas," sponsored by University of Texas at Austin, ST, Funded. (2020 - 2021).
  • Garland, P.H. (Other), Sharma, R. (Principal), "A Study of Training and Service gaps in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) in Texas," sponsored by University of Texas at Austin, ST, Funded. (2020 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R., "Recovery To Practice," sponsored by SAMSHA and ATTC (Addiction Technology Transfer Center), Federal, Funded. (2019 - 2020).
  • Sharma, R. (Principal), "ATTC 2020," sponsored by University of Texas at Austin, ST, Funded. (2019 - 2020).

    • Grant - Service

  • Mathews, L. (Co-Principal), Gafford, L.C. (Co-Principal), Sharma, R. (Co-Principal), Dracobly, J.D., "UNT Neurodiversity Training Program," sponsored by Private Donor: Jerome "Bruzzy" Westheimer (From Diamond Eagles Program), Other, $72784 Funded. (2022 - 2024).
  • Sharma, R., "Global Venture Fund Collaboration in Thailand," sponsored by UNT International, University of North Texas, $3000 Funded. (2022 - 2022).
  • Sharma, R., "International Faculty Network," sponsored by University of North Texas Office for Faculty Success, University of North Texas, $5000 Funded. (2016 - 2020).
  • Catalano, D.E. (Principal), "Long-Term Training: Rehabilitation Counseling," sponsored by U.S. Department of Education, FED, Funded. (2015 - 2020).

    • Grant - Teaching

  • Sharma, R. (Principal), "Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration Scholars Grant," sponsored by Rehabilitation Services Administration, Federal, $1000000 Funded. (2025 - 2030).
  • Sharma, R. (Principal), "Rehabilitation Services Administration Scholars Grant," sponsored by Rehabilitation Services Administration, Federal, $199908 Funded. (2024 - 2025).
  • Sharma, R., "International Faculty Network," sponsored by University of North Texas Office for Faculty Success, University of North Texas, $5000 Funded. (2016 - 2022).
  • Sharma, R., "University of North Texas India Venture Fund," sponsored by University of North Texas International, University of North Texas, $2600 Funded. (2016 - 2018).
  • Levingston, B.D. (Co-Principal), Catalano, D.E. (Principal), "Long term training program in rehabilitation counseling 84.129B," sponsored by U.S. Department of Education, FED, Funded. (2019 - 2024).

    • Sponsored Research

  • Sharma, R. (Principal), Watts, J. (Co-Principal), "A study of gaps in training and barriers in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care in Texas," sponsored by Addiction Technology Research Center at UT Austin, Regional, $11100 Funded. (2021 - 2021).
  • Sharma, R. (Principal), Watts, J. (Co-Principal), "A study of gaps in training and barriers in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care in Texas," sponsored by Addiction Technology Research Center at UT Austin, Regional, Funded. (2021 - 2021).

Service

University Service

  • Director, PhD Health Sciences. (June 2023 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Academic Advising Committee. (August 2020 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Career Connect Advisory Committee. (December 2018 - Present).
  • Committee Chair, Scholarship committee. (January 2018 - Present).
  • Director, UNTWELL. (January 2018 - Present).
  • Committee Chair, Clinical Committee. (2016 - Present).
  • Attendee, Convocation, Rehabilitation Counseling Program. (December 2014 - Present).
  • Chairperson, Rehabilitation and Health Services. (2023 - 2025).
  • Committee Member, Academic Program Review. (January 2023 - March 2023).
  • Committee Member, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. (September 2019 - 2022).
  • Faculty Advisor, North Texas Rehabilitation Association (NTRA). (November 2019 - 2021).
  • Faculty Advisor, Active Minds. (August 2019 - 2020).
  • Committee Chair, Comprehensive exam coordinator. (January 2017 - December 2020).
  • Committee Member, HPS 2020 Promotion & Tenure Committee. (November 2020).
  • Committee Member, UNT's Fulbright Campus Committee. (September 1, 2020 - September 30, 2020).
  • Committee Member, HPS 2019-20 Promotion & Tenure Committee. (November 2019).
  • Committee Member, UNT's Fulbright Campus Committee. (September 1, 2019 - September 30, 2019).
  • Committee Member, UNT Campus Committee for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. (October 2018 - October 2018).
  • Committee Member, Charn Grant Reviewer. (August 2017 - 2017).
  • Committee Member, Remote Proctoring Evaluation Committee. (2016 - 2017).
  • Committee Chair, Scholarship Committee. (2016 - 2017).
  • Committee Member, Awards and Recognition Committee. (2015 - 2017).
  • Committee Member, Academic Adviser Search Committee. (2016 - 2016).
  • Committee Chair, Grievance Committee. (2016 - 2016).

Public Service

  • Board Member, Texas Rehabilitation Association. Texas. (2014 - Present).
  • Officer, President/Elect/Past, Texas Rehabilitation Association. Texas. (January 2025 - December 2027).
  • Board Member, Texas Brain Injury Advisory Board. Austin, Texas. (January 2022 - 2026).
  • Committee Chair, Texas Brain Injury Advisory Board Database Review Committee. Austin, Texas. (May 2022 - 2025).
  • Committee Member, Brain Injury Network of Dallas. Plano, TX. (July 2015 - 2018).

Professional Service

  • Board of Directors, Asian Rehabilitation Counseling Society. (January 2022 - Present).
  • Board of Directors, Texas rehabilitation Association. (2021 - Present).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling (JARC). (September 2020 - Present).
  • Board of Directors, Brain Injury Network of Dallas. (June 2018 - Present).
  • Committee Chair, Texas Rehabilitation Association. (January 19, 2018 - Present).
  • Board of Directors, Texas Rehabilitation Association. (January 2015 - Present).
  • Board of Advisors, Texas Health and Human Services, Texas Brain Injury Advisory Council. TX. (January 2022 - December 2026).
  • Committee Chair, Texas brain Injury Advisory Council. Austin, TX. (January 2022 - February 2024).
  • Conference-Related, Texas Rehabilitation Association. (August 2019 - June 2020).
  • Officer, President/Elect/Past, Texas Rehab Association. (January 2019 - December 2019).
  • Officer, President/Elect/Past, Texas Rehabilitation Association. Texas. (January 01, 2018 - 2019).
  • Committee Chair, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns. Dallas, TX. (October 01, 2017 - 2019).
  • Board of Directors, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns. (2016 - 2019).
  • Other (External Evaluator for Comp exam), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dallas, TX. (June 2016 - June 2019).
  • Board of Advisors, CHENTA. Plano, TX. (August 2015 - September 2018).
  • Conference-Related, Texas Rehabilitation Association. (November 2016 - October 2017).
  • Conference-Related, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns. (August 2016 - July 2017).
  • Conference-Related, Texas Rehabilitation Association. (October 2015 - May 2016).

Consulting

  • Academic, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. (March 2022).
  • Government, Texas Health and Human Services, United States of America. (January 2022).
  • Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), The Brain Injury Network of Dallas, Plano, TX, United States of America. (June 20, 2018).
  • Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), CHETNA, Plano, TX, United States of America. (2015).