On November 13, 2020, Dr. Michele Kerulis was honored with the Wendell S. Dysinger Award for Outstanding Professional Counseling Publication from the Illinois Counseling Association.
"This award was established by ICA in 1983 to honor and recognize the professional
counseling contributions made by Dr. Wendell S. Dysinger, one of ICA’s founders. The
outstanding professional counseling publication award is given to person(s) for an
outstanding published article in professional counseling, human development, student
affairs, and/or related areas." - Illinois Counseling Association
Dr. Kerulis' award recognized two of her professional publications: Happy Body, Happy Brain: Physical Exercise for Mental Health and Wellness and Mind Over Marathon™.
Dr. Kerulis is well known for her passion about helping people understand the mind body connection through sports and exercise. Happy Body, Happy Brain: Physical Exercise for Mental Health and Wellness, a chapter featured in the Neuroeducation Toolbox: Practical Translations of Neuroscience in Counseling and Psychotherapy, was co-authored by fellow counselor and Association for Applies Sport Psychology Certified Mental Performance Consultant Dan Wilsea. This chapter helps counselors the use of exercise by providing a case study and a worksheet counselors can use with their own clients.
Another way Dr. Kerulis helps people understand the importance of exercise is through mainstream media. As Director of the Chicago Psyching Team, Dr. Kerulis and Psyching Team Coordinator, Bridget Montgomery, were invited to produce the first ever Psyching Team for the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Experience. Dr. Kerulis' workbook, Mind Over Marathon, provides the opportunity for runners worldwide to learn a structured way to train their minds as they trained their bodies.
Dr. Kerulis plans to continue helping people understand the benefits of exercise to enhance overall wellness.