Dharshini Goonetilleke

Recent and upcoming courses

Fall 2024

• HSCD 610: Evidence-Based Group Counseling
• HSCD 631: Integrated Care: Treatment and Recovery Planning

Spring 2025

• HSCD 632: Integrated Care: Harm Reduction and Case Management
• HSCD 601: Cognitive Behavioral and Trauma-Informed Strategies

Biography

Dr. Dharshini Goonetilleke (she/her) is a counselor educator and a Licensed Professional Clinical counselor. Her research interests are to further understanding the application of mindfulness and indigenous healing practices and related challenges. She integrates mindfulness into her teaching pedagogy and incorporates a multicultural and social justice approach to teaching and clinical practice.

Goonetilleke practiced as a mental health clinician in the community prior to joining Metro State. In her clinical practice, she worked with clients of all ages and provided services as a generalist. She utilized mindfulness based cognitive and behavioral approaches, mindfulness based therapeutic practices in her clinical work to enrich and enhance lifelong benefits of her clients.

Goonetilleke is a lifelong learner who believes that learning happens in various ways, both inside and outside the classroom. She strives to create an inclusive and dynamic educational environment that values lived experiences, critical thinking, and diverse perspectives. Her approach to teaching is grounded in the belief that education is a continuous journey, enriched by dialogue, reflection, and real-world application. By fostering curiosity and adaptability, she strives to empower her students to develop into thoughtful, skilled, and culturally responsive professionals in the field of counseling.