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Dr. Antoinette Gines-Rivera is a graduate of Regent University where she obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology & Counseling with a specialization in Counselor Education & Supervision.

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She also earned a dual MS degree in Bilingual Education and Bilingual School Psychology from Fordham University in NYC, after which she worked for the NYS Department of Education for ten years before pursuing her doctorate.

Dr. Toni’s duo-language bilingual abilities afforded her the opportunity to conduct an emic international research study where she investigated the counseling needs of the Honduran population in-country. Her study has been published in an ACA (American Counseling Association) publication in 2013, titled Counseling Around the World: An International Handbook. This publication has opened countless doors for Dr. Toni to speak publically abroad and in the United States where she teaches and trains those who are working in the trenches of helping the native Hondureńo and Latino family with their hardships and suffering. Currently, Dr. Toni is working with the Bhatt Foundation in developing the Honduras Mental Health Systems, which is also projected to be implemented in India and Africa.

Dr. Toni’s passion for counseling and spiritual well-being comes on the heels of her own childhood trauma which became her catalyst to developing into the resilient woman she is today. She has learned to embrace the biblical truth that suffering is what God uses to prepare and train us to be a beacon of light for others who suffer in this world. Through her journey of faith in God, inner healing and education, she has found her passion and purpose in the world. Dr. Toni’s story is featured in Pastor Jim Cymbala’s 2017 released book, The Rescue, where he tells the powerful stories of seven people. She has also been featured in Laura Contreras Rowe’s 2009 book, Aim High: Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic & Latina Women.

As Director of AGSC, Dr. Toni’s objective is to guide applicants interested in Mental Health counseling in navigating through the process of discovering their passion, dreams and highest career choice potential. Choosing a graduate school can have a significant impact on one’s future profession, ministry, and personal life as counseling is both a calling and a responsibility requiring competency, compassion, discipline and discipleship.