Brynn Luger
- Assistant Professor, Indigenous Health
Contact Info
- Email: brynn.luger@UND.edu
- Office: 701.777.6521
- Dept: 701.777.6521
Office Address
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
1301 N Columbia Road Stop 9037
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037
Biography
Brynn Luger, Ph.D., MA (Lakota Sioux), is an assistant professor in the educator scholar track at the Department of Indigenous Health within the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She holds licenses as a clinical counselor and is recognized as a National Certified Counselor. She completed her master’s degree in counseling psychology and her Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision. With over 17 years of experience as a mental health provider, she specializes in treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and the emotional and social issues surrounding substance use.
Prior to her current position, Dr. Luger served as an associate professor within the clinician scholar track at the UND Center for Family Medicine in Bismarck, ND. In this capacity, she delivered clinical counseling services to local community members and led the development and instruction of the behavioral health curriculum for resident physicians specializing in family medicine.
Driven by her extensive background as a mental health provider, Dr. Luger is dedicated to advocating for awareness and support for Indigenous counselors, aiming to empower those who provide critical assistance to others. Her research interests include blending Indigenous healing practices with Western mental health frameworks, examining the experiences of secondary trauma among Indigenous mental health providers, and the efficacy of ceremony-assisted treatment for substance use disorders.
Dr. Luger lives in Bismarck, ND, with her husband, two children, and two standard poodles. She is part owner of the legendary Green Bay Packers and enjoys hanging out with her family, listening to Beyoncé, and binge-watching 90s sitcoms she has seen countless times before.
- PH 581: Principles of Indigenous Health
- IH 781: Principles of Indigenous Health
- IH 782: Principles of Indigenous Health 2
- IH 715: Global Indigenous Health Perspectives (Co-Instructor)
- IH 766: CBPR & Tribally Driven Research Frameworks (Co-Instructor)
- Blending Indigenous healing practices with Western mental health frameworks in the treatment of mental health issues
- The efficacy of ceremony-assisted treatment for substance use disorders
- Secondary trauma among Indigenous mental health providers
- Community-based participatory research methods
- Co-Principle Investigator (2023-present). Great Plains Tribal Engagement for Ohio Valley Node Clinical Trials Network
- Principle Investigator (2024-present). An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Assessment of the Perceived Impact and Efficacy of Ceremony-Assisted Treatment For American Indians Seeking Treatment For Substance Use Disorders at Oaye Luta Okolakiciye In Rapid City, South Dakota
- Book chapter co-author (2025). Health Services, Care Access, and Health Outcomes for American Indians in North Dakota. Eighth Biennial Report 2025. Health Issues for the State of North Dakota. UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences Advisory Council.
- Book chapter co-author (2024). Park, C., Luger, B. & McCubbin, L. Indigenous, Native, First Nations Groups, and Settler Colonialism. In Clark & Cook (Eds.), Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling. A Systemic, Person-Centered, and Ethical Approach (First Edition). Cognella Press.
- Manuscript review (2024), Multigenerational Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Families' Perspectives on Health and Well-Being. Counseling Psychologist.
- Ad Hoc Reviewer (2024). Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology.
- Book chapter co-author (2023). McCubbin, L., Park, C., Luger, B. & Chin, S. The Case of Native Hawaiians: Indigenous Well-Being and Healing Practices. In Hightower, E. (Ed.), Native American Psychosocial Identity. Cognella Press.
- Manuscript review (2023), Creating Spaces for Decolonization and Indigenization Among Mental Health Professionals in Higher Education. Smith College Studies in Social Work: Transforming Practice, Education and Research
- Article (2023). Luger, B., Park, C., & McCubbin, L. (2023). Counseling From an Indigenous Perspective: Recommendations for Practice. International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling, 43–48.
- Research project (2022), Luger, B., McCubbin L., and Park, C. Social Activism, Indigeneity, and Healing. Examining the Lived Experiences of Indigenous Land and Water Protectors: A Qualitative Analysis.
- Manuscript (2022), Luger, B. and Korcuska, J. Lifting the Lived Experiences of American Indian Counselors on the Reservation: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.
- Dissertation (2019), Luger, B. Examining the Lived Experiences of Native American Counselors Working on the Reservation: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. [Doctoral dissertation, North Dakota State University]
- Curriculum guide (2017), Hostetter, J., Luger, B., Hendrickson, M., Thuen, B.R., Mickelson, S., Azure-Bearstail, B., and Sharma, C. AAFP Curriculum Guideline (CG) No 277 – Substance Use Disorders, Published on the AAFP website
- Program Evaluation Research Project (2012), under the supervision of Dr. Brenda Hall and Dr. James Korcuska, North Dakota State University Department of Counselor Education and Supervision
- Research study (2011), Luger, B., The Experience of International Students in Their First Year Attending North Dakota State University
- Research study, co-author (2006), Lowey, M., Shanklin, L., & Luger, B. Exploring Size Acceptance Among Fifth Grade Students
- Master’s thesis (2006), Luger, B. American Muslims on Campus: An Exploration of College Counselors’ Knowledge of Culture and Religion. [University of North Dakota]
- North Dakota Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- NDCA Innovations Award (2022)
- Doctor of Philosophy, Counselor Education & Supervision, North Dakota State University
- Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology, University of North Dakota
- Bachelor of Science, Anthropology, North Dakota State University