M. Evan Thomas
Evan Thomas (he/him), Ph.D., LMFTS, is Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy, Chair of the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, and Program Director of the MMFT Program at Converse University. Since joining the Converse faculty in 2019, he has provided leadership in program administration, graduate training, and clinical education, teaching primarily at the University Center of Greenville.
Dr. Thomas’s teaching, scholarship, and clinical work reflect a strong commitment to systemic, culturally responsive, and justice-oriented practice. His research focuses on Appalachian mental health, substance misuse, the opioid epidemic in rural communities, and LGBTQIA+ mental health and advocacy, with particular attention to the ethical and clinical complexities of practice within queer communities. His scholarship includes peer-reviewed publications and national presentations addressing rural mental healthcare, trauma-informed care, affirming supervision, and systemic responses to social inequities.
Dr. Thomas teaches core graduate courses in marriage and family therapy, including MFT Systems I, MFT Systems II, Research Literacy in Marital and Family Therapy, Family Therapy with Families of Addiction, and supervision. His teaching emphasizes clinical excellence, critical reflexivity, and the development of therapists equipped to serve diverse individuals, couples, and families with competence and care.
In addition to his academic role, Dr. Thomas is the owner of Thomas Counseling Services, LLC in Greenville, South Carolina, where his clinical work focuses on substance use and the Queer community. His professional background across higher education, supervision, advocacy, and private practice informs his integrative approach to therapist training and leadership.
Dr. Thomas also maintains an active national leadership presence within the profession. His recent presentations and advocacy work through the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) have centered on LGBTQIA+ advocacy, affirming supervision, systemic leadership, and equity-focused program governance.
A native of the Georgia Appalachian Mountains, Dr. Thomas brings both personal and professional investment to the communities and issues that shape his work. Across teaching, scholarship, administration, and clinical practice, he is committed to advancing relational, ethical, and affirming care in systemic therapy.
Curriculum Vitae
Selected Publications & Presentations
Carrington, A., Iantaffi, A., Thomas, M.E., Veldorale-Griffin, A.* (Eds.). (2025). Gender-affirming Care: Guidelines for Working Systemically with Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Expansive Clients. Alexandria, VA: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Thomas, M.E. and Pittman, L. (2023). Creating systemic change through a social justice lens: Steps to make impactful changes. Family Therapy Magazine.
Thomas, M.E. and Nedela, M.R. (2021). Queer therapists practicing in their cultural community: Proactive ethical decision-making suggestions. Family Therapy Magazine.
Thomas, M.E., Grafsky, E.L. (2021). Appalachian church leaders: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study to understand how substance use impacts their communities. Pastoral Psychology, 70, 379–397.
Morgan, A.A.*, Thomas, M.E.*, & Brossoie, N. (2020). Trauma-informed care as a framework for addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Appalachia: An exploratory Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 44(3), 156-169.
Thomas, M.E., & Brossoie, N. (2019). Appalachia mental healthcare: An interpretative phenomenological analysis study to identify training program needs. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 43(2-3), 91–102.