Staff | Student Counseling Center | TTU
Staff
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Counseling Staff
Licensed Psychologist (since 1991)
Graduate Training: Clinical Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1991
Internship: University of Maine, 1989-90
Theoretical Orientation: Interpersonal, Cognitive-Behavioral, Client-Centered
Professional Interests: Eating Disorders, Trauma Survivors-EMDR trained, Group Therapy
Approach to Therapy: I approach therapy from a combination of cognitive-behavioral, client-centered and interpersonal orientations. The best way to briefly describe cognitive behavioral therapy is that if you as a client can change your thoughts and change your behaviors, your feelings will follow. My role as a therapist is to guide this process. "Client-centered" means that I am committed to developing a positive relationship with my clients in which they feel safe, understood and accepted. This atmosphere helps set the stage for emotional healing and change. Finally, an interpersonal approach lends itself to giving appropriate, therapeutic feedback to clients based on our relationship. The theory is that if a set of dysfunctional thoughts, feelings, or behaviors happens within the therapeutic relationship, it could also be happening in other relationships outside of therapy. My job is to share my observations, explore the history of the pattern, and encourage new ways of approaching relationships. While I generally use a combination of all three of these approaches, my emphasis on one over the others varies depending on the presenting problem and client goals.
Approach to Supervision: I take a developmental approach to supervision, making sure that fundamental skills (empathic listening, developing a therapeutic alliance) are solid before moving on to more advanced skills. I believe it is important to respect my supervisee's theoretical orientation and give him or her room to continue to develop his or her own unique style. At the same time I provide opportunities to learn about my own approach to treatment as well as techniques for helping clients gain insight and reach their goals.
Diversity: I strive to take a stance of cultural humility in all of my personal and professional interactions. I engage in a practice of self-reflection which helps me identify my biases and assumptions and enables me to create a safe space for clients of all cultures and identities.
Staff at SCC since 2008
Licensed Psychologist (since 2009)
Graduate Training: Clinical Psychology, University of Texas, 2006
Internship: Geisinger Medical Center, 2005-06
Post-Doc: Harbor Medical Center, UCLA, 2006-07
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-Behavioral
Professional Interests: Mood Disorders, Anxiety, Behavioral Medicine
Approach to Therapy: My therapeutic orientation is an integration of person-centered concepts (such as therapist congruence (genuineness), empathy , and unconditional positive regard ) and CBT. By integrating these two orientations I seek to foster a safe environment that allows clients to explore their problems as well as challenge their own understanding of their situation/problems.
Approach to Supervision: My supervision framework is loosely based on my therapeutic orientation. I take an equalitarian stance, applying client centered concepts and a CBT framework to promote an environment where supervisees will feel comfortable bringing in both successes and difficulties from their therapy work and which will allow them to meet challenges in a confident manner.
Diversity: As a foreign national and a person living with a disability, issues related to interpersonal difference and socio-cultural challenges are close to my heart. I incorporate these concepts into my work as a supervisor and as a therapist. I believe that self-reflection is essential and important in my own efforts to make the SCC a community in which everyone feels supported, included, accepted, and respected.
Staff at SCC since 2007
Licensed Psychologist (since 2015)
GraduateTraining: Texas Tech University, Counseling Psychology, 2011
Internship: Texas Tech University Student Counseling Center, 2010-11
Theoretical Orientation: Interpersonal Process
Professional Interests: Identity; Grief; Personality Disorders; Self-Care
Approach to Therapy: I take a primary interpersonal process approach in my therapy, while also using other techniques from cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused theories. I explore the relationship patterns my clients are involved in, including relationships between the clients and their family, friends, co-workers, and themselves. Through congruence, honesty, and empathy, therapy becomes a safe place to allow clients to challenge their relational patterns, thoughts, beliefs, and emotions.
Approach to Supervision: My approach to supervision is through a developmental model. I work with my supervisees based on where the supervisee is at with their own therapy skills. Like my approach to therapy, I spend much of my time in supervision discussing the relationships between the client and therapist, as well as the supervisee and myself. I also work with my supervisees based on their strengths in building their growth edges.
Diversity: Diversity and multicultural issues is an important aspect in my work here at the SCC, including my work with clients, trainees, and outreach activities. In addition, I regularly engage in self-reflection, professional conversations, and personal conversations to increase my understanding of multicultural issues and concerns.
Staff at SCC since 2011
Licensed Psychologist (since November 2019)
Graduate Training: Oklahoma State University, 2018
Internship: Indiana University, 2017-2018
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative Approach (Interpersonal, Relational-Cultural, and Cognitive Behavioral)
Professional Interests: Eating Disorders, Trauma, Men and Masculinity, LGBTQIA+
Approach to Therapy: I incorporate numerous theoretical orientations into my clinical practice, but place a large emphasis on building a good therapeutic alliance with clients. This allows for a strong foundation to assist any work clients wish to begin. During the first two meetings, I collaborate with clients on identifying the issues and goals they have and deciding the best route to beginning to work on these concerns. I am trained as a generalist and able to work with clients who are experiencing a wide array of concerns.
Approach to Supervision: My approach to supervision aims to provide a developmentally safe and supportive atmosphere for supervisees to discuss potential issues or concerns during their training experience. I seek to help supervisees identify relevant training goals and help provide guidance on working towards those goals. Additionally, I seek to provide feedback and challenges to elp facilitate supervisee's growth in their approach to working with clients and developing their professional identity.
Diversity: Within therapy I aim to be cognizant of and attentive to clients race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability status, and other visible and invisible identities. I seek to provide a safe space where clients feel able to openly discuss these identities if and when needed.
Staff at SCC since 2018
Licensed Psychologist (since 2006 in Texas; 1999-2006 in Massachusetts)
Graduate Training: University of Denver, Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, 1990
Respecialization in Clinical Psychology, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, 1997
Internship: Worcester Youth Guidance Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1996-1997
(With a rotation at University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics)
Theoretical Orientation: I believe that different approaches work best for different presenting problems and circumstances. My strengths lie in cognitive-behavioral, client-centered and interpersonal approaches to therapy. Thus, my focus is on thoughts and emotions and the behaviors associated with them, providing a supportive and safe place to explore one's identity, and understanding patterns of interactions with others and how to improve them. In combining these approaches, I seek to understand where clients are in their development of self and relationships with other, and then work together to explore what types of changes best suit their individualized goals and improve their current situation.
Professional Interests: Life-span development, self-compassion, mindfulness, stress and coping, parenting, relationship skills and attachment, family dynamics, anxiety, depression, and recovering from trauma.
Approach to Supervision: My approach to supervision takes into account the developmental stage of the supervisee as well as their interest in learning more about certain aspects or approaches to therapy. I strive to develop a trusting and mutually respectful relationship that allows me to provide support as well as teach and consult, so that supervisees may have room to develop their own unique style.
Diversity: Respecting and honoring diversity is a key component of my work with clients, trainees and colleagues, as well as my continued educational experiences. I believe we benefit greatly from recognizing individual differences which impact how we approach our endeavors to be our best selves in the face of both challenges and opportunities. I also feel strongly that it is important to work toward social justice for all persons, as outlined in our center's diversity statement, and that means recognizing and working to address how positions of power and privilege contribute to unfair and unjust treatment both historically and in our everyday interactions.
Staff at SCC since 2011
Licensed Psychologist (since 2019)
Graduate Training: Clinical Psychology, University of Indianapolis, 2017
Internship: Wichita Collaborative Psychology Internship Program, Wichita State University, 2016-17
Theoretical Orientation: Interpersonal Process (IPT), Client-Centered, Emotion Focused (EFT)
Professional Interests: Supervision & training, treatment of anxiety concerns and related issues, interpersonal skills and confidence development, group therapy approaches to mental health and relational goals, men's issues, problems associated with media & technology use patterns, graduate student issues
Approach to Therapy: I tend to view treatment from an interpersonal theoretical approach, seeing concerns, goals, and challenges through a more relational lens, and seeking to alter approaches within interpersonal realms as a method moving toward goals for self. More generally, my role is to help each person determine the possible ways their current strategies, environment, or experiences can be modified to manage their difficulties better. I find that learning about the benefits of emotions and emotional experience, determining different ways of relating to others, and challenging unfair beliefs about ourselves and our worth are often most helpful to consider and I tend to discuss these areas most as a result.
Approach to Supervision: My approach to supervision is largely developmental. I believe it is important to balance the supervisee's sense of autonomy and their perception that they are supported and guided by their supervisor. This balance also changes as the supervisee develops and gains more skills and experience. I believe that less experienced supervisees typically require more guidance and support as they learn fundamental skills. I also believe experienced supervisees typically require a more consultatory relationship, with somewhat increased autonomy as they process more complex issues (e.g. choosing a theoretical orientation) and develop a professional identity.
Diversity: I see prioritization of diversity and individual experience as important to fully understanding the experience of a person within their various contexts, crucial to both therapy work as well as to clinical training pursuits. History, social backdrop, intersecting identities, personal stories, and developing experience are all central to who we are, how we cope, and the ways in which we relate to others, thus making it necessary to remind ourselves that therapy work does not occur in a vacuum, and that acknowledging all aspects of diversity and personal experience furthers understanding of self and others.
Staff at SCC since 2017
Graduate Training: Texas Wesleyan University, Professional Counseling MA Program, 2010.
Theoretical Orientation: Systems, Cognitive Behavioral
Professional Interests: Trauma, Grief, Self-Compassion
Approach to therapy: I work primarily from a system's model. I believe that distress is often due to a combination of circumstances, relationships, and experiences. When conflict is present in multiple aspects of one's life it can become difficult to function. I believe that change in one area can effect changes in all aspects of life and healthy change and coping can lead to a less distressing state of being. I work with clients to heal from the things they have experienced in life, create healthy relationships and boundaries, and learn skills to cope with the stress of life. For clients that have experienced trauma such as abuse, sexual assault, or other traumatic events I approach counseling by using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Through this technique the client is able to find healing from the trauma they have experienced.
Approach to supervision: Through supervision I aim to help the trainee learn to be the best version of themself as a therapist and a person. I work with the trainee to gain skills, strengthen their self-efficacy, and give themself grace when they fall short of their expectation.
Diversity: I value the uniqueness of each client and strive to respect and honor diversity while creating a space where my clients can speak of their experiences, identity, and background without fear of judgment.
Staff at SCC since 2018
Diversity: I strive to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in my counseling practice by staying current on research, attending continuing education programs, as well as staying attuned to how current events impact students on campus. I am committed to continually addressing my own biases and speaking out against the biases of others and institutions to improve inclusivity in my environment.
Staff at SCC since 2017
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (since 2021)
Graduate Training: Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, Texas Tech University, 2017
Professional Interests: DEI Education, Partnering and Intimate Relationships, Identity Development, Childhood / Family Trauma, and Family Dynamics of Addiction
Theoritcal Orientation: I utilize an integrative approach to therapy that draws primarily from family systems and social-constructionist theories including:
- Narrative Family Therapy
- Symbolic-Experiential Therapy
- Feminist Family Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy
- Gottman Couples Therapy
Approach to Therapy: I view therapy as, at its core, a collaborative approach to improving relationships. Through therapy we can purposefully work toward changing the relationships we have with ourselves, with the problems bringing us to therapy, with peers, with partners, with families, and with our larger culture.
Diversity:
Identity, culture, and our individual relationships with power, privilege, and difference have a massive impact on how we view ourselves and how we experience our social world. Intentional efforts toward increasing safety, recognition, deconstruction, and social justice are central to building a culture in which we can approach our mental health goals. We are embedded in a culture that is both historically and actively oppressive. I see humility, openness, and curiosity growing healing connections as a pre-requisite to limiting the impact of the insidious and often covert role of prejudice.
In my work, I aim to assist in the labor of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campus while striving to amplify the voice, effort, and impact of students and peers. To this end, I serve on university policy, advisory, and advocacy committees, and I co-lead DEI seminars for emerging professional psychologists. I join others at the SCC in efforts to advance my awareness through continuing education, accepting/sharing invitations to learn, and actively engaging in self-reflection and self-education.
Staff at SCC since 2017
Graduate Training: Texas Tech University, M.Ed. in Counselor Education, 2014
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy, Group Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR therapy).
Professional Interests: Anxiety, Depression, Addiction and Trauma
Approach to Therapy: I operate with a non-judgmental approach that meets the client where they are at. I believe in empowerment of the client to foster an environment that healing and growth can take place. My theoretical orientation is typically based on what can best help serve the client. I believe we are all capable of being the best versions of ourselves. I feel very honored and privileged to be part of this process and look forward to working with anyone in need of help.
Diversity: Coming from a culturally diverse and blended multicultural family system. I strive to provide a safe place for people of all walks of life including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, and religion. I strive to considers all aspects of a client's worldview when selecting treatment approaches to meet their individualized needs.
Staff at SCC since 2018
Licensed Professional Counselor (since 2013)
Graduate Training: Texas Tech University, M.Ed. in Counselor Education, 2012
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative (CBT, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, DBT, & MBCT)
Professional Interests: Relationships, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Addiction
Approach to Therapy: I practice from an integrative approach by focusing on the current needs, goals, and abilities of the client. Building the therapeutic alliance is a priority in the beginning stages of therapy. When clients are given a safe nonjudgmental environment to process and work through their concerns, change becomes possible. In therapy I focus on assisting clients gain self-awareness and self-control. I believe this can be accomplished through recognizing how their thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and behaviors contribute to their concerns and how learning and implementing new positive coping strategies can elicit new outcomes.
Staff at SCC since 2019
Graduate Training: Texas Christian University, M.Ed in Professional Counseling, 2015
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative (Person-Centered Therapy, Narrative therapy, Solution focused therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral)
Professional interest: Self-worth and empowerment, inner child work, family dynamics, LGBTQ community, identity development, origins of substance use disorders, healthy relational boundaries
Approach to Therapy: I approach therapy with the mindset that every client has internal skills that give them the ability to reach personal goals. With an integrative client-centered approach, the client takes the lead as the expert to their life and patterns of behaviors, and I help guide the client to uncover causes of core beliefs systems that fuel areas of concern. My role in this process is to support clients with encouragement while also maintaining accountability for positive change. I utilize my 5 strengths areas of connectedness, empathy, relator, positivity, and harmony in every session to build rapport and a positive therapeutic relationship with my clients. By building a safe and trusting relationship with my clients and allowing them to take the lead in therapy, we build self-confidence, increase self-compassion, and strengthen shame resiliency to challenge areas of concern and work towards being the version of themselves they want to be.
Diversity: It's a priority for me as a clinician to be aware of the differences diversity creates in our community. Even if my experience of life differs, it is important to me to provide a safe space for processing, understanding and freely discussing differences in diversity and multicultural issues and concerns.
Staff at SCC since 2020
Graduate Training: Master of Arts in Counseling, Wayland Baptist University, 2017
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative (Person-Centered, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Professional Interests: Depression, Anxiety, Career Counseling, Grief, Anger Management, Family of Origin Concerns.
Approach to Therapy: My approach is to first create a therapeutic alliance so that we can build a trusting relationship. It is important to me that you feel safe and accepted. Life has many seasons/challenges, and some are unexpected, I would be honored to walk side by side while you navigate these challenges. My goal is a collaborative approach to help clients gain insight, improve interpersonal relationships, process trauma, develop coping skills, and create routine and stability. I provide a safe, caring environment to explore life's challenges and guide you on a path to healing and transformation.
Strengths Quest: Learner, Developer, Harmony, Achiever, Relator
Diversity: It is a priority that I am attentive to my client's various identities and cultural background, and I strive to create an environment where clients feel accepted and safe in the therapy process.
Staff at SCC since 2022
Graduate Training: Master of Science in Couples, Marriage and Family Therapy, Texas Tech University, 2018
Theoretical Orientation: I: I believe each client has unique needs, resulting in an integrative approach to therapy as necessary using Narrative Therapy, Symbolic-Experiential Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Professional Interests: Substance Use Disorders, Process/Behavioral Addictions, Eating Disorders, Identity Development, Family of Origin Concerns
Approach to Therapy: My goal as a therapist is to first foster a welcoming, empowering, and healing environment to begin the growth you are seeking. I believe that the client should not work on their struggles alone and that the therapist is there to sit with you through all the feelings of discomfort. I come from a systems model and believe our past and current relationships and experiences can influence our emotions, how we view ourselves, how we view others, and how we communicate. I work with clients to find healing, empowerment, and freedom from their struggles. I believe that clients benefit the most from a congruent and honest, yet empathetic, approach to their problems. .Diversity: Everyone comes from different walks of life. I value and respect the diversity each person carries within their culture, race, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, and socioeconomic status. Each of these aspects can significantly impact a wide variety of the presenting concerns you bring to therapy; they are important to acknowledge and process. I strive to ensure my clients feel accepted and safe in the therapy process. All are welcome in all ways.
Staff at SCC since 2022
Licensed Psychologist (since 2024)
Graduate Training: Ball State University, Counseling Psychology Ph.D., 2022
Internship: Texas Tech University Student Counseling Center, 2021-2022
Theoretical Orientation: Person-Centered
Professional Interests: Depression, Anxiety, LGBTQIA+, Substance Use, Grief, Trauma
Approach to Therapy: In my work with clients, I use a mixture of person-centered, CBT, and trauma-informed techniques to help clients meet their personal goals and develop greater insight into what they are experiencing. I typically start clients with a foundation of coping skills to help facilitate deeper processing in the next stage of therapy. I strive to meet clients where they are at and tailor my approaches to what they are needing in the moment. My aim is to support clients in meeting their goals in a supportive and non-judgmental environment where they can grow and experience meaningful change.
Approach to Supervision: I take a developmental approach to supervision and work to meet my supervisees where they are at. I see my role as supportive in terms of consultation, mentorship, and fostering professional identity development. I value instilling self-care and genuineness in my supervisees as well as helping them build conceptualization skills, identifying their theoretical orientation, and discovering their niche areas of interest. I believe in taking an approach with a balance of focusing on strengths and growth edges to help instill confidence in my supervisees.
Diversity: I use an intersectional multicultural lens in my role at the SCC. I take a stance of cultural humility and work with clients of various salient identities with the goal of providing a safe, accepting, and affirming space for processing and self-actualization.
Staff at SCC since 2021
Graduate Training: University of Central Arkansas, Counseling Psychology, Ph.D.
Internship: Texas Tech University Student Counseling Center, 2021-2022
Theoretical Orientation: Person-Centered, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Expressive Arts Therapy
Professional Interests: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, International students
Approach to Therapy: My approach to therapy is grounded in an integrative framework, drawing from a variety of techniques I have learned throughout my journey. This means I customize my therapeutic approach to align with my clients' specific needs and preferences. I firmly believe that everyone possesses inner strength and will naturally thrive in their unique environment. As a therapist, my role is to collaborate with my clients on their journey toward healing, self-discovery, and personal growth.
Approach to Supervision: In my role as a supervisor, I draw upon a developmental model perspective to guide and nurture the growth of emerging therapists, tailoring my approach to their stage of training and unique needs. My aim is to empower these emerging therapists, enabling them to evolve into competent, ethical, and culturally sensitive practitioners.
Diversity: As a therapist, I believe in the power of diversity and inclusivity. I recognize that every individual is unique, and their experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives greatly influence their therapeutic journey. I am committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive space where clients from all walks of life can feel heard, valued, and understood. Additionally, as someone with a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and an understanding of the unique experiences of international students, I'm dedicated to providing specialized support to this population.
Staff at SCC since 2023
Graduate Training: Louisiana Tech University, Counseling Psychology Ph.D. 2023
Internship: Texas Tech University Student Counseling Center, 2021-2022
Theoretical Orientation: Relational Cultural and Cognitive Behavioral
Professional Interests: Trauma, Multiculturalism, Mood Disorders, Body Image
Approach to Therapy: I integrate relational cultural and cognitive behavioral therapies to help clients gain more insight on how their identities shape the way they view themselves, their distress, and their ability to cope in the world around them.
Approach to Supervision: Relational Cultural
Diversity: I have a particular interest in outreach and increasing access to therapy resources for individuals from marginalized or underserved backgrounds.
Staff at SCC since 2023
Administrative Staff
Bethany Calderon
Administrative Business Assistant, Staff at SCC since 2024
Debbie Ashley
Senior Business Assistant, Staff at SCC since 2015
Tamara Ebeling
Senior Business Assistant, Staff at SCC since 2019
Doctoral Interns: 2023-2024
Alexandria Burroughs, M.A., CMPC. Our Lady of the Lake University
Allison Hendrick, M.A. Spalding University
Marena Matta, M.A. California Baptist University
Brittany Munoz, M.Psy. Divine Mercy University
Kassidy Rekieta, M.A. Texas Tech University
Other Counselors in Training
Lindsay Prekker, LPC-A
Shadie Miller, LPC-A
Lucy Hatch, LPC-A
Practicum Students: Spring 2024
Samantha Gonzalez, B.A.
Nina Hernandez De La Cerda Clinton, M.Ed.
Megan Keen, M.A., M.S.
Daniela Navarro Verdugo, B.A.
Bryce A. Robinson, B.A.
Erin Wilson, B.S.
Supervision Disclosure Information
The Student Counseling Center provides training opportunities for graduate practicum students, doctoral psychology interns, and post graduate trainees. Per Texas state law, it is our responsibility to inform our clients of the trainee status and provide the supervisor contact information for each unlicensed therapist.
Reviewed 9/18/23
Contact Us
Student Counseling Center
-
Address
201 Student Wellness Center -
Phone
806.742.3674 -
Email
StudentCounselingCenter@ttu.edu