The CPS staff includes licensed psychologists, licensed clinical professional counselors, and licensed clinical social workers who attended accredited graduate training programs and have a special interest/expertise in college student development. CPS trains advanced graduate students earning their Master’s and Doctoral degrees who are practicing under the supervision of licensed CPS staff members.

Our staff is listed below, and all staff members are generalists who work with a wide range of presenting concerns. Staff members also list their areas of specialized interests but please note that this is not an exhaustive list.

All CPS clinicians recognize people as cultural beings with unique backgrounds, experiences, relationships, and intersecting social identities.  When providing clinical services, we consider the whole person including the cultural dimensions of one’s identity and related values, beliefs, and attitudes to support culturally attuned treatment.  We also consider the socio-cultural context that may be impacting or contributing to the concerns, goals, or challenges clients want to address.

In addition to general cultural considerations as part of our clinical practice, clients may seek services at CPS to specifically address cultural concerns and we provide therapy on a wide range of topics that includes, but is not limited to: religion and spirituality, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, racial identity, socioeconomic status, discrimination, and cultural adjustment.

Counseling and Psychological Services Staff

Betsy Asserson Portrait

Betsy Asserson, Ph.D.  

she/her/hers

Director

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. in Psychology and Spanish, Concordia College

Advanced Degree:

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Pittsburgh

Special Interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Trauma and EMDR treatment
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Training and Supervision
  • Suicide Prevention
Brian Kassar Portrait

Brian Kassar, Psy.D. 

he/him

Suicide Prevention Coordinator

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree:

BA in Psychology & Sociology, Northwest Missouri State University

Advanced Degree:

MA in Clinical Psychology,

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology

Special Interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Men’s Development
  • Prevention & Education
  • Men's Sexual Issues, Pornography use
  • Male Survivors of Sexual Trauma
  • Male Eating Disorder/Body Image
  • Identity and Developmental Issues
  • Depression & Anxiety Treatment
BW

Brianna Windhorst, LCPC

Care Manager

Liscensed Clinical Professional Counselor


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. Community Health

Advanced Degree:

M.A. Counseling

Special Interests:

  • Emotional development and resiliency
  • Interpersonal relationship concerns
  • Life transitions
  • Identity development
  • Mental illnesses
Carlynn

Carlynn Schwalm, MSW 

she/her

Senior Staff Counselor

Social Work Licensure Candidate


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. International Studies from University of Idaho

Advanced Degree:

Masters degree in Clinical Social Work from Walla Walla University

Special interests: 

  • Family of origin concerns
  • Interpersonal and Attachment Issues
  • ADHD and Neurodiversity
  • Identity Development
  • Anxiety and Depression
Catherine Francis

Catherine Francis, Psy.D 

she/her/hers

Groups Coordinator

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree:

B.A. in Psychology and Spanish Language and Literature, University of Colorado at Boulder

Advanced Degrees:

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Roosevelt University

M.A. in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice), Roosevelt University

Special interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Group Therapy
  • Family of Origin Concerns
  • Identity Development
  • Interpersonal and Attachment Issues
  • Working with Under-Served Students
  • Mindfulness
Dan Deming

Dan Deming, PCLC, LAC 

Licensed Addiction Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Candidate; Licensed Addiction Counselor


Undergraduate Degree:

B.A. in Psychology, Montana State University

Advanced Degrees:

M.A. in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling – Montana State University

Addiction Counseling Graduate Certificate Program – Montana State University

Special Interests:

College Mental Health

Substance Use Disorders

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Motivational Interviewing

Attachment Theory

Relationship Concerns

 

Julia Nance

Julia A. Nance, Ph.D  

she/her/hers

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree:

B.A. in Psychology, San Diego State University

Advanced Degree:

M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology

Special Interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Life Transitions      
  • Resiliency      
  • Depression and Anxiety
  • Mindfulness-Based Therapy
  • Identity Development
  • LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy
  • Social Justice

 

Katie Darnell Portrait

Katie Darnell, Psy.D.

Assistant Director, Coordinator of Clinical Services

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree:

B.S. in English and Women’s Studies, minor in Psychology—University of KY

Advanced Degrees:

PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Spalding University

Special Interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Interpersonal issues
  • Mood and anxiety concerns
  • Eating disorder assessment and treatment
  • Group work
  • Personality assessment
KM

Kim McNamee, LCSW

Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker


Undergraduate Degree: 

BSW in Social Work, Xavier University

Advanced Degree:

MSW- Master's of Social Work, University of Cincinnati

Special Interests:

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Childhood Trauma
  • Mindfulness skills
  • Depression and anxiety disorders
  • Adjustment Disorder

 

Laura Thum Portrait

Laura Thum, Ph.D.

she/her/hers

Assistant Director of Outreach and Prevention

Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. in Psychology, Whitman College

Advanced Degree:

M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, Antioch University New England

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Western Michigan University

Special Interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Attachment Theory
  • Wellness and Prevention
  • Outreach
  • Addiction
Levenae Buggs

Levenae Buggs, Ph.D.   

she/her/hers

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. in Psychology, University of California, Davis

Advanced Degree:

M.A. in Clinical Psychology, University of South Dakota

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of South Dakota

 

Special Interests:

  • Multicultural Issues
  • College Mental Health
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Relationship Issues
  • Adjustment
  • Identity Development
  • Serious and Persistent Mental Illness
  • Outreach
Mani Stubbs

Mani Stubbs, LCPC 

he/him/his

Clinical Specialist

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. in Biology, University of Montana

Advanced Degree:

M.A. in Counselor Education, University of Montana

Special Interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy
  • Grief & Loss
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Career Counseling
Mariah Hill Portrait

Mariah Hill, Psy.D. 

she/her

Diversity Coordinator

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. in Psychology, Rollins College

Advanced Degree:

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Pacific University

Special Interests:

  • Multicultural & Identity Issues
  • Trauma
  • LGBTQ+ Identity
  • Relationship and Attachment Issues
  • Depression & Anxiety
  • Grief and loss
Megan Saab Portrait

Megan Monroe, Psy.D. 

she/her/hers

Training Specialist

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience, Miami University

Advanced Degree:

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Special Interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Eating Concerns
  • Relationship Issues  
  • Life Transitions            
  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
  • Trauma
  • Social Justice
  • Suicide Prevention
PAL

Paisley Azra-Lewis   

she/her

Behavioral Health Specialist

Psychology Resident

 

Undergraduate Degree: BS in Psychology, Davidson College

Advanced Degree: PhD in Health Psychology (Clinical Concentration), University of North Carolina at Charlotte

 

Special Interests:

Health psychology

Mindfulness

Therapeutic benefits of nature

Anxiety

 

 

Rachel Kane

Rachel Kane

she/her

Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Candidate (PCLC)


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.S. in Psychology,Minor in Exercise Science, Black Hills State University 

Advanced Degree:

M.S. in Counseling, Oklahoma State University

Special Interests: 

  • Trauma
  • Identity Development
  • Interpersonal Relationship Concerns
  • Family of Origin Concerns 
  • Abuse/Assault Survivors 
  • Mindfulness Skill Development
  • Eating Concerns

 

Rachel Woodard

Rachel Woodard, L.C.P.C. 

she/her

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A in Psychology

Advanced Degree:

M.A. Counseling

Special Interests:

  • Internal Family Systems
  • Collaborative Communication
  • Eating Concerns
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Interpersonal and Attachment Issues
Ryan Niehus Portrait

Ryan Niehus, Psy.D. 

he/him/his

Assistant Director, Training

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree: 

BA in Psychology, University of California Riverside

Advanced Degree:

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Pacific University

Special Interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Sport Psychology
  • Interpersonal Group Therapy
  • Trauma related concerns
  • Training and Supervision
  • College Counseling Center Research
Sanaye Thompson

Sanaye Thompson, LCPC 

Senior Staff Counselor/ Veterans Liason

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor 


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. Mass Communication, Idaho State University 

Advanced Degree:

M.S. in Counseling,  Northwest Nazarene University 

Special Interests:

  • Trauma
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Life Transitions
  • College Mental Health
  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
  • Working with under-served and/or marginalized populations
Lindsey Palagi photo

Lindsey Palagi  

she/her

Medical Records Administrator/ Office Manager


Undergraduate Degree:

B.A. from Emmanuel College, Boston MA

Art Therapy, Psychology and Studio Art

Tara Shannon

Tara Shannon Pratt 

she/her

Office Coordinator/ Division Specailist


Undergraduate Degree:

B.S. from Eastern Washington University-

Developmental Psychology

AJ

Anahita Jannesari 

she/her

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree: 

BA in Creative Writing and French Language and Literature, San Francisco State University

Advanced Degree:

M.S. Applied Psychological Methods, Fordham University

M.A. Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant University

Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology- Doctoral Student, 

Special Interests:

  • Generational trauma
  • Refugee/immigration mental health
  • BIPOC mental health
  • AMENA mental health
  • Psychodynamic/interpersonal relational
  • Women’s health/AFAB health
  • LGBTQIA+ mental health
  • Racial trauma
  • Attachment
  • Intersubjectivity
  •  Cultural identity development
EU

Eric Uhl  

he/him

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree:

B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, Lindenwood University

Advanced Degree: 

M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University

Doctoral Candidate, Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program, Palo Alto University

Special Interests:

  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Emotion- Focus-therapy
  • Identity Development
  • Attachment Issues
  • LGBTQ+ Identity
  • Suicide Theory and Prevention
MG

Marshal George 

he/him

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree:

B.S. Psychology with emphasis in Cultural Studies, Pacific Union College

Advanced Degree:

M.A. in Clinical Psychology, George Fox University

Doctoral Candidate, Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program, George Fox University

Special Interests:

  • Trauma
  • Identity Development
  • Grief and Loss
  • Spirituality
  • Relationship and Attachment Issues
  • Serious and Persistent Mental Illness
  • Training and Supervision
  • Working with underserved and marginalized populations
JR

Jacquelyn Rinaldi

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree:

BA in Advertising and Writing

Advanced Degrees:

PhD in Archetypal Psychology

MA in Archetypal Psychology

MA in Clinical Psychology

Special Interests:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Trauma
  • Grief and Loss
  • Spirituality
  • Relationship and Attachment Issues
  • Serious and Persistent Mental Illness

 

SB

Sarah Bond

she/her

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree:

B.S. Psychology, Oregon State University

Advanced Degree:

M.A. Clinical Psychology, George Fox University; Doctoral Candidate, Clinical Psychology, George Fox University

Special Interests:

  • Mood concerns
  • Grief and loss
  • Identify formation
  • Relational issues
  • Embodiment
  • Spiritual integration

 

CW

Chelsea Wessel Sloan

Master's Intern


Undergraduate Degree:

BA English Literature, Montana State University
Advanced Degrees:

MA Child Development and Teaching Credential K-8 and HS English, Mills College, Oakland, CA
Post-Graduate Certification in Educational Therapy, UC Berkeley
Board Certified Educational Therapist

Current doctoral student in clinical psychology

Areas of Interest

  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Acute trauma intervention
  • ADHD management
  • Learning difficulties and disorders
  • Neurodivergent learners
  • Traumatic brain injury

 

KB

Kathleen Byrne, M.Ed

Master's Intern


Undergraduate Degree:
B. A. Sociology, George Washington University

Advanced Degree:
M.Ed.  in Education, Lesley College
Ed. Specialist Curriculum and Instruction

Masters Candidate,Antioch University New England

Special Interest:

  • Life Transitions
  • Grief/Loss
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • College Mental Health
  • Trauma
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Working with underserved and marginalized populations

 

KS

Katja Shimkin

Master's Intern


Undergraduate Degree:
B.A. in Psychology, minor in Anthropology; Kenyon College
Advanced Degree:

M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Montana State University

Special Interest:

  • Neurodiversity
  • Grief/loss
  • Chronic pain
  • Advers health conditions

In addition to broad-based generalist psychotherapy skills, the staff members have training and expertise in the areas outlined in the table below.

Stress Management

Sport Psychology

Relationship Enhancement 

Grief and Loss

Anxiety Management

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 

Incest/Sexual Abuse

Eating Disorders

Marital/Couple's Therapy

Sexual Dysfunction Therapy

Victims of Violence or Sexual Assault

Medical Psychology

Crisis/Emergency Assistance 

Biofeedback

Adult Children of Alcoholics

Male Survivors of Abuse

Psychological Assessment

Divorce Adjustment

Substance Use