Counseling and Well Being Staff

I am Aaron O’Neill, and I serve as the Clinical Case Manager. As your Clinical Case Manager, I will be your main contact for scheduling clinical appointments with CAWS for counseling. Additionally, I am here to assist you in navigating well-being connections within the community. Before joining this team, I worked as the Nurse Case Manager at Wake Forest University’s Student Health Service, specializing in ADHD Assessment and International Travel Medicine. I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in Biology and Nursing. Throughout my career, I have gained valuable experience as a bedside nurse in Florida, Washington, and North Carolina.

I obtained my doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education from UNC-Greensboro and my master’s degree in counseling from Wake Forest University. I am licensed in the state of North Carolina to provide psychotherapy and clinical supervision. I am a certified Somatic Experiencing practitioner, EMDR certified therapist, clinical hypnotherapist, Associate Certified Coach, and a registered yoga teacher. I have additional training and certification in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and grief. I have been providing counseling since 2002. I have adopted a holistic, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to my work. I believe that all people have the potential for successfully meeting life’s challenges and for dancing with life’s unanswerable, existential questions and that seeking counseling is a healthy step in that process. My primary goal as a counselor is to help clients connect with their innate capacity for wholeness.

Senior Mental Health Counselor

I earned my graduate degrees from Wake Forest University and am licensed by the state of North Carolina as a licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor. Prior to joining Counseling and Well-being services at the school of medicine, I practiced at the Downtown Health Plaza and the Reynolda campus of Wake Forest University. I have worked with clients experiencing a wide spectrum of mental health concerns, including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, interpersonal issues, family of origin issues, multicultural issues, spiritual and existential issues, and self-esteem challenges. I believe that the client-counselor relationship is one of the most important tools in developing a healthy and helpful experience for my clients. Although my therapeutic approach is flexible, in the most recent past, I have spent significant time using Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, Solution-Focused, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy approaches as my primary therapeutic modalities. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.  

Mental Health Counselor

I earned my graduate degree from Nova Southeastern University and am licensed by the state of North Carolina as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am committed to working with individuals, couples, families, and the LGBTQ+ community. I use a systemic, strength-based, and trauma-informed approach in working with clients and the relationships they have in their lives. I believe therapy is a collaborative process between myself and my clients. I incorporate warmth and genuineness into my work, aiming to create a space where diverse client systems feel supported to build insight and achieve balance. I empower clients to accomplish their goals while utilizing their strengths for change. I have worked with clients experiencing a wide spectrum of mental health concerns, including relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and stress management.

Part-Time Mental Health Counselor

I obtained my doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2019 and my master’s degree in counseling from Wake Forest University in 2016. I am a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, practicing psychotherapy and conducting research in mental health interventions for substance use in medical settings. I am licensed as a mental health counselor in North Carolina and am a registered yoga teacher. I practice humanistic counseling, believing that each person innately seeks personal growth and well-being, and that the counseling relationship can be the primary pathway for healing and self-understanding. I integrate techniques from cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavior, and psychodynamic therapies, among others, and am an EMDR therapist. I am an experienced counselor for university undergraduates, medical and other graduate-level students, and adults. I have worked with clients experiencing a wide spectrum of mental health concerns, including relationship issues, anxiety, phobias, depression, grief, eating issues, substance use, and trauma.

Part-time Counselor

I received my master’s degree in counseling from Antioch University and am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NC. I previously worked at UNC School of the Arts and the Putney School in Vermont. In addition to working with the School of Medicine, I have a neurodiverse-affirming private practice. I specialize in supporting adults with executive functioning challenges related to neurocognitive differences including Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism. I also support our students dealing with mood issues, relationships, and stress management. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR (for trauma), and Emotional Freedom Technique.

Mental Health Counselor

I received both my bachelor and master’s degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor in the state of NC. I have been providing counseling services for over 10 years with a variety of ages and populations within several different settings, most recently providing services to students in higher education. I have had experience assisting those with depression, anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, grief, and more. I have a certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to assist those dealing with trauma and am currently completing training in CBTi to help individuals struggling with sleep issues. I also enjoy using counseling techniques and interventions from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I approach clients from a holistic perspective, which means all aspects of the individual’s psychological, physical, and social needs are considered during the counseling process. I enjoy aiding clients to find solutions to common daily stressors or more difficult mental health issues.

Family Medicine Physician

I am a board-certified family physician who is passionate about mental health, holistic wellness, preventive medicine, sleep medicine, and compassionate community care.  I graduated from Wake Forest University in 1997, received my medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in 2001, and completed my Family and Community Medicine Residency from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in 2004.  I've practiced medicine in variety of diverse clinical settings over the past 20+ years, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with students across our Wake Forest University School of Medicine programs and collaborate with our Counseling and Well-Being Services team.