Counseling and Well Being Staff

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.

I am Aaron O’Neill, and I serve as the Clinical Case Manager. 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. 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.