Counseling and Well Being Staff

Director

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.

Assistant Director, Clinical Services

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 and families in our 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.

Assistant Director, Charlotte Campus

I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHC‑S) in the state of North Carolina and have been providing counseling services for over ten years across a wide range of ages, populations, and clinical settings. My most recent work has involved providing mental health services to students in higher education. I have extensive experience supporting individuals presenting with depression, anxiety, trauma‑related concerns, mood disorders, grief, and other mental health challenges. I hold certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for the treatment of trauma and I’m trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) to better assist individuals experiencing sleep‑related difficulties. I also frequently incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques and interventions to support clients in understanding and modifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. In addition, I have recently completed specialized training in the assessment and treatment of Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This training has strengthened my ability to recognize presentations of OCD and to apply evidence‑based approaches, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) strategies to help clients reduce distress and improve daily functioning. I utilize a holistic counseling approach, considering the interconnectedness of each client’s psychological, physical, and social needs throughout the therapeutic process. I am passionate about helping individuals develop insight, build coping strategies, and find meaningful solutions to both everyday stressors and more complex mental health concerns.

Mental Health Counselor, Charlotte Campus

Alyssa obtained her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Angelo State University in 2021. She is a Certified Mental Health and Nutrition Clinical Specialist and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the state of North Carolina (#21865). Alyssa uses a holistic, integrative approach grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief therapy, and Person-Centered models. Prior to this role, she worked at a small private University and has experience working with individuals facing high stress, anxiety, depression and interpersonal challenges. As a former college athlete, Alyssa understands the importance of mental resilience, balance, and performance under pressure-perspectives that inform her work with clients today. She believes the client-therapist relationship is central to effective therapy, and she strives to create a space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported. At the core of her work is a belief in the resilience of every person and a commitment to helping clients find the kind of support and healing that fits their unique needs. I am also an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider.

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.

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.

Nurse Navigator, Case Manager

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.

Intern

Isabella is a second-year master’s student in the Counseling and Educational Development program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, pursuing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her counseling approach is rooted in a humanistic perspective, acknowledging that each person’s experiences, values, identities, and beliefs influence how they shape themselves and the world around them. Additionally, she incorporates techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Somatic Therapy. She believes that a strong client-counselor relationship is the foundation of effective therapy, and she strives to create a supportive environment where clients feel heard and understood as they work toward personal growth and resilience.