The CPS staff is comprised of licensed psychologists and counselors. CPS professionals are schooled in the fields of counseling and psychology from accredited training programs and have a special interest/expertise in college student development. CPS also hosts advanced graduate students earning their Master’s and Doctoral degrees who are practicing under the supervision of licensed staff members.

If you aren’t comfortable with your counselor for any reason, please address this directly with her/him. Sometimes it’s helpful for counselors to know if there are problems in the counseling relationship so they can try to make adjustments to help you feel more comfortable. Other times, it may not feel like a good match. Regardless, bringing it up with your counselor will assure that you get the services you need, and if a reassignment is necessary your current counselor can help facilitate this.

Our staff is listed below with a summary of their areas of interests or specialized training. All of our professionals have broad-based general therapy skills and training, so even if a certain topic or problem isn’t listed they can still work with your concern.

If you see someone you think you’d like to work with in counseling, feel free to make a request. However, please be aware that scheduling difficulties may make it difficult to honor all requests, and you may be assigned to another counselor in order to provide you with the fastest and most appropriate services possible.

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

Staff Counselor

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
Camille

Camille Del Duca

Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Candidate


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A Psychology, Environment and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming

Advanced Degree:

M.F.A Science and Natural History Filmmaking, Montana State University

M.S.W, Social Work with a concentration in Health, Equity and Wellness, University of Denver

Special Interests:

Decolonizing Mental Health and Social Justice

Multicultural & Identity Issues

Trauma and CPTSD

Historical/Intergenerational Trauma

Grief and Loss

Depression, Anxiety, and other forms of disconnection

 

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
Cheryl Blank Portrait

Cheryl Blank, Ph.D.

Assistant Director, Training

Licensed Psychologist; Licensed Addiction Counselor


Undergraduate Degree:

BSN in Nursing (Eastern Washington University)

Advanced Degrees:

MN in Psychosocial Nursing (University of Washington); Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (Washington State University)

Special interests:

  • General mental health including:
    • Depression & anxiety
    • Grief and loss
    • Trauma
    • Women’s development
    • Dream work
    • Training and supervision
    • Relationship concerns
    • Development of self-understanding
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.

Research Coordinator

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, MSW

Staff Counselor

Masters in Social Work Candidate


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

Care Manager

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
MH

Melanie McKee

Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Candidate


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.S. in Social Work, University of North Dakota

Advanced Degree:

M.S. in Social Work, University of North Dakota

Special Interests:

  • Mindfulness
  • Life Transitions
  • Trauma
  • Jungian Psychology
  • Personality Typology
Michael Waldo pic

Michael Waldo, Ph.D. 

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree: 

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

Advanced Degree:

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Utah 

M.A. in Counseling Psychology, University of Utah

Special Interests:

  • Relationship Enhancement
  • Couples Counseling
  • Understanding and Managing Emotions
  • Transforming Stress
  • Violence 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 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, Coordinator of Clinical Services

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, M.S. 

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Candidate


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
Sandy Newton Portrait

Sandy Newton, Ph.D. 

she/her/hers

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Psychologist


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. in Political Science, University of Oregon

Advanced Degree:

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Minnesota 

M.A. in Counseling Psychology, University of Minnesota

Special Interests:

  • Trauma
  • Emotional development and resiliency
  • Identity and marginalization
  • Decolonizing/indigenizing mental health practice
Lindsey Palagi photo

Lindsey Palagi  

she/her/hers

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/hers

Office Coordinator/ Division Specailist


Undergraduate Degree:

B.S. from Eastern Washington University-

Developmental Psychology

Aaron

Aaron Grusonick 

Athletics Mental Health Liason

Senior Staff Embeded Athletics


Undergraduate Degree:

Undergrad: BS Saint Mary's College Graduate

Advanced Degree:

MA Counseling Psychology- Marriage and Family Therapy

Psy.D.- University of San Francisco Clinical Psychology The Wright Institute.

Special interests:

  • sport psychology
  • relationship issues
  • entity development
  • health psychology 
  • mindfulness
  • motivational interviewing
  • working with teams and groups
Brit

Britt Pope

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree:

BA in Special Education, Morehead State University

Advanced Degree:

M.R.C in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Wright State University

Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology- Doctoral Student, Alaska Pacific University

Special Interests:

  • Perinatal and Postpartum support
  • Grief Support
  • Personality Disorders
  • Military and Veteran supports
  • Identity and Developmental Issues

 

Britni

Britni Snow 

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree: 

BA in Psychology, University of Minnesota


Advanced Degree:

MA in Clinical Psychology, The Wright Institute

Psy.D in Clinical Psychology, The Wright Institute

Special Interests:

  • Disordered Eathing and Body Image
  • Family of Origin Issues
  • Grief and Loss
  • Identity and Relational development
Cecelia

Cecilia Winfield  

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Advanced Degree:

M.A. in Clinical Psychology, The Wright Institute

Ph.D  Counseling Psychology, The Wright Institute 

Special Interests:

  • College Mental Health
  • Grief and Loss
  • Eating Concerns
  • Interpersonal Issues
  • Identity Development
  • Multicultural Issues

             

 

Monica

Monica Espinasse 

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree: 

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

Advanced Degree:

M.A. in Clinical Psychology, The Wright Institute

Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology- Doctoral Student, The Wright Institute

Special Interests:

  • PTSD & Other Trauma Disorders
  • Intergenerational dynamics, epigenetics
  • ADHD & Neurodiversity
  • Cultural Identity and Developmental Issues
  • Spirituality
Sean

Sean Kershaw 

Doctoral Intern


Undergraduate Degree: 

B.A. in Psychology, Anderson University

Advanced Degree: 

M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Northern Colorado

Doctoral Candidate, Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program, University of Northern Colorado

Special Interests:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Social Justice and Advocacy
  • Suicide Prevention and Postvention Trauma,
  • Grief and Loss
  • Psychological Testing and Assessment 
TM

Tara Maier

Master's Intern


Undergraduate Degree: 

 

Advanced Degree: 

Working towards an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Montana State University


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