Our Staff
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, 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, 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
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 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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
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, 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, 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, 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, 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 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
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, 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
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, 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, 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, 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, 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
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 Pratt
she/her/hers
Office Coordinator/ Division Specailist
Undergraduate Degree:
B.S. from Eastern Washington University-
Developmental Psychology
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
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 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
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 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 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
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