About CCSD
The mission of the Center for Counseling and Student Development is to foster student learning by promoting psychological wellbeing so that students can be more successful in their academic, personal, and career pursuits. The activities and programs of the Center are intended to help with one or more of the following: reducing psychological symptoms, coping with life events and developmental tasks, improving interpersonal skills and relationships, and increasing self-knowledge and problem-solving ability. Essential to the Center mission is promoting equality and respect for individual and cultural differences. Consultation services are available to the entire University community, whether to enhance student wellbeing, to increase the understanding of student culture, or to improve the ability of faculty and staff to meet student needs.
CCSD is fully accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc.
Counseling Services
Location:
Services are currently remote for the summer semester, 2021. However, CCSD will be relocating our counseling services to The Wellbeing Center at Warner Hall, which will be fully operational for fall semester 2021 and is located at the south end of The Green.
Telephone: 302-831-2141
Fax: 302-831-2148
For after hours medical emergencies, call 911 or the Aetna After Hours Nurse Medical Advice Line at 800-681-3957.
Hours of Operation for summer 2021:
Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hours of Operation for fall 2021:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Psychiatric Services
Location:
209 Laurel Hall
(Student Health building)
NOTE: CCSD services are available virtually. Physical offices remain closed.
Telephone: 302-831-8992
Fax: 302-831-4258
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Emergency Assistance
If you perceive an immediate danger or risk of suicide, call 911 for immediate assistance.
Students can also reach mental health support 24 hours a day on the UD Helpline or the Crisis Text Line.
Worried about a student?
Our Staff
Austin Angiollilo, M.A., CCSD Extern
(he/him)
Theoretical Orientation: Integration of DBT and Relational/Dynamic.
Special Areas of Interest: Working with the trans and queer community, identity development, relationship issues, trauma informed care, and depression/anxiety.
Fun Fact: A goal I have for myself is to Thru Hike the Appalachian Trail. I love swimming and will never turn down an opportunity to go in the ocean (no matter how cold!)
Allison Banbury, M.Ed., LPCMH, NCC, Referral Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator, Staff Clinician
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integration of CBT, ACT, Gestalt, interpersonal, and mindfulness-based approaches.
Fun fact: Allison is a certified mindfulness instructor who enjoys hiking through the woods, connecting with friends and family, snuggling with her husky mix, Knox, and TLC reality shows.
Quote: “You may not control all of the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou
Clifton Berwise, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
(he, him, his)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, using cognitive behavioral and interpersonal approaches within a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Multicultural/diversity issues, POC, identity development, first generation students, trauma informed care, alcohol and other drug issues, training and supervision.
Fun fact: Basketball, fantasy basketball and football enthusiast, movies, eating and learning how to cook.
Quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Margaret Brennan, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
(she/her)
Theoretical Orientation: I draw largely from Relational-Cultural Theory, with its focus on how a person’s identity interacts with their experiences. I also like to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness in my work with students.
Special Areas of Interest: Identity exploration and formation; trauma and healing; diversity, equity, and multicultural affairs; outreach, transitions to college; anxiety.
Fun fact: I had a congenital heart murmur as a kid.
Favorite Quote: “You belong among the wildflowers.”- Tom Petty
Wallesca Castro Rodriguez – Subašić, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist
(she/her/hers/Ella)
Other Languages Spoken: Spanish
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative using a combination of eclectic style of CBT, existential, strengths-based, and expressive therapy approaches in a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Multicultural and social justice concerns, anxiety, depression, stress, relationship concerns, trauma, identity development, minorities, health disparities, empowering women and men, and Latinxs.
Fun Facts: I am “Boricua” (Puertorican). Wallesca loves trying new food, is a movie geek, karaoke master-in-training, pet lover, and is learning Bosnian!
Favorite Quote: “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.” – Bene Brown
Kelsey Chambers, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Humanistic, biopsychosocial, client-centered, behavioral medicine in a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety, self-compassion, identity development, relationship issues, couples counseling and trauma.
Fun fact: Kelsey is a harpist and performer of classical, contemporary, and world music for 20+ years.
Cynthia Diefenbeck, Psy.D, APRN, Advanced Practice Nurse and Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Biopsychosocial model, humanistic approach; psychiatric evaluation and medication management are provided with a recognition of the client’s intrapsychic, interpersonal and social context.
Special Areas of Interest: Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, adjustment concerns, trauma, and the mind-body connection.
Favorite quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
Valerie Faure, Psy.D., Externship Coordinator, Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Relationally-oriented, using interpersonal process, psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral techniques.
Special Areas of Interest: Identity concerns and development, working with the LGBTQ+ population, relationship concerns, group counseling and training/supervision.
Favorite quote: “You must not ever stop being whimsical.” –Mary Oliver
Julie K. Garson, Psy.D., Psychologist, RYT
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative.
Special Areas of Interest: Mindfulness, anxiety and depression, relationship issues, supervision and training.
Fun fact: Julie is a yoga teacher.
Christine M. Jehu, Ph.D., Sport Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative with a foundation in Narrative Therapy. Sport psychology/sport performance work is largely from a CBT perspective.
Special Areas of Interest: Sport psychology, working with student athletes, identity development, LGBTQ+, training future psychologists.
Fun Facts: I am a psychological ninja – I have a black belt in karate and a PhD in psychology.
Favorite Quote: “You are your best compass. Discover your true north & take action in its direction.” – Christine Jehu
Michele Juarez-Huffaker, Ph.D., Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, relational/interpersonal, biopsychosocial with feminist and multicultural lens.
Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity issues (LGBTQQIA), eating disorders, trauma, relationship issues, multicultural and social justice concerns, training and supervision, international and graduate students.
Favorite quotes: “If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.” –Zen proverb
‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou
Richard S. Kingsley, M.D., Psychiatrist
(he/him/his)
Theoretical Orientation: Biopsychosocial in which psychiatric evaluation and medication management occur with an understanding of the client’s intrapsychic, interpersonal and social contexts.
Special Areas of Interest: ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and learning disorders.
Favorite quote: “It is our choices that show what we truly are…far more than our abilities.” –J.K. Rowling
Mary Anne M. Lacour, Ph.D., Associate Director, Clinical Coordinator, Senior Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Psychodynamic, feminist, attachment focused.
Special Areas of Interest: Training/supervision, spirituality, self-care, sexual assault, grief, body image, sexual orientation, and resilience.
Favorite quote: “Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,/ the world offers itself to your imagination,/ calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting/ over and over announcing your place/ in the family of things.” –Mary Oliver
Sharon Lee, Ph.D., Groups Coordinator, Staff Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral theoretical orientation with an integration of humanistic, feminist, and a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Multicultural issues, vocational/career development, body image and eating concerns, and anxiety/mood disorders.
Favorite quote: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” –Carl Rogers
Theodora Malinowski, M.S., CCSD Extern (she/they),
Theoretical Orientation: Integration of person-centered, schema therapy, ACT, and CBT techniques.
Fun Fact: When I’m not working, I love to craft, hang out with my pets, and spend time laughing with friends and family!
Ogechi Violet Nwordu, Psy.D, Staff Psychologist (she/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral and behavioral theoretical foundation, Integrating DBT, ACT, dynamic, and systems, through a multicultural lens.
Special Areas of Interest: Multicultural and social justice concerns-international students/immigrants/person of color, resiliency building, interpersonal concerns, family concerns, executive functioning skill building, ADHD, Autism, stress management, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, student-athlete support, outreach/presentations, resource connection, identity, acculturation concerns, spirituality.
Fun Fact: Ogechi is Nigerian; loves eating, traveling, and running; and is a former D1 athlete and record holder in track and field.
Favorite Quote: “The law of harvest is to reap more than you sow. Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny. ” ― James Allen
Kelly Ozambela, Ph.D., Psychologist
(he/him/his/él/de/él)
Other Languages Spoken: Spanish
Theoretical Orientation: Integration of biopsychosocial, psychodynamic, existential, interpersonal process, and mind-body therapies in a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Identity, existential concerns, relationships and family, diversity issues, coping and management of health concerns, consultation, and training and supervision.
Favorite quote: “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” –Paolo Coelho
Brittany Rivero, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: : Integrative using cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and interpersonal approaches all within a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, LGBTQIA+ related concerns, body image and eating concerns, multicultural issues, identity development, adjustment, and concerns related to religion/religious identity.
Fun fact: My dog and I have lived in five different US States/districts in the last six years. I love to cook, sing, dance, and practice yoga.
Isabella Schiro, Psy.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, grounded primarily in interpersonal process, emotion-focused, and multicultural approaches. Incorporating ACT, DBT, and self-compassion techniques.
Special Areas of Interest: Identity development, multicultural and social justice concerns, self-compassion, relationship concerns, life transitions, body image / eating concerns, adjustment to college.
Favorite Quote: “If we share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame cannot survive.” – Brené Brown
Karen Tsukada, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Coordinator, Senior Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Interpersonal, psychodynamic and feminist approaches within a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Identity development, diversity issues, women’s issues, body image, group therapy, training and supervision.
Fun fact: Karen loves to garden.
Ashton B. Winslow, Psy.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
(he/him/his)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, although I draw largely from relational & client-centered theories with a strongly multicultural & feminist lens.
Special Areas of Interest: Multicultural issues, social justice & advocacy, identity development, grief/loss, adjustment to college, anxiety and depression.
Fun fact: I have seven siblings!
Favorite Quote: “All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors–in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.” – Fred Rogers.
Brad Wolgast, Ph.D., CBSM, Senior Psychologist
(he/him/his)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative of interpersonal, CBT and dynamic theories.
Special Areas of Interest: Connecting communities and engaging groups in mental health awareness, healthy and unhealthy sleep, anxiety, social justice, and training new psychologists.
Fun fact: Brad loves hiking the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico. “Never waste any time you can spend sleeping.” –Frank H. Knight
Confidentiality
CCSD strictly protects the confidentiality of information shared during sessions. We are ethically committed to confidentiality and federal/state laws require it. This means that even your attendance in counseling is kept confidential.
State and Federal law states that there are four exceptions to this general rule:
- If you disclose to your counselor that you or another person, were abused or neglected as a child, we are legally obligated to report the information to the Delaware Division of Family Services. Please discuss this with your counselor, if you have any questions.
- You may request (by means of a signed release of information) your therapist to disclose information to other individuals or agencies of your choice.
- In instances where there is imminent danger. (In our judgment, if you are at risk of harming yourself or others, we may be obligated to take action to ensure that you or others are safe.) In the event it is necessary to send you to the hospital for further evaluation regarding your safety, we will need to inform the Office of the Dean of Students. The Office of the Dean of Students will coordinate class absences and other matters and will meet with you when you are ready to return to campus.
- Where otherwise requested by subpoena or mandated by court order or State/Federal law.
The situations described above are extremely rare. If they should occur, however, it is the Center’s policy that, whenever possible, we will discuss with you any action that is being considered. You should be aware that we are not legally obligated to inform you or seek your permission, especially if such a discussion would prevent us from securing your safety or the safety of others. If disclosure of confidential information does become necessary, we will release only the information necessary to protect you and/or another person.
Support CCSD
CCSD supports students through promoting empowerment, advocacy, encouraging growth and change, building resilience, and fostering student connection and engagement. Mental health needs are on the rise nationwide, and CCSD has seen a 30% increase in needs for our services over the last five years. Your support is needed to expand mental health support and suicide prevention efforts, and break down financial barriers to specialized services for UD students in need.