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:
261 Perkins Student Center (pictured above)
and 209 Laurel Hall (Student Health building)
NOTE: Perkins location accessible by elevator, located to the right of the staircase on main level or from lower level
Telephone: 302-831-2141
Fax: 302-831-2148
For after hours emergencies, contact the Student Health Service at 831-2226 or Public Safety at 911
Semester Hours:
Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Winter Hours:
Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Summer Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Psychiatric Services
Location:
209 Laurel Hall
(Student Health building)
Telephone: 302-831-8992
Fax: 302-831-4258
Hours: 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.
CCSD has daily emergency walk-in availability during business hours. 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
Brad Wolgast, Ph.D., CBSM, CCSD Director
(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
Allison Banbury, M.Ed., LPCMH,NCC, Referral Coordinator
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integration of cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, and mindfulness-based approaches
Favorite quote: “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness — it is right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” –Brené Brown
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
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.
Hsiu-Hui Chen, Ph.D., Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Multicultural Feminism; Psychodynamic.
Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety; depression; grief; trauma; relationship concerns; social justice; bi-lingual therapy; training and supervision.
Favorite quote: “Do not fast forward/ into something/ you’re not ready for/ or allow yourself to shrink back/ into what’s comfortable/ growth lives in the uneasiness/ the in-between/ the unfinished sentence/ you are a season of becoming.” –Danielle Doby, I am her Tribe
Deb Cohen, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Senior Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative and tends to be active. Interventions may include CBT, use of metaphor, humor, imagery, mindfulness, biofeedback, shame-busting, nurturing compassion, and addressing readiness for change.
Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety, self-exploration, LGBTQ+ issues, managing the dilemmas of self-acceptance and change, supervision, training, and use of technology in counseling centers.
Favorite quote: People are quirky; it’s supposed to be that way.
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., Advanced Practicum 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
Vanessa Frierson Freeman, Ph.D., Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integration of cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapies.
Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety, depression, identity development, career development, working with students of color, social justice, diversity and inclusion.
Favorite quote: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” –Angela Davis
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.
Meenal Jog, M.Ed Doctoral Intern
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Relational psycho-dynamic and interpersonal approaches within a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: International and immigrant student issues, family and relationship concerns, identity development, and multicultural/diversity issues.
Fun fact: Meenal was born and raised in Mumbai, India. Meenal loves hiking and being in the nature!
Favorite quote: “If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall; this is the physics of vulnerability.” – Brené Brown
Monica Johnson, B.S., Doctoral Intern
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, relying primarily on interpersonal and person-centered therapies through a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety, depression, adjustment, identity exploration, multicultural/diversity issues, black women’s issues, LGBTQIA+, social justice and inclusion.
Favorite quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” Marianne Williamson
Michele Juarez-Huffaker, Ph.D., Outreach Coordinator, Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Outreach Coordinator, Psychologist
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative.
Special Areas of Interest: Anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity issues, eating disorders, and relationship issues.
Favorite quote: “If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.” –Zen proverb
Aylin Kaya, Ph.D., Social Justice Postdoctoral Fellow
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integration of person-centered and psychodynamic approach through a feminist lens, while incorporating ACT and DBT.
Special Areas of Interest: Women’s issues, identity development and life transitions, relational concerns, anxiety/mood disorders and multicultural/diversity issues.
Favorite quote: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” –James Baldwin
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
Jennifer Major, M.S., Doctoral Intern
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, grounded primarily in interpersonal process, emotion-focused, and multicultural theories. Incorporating mindfulness, cognitive behavioral, and self-compassion techniques.
Special Areas of Interest: Adjustment, identity development, working with students of color, women’s issues, family and relationships, multiculturalism/social justice, & mood disorders.
Fun fact: Jen enjoys spending time with friends, eating at new restaurants, and reading.
Roberta Moloff, M.D., Psychiatrist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Biopsychosocial model; psychiatric evaluation and medication management are provided with an understanding and appreciation for the client’s intrapsychic, interpersonal and social context.
Special Areas of Interest: Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, sleep disorders.
Fun fact: Roberta is an avid photographer and an aspiring musician. She also runs because they say it’s good for her, and she meditates because it genuinely feels good for her. “Light illuminates, but shadows define.” –Rick Sammon
Kelly Ozambela, Ph.D., Psychologist
(he/him/his/él/de/él)
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
Alyssa Quenzel, Psy.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative with a strong focus towards interpersonal process and psychodynamic within a multicultural framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Identity development, adjustment concerns, working with the LGBTQIA+ population, self-exploration, training and supervision.
Fun fact: Alyssa loves all things coffee and cats!
Ghynecee Temple, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Multicultural framework which integrates person-centered and interpersonal process approaches.
Special areas of interest: Social justice, mulitculturalism, identity, relational issues, POC, LGBTQIA, first generation, women’s issues, group therapy, and training and supervision
Fun fact: Ghynecee enjoys traveling, going to the movies, eating, and sports! She is an avid anime fan and some of her favorites include Yu Yu Hakusho, Tokyo Ghoul, and Azumanga Daioh. #WakandaForever
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.
Dana Vitrano, M.S., Doctoral Intern
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Relational, psycho-dynamic, attachment-based, with an integration of cognitive-behavioral strategies.
Special Areas of Interest: Working with the LGBTQIA+ population, identity development, relationship issues, adjustment to college, the relationship between mental health and nature.
Fun fact: Dana loves to spend as much time as possible outdoors in nature!
Kimberly Zahm, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Internship Coordinator, Psychologist
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative (primarily psychodynamic and interpersonal, within a multicultural framework).
Special Areas of Interest: supervision/training, identity development (including cultural identity development), career development, relationship issues (including family of origin), body image/eating concerns, self-compassion, prenatal/postnatal adjustment, social justice, and suicide prevention.
Fun fact: Yoga, hiking, and travel with my family are some of Kim’s favorite things to do. Sometimes people are surprised to learn that she has a black belt in tae kwon do.
Mary Kate Deacon, M.A, Practicum Student (she/her)
Theoretical Orientation: Integration of primarily cognitive behavioral therapy, relational, and interpersonal approaches.
Fun fact: Mary Kate was a competitive figure skater for 13 years!
Favorite Quote: “A bend in the road is not the end of the road…unless you fail to make the turn.” – Helen Keller
Sarah Scalese, M.A., Practicum Student (she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, with a cognitive behavioral foundation.
Favorite quote: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.” – Mark Twain
Laura Hollahan, M.A. Practicum Student (she/her)
Theoretical Orientation: CBT-oriented with a strong interest in acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches. Laura is also interested in learning more integrative approaches and psycho-dynamic techniques.
Favorite quote: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf: – Jon Kabat-Zinn
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.