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, accessible by elevator) and
Laurel Hall 2nd floor (Student Health building)
NOTE: CCSD services are available virtually. Physical offices remain closed.
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:
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 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
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
Alex Agiliga, B.A., Doctoral Intern
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Eclectic approach informed by IPT, EFT, and ACT, grounded in multicultural framework, guided by person-centered needs.
Special Areas of Interest: Race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, intersectionality, identity development, racial trauma, anti-racism, supervision.
Fun fact: Alex enjoys playing volleyball, practicing Portuguese, travel, and listening/singing/dancing to soca, calypso, dancehall, afropop, and reggaeton.
Favorite poem: “won’t you celebrate with me/ what i have shaped into/ a kind of life? i had no model./ born in babylon/ both nonwhite and woman/ what did i see to be except myself?/ i made it up/ here on this bridge between/ starshine and clay,/ my one hand holding tight/ my other hand; come celebrate/ with me that everyday something has tried to kill me/ and has failed.” – Lucille Clifton, won’t you celebrate with me
Allison Banbury, M.Ed., LPCMH,NCC, Referral Coordinator
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integration of cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, and mindfulness-based approaches.
Fun fact: Allison is training for her first (and last!) marathon in November 2020. Allison also enjoys hiking, reading 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
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.
Kimberley Desir, M.S., CCSD Extern (she/her)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative with a foundation in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Fun Fact: During her down time, you can find her in a kickboxing class, traveling, or throwing down in the kitchen.
Sandra DiBitetto, M.A. Clinical Psychology, CCSD Extern (she/her)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, utilizing primarily cognitive behavioral and acceptance-bases approaches.
Favorite Quote: “Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty…when nothing is certain, anything is possible.” – Mandy Hale
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.
Brittani N. Hudson, Psy.D, Sport Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow
(she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative informed primarily by psychodynamic, family systems, and relational. It all compliments the CBT bend of Sport Psych very well.
Special Areas of Interest: Sport psychology, Multicultural, Liberation Psychology .
Fun Facts: I’m a bit of a daredevil. The craziest thing I’ve done so far is skydive, 10/10 would do it again!
Favorite Quote: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, humor, and style.” – Maya Angelou
Jackie Hyman, M.Ed, Doctoral Intern
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative approach grounded in person-centered, Gestalt and biopsychosocial models within a multicultural and advocacy-based framework.
Special Areas of Interest: Racial and sexual identity development, identity exploration, life transitions, mindfulness, performance, athletic identity and athlete mental health, Black and Multiracial mental health, interpersonal relationships, intersectionality.
Fun Fact: Jackie loves all things cooking including watching cooking shows, cooking competitions, and discovering new recipes to test in the kitchen.
Quote: “Until the lion tells [their] side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” -African proverb
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., Outreach Coordinator, 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, and relationship issues.
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
Jennifer Major, Ph.D., Social Justice Postdoctoral Fellow
(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.
Sanil Mathew Mayilkunnel, M.S. Clinical Psychology, CCSD Extern (he/him/his)
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative with strong focus on Interpersonal process, Cognitive Behavioral and Emotion Focused approaches with a multicultural perspective.
Fun Fact: Sanil enjoys basketball and spirituality.
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.
Favorite quote: “Light illuminates, but shadows define.” –Rick Sammon
Ogechi Violet Nwordu, M.S, M.Ed, Ed.S, Doctoral Intern (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
Brooke Roseman, B.A, CCSD Extern (she/her/hers)
Theoretical Orientation: Person-centered, with an integration of psychodynamic and 3rd wave CBT approaches.
Fun Fact: Brooke loves trying new foods and watching ASMR cooking channels for self-care.
Ryan Sappington, MSc, MS, MA, Doctoral Intern (he/him/his)
Theoretical Orientation: Relational-cultural theory, with aspects of interpersonal, feminist/multicultural, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based approaches.
Special Areas of Interest: Multicultural/social justice issues, relationship/family concerns, men/masculinities, racial identity development, sexual/military trauma, student-athlete mental health.
Fun Fact: Ryan is a former DI soccer player and a lover of all things camping, hiking, and fly fishing.
Favorite Quote: “The heart of justice is truth telling, seeing ourselves and the world the way it is rather than the way we want it to be. More than ever before we, as a society, need to renew a commitment to truth telling.” -bell hooks
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, Psy.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
(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!
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.