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CMHC Staff

Professional Staff and Supervised Trainees

The CMHC professional staff includes clinicians who represent a variety of mental health disciplines. Our licensed staff includes Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Social Workers. Our staff also includes post-graduate clinicians who are in the process of completing their licensure requirements, as well as graduate students who are in the process of obtaining advanced degrees in psychology or social work. These clinical staff members work under the license of our licensed clinical staff and are qualified to provide mental health services.

Please feel free to talk with your counselor if you have any questions about their background, experience, or training.

See our organizational chart, the University Health Services and Longhorn Wellness Center staff pages.

Leadership Staff

Chris Brownson

Chris Brownson

Associate Vice President of Health and Well-being

 

 

Education

Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin

Licensed Psychologist, Texas

Professional Interests

Dr. Brownson has served as director of CMHC since 2006 and associate vice president for student affairs since 2011. His portfolio also includes University Health Services, the Longhorn Wellness Center, and the Center for Students in Recovery. Since 2004, he has been the director of the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education, which conducts research on college mental health. He is past president-elect of the Texas University Counseling Center Director’s Association, a past chair of the Section on College and University Counseling Centers of Division 17 of APA, a past chair of the Higher Education Mental Health Alliance, a past chair of the Mental Health Section and past member of the Board of Directors for the American College Health Association. He is a clinical associate professor in Educational Psychology, and his research and professional interests include college student suicide prevention, the intersection of mental health and academic success, and the integration of mental health into primary care. Dr. Brownson was also appointed as a Chancellor’s Health Fellow at The University of Texas System in 2014, and he currently leads a $6 million project implementing various mental health, student safety, and alcohol-related initiatives at the 14 academic and health institutions of the UT System.

Personal Interests

In his spare time, Chris enjoys tennis, travel, British crime dramas, and softball.

Marla Craig

Marla Craig

Licensed Psychologist; Executive Director, Counseling and Mental Health Center

 

 

Education

Doctorate in Counseling Psychology, Texas A&M University

Master of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin

Licensed Psychologist, Texas

Pronouns

She/Her

Approach

Dr. Craig's approach involves being mindful of the therapeutic relationship and using it to create opportunities to support clients in forming and sustaining quality relationships with others. She also focuses and builds upon clients' strengths with the goal of being more solution than problem focused.

Professional Interests

Crisis work, non-suicidal self injury, early career professionals, clinical systems and operations management, administration in higher education.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Dr. Craig enjoys spending time with family, friends and her animals (3 dogs, cat and fish). She enjoys studying the science behind food with wine pairing, exercising, drinking strong french press coffee and reading at least 3 books at one time (history/culture/race relations, wine, fiction).

Stephanie Dodoo

Stephanie Dodoo

Director, Health Access and Community Impact

 

 

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Services Administration, University of Chicago (Chicago/Illinois)

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Oversees the CCOS program which specializes in promoting equity and access to our UT students with historically underrepresented and marginalized identities. She truly loves working with our campus partners, staff and students. She also provides individual, group, and crisis counseling plus consultation to staff and prevention services. Relationships and collaborations are important aspects of her clinical work.

Professional Interests

Favorite parts of her work includes providing identity affirming services and effecting healing and change on the margins, with the students who need us most. She is passionate about advocacy, liberation, diversity, equity, inclusion and especially reducing disparities in healthcare and mental health. Stephanie believes we each play a part in helping disrupt systems of oppression. We can all make a difference in the lives and institutions with which we come in contact.

Personal Interests

She loves to cook (improvising!), play and watch tennis, travel (outside of her home), now dreaming about future travels, spending time with family and friends, indulging in Ghanaian and other cultures, watching films and gardening. Fostering relationships is important to her daily life. And, likes to surround herself with kind and diverse people, and gets many laughs and stories from parenting.

Monica Dowd

Monica Dowd

Director, Business Services

 

 

Education

Master of Business Administration, Texas State University

Pronouns

She/Her

Professional Interests

Monica oversees the finance, billing, human resources and materials management departments for the Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services. Her professional interests include revenue cycle and financial management, particularly focusing on process improvement and reporting functions.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Monica enjoys spending time with her family, bike riding, fishing, sewing and yoga.

Laura Dupuis

Laura Dupuis

Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Director, CARE and Campus Support

 

 

Education

Master's of Science in Social Work (MSSW), University of Texas at Austin

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Texas

Professional Interests

Directs the Counselors in Academic Residence (CARE) Program, a program that provides mental health services in academic offices to facilitate students' academic and life goals. Provides individual, group, and crisis counseling in the College of Pharmacy. Also provides consultation to staff and prevention services. Participates in training for psychology and social work interns. Areas of professional interest include grief and trauma, depression and anxiety, and relationship concerns.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Laura enjoys hiking, working at her pottery wheel, playing guitar and spending time with her family.

Melissa Eshelman

Melissa Eshelman

Senior Director and Chief of Psychiatry

 

 

Education

M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

Approach

Dr. Eshelman provides diagnostic psychiatry evaluations, medication management, crisis intervention, consultation and supervision.

Professional Interests

Dr. Eshelman’s professional interests include crisis/emergency psychiatry, developmental issues, risk assessment, mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and working with first-generation college students.

Personal Interests

Dr. Eshelman is Latina; her parents emigrated from Peru. Her personal interests include spending time with her family, exercising on a rowing machine and pilates reformer and enjoying home cooked meals.

Susan Hochman

Susan Hochman

Director, Strategic Initiatives

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Science Education, University of Kansas
Master of Public Health, Emory University

Pronouns

She/Her

Job Description

Susan provides strategic leadership over communications, assessment, data informatics, and health information technology for the Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services. She is also the co-executive leader of SHIFT and leads the UT Health Care Entities Group.

Professional Interests

Susan has been involved with the field of college health since she was an undergraduate student at the University of Kansas where she worked as a student assistant at Watkins Memorial Health Center and established the peer health educator program. Susan started her professional career in college health as a health promotion professional. In recent years, Susan has transitioned from health promotion to administration where she focuses on strategic planning, building a health promoting environment and ensuring that programs and services are accessible, student-centered, and linked to the mission of the institution. She is excited to use data to build new models for addressing students’ health and wellbeing.

Susan often cites her involvement with the American College Health Association as a highlight of her job and she is grateful to work with colleagues across the country to institute change on a national level. Susan has served the association in numerous volunteer and elected leadership positions, including Vice President of the ACHA Board of Directors, member-at-large to the board, chair of the Health Promotion section, Annual Meeting Program Planning Chair in 2014, 2017, and 2020 and was a co-author of the Framework for a Comprehensive College Health Program. Susan is currently the co-chair of the Benchmarking Advisory Committee and also a contributing member of the NCHA Advisory Committee where she helped developed the NCHA III. She also serves on the Leadership Institute Committee, Education Planning Committee, and leadership team for the Connected College Health Network. She is honored to be an ACHA Fellow.

Personal Interests

Susan enjoys watching Jeopardy, racing to complete the crossword puzzle, fitness, and spending time with her family. She also loves playing Scrabble and is undefeated at Bananagrams.

Ginny Maril

Ginny Maril

Licensed Psychologist; Director, Clinical Services

 

 

Education

Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Texas Woman's University
Licensed Psychologist, Texas, California, PSYPACT

Pronouns

She/Her

Approach

Dr. Maril is trained in a number of different types of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Each of these is couched in an understanding of cultural systems that impact who we are and how we feel. Working with her is comfortable, conversational, and focused on helping you feel better.

Professional Interests

Dr. Maril specializes in working with college students, individuals living with chronic illness and rare disease, and survivors of sexual trauma.

Personal Interests

In her free time, she loves going to concerts, traveling, and being in nature.

Katy Redd

Katy Redd

Director, Prevention and Development

 

 

Education

M.P.H. New Mexico State University
M.S.W. New Mexico State University

Pronouns

She/Her

Job Description

Katy oversees prevention programming, development, and media relations for the Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services. She oversees innovative public health programming and forges partnerships to support the well-being of today’s college students. She also oversees development efforts for both organizations as well as media relations, ensuring that CMHC and UHS’s services are appropriate and effectively communicated to the UT community.

Professional Interests

Katy’s professional interests include health communication, public health methods to improve mental health, and health equity.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Katy enjoys backpacking, adventure traveling, crafting, and watching her young children experience the world.

Counseling Staff

Ayesha Akbar

Ayesha Akbar

Licensed Master Social Worker; VAV Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), The University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Ayesha works to offer culturally affirming and client-centered individual and group therapy to students. Her approach is rooted in the integration of mindfulness, somatic practices, and interpersonal neurobiology in wellness and healing. Ayesha strives to bring transparency, warmth, and compassion to her work with clients. She centers client empowerment and is committed to anti-racist and anti-oppressive therapeutic practice.

Professional Interests

Ayesha’s professional interests include complex trauma, suicide prevention, anxiety and depression, LGBTQIA issues, mental health stigma in BIPOC communities, and race-based stress. She particularly enjoys working with clients around religious and sexual identity exploration, family of origin concerns, and trauma healing.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Ayesha enjoys yoga, weightlifting, reading, cuddling her two dogs, and being in community.

Kimberly Bird

Kimberly Bird

Licensed Professional Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Science, Family Studies/Marriage & Family, Virginia Tech

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Kim's work with clients is strengths based, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive. She believes that creating a safe, collaborative and supportive space for clients is vital to the work that occurs within the therapeutic relationship. During sessions, Kim integrates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practice and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

Professional Interests

Kim works with survivors of trauma and a variety of mood disorders. She enjoys crisis response, group facilitation and supporting associates working toward licensure.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Kim enjoys training her therapy dog partner, Archie, spending time in nature and gardening. She loves camping, hiking and traveling to faraway places.

Marla Craig

Marla Craig

Licensed Psychologist; Executive Director, Counseling and Mental Health Center

 

 

Education

Doctorate in Counseling Psychology, Texas A&M University

Master of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin

Licensed Psychologist, Texas

Pronouns

She/Her

Approach

Dr. Craig's approach involves being mindful of the therapeutic relationship and using it to create opportunities to support clients in forming and sustaining quality relationships with others. She also focuses and builds upon clients' strengths with the goal of being more solution than problem focused.

Professional Interests

Crisis work, non-suicidal self injury, early career professionals, clinical systems and operations management, administration in higher education.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Dr. Craig enjoys spending time with family, friends and her animals (3 dogs, cat and fish). She enjoys studying the science behind food with wine pairing, exercising, drinking strong french press coffee and reading at least 3 books at one time (history/culture/race relations, wine, fiction).

Alicia Garces

Alicia Garces

Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Associate Director, Social Work Training

 

 

Education

Master of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

She/Her

Approach

Alicia provides individual counseling and group counseling. Her areas of specialty are: Grief & Loss; Working with Latinx members of the campus community; Cultural Considerations of Grief & Loss; First Generation College students; Managing transitions to a large campus setting, and Working with students from marginalized communities.

Professional Interests

In her role as a Training Director, she enjoys training graduate students to learn clinical skills and to work with diverse populations on a college campus. She is committed to multi-cultural awareness, open-minded humility, and appreciation of everyone's unique talents as emerging counselors.

Personal Interests

Alicia enjoys gardening and learning how the relationship with between nature and humans replenishes our bodies and spirit. She enjoys cooking, baking, watching films, writing, and spending time with pets and friends.

Emily Hammer

Emily Hammer

Brief Assessment and Referral Team Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Social Work, The Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

she/her

Professional Interests

Emily, a passionate social worker, focuses on the intersection of mental health, systemic issues and social justice. With seven years of experience in under-resourced schools in Austin, she specializes in family conflict, trauma, relationships, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, mindfulness and behavior alignment with personal values.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Emily enjoys cooking elaborate meals from all over the world with her partner, gardening, running, and spending time with friends and family. Emily also has a background in music, and sings in a small folk/Americana/bluegrass duo.

Joey Hannah

Joey Hannah

Licensed Psychologist; Assistant Director, Practicum Training and Clinical Technology

 

 

Education

Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, University of Florida

Pronouns

he/him

Approach

Dr. Hannah places a lot of importance on building a trusting relationship where you feel supported, but also safe enough to be challenged to make changes. He values providing evidence-based treatment and interventions to make sure you get the most out of our work together. As a therapist he is actively involved, direct with feedback, and will openly share his thoughts, questions, and perceptions with you.

Professional Interests

Dr. Hannah's professional interests include working with LGBTQIA+ students, working with graduate students, identity development, multicultural diversity, psychological assessment, suicide prevention/intervention, trauma recovery, grief & loss, training, and telehealth services.

Personal Interests

In his spare time Joey enjoys video games, tv/movies, traveling, food/cooking and reading.

Erin Hazel

Erin Hazel

Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Case Manager

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

she/her

Professional Interests

My deepening connection with nature and ecotherapy has reinforced my belief in the interconnectedness of effective therapy, case management, social/environmental justice, and holistic well-being. I am committed to contributing to the betterment of our local UT community, and believe in the ripple effect of that improvement extending far beyond our campus.

Personal Interests

I feel most connected to my vital life force when I am enjoying quality time with family and friends and able to slow down to a pace that feels more naturally connected with the seasons. I enjoy studying bioregional community herbalism, practicing Vipassana meditation, and contributing how I can in movements for social justice, climate justice, environmental justice and food justice.

Sarah Levinn

Sarah Levinn

Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor; Brief Assessment and Referral Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Provides brief assessment and referral services, groups and individual counseling, and is part of the Alcohol and Other Drug Program. Her approach is grounded in narrative and relational therapy, empowering clients to own their stories. Sarah has professional experience in inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment, inpatient and outpatient detoxification programs, case management, and crisis intervention.

Professional Interests

Her professional interests include LGBTQIA issues, addiction, addressing trauma, and self-compassion.

Personal Interests

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys playing competitive and recreational sports, notably Ultimate Frisbee and ping pong.

Joan Long

Joan Long

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), The University of Texas at Austin

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Texas

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Joan provides individual and group therapy to students. Joan's practice emphasizes psychodynamic and relational approaches to therapy, and also the ways in which mindfulness and awareness of body sensations contribute to development of emotional regulation and a stronger sense of self.

Professional Interests

Joan's professional interests include trauma and attachment, existential and spiritual concerns, and the dynamics of development of the self. She also enjoys clinical supervision and working with trainees and their professional development.

Personal Interests

Joan enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking at Lady Bird Lake, and travelling to New Mexico and Colorado.

Johanna Loya

Johanna Loya

Social Work Fellow

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

She/her/ella

Approach

First and foremost, I want my clients to feel comfortable with me; I want them to feel as though they can be their true, authentic selves. To help create an inviting and hopefully, safe environment; I do my best to prioritize my clients’ salient identities, refrain from assuming/passing judgment, and ensure that they feel seen and heard. When serving my clients, I utilize a myriad of approaches/therapies including relational-cultural, strengths-based, and trauma-informed.

Professional Interests

I thoroughly enjoy individual counseling, group counseling, and crisis intervention. My professional interests include, but are not limited to, life transitions, suicidality, identity exploration, grief and loss, and trauma. As a Mexican American woman and first-generation college student, I am especially interested in working with those who identify as BIPOC.

Personal Interests

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, trying new foods/restaurants, going to the movies, and being active.

Ginny Maril

Ginny Maril

Licensed Psychologist; Director, Clinical Services

 

 

Education

Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Texas Woman's University
Licensed Psychologist, Texas, California, PSYPACT

Pronouns

She/Her

Approach

Dr. Maril is trained in a number of different types of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Each of these is couched in an understanding of cultural systems that impact who we are and how we feel. Working with her is comfortable, conversational, and focused on helping you feel better.

Professional Interests

Dr. Maril specializes in working with college students, individuals living with chronic illness and rare disease, and survivors of sexual trauma.

Personal Interests

In her free time, she loves going to concerts, traveling, and being in nature.

Luis Martinez

Luis Charles Martinez Jr

Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Case Manager BART

 

 

Education

Master of Clinical Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

he/him/his

Approach

My approach involves helping people become empowered in order to reach their goals. I utilize a strength's perspective in order to accomplish this. I also believe that a mindful approach assists me in helping those that I work with.

Professional Interests

Performing clinical Social Work, which involves case management is what I have spent the majority of time doing in my professional career. I wish to continue Social Work from a mindful perspective.

Personal Interests

I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends. I enjoy listening to music. I also enjoy watching movies.

Katherine Melo Li

Katherine Melo Li

Staff Psychologist, Substance Use Support Team Counselor

 

 

Education

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Lehigh University

Pronouns

she/her/hers/Ella

Approach

Dr. Melo Li is interested in getting to know her clients thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to their experiences, while also considering the social-political contexts that they exist in and how that impacts their experiences. It is her understanding that being able to have open conversations related to these topics helps an individual better understand themselves, and ultimately feel that they can cope better or make any necessary changes to their lives and reach their therapy goals. Dr. Melo Li is a part of the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Team and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Harm reduction approaches in her work with clients.

Professional Interests

Dr. Melo Li is passionate about working with students with Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) concerns, students that self-identify as BIPOC or QTPOC, and students with an intersection of these identities. As a bilingual Latinx/e female and first-generation immigrant, Dr. Melo Li acknowledges the concerns at the intersection of stigma and discrimination at coping with alcohol and other drug concerns while holding multiple intersecting identities. Her professional interests include AOD, assertiveness training, crisis work, identity development, intergenerational trauma, interpersonal skill building, and navigating romantic relationships.

Personal Interests

To unwind, Dr. Melo Li enjoys cuddling with her yorkie poodle Chewie, binge watching new shows on streaming platforms, and enjoying the Austin food scene. You might also find her engaging in creative writing or thrifting for her next therapy cardigan.

Pamela Moore

Pamela Moore

Staff Psychologist

 

 
Hannah Nazir

Hannah Nazir

CMHC General Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from The Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

She/her/hers

Approach

Hannah enjoys cultivating a warm, open, and collaborative space with each student she meets with. This means moving at a pace that feels right for each client, prioritizing transparency and ongoing communication, and honoring the lived experiences and expertise each student has on their own life. Hannah’s approach is one that is trauma-informed and based on acknowledging the intersectionality of one’s identities, the environment in which they inhabit, inherent strengths that each student already possesses, and how the culmination of these factors inform well-being.

Professional Interests

Hannah deeply enjoys supporting students at UT through life transitions and the anxieties that often accompany them. She is a Voices Against Violence and Mindful Eating clinician, which means she specifically works with students who are seeking support in navigating experiences and the impact of trauma and eating/body image concerns. Hannah is passionate about helping students explore what emotions or experiences may be at the “root” of certain behaviors or reactions. Hannah has a strong interest and investment in supporting students during identity exploration as she identifies as multiracial and multicultural herself.

Personal Interests

You will often find Hannah in the kitchen refilling her cup of tea, baking scones, or experimenting with new recipes. She refuels her energy by spending time in nature, playing volleyball, splashing around in any body of water she can find, caring for her plants, and cooking with loved ones.

Kimberly Orchowski

Kimberly Orchowski

CMHC General Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Social Work, University of Denver

Pronouns

She/her/hers

Kristen Pearson

Kristen Pearson

VAV Coordinator

 

 

Education

Master of Science of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

She/her/hers

Hannah Powers

Hannah Powers

Licensed Master Social Worker; Case Manager

 

 

Education

Master of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

She/Her/Hers

Approach

Hannah provides personalized case management and support services to students using a relational, collaborative, and strengths based approach. As a social worker, her background is rooted in social justice and a culturally informed orientation to ensure that students receive services that best reflect their individual needs and identities. Hannah utilizes elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance/Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy to assist students in pursuing connections to mental health/other community resources, as well as navigating barriers to care.

Professional Interests

Hannah's professional interests include working with fellow multicultural individuals to support them in exploring identity and fostering a sense of belonging. Hannah also enjoys working with people who identify as neurodiverse to help navigate complex mental and health care systems, as well as facilitate development of self-advocacy skills.

Personal Interests

Hannah enjoys spending time with her dogs, playing video games, and mentoring other mental health professionals.

Aly Ramirez

Aly Ramirez

Licensed Master Social Worker; Case Manager

 

 

Education

Master of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Aly provides case management, advocacy, individual and group therapy, and brief assessment. She approaches her work from a person-centered, trauma-informed perspective with a social justice orientation. She firmly believes in meeting clients where they are and respecting their autonomy. She frequently uses relational-cultural, narrative, and psychodynamic approaches while integrating mindfulness work, motivational interviewing, and skills from CBT, DBT, and ACT.

Professional Interests

Aly's professional interests include trauma, substance use, navigating systems, advocacy, and identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation). She enjoys working with survivors of trauma, women, young adults, and people who hold non-dominant identities. As a Chicanx woman, she has a special fondness for serving members of Latinx communities.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Aly enjoys cooking, writing, and spending time with her dog Lux and her two cats, Shapka and Special Agent Dale Cooper. She loves watching movies (especially horror). Her favorite Muppet is Animal.

Jonathan Rocha

Jonathan Rocha

Licensed Master Social Worker; Case Manager

 

 

Education

Master of Social Work, University of Texas at San Antonio

Pronouns

he/him

Professional Interests

My professional interest would be clinical social work. I am really passionate about helping clients reach their goals using modalities like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and motivational interviewing. I want to become an LCSW one day and learn more treatment modalities like EMDR and CPT. Overall, I just want to make the world a better place and help people feel good about themselves and achieve their goals..

Personal Interests

I have some hobbies and interests like biking, volleyball, cooking, and aviation. I really like exploring the outdoors, going to the movies, and finding a good local restaurant.

Chloe Ropner

Chloe Ropner

Social Work Fellow

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Chloe approaches counseling with an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and a social justice orientation. This means cultivating a warm, authentic, and collaborative partnership with clients, recognizing that each student is the expert of their own experience. Chloe’s practice is trauma-informed and rooted in anti-oppressive and anti-racist frameworks, taking into account systemic and societal factors and their intersection with mental health, safety, and well-being.

Professional Interests

Chloe is a member of the Mindful Eating and Voices Against Violence Teams at CMHC and works primarily to support clients with body image/eating concerns, and the impacts of trauma. Chloe works to hold space with clients to explore emotional regulation, somatic experiences, and how our bodies hold our stories. In addition, Chloe is passionate about partnering with clients to explore their sense of self, and is especially interested in advocacy work and conversations around identity.

Personal Interests

When she’s not in the office, Chloe loves hiking, camping and any kind of adventure. She recharges with a road trip, a good book, and quality time with her loved ones.

Alicia Salinas, LCSW

Alicia Salinas

Brief Assessment and Referral Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

She/her/hers

Approach

As one of the first representatives a student will come in contact with when seeking services at CMHC, Alicia likes to takes a collaborative, strengthsbased approach when helping clients find the appropriate resource during the referral process. She frequently uses motivational interviewing, mindfulness techniques, and skills from Cognitive behavioral therapy and Dialectical behavioral therapy. Alicia understands how daunting and scary it can be to seek out help and will strive to make the process as comfortable as possible.

Professional Interests

While Alicia enjoys working with a wide range of students, her professional interests include, but are not limited to, trauma, life transitions, first-gen students, immigration rights, women/men's issues, and addictions.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Alicia enjoys hanging with her dogs, traveling and watching all the true crime documentaries she can find.

Kory Schruben

Kory Schruben

Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Brief Assessment and Referral Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

She/her/hers

Approach

Kory works from a Relational-Cultural model while incorporating Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and self-compassion.

Professional Interests

Kory’s professional interests include identity development, trauma, and working with LGBTQIA+ identified students.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Kory enjoys trying new foods, seeing live music, and watching movies with her dog, Benny.

Brittany Sievers

Brittany Sievers

Substance Use Support Team Coordinator

 

 

Education

PhD, Counseling Psychology, Southern Illinois University
Graduate Certificate, Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling, University of Illinois Springfield

Pronouns

She/her/hers

Approach

In therapy, you don’t have to have it "all together" and most of us don't have it "figured out". Whether you are struggling to change your substance use, process traumatic experiences, or navigate complicated relationships, I will meet you with compassion and understanding. I use an emotion focused and social justice grounded approach to collaborate with clients in developing a deeper relationship with themselves and their communities. While I have expertise in the process of therapy, you have expertise in you. I am interested in helping you determine what it is you want from your life, while developing the emotional and relational skills needed to make that life possible.

Professional Interests

My professional interests include counseling for substance use, trauma, interpersonal relationships, and identity exploration. I am particularly interested in working with folx who are struggling to explore, understand, and navigate their emotions in the face of difficult socio-political and relational stressors. I am also interested in teaching, training, and prevention work in harm reduction, substance use, trauma, and relationships.

Personal Interests

I enjoy trying new food and restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and being outside. Despite not following sports for most of my life, in the last few years I have surprised myself and my friends and become a huge Formula 1 fan (go Redbull!).

Danielle Sirles

Danielle Sirles

Licensed Psychologist

 

 

Education

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Texas Tech University

Pronouns

She/her/hers

Approach

Dr. Sirles takes a collaborative, strengths-based approach to helping her clients live authentically and navigate life’s challenges. She strongly believes that the quality of the relationship between the therapist and the client is one of the most important factors in therapy success. To this end, Dr. Sirles works hard to ensure that her clients feel understood, respected, and safe to show up as their true selves. In session, Dr. Sirles integrates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other culturally-affirming approaches that help clients move towards healing and growth.

Professional Interests

Dr. Sirles enjoys working with relationship concerns, (re)building confidence and self-esteem, healing from trauma, and learning how to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dr. Sirles is especially passionate about working with members of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, providing clinical supervision, and facilitating therapy groups and workshops.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Dr. Sirles loves spending time with her family and friends, (window) shopping for antiques, reading, traveling, visiting museums, and playing Pokémon Go.

Javier Ungo

Javier Ungo

Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Associate Director, Brief Access and Referral

 

 

Education

Master of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Pronouns

He/Him/His

Job Description

Javier directs the Brief Assessment and Referral team (BART). BART is the first point of contact for students looking to access mental health resources. BART provides brief screenings to assist students in identifying treatment options and assisting with scheduling and referring to appropriate resources. Javier also supervises the Case Management Program which consists of a team of CMHC case managers who meet with students to assist in connecting to mental health and other resources both on and off-campus.

Professional Interests

Javier’s professional interests include mental health triage, crisis intervention, college mental health and LGBTQ+ mental health.

Brennden Ward

Brennden Ward

Licensed Professional Counselor; MHART Counselor

 

 

Education

M.Ed Athletic counseling, Springfield College

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Clinical Mental Health, Springfield College

Pronouns

He/Him

Approach

Brennden provides individual counseling and crisis support at CMHC. Brennden's clinical experience began with providing direct counseling and consultation with athletes and associated staff within a college setting. Brennden served as a Mobile Crisis Clinician for youth & families within the state of CT. He enjoys practicing through the lens of CBT and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Professional Interests

Brennden's professional interests include anxiety and mood disorders. His interests also include crisis work.

Personal Interests

Brennden enjoys cooking and trying new cuisines. He also enjoys spending time with his pitbull, Barley. Brennden also enjoys video games, weightlifting, and baseball.

Hannah Yeo Garza

Hannah Yeo Garza

CMHC General Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Hannah has developed a therapy practice grounded in a relational, strengths-based, and inclusive approach. She values creating a safe and welcoming therapeutic relationship with clients and tries to ensure this through her own personal exploration outside of sessions, as well as through transparency, compassion, connection and collaboration with clients within sessions. She believes in supporting and empowering clients in their preexisting strengths and resources. Her work is rooted in client-centered, trauma-responsive, and anti-oppressive frameworks, which take into account each client's context, identities, experiences, and the systems that they may navigate.

Professional Interests

Hannah enjoys working with a wide range of students. Her professional interests include, but are not limited to, trauma, eating disorders, disordered eating and body image concerns, women's issues, life transitions, and identity exploration. As a member of CMHC's Voices Against Violence team, Hannah is passionate about exploring the impacts of interpersonal and systemic trauma on our sense of self and safety. As a member of CMHC's Mindful Eating team, she values providing folx a nonjudgmental and validating space to explore their relationship to their bodies. As a biracial Asian American femme and child of an immigrant, she is especially interested in working with clients exploring their cultural identity development.

Personal Interests

Outside of work, Hannah loves to sing, dance, read, get outside of herself in nature with frequent walks and hikes, and spend intentional time with loved ones.

Mark Zentner

Mark Zentner

Licensed Psychologist; Associate Director, Psychology Training

 

 

Education

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

He/Him

Approach

Dr. Zentner approaches therapy with the understanding that the therapist and student are working together as a team to address the needs and interests of the student. Counseling can be a place to focus on building skills to address specific areas of concerns. It can also be an environment to explore aspects of one's self and the circumstances in their life that may be challenging to talk about with friends, family, or peers. For Dr. Zentner, therapy is a place where students can expect to be treated with respect and kindness, whether they are using the time to address problems that have come up recently, patterns that have caused stress over time, or discussing the experience of living in the world during a turbulent time.

Professional Interests

Dr. Zentner is interested in working with students who are experiencing disruptions in their lives due to anxiety, stress, depression, loss and grief, life transitions, traumatic experiences, and issues related to the ways that events in our society and the world impact them.

Personal Interests

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, friends, and his dog, reading, spending time outdoors, and eating poke.

Psychiatry Staff

Luke Carson

Luke Carson

Psychiatrist

 

 

Education

M.D., University of Washington School of Medicine
Master of Public Health, University of Washington School of Public Health

Pronouns

he/him/his

Approach

Dr. Carson believes that while not every patient needs medication, it can be a powerful tool in the treatment of mental health issues, especially as part of a treatment plan that includes therapy. He enjoys listening carefully to patients’ stories before developing a treatment plan together. He has experience treating a wide range of psychiatric issues including mood and anxiety disorders, trauma disorders, psychosis, and addiction.

Professional Interests

Topics of special interest include trauma-related disorders, addiction, mood disorders, psychopharmacology, global mental health, the philosophy of psychiatry, and the role of mindfulness in mental health. He has a background in Acceptant and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as other therapeutic modalities.

Personal Interests

He enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing basketball in the park, playing guitar, watching live music, and reading science fiction.

Melissa Eshelman

Melissa Eshelman

Senior Director and Chief of Psychiatry

 

 

Education

M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

Approach

Dr. Eshelman provides diagnostic psychiatry evaluations, medication management, crisis intervention, consultation and supervision.

Professional Interests

Dr. Eshelman’s professional interests include crisis/emergency psychiatry, developmental issues, risk assessment, mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and working with first-generation college students.

Personal Interests

Dr. Eshelman is Latina; her parents emigrated from Peru. Her personal interests include spending time with her family, exercising on a rowing machine and pilates reformer and enjoying home cooked meals.

Courtney Kates

Courtney Kates

Psychiatrist

 

 

Education

M.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, John P. McGovern Medical School
General Psychiatry Residency, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Approach

Dr. Kates likes to take a personalized and collaborative approach to treatment, centered around the goals of her patients. She prioritizes educating her patients so that they can make informed decisions and steer their treatment as much as possible. She believes that medication can be life changing and works best when combined with therapy, but is not always the solution for everyone or every goal. She has a background in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and other therapy modalities.

Professional Interests

Her professional interests include developmental disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, trauma-related disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, perinatal psychiatry, and medical education. She has an interest in working with underrepresented minorities, the neurodivergent population, and patients who are new to psychiatry.

Personal Interests

Dr. Kates is an Austin native who enjoys live music, karaoke, craft projects, basketball, and spending time with her family.

Kelli Kent

Kelli Kent

Psychiatry Nurse

 

 
Scott Wallace

Scott Wallace

Psychiatrist

 

 

Education

MD, The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson

Professional Interests

Dr. Wallace's interests include mood and anxiety disorders, risk assessment, biological psychiatry and psychotherapy. He is also board certified in addiction psychiatry and takes a particular interest in this topic.

Personal Interests

Dr. Wallace enjoys science fiction novels, playing video games and watching professional basketball. He also takes his dog to the dog park on an almost daily basis.

Counseling and Community Outreach Specialists (CCOS)

Tina Alexander

Tina Alexander

Counseling and Community Outreach Specialist

 

 

Education

Master of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Tina is a clinical expert in Black/African American Student mental health. Tina is a person-centered therapist at her core. She believes that clients are the expert in their life. Her role is to support your journey by highlighting strengths and providing additional skills to help work through life’s challenges . She also believes exercising cultural humility is important in keeping the needs of the person as well as the respect of their psychosocial background at the forefront, to assist them through the process of therapeutic change. Her therapeutic style is a strengths-based perspective, blending relational cultural theory, solution-focused, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral frameworks into her approach. She believes in the power of challenging students to increase self-awareness, while at the same time maintaining an unconditional positive regard for their experiences with empathy, understanding and genuineness (authenticity) for each person that she is fortunate to work with.

Professional Interests

Her professional interests include, but are in no way limited to, optimal psychosocial well-being of African-Americans, exploring areas/issues related to college students, family of origin concerns, sports psychological concerns, life adjustments and self-esteem work. Additionally, her clinical interests include women's issues and empowerment, anxiety, depression, spirituality, grief and loss, multiculturalism, and a harm reduction focused lens of managing maladaptive coping strategies.

Personal Interests

In her free time she enjoys building upon all things related to art and creativity including but not limited to painting, sculpting, glassblowing, theatrical performances, building upon my colorful wardrobe, or photography. In the interim of the aforementioned activities you can find me spending time with family, watching college football, or making a dent in an ever increasing list of television shows.

Mike Andorka

Mike Andorka

Licensed Psychologist; Counseling and Community Outreach Specialist

 

 

Education

PhD, Counseling Psychology, University of Akron

Pronouns

He/Him

Approach

Dr. Andorka is a clinical expert in Multiracial and First Generation Student mental health. Sometimes, life can be difficult. The way we interface with our negative thoughts, feelings, and beliefs may cause us significantly more suffering. This interface takes us far from our values and goals. Dr. Andorka wants to help you change your relationship with yourself, and aid you in acting in ways congruent with your values in spite of negativity. He considers his work honest, direct, compassionate, and transparent.

Professional Interests

Dr. Andorka works from a multicultural, person-centered framework. He is passionate about working with students from multiethnic and multiracial backgrounds as he identifies as Puerto Rican and White. Clinical areas of interest include body image, depression, anxiety, social confidence and working with masculinity and masculine-identifying clients. He also enjoying working within his LGBTQIA+ community.

Personal Interests

In his spare time, he enjoys going to the gym, playing video games, and trying new experiences

Stephanie Dodoo

Stephanie Dodoo

Director, Health Access and Community Impact

 

 

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Services Administration, University of Chicago (Chicago/Illinois)

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Oversees the CCOS program which specializes in promoting equity and access to our UT students with historically underrepresented and marginalized identities. She truly loves working with our campus partners, staff and students. She also provides individual, group, and crisis counseling plus consultation to staff and prevention services. Relationships and collaborations are important aspects of her clinical work.

Professional Interests

Favorite parts of her work includes providing identity affirming services and effecting healing and change on the margins, with the students who need us most. She is passionate about advocacy, liberation, diversity, equity, inclusion and especially reducing disparities in healthcare and mental health. Stephanie believes we each play a part in helping disrupt systems of oppression. We can all make a difference in the lives and institutions with which we come in contact.

Personal Interests

She loves to cook (improvising!), play and watch tennis, travel (outside of her home), now dreaming about future travels, spending time with family and friends, indulging in Ghanaian and other cultures, watching films and gardening. Fostering relationships is important to her daily life. And, likes to surround herself with kind and diverse people, and gets many laughs and stories from parenting.

Arna Erega

Arna Erega

Counseling and Community Outreach Specialist

 

 

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Counselor Education and Supervision, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Dr. Erega is a clinical expert in International Student mental health. Dr. Erega has been an international student and a student-athlete herself, which helps her relate to the many challenges, obstacles, and pressures these particular populations experience. She does not believe in the one shoe fits all theory, nor does she have a magic wand, however, she does have an abundance of patience, positive regard, and understanding. Dr. Erega takes pride in getting to know each person individually and then tailoring her therapeutic approach accordingly. She practices from CBT and a solution-focused standpoint, which allows her to help her clients map their way through fears and anxieties and work on their personal journey of growth and development.

Professional Interests

Dr. Erega's professional interests include working with international students and athletic populations. She is also interested in the implementation of self-care practices among international students, identity development, and the use of multicultural approaches in clinical settings.

Personal Interests

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, painting, working out, or doing various DIY projects.

Joanna Menendez

Joanna Menendez

Counseling and Community Outreach Specialist

 

 

Education

Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Georgia State University

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Dr. Menendez is a clinical expert in Latinx Student mental health. Dr. Menendez practices from an integrative approach drawing on elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, relational-cultural, and multicultural orientation, which is designed to fit the particular needs of the students. She believes n providing a therapeutic relationship where the student feels unconditionally supported, understood, and free of inhibition. Dr. Menendez also adopts a strength-based approach and works collaboratively to empower individuals towards their process of change. She strives to understand the unique experience of each person, and works collaboratively to create and work towards goals that best fit each person's needs.

Professional Interests

Dr. Menendez is passionate about working with students who self-identify as Latinx/e. As a bilingual Latinx/e female and a first-generation college student, she draws from her own experiences to be sensitive to issues of discrimination and multiple intersecting identities. Her professional interests include trauma, multicultural diversity, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, and/or first generation college students. Dr. Menendez values diversity and the multiple roles that individuals must navigate in their academic, social, and family life, and she often encourages the exploration and understanding of these areas in therapy.

Personal Interests

Dr. Menendez enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, camping, documentaries, and exploring new places.

Amelia Zique

Amelia Zique

Counseling and Community Outreach Specialist

 

 

Education

Master of Arts, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Pronouns

she/they

Approach

Amelia is a clinical expert in LGBTQA+ student mental health. Amelia's approach is person-centered, strength-focused, and cognitive-behavioral. She honors each client's autonomy, and affirms each client's identity as understood and expressed by them. She respects each client's capacity to be the author and expert of their own life, and assists them based on their strengths and their expressed desires for living their best life.

Professional Interests

Amelia's professional interests include identity development, gender therapy, resilience, relationships, and community building. She assists clients with stressors and symptoms related to discrimination, marginalization, anxiety, depression, shame, anger, and loss. She is happy to work with anyone to make a positive change in their behaviors or relationships, and is particularly keen to work with her siblings in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Amelia reads about LGBTQIA+ history, grows flowers, walks in nature, cooks, and spends time with her family that includes a diversity of humans and her cats Winston & Gary. She daydreams of a solarpunk world with liberty, equality, and community for all. Her Legend of Zelda headcanon is that Link and Zelda are nonbinary.


Counselors in Academic Residence Program (CARE)

View the staff bios on the CARE page.

Longhorn Wellness Center

View the staff bios on the Longhorn Wellness Center site.


Integrated Health

Elana Verbin

Elana Verbin

Associate Director, Integrated Health

 

 

Education

Masters of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Texas

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Elana is interested in the inter-relationship between emotional and physical health and enjoys working with individuals to facilitate wellness on both levels. She believes that fostering a compassionate, non-judgmental relationship with oneself can give us access to our full range of possibilities. As such, she utilizes a student-centered, mindfulness-based style of counseling which incorporates relational and cognitive-behavioral approaches.

Professional Interests

Elana directs the Integrated Health Program, which provides behavioral health services within University Health Services. She also manages the Thrive at UT mobile app and MindBody Labs on campus. Elana believes in empowering individuals to discover strategies that work for them by learning and experimenting with new behaviors. Elana enjoys working with students from diverse backgrounds. Interests include working with students with chronic illnesses and helping individuals manage anxiety in all of the varied way it can show up in our lives.

Personal Interests

Elana enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and loves to travel overseas every chance she gets. She also enjoys reading and all things food-related.

Kate Czar

Kate Czar

Group Services Coordinator and Integrated Health Counselor

 

 

Education

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at The University of Southern Mississippi

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Dr. Kate Czar considers it an honor to support individuals in their journey toward improved mood, sense of self, active self-nourishment, and overall wellness and psychological sturdiness. She approaches emotional health concerns from a strength-based and holistic lens with an understanding of the mind-body connection. Common interventions employed are derived from mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Additionally, Kate deeply values diversity consciousness, strives to create an inclusive therapeutic space, and attends to aspects of identity in clients' presenting concerns. Her style is warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth with a blend of professionalism and humor. Kate helps clients to establish therapy goals and offers concrete concepts/skills to assist in reaching those goals.

Professional Interests

Kate values being a generalist and having a chance to provide support for clients around a variety of topics. She particularly enjoys working with clients around areas such as anxiety management, substance-related issues, grief and loss, and identity exploration. Her professional interests also include mindfulness, self-compassion, social justice, supervision and training, group therapy, and coordinating CMHC's group and workshop services.

Personal Interests

Kate is passionate about stories, music, animals, the environment, new learning, and new experiences. Some of her hobbies include spending time with nature, travel, playing sports, watching TV/movies, leisure reading, and attempting to learn new instruments and languages.

Natalia Alas Duran

Natalia Alas Duran

Integrated Health Counselor

 

 

Education

Master of Social Work, Boston College School of Social Work

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Texas

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Massachusetts

Pronouns

she/her/hers/ella

Approach

Natalia is a bilingual, Salvadoran-American clinician who has historically worked with Spanish-speaking populations in various healthcare settings. Natalia strives to provide trauma-informed, gender-affirming, and culturally-responsive psychotherapy. She believes that clients are the experts in their own lives and that therapy should be a collaborative process, so she works to tailor each session to an individual's needs. Natalia utilizes a strengths-based approach and draws from narrative therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness when meeting with clients.

Professional Interests

Natalia enjoys working with diverse client populations and with those who are experiencing complex health conditions. Natalia's professional interests also include anxiety, suicidality, grief and loss, identity exploration, intergenerational trauma, first-generation college students, and reducing disparities in mental health care. Natalia is especially passionate in working with those who are members of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Personal Interests

Natalia loves spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, dancing to Spanish music, cooking, painting, reading, and writing.

Geeti Shirazi Mahajan

Geeti Shirazi Mahajan

Integrated Health Counselor

 

 

Education

Joint Master of Social Work & Master of Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis

Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Texas

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Approach

Geeti is a cisgender, heterosexual, biracial woman of Indian and Iranian descent. She works to offer culturally-affirming psychotherapy and yoga therapy through the Integrated Health program. Geeti’s approach is rooted in mindfulness based modalities, emphasizing the body and being connection through somatic practices drawn from yoga traditions. Geeti provides individual and group therapy, as well as clinical supervision to trainees.

Professional Interests

Geeti enjoys working with highly sensitive people from multicultural backgrounds. Some of her specialty areas include relationship issues, love addiction, co-dependency, living with complex medical conditions, women's issues, and healing from trauma.

Personal Interests

Geeti loves spending time with family and friends, being in nature, and creating art of any kind.

Administrative Staff

Mia Drago

Mia Drago

Interim Assistant to the Associate Vice President of Health and Well-being

 

 

Education

BA., Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Job Description

Mia provides administrative and event support to the Counseling and Mental Health Center.

Personal Interests

Mia enjoys exploring running trails, cooking for friends and family, and listening to deep dive podcasts.

Gloria Gonzalez

Gloria Gonzalez

Administrative Associate

 

 
Hannah L. Harkey

Hannah L. Harkey

Administrative Associate

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Arts, The Evergreen State College

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Job Description

Hannah returned to the University of Texas team in 2022. She provides administrative and event support to the Counseling and Mental Health Center including scheduling calendars & meetings, coordinating events & room reservations and providing back up support for the team. Prior to join CMHC, Hannah served as an administrative assistant on UT's Occupational Health Team.

Professional Interests

In her career, Hannah strives to promote inclusion and accessibility. And cultivating positive relationships with clients and colleagues is key. She enjoys finding creative solutions to problems, supporting the needs of her team, and implementing efficiency strategies.

Personal Interests

A voracious reader, Hannah enjoys language, learning, and broadening her horizons. She loves hikes with her family, board games with friends, and meeting new people when she travels.

Mitzi Henry

Mitzi Henry

FDRO Office Manager / Senior Administrative Associate

 

 

Pronouns

She/her

Job Description

Mitzi is the Records Release Coordinator. She releases records to students, providers and hospitals and creates treatment letters. She schedules appointments, works with clinician schedules and enters information about cancellations.

Personal Interests

Mitzi enjoys music and spending time with her family.

Micaela Peroni

Micaela Peroni

Administrative Associate

 

 
Michelle E. Rivera

Michelle E. Rivera

Senior Administrative Associate

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

She/her

Job Description

Schedules calendars & meetings, coordinates events & room reservations and maintains staff directories & supplies.

Professional Interests

Enjoys assisting people, problem-solving situations and collaborating with colleagues to make things happen that will help the center, the university and students.

Personal Interests

Michelle loves helping animals, food, history, classic & horror films, documentaries and the Beatles.

Marissa Uballe Gonzalez

Marissa Uballe Gonzalez

FDRO Administrative Associate

 

 

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Job Description

Marissa works at the front desk as the first point of contact checking students in and answering phone calls for the department.

Personal Interests

My personal interest include spending time with my family, watching my kids play sports on the weekends, crafting, and Baking cakes.

Business Services

Dottie Bateman

Dottie Bateman

HR Assistant

 

 

Education

BA, Spanish Translation, Brigham Young University

Job Description

Dottie provides human resources services for student employees as well as volunteers, interns, and fellows within the Healthyhorns portfolio. She assists senior HR coordinators with new employee orientation and other projects as well as provides administrative support for Monica Dowd, Associate Director for Business Services. She strives to provide approachable and accessible HR functions for both students and the staff hiring them.

Personal Interests

Dottie enjoys hanging out with her cat, petting dogs, drinking fancy tea/coffee, volunteering, and sending snail mail.

Tracy Brzozowski

Tracy Brzozowski

Senior Human Resources Coordinator

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration, Management, The University of Texas at Austin

Job Description

Tracy has been providing human resources support for University Health Services (UHS) since 2006 and also provides back-up HR support for Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), UHS/CMHC joint areas (Billing/Insurance, Materials Management, Finance, Longhorn Wellness Center, Human Resources), Center for Students in Recovery (CSR), and SHIFT. As Senior Human Resources Coordinator, she manages every aspect of the employee life cycle. This includes, but not limited to, recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, training, ensuring compliance with labor law and employment standards, compensation, and benefits.

Professional Interests

Tracy enjoys discovering innovative ways of using technology to make HR processes more efficient. She loves attending HR conferences to connect and learn about unique challenges the profession offers in the ever-changing world of HR. She is a member of Austin Human Resource Management Association (AHRMA) as well as the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). Tracy has been a member of the university’s multi-cultural group Asian Asian-American Faculty and Staff Association (AAAFSA) since 2014 and served as Staff Co-chair from 2016-2018.

Personal Interests

A few of Tracy’s interests include traveling, food (especially Korean and Dr. Pepper/Flamin’ Hot Cheetos combo), daily prayer, and spending time with her furbaby Beebee, family and friends.

Tempi Minor DeBusk

Tempi Minor DeBusk

Senior Credentialing Coordinator

 

 

Pronouns

she/her

Job Description

Tempi facilitates and coordinates the processing of applications, appointments, reappointments and assists payer provider credentialing processes. Tempi serves as the primary credentialing liaison for providers and provider related issues. She is responsible for obtaining the necessary information and documentation from providers in a timely manner and interacting with physicians, other providers and health care facilities.

Personal Interests

Tempi enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to/watching anything True Crime related and vacationing as much as possible even if it’s just a staycation.

Cathy Glazener

Cathy Glazener

Assistant Director of Finance

 

 

Education

BBA, Baylor University

Pronouns

she/her

Job Description

Cathy monitors transactions and balances in the University's accounting system, prepares budgets and financial reports, performs financial analysis on data in both the accounting system and the medical insurance claims system, and maintains our third-party contracts.

Professional Interests

Cathy enjoys maximizing use of our available tools and systems and improving the efficiency and accuracy of our processes.

Personal Interests

Cathy enjoys anything outdoors - hiking, cycling, sailing, yardwork, a good cup of coffee and a newspaper! She's also a hobbyist beekeeper.

Jessica Guerrero

Jessica Guerrero

Assistant Manager for Billing and Insurance

 

 

Pronouns

she/her

Job Description

Jessica serves as the department’s billing, payment posting, and insurance assistant with a moderate knowledge and application of various aspects of insurance claims filing for services provided at University Health services (UHS).

Professional Interests

Jessica really enjoys working with billing and insurance and wants to expand her knowledge in coding.

Personal Interests

Jessica enjoys traveling, hosting family gatherings and watching her son play baseball.

Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones

Stores Keeper

 

 

Pronouns

He/Him

Job Description

Kevin is a Stores Keeper for CMHC/UHS and helps run the inter-department Material Management. He provides medical and administrative logistic supplies for both CMHC/UHS.

Personal Interests

In his free time Keving enjoys fishing and gardening.

Ben Lara

Ben Lara

Assistant Director, Materials Management

 

 

Pronouns

He/Him/His

Job Description

Ben plans, administers, and directs the Materiel Management Department and supports organizational requirements.

Professional Interests

Ben likes to build and manage large teams, especially enjoying the mentorship involved in team-building.

Personal Interests

Ben likes outdoor activities, such as golf and barbecuing and spending time with his family.

Marvin Mackey

Marvin Mackey

Senior Mail Clerk

 

 
Monica McBroom

Monica McBroom

Senior Human Resource Coordinator

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Science, Texas Tech University

Job Description

As a Senior Human Resource Coordinator, Monica provides local expertise in all areas of Human Resource functions for the Counseling and Mental Health Center, University Health Services, Longhorn Wellness Center, CMHC/UHS Business Services, the Center for Students in Recovery, SHIFT, and Well-Being in Learning Environments. These functions include Payroll, Benefits, Leave Management, Hiring, Recruiting, Employee Management, Performance Management, Federal and State regulatory guidelines and compliance just to name a few. There are many functions that are processed at the University level, but as the departmental HR representative, she serves as one of the first points of contact.

Professional Interests

Monica enjoys delving into the statistics of HR to identify ways to better the company. She also finds immense satisfaction in helping employees through whatever situation they find themselves in, whether that be planning for a new addition to their family and all that entails or finding the common ground when they and a co-worker are at odds.

Personal Interests

When not at work, you'll find Monica jetting off to a beach someplace for some amazing scuba diving, reading a good book with a cocktail or glass of wine, or simply enjoying the great outdoors with family.

Carson Meriweather

Carsen Meriwether

Patient Account Representative

 

 

Pronouns

she/her

Job Description

Carsen assists patients with inquiries relating to billing and insurance, such as benefits and plan limitations, out-of-pocket expenses, and payments; supports Billing and Coding initiatives; and assists with eligibility and special programs.

Personal Interests

Carsen enjoys traveling and photography, along with exploring all the food options that Austin has to offer.

Debbie Morgan

Debbie Morgan

Insurance Verification Coordinator

 

 

Job Description

Debbie supports the Billing and Insurance office as the primary Insurance Verification Coordinator. She is responsible for verifying benefits, obtaining precertification for all UHS Procedures and Specialty services, and then relaying benefits information to the patient such as deductible, coinsurance, cost sharing and self-pay options.

Professional Interests

Debbie enjoys answering students’ questions and helping them navigate the world of insurance, so that that they better understand the information regarding their benefits.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Debbie enjoys spending time with family, loves hiking, she also enjoys DIY and home renovation projects.

Ashley Riojas

Ashley Riojas

Assistant Billing and Insurance Specialist

 

 

Pronouns

she/her

Job Description

I work in the Billing and Insurance office helping process patients claims.

Personal Interests

I love to travel, read, and listen to True Crime podcasts. I love to cook and be with family. Football is my favorite season.

Ronnie Ruiz

Ronnie Ruiz

Procurement Officer

 

 

Education

High School Diplomat / Las Vegas High

Pronouns

he/him

Job Description

Ronnie procures medical and office supplies for UHS and CMHC.

Personal Interests

In his free time, Ronnie enjoys cooking, and spending time with his wife

Jennifer Russell

Jennifer Russell

Billing and Insurance Specialist

 

 

Job Description

Jennifer has worked in the insurance department since 2016. When she is not doing Credentialing and Privileging, her day consistd of patient billing, insurance entry, and follow up with insurance plans.

Personal Interests

She enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Lex Schau

Lex Schau

Financial Analyst

 

 
Gracie Trevino

Gracie Trevino

Patient Account and Billing and Verification Specialist

 

 
Lee Warren

Lee Warren

Administrative Associate

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Southern Methodist University

Pronouns

He/him

Job Description

Lee manages purchasing, travel, and facilities for UHS and CMHC.

Ashley Whitworth

Ashley Whitworth

Assistant Director, Billing and Insurance

 

 

Pronouns

she/her

Job Description

Ashley provides managerial support to the Billing & Insurance department. In addition, she reviews medical documentation for medical coding compliance and assists with coding education. She has worked for UHS and CMHC since 2013.

Professional Interests

Ashley enjoys helping develop processes that improve the efficiency of the Billing/Insurance team, as well as growing the coding education and support for UHS and CMHC.

Personal Interests

In her free time, Ashley enjoys the company of her dog, Ringo, and two cats. She also loves hiking, gardening, and traveling. Her favorite travel location so far has been to Malaysia, but loves visiting her family in Germany as well.

Information Technology, Data and Research

Brittany Boyer

Brittany Boyer

Associate Director, Research and Clinical Data Informatics

 

 

Education

Ph.D., Psychological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas

Pronouns

she/her

Job Description

Brittany oversees research and data informatics for the Healthyhorns portfolio. She leads the Data Informatics Team in developing processes to mine, analyze, and gain insights from big data to improve service delivery, inform strategic planning, and empower clinicians to make data-informed decisions. She also co-directs the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education with Dr. Chris Brownson. The Consortium conducts large-scale, national studies on college student mental health and using data informatics and predictive analytics to improve mental health treatment in college counseling centers.

Professional Interests

Brittany has a passion for making data accessible to a variety of audiences and developing interactive tools that encourage staff at all levels of the organization to engage with data in their day-to-day work. Her research interests include research-practice partnerships in mental health, emerging adulthood as a foundational period for lifelong health and well-being, and advanced quantitative methods.

Personal Interests

Brittany enjoys running, sand volleyball, sci-fi books and movies, and spending time with her cat, Mark.

Paul Gentle

Paul Gentle

Senior Software Engineer

 

 
David Laczko

David Laczko

Administrative Associate

 

 
Huylar Lee

Huylar Lee

Desktop Support Specialist

 

 

Education

Bachelors of Science in Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin

Pronouns

He/Him/His

Job Description

Provide IT support to the UHS and CMHC. Keep inventory data updated. Prepare devices for use by other staff members.

Professional Interests

I am looking to learn and grow a toolset that will help me and my fellow staff members throughout my career.

Personal Interests

I enjoy playing videogames, scuba diving, and mushroom cultivating. I also enjoy learning new things or reading a best selling non-fiction book.

Samuel Pitasky

Samuel Pitasky

Graduate Assistant for Research and Clinical Data Informatics

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Arts, The University of Pennsylvania
Psychology Certificate, Columbia University

Pronouns

he/him/his

Job Description

Sam assists with efforts to evaluate programs in both CMHC and UHS. This assessment is done to ensure that programs are achieving their stated goals, to report on progress to the University community, and to share insights and best practices more broadly in field of college student health.

Professional Interests

Sam is a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology here at UT Austin. His professional interests focus on college student mental health and the factors that contribute to positive identity development and flourishing. He is interested in both clinical and community-level approaches to college mental health and is currently a counselor in a community mental health clinic in Austin.

Personal Interests

In his free time, Sam enjoys playing tennis, riding motorcycles, cooking, and spending time with friends, family, and pets.

Antonio Ramirez

Tony Ramirez

Senior Desktop Support Specialist

 

 
Robert Reed

Robert Reed

Associate Director, Information Technology and Medical Records

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Science, UT Austin
Bachelor of Arts, UT Austin

Pronouns

He/Him/His

Job Description

Robert manages the team providing IT support to CMHC and UHS. The team supports everything from the network to the hardware and software used by staff. In addition the team is responsible for ensuring the privacy and security of the information collected by clinicians.

Professional Interests

Robert is interested in Health Information Management and Technology. He keeps current on best information security practices. He also likes to dabble in data analysis and reporting.

Personal Interests

When not working, he enjoy spending time with his wife, Anna, and his kids. He likes being in nature and also enjoys partaking of the local bounty Austin has to offer.

Elena Sirbu

Elena Sirbu

Project Manager

 

 
Debra Steinman

Debra Steinman

Software Developer/Analyst

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, New Mexico State University

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Job Description

Deb assists staff with all their technology needs. She maintains the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) database. She also produces SQL data solutions from the EMR.

Professional Interests

Deb enjoys coding visualization dashboards from the EMR data. She also gets a lot of gratification from helping people.

Personal Interests

For relaxation, Deb dabbles in all kinds of visual art, logic puzzles/games and binge TV watching shows. Her favorite time is when her kids come visit her. Her ultimate thing to do would be lounging in the sun on a balcony overlooking the beach, feeling the sea breeze on her face.

Public Information Team

Erin Garcia

Erin Garcia

Outreach and Social Media Coordinator

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Science, Journalism, Texas Tech University

Pronouns

she/her

Job Description

Erin assists the public information team with content creation, social media management, and provides outreach across campus. She also is the Student Health Advisory Committee.

Personal Interests

Erin enjoys spending time with her wife, Brittany and two miniature Australian shepherds while exploring the Austin area!

Chris Griffault

Chris Griffault

Web Manager

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Arts, The University of Virginia

Pronouns

he/him/his

Job Description

Chris is responsible for designing and coding various sites with a focus on usability.

Personal Interests

Chris enjoys collecting first edition books, explaining to his wife why he needs more books, practicing Krav Maga, paddle boarding, and spending time with family.

Susan Hochman

Susan Hochman

Director, Strategic Initiatives

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Science Education, University of Kansas
Master of Public Health, Emory University

Pronouns

She/Her

Job Description

Susan provides strategic leadership over communications, assessment, data informatics, and health information technology for the Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services. She is also the co-executive leader of SHIFT and leads the UT Health Care Entities Group.

Professional Interests

Susan has been involved with the field of college health since she was an undergraduate student at the University of Kansas where she worked as a student assistant at Watkins Memorial Health Center and established the peer health educator program. Susan started her professional career in college health as a health promotion professional. In recent years, Susan has transitioned from health promotion to administration where she focuses on strategic planning, building a health promoting environment and ensuring that programs and services are accessible, student-centered, and linked to the mission of the institution. She is excited to use data to build new models for addressing students’ health and wellbeing.

Susan often cites her involvement with the American College Health Association as a highlight of her job and she is grateful to work with colleagues across the country to institute change on a national level. Susan has served the association in numerous volunteer and elected leadership positions, including Vice President of the ACHA Board of Directors, member-at-large to the board, chair of the Health Promotion section, Annual Meeting Program Planning Chair in 2014, 2017, and 2020 and was a co-author of the Framework for a Comprehensive College Health Program. Susan is currently the co-chair of the Benchmarking Advisory Committee and also a contributing member of the NCHA Advisory Committee where she helped developed the NCHA III. She also serves on the Leadership Institute Committee, Education Planning Committee, and leadership team for the Connected College Health Network. She is honored to be an ACHA Fellow.

Personal Interests

Susan enjoys watching Jeopardy, racing to complete the crossword puzzle, fitness, and spending time with her family. She also loves playing Scrabble and is undefeated at Bananagrams.

Laura Kinch

Laura Kinch

Associate Director, Communication and Marketing

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Science, Journalism, The University of Kansas

Bachelor of the Arts, Spanish Language and Literature, The University of Kansas

Master of the Arts, Communication, The University of Texas at Arlington

Pronouns

She/her

Job Description

Laura assists the public information team with writing, project management, marketing and communication planning and implementation, staff supervision, media relations, serving as one of the liaisons between PIT and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and reviewing and approving marketing and communication collateral.

Personal Interests

She enjoys the outdoors, exercising, spending time with her dog, cooking, music, and exploring the city of Austin.

Andrew Mendoza

Andrew Mendoza

Art Director

 

 

Job Description

Andrew is a passionate creative who focuses on being a mentor to students and staff. He serves as the founding member of the UT Creatives (resource groups of creative professionals at UT Austin). He strives in strategically creating an artistic vision come to life in communications from concept to execution for the organizations.

Personal Interests

Andrew cares deeply for everyone in the family (including pets), enjoys cooking dinner for the family, fixes whatever needs to fixed, handles whatever needs to be handled, and simply enjoys relaxing after another long day.

Tanya S. Schmidt

Tanya S. Schmidt

Communication Coordinator

 

 

Education

Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Central Florida

Pronouns

She/her

Job Description

Tanya provides administrative and event support to the Counseling and Mental Health Center.

Professional Interests

Tanya has always enjoyed art and design and integrates it into her work. She thrives in a creative team environment where she can put her design knowledge to use.

Personal Interests

She enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her 2 dogs, creating art, reading, and being a plant mom.

Employee Experience and Accreditation

Karissa Ryan

Karissa Ryan

Employee Experience & AAAHC Project Manager for Healthyhorns / Rec Sports

 

 

Education

Master of Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Pronouns

She/her

Job Description

Coordinates the ongoing AAAHC accreditation process within Healthyhorns. Ensures accreditation readiness and coordinates Healthyhorns staff training regarding accreditation. As well as a focus on employee experience, working with HR in RecSports and Healthyhorns on employee engagement, organizational culture, recognition, recruitment and retention

Professional Interests

I enjoy contributing to the streamlining of accreditation cycles and making the process more manageable for teams. Have a strong interest in leading quality and performance improvement projects to enhance outcome for both patients and staff, and leveraging data analysis to drive informed decision-making.

Personal Interests

I enjoy travel, indoor bouldering, hiking and disc golfing around Austin.

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