CMHC Staff

512-471-3515
Student Services Building - 5th Floor
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Professional Staff and Supervised Trainees

The CMHC professional staff includes clinicians who represent a variety of mental health disciplines. Our licensed staff includes Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Counselors. 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.

For more information about our Psychology and Social Work internship programs click on the links below:

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

Administrative Services Staff

Jane Morgan Bost
Associate Director, Prevention and Outreach Services
Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Oklahoma State University
Licensed Psychologist, Texas

Oversees all of the Outreach and Prevention Services including the Voices Against Violence Program, Be That One Suicide Prevention Program and CMHC's response to campus traumatic events. In 2000 and 2001, Jane hiked to the top of Mt. Whitney (highest peak in the 48 states) and has hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon 7 times.

Chris Brownson
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Center
Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Psychologist, Texas

Was appointed associate VP for student affairs in 2011 and oversees the University Health Services in that capacity. Has served as director of CMHC since 2006. Since 2004, has been the director of the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education, which conducts research on college mental health. Currently past chair of the Section on College and University Counseling Centers of Division 17 of APA and is the chair of the Higher Education Mental Health Alliance. He is a clinical associate professor in Educational Psychology, and his research and professional interests include college student suicide prevention and the integration of mental health into primary care.

Marla Craig
Associate Director, Clinical Services
Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Texas A&M University
Licensed Psychologist, Texas

Supervises clinical services, which includes individual and group counseling and psychiatric services and crisis counseling. Marla enjoys running, swimming, cycling and yoga. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading a good book and drinking a strong cup of hot coffee.

Diana Damer
Program Director, Group Services and Staff Psychologist
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, West Virginia University
Licensed Psychologist, Texas

Directs Group Services. Provides individual and group counseling. Specializes in anxiety disorders, with a particular interest in perfectionism, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Prior to coming to UT, worked in community mental health. When not working, Diana enjoys running and spending time with her family.

Melissa Eshelman
Associate Director and Chief Psychiatrist
M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas
Board certified in Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Forensic Psychiatry

Provides diagnostic psychiatry evaluations, medical evaluation and management, crisis intervention, consultation and supervision. Professional interests include crisis/emergency psychiatry, risk assessment, consultation/liaison psychiatry, ethics, developmental issues/child and adolescent psychiatry, mood disorders, eating disorders, supervision/training and psychopharmacology. Her personal interests include spending time with her family, regular exercise at the gym, enjoying home cooked meals, and reading mystery novels.

Alicia Garces
Director of Social Work Training and Clinical Social Worker
Master's of Science in Social Work (MSSW), The University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Texas
Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work

Provides individual counseling. Directs the Social Work Internship Program. Participates in training for psychology and social work interns. Works with campus groups and leads workshops for the general student population, as well as for international students and Hispanic students.

Greg Keilin
Associate Director and Director of Psychology Training
Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Colorado State University
Licensed Psychologist, Texas

Serves as the Training Director for the psychology internship training program, coordinates the Telephone Counseling service, and oversees the development of technology in the center. He also serves as the national Match and Clearinghouse coordinator for the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC).

Cary Tucker
Associate Director, Integrated Health Program and Clinical Social Worker
Master's of Science in Social Work (MSSW), The University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Registered Nurse (RN), Texas

Provides individual counseling and facilitates classes through the Integrated Health Program, a collaboration between CMHC and UHS. As Director of the Integrated Health Program, works closely with University Health Services. Trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, The Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Areas of interest include mindfulness and psychotherapy, meditation, yoga, humor, spirituality, and a holistic approach to health and healing.

Mark Zentner
Practicum Training Director and Staff Psychologist
Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Psychologist, Texas

Provides individual and group therapy. Specializes in assessment for ADHD/ADD and learning disabilities in adults; also anxiety, depression, counseling and assessment with diverse populations. As Practicum Training Director, supervises practicum training. He enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and traveling to National Parks and Colorado.

Clinical Staff

Provides individual and group therapy and is part of the Integrated Health Program, a collaboration between CMHC and UHS. Provides counseling and referral services to students in UHS general medicine clinics, as well as leading Integrated Health classes. Trains interns and practicum students, and chaired CMHC's Diversity Education and Awareness Committee for eight years. Is especially interested in mindfulness and psychotherapy, diversity and multicultural issues, existential issues, chronic and terminal illness, grief and loss, spiritual concerns, identity development, and sexuality issues. In addition to being a Longhorn for 40 years, Keith is a true Texan, evidenced by the fact that his favorite musician is Willie Nelson.

Elana Bizer
Integrated Health Counselor
Master's of Science in Social Work (MSSW), The University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Mental Health Social Worker (LMSW), Texas

Provides individual counseling and co-leads groups through the Integrated Health Program, a collaboration between CMHC and UHS. She is interested in the inter-relationship between emotional and physical health and enjoys working with students to facilitate wellness on both levels. She utilizes a relational style of counseling which incorporates mindfulness-based approaches. Outside of work, Elana is passionate about all things involving food. In addition, she enjoys yoga, art, hiking, and travel.

Michael Bombardier
Integrated Health Psychologist
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) George Mason University
Licensed Psychologist

Michael's professional interests include brief psychotherapy, mind-body approaches to health and program evaluation. He also teaches mindfulness-based classes at CMHC. Michael is originally from the NYC metro area and enjoys rooting for the evil empire (NY Yankees), running, travel, and playing any game that involves throwing, hitting and/or catching flying objects.

Catherine Corbin
Staff Therapist
M.A., Counseling Psychology, Texas Woman's University
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas

Provides individual counseling for a wide range of issues to students at the University. Professional interests include: mood and anxiety disorders, relationship concerns, trauma, grief and loss. She hopes that her knowledge of and passion for therapeutic development brings warmth and comfort to a process that may otherwise feel intimidating.

Sylvia W. Chen
Staff Psychologist
Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Texas A&M University

Provides individual and group counseling, as well as outreach programming and staff consultation. Having been an international student herself, Sylvia finds it especially rewarding to work with UT international students. She has a special interest in diversity issues and cross-cultural adjustment. She also enjoys providing bilingual counseling to students who may feel more comfortable discussing their concerns in Mandarin Chinese.

Laura Dannenmaier
Clinical Social Worker
Master's Degree in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Texas

Counseling specialist with Voices Against Violence, providing individual and group counseling and advocacy to students who have experienced interpersonal violence. Participates in training for psychology and social work interns. In her spare time she enjoys making pottery, reading, listening to music and hiking.

Laura Davenport Ebady
Outreach Coordinator and Staff Psychologist
Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology-Chicago
Licensed Psychologist, Texas

As Outreach Coordinator, provides consultation, training and workshops for students, faculty, and staff on issues related to student mental health and wellbeing. She also works with students in individual and group counseling.

Lacey Holcomb, LPC
Staff Therapist
M.A., Counseling Psychology, Boston College
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas

Provides individual, couples, and group therapy. She is passionate about helping students to navigate this often stressful and confusing yet pivotal and potentially exciting time in their life. Professional interests include depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions, family dynamics, grief/loss, and self esteem concerns. Lacey utilizes a Client Centered/Humanistic approach to therapy which can be seen as collaborative as opposed to directive. Lacey has training in Psychoanalytic Psychology and often uses this training and knowledge for work on family of origins concerns.

In her free time she enjoys yoga, traveling, and listening to live music.

Asad Kirmani
Psychiatrist
M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas
Certified, American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, medical evaluation and management, crisis intervention, consultation and supervision. Professional interests include emergency psychiatry, community psychiatry, LGBTQ issues, addictions, group therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Toby LeBlanc
Staff Therapist
M.A. in Community Counseling, LSU
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas

Provides individual counseling for a wide range of issues and group counseling that focuses on families of origin. Interests include working with those overcoming depression, anxiety, trauma, men's issues, and family of origin difficulties. He likes using writing as a tool for self-exploration, self-understanding, and expression to recreate the stories that hinder growth in our lives. In his free time Toby enjoys running, writing fiction, fishing, and attempting to avoid heart failure while watching LSU football.

Judith A. Mitchell
Clinical Social Worker
Master's of Science in Social Work (MSSW), University of Houston
LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Texas
Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work

Provides individual therapy and couples/marriage therapy. Leads workshops and other programs on campus that focus on mental health needs of students. Expertise includes, but is not limited to, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity, in particular African American/Black communities on campus. Participates in training for psychology and social work interns. Supervises candidates seeking licensure in clinical social work and licensed professional counseling. Enjoys reading murder mysteries and listening to jazz and "old school R&B" music.

Matthew Olson, MA, NCC, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
M.A. in Professional Counseling from Texas State University at San Marcos

Provides individual consultations and counseling sessions, group counseling, and therapeutic programs related to substance abuse. Matthew is originally from the Houston area and enjoys all sports, playing chess, and spending time with his beagle.

Kristen Pearson
Staff Therapist
Master's of Science in Social Work (MSSW), The University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Texas

Provides individual and group therapy to students. Participates with Voices Against Violence, providing individual and group counseling and advocacy to students who have experienced interpersonal violence. In her free time she loves reading, learning to sew, cooking, camping/hiking and spending time with family and friends.

Rhea Pledger
Staff Therapist
Master's Degree in Professional Counseling, Texas State University
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas

Provides therapy to individuals and couples. Professional interests include working with low self esteem, anxiety, GLBT issues, sexual health, porn addiction, and trauma. In his spare time, Rhea enjoys running and biking around Austin, discovering new things, and catching up with friends.

Pauravi J. Rana
Psychiatrist
M.D., University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Certified, American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Provides diagnostic psychiatry evaluations, medical evaluation and management, crisis intervention, consultation and supervision. Professional interests include child and adolescent psychiatry, and cross-cultural psychiatry.

Dian Ruud
Staff Social Worker
Ph.D., Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Texas

Provides individual, and group therapy. Trained in Interpersonal Psychotherapy for depression, Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), and stress reduction techniques. Experience working with Veterans (Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan theatres.) Enjoys hiking, cooking Mexican food, and quality time with friends and family.

Heather Velasquez, LPC
Staff Therapist
Master's of Arts in Counseling St. Edwards University

Provides individual counseling to students for a wide range of issues. Professional interests include: anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, alcohol and/or drug abuse, chronic illness and grief/loss. In addition to counseling, Heather has extensive experience in Motivational Interviewing and she is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). In her free time, she loves to go on nature walks with her daughter and Tex-Mex dinner dates with her husband.

Sara L. Weber
Eating Disorder Specialist, Mindful Eating Program and Eating Disorder Assessment & Support Team.
Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Psychological Studies Institute, Atlanta, Georgia.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas

Directs Mindful Eating Program, a part of The Integrated Health Program and a collaboration with University Health Services. Provides individual and group counseling. Specializes in eating disorder assessment and treatment; binge eating and emotional eating; body image; women's issues; spiritual concerns; multicultural issues; and creativity and experiential therapy. She is a member of Austin Eating Disorders Specialists, Austin Area Christian Counselors of Texas, and National Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. Volunteers with a traditional music organization and with farming and farmer's markets, as well as Slow Food Austin.

Katie J. Welsh
Mindful Eating Staff Therapist
Master of Arts in Health Psychology from Texas State University

Counseling specialist for the Mindful Eating Program, providing individual and group counseling for students struggling with disordered eating behaviors, thoughts and feelings. As a dedicated and compassionate therapist, Katie enjoys working with others to help them identify and decrease barriers to living a healthy well-balanced life. In her free time she enjoys traveling, playing sports, karaoke, and being outdoors.

Prevention and Outreach Staff

Erin Burrows
Health Education Coordinator, Voices Against Violence
M.A. Women's History, Sarah Lawrence College

Develops and implements prevention strategies of interpersonal violence in collaboration with the UT community. Erin serves as the staff adviser to the VAV-sponsored student organization and co-chairs the Bystander Intervention Work Group of the Wellness Network. Erin has been working in intimate partner violence prevention and intervention since 2005 as a student organizer and as a professional in education, community mobilization and direct service for survivors.

Lynn Hoare
Health Education Coordinator, Theatre for Dialogue
Master's in Fine Arts (MFA), Drama and Theatre for Youth, The University of Texas at Austin

Trains student Peer Theatre Educators through a two-semester academic course sequence, and devises, directs and facilitates interactive Theatre for Dialogue performances on and off campus for the Voices Against Violence program. Theatre for Dialogue uses theatre to educate, raise awareness and spark dialogue on the issues of relationship violence, sexual violence and stalking. Lynn specializes in Applied Theatre, Theatre-In-Education (TIE), and theatre for social change, interactive theatre, and devising new work.

Marian Trattner
Health Education Coordinator, Be That One. Suicide Prevention Program
M.A. Social Work, University of Missouri

Coordinates the Be That One Suicide Prevention Program. Presents the Be That One information program to student groups and departments within the University, develops and coordinates campus events on suicide prevention, and works to involve the University community in the program. She is also liaison to the UT Chapter of Active Minds. Marian enjoys going to music concerts, spending time at coffee shops with friends, exercising, and finding new dessert places to try in Austin.