Our faculty of clinical mental health counseling professionals bring their expertise and experience to the online classroom. Learn first-hand techniques, theories and the foundational ethics of mental health counseling. Through their guidance you can prepare to bring your compassion and care to helping others.
Associate Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Carolina Casillas is a licensed professional counselor and a clinical supervisor...
...in Texas with over 15 years of clinical mental health experience. She earned her master’s degree in psychology in 2007 from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and received her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi in 2012. Her area of expertise is working with children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced traumatic events in their lives. Her research focuses on clinical supervision, trauma, distance learning, and co-occurring diagnosis. Dr. Casillas is a member of multiple professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, the Texas Counseling Association; and the Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
Dr. Karper obtained her master’s degree in mental health counseling and her doctoral degree...
...in counselor education and supervision from the University of Central Florida. Her research interests include utilizing integrative care models in counseling and the use of technology in counselor education. She has been with the University of Phoenix since 2007.
Dr. Berksteiner is a core counseling faculty member at the University of Phoenix. Dr. Berksteiner...
...received a Bachelor of Science degree in Workforce Education Training and Development from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, a master’s degree in counseling from Webster University, and a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Argosy University. Dr. Berksteiner has had the opportunity to work with a vast number of clients that include children, adolescents, families, couples, and individuals. Her research interest includes leadership development and religion/spirituality.
Dr. Dorin Captari-Scirri is a core faculty member in the University of Phoenix’s...
...counseling program. As a first-generation immigrant and naturalized citizen, he is committed to empowering future counselors to embrace authenticity and provide culturally responsive care. Dr. Captari-Scirri earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, specializing in Advanced Counseling, from the University of the Cumberlands. He has been actively engaged in clinical work since 2013, working with individuals, groups, and couples, and has served as a clinical supervisor since 2017. His research interests include counselor wellness and burnout, LGBTQIAAP+ issues, andragogy, emotional intelligence, and multicultural and social justice-oriented counseling and supervision.
Dr. Emily E. Genever, LCPC, NCC, a seasoned licensed professional and a Ph.D. holder in counselor...
...education and boasts over a decade of counseling expertise, specializing in crisis and trauma. With over 4 years of teaching experience, Dr. Genever has instructed aspiring counselors across various counseling domains. Dr. Genever shares extensive clinical mental health counseling knowledge. Driven by a commitment to counselor education, her focus encompasses crisis, trauma, diversity, and inclusivity, striving to advance the field and shape compassionate, well-rounded counselors.
Dr. Hannah Lowe is a licensed professional clinical counselor with a supervisory designation in Ohio... .
..boasting over nine years of extensive clinical experience. Specializing in trauma therapy, she serves clients both within the community and at her private practice. Recognizing the significance of giving back to the community, Hannah actively volunteers within Lake County, Ohio, as part of the Trauma Response Team. This specialized team of clinicians is summoned in instances of sudden loss or crisis, providing crucial trauma therapy services such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In addition to her clinical endeavors, Dr. Lowe is deeply involved in research and scholarly writing. Her areas of focus include countertransference, trauma, and outcomes related to professional development in counseling. Dr. Lowe maintains active membership in several esteemed professional organizations, including the Ohio Counseling Association, the American Counseling Association, and The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
Dr. Hayden D. Center, Jr. is a core faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program...
...at the University of Phoenix. He was previously on the faculty at Auburn University at Montgomery in the Department of Psychology, where he taught for ten years. He has taught at several universities over the past thirty years. He has been a licensed professional counselor (LPC) specializing in addiction issues for over 35 years.
Dr. Cook received a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Southern Illinois University...
...at Carbondale. He is a core faculty member who also serves as residency coordinator. Dr. Cook has taught both graduate and undergraduate students for over twenty years. His teaching and research interests include counselor development, group work and counseling skills acquisition. He is a national certified counselor and licensed counselor in three states. Dr. Cook has worked in a wide variety of clinical settings including community mental health centers, hospitals, and university counseling clinics.
Dr. Jasmaine Ataga, Ph.D., is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Registered Play...
...Therapist-Supervisor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. With a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Florida, she brings over seven years of counseling experience focusing on sexual trauma work and utilizing expressive arts to promote meaning-making. As a core faculty member in the Master’s in Clinical Mental Health program at the University of Phoenix, Dr. Ataga integrates her expertise into teaching, mentoring and supervision.
Dr. Jennifer Reynolds is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Alabama, a Licensed...
...Professional Counselor in Georgia, and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Delaware. She has been practicing for over 15 years. Dr. Reynolds received her master's from Jacksonville State University in Community Agency Counseling, her Education Specialist Degree from Jacksonville State University in Agency Counseling, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision from Walden University. Dr. Reynolds has worked in many different settings, including residential care, the juvenile justice system, in-home counseling sessions, acute psychiatric hospitals, and private practice. She currently runs a small practice in Alabama and provides telehealth services in Alabama, Georgia, and Delaware. Her expertise is in Emotional Support animals and the use of this intervention to reduce mental health symptoms. Dr. Reynolds is interested in further research on this topic to advance integration into the mental health profession.
Dr. John Marszalek received his B.A. from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. He received...
...an M.S. in elementary education, M.S. in counselor education, and Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision all at Mississippi State University. Dr. Marszalek is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Mississippi. He has been a counselor educator for over 20 years and a counselor for over 25 years maintaining private practices in Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans and Mississippi. His research interests include gay, lesbian, and bisexual identity development theory and factors promoting and inhibiting long-term same-sex relationships in small towns and rural areas in the South.
Dr. King is a core faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Phoenix…
...She earned her PhD from Walden University in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2021. Most of her clinical work has been in the addiction counseling field, where she also participates in advocacy to help increase access of care and address the stigma of addiction and recovery in the community. In her most recent full-time clinical role, she served as Director of Clinical Services at a residential substance abuse treatment center in downtown Denver, CO. Most of her clinical experience has been in the residential and outpatient settings, but she also has experience in withdrawal management and hospital settings as well. She currently works in private practice part-time serving a variety of clients and working with a variety of client issues. She is a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado and an LPC in Arizona.
Dr. Childers has been a counselor for over 17 years. Her areas of interest include multicultural studies...
...human sexuality and psychopathology. As a counselor educator she enjoys supporting students in their transition from counselors in training to licensed professionals.
Dr. Harrawood is a core faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the...
...University of Phoenix. She received her master’s and doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and a National Certified Counselor. She is a long-time member of the American Counselor Association and several of its divisions. She has held faculty positions at several universities and has counseling experience in private practice and college counseling centers. Dr. Harrawood has taught across the counselor education curriculum. Her current teaching focus in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is individual and group counseling skill development.
Dr. Lauren Mott is a licensed professional counselor with over a decade of expertise in...
...addiction and trauma counseling. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and brings a wealth of experience from diverse clinical settings, including residential inpatient facilities, intensive outpatient programs, community mental health centers, university counseling clinics, and private practice. Dr. Mott's research and teaching focus is on process and substance addictions, intimacy disorders, and sizeism. Committed to advancing the field of counseling, she is dedicated to supporting and mentoring future professionals in their journey into the field.
Dr. Michelle Perepiczka has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2006 and counselor...
...educator since 2008. She has extensive experience teaching in an online environment and curating supportive bonds with students to assist them in their academic journeys. Dr. Perepiczka predominately teaches research methods, assessment, and clinical skill classes. Her clinical expertise is in play therapy and research focus is in life balance.
Dr. McGee is one of the Clinical Mental health Counseling program chairs. Dr. McGee has been with the...
...University of Phoenix since 2017. She has over 20 years of academic and national program leadership roles including serving her second three-year term on the NBCC Board of Directors and as second term as elected chair of the National Board of Certified Counselors Board of Directors. Dr. McGee holds her Ph.D. from University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her master’s degree from Creighton University where she was awarded outstanding minority graduate student amongst medicine, dental law, and professional programs by Creighton Black Faculty and Administrators. Dr. McGee has had various roles in gubernatorial commissions including serving two terms on the state of Nebraska’s Mental Health practice board and co-chairing the state of Nebraska's anti human trafficking task force with former attorney general Doug Pederson.
Dr. Neil Duchac is a core faculty member in the counseling program. He holds a doctorate in...
...Counselor Education and Supervision, a doctorate in Public Health and a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Practice. For the past thirty years he has worked in a variety of positions and with numerous populations. He is licensed as a professional counselor in Georgia, and he is certified as a school counselor.
Dr. Rebecca Hug, LPCC-S (Ohio) served for nearly a decade as a community organizer and cultural...
...competence coach before transitioning into counselor education. She runs a solo practice focused on breaking generational trauma patterns with individuals and families and is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Dr. Hug is passionate about helping students integrate counseling content into their professional identity. Her research interests include andragogy, generational trauma, neuro development, and parenting.
Dr. Sara Briggs is a core faculty member at the University of Phoenix. Dr. Briggs obtained a Ph.D. in... .
..Counselor Education and Supervision from University of the Cumberlands, a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Central Methodist University. Dr. Briggs is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a clinical supervisor in Missouri, and a national certified counselor (NCC). She has gained clinical experience in private practice, community mental health agencies, acute psychiatric hospital settings, and in higher education. Her research interests include wellness and self-care, women’s issues, and criminal justice.
Dr. Ross graduated from Capella University, receiving a PhD in Counselor Education and...
...Supervision. She received her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. Currently, she is full-time faculty for the University of Phoenix. She has clinical experience in the areas of therapist, ER psychiatric assessment, and EAP clinical care manager. She has administrative experiences as a clinical services supervisor and EAP/MHSUD account manager. She is interested in research related to organizational leadership and mental/behavioral health and wellness.
Dr. Serena Flores is core faculty with the University of Phoenix, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Online...
...program. Dr. Flores earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi. While Dr. Flores has been in higher education for over a decade, she has extensive experience in teaching and practicing in the field of counseling and supervision, school counseling, and as a practicing clinical mental health counselor supervisor. As such, Dr. Flores is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, and a Certified School Counselor in the state of Texas. In addition to teaching, her research interests include distance counseling, distance learning, and substance abuse counseling.
Dr. Sonia Gooden-Alexis is a Core Faculty Member at the University of Phoenix, Licensed Mental...
...Health Counselor, Clinical Addiction Specialist, National Certified Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor and Board Certified Tele-mental Health Provider. She has 20+ years of experience in providing counseling to children, adolescents and adults across settings including schools, hospitals, residential facilities and within the community. Dr. Gooden-Alexis obtained an Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University – Northern Virginia, a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Cambridge College in Massachusetts and a bachelor's degree in psychology from University of Massachusetts, Boston. Dr. Gooden-Alexis was a recipient of the 2017 National Board of Certified Counselor Minority Fellowship.
Dr. Steven Glasser, Ph.D. is an accomplished counselor educator, mental health, and addictions...
...professional. As a member of LGBTQI+ community, he has the privilege of working with the next generation of mental health professionals with a focus on cultural humility and promoting inclusivity within course rooms. Dr. Glasser holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, a certificate in alcohol and drug counseling, a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in counselor education and supervision. Research interests include tele-mental health counseling services and promoting accessibility to mental health and addiction services.
Dr. Solomon is a core counseling faculty member at the University of Phoenix. Dr. Solomon received...
...her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University, a Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University, a Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. Dr. Solomon’s clinical experience includes individual and family therapy for adolescents, adults, and families. Her research interests include acculturation, job satisfaction, and identity development and formation in adults.
Dr. Taqueena Quintana is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), nationally certified counselor...
...(NCC), approved clinical supervisor (ACS), board-certified tele-mental health counselor (BC-TMH), counselor educator, author, and consultant. She has over 15 years’ experience in education and counseling within various settings including K-12 institutions, colleges/universities, private practice, military installations, hospitals, residential treatment facilities and community mental health agencies. Dr. Quintana holds a BA in History with a Minor in Puerto Rican, Africana, and Latin American Studies from CUNY Hunter College, an M.S.Ed. in Teaching Students with Disabilities and an M.S.Ed. in School Counseling, both from CUNY Brooklyn College, and an EdD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Argosy University- Northern Virginia. Her research interests include counseling military-connected youth, clinical supervision, school-based mental health, supporting students with disabilities, and tele-mental health.
Dr. Vanessa Patton-Scott is a licensed clinical professional counselor and a clinical supervisor in Maryland...
...with over 15 years of clinical mental health experience in the states of Maryland, Georgia, and Florida. She earned her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2007 at the University of Central Florida and received her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Argosy University in 2016. Her research focuses on clinical supervision, wellness, spirituality, trauma, and perinatal mental health. Dr. Patton-Scott is a member of multiple professional and service organizations, including the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling, and Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated.
Dr. Yurandol Thompson completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Maryland...
...University College. She received a MA in Professional Counseling from the Georgia Professional School of Psychology at Argosy University Atlanta and a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Walden University. She is a licensed professional counselor in Georgia and Virginia as well as a national certified counselor. Dr. Thompson has over 15 years of clinical experience. She has developed clinical expertise working with individuals, couples, and families in a wide range of settings including community mental health agencies, crisis, government agencies, and private practice.
Andrea Engels, Ph.D., LPC
Barbara Burt, Psy.D., LP
Blerta Bena, MA., NCC, LAC, LCADC
Christa Banton, Ed.D, LMFT
Denise Takakjy, MS., NCC, LPC
Diana Herweck, Psy.D., LPC, LMFT
Donya Boudeman, MA., LPC
Faye Anders, MS., LPC
Gabrielle Ficchi, Ph.D., LPC
Gary Zarchy, M.C., LPC, LISAC, HS-BCP, ACS
Gilbert Franco, Ph.D., LMFT
Giselle Cunningham, Ph.D., NCC, LPC, BC-TMHP, CCTP
Greggus Yahr, Ph.D., LPC
James Parker, MS., LMFT
Jamey McCormick, MS., LMFT
Jeffrey Robinson-Thomas, Ph.D., NCC, LCMHC - S
Jennifer Stover, Ph.D., LPC
John Ferreira, Ph.D. LPC
Joshua Stoick, MS., LMFT
Katherine Unthank, Ph.D., LPC, LMHC, LCPC
Kathleen Jones-Trebatoski, Ph.D., LPC
Kim Chosie, Ph.D., MS., LPC, ACS
Kim Keating, MA., LMFT
Lauren Young, Ph.D., LPC
Marcy Stern, Ed.D., LMHC
Margo Milano, Ph.D., LCPC
Mark Shen, Ph.D., NCC, LPC
Marsha Riggio, Ph.D., LPCC, LPC, CS
Marty Mendenhall, Ph.D., CMHC
MaryJo Trombley, Ph.D., LP
Michael Henderson, MA., LMFT
Michelle McGuire, Psy.D., LP
Natalie Gwyn, Ph.D., LCMHC
Nicole Harris, Ed.D., LPC, CSAC
Ophelia Blackwell, Ph.D., LCPC, LPC
Patricia Kerstner, Ph.D., NCC, LP
Portia Allie-Turco, Ph.D, MHC
Rebecca Day, Ed.D., LPC
Rhonda Neswald, Ph.D., CMHC
Robin Schupper, Psy.D., LP
Robin Switzer, Ed.D., LPC
Ronald Dankowski, Ph.D., LP
Sharon Craig, Ph.D., LP, LSP
Shawn Miller, MS., LMFT
Stacy McKenzie, Ph.D., CMHC
Susan Gamble, Psy.D., LP
Traci Feek (Fritsch), Ed.D., LPC
Warren Wright, Ph.D., NCC, LPC
Wendy Whinnery, Ph.D., NCC, LMHC, CCMHC, CCTP, CGCS