About SCS Staff
SCS staff clinicians are qualified, experienced, and skilled professionals who are specialists in their respective fields. Please contact SCS to make an appointment for a meeting with one of our staff.
Doug Hankes
Ph.D., Director, Licensed Psychologist
Doug completed his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas in 1996. He is a licensed psychologist in Alabama and Tennessee. Doug returned to his alma mater in 1998 after working at the University of Tennessee. He holds graduate faculty status in the Department of Psychology, the Department of Kinesiology, and the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling. Doug describes his therapy approach as mindfully eclectic and fosters a collaborative relationship with clients to promote change. He has been actively involved at the national level in sport and exercise psychology and has served on the Executive Boards of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 47 Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). He is an AASP Fellow. Doug is listed on the 2013-2016 United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry.
Kwoneathia Boswell
Ph.D., Senior Staff Clinician
Kwoneathia completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mississippi. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Western Kentucky University’s Counseling and Testing Center and also has experience working with college students at the University of Mississippi. Kwoneathia’s professional and clinical interests include academic issues, developmental concerns, relationship issues, depression, and anxiety. Her approach to counseling focuses on creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment, incorporating cognitive-behavioral, humanistic/existential, and person-centered techniques.
Joeleen Cooper-Bhatia
Ph.D., Group Coordinator, Licensed Psychologist
Joeleen completed her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany, SUNY in Albany, NY. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Virginia Tech’s Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center and also has experience working with college students at the University at Albany and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Joeleen’s professional interests include intervention and outreach to diverse populations, training/supervision, psychological assessment, group therapy, and relationship issues. Her approach to treatment is integrative, incorporating interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral techniques.
Ann Marie DelSignore
M.A., Senior Staff Clinician, CVM Liaison
Ann Marie is currently completing a doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University. Her clinical interests include trauma, self-injury, interpersonal neurobiology, LGBTQ issues, and the training/supervision of psychologists. She uses an integrative clinical approach that primarily draws from humanistic/existential and multicultural perspectives.
Chrissy Downing
LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Chrissy graduated from the University of Chicago with a master’s degree in Social Service Administration (Clinical Social Work). She moved to Auburn in the fall of 2016. Prior to moving, Chrissy worked in a community mental health center, where she provided individual and group therapy, coordinated the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy program, and supervised interns and masters level clinicians. Her clinical interests include trauma and complex trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, serious mental illness, veterans’ issues, and resiliency. She draws from a variety of approaches, incorporating dialectical-behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, interpersonal, and systemic perspectives, focusing on what works for each client. Additionally, she is a registered yoga teacher and frequently explores the mind-body connection in therapy. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence based treatment for trauma and anxiety.
Kellie Jenkins
Administrative Assistant
Kellie is an Opelika, Alabama native and the administrative assistant for the counseling center. She has extensive knowledge and experience in customer service and administration. Her enthusiasm, commitment, and positivity help create a comfortable environment for those who visit the center as well as for those who call. She also assists the SCS clinicians with managerial tasks to provide the best quality service to clients. Prior to working at the SCS, Kellie worked in the healthcare field for 22 years, specializing in geriatrics and mental health. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her family and pets.
Dustin Johnson
Ph.D., Assistant Director for Outreach and Mental Health Initiatives, Licensed Psychologist
Dustin completed his doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas (UNT) in 2011. He has experience working with college students at the University of Southern Mississippi, UNT, and West Virginia University. His clinical interests include Men’s issues, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues, sports and academic performance enhancement, and assessment and management of learning differences (including ADHD). He is an active member of both the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Dustin describes his work with clients as integrative, with particular focus on creating a strong, genuine, and open working relationship through the use of humanistic, emotion-focused, interpersonal, and psychodynamic techniques. He has conducted and participated in youth sport research, focusing on the impact of coaches. In his free time, Dustin enjoys rooting for the New Orleans Saints and is an avid fan of the outdoors, particularly hiking.
Priscilla Little
Office Manager
Priscilla is the Office Manager for the counseling center. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of non-clinical personnel. She oversees the business, financial, and human resource aspects of the office. Previously she has worked as a paralegal, which provided her with training and knowledge in the area of HIPPA and patient privacy. Originally from Brandon, MS, Priscilla has lived in Birmingham, AL, Memphis, TN, Austin, TX and Louisville, KY before moving to Auburn in 2007. Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor activities such as cycling, kayaking, concerts, and tailgating.
Robin Marshall
LPN, Licensed Practical Nurse
Robin is an Auburn University affiliate at the Student Counseling Services office. She joins the East Alabama Psychiatric Service team to provide psychiatric services for the Auburn University students on campus. Robin has over 25 years of healthcare experience as a nurse in both hospital and clinic settings. She has a strong passion for being a patient advocate and believes that everyone deserves compassion, quality care, and human kindness. She is an Auburn, AL native that moved to Dothan, AL for several years prior to returning home in 2016. She enjoys spending time with family, teaching group fitness classes, and cheering for the Auburn Tigers.
Carolyn Miller
LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Carolyn completed her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University in New York City. She gained experience working with students in a college counseling center through her master’s internship at Hunter College. Carolyn is now licensed in the state of Alabama, where she has conducted therapy in community mental health and hospital settings. Her clinical interests include anxiety, grief and loss, relationship issues, developmental concerns, trauma, and social justice. Her approach to counseling centers on an empathetic working relationship and draws from systemic, psychodynamic, interpersonal, and cognitive-behavioral modalities. Outside of work, Carolyn enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dog in the great outdoors.
Jan Miller
Ph.D., ECTT Coordinator, Licensed Psychologist
Jan earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from West Virginia University in 2013. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Kansas State University’s Student Counseling Services and, prior to that experience, spent two years working at West Virginia University’s Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services. Her clinical and professional interests include anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, women’s issues, biofeedback, vocational issues, college student retention, and training/supervision of psychologists. Jan uses an integrated clinical approach, specifically drawing from cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, interpersonal, and feminist perspectives.
Sarah Halawani Montes
Ph.D., Senior Staff Clinician
Sarah completed her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Memphis in 2014. She has worked with college students at the University of Memphis, New Mexico State University, the University of Illinois, and most recently overseas at Dubai Women’s College. Sarah’s clinical and professional interests include performance anxiety, perfectionism, ADHD, psychological assessment, group therapy, body image concerns, relationship issues, supervision, multiculturalism, and social justice. Her approach to counseling focuses on developing a genuine collaborative relationship with the client that is culturally informed. She draws from cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal process, emotion-focused and humanistic treatment modalities. She enjoys working with students who are diverse in background including international students. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Moose
TDI Certified & CGC (AKC Canine Good Citizen)
Moose is a 10-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever. He was trained by Auburn University Canine Performance Sciences as an explosive detection dog. During his time at Canine Performance Sciences, Moose worked on a Department of Justice research project studying the effects of nutrition on olfaction detection, and on a Department of Defense project. Moose is one of the only two dogs in the world who has been shown to be able to detect a live virus. In collaboration with Student Counseling Services, Canine Performance Sciences trained him to be a therapy dog and donated him to SCS so that he can work with Auburn students. Moose has passed his AKC Canine Good Citizen test and his Therapy Dogs International evaluation and is now a registered therapy dog. At SCS, Moose works with students in individual and group counseling sessions. Additionally, Moose is involved in outreach events on campus. Moose’s therapeutic approach includes mindfulness, warmth, and acceptance without judgment.
Christina Newberry
Psy.D., Senior Staff Clinician
Christy earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago. She has experience working with students at university counseling centers including Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she also received a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Christy uses a strengths-based and collaborative approach to meet the unique needs of each student. Consistent with a brief therapy model, she seeks to decrease distress, increase coping strategies, and build on the student’s strengths.
Brandy Smith
Ph.D., Assistant Director for Training, Licensed Psychologist
Brandy (originally from Olive Branch, MS) completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Memphis in 2008. Most recently, she worked with university students at University of Oregon (during her pre-doctoral internship) and then as a permanent staff member at New Mexico State University for almost 3 years. At NMSU Brandy also served as the Diversity Coordinator. Brandy joined SCS in August 2011. Her clinical interests include developmental and relationship issues; grief and loss; supervision; multiculturalism (including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, body size, religion, spirituality, age, gender, ability level, socioeconomic status); and social justice and advocacy. She has a strengths-focused approach to counseling that stems from a humanistic/existential perspective with feminist and multicultural components included.
Jennifer Smith
M.D., Psychiatrist
Jen Smith is an Auburn University affiliate at the Student Counseling Services office. She joins the East Alabama Psychiatric Service team to provide psychiatric services for the Auburn University students on campus. She graduated from University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, AL in 2011 and completed psychiatry residency training at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System in Richmond, VA in 2015. She worked at a community mental health center before joining East Alabama Psychiatric Services. She was born and raised in the Auburn/Opelika area, is an Auburn football fan, and received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University in 2006. She is excited to be back at Auburn. She hopes to help students get the most out of their time at Auburn and achieve their educational goals by addressing their mental health needs.
Kristee Treadwell
Ph.D., Assistant Director for Clinical Services, Licensed Psychologist
Kristee completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from West Virginia University in 2006. After completing her degree, Kristee worked as an inpatient psychologist at a community mental health center in Tallahassee, Florida for four years. Kristee joined SCS in December 2010 and was excited to return to her alma mater since she received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University. Her clinical interests include working with survivors of trauma, anger management and other presenting concerns relative to the college student population, crisis intervention, group counseling, graduate student training and outreach and instruction within the university and larger community. Kristee approaches her clinical work from an integrative perspective as informed by cognitive- behavioral theory and techniques, interpersonal and other psychodynamic perspectives (e.g., object relations).
Mary Catherine Turner
ME.d., Case Manager, Licensed Professional Counselor
Mary Catherine graduated from Auburn University in 2014 with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling. After graduation, she gained experience with individuals of all ages while working in community mental health for over 3 years. Mary Catherine predominantly worked in a public school setting with school-aged clients and became interested in individuals in the age of transition from high school to college. Areas of professional interest include transition and adjustment, relationship issues, and family/peer conflict. She is also very interested in outreach and advocacy. Outside of work she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing at Lake Martin. Mary Catherine is excited to be back in Auburn and looking forward to working with students as the Case Manager.
Doctoral Practicum Clinicians
2017-2018
Christine Chason, B.A.
Erika Hanley, B.S.
LaVarius Harris, B.S.
Taylor Langley, M.S.
Mary Anne Messer, M.S.
Betool Ridha, B.S.
Elizabeth Spitzer, M.A.
Jessica Townsdin, M.Ed.
The Center
Student Counseling Services (SCS) is the primary counseling center for the Auburn University student community to talk through their personal problems and concerns. Your college years are a time of tremendous excitement and potential, but they can also be demanding and stressful. There are academic responsibilities, as well as the tasks of establishing a greater sense of identity, moving toward increased independence, and developing meaningful relationships. SCS can help you deal with these issues when they become overwhelming.
The Zen Den
The Zen Den offers a variety of stress management resources including biofeedback, a robotic massage chair, light therapy (for Seasonal Affective Disorder), and more. The Zen Den is available to all enrolled Auburn University students. You do not have to be a client at SCS to utilize the Zen Den. To schedule an orientation session and begin managing your stress in a unique, proactive manner, call SCS at 334.844.5123.
Group Counseling
Group counseling is one of many forms of treatment offered by Student Counseling Services. Some groups are focused on special themes like stress management, eating concerns, or anger management, while some other are more general and focus on resolving a range of issues, such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem problems, and relationship problems. For many types of problems, group counseling is the treatment of choice. Groups provide the opportunity to observe others solving their problems. Groups provide the advantage of a network of support. Groups are especially helpful in learning to build trust, self-acceptance, intimacy, communication skills, and empathy.
Individual Counseling
Student Counseling Services (SCS) provides short-term individual counseling to currently enrolled Auburn University undergraduate and graduate students. AU students who are academically suspended may be able to access services as part of their comprehensive plan to return to the university. Individual counseling provides an opportunity to explore your concerns on a one-to-one basis within the context of a confidential relationship. Our counseling model attempts to empower you with the resources needed to make positive changes in your life.