Meet Our Staff

Counseling Center Director

Email: PerezLopezm@uncw.edu

Dr. Perez-Lopez is responsible for overseeing the general administration of the Counseling Center and University Testing Services.

He received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Arkansas. His theoretical orientation is primarily cognitive behavioral, and his treatment methods are guided by principles of interpersonal process and multicultural competence.

Dr. Perez-Lopez serves as a site visitor for several professional organizations and provides guidance about accreditation standards for training programs in psychology.

Main area of clinical specialization: Eating disorders

Other specializations and interests: working with first responders; risk and threat assessment; and supervision and training

Presentation topics: How to help a distressed student; crisis response and risk assessment; trends in college mental health; eating disorders

Counseling Center Associate Director/Clinical Director

Email: HelmsL@uncw.edu

Dr. Helms is responsible for coordinating clinical services and assisting the Counseling Center director in administrative duties.

She earned her master's degree in counseling from California State University Sacramento, Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Texas A&M University and completed her doctoral internship at University of Oregon.   She conceptualizes clients principally from the Multimodal Therapy perspective, and her therapeutic interventions are eclectic, but predominately cognitive behavioral.

Specializations and interests: Resiliency and wellness; identity development; anger, anxiety, and stress management; mindfulness; emotion regulation; relationships; therapist training and supervision; program development

Counseling Center Assistant Director/Training Director

Email:mcKeann@uncw.edu

Dr. McKean is responsible for directing the training programs at the Counseling Center and assisting the center’s director in administrative duties.

She earned her doctorate in counseling psychology from Indiana University-Bloomington and completed her pre-doctoral internship at UNC-Chapel Hill Counseling & Psychological Services.

Dr. McKean takes a relational, collaborative approach to therapy that prioritizes the development of a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship.  Dr. McKean integrates psychodynamic, feminist, cognitive-behavioral, and acceptance-based approaches tailored to each individual client.  She strives to help clients gain insight into the ways that cultural factors and interpersonal relationships shape individual experiences and worldviews.

Specializations and interests: Training and supervision; group therapy; relational concerns; sexual concerns; family-of-origin concerns; LGBTQ+ identity development; victim-survivors of sexual assault.  

Staff Clinician

Email: couchj@uncw.edu

Dr. Couch provides counseling to individuals and groups. 

Dr. Couch obtained his doctoral degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the University of Tennessee Student Counseling Center. 

Dr. Couch’s approach to therapy blends approaches from Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Humanistic and Feminist theories. Dr. Couch strives to create a trusting and collaborative therapeutic space where clients develop insight to their concerns and feel empowered to create change in their lives. He considers how one’s unique cultural context and lived experiences shape mental well-being, particularly family dynamics, relationships, and sociocultural factors. 

Specializations and interests: Identity development; LGBTQ+ concerns; relational concerns; depression; body image; self-compassion; existential/spiritual concerns 

Staff Counselor

Email: Gallowayr@uncw.edu

Mr. Galloway provides counseling and consultation services to individual students.

Mr. Galloway uses an eclectic approach to therapy, using solution-focused techniques, as well as cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral informed therapeutic approaches. He enjoys working with the college population.

Specializations and interests: Anxiety; depression; relationship concerns; multicultural issues; problem-solving skills; career guidance

Email: quoncek@uncw.edu

Ms. Quonce provides counseling and consultation services to individual students.

She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from Syracuse University in NY.

Ms. Quonce works primarily from a model of solution-focused therapy, mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. Relaxation and grounding techniques are incorporated into the models of therapy.

Email: alsobrooksc@uncw.edu 

Mrs. Alsobrooks is the Case Manager at the counseling center. 

She provides case management for students, including but not limited to referrals, following up with student referrals to verify they have the information they need to make their own healthcare related decisions, and coordinating with off-campus providers. She works with students referred by clinicians in the counseling center to connect them with off-campus providers in the community. She also works to continuously review the resource database to ensure access to quality service for students. 

 She received her  Master's of Social Work from North Carolina State University.

Email: hissamv@uncw.edu

Vanessa works from a person-centered and multicultural lens and remains flexible with treatment approaches to meet individual client needs. Vanessa uses an integrated approach, often utilizing techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, feminist therapy, interpersonal therapy, solution-focused therapy, and emotion-focused therapy. Vanessa enjoys working with students and helping them navigate this stage of life. In session, she values staying present with each student and providing a sense of safety and support. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her cat, appreciating nature, and watching TV and movies.

 Specializations and interests: Anxiety and stress, depression, relationships, multicultural concerns, identity exploration, intuitive eating.

Email: chaneytaylort@uncw.edu

Dr. Chaney-Taylor provides individual and group counseling services. 

Tiyana is both a Licensed Psychologist and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She completed her APA-accredited internship at the University of South Carolina. Tiyana holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University and a Master of Social Work from Georgia State University. She is also an alumnus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology.

Her therapeutic approach blends cognitive-behavioral and multicultural methods with elements of mindfulness, humanistic principles, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, emotion-focused therapy, interpersonal strategies, and strength-based interventions. She tailors her approach to each individual, working collaboratively with clients to create a safe and trusting therapeutic environment. In this space, she assists clients in exploring their concerns, developing skills, gaining insights, and making positive, lasting changes.

Specializations and Interests: anxiety and stress management, depression, relationship concerns, sexual concerns, race-related stress, LGBTQ+ issues, identity development, self-esteem, mindfulness-based interventions, holistic health and wellness, and social justice

Email: shirleyj@uncw.edu

Jennifer Shirley provides individual and group counseling services

Dr. Shirley holds a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University, San Diego. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of South Carolina. They also hold a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and two bachelor's degrees from Western Carolina University in Psychology and Sociology.

Her therapeutic approach blends cyclical psychodynamic and multicultural theories with elements of person centered, acceptance and commitment therapy, emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness, and solution focused therapy. She works collaboratively with clients to meet individual needs and create a supportive therapeutic environment.

Specializations and Interests: LGBTQ+ issues, identity development, race-related issues, social justice, trauma, anxiety and stress, depression, relationship issues, and adjustment issues.

Email: hernandeza@uncw.edu

Dr. Hernández is a Post Doctoral Psychology Fellow for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.  

She earned her degree from Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, NY and completed her Pre-Doctoral Internship at the Carruth Center at West Virginia University. Dr. Hernández integrates Multicultural, Cognitive Behavioral and Interpersonal Processing therapeutic orientations in her clinical practice. She enjoys fusing music and faith-based interventions into her practice. In her free time, you can find her reading, crocheting, or watching The Office.  

Specializations and Interests: Integration of faith/spirituality and mental health; Relationships; Anxiety; Depression; Multicultural issues; Academic Challenges; Building community on Campus 

Email: sylvesterk@uncw.edu

Dr. Kirstin Sylvester provides individual and group counseling. 

 Dr. Sylvester obtained her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University and completed her pre-doctoral psychology internship at Texas A&M University. She received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Mercer University and the University of Kentucky, respectively.

 Dr. Sylvester views therapy as a collaborative relationship between therapist and client that seeks to foster insight, self-discovery, and  empowerment in helping clients enact meaningful change in their lives. Her integrated approach, which includes intersectional feminist, cognitive behavioral and narrative therapies, aim to nurture hope amid marginalization and/or any ongoing stressor. She believes in the importance of treating the whole person by staying attuned to the stories they carry, and believes in critically examining experiences associated with intertwining sociocultural factors to assist in the process of therapeutic change. In serving college student populations, Dr. Sylvester seeks to dismantle mental health stigmas and provide psychological interventions that support students’ holistic well-being. 

 When she is not providing clinical services, Dr. Sylvester enjoys traveling, dancing, cooking, attending sporting events, and spending time with family and friends. 

 Specializations and Interests: academic/career concerns, anxiety and stress management, faith/spirituality, interpersonal violence, life transitions, racial/ethnic based trauma, relationship concerns, and self-esteem

Email:peacec@uncw.edu

Dr. Carley Peace is a Post Doctoral Psychology Fellow at the Counseling Center. She provides individual and group counseling services.

Carley earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology from Florida State University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Virginia Tech’s Cook Counseling Center.

Carley is passionate about supporting college students’ mental health so they can achieve their educational and life goals. In the therapy room, Carley strives to create a warm and open atmosphere in which clients feel supported and understood. She recognizes that it takes courage to seek counseling, and she considers it a privilege to support clients in their personal growth and healing. Carley works from an integrative model with a strong emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy, cultural humility, and the interpersonal process approach.

Originally from South Carolina, Carley enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, traveling, hiking, playing cello, and trying to keep her cat, Pinto, out of mischief.

Specializations and interests: anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, career concerns, interpersonal relationships, self-compassion, ADHD

Email: carrollct@uncw.edu

Tyler is a doctoral psychology intern at the UNCW Counseling Center. He provides individual and group counseling services to students.

Tyler is currently completing his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology  and has prior experience providing outpatient, inpatient, and community-based therapy. He works from an integrative and client-centered approach, drawing on Internal Family Systems (IFS), while adapting to meet each client’s unique needs. His work often incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and mindfulness techniques to foster  greater emotional regulation and personal growth. Tyler strives to create a collaborative, compassionate space where clients feel safe to explore their experiences and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.

Outside of work, Tyler enjoys spending time with his dog, exploring new coffee shops, and water sports. 

Specializations and interests: Depression, anxiety, LGBTQ+ concerns, identity development, relationship concerns, and spiritual concerns. 

Email: shauta@uncw.edu

Amber is a doctoral psychology intern at the UNCW Counseling Center. She provides individual and group counseling services to students.

 Amber is currently completing her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and has prior experience providing outpatient, community-based therapy, and college counseling. She strives to create a warm and welcoming environment where clients feel supported and understood. Amber works from a client-centered approach and an integrative approach, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and mindfulness techniques to gain insight, develop skills, and make positive, lasting changes.

 Outside of work, Amber enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, going on walks, and crocheting.

Specializations and interests: anxiety & stress management, depression, mindfulness, adjustment issues, and interpersonal relationships.

Email: posadak@uncw.edu

Katherine is a doctoral psychology intern at the UNCW Counseling Center and will be providing group and individual counseling services to students. She is currently in the process of completing her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology from Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown, NJ.

Katherine brings a diverse range of clinical experiences to her role, having worked in community mental health centers in urban settings, child protection centers with New Jersey’s Division of Child Protection and Permanency, and providing direct support services for individuals with special needs. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has provided therapy in both languages, supporting multicultural populations with care and cultural sensitivity. Her therapeutic style is grounded in Person-Centered Therapy and guided by an integrated framework as she aims to tailor the therapeutic environment to meet the needs and goals of her clients. She believes in the importance of valuing an individual’s unique experience within their respective culture to better inform the therapeutic process. Katherine is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where students can feel heard, valued, and empowered in their personal growth and identity development.

Outside of her clinical work, Katherine enjoys trying new coffee shops, traveling, and being active.   

Specializations & Interests: anxiety & stress management; mindfulness; depression; relational concerns; multicultural concerns; social justice; identity development; ADHD

Email: weberl@uncw.edu

Dr. Leslie Weber is a Post Doctoral Psychology Fellow at the Counseling Center. She provides individual and group counseling services.

Dr. Weber obtained her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Utah State University. She earned her master’s degree at Oklahoma State University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies at William & Mary.

Dr. Weber strives to collaborate with clients to address their concerns and foster insight. She looks to clients to bring their unique experiences and perspectives into the therapy room. She approaches clients holistically and pays attention to clients’ identities, culture, and relationships and acknowledges that sociocultural factors significantly impact clients’ experiences and worldview. Dr. Weber’s approach to therapy is based in feminist therapy and uses Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT) with interventions from Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Dr. Weber enjoys reading, baking, knitting, cross-stitching, traveling, and playing with her cat, Nellie.

Specializations and interests: relationship concerns, interpersonal violence, family-of-origin concerns, identity development, anxiety and stress management, purity culture/faith or spirituality concerns, sexual concerns (desire/libido discrepancies, concerns with porn use/masturbation, sexual performance concerns), infidelity.

Ms. Derrow is a social work student intern. She provides counseling and consultation services to individual students.

 She is currently working towards her Master of Social Work at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

 Ms. Derrow works primarily from the model of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). She works using a client-centered approach, recognizing that clients are the experts of their own lives. She draws from the person-in-environment perspective and possesses a biopsychosocial lens. She works collaboratively with students to create a safe and welcoming space for all.

 Specializations and interests: Anxiety, Depression, Stress Management, Identity Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Mindfulness 

Office Manager

Email: haragat@uncw.edu

Ms. Haraga is the office manager for the Counseling Center.

Her primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, monthly budget reports, processing office travel requests, outreach advertising, website maintenance, and bank statement reconciliation. She has been a UNCW employee since 2000.

Ms. Smith is the front desk Administrative Associate. Her primary responsibilities include greeting clients and processing necessary paperwork, scheduling appointments, responding to phone calls and emails, and providing support to the department.