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Meet Our Staff
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John Friend, Ph.D. Theoretical Orientation: Dr. Friend’s clinical work is driven by his interest in the application of behavioral principles in understanding topics such as purpose, meaning and values, the therapeutic relationship, and present moment focused work. Professional Interests: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, integrated healthcare, sport and performance psychology, anxiety-related disorders, relationship issues, and coping with life transitions. Professional Memberships: Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science |
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Darleen P. Dempster, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC Theoretical Orientation and Professional Interests: Integrated and client directed approach that incorporates evidence-based treatment (e.g., Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for a wide variety of conditions with particular emphasis on posttraumatic stress, such as that resulting from sexual assault, domestic violence, childhood abuse, etc. Other areas of interest include LGBTQ wellness and advocacy, eating disorders, grief, couple’s counseling, and relationship issues. Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association, American College Counseling Association |
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Shanta Jenkins, M.S., LPC, MAC Professional Interests: Substance abuse/dependence, group counseling, co-occurring disorders, life transitions and coping skills, emotional, mental and physical health, self-esteem issues, trauma, anger, stress, and time management, anxiety, depression, couple’s counseling and relationship issues. Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association, American College Counseling Association, Alabama Counseling Association, Alabama College Counseling Association, The Association for Addiction Professionals, Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors |
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Vallarie Jones, M.S., LPC Professional Interests: Stress management, family and relationship issues, anxiety, depression, health and wellness, coping skills, and correctional behavioral health. Professional Memberships: Alabama Counseling Association, Alabama College Counseling Association |
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Marjorie Scaffa, M.S., ALC Theoretical Orientation: Primarily use a solution-focused, strengths-based approach to counseling with the ability to integrate other theoretical approaches to meet the needs of individual clients. Professional Interests: Wellbeing of health professions students and practitioners, health promotion and prevention, family and relationship issues, grief and trauma. Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association, Alabama Counseling Association, International Positive Psychology Association |
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Nathan Booth, M.Ed. Theoretical Orientation and Professional Interests: Integrated approach that draws heavily from cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and mindfulness-based practices. His research interests include issues related to men/masculinity, positive psychology variables such as hope and self-compassion, and help-seeking attitudes on college campuses. Professional Memberships: American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association-Division 51 (Study of Men and Masculinity) |
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April T. Berry, M.S. Theoretical Orientation: Integrated approach that not only embraces the cognitive, behavioral, affective, or physiological systems within a person, but also the social and transpersonal aspects of the systems surrounding the person. Professional Interests: Conformity regarding social dynamics and groups, interpersonal difficulties based on gender, sex, sexual orientation, etc., decision making, stress, and depression. Professional Memberships: American Psychological Association, Alabama Counseling Association Chapter II |
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Nicholas Borgogna, M.A. Theoretical Orientation and Professional Interests: Third-wave behavioral approaches, specifically those found in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). His research interests include issues related to sexuality (sexual/pornography addiction), anxiety, experiential avoidance and avoidance-based behaviors, intimate partner violence, religious issues/scrupulosity, and LGBTQ mental health. Professional Memberships: American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association-Division 51 (Study of Men and Masculinity), Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Association of Contextual Behavior Science, and Southeastern Psychological Association |
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Shameryl Dixon Theoretical Orientation: An integrated and person-centered approach used to fit the needs of each individual and that incorporates evidence-based treatment (e.g.,Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for a wide variety of conditions with particular emphasis on posttraumatic stress, substance abuse, domestic violence, childhood abuse, etc. Professional Interest: Substance abuse/dependence,advocacy, grief, relationship issues, anxiety, stress, boundaries, time-management, health and wellness. Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association, Alabama Counseling Association Chapter VIII. |
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Joel Dobson Theoretical Orientation: Person-centered approach that integrates evidence-based treatment modalities to build on client strengths in order to achieve solutions. His professional background includes 12 years of clinical experience working with children and adolescents. Professional Interest: Family of origin issues, childhood trauma, life transitions, assertiveness, anxiety, depression. Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association |
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Tracey Smith Theoretical Orientation: Tracey’s therapy style draws heavily on the principles of Adlerian Theory, particularly treating clients as equals and with genuineness, compassion, and consistent encouragement. In addition, she continuously works to build a large ‘toolbox’ of therapeutic techniques from several additional evidence-based theories (Cognitive-Behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment, Mindfulness, and Solutions-focused Brief Therapy) in order to tailor therapy to the unique needs of each client. She is strong believer in the healing power of the therapeutic alliance. Professional Interests: Major Depressive Disorder; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Eating Disorders; Anxiety-related disorders; adult LGBTQ, First Responder, Military, and Men/Masculinity mental health concerns. Professional Memberships: American Psychological Association, including Divisions 51 (Masculinity), 36 (Religion and Spirituality), and 19 (Military); Society for Police and Criminal Psychology; International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; Association for Psychological Science |
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Terri C. Kadel, MS, LPC Professional Membership: National College Testing Association |
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Barbara Solomon |
