Meet the Staff

During my over 20 years at Colgate, my work with Colgate students has been very rewarding. I was trained as a generalist psychologist, and I use a variety of strategies and theoretical approaches in my work. I typically pull from cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and humanistic foundations. I also consider myself a trauma specialist and have focused much of my career on developing strategies to help students process past experiences that are getting in the way of their success. I am inspired by so many Colgate students - your talents and abilities, as well as your resilience. I feel fortunate to work on an extremely talented clinical team and I hope that you will reach out to us for support if you think it will be beneficial!

Christian joined the Counseling Center in 2016. He completed his undergraduate career at the University of New Hampshire with a major in psychology and a minor in Exercise Science, and completed his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regent University. Christian has a wide range of working experiences, including an oncology unit at a hospital, a transitional home for adults with severe mental illness, a residential program for high-risk behavior adolescents, and college counseling centers. Christian utilizes a strengths-based framework to help students feel encouraged, empowered, and equipped to navigate the challenging and sometimes painful experiences we face in life. His approach pulls from a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

Hello! I am the Alcohol and Other Drugs counselor at Colgate. I began working at Colgate in December, 2019. I truly appreciate being part of the Colgate community and find working with all of you incredibly fulfilling. I have a Masters in Social Work from the University at Buffalo, and an undergraduate degree in Media Studies from Quinnipiac University. I am an avid reader and love movies. You can pretty much guarantee that movies, music, and basketball will come up in sessions. I am learning how to play the guitar (any tips are welcome!).

My hope is that students feel I am here for them as a friendly and non-judgmental professional. Understanding the role of substances in your life can be a difficult process, and I strive to create a safe and welcoming space for students. While my primary role on campus is as the AOD, I am also a generalist and incorporate several therapeutic interventions including: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, Schema Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. If you ever see me walking around campus, please feel free to say hi!

My professional home is working in small, liberal arts college counseling centers, and I’ve enjoyed working at Colgate since 2013! I find working with college students to be extremely rewarding. My approach to mental health work is to develop a collaborative relationship with students to work through their current goals and needs. My clinical interests surround issues related to relationships, social inclusion, eating issues/body image, ADHD, and family challenges. I utilize an interpersonal therapy framework in my work, with influences from narrative, feminist, and multicultural therapies, and enjoy bringing art or other expressive strategies into the work. I am passionate about group therapy and enjoy leading several groups in the counseling center. I live in Hamilton with my husband, 2 children, 4 cats, 1 dog, and countless chickens. I love to explore the outdoors and spend much of my free time sewing and quilting.

As a mental health clinician with a background in higher education and school counseling, I love working with college students.  With the intention to purposefully nurture hearts and minds, I bring an eclectic approach to the counseling experience.  As a person-centered clinician, I prioritize the individual narrative of each student, allowing the time and space to explore one's sense of identity, community and belonging.  I regularly integrate psycho-education and personal reflection, utilizing CBT, ACT and DBT skills to support the therapeutic process.  As a graduate of Colgate, my alma mater is a very special place to me... you may see me walking the paths of our beautiful campus, taking a 'mindful moment' between sessions.  When I'm not on campus I'm actively involved in my community and church and love supporting my children in their many sports and activities.  I've been told that my cookies are pretty amazing and if you join one of my groups, I will likely bring some to share!

Everyone deserves to feel seen and heard. As a therapist, my aim is to create an environment where you have the space to identify, experience, and reflect on your inner experiences. I often draw upon person-centered and emotion-focused approaches, but ultimately, I allow you to take the lead to make the most of our time together. I am particularly sensitive to the needs of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students navigating the intersection of their identities, complicated family dynamics, trauma, and present-day stressors. It takes courage to do this work and I’m glad that you’re here.

This is a start! Be proud of yourself for being here. I believe we all have the innate ability to navigate life with the belief, "No matter what comes I can make it through." I work with you to develop your ability to learn more about yourself, others, and life so you can live resiliently. I have 10 years of experience working with individuals overcoming life stressors, traumas, relational concerns, internal conflicts and so much more. I aim to work collaboratively with you to develop healthier thoughts, skills, relationships, etc. I work to help you create a more adaptive positive mindset to address areas in your life you want to change. I am trained in a wide range of therapeutic modalities which allows me to tailor my practice to your needs as an individual. I would love to be a part of your healing and learning journey. This is an opportunity for you to grow. Yes, it will be challenging, but think about where you can be once you make this investment in yourself. I look forward to meeting you and joining you on this journey. 

I have been working on small college campuses for almost 10 years and have found my home at Colgate for the last few. I am a trauma-informed therapist that provides an intentional nonjudgmental LGBTQIA+ affirming space. My specialties center around folks dealing with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma and gender or sexuality exploration. I work with students dealing with life stressors/transitions, relationship struggles and self-esteem concerns. Collaboratively, I work with students to come up with an approach and goals that meet them where they are. My goal is to have students gain a better understanding of themselves through empowerment and new skill building. Outside of Colgate you can find me walking trails with my dog, gardening in the summer, crafting in the winter, eating chocolate all year and hanging out with my chickens (although Niki does have more than me).

I joined the mental health counseling team in July 2023 and have loved returning to my “home” in Upstate New York. I work with students of all different backgrounds to help them better understand themselves and uncover strategies to navigate life’s challenges. My approach integrates acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness to recognize unhelpful thought patterns, identify strengths, and to build confidence and self compassion to foster growth. My therapeutic interests span the areas of sport & performance psychology, performing arts, perfectionism, anxiety disorders, identity concerns, and navigating life transitions. I hope to offer a non-judgemental and supportive environment that is welcoming to all students. I’m glad that you are here!

Welcome to the Counseling Center! I'm Dr. Smith, and I work with students of varied cultural backgrounds to assist them in discovering their voices and crafting their own stories to meet life's challenges. These challenges can range from homesickness, roommate conflicts, or building friendships, to anxiety, depression, or trauma (short-term and chronic). More specifically, I assist students to understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can influence each other in both positive and problematic ways. As we work together, we build skills to use this knowledge to pursue what's most important to you in life. Having been a Professor of Psychology for 29 years, I am familiar with the challenges that college students face away from home while seeking an education. Please feel free to stop by to chat about any of your concerns!

I am one of the counselor trainees this academic year.  I am in my final year as a clinical mental health counseling grad student at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY. I previously had a career in human resources.  My mental health journey led me to pursue a counseling degree and find my true passion for helping people. I am originally from New Hampshire and have lived in CNY for 4 years.  My areas of interest include ADHD, social anxiety, relationships, identity exploration, first-generation college students, body image, and self-esteem to name a few. I utilize a collaborative approach that aims to look through the lens of each individual so that I can best support you and tailor our sessions to fit your needs and goals. I draw from an eclectic array of therapeutic modalities and may incorporate creative elements such as coloring, art activities, music, or writing.