WCU is a University of North Carolina Campus
CPS Staff Bios
We represent the fields of psychology, counseling, social work, and psychiatry. We train interns in counseling, clinical psychology, and related counseling programs. Our primary commitment is to enhance the psychological growth, emotional well being, and learning potential of students. Our permanent staff are licensed and/or certified mental health professionals. However, all members of our counseling team (including graduate interns) are trained to address a wide range of presenting concerns. We each have our own unique interests and have developed counseling styles that best enable us to connect with students in a personalized way that aims to be most helpful.
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John Ritchie, Ph.D., Director, Licensed Psychologist, has a Doctorate in Educational Psychological Studies-Counseling from the University of Colorado. He uses primarily cognitive-behavior, family systems, and psychomotor psychotherapy approaches in individual and couples counseling. John also enjoys counseling groups and giving presentations and workshops on various issues such as relationships, conflict management, gender issues, substance abuse, crisis intervention, and group facilitation. He is married and has five children. John enjoys the outdoors, athletics, animals and spending time with his family. He also has a part-time private practice in Sylva. |
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Michelle Cooper, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Licensed Psychologist, has a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters in Counselor Education from Penn State. She uses relational-cultural, family systems, and culturally-sensitive approaches and recently completed training addressing LGBT issues and integrating spirituality into her therapeutic work. She's completed WCU's Safe Zone training and serves as a member of the training team. She views counseling as a collaborative process where both client & counselor bring their individual expertise/gifts together to address specific concerns. Personally, she loves the mountains, rivers & related recreational activities, especially with her family. |
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Michael L. McIntosh, Psy. D., Training Director, has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is pursuing licensure for a Licensed Psychologist - Provisional. He received his Masters and Doctoral degrees from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (now called Argosy University, Chicago.) He integrates various theories and techniques, such as humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and brief dynamic models, to the unique needs of students. He enjoys working with individuals and groups on many different topics such as anxiety, depression and transitions in life. Mike has also worked with people who are deaf or hard of hearing and teaches Sign Language I and II at WCU. When not at work Mike enjoys spending time with his fiancée, working on computers, and exercising. |
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Arika L. Shafer, M.S., NCC, LPC, Counselor, completed her Masters Degree in Counseling with a specialty in College Student Personnel from Shippensburg University in 2002. She completed her counseling license in 2004. Arika has experience working with a variety of counseling issues including Stress Management, Substance Abuse, Anxiety, Depression, and Women’s Issues. She uses a humanistic approach blended with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. Arika has a special interest in Spirituality, Hypnosis, Guided Imagery and other Relaxation Techniques. She is also an advisor for the peer education student organization, C.L.A.W. (Campus Leaders Advocating Wellness). Outside of the office, Arika cherishes her time with her fiancée and their dog traveling through the mountains or to the coast. |
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Anna K. Bauguess, M.A., NCC, LPC, Counselor, completed her Master’s Degree in Community Counseling with an emphasis in Expressive Arts Therapy at Appalachian State University in 2007. She has experience working with clients on anxiety and depression, stress management and relaxation skills, gender and relationship issues, self awareness and acceptance. Anna uses an empowerment-based blend of humanistic, gestalt, and cognitive-behavioral therapies to create a collaborative space where clients may gain new and effective coping mechanisms and insight into their lives. In her spare time Anna enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being physically active, and exploring new ways to create joy and laughter in her life. |
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Amy Worthy, M.S., LPC, Case Manager/Counselor, has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus on Community Counseling from Troy University. Amy has experience working with a variety of issues, including Depression, Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, and Trauma related issues. She utilizes a variety of skills, techniques, and theories, drawing heavily upon Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Amy has extensive experience in crisis intervention and management, and provides case management services for the counseling center. |
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Jane C. Roskowski, LPC, CAC, Counselor/Substance Abuse Specialist, |
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Antonio M. Bird, M.D., Psychiatrist, completed his psychiatry residency at UNC-Chapel Hill and his addiction psychiatry fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He has worked in a variety of settings including assertive community treatment teams and residential addiction rehabilitation facilities. Currently, he is in private practice in Asheville, and provides psychiatric assessment and medication management services at WCU. He is married with two children, and enjoys playing tennis and spending time outdoors. |
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Annada Hypes, M.A., Pre-Doctoral Intern/Counselor, completed her Master’s Degree in Clinical/Community Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) in 2006. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Clinical Health Psychology at UNCC and a pre-doctoral intern in the counseling center at WCU. She has experience working with a variety of clinical issues, including self-harm, risky behaviors, substance abuse, eating disorders, identity development, sexuality and romantic relationships, as well as the intersection of physical and mental health and poverty. She uses a humanistic/bioecological framework to assist each client in identifying his or her strengths most helpful in facilitating therapeutic change. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the mountains with friends, family, and her dog. |
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Kristin L. Daley, M.A., Pre-Doctoral Intern/Counselor, has a Masters degree in Clinical/Community Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and is in the process of completing her Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology there as well. She has an emphasis on cognitive behavioral approaches, but also utilizes interpersonal, humanistic, existential, and family systems approaches in her therapeutic work. She enjoys working with individuals and groups on topics including anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship issues, and health behaviors. She has specialized training in the assessment and management of sleep disorders, and her dissertation work incorporates physical activity in the treatment of comorbid insomnia and depression. Personally, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, and exploring the great outdoors. |
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Andrew Johnson, B.S., Graduate Intern, completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Furman University in 2008 and is currently a Master’s Degree Candidate in Clinical Psychology here at Western Carolina. His primary research interests are personality, personality disorders and other related problematic behaviors. He also has secondary research interests in disparaging humor, political psychology and attitudes toward homosexuality. He has experience working with a college age population doing personality and academic assessments, and primarily uses a combination of client-centered and cognitive behavioral approaches in therapeutic work. In his spare time, he enjoys playing and watching basketball (especially UNC), and working out. |
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Janet D. Sutton, B.A., Graduate Intern/Counselor, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio & Television/Communcations from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, and is in the process of completing her M.S. in Community/Clinical Mental Health Counseling there as well. She is interested in solution focused therapy, cognitive behavioral, humanistic, and family systems approaches in her therapeutic work. She worked in traveling sales for 17 years before returning to college to earn her Master's Degree. Her experience in the sales enviornment and the relationships she formed with clients led her to return to school to become a counselor in order to help clients with varying issues. She plans to focus on domestic violence, couples counseling, and family systems. In her spare time she enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction, exploring nature, and spending time with family and friends. |
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Lisa M. Carter, A.B., Office Manager has an Associates Degree in General Business.She specializes in providing excellent customer services skills, computer knowledge and a positive attitude. Lisa really enjoys working in the university environment. She moved here from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2005 where she worked as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Madison Medical Affiliates. Lisa is originally from Athens, Georgia. Lisa has two wonderful little girls, Jessica and Anna who currently attend Cullowhee Valley School. She loves being with family and friends, the outdoors, playing and watching sports, and listening to music. Lisa is thrilled to be part of theWestern Carolina University Counseling Center team. |
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Debbye McGee, Administrative Assistant is origianally from Grand Junction, Colorado. She has lived in the area for 18 years. She has two daughters Crystal and Lavender Sky. Debbye also has two granddaughters Jazmine and Jewell Sky who are both five years old. They will be starting kindergarten in the fall. She loves photography, traveling and making jewelry. In her spare time she enjoys being one with nature, meditation, aromatherapy and practicing Mindful Living. |












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