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Kimberly S. Gorman: PH.D, HSP-P, Director/Psychologist
Dr. Gorman is a licensed psychologist and earned her Master's and Ph.D. in Counseling
Psychology from the University of Kentucky. Kim has a special interest in working
with women's issues and, specifically, eating disorders, however, has experience working
with clients with a variety of mental health issues. She has been involved more recently
in research around mental health stigma and utilization of services at college counseling
centers. She works from a feminist, interpersonal approach in therapy. Another interest
for her is in the area of training and professional development. She has been involved
in the training of masters and doctoral level students for nearly two decades.
She is involved nationally with the Association of University and College Counseling
Center Directors organization and assists in compiling data from the national survey.
She also is on the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS) Board of
Accreditation and is an accreditation field visitor. She serves as an Appeal Pool
Member for APA's Board of Educational Affairs. Furthermore, she works with the Association
of State and Provincial Psychology Boards as an exam item writer for the EPPP-2.
Finally, she enjoys spending time with her husband sitting on their porch, reading
a book and looking at the mountains. She also enjoys being active and watching her
beloved basketball team in action.
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M. Jay Manalo: PH.D, HSP-P, NCC, Associate Director/Training Director/Psychologist
Dr. Manalo is a licensed psychologist and obtained his M.Ed. in School Counseling
and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, both from The University of Georgia. He conducted
his doctoral internship at WCU's CAPS and his postdoctoral training and subsequent
work experiences in private practice settings in Georgia prior to returning to WCU.
His counseling interests include depression, anxiety, stress, life transitions, AD/HD,
LGBT issues, multicultural psychology, social skills issues, and developmental disabilities.
His approach to counseling is primarily Person-Centered integrated with aspects of
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. He also enjoys providing
supervision and training for emerging mental health professionals. He completed Safe
Space/Safe Zone training at UGA and WCU and is also a National Certified Counselor.
Outside of work, Jay enjoys whitewater kayaking and is a Wilderness First Responder.
He also enjoys spending time with his family, his dogs, and other loved ones.
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Betsy Aspinwall: PSY.D, HSP-P, Assistant Director/Psychologist
Dr. Aspinwall is a licensed psychologist who earned her Master's and Psy.D. in Clinical
Psychology from the University of Indianapolis. She completed her pre-doctoral internship
at Appalachian State University prior to coming to WCU.
Betsy is experienced in working with individuals, couples, and groups, and enjoys
working with diverse students and presenting concerns. She works with a variety of
therapeutic issues including; eating disorders, depression, identity concerns, grief,
alcohol and substance use, suicide, LGBT issues, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment/transitions.
Betsy utilizes a collaborative person-centered approach to therapy while allowing
the client to guide the therapeutic process.
Outside of the office, she enjoys cooking and baking, spending time with loved ones,
and exploring the mountains with her dogs.
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Colton Brown: PH.D., Psychologist
Dr. Brown earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University.
He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte’s
Counseling and Psychological Services center.
Colton primarily works from a relational-cultural theoretical perspective and incorporates
dialectical behavior therapy to assist students in developing helpful coping skills.
He also draws from aspects of mindfulness and positive psychology. His clinical interests
include outreach and prevention, group therapy, LGBTQ+ concerns, multicultural identity
development, disability issues, and advocacy. In his spare time, Colton enjoys playing
and watching sports, reading comics, hammocking, hiking, traveling, and spending time
with his 29 pound cat, Remy LeBeau.
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Andrew R. Burnette: MA, MDiv, LPCA, NCC, Counselor in Residence
Andrew is a provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of North Carolina
and board certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors. He holds an M.A.
in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Appalachian State University with a graduate
certification in Systemic Multicultural Counseling, as well as an M.Div. from Campbell
University.
Andrew has an interest in working with college students in higher education and has
served as a Residence Director and Area Coordinator at various universities. His counseling
interests include anxiety, depression, adjustment/transitions, identity development,
LGBT issues, trauma, spirituality, and multicultural counseling. He utilizes a systemic
approach with therapy, which incorporates aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness.
Outside of the office, Andrew enjoys exploring mountain trails, traveling, cooking,
knitting, and spending time with family and loved ones.
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Paula A. Demonet: LPC, NCC, Counselor
Paula has worked with individuals and groups in a variety of settings. She utilizes
a person-centered approach to counseling with the goal of improving the lives of those
she serves. She uses therapies such as Person Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
She holds a B.S. degree in Recreational Therapy and an M.S. degree in Community Counseling
from Western Carolina University. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor
in the State of North Carolina and Certificated by the National Board of Certified
Counselors. Paula has worked as a mental health therapist and supervisor for local
not for profit and state agencies gaining experience working with clients with a variety
of mental health issues. Paula has a talent for utilizing experiential modalities
to bring about learning opportunities for clients.
When not working Paula enjoys volunteering her time to work with the youth in her
community. She enjoys taking care of her four children and sharing the wonders of
the outdoors with them and her husband.
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Susannah Kuppers: MSW, LCSW, LCAS Counselor
Ms. Kuppers completed her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Western Carolina University
in 2014 and obtained full LCSW licensure in 2016. She completed her LCAS license in
2019.
Through work with local community mental health and victim advocacy organizations,
she has experience working with a variety of issues include interpersonal violence,
substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Susannah uses a person-centered approach
to counseling, incorporating therapies including Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy.
Outside of work, Susannah enjoys time outdoors, gardening, cooking and spending time
with family.
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Aaron Plantenberg: LCSW, LCAS Social Worker
Aaron is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist
with extensive community-based treatment and advocacy experience in the rural communities
of western North Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens
Point where he earned his BA in psychology and later achieved his MSW here at WCU.
Aaron specializes in crisis stabilization and the treatment of trauma, psychosis,
mood disorders, personality disorders, and addictions through various evidence-based
treatment approaches including EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
In his personal time, Aaron loves outdoor adventures with his wife and daughter, playing
music, and long rides on his motorcycle.
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David Solomon: PH.D Psychologist
Dr. Solomon completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Central Michigan University
in 2017 following the completion of his doctoral internship through the Charleston
Internship Consortium. He is excited to be returning to WCU after completing his M.A.
in Psychology here in 2010. His clinical training has focused on a range of topics
including depression, anxiety, trauma, interpersonal issues, and LGBTQ+ concerns.
Dr. Solomon uses a number of evidence-based techniques and perspectives to fit the
specific needs of each individual client. Regardless of the specific therapies used,
Dr. Solomon underlies his work with a client-centered perspective that values the
unique attributes and strengths of every person. Dr. Solomon enjoys taking walks
in nature, cooking, and playing video games. He and his dog Bowser also enjoy sitting
on the sofa and rewatching old episodes of "Frasier."
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Katherine B.: MS, Psychology Intern
Katherine earned a B.A. in Psychology, M.S. in Professional Counseling, and is currently
completing a Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology from Carlow University in Pittsburgh,
PA.
Katherine’s philosophical orientation is as an existential-humanist; her clinical
approach to psychotherapy is primarily relational, with an emphasis on interpersonal
processing and developing strong therapeutic relationships. Her research interests
include: maternal ambivalence; sociocultural foundations of and culturally relevant
methods for reducing gender-based violence in Uganda; and building international partnerships
with institutions of higher education for the purposes of developing collaborative,
cross-cultural training programs for practicum and internship students.
She has experience working with both adults and children who enter therapy with various
concerns, including symptoms related to: depression, anxiety, early childhood trauma,
grief and loss, substance use, systemic oppression, and navigating difficult interpersonal
relationships.
In her free time, Katherine enjoys the Lake Junaluska trail, TRX, and hanging out
on the couch watching Netflix with her teenage daughters and their two fat cats.
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Hewitt R.: Ed.S.,NCC, Psychology Intern
Hewitt earned his B.S. degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University and
his M.Ed. in Counselor Education as well as his Ed.S. in Counselor Education - Play
Therapy from The University of Mississippi. He is currently completing his Ph.D.
in Counseling Psychology at the University of Georgia.
He enjoys working with college students and adults. His clinical interests include
depression, relationship issues, anxiety, issues specific to athletes and veterans,
and nature’s role in the prevention and treatment of mental health concerns. He uses
an integrated approach to counseling which draws from humanistic, cognitive-behavioral,
and interpersonal therapies.
In his free time, Hewitt enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, family,
and friends. He also enjoys time outdoors mountain biking, camping, and hiking.
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Katarina W. B.S.W. Trainee
Katarina obtained her Bachelors degree in Social Work from Warren Wilson College in
2015. Since then she has completed her 200hr yoga certification for behavioral health
professionals through Subtle Yoga in Asheville, North Carolina. She is currently pursuing
her masters degree in Social Work here at Western, and plans to work towards clinical
licensure post-graduation.
She has a person-centered approach to her work and focuses on the importance of relationship
in her interactions with clients. Her integrative approach has roots in feminist theory,
empowerment, and strengths perspective. During her time at CAPS she hopes to learn
more about dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), somatic experiencing, and eye movement
desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to facilitate healing the mind and the body.
She is a recipient of the HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training
for Professionals (BHWET) stipend and plans to utilize the skills she obtains from
the program to work with individuals in a hospice setting as well as disaster settings
as a clinical first responder.
When Katarina is not at CAPS you will probably find her in the woods or in her own
garden. When she has longer breaks, it is likely that she will not be in the area
because her wanderlust takes her elsewhere.
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Megan M. BA Trainee
Megan is currently pursuing a MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and will be
graduating May of 2020. She got a BA in communications from NC State University and
worked in Human Resources for several years before going back to school.
Right now she is planning on pursuing her LPC after graduation and hopes to work with
college students. She is interested in grief counseling and working with first-generation
college students. She is interested in teaching seminars and working with groups as
well as working with individual students.
After living in the West Virginia and North Carolina mountains she can’t imagine being
somewhere without them. She loves backpacking and hiking with her pup and her husband.
When she isn’t in school she runs her own career coaching/resume editing business
and loves to be outside.
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Kimberly T.: BS Trainee
Kimberly is a master’s trainee from the Clinical Psychology Program at WCU. She graduated
with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UNC-Pembroke. She plans on pursuing
her doctorate in clinical psychology after graduating in May of 2020. In the future,
she hopes to open her own practice on the coast of North Carolina.
While growing up in Virginia and North Carolina, she fell in love with outdoor activities.
During down-time, she enjoys visiting the beach, playing with animals, going to concerts,
and exploring new towns and cities.
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Lee Anne Burrell, Administrative Support Specialist
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Denise Stephens, Administrative Support Specialist
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