Meet Our Staff

We are staffed by professionally trained counselors.

We have expertise and experience in working with college students.
We take a holistic approach to each student, and value each person's unique identity.
We welcome and respect diversity in all its forms, including racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds, sexual orientation and gender identity, mental and physical ability, language, age, spiritual belief, and socioeconomic status.

Xi BI

Xi Bi (pronounced See Be), Psy.D. (Joining CMHS soon)

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician and Post Doctoral Fellow
Additional Roles: Training for Ears for Peers, Outreach
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Multi-identities exploration and expansion including acculturation and adaptation for international students; racial and cultural dilemmas encountered by Asian young adults in the U.S.; gender and sexuality exploration; and life stage transitions. Interpersonal concerns such as the impacts of family and intergenerational relationships on individuation in groups on campus; learning to be assertive and cultivating motivation of self-care as marginalized students who experience micro-aggressions and overt racism. Trauma-induced repetitive symptomology and mood disturbance, including but not limited to racial and cultural trauma, gendered trauma, attachment, and emotional trauma.
Approaches to Treatment: I am a culturally sensitive generalist clinician with a background focusing on contemporary psychodynamic and analytic training under a relational, multicultural, intersectional, and postmodern framework. I have clinical passions in applying gender and queer theories, group theories, and object-relations theories to individual and group work. My clinical background allows me to see an individual as a psychological being and a relational being, alternating their sets of selves depending on the relative socio-political positions as well as the historical and spatial context they are in. In treatment, I am attentive to experiences of “invisibility” and “mis-attunement,” thus will utilize and encourage non-verbal and metaphorical communication with students from all backgrounds. I consider it an honor to participate in your journey of knowing yourself and to facilitate you recognizing and getting out of the “sand-stuck” situation in college life.
Personal Interests: I enjoy living with my beloved dog, cat, fish, and plants, practicing archery, learning and mastering new skills every day (such as skateboarding as of recently), and expecting Boston winter to come to have a sweating snowball fight with friends then lie on the thick snow.
Language(s) Spoken: Mandarin, English

Candyce Burke_Auguste

Candyce Burke Auguste, Psy.D.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician and Assistant Director of Racial and Cultural Engagement
Additional Roles: Liaison to Africana Center and Residential Life; Facilitator of OASIS Student Group for Black-identified students; Race Dialogue Committee Member
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Mental health concerns impacting 1st generation college students; students with historically marginalized identities; social justice; racial trauma; interpersonal relationship concerns; women’s concerns; intersectionality; resilience; identity development; graduate student mental health; spirituality and religious integration.
Approaches to Treatment: My therapeutic style is warm, empowering and collaborative. I view it as an honor to walk alongside individuals and bear witness to their experiences. It is a priority of mine to cultivate a supportive, safe and liberated space for people of all backgrounds to be their authentic selves. As an integrative clinician, my work is influenced by a relational, humanistic and social justice lens and based on the specific needs and preferences of the person. I frequently utilize motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, self-compassion and mindfulness skills to foster meaningful change. In addition to making room to explore challenges, I believe that it is essential to focus on an individual’s strengths and both internal and external resources.
Personal Interests: I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, art and crafts and cuddling with my dog. I am super proud of the prayer and meditation space I have created in my home and try to spend time there regularly. I am a self-proclaimed “foodie” and enjoy cooking. About once or twice a month, I upload videos to my YouTube cooking channel! I enjoy listening to jazz, r&b and gospel music and love podcasts that speak to my identities and/or culture.
Language(s) Spoken: English

Marilyn Downs picture Marilyn Downs, Ph.D., LICSW
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician and Director of Outreach and Group Program
Additional Roles: Liaison to Active Minds, CARE Office, and AS&E Faculty. Member of CMHS team supporting race dialogues. Facilitator of the Survivors Support Group.
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Growing up with adversity (trauma, neglect, poverty, mental illness, or addiction): sexual assault and interpersonal violence; family and relational conflicts and challenges; living with mental illness.
Approaches to Treatment: I strive toward a style that is warm, non-judgmental, respectful, and active. I use a blend of therapeutic approaches aimed at helping you gain clarity and develop strategies to feel better. I am interested in seeing you as a whole person; understanding your experiences within your personal, cultural, and social contexts; and supporting your strengths and resilience.
Personal Interests: Connecting with others for meaningful conversation and shared activities; painting and other forms of artmaking. I read a lot, keep a journal, and try to meditate. I love walking in beautiful places. I’m involved in community-based racial justice work. Having a sense of humor helps me keep things in perspective.
Language(s) spoken: English

Linda E

Linda Shane Escoll, Psy.D., Ed.M.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician and Associate Director
Additional Roles: Liaison Program Coordinator, Liaison to Residential Life, Ex College, Athletics, Staff Advisor for Ears for Peers
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: College and graduate student mental health issues including adjustment, anxiety, and depression; impact of sociocultural context; identity exploration; addressing relationship concerns and enhancing skills; coping with loss; family issues; increasing self-esteem and authenticity
Approaches to Treatment: I try to create a safe counseling space to allow for honest communication and open expression of thoughts and feelings. I am interactive and collaborative as I work to understand the experience of the person I’m seeing. I take a practical approach and help with skill building, while I am also interested in all the complexities that make us who we are including family experiences, social and culture contexts, relationship experiences, and day to day life.
Personal Interests: Being with friends and family and dogs, spending time outdoors to walk or run, watching a good movie or series
Language(s) Spoken: English

Jennifer Granquist

Jennifer Granquist, LMHC

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician and Urgent Care Specialist
Additional Roles: Liaison to Career Center and Residential Life.
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: My primary interest is making mental health resources, knowledge and skills for navigating life accessible to everyone, especially in times of crisis. Areas of interest and expertise include crisis intervention and risk assessment, trauma-informed care and response, grief, emerging adult mental health, first generation student experience and adjustment, identity development, interpersonal concerns, adjustment and life transitions. I am interested in supporting students in developing resiliency skills to support self efficacy and advocacy. I am also trained in Expressive Arts Therapy and Koru Mindfulness.
Approaches to Treatment: My approach is collaborative, relational, person-centered, and strength-based. I integrate self-compassion, mindfulness, knowledge of neuroscience and cognitive behavioral therapy including DBT and ACT into practice. Students often leave our sessions with skills for prioritizing mental well-being and bouncing back from life stressors.
Language(s) Spoken: English

Stefan Jadaszewski, Ph.D.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Staff Clinician

Additional Roles: Support to CMHS Liaisons to the LGBT Center and Africana Center, Trans Care Team
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Life transitions and adjustments of undergraduate and graduate students, chronic depression, anxiety, emotional intelligence, mental health stigma, interpersonal relationships, identity development, supporting LGBTQIA+ students, and the intersection of masculinity and mental health.
Approaches to Treatment: I use a therapeutic style that is collaborative and builds on students’ existing strengths. My therapeutic approach integrates elements of various theories of psychotherapy based on the goals we identify together. I often bring attention to what is happening “here and now” in the therapy room, and how that can inform the questions or concerns that bring a person to therapy. I strive to infuse a multicultural orientation and gender-aware/LGBTQ+-affirmative perspectives into my work.
Personal Interests: Outside of work, I enjoy reading, baking, backpacking, kayaking, and whatever gets me outside.
Language(s) Spoken: English

Julie Jampel

Julie B. Jampel, Ph.D.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician and Director of Training
Additional Roles: Continuing Education Director, liaison to the StAAR Center and liaison to the Fletcher School
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Developmental issues of late adolescents and young adults, coping with disabilities, family conflict, relationship concerns, loss
Approaches to Treatment: Having a space for honest communication and reflection about oneself and one's life can lead to growth and change. My approach emphasizes creating that space to facilitate problem-solving, to generate insight and understanding of one's struggles, and to know oneself as well as possible.
Personal Interests: Taking long walks, reading fiction, talking and laughing with friends and family.
Language(s) Spoken: English

James Kane

James Kane, LCSW
Pronouns: he/him/his
Staff Clinician and Care Manager
Additional Roles: Liaison to Residential Life
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Substance use; Grief and bereavement; Family and relationship difficulties; Depression and anxiety; Working with LGBTQ+ students; Students who are adjusting to life transitions/navigating academic barriers.
Theoretical Orientation: Collaborative and relational; Solution-focused approach; Motivational interviewing; Helping to empower the student.
Language(s) Spoken: English

Zara Konarski, PMHCNS, BC

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Child Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Board Certified

Additional Roles: Trans Care Team, Liaison to Residential Life. Eco Ambassador

Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Developmental issues of late adolescence/early adulthood; concerns around emerging/evolving aspects of identity development and their various intersections for college-aged students and beyond; working with individuals that have been impacted by trauma; addressing family and relational concerns and the impact of this on mental health; and working with students that identify as LGBTQ+.

Approaches to Treatment: As a member of the prescribing staff, my primary focus is to provide diagnostic assessments and evaluations for medication consultation and on-going management. Through this role I work to understand mental health concerns and symptoms through the biological, psychological, social and cultural/systemic dimensions of personhood, using a relational frame with integration of mindfulness and skills-based practices into the work. My hope is that treatment always feels informative and collaborative, as I truly believe that it is when individuals have a sense of agency and empowerment in their care that they are most capable of achieving growth and change.

Personal interests: Spending time by bodies of water and in nature, having meaningful connections with family and friends, creating, cooking and eating delicious food, and finding the humor in everyday life are some of my favorite things.

Language(s) Spoken: English

Jennifer Lawrence, MSW, LICSW
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: College student mental health, suicide prevention and intervention, crisis intervention
Approaches to Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a person-centered approach working to improve distress tolerance and emotional regulation skills.
Personal interests: Hanging out with my pup, Link. Watching the Red Sox. Running.
Language(s) Spoken: English

Cheryle Lee

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Office Coordinator

Donna Madarese

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Receptionist

Susan Mahoney, PMHCNS – BC
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Adult Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Board Certified
Primary Role: Diagnostic assessment and evaluation for medication treatment; ongoing assessment and management of medication for a range of mental health problems; education related to mental health problems, medications, and other treatments; consultation/support for students in crisis
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Developmental issues of late adolescence/early adulthood and the influence of social class and culture on the student’s experience; students who have experienced trauma/sexual assault, coping with both physical and mental health problems
Theoretical Orientation: Eclectic, integrating bio/psycho/social, relational, and mindfulness based approaches to treatment
Language(s) Spoken: English

Samuel J. Ocasio-Domínguez, Ph.D.(pronounced Samwell)

Pronouns: he/him/his
Staff Clinician

Additional Roles: Liaison to the Tufts Latinx Center
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Emotional dysregulation; trauma; racial trauma; 1st generation students; challenges associated with English as a second language; Latinx and Afro-Latinx students; BIPOC students; LGBTQ+ students; Dialectical Behavior Therapy; Cognitive Behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies.
Approaches to Treatment: I approach therapy with curiosity, humbleness, respect, kindness, humor, and collaboration. I believe that students are the experts on their lives, and as a therapist I support them to identify issues they want to work on, and to facilitate their journey to a more fulfilling life. My therapeutic approach is grounded in social justice, multicultural, multiracial, feminist and culturally informed developmental theories, integrating cultural practices and spirituality when important to the students.
Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time with my dog, my partner, friends, and family. One of my favorite things to do is cooking and sharing my Puerto Rican-Caribbean culinary skills with friends from different cultures. I love music, exercising and reading.
Language(s) Spoken: Spanish, English

Cate Petrowski, Ph.D.

Pronouns: they/them/theirs
Staff Clinician and Post Doctoral Fellow
Additional Roles: Training for Ears for Peers, Outreach
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Trauma, serious mental illness, family (broadly defined) and relationships, working with LGBTQ+ students, identity exploration and development, grief and loss, arts-based interventions, advocacy and empowerment, and mutual help/peer support.
Approaches to Treatment: My approach is collaborative, affirming, and relational. I utilize a feminist and interpersonal process-oriented lens, and I seek to co-create a space where students feel seen, heard, and empowered. I believe it’s important to understand and discuss how social and cultural contexts influence our lived experience and mental health, and I aim to collaborate with students to explore and build their own personal definitions of wellness and recovery.
Personal Interests: Watching movies and TV shows, thrifting and visiting vintage stores, drawing and other creative activities, learning new things, and spending time with my dog, Frances, and my cat, Theodore.
Language(s) Spoken: English

Xuhua Qin, Ph.D. (Fall groups only, no individual appointments)

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician and Multicultural Specialist

Additional Roles: Liaison to the International Center, Study Abroad Office, Tufts 1+4 Bridge Year and Civic Semester program; Facilitator of Coping with Loss group; Facilitator of International Student Discussion/Support group and workshops; Race Dialogue Committee.

Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: My clinical interests include (but not limited to) identity development and confusion, life transitions, cultural adjustment, grief and loss, interpersonal relationships, family of origin issues, emerging adulthood, depression and anxiety, stress manage, trauma, and resiliency. I enjoy working with all students, especially with international students, Asian American, immigrant and refugee, first gen students, students that have marginalized experience, being a POC in a PWI.

Approaches to Treatment: I approach therapy with respect, curiosity, empathy, thoughtfulness, and collaboration. My work centers on meeting people where they are at and helping them give voice to their own narratives, make sense of experiences, better understand and embrace who they are, and empower themselves for meaningful changes. My style is warm, relational, strength based, person- centered, integrative with multicultural lens and mindfulness techniques. Being authentic, using metaphors, and inspiring creativities are also some elements in my work.

Personal Interests: Hiking, traveling, dancing, running, photography, crafting, and spending quality time with my family and friends.

Language(s) Spoken: Mandarin (Chinese), English

Sophie Ricks, LICSW

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Staff Clinician

Additional Roles: Trans Care Team, Liaison to the Women’s Center

Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Relationship challenges including concerns around sexual functioning, sexual assault and relationship violence; trauma, anxiety and depression; LGBTQ+ issues including support around the coming out process and navigating gender affirmation processes; concerns around substance use and addictive behaviors; issues of cultural identity and oppression; the impact of medical issues on mental health; mood disorders in the pregnancy/postpartum period and parenting challenges. I love working with students who are new to therapy and may be nervous, skeptical whether this can help, or not sure what to expect. I also enjoy consulting with Tufts parents who may have general questions about mental health issues or resources on campus.

Approaches to Treatment: My approach is collaborative, strengths-based, psychodynamic and relational—I believe the “fit” between therapist and client is a crucial part of treatment success, and encourage students to share questions and feedback throughout our work together. As a therapist I pride myself on being authentic, direct, warm, curious, and active in our sessions, and am able to offer both humor and challenge when needed. I may also use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy to relieve students' distress around certain kinds of trauma when appropriate. My goal for our first session is that you feel comfortable coming back for a second one.

Personal interests: Cooking and baking, walks in the woods, reading and writing, bargain hunting at thrift stores/antique markets/yard sales.

Language(s) Spoken: English

Julie S. Ross, Ph.D.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician and Director of CMHS
Additional Roles: Liaison to DOSA office, various ongoing and ad hoc committee memberships
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: I have always been drawn to understand how people become who they are within the environments of family, community, and culture. It is within these contexts that I seek to understand the mental health challenges faced by university students. I have worked with students dealing a wide variety of issues including life transitions, family and relationship concerns, grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, and depression. In my role as Director, I focus on college mental health administration, mental health issues in higher education, suicide prevention, staff development, and consultation.
Approaches to Treatment: In meeting with students I aim to co-create a space of genuine and open communication in which trust can grow. My style is relational and interactive, and tools used in treatment vary according to the individual situation. These may include exploration and expression of thoughts and feelings, expanding skills in areas such as stress coping, communication, boundary setting, and more, providing support in problem solving, or some combination of these.
Personal Interests: I love a good psychological mystery novel, growing things indoors and out, spending time with family and friends, all animals (but especially dogs!), cooking gluten free foods, and relaxing walks in the woods.
Language(s) Spoken: English

Gabrielle Roy, Psy.D.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician and Post Doctoral Fellow
Additional Roles: Training for Ears for Peers, Outreach
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Anxiety, trauma, eating and body image concerns, interpersonal concerns, adjustment, identity formation, life transition, crisis intervention, and outreach programming. I also enjoy working with students who are distrustful of therapy or may have had a previous negative experience with mental health services.
Approaches to Treatment: My therapeutic approach is collaborative, relational, emotion-focused, and non-judgmental. I work from primarily an interpersonal/use-of-self framework and believe the therapeutic relationship/dynamic between client and therapist is instrumental in the change process. As a therapist I strive to create a supportive and encouraging space for clients, while also balancing providing authentic and directive feedback when appropriate. In my work with clients struggling with body image and food related concerns I use a similar approach while also incorporating a body positive, or body neutral, and anti-diet perspective. I also enjoy incorporating mindfulness in sessions and helping clients identify ways they can integrate these skills into their every day life.
Personal Interests: Outside of work you may find me wandering Barnes and Noble searching for yet another book to add to my never ending “to be read” list, clipping into a spin class, or spending time with family, friends, or my pug, Cookie.
Language(s) Spoken: English

Erica Schonman, MPH, CHES

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Mental Health Promotion Specialist

Primary Role: Engage with students, staff, and faculty to promote mental health at Tufts, plan and present programs and workshops, and learn from Tufts students so we can work together to support student wellbeing.

Theoretical Orientation: I have a public health background and use my public health skills and experience to promote mental health through non-clinical approaches like increasing help-seeking behavior, promoting life skills and resilience, and working with the Tufts community to foster a healthy and safe educational environment.

Personal Interests: I love running (albeit slowly), listening to podcasts, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.

Language(s) Spoken: English

Priya Sehgal, MD (Bio coming soon!)

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Psychiatrist

Deborah Siegel, Ph.D.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician, Medford and SMFA

Additional Roles: Trans Care Team, Liaison to the REAL Program, Women’s Center, Residential Life (SMFA students)

Theoretical Orientation: I collaborate with each student to create a safe space together in which we can explore their challenges and strengths. No two people are the same, and so I believe that no two therapies are the same. I draw from my background in a variety of psychotherapy models to meet each student where they are at, depending on who they are and what is important to them. I appreciate each student’s unique view of the world and the range of life experiences they bring with them to Tufts, including cultural identity. My background as an artist also informs how I think creatively and flexibly to help students empower themselves to work towards their goals. I am LGBTQ+ affirming, and a member of the Trans Care Team. I work on both SMFA and Medford campuses, and love working with artists.

Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Anxiety, depression, creativity and artistic challenges, trauma informed care, self-criticism, mindfulness and meditation, psychosis and experiences such as hearing voices or having suspicious thoughts, reducing mental health stigma with advocacy and activism, students who have family members living with mental health conditions.

Language(s) Spoken: English

Bela Skorska, LICSW

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician

Additional Roles: Trans Care Team; Liaison to the FIRST Resource Center
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Working with college and graduate students, first generation students, LGBTQIA+ identified folks, historically minoritized groups, immigrants and refugees. My clinical interests include: healing from trauma; understanding the impact of intergenerational, community, and racial trauma; identity development including coming out, exploring gender, sexual orientation, and sexual identity; gender affirming care and providing evaluation and letters for GAHT and GAS; navigating relationship dynamics; managing anxiety and depression; breaking cycles of abuse and violence; building a healthy relationship to body and self; socio-economic and social justice work; integration of spirituality in counseling (when desired); existential therapy around meaning making and resolving inner conflict.
Approaches to Treatment: My approach to treatment is holistic, relational, intersectional, and psychodynamic. I draw on theories from feminist, queer, and developmental frameworks. I believe in the integration of mind, body, and spirit and understanding an individual in the greater social/relational context. I also incorporate mindfulness, skills-based, and cognitive-behavioral approaches in treatment. I aim to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where we can explore the things that are challenging, as well as celebrate successes and growth. My belief is that you are the expert on your life, and I am honored to join you on your journey (even if briefly) to work collaboratively on building your strengths, fostering self- empowerment, and increasing self-compassion.
Personal Interests: Buddhist philosophy. Hanging out with my dog (and cat when he allows it). Taking walks. Swimming. Reading. Meditation. Art. Drag. Comedy. Indie comic books. Putzing around bookstores and record shops.
Language(s) Spoken: English, Polish

Kalo Sokoto, M.A.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Graduate Student Clinician

Additional Roles: Outreach

Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Mental health concerns involving identity development (race, gender, spirituality/faith), adjustment (college, moving to the US, grief), gender-based violence, trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, and living with chronic illness. I have worked in a variety of settings including community health, college counseling, and medical settings. I have also worked with children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. I also have experience with specific populations including refugees, college students, survivors of gender-based violence, and adults living with chronic illness. My clinical interest has significantly shaped my doctoral research, which is on experiences of discrimination in healthcare settings.

Approaches to Treatment: As an advocate for health equity, I employ evidence-based clinical interventions that are client-centered, strength-based, and context-specific. Developmental Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Womanist Psychology inform my clinical interventions.

Personal Interests: I love people, I enjoy reading fiction, and I am (almost) always ready for a hearty laugh!

Language(s) Spoken: Fluent Kiswahili and English. Conversational French and Arabic.

Andrew Yuen, Psy.D.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Staff Clinician
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: I help students manage concerns with anxiety, depression, emerging adulthood, relationship conflicts, grief & loss, family of origin issues, men’s issues, and more. I have a specific interest in working with international students, first-generation students, and graduate students. I enjoy helping people explore their identities (gender and sexuality, racial and ethnic, cultural, etc.).
Theoretical Orientation: I am a generalist clinician who draws from Person-Centered/Humanistic, Interpersonal, ACT, and DBT theories. I prioritize creating a safe, warm, and non-judgmental therapeutic space. I strive to be culturally informed in my work with all my students. My style emphasizes authenticity, compassion, and collaboration. I help students build coping skills and harness their existing strengths.
Personal Interests: I am interested in running, photography, and learning to cook vegan-friendly versions of my favorite recipes. I enjoy reading both American and world history, and science fiction. My favorite video game series are the original Mass Effect trilogy, Fire Emblem, and Legend of Zelda.
Language(s) Spoken: English

Meet Our Staff