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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.
 
 

Aditi Ahlawat Post Doctoral FellowAditi Ahlawat, Ph.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: Trauma, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, relationship difficulties, family of origin related concerns, sexual orientation and gender identity development, working with international students and students of color.  
Approaches to Treatment: I aspire to create a safe and welcoming space for my clients to examine their concerns openly and comfortably. My approach emphasizes a feminist-multicultural perspective to explore our identities and life experiences to facilitate a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationships. I also provide group psychotherapy and use interpersonal process and emotion focused interventions in my clinical work. 
Personal Interests: Hiking and playing with my two dogs; reading fiction; cooking; traveling and spending time with my family.
Language(s) Spoken: English, Hindi and Urdu 
 

Canyce Burker


Candyce Burke Auguste, Psy.D.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Staff Clinician
Additional Roles: Leading The Oasis Student Group, Co-liaison to The Africana Center, Liaison for Residential Life
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Women’s issues, intersectionality and identity development, working with minority students, mental health concerns impacting 1st generation college students, trauma informed care, resilience, spirituality and religious issues
Theoretical Orientation: Strengths-based integrative approach factoring in important elements of a multi-cultural context. Person-centered work where the therapeutic relationship is valued as a tool for change. Background and training in humanistic approaches, CBT skills, DBT, ACT, and mindfulness.
Language(s) Spoken: English
 

Marilyn Downs pictureMarilyn 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
 

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
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

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


Cheryle Lee

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Office Coordinator
 

 

 

 

Donna Madarese

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Receptionist
 


Susan MahoneySusan 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
 

HW SMakhoulian.jpegSevan Makhoulian, Ph.D.

Pronouns: She/her/hers
Staff Clinician
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: I have a clinical specialization in LGBTQ psychology and background in Women’s and Gender issues. My focus has been on serving historically underrepresented populations while addressing systems of oppression and the ways in which they may function to exacerbate depression and anxiety. I enjoy addressing cultural issues and finding ways to navigate bicultural/multicultural demands, especially as a first-generation college student and/or as a child of immigrant parents. I am particularly interested in identity exploration and development (ex. gender and sexuality, racial and ethnic, emerging adulthood, etc.). I also value work related to interpersonal relationship issues, self-awareness, and assertiveness training and skill building.
Theoretical Orientation: I utilize psychodynamic and biopsychosocial theoretical orientations through a feminist psychology/multicultural lens. Essentially, I consider students’ varying and intersecting identities, life experiences, and positionality. I hope to promote an open and collaborative relationship that emphasizes mental flexibility/liberation, empowerment, skills, and understanding to create change that will continue beyond therapy.
Personal Interests: Running, dancing, and traveling.  Spending quality time with my friends, family, and puppy.
Language(s) Spoken: English and Western Armenian
 
 

Melissa Morrison Post Doctoral FellowMelissa Morrison, LMHC, 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: College, graduate, and non-traditional student mental health, stress, coping strategies, anxiety, identity development, LGBTQ+ identity development, sexual identity development, trauma, interpersonal relationships, and supporting those who are distrustful of counseling or have had negative experiences with mental health treatment.
Approaches to Treatment: My style is warm, collaborative, and transparent. I take an active role in session, utilize strengths-based and empowerment approaches, and tailor my style to each client. I believe that clients are their own experts and that it’s my job to identify areas of growth while also offering skills that may help manage distress. The techniques that most inform my practice are derived from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Humanistic Therapy.
Personal Interests: Baking desserts, time spent alone in the very early morning of the day, learning how to run, and my two Russian blue cats who keep me on my toes
Language(s) Spoken: English
 

Sam NathanSam Nathan, PsyD

Pronouns: He/him/his
Staff Clinician
Additional Roles: Liaison to Residential Life and Fraternities and Sororities. 
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Trauma informed care, men's issues, family and other interpersonal relational concerns, developmental issues of young adults, academic concerns. 
Theoretical Orientation: Collaborative, strengths-based approach focused on developing an understanding of students' goals and harnessing existing skills to build towards success in a rigorous academic environment.
Languages Spoken: English
 

Damon Pryor Post Doc FellowDamon Pryor, LMHC, Psy.D.

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff Clinician and Post Doctoral Fellow
Additional Roles: Co-Facilitator for OASIS Student Group, Training for Ears for Peers, Outreach  
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: African and Caribbean Mental Health, Multicultural Issues, Identity Development, Global Well-being, Trauma, Grief/Coping, and Transracial Adoption  
Approaches to Treatment: I define my theoretical orientation as being a generalist. Additionally, I feel that working with people therapeutically is about meeting them where they are and joining with them to find their destination. They hold the answers within, and it is my job to help them locate, identify and utilize those answers to reduce their struggles. 
Personal Interests: Sports, music, performance, cooking, comedy and more
Language(s) Spoken: English
 

Xuhua Qin picture

Xuhua Qin, Ph.D.

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 picture


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 Ross


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

 

Erica Schonman pictureErica 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.
Languages Spoken: English
 

Priya Sehgal (Bio Coming Soon!)

Deborah Siegel


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
 

 

Megan Tucker picture

Megan Tucker, M.Ed., Psy.D.

Pronouns: she/they
Staff Clinician
Additional Roles: Trans Care Team; Facilitator of TRANScend Connection; and Liaison to LGBT Center and Residential Life
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: I am a queer enby femme, white and presently able-bodied, who specializes in working with queer, trans, and gender nonbinary students. I appreciate working with students who are struggling to navigate concerns related to identity, marginalization, self-acceptance, and understanding interpersonal relationship dynamics. Additionally, I am a generalist clinician for common concerns related to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma. 
Approach to Treatment: I approach treatment through lenses of gender affirmation, (fat) body liberation, anti-racism, and the belief that we’re all worthy of love, belonging, and acceptance through self-compassion and ‘leaning into’ vulnerability. My treatment model involves 25-minute follow-up appointments to allow for wholehearted attention on what is most important to you, as well as to allow for greater flexibility when students may need to reschedule or be seen more frequently. 
Personal Interests: Outside of work, Megan loves connecting with her loved ones (of the human and pet kind)! She enjoys dancing, riding a one-wheel, and snowboarding too. 
Language(s) Spoken: English

 

Andrew YuenAndrew 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. 
Languages Spoken: English

 

Therapy Animal

AngelAngel

Angel is an energetic pug/beagle mix who loves playing tug, taking long naps, and playing at the beach. She works with her human mom, Megan Tucker and visits Tufts CMHS on Thursdays.