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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.

Counseling Staff

Postdoctoral Fellows

Therapy Animal

Prescribing Staff

Administrative Assistants

Counseling Staff

Julie Ross

Julie S. Ross, Ph.D.

Staff Psychologist and Director of CMHS
Additional Roles: Oversight of Counseling and Mental Health Service; liaison to Dean of Student Affairs Office, TUPD, and others; mental health consultant to various campus committees including Common Concerns and TTAM.
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Mental health and development across the lifespan; mental health issues impacting first-generation college students; loss and grief; life transitions; relationships; family and cultural issues
Theoretical Orientation: Relational/cultural/developmental background; treatment approaches tailored to each student and situation (may include insight-oriented work, elements of CBT,etc.)
Language(s) Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Linda E

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

Staff Psychologist and Associate Director
Additional Roles:  Liaison Program coordinator, Liaison to Residential Life, Ex College, Athletics; Advisor to Ears for Peers
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise:  College and graduate student mental health issues including anxiety and depression,  impact of sociocultural context, relationship concerns, coping with loss, family issues
Theoretical Orientation:  relational, psychodynamic, developmental, practical
Language(s) Spoken:  English
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Marilyn Downs

Marilyn Downs, Ph.D.

Staff Clinician and Director of Outreach
Additional roles: Director of CMHS Group Program; facilitate the Survivors Support Group and the Returning Student Group; oversight of CMHS outreach programs for students, faculty and staff; research related to campus mental health; liaison to Active Minds, and ASE Undergraduate and Graduate Faculty; member of CMHS team supporting race dialogues. 
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: growing up with adversity (trauma, neglect, poverty, mental illness or addiction); sexual assault and interpersonal violence; enhancing relational skills; and managing mental illness. Marilyn is interested in how social class, gender, and culture influence identity and experiences, and is especially attentive to enhancing the capacities for reflection, emotional expression and authenticity in relationships. 
Theoretical Orientation: Eclectic and flexible, blending psychodynamic, relational, skills development and mindfulness-based strategies, depending on client needs and interests.
Language(s) Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Julie Jampel

Julie B. Jampel, Ph.D.

Staff Psychologist 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 
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Canyce Burker

Candyce Burke Auguste, Psy.D.

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
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Jennifer Granquist

Jennifer Granquist, LMHC

Urgent Care Specialist/Staff Clinician
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
Pronouns: she/her/hers

James Kane

James Kane, LCSW
Care Manager/Staff Clinician
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
Pronouns: he/him/his

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence, LICSW
Staff Social Worker
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: College student mental health, suicide prevention and intervention, LGBTQ and identity, relationship issues, adjustment issues, depression and anxiety, grief and bereavement, trauma
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, person-centered approach, improving distress tolerance and emotional regulation skills
Language(s) Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her/hers

 

HW SMakhoulian.jpegSevan Makhoulian, Ph.D.

Staff Psychologist 
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
Pronouns: She/her/hers
 

Sam NathanSam Nathan, PsyD

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
Pronouns: He/him/his
 

Xuhua Qin


Xuhua Qin, Ph.D.

Staff Psychologist and Multicultural Specialist
Additional Roles: Facilitator of the Connection: international student discussion group and for the Coping with Loss group, liaison to the International Center, presenter to workshops of “Decoding U.S. Culture,” “Lost in Translation,” “Secrets to Intercultural Friendship,” “Light at the end of Tunnel”
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: College student mental health; identity development and confusion; coping strategies to manage distress; working with international students, Asian American, immigrants and refugee, and non-traditional and minority students; cross-cultural adjustment, negotiation, balancing, and integration; interpersonal relationships; family of origin issues; grief and loss; sexual orientation; depression and anxiety
Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, person-centered, multicultural approach, CBT, mindfulness
Language(s) Spoken: Mandarin (Chinese), English
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Sophie Ricks picture


Sophie Ricks, LICSW

Staff Clinician
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 transition/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.  
Theoretical Orientation: 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 challenge when needed. I may also use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy to relieve students' distress around certain kinds of trauma when appropriate.
Language(s) Spoken:  English
Pronouns: She/her/hers
 

Erica Schonman pictureErica Schonman, MPH, CHES

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
Pronouns: she/her/hers
 

Deborah Siegel


Deborah Siegel, Ph.D.

Staff Psychologist, 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
Pronouns: she/her/hers

 

Thelma Terrero

Thelma Terrero, LICSW

Staff Clinician
Additional Roles: Liaison to the Latinx Center
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: Trauma informed care, immigration related trauma, first-generation college students, being POC in a PWI, impacts of systemic oppression/injustice, dismantling mental health stigma in relation to cultural identity, working with LGBTQ+ populations, Latinx identity, immigrant and refugee populations, family relations and stress, youth mental health, supporting holistic wellness for severe mental health needs.
Theoretical Orientation: Trained in narrative therapy techniques, utilize solution focused model, post-modern theories, person-centered, self-compassion work, multicultural/systems approach, CBT, and mindfulness 
Language(s) Spoken: English and Spanish 
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
 

Megan TuckerMegan Tucker, Psy.D.

Staff Clinician
Additional Roles: Trans Care Team; LGBT Center liaison; Residential Life liaison; Facilitator of Trans at Tufts group and Self-Compassion workshops
Clinical Interests and Areas of Expertise: I am a queer, white, femme (cis-ish) woman who specializes in working with queer, trans, and gender nonbinary students. I enjoy working with marginalized students to explore identity and process struggles related to privilege, power, and oppression, as well as being a generalist clinician for most concerns such as depression, anxiety, relationships, and trauma. 
Approaches to Treatment: I approach treatment through lenses of gender affirmation, (fat) body liberation, anti-racism, and the belief that all students are worthy of love, belonging, and acceptance through self-compassion and ‘leaning into’ vulnerability. My treatment model focuses on 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 during busy times when students need to reschedule or be seen more frequently.
Language Spoken: English

 

Andrew YuenAndrew Yuen, Psy.D.
Staff Clinician
Pronouns: He/Him/His
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

 

Postdoctoral Fellows

Aditi Ahlawat Post Doctoral FellowAditi Ahlawat, Ph.D.

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 
Pronouns: she/her/hers

 

Melissa Morrison Post Doctoral FellowMelissa Morrison, LMHC, Psy.D.

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
Pronouns: she/her/hers

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

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
Pronouns: He/Him/His

 

Prescribing Staff

Zara KonarskiZara Konarski, PMHCNS, BC

Child and Adolescent 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; psychoeducation 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; 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+.
Theoretical Orientation:  Relational and integrative approach to address biological, psychological, and social aspects of health and wellness, integrating skills-based and mindfulness work.
Language(s) Spoken:  EnglishAngl
Pronouns: she/her/hers

 

 

Susan MahoneySusan Mahoney, PMHCNS – BC
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
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Priya Sehgal (Bio Coming Soon!)

Administrative Staff

Cheryle Lee

Cheryle Lee

Office Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers

 

 

 

Donna Madarese

Receptionist
Pronouns: she/her/hers

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.