Group photo

 

 

 

The CPS clinical staff includes licensed psychologists, clinical professional counselors, and clinical social workers who attended accredited graduate training programs and are licensed in Montana. CPS also trains advanced graduate students earning their Master’s and Doctoral degrees who practice under the supervision of licensed CPS staff members. All CPS clinicians have specialized interest in college student mental health and can work with a wide range of presenting concerns. 

 

While all clinical staff are generalists, the following is a non-exhaustive list of specific areas of interest or expertise for our staff: 

 

  • Anxiety and stress 
  • Depression 
  • Relationship concerns 
  • Adjustment/life transitions 
  • Identity development 
  • Grief and loss 
  • Academic distress 
  • Trauma 
  • Family distress 
  • Self-esteem 
  • Emotional resiliency 
  • Body image/eating concerns 
  • Substance use and addiction 
  • Suicide prevention 

 

All CPS clinicians recognize people as cultural beings with unique backgrounds, experiences, relationships, and intersecting social identities.  When providing clinical services, we consider the whole person including the cultural dimensions of one’s identity and related values, beliefs, and attitudes to support culturally attuned treatment.  We also consider the socio-cultural context that may be impacting or contributing to the concerns, goals, or challenges clients want to address. Students may seek services at CPS to address specific cultural concerns including religion and spirituality, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, racial identity, socioeconomic status, discrimination, and cultural adjustment. 

 

Counseling and Psychological Services Staff

Betsy Asserson Portrait

Betsy Asserson, Ph.D.  

she/her/hers

Director

Licensed Psychologist

 

Bennett Kern

Bennett Kern, M.S.

Staff Therapist

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Candidate (PCLC)

BT Coop

B.T. Cooper, Ph.D/ CMPC

Senior Staff Pychologist embedded in Athletics

Licensed Psychologist

Brian Kassar Portrait

Brian Kassar, Psy.D. 

he/him

Suicide Prevention Coordinator

Senior Staff Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

 

BW

Brianna Windhorst, M.Coun.

Care Manager

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)


 

Carlynn

Carlynn Schwalm, MSW 

she/her

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker  (LCSW)

 

Catherine Francis

Catherine Francis, Psy.D 

she/her/hers

Senior Staff Psychologist

Groups Coordinator/ Training Specialist

Licensed Psychologist

 

Dan Deming

Dan Deming, M.S. 

he/him

Staff Counselor

Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

 

Eric Uhl

Eric Uhl, Ph.D 

he/him

Senior Staff Therapist

Psychologist Resident

 

 

JR

Jacquelyn Rinaldi, Psy.D 

Staff Therapist

Psychologist Resident

Julia Nance

Julia A. Nance, Ph.D  

she/her/hers

Senior Staff Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

 

 

Katie Darnell Portrait

Katie Darnell, Psy.D.

she/her

Assistant Director of Clinical Services

Senior Staff Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Katy Fritz

Katy Fritz, MSW

she/her

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Laura Thum Portrait

Laura Thum, Ph.D.

she/her/hers

Assistant Director of Outreach and Prevention

Senior Staff Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist


 

Levenae Buggs

Levenae Buggs, Ph.D.   

she/her/hers

Training Specialist/ Outreach Specialist

Senior Staff Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

 

Mani Stubbs

Mani Stubbs, M.A. 

he/him/his

Clinical Specialist

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

 

Mariah Hill Portrait

Mariah Hill, Psy.D. 

she/her

Diversity Coordinator

Senior Staff Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

 

MG

Marshal George, Psy.D 

he/him

Senior Staff Therapist

Psychologist Resident

 

Melissa Cassad

Melissa Cassad, M.A.

she/her

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

 

Paisley Azra Lewis

Paisley Azra-Lewis, Ph.d

she/her

Behavioral Health Specialist

Senior Staff Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

 

 

Rachel Woodard

Rachel Woodard, M.A. 

she/her

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

 

Ryan Niehus Portrait

Ryan Niehus, Psy.D. 

he/him/his

Assistant Director of Training

Senior Staff Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

 

Sanaye Thompson

Sanaye Thompson, M.S. 

Veterans Liason

Senior Staff Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

 

 

Lindsey Palagi photo

Lindsey Palagi, B.A.  

she/her

Medical Records Administrator/ Office Manager

 

Tara Shannon

Tara Shannon Pratt, B.S. 

she/her

Business Operations Manager

 

Aram

Aram Zelman M.A. 

 

Doctoral Intern

 

Kristen

Kristen Wederski, M.A. 

she/her

Doctoral Intern

 

Matthew

Matthew Duff, M.A.

he/him

Doctoral Intern

 

Laura Hyder

Laura Hyder, M.A.

she/her

Doctoral Intern

 

Eva

Eva Ticknor, B.A.

she/her

Master's Intern

Michael Becker

Michael Becker, B.A.

he/him

Master's Intern

Olivia

Olivia Roche, B.S.

she/her

Master's Intern

 

Sarah Marsh

Sarah Marsh, MSW

she/her

Post Master's Intern