University Counseling Center

University Counseling Center Team

Counseling center staff

LaTasha Sullivan

La Tasha Sullivan, PhD, LPCC-S

Director


Dr. Sullivan (Pronouns- She, Her, Hers) is actively serving as the Director of the Counseling Center promoting student wellness. Dr. Sullivan is a graduate of UToledo earning her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision. She is a rocket through and through, also completing her bachelor's degree at UToledo majoring in psychology. She attended the University of Dayton obtaining a Master of Science in Education degree with a community counseling concentration. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervision designation (LPCC-S) in the State of Ohio.

 

Dr. Sullivan believes that individuals are the experts of their own lives and that counselors play a supportive role assisting people through life transitions, treatment, and the journey to healing. Dr. Sullivan enjoys helping others and approaches situations with a student centered perspective. Her current role is in overseeing the overall operations and growth of the UTCC with her aims set to continue building partnerships across campus and the community for the benefit of students. She has four years of experience working specifically with the college student population and immensely enjoys it. She has worked with individuals from various elements of diversity and has an active interest in social justice counseling, women's issues, self-esteem, trauma, mood disorders, and relational issues.

 

For fun she enjoys crafting, thrifting, and family time. Go Rockets!

 


Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones, MRC, LPCC-S

Associate Director and Clinical Counselor

Mrs. Jones is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Supervision designation who joined the Counseling Center staff in 2019. She provides students at the University of Toledo with individual, couples and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultation and assessment.

 

She has spent the past 8 years of her 20-year career working with college students who are experiencing a variety of issues including: depression, anxiety, adjustment, relationship struggles, trauma, substance abuse, personality related disorders, discrimination and harassment. Amanda enjoys working with college students of diverse backgrounds to assist them in accomplishing their personal, psychological and academic goals.

 

Mrs. Jones completed her undergraduate degree in Child and Family Community Services as well as her graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at Bowling Green State University. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, watching reality TV and cooking.

 


Heather Schmidt

Heather Schmidt, MSSA, LISW-S

Clinical Social Worker


Heather N. Schmidt (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and became part of the University of Toledo Counseling Center in January of 2016. She earned her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and her Bachelor of Social Work from Lourdes University. She is currently enrolled in the Educational Psychology doctoral program at the University of Toledo.

 

Heather provides an array of therapeutic services to students enrolled at the University of Toledo and utilizes evidenced-based treatment to meet the unique needs of each individual. Heather has several years of combined experience working in behavioral health and private practice specializing in trauma, grief/loss, adjustment, anxiety, depression, and crisis intervention. 

 

In addition to being dedicated toward improving the mental wellness of students, Heather holds Supervisory Designation and has the unique opportunity as an internship site instructor to provide an eclectic internship experience to Social Work graduate students preparing them for a career in the field.

 

Ms. Schmidt enjoys spending time with family, annual Fall trips to the UP, relaxing poolside, meditative activities (Tai Chi), conducting research, watching forensic documentaries and other related docuseries, anything “80’s” (music/movies/vintage posts on social media…etc.), and holds a special place in her heart for all animals (baby piggies in particular)!

 


Cassie Hass

Cassie Haas, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychologist, Training Coordinator


Dr. Haas (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a full-time clinical psychologist who provides various mental health services to UToledo students.

 

Dr. Haas completed both her Master’s and Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at the Florida School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. Prior to her graduate training, she completed her Bachelor’s in psychology at Bowling Green State University. Dr. Haas has worked in counseling centers at several different universities in Florida, Michigan, and Ohio.

 

Dr. Haas provides a collaborative approach to counseling, taking time to build a strong therapeutic relationship with each client. Working through an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) lens, she believes that struggling against our emotions often creates problems and that it is important to learn to allow ourselves to feel and experience our emotions as they naturally occur. She has extensive experience working with college students, which provides her a deep understanding of the various life transitions students may face. Dr. Haas specializes in the treatment of trauma, and also has an interest in working with anxiety, mood disorders, women’s issues, multicultural issues, adjustment concerns, and relational issues.

 

Dr. Haas enjoys spending her free time with family and, as an animal lover, her cats and dog. Her hobbies include playing video games, cooking, trying new restaurants, attending fun local events, and photographing her pets in cute positions. She also enjoys traveling to both near and far destinations.

 


Headshot of Alexandria Carlson

Alexandria Carlson, MA, LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Health Science Campus Liaison, Outreach Coordinator


Alexandria Carlson recently joined the team from Denver, Colorado where she had been practicing psychotherapy for five years. She holds a master’s in clinical mental Health Counseling from Adams State University in Colorado.

 

Some notable experience Alexandria holds in the field of counseling include working with a Depression Intensive Outpatient Program, as well as an Addiction Rehabilitation unit at an Intensive Residential Treatment level of care. She has also worked with those suffering from eating disorders with the Eating Recovery Program in Denver.

 

Alexandria is passionate about working with populations that hold presenting problems such as depression, anxiety, trauma-informed care, relationship issues, mood-disorders, career-counseling & eating disorders. Evidence Based Practices that Alexandria prefers to utilize are those such as CBT, ACT, BA, DBT, motivational interviewing & trauma-focused sensitivity. She strongly believes in individualized and collaborative care to allow the client to choose the direction & take ownership of their treatment. She frequently uses psychoeducation & normalization of the brain & body responses to stress. Alexandria often references the biopsychosocial model of care in session as well as while collaborating with her client’s other medical providers.

 

Alexandria loves traveling with her partner, skiing in the winter, finding new beaches, trying new foods from different cultures, as well as spending time with her family & friends whenever possible.

 


Hilary Thorpe

Hilary Thorpe, LPCC-S

Domestic Violence/Sexual Violence Counselor and Clinical Counselor


Hilary L Thorpe (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory designation (LPCC-S) who joined the University of Toledo as a counselor in 2017. Prior to working for the University, she worked in both community mental health and private practice. She graduated from Ohio State University with undergraduate degrees in Biology and Criminology, and earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Toledo.

 

Hilary specializes in trauma work, and has received training in Internal Family Systems. She has extensive experience working with trauma, depression, anxiety, LGBTQ+ issues, and relationship counseling. Hilary enjoys working with the diverse array of students we have here at UToledo and appreciates the opportunity to be a part of their college experience.

 

Hilary loves to read, cook, travel, and spend time with her family.

 

Valerie David

Valerie David, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Valerie (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Toledo. She completed her internship experience through the university's counseling center and is excited to be returning as a full-time staff member. 
 
During her time as a graduate student, Valerie served as a liaison at the Zepf Center, offering trauma-informed care to diverse walks of life with various community mental health needs. Her identity as a second-generation immigrant has fermented a passion to understand the dynamics of power and oppression and attenuate the effects of cross-cultural barriers that prevent help-seeking services amongst communities of color, especially women of color. 
 
In her free time, Valerie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising, and watching new movies! 

Cathy Flanagan

Cathy Flanagan, MSW, LISW-S

Case Manager, Licensed Independent Social Worker


Cathy Flanagan (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Social Worker who recently joined the Counseling Center staff in 2022. She will be providing case management services to connect students with needed resources in the community.

 

She has spent the last seven years providing case management and individual therapy services to forensic patients. Cathy additionally has experience in hospice, foster care, college counseling, community mental health, and family medical clinics. Cathy has completed DBT training and has facilitated various mindfulness and skills groups which she enjoys.

 

Cathy was a Work Study Student and Social Work Intern for the University of Toledo Counseling Center beginning in 2009. In 2011 Cathy completed her internship and received her master's degree in Social Worker. Currently, she is enrolled in Educational Psychology doctoral program at the University of Toledo. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, walking in the park, and cooking.

 

 

Belinda Bryan

Counseling Intern

Belinda (she/her/hers) worked as a lawyer for more than a decade before enrolling as a graduate student in the clinical mental health counseling program at Bowling Green State University. She was motivated to enter counseling by a desire to help others through the difficult and painful times in their lives, which can also, quite often, be the loneliest times in people’s lives. 

Belinda values diversity and inclusion. She also believes in the importance of creating safe spaces in which every individual can feel comfortable sharing their innermost thoughts, feelings, life experiences, and vulnerabilities without fear of prejudice or judgment. Belinda is guided by an overarching person-centered approach that integrates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and existential therapy. She hopes someday to specialize in grief counseling, and the treatment of mood disorders, like depression, and trauma-based issues. 

In her spare time Belinda likes to draw, paint, and read. She also loves spending time with family and friends and going for peaceful walks in nature. 

Jami Hinz

Counseling Intern

Jami Hinz (she/her/hers) is a graduate student completing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Bowling Green State University. Her goal is to provide individuals with a safe and accepting environment where they feel empowered, supported, and validated. Her therapy style can be described as affirming, strengths-based, and authentic. She works to meet each client where they are and tailor to their individual needs. Jami is passionate about working with individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, relationship issues, and women’s issues. 

In her free time, Jami enjoys spending time with loved ones, watching reality tv and exploring new coffee shops. 

Chimdiogo Onyeani-Nwosu

Counseling Practicum Student

Chimdiogo (she/her) earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physiology from Babcock University, Ogun, Nigeria. She is currently enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Bowling Green State University, working with the Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Project as a Graduate Assistant through the BGSU Counseling Center. Her clinical areas of interest include but are not limited to trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment difficulties, LGBTQIA+ mental health, and marginalized populations. She appreciates the Existential approach to therapy, with interest in Cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, as well as Acceptance and Commitment therapies, and is passionate about helping students thrive in their personal and professional lives. 

Chimdiogo appreciates all types of art, and is a multimedia artist, she enjoys talking about and engaging in self-care practices.

Emily Rickett

Counseling Intern

Emily (she/her/hers) is a graduate student at Bowling Green State University completing her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She strives to create a warm and welcoming environment where individuals feel safe and supported. Emily uses a cognitive behavioral therapy approach with an under-lying person-centered orientation and has a passion for working with individuals with depression, anxiety, trauma, and LGBTQIA+ issues.

In her spare time Emily enjoys crocheting, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Diego Zapata

Social Work Intern

Diego (He/Him/His) is a Social Work Intern who is earning his master's degree in social work through Syracuse University as a remote student. He received his bachelor's in psychology through the University of Toledo in 2022, and has returned to the campus to assist at the counseling center, serving both as both a macro social worker through coalition organization, outreach, and case management, and a clinical social worker through providing individual and group therapy. Diego has worked with numerous populations of all ages in the Toledo area, having professional experience with clients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mood and Substance Use Disorders, as well as those in the field of child welfare, with an interest in research related to those who have experienced trauma and contemporary evidence based interventions for this population.
 
In his spare time, Diego is an avid film watcher, music listener, and video gamer. When not glued to a screen, he spends much of his time camping, hiking, and visiting new places.
 

Melissa Harris

Secretary 2

Melissa (she/her/hers) earned her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Art and Art history from Bowling Green State University.  Throughout her work history she has worked in a variety of offices but being on a college campus was always her favorite.  She is excited to be in a department that will help students to continue their pathways in higher education.

She enjoys spending her free time with her family, dog and cats. Her hobbies include creating art, medieval re-enacting, camping and the beach.

Cassandra Bensch, M.A.

Graduate Assistant

Cassandra (she/her) is currently serving as a Graduate Assistant in the Counseling Center while she completes a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Toledo. She has a Master's degree in College Student Personnel and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology/Sociology from Bowling Green State University. Previously, Cassandra taught Psychology, Sociology, and Student Success classes while operating a Student Services office at a for-profit business school. She has a passion for personal development and student success. 
 
In her free time, Cassandra enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, gardening, and watching British period dramas from the late 1800s - to early 1900s.
 

    

Last Updated: 3/11/24