University Counseling Center Team

Counseling Center Staff

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!

Cassie Haas, Psy.D.

Assistant Director, Clinical Psychologist

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 is also credentialed as a Certified Geek Therapist, providing her with expertise in helping clients learn how their "geeky" interests (i.e. video games, anime, superheroes, board games, TTRPGS, and more) can be an asset in their journey toward mental wellness.

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

Valerie David, MA, LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Valerie (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who earned her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Toledo. She completed her training experience through the university's counseling center and has continued working there post-grad since.

During her time as a graduate student, Valerie functioned as a liaison to the Zepf Center supporting communication and coordination of care. Her lived experience as Lebanese American has deeply shaped her commitment to serving women of color and reducing barriers to accessing mental health services.

Valerie believes healing happens when past experiences are understood and worked through, making space for growth, connection, and emotional relief in the present. Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Valerie uses this trauma-informed approach to support the development of adaptive coping strategies and to empower clients’ sense of personal agency. She is interested in program development to advance mental health awareness and has contributed to initiatives at the center including support groups and prevention trainings.

In her free time, Valerie enjoys spending time with her family and friends and watching movies. Her hobbies include going to Pilates and traveling to new places!

Hope Rice, MA, LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Hope Rice (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling from Thomas University. She is a UToledo alumni, with her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She has spent her counseling career in a variety of settings working predominately with children, adolescents, and young adults.

Hope provides therapy services using a Person-Centered approach, focusing on empathy, collaboration, and building a safe and trusting relationship. She utilizes techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness.

She believes individuals possess the power to make immense change when they have the necessary support that empowers them to do so. She is passionate about mental health, taking care of the environment, playing sports, being creative, and most importantly, spending time with her family.

Anthony Rivera, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Rivera (he/him/his) is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned his doctorate from Wright State University in 2011. He has worked in college counseling for almost 10 years in many roles including training director and clinical director.

While a generalist, his clinical interests include neurodivergence, identity development, trauma, depression and anxiety. He is committed to forming authentic and safe relationships to help students find their true potential. He strives to create a non-judgmental environment that respects and honors all backgrounds, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. He often incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), and humanistic/person-centered interventions into his work.

Dr. Rivera enjoys reading, camping, board games, and community theater. He values spending time with family, friends, and his dog.

Katee Bons, LSW

Licensed Social Worker

Katee Bons (she/her) is a Licensed Social Worker who earned her master's degree in social work from Boise State University. She obtained her bachelor's degree in public health from Northern Arizona University, and she has experience working with adolescents and adults at the outpatient and intensive outpatient levels of care.

Her approach to therapy is grounded in a humanistic approach, recognizing that each person is a unique complex individual who has strengths, wants, and needs. She believes in building a strong therapeutic relationship in order to assist individuals in achieving their personal goals in a safe and supportive space.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, which includes her two cats. Some of her hobbies include arts & crafts, playing video games, board games, card games, and going to antique stores.

Audrey Hickman

Advanced Outpatient Preservice Specialist

Audrey (she, her, hers) has worked in many office roles in assisting with the organization and flow of the main office area. Her last role as a financial counselor allowed her to create relationships with others as she assisted them with financial strains. The idea of coming together and creating amazing relationships with others is what drives her passion for this work. She loves helping others and assisting when needed and she looks forward to using her skills to help UToledo students.

In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and two dogs. Creating everlasting memories with my loved ones is always her goal.