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Meet the Staff
Geetanjali Gulati, PsyD, HSP
Director
Dr. Gulati received a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Delhi, while living in her native country of India. Geeta then came to the United States to complete her doctoral work in Clinical Psychology. She received her doctoral degree from Spalding University in 2000 and has since been working at Seven Counties Services in various capacities including crisis intervention counselor, therapist and supervisor for doctoral psychology students. Geeta specializes in working with substance abuse, brain injury, personality disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She uses a combination of Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. She speaks Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu in addition to English.
Dr. Beth Simon, Psy. D., HSP
Associate Director-Clinical
Dr. Beth Simon focuses on unconditional positive regard, transparency, and humor in her therapeutic processes. She seeks to create a flexible and safe emotional space where individuals can explore experiences, patterns in thoughts and behavior, and ways to increase quality of life. She is a Louisville- area native and completed her B.A., M.A., and Psy.D. at Spalding University. She completed her Pre-Doctoral Internship at Friends Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and her Post-Doctoral training at Communicare Services in Bardstown, Kentucky, focusing on "Transitional Aged Youth." Dr. Simon is delighted to be working with the students at the University of Louisville.
Aleska Hagan, PhD, HSP
Associate Director-Training
Dr. Hagan started out her education at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana. She then transferred to Ball State University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Aleska earned her master’s degree in Counseling at Indiana University, and she received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Dakota. While born and raised in central Indiana, Aleska’s studies and career have led to her providing counseling services at the University of North Dakota, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, California State University- Northridge, the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Aleska’s background as a low income, first generation college student has instilled in her a great appreciation for the impact that education can have on life trajectory. Aleska values education equity, and she is excited to support the students of the University of Louisville. Aleska considers herself a generalist with a wide variety of clinical interests. Aleska utilizes an integrative approach to flexibly meet the needs of her Clients. Aleska enjoys painting, live music, and connecting with nature. She spends much of her free time with her two pugs, Doodad & Gadget.
Gabrielle Billings, LCSW
Counselor II
In addition to her work at U of L, Gabrielle has worked as a therapist at both LifeSpring in Indiana and Seven Counties Services in Louisville. Throughout her career, she has helped guide people of all ages and backgrounds through the process of dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, substance abuse and issues surrounding grief and trauma. Gabrielle has worked with individuals, families and couples. Prior to becoming a therapist, Gabrielle worked in a variety of fields, including an internet start-up in Lexington, Kentucky, and as an English teacher with the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program in Fukushima, Japan. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Gabrielle's goal is to help every student who walks through her door feel safe and secure discussing and working to resolve whatever issues have brought them to counseling.
Gabrielle Ebeling-Rodriguez, LPCC, ATR, CYT-200
Counselor II
Gabrielle graduated in 2014 from the University of Louisville with a M.Ed. in Counseling and Personnel Services. Before attending U of L she completed her undergraduate degree at Kennesaw State University and earned a B.Sc. in Psychology with minor in Dance. Gabrielle is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, as well as an Art Therapist. Before joining the U of L counseling center, Gabrielle started a private practice. She also worked with local agencies in Louisville providing inpatient, outpatient, and community-based counseling. While working with these agencies, she assisted clients with finding resources along with meeting their mental health needs. Her therapeutic approach is centered around trauma-informed CBT and mindfulness-based practices. Gabrielle strongly believes in the significance of the mind-body connection and its impact on mental health. She pursued her 200 Hours in Yoga Teacher Training, 500 hours in Pilates Teacher Training and is certified as a Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP). This interest has provided her the opportunity to strengthen and deepen her education in nutrition and exercise as an alternative support for those interested in an integrative approach.
Gabrielle is excited to work with the students, campus, and community to build relationships that will foster growth and wellness. In her free time, Gabrielle enjoys being in nature, creating art, fitness and spending time with her family.
Rachel Evans, ATR, LPCC-S
Counselor II, Group Coordinator
Rachel is a Board-Certified Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-Supervisor. She obtained her BFA at Ohio University in Athens, OH prior to coming to the University of Louisville, where she earned her MEd in Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy. Rachel joined the UofL Counseling Center team in 2016 and feels honored to have witnessed the stories of so many UofL students over the years. Rachel has previously worked in wilderness therapy, art-based developmental therapy, and community mental health settings. Rachel’s clinical areas of interest include anxiety, depression, trauma, identity development, LGBTQ concerns, self-esteem, family of origin, and substance abuse issues. Rachel is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
When she is not at work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, exploring the outdoors, and pursuing her own various creative interests including painting, drawing, ceramics, knitting and sewing.
Teea Fullen-Barnes, LPCC
Counselor I
Teea is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Teea received her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Western Kentucky University, a Master’s degree in Athletic Training from Spalding University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University. Teea is also a former Athletic Trainer.
Teea has a special interest in working with the Perinatal and BIPOC communities. Other clinical interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, self esteem, pregnancy and postpartum concerns, reproductive and fertility concerns, relationship concerns and helping individuals create healthy boundaries. Teea enjoys incorporating the outdoors in counseling when possible. Teea has completed specialized training in Advance Perinatal Mental Health, Black Perinatal Mental Health, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety disorders and Perinatal Grief and Loss, EMDR and Lactation Education.
Teea utilizes approaches such as Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, Solution Focused, Dialectical Behavioral and EMDR therapies to guide her treatment. She enjoys helping individuals overcome challenges they may face in order to achieve their goals and to become the best version of themselves.
Teea enjoys, reading, hanging out with family and friends, being outside in the sun, listening to music, building legos and being in a body of water if possible.
Megan Hobbs Begovic, LPCC
Counselor I
Megan is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She earned her B.A. in Psychology, M.S. and Ed.S. in School Psychology, and Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities from University of Kentucky. She later earned her M.Ed. in Counseling & Personnel Services, with emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, from University of Louisville. She began her career as a school psychologist and worked with Pre-K to 12th grade students in public schools before she became a professional counselor and transitioned to working with adolescents and adults in university, outpatient group practice, and residential treatment settings. Her clinical interests generally center around adjustments to trauma, grief, illness, injury, disability, major life changes, and marginalization. She takes a collaborative, strengths-based, and integrative approach to counseling and primarily uses ACT, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR Therapy, DBT Skills, Solution-Focused strategies, and trauma-informed yoga practices (she has completed 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training). She recognizes we are all interdependent with each other and larger systems and strives to promote social justice through her work.
In her leisure time, she most enjoys exploring new places, marveling at nature, and sharing experiences with others.
Michelle P. Johnson, LPCC-S, LMFT
Counselor II
Michelle earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Kentucky. She holds a B.A. in Psychology (1998), a M.S. in Counseling Psychology (2002) and a M.S. in Family Studies with emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy (2007). Her experience in the mental health field began at Eastern State Hospital in Lexington as a Mental Health Associate working with the acute psychiatric population. Her interest and experience include issues around substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration and parole and other mental health issues that impede normal functioning. She also has experience providing counseling to children, adolescents, families and couples. She very much enjoys working with college students as they continue to develop and transition into a different phase of life and attempt to achieve a healthy life balance.
Sarah Kolb, PhD, HSP
Counseling Psychologist
Dr. Sarah Kolb completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Louisville, and obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. She has a wealth of experience providing therapy to children and adults in a variety of outpatient settings, and has also worked at an inpatient psychiatric hospital with individuals experiencing severe mental illness and acute stressors. Her clinical interests include trauma, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, LGBTQ concerns, and mood and anxiety disorders. She is trained in EMDR, a specialized treatment approach to trauma. She places a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and strives to take a collaborative approach with her clients. She is committed to helping individuals through the struggles which bring them to counseling, as well as towards emotional growth and overall wellness. Sarah is excited to be a part of the U of L community again!
Christina Kayrouz, LCSW
Counselor II
Christina graduated with her MSSW from U of L’s Kent School of Social Work in 2013 and became licensed in Kentucky in 2016 and Arizona in 2021. Prior to her master’s in social work, Christina earned her BA in Philosophy and Psychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies from Western Kentucky University in 2007. Christina’s experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker has been in private practice, non-profit and community mental health settings, in a variety of therapeutic and administrative roles. Christina uses a person-centered and holistic approach to therapy, meeting each individual where they are. Christina’s areas of focus and expertise in therapy treatment are trauma, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, vulnerable populations, multicultural/diversity issues, relationship difficulties, grief and loss. Using a wide range of treatment modalities, Christina’s therapeutic approach integrates Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Solution-Focused and Mindfulness practices.
Christina enjoys art, books, being in nature and visiting Louisville’s Olmstead Parks.
Lauren Marietta, M.Ed., LPCC
Counselor I
Lauren is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who earned her M.Ed. from the Counseling and Personnel Services Program at the University of Louisville in 2021. Before joining the University of Louisville Counseling Center, Lauren worked with clients with moderate to severe brain injuries. She enjoys working with students with a wide variety of presenting issues including those with disabilities, neurodiversity, those experiencing depression and anxiety, LGBTQIA+ students, and those experiencing grief. She believes in taking a warm, person-centered approach that is customized to the individual and their preferences and needs. She utilizes a variety of modalities in this integrated approach including CBT, strengths-based techniques, ACT, Narrative Therapy, mindfulness, and somatic coping skills.
Lauren is excited to work with and provide support to the students at her Alma Mater and build positive relationships within the University of Louisville community. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gentle hikes in nature, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Michelle Stillwagon, LMFT
Counselor II
Michelle, better known as "Misha", is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist. She earned her MAMFT from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in 2000 and was certified by The American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists in 2015. Prior to joining the University of Louisville's Counseling Center, Misha was the CEO and Founder of a thriving Private Therapy Practice for 20 years. As one of only a handful of CSTs in the state of Kentucky, she is huge proponent of encouraging sex positivity in education, clinical treatment, and in life. Misha has been excited to begin counseling college students, as a new member of the ULCC staff, because she experiences them as hopeful and ambitious persons who are at a pivotal place in their life journey. She believes the years in college and post-Graduate work are prime developmental times to offer therapeutic guidance, support, and healthy relationship insights since students are already engaged in the process of change. Misha uses an inclusive and welcoming, client-oriented, whole person approach to therapy. Her humor and directness balance her style, while expertise in Narrative, Systemic, Bowenian, Relational, Trauma and Sex therapies broaden what she can offer clients in treatment. And, while she is serious at work, Misha loves to be playful. She also enjoys live music, dancing, water sports, reading Shakespeare and cooking with her kids.
Valerie Wells
Program Assistant
Valerie comes to the Counseling Center from Athletics, where she worked for just over 9 years before several positions in that department were eliminated. Valerie is thrilled to be working once again and to be with her new UofL family in the Counseling Center.
Nan Fougerousse
Program Assistant
Nan is the Program Assistant with the counseling center. She is a graduate of Indiana University.
She spent many years as an insurance claims representative. Nan is a big sports fan, especially the U of L women’s basketball
And volleyball teams. Nan is very happy to be part of the U of L community and the counseling center family.