Staff

Lucy is a part-time staff member.  She completed her BA in Psychology and African American studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her MSSW at the University of Louisville with a specialization of mental health.  Her research focused on community and family involvement in mental health treatment.  Her clinical training experiences included counseling in community mental health and counseling veterans with traumatic brain injuries at the VA.  She worked in short-term, inpatient psychiatric settings and developed a specialty in eating disorder treatment through working in various levels of care.  She has special interest in anxiety concerns, eating disorders, developing community support, and the intersection of physical and mental health.  In her practice she draws on a strengths-based approach from an interpersonal, multicultural lens, using CBT and DBT principals with an emphasis on mindfulness.  Lucy enjoys spending her free time traveling, running, and making art. Lucy will be with our office in the spring of 2022.

Kourtney earned her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University and completed her undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University. Prior to joining the Loyola University Counseling Center, Kourtney worked in community mental health, college counseling, and career development center settings. She implements an integrative approach to counseling, based upon the person’s needs and the therapeutic relationship, which is often informed by relational, humanistic, and multicultural perspectives. Kourtney’s clinical and research interests include multicultural identity and intersectionality; interpersonal relationships; trauma; vocational development; social justice and advocacy. Kourtney identifies as a Black woman and grew up in Maryland. In her free time, she enjoys reading, movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Beth received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and has a background in community mental health and online counseling.  She has particular experience working with anxiety and stress, trauma, depression, and adjustment issues.  In her practice, Beth uses a combination of supportive, cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and strengths-based approaches.  In her free time, Beth loves to travel, spend time with family and friends, and watch true crime documentaries.

Brittany is a clinical extern with the Loyola Counseling Center in the Student-Athlete Mental Health track. She earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Temple University and has experience as a Division I swimmer. Currently, Brittany is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Howard University and has research interests in the mental health of Black women and college athletes. She has clinical experience in community mental health, school-based settings, and private practice. Brittany uses an integrative and culturally responsive approach drawing from cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, and psychodynamic approaches to create a therapeutic space of peace, safety, and bravery. Brittany is a lover of African proverbs, funny memes, and connecting with others. In her free time, Brittany enjoys swimming, traveling, attending music concerts, and baking.

Ethan is currently serving as a clinical extern at the Loyola Counseling Center where he works in the LGBTQ+ Services track. He is a fourth-year student in the PsyD program at Loyola and enjoys providing mental health services to the Loyola community. Ethan brings experience in psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches and is dedicated to fostering a supportive and empathetic environment for students. He has previously worked in community mental health and private practice settings and is excited to learn more about college counseling. Ethan’s clinical interests include LGBTQ+ identity development, anxiety and depression management, and mindfulness. Outside of his clinical work, Ethan loves watching reality competition TV shows, playing tennis, and singing.

In addition to being a full-time staff psychologist, Jessica dedicates a great deal of her time, experience, and energy to coordinating mental health services and outreach for BIPOC students. Jessica identifies as a Black, queer, able-bodied ciswoman who believes that we all have the capacity to lead lives full of meaning and purpose. As a first-generation college graduate, she is passionate about supporting young adults as they navigate their journey of self-exploration, growth, and discovery to live more authentically. Jessica earned her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from Indiana University and completed her undergraduate studies at Duke University. She has specialized training working with Division I college athletes and is committed to addressing issues of social injustice and supporting communities that are most significantly impacted by systemic oppression. Jessica strives to create a warm and safe therapeutic environment that affirms students in all their identities. Her approach to therapy is rooted in empathy, connection, and collaboration, drawing from multicultural, humanistic, and interpersonal theories. In addition to BIPOC mental health and wellness, her areas of interests include racial/sexual identity development, life transitions, anxiety, student-athlete mental health and performance, and interpersonal relationships. In her free time, Jessica enjoys practicing yoga and meditation, traveling, visiting new eateries, hanging out with family and friends, and spending time outdoors.

Elise Gower is the Community Engagement Social Work Intern with The Counseling Center and LGBTQ+ Student Services. She is personally and professionally committed to cultivating intentional community grounded in honesty, authenticity, and wholeness. Her career has been focused in spirituality, community engagement, and leadership development. She has extensive experience working in Jesuit higher education and the USA East Jesuit Province. Elise is drawn to the art of sacred storytelling and its value in collective antiracism work and LGBTQ+ advocacy. She centers queer inclusion in faith spaces. Elise is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical social work at Louisiana State University (LSU) to explore the interconnectedness of mental health and spirituality.

Rachael is the Administrative Assistant for the Counseling Center and recently graduated from McDaniel College with a BA degree in Psychology and a minor in Marketing. She is super excited to be working with the counseling center on all things social media and helping in the day-to-day operations that keep the Center running! In her free time, Rachael loves to play Animal Crossing on her Nintendo Switch, read, and put together many puzzles.

Bennett is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Loyola University (MD) psychology program, building on his psychology and criminal justice studies at James Madison University. He holds dual master’s degrees in clinical psychology (Loyola) and forensic psychology (Fairleigh Dickinson University). In his approach to counseling, Bennett integrates diverse therapeutic orientations, including multicultural, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic, and acceptance and commitment theories, to tailor counseling to each individual's unique needs. In his practice, he emphasizes authenticity, humor, empathy, and curiosity to foster a supportive, collaborative, and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. Bennett’s clinical and research interests span individual, couples, and group therapies. He is particularly interested in young adult mental health, life transitions, severe mental illness, forensic and psychoeducational assessments, student-athlete mental health and performance, relationships, men's issues, and adjustment challenges. Proudly from Baltimore, growing up just miles from Loyola’s Evergreen campus, Bennett identifies as an able-bodied, straight, cisgender, White man. Outside of his academic pursuits, Bennett enjoys passionately supporting his sports teams including the Ravens, Orioles, and University of Kansas Basketball. He also follows the Capitals and Manchester City. In his downtime, you might find him playing pick-up sports, savoring local cuisine, catching up on true crime, comedy, and classic HBO series, or spending quality time with loved ones and his dog, Oshie. 

Annie is a Clinical Intern at Loyola, currently in her third year pursuing an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. She holds dual B.S. degrees in Health Sciences and Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her clinical training includes an internship at GIFTs Mental Health Clinic during the 2023-2024 school year, as well as a role as a Graduate Assistant to the Coordinator for Student Athlete Success at Johns Hopkins University during the same period. In addition to her academic and clinical experiences, she works part-time as a personal trainer and has spent the past five years coaching girls' club lacrosse. Her passion for athletics is further highlighted by her experience as a Division 1 lacrosse player throughout her undergraduate years. Her therapeutic approach is strengths-based, collaborative, and incorporates mindfulness-based and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques. Rooted in Person-Centered Therapy, she is dedicated to creating a safe, empathetic, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can freely explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. She prioritizes active listening and collaboration, working with clients to identify goals, explore challenges, and develop strategies for personal growth and self-discovery. Her clinical interests include anxiety, working with high-performance individuals, self-empowerment, and women's issues. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and traveling.

Jason completed his doctorate in counseling psychology at Southern Illinois University.  Jason enjoys working with relationship difficulties (including relationship with self), family concerns, men's issues (and women's issues too), and grief and loss.  He has specialized training working with those who have experienced trauma, therapy groups, and enjoys outreach presentations, supervision, and teaching. Jason is committed to providing culturally sensitive services and to addressing issues of social justice.  His clinical and supervisory approaches draw from psychodynamic, interpersonal, and feminist/multicultural theories, and mindfulness techniques.  On a personal level, Jason enjoys playing piano, reading almost anything, working out, spending time outdoors, and playing with his family.

Julie received her MA in Counseling from New York University, specializing in college student health and wellness. She received her MSW from Columbia University, focusing on clinical counseling and women’s issues. Her internship experiences were at Goldwater Memorial Hospital in the HIV Unit, Mt Sinai Hospital’s Rape Crisis Center, and Columbia University’s after-hours emergency response team. She worked at Seton Hall, Barnard College, and Columbia University focusing on college student health and mental health, and then spent five years in the NYC Public Schools as a School Social Worker. In her practice she is particularly interested in women’s issues, trauma, and mindfulness. Certified as a yoga instructor for adults and children, she is passionate about yoga and mindfulness. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading, yoga, running, and spending time with friends and her two daughters.

Daphne is a part-time staff member.  She completed her M.S in Clinical Community Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and both a B.S. and M.S. in Kinesiology with an Emphasis in Athletic Training from Indiana University, Bloomington.  Her clinical training experiences included counseling in a women's prison and area College Counseling Centers, focusing on trauma and women's issues before developing her specialty in treating Eating Disorders in adolescents and adults.  In the years leading up to becoming a licensed therapist, Daphne enjoyed a career working as a Certified Athletic Trainer with student athletes on the high school and collegiate levels, in particular with college ballet dancers.  In her practice she draws on a warm, strengths-based approach from an interpersonal, humanistic, and multicultural lens.  Daphne enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, traveling, and reading.

In addition to being a full-time staff psychologist, Ryan dedicates a great deal of his time, experience, and energy to coordinating mental health services and outreach to student-athletes as well as coordinating the counseling center's public health efforts. Ryan’s therapeutic style is best described as relational, authentic, collaborative, curious, and honest. While therapy can help us cope with emotional pain, it’s also about our healing and personal growth. It can help us discover ways of feeling more authentic, less alone, and more connected in the world. Ryan’s approach is integrative, drawing upon relational cultural theory, internal family systems, feminist, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based traditions. He also folds in humor and joy when appropriate because therapy, while hard work, can also be fun. Ryan’s interests include issues of liberation and social justice, student-athlete mental health and performance, men/masculinities, relationships, trauma, and grief. Ryan identifies as a White, straight, generally able-bodied cis man. He earned his doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Maryland, holds three master’s degrees (Counseling Psychology, Sport Psychology, and Work/Organizational Psychology), and completed his undergraduate degree at Bucknell University where he was a Division I soccer player. Ryan spends his free time with family and friends, collecting houseplants, supporting Manchester United, watching The Office on repeat, playing soccer, running, hiking, and fly fishing.

Dr. Sokal is a board-certified psychiatrist in both adult psychiatry and adolescent/child psychiatry, having completed medical school and the adult psychiatry residency at the University of Maryland.  The child psychiatry fellowship was completed at the University of Maryland and Sheppard Pratt.  She has a private practice in Owings Mills, and has worked at student counseling centers, schools for children with emotional issues, treatment foster care agencies, and community mental health centers.  She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, running, and singing in a choir.

Jennifer received her master's of social work degree from Salisbury University. She completed clinical internships at the Life Crisis Center of Salisbury, Md. and Salisbury University Student Counseling Services. Jennifer also has experience in community mental health and has special interest in the areas of trauma, women's issues, and relationship concerns. Through her background in sociology and social work, she has developed a passion for social justice, seeking the expansion of choice and opportunity for all cultural groups. Outside interests include spending time with friends and family, reading, and playing with her dog, Stella.

In addition to being a full-time staff psychologist, Mackenzie dedicates a great deal of her time, experience, and energy to coordinating mental health services and outreach to LGBTQ+ students. Mackenzie sincerely believes in the importance of building meaningful relationships with each of her clients so that they feel safe enough to bring their full selves into therapy. She works collaboratively with her clients to develop and make progress towards their goals. Mackenzie often finds it useful to discuss family and childhood, important relationships, identities, and interactions with oppressive systems in order to understand the individual contexts of her clients. Her clinical interests include helping students heal from trauma; navigate difficult relationship dynamics; explore intersectional identities, particularly around sexuality and gender; and learn to better manage and tolerate anxiety and other uncomfortable emotions. Mackenzie earned her doctoral degree from Loyola University Maryland and completed her undergraduate studies at Florida State University. Mackenzie identifies as a white, cisgender, pansexual woman. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, walking, watching reality TV, and spending time with her friends, family, and dog.

Constance graduated from the University of Baltimore with a BA degree in Accounting and loves working in higher education. She manages the day to day operations of the Counseling Center which include greeting clients who visit the center, answering the phone, and setting up appointments. Constance enjoys shopping at flea markets and yard sales, crafting, movies, and spending time with her family.