Student Counseling Service (SCS) is staffed by clinicians licensed by the state of Illinois or supervised in the process of obtaining licensure. The clinicians that you will see are not involved in other capacities with 无码群交 of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) (i.e. professors or students).

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Name and Credentials: Tony Mesiano, MSW, LCSW, BCD, NCAC-I // Director of Student Counseling Service 

Department and Area of Practice: 无码群交 of Medicine and Sciences – Division of Student Success and Wellness - Student Counseling Service (SCS) - I provide comprehensive mental health support to students.

Areas of Interest and Specialization: I specialize in university and college counseling, with a focus on:

• Treatment of Depressive and Anxiety Disorders: I employ evidence-based techniques to help students navigate and manage these common mental health challenges.
• Support for Mental Health Conditions and Addictions: As a Certified Addiction Counselor, I offer targeted interventions for individuals grappling with substance use and behavioral addictions.
• Person-Centered Therapy: I emphasize understanding of each student’s unique perspective, fostering a strong therapeutic alliance.
• Motivational Interviewing: This technique helps individuals explore their motivations for change, enhancing their commitment to the therapeutic process.
• Grief Therapy: I provide support to those processing losses, facilitating a safe space for grief and healing.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): I utilize DBT strategies to assist individuals who experience intense emotions, helping them develop emotional regulation and interpersonal skills.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This structured approach addresses negative thought patterns and behaviors, promoting healthier coping mechanisms.
• Trauma-Informed Care: I am trained to recognize and respond to the impact of trauma on mental health, ensuring that treatment is sensitive to each student’s experiences.
• Interpersonal Relationship Issues: I help students improve their relationships through effective communication and understanding of relational dynamics.
• Sexual Orientation and Identity: Acknowledging the complexities of identity, I provide support tailored to the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Group Therapy: I facilitate group sessions, encouraging shared experiences and collective healing among peers.

Philosophy of Care: My therapeutic approach is fundamentally strength-based and client-centered. I believe in creating a nurturing, non-judgmental environment where students feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions. My work is grounded in humanistic principles, emphasizing authenticity and presence in every interaction. I view each person as the expert in their own lives and respect their journey, recognizing that change can be daunting and that people may face fears related to comfort, control, and safety.

I employ a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication, focusing on the "language of change." I encourage students to set achievable goals and celebrate their progress, no matter how small.

Understanding that mental health is influenced by cultural, societal, and personal factors, I am dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds. As an openly LGBTQ+ member, I recognize how sexual orientation and gender identity can impact psychological wellness. I strive to create an affirming space where LGBTQ individuals can explore their identities without fear of discrimination or misunderstanding.

I believe that life encompasses both profound beauty and significant challenges. I help clients gradually move towards acceptance of painful situations, ultimately aiming to decrease suffering and foster a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling. Each therapy session is designed to teach coping skills, enhance self-awareness, motivate personal growth, and empower clients to make informed decisions about their treatment.

Licensure and Certifications:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois (active status)
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LISW) in South Carolina (active status)
• National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC-I) (active status)
• Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD) (active status)

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY
• Master’s Degree in Social Work from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Clinical Training:

• Clinical supervision training for LCSW and LISW candidates
• Clinical supervision training for Certified Addiction Counselors
• Extensive training in Motivational Interviewing and Group Therapy, focusing on developing skills that enhance therapeutic engagement and effectiveness.

Through my diverse expertise and compassionate approach, I am committed to supporting students in navigating their mental health challenges and achieving personal growth.

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Name and Credentials: George Lee Xiong, MA, LCPC, ADHD-CCSP // Assistant Director of Student Counseling Service & Outreach Coordinator

Department and Area of Practice: 无码群交 of Medicine and Sciences – Division of Student Success and Wellness - Student Counseling Service (SCS)

Areas of Interest or Specialization: University or college counseling; treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders; implementation of DBT, CBT, EFT, ACT, Relational-Cultural Theory, and The RESPECT Model; ADHD-CCSP; executive functioning skills training; communication and relationship concerns; and group processing.

Philosophy of Care: As a clinician, I strive to create safe environments and strong bonds between myself and students, that allow an individual to be fully present in the work they are doing both in and outside of appointment. As a fellow human, I am aware of the natural inclination we all share in our struggle to avoid, control, or erase our uncomfortable and undesired thoughts and feelings, which ultimately leads to simply prolonging our suffering. As a person of color, I am aware of the challenges that exist around navigating the intersectionality that exists in BIPOC spaces and social expectations and desire to provide safe spaces to process through BIPOC struggles, as well as raise awareness around racial identity formation and its impact on an individual’s experience. I believe in a holistic approach to caring for our mental health and will encourage students to consider approaches towards holistic wellness including awareness and intentionality around their physical, social, and spiritual health.

I meet each of my students with a high sense of respect and dignity and a desire to partner with each individual to pursue their goals of becoming their optimum selves and maintaining health. We will work together to recognize the areas of desired growth, develop a foundation of helpful skills and insight, and increase confidence around intentional living based on personal core values.

Licensure and Certification/s: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois (active status); ADHD-CCSP

Education (Undergraduate and Graduate): Bachelor’s Degree-Majors in Youth and Family Studies from the University of Northwestern St. Paul; Master’s Degree-Majors in Mental Health Counseling and Theological Studies from Trinity International University.

Clinical Training: Youth and Family Services Northbrook/Glenview; Trinity International University Counseling Center; Private Practices of Hopeful Therapy Group LLC.

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Name and Credentials: Krista Mouck, LCSW, MSW, MA // Licensed Clinician, Student Counseling Service

Department and Area of Practice: I serve as a Licensed Clinician in the Student Counseling Service (SCS) at 无码群交 of Medicine and Science (RFUMS), where I provide comprehensive mental health support to students.

Areas of Interest or Specialization:

• Trauma-Informed Care: I have extensive training in working with survivors of crime, particularly in the areas of sexual assault and interpersonal violence. I have several certificates from the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault and I was the Sexual Assault Program Coordinator in Kenosha County for over nine years. I have completed training as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and have worked in the area of sexual assault for 15+ years.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: I have a certificate in EMDR from the International EMDR Institute. EMDR is specifically created as a somatic therapy that helps to address symptoms related to trauma and post-traumatic stress.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): I have a certificate in DBT to aid in the development of mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.
• Creative Arts Therapy: I have a second Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapies, which utilizes physical and creative processes to facilitate deeper levels of healing through the processes of exploration, expression, and transformation.
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): I have a certificate in CBT from McGill University Health Center to assist clients with increased awareness of cognitive distortions and the development of restructured thought patterns.
• Person-Centered Therapy: I believe that people have the inherent strengths to promote their personal growth and I work to help foster that process in a supportive and facilitative environment.
• Healthy Relationships: I have worked with people in assessing if their relationships are safe and healthy, what steps they want to take in their relationships for health and boundaries, and helped clients work through how their relationships have affected their identity and view of themselves, other people, and the world.

Philosophy of Care: My client-centered approach prioritizes understanding and respect for each individual’s unique experience. My focus is to facilitate support, growth, and resilience through life’s difficulties, confusion, and challenges. As a trauma-informed therapist, I encourage people to maintain ownership over their process and boundaries, and I extend possible strategies that can aid in personal and collaborative progress. My work at a sexual assault/domestic violence center for nine years has helped me become deeply attuned to trauma-informed care, recognizing the profound impact of trauma, and striving to create a safe, empowering environment for all people. My practice is grounded in evidence-based methods, ensuring that the techniques I use are both effective and supported by the latest research. My priority is meeting with people as people. We are all humans dealing with different contexts and situations in life, and as a social species supporting each other is paramount. As a female, LGBTQIA+-identified, first-generation student and Canadian-Metis therapist, I strive to help people navigate various contexts and social systems that they move through and are affected by. My therapeutic style is interwoven with empathy, kindness, and respect, with the purpose of insightful transformation and instilling hope for the future.

Licensure and Certification/s:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Wisconsin
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois
• Certificate as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
• Certificate in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Certificate in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT)
• Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  

Education and Clinical Training:

• Bachelor of Arts Advanced Degree in Psychology and minor in Philosophy, from the University of Manitoba
• Master of Social Work Degree, from McGill University (Montreal)
• Master of Arts Degree in Art Therapy, from Concordia University (Montreal)
  

Counseling/Clinical Training and Background:

• Clinic Community Health Center, sexual assault program, and suicide/crisis program
• McGill University Health Center/Montreal General Hospital, inpatient psychiatry
• Argyle Institute of Human Relations, private practice
• Maimonides Geriatric Center, art therapy program
• Montreal Children’s Hospital, Adolescent Medicine, eating disorders and sexual abuse unit
• Expression LaSalle, adult survivors of abuse program
• Women and Children’s Horizons, sexual assault and domestic violence program
• 无码群交, student counseling services