Tania Czarnecki, PsyD
Executive Director of Counseling
(She/Her/Hers)

Dr. Tania Czarnecki is the Executive Director of the Counseling Center. She received her PsyD in clinical psychology from The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed her APA-accredited internship at Trenton Psychiatry Hospital / The College of New Jersey’s Counseling Center. Dr. Czarnecki has clinical experience in a variety of treatment settings, including inpatient, outpatient community mental health care, and college counseling centers. Since receiving her doctorate, she has specialized in collegiate and young adult mental health. Dr. Czarnecki served as the Associate Director/ Director of Training at Drexel’s Counseling Center for the last eight years, providing direct clinical services to students, administrative oversight of the Center, as well as establishing the APA-accredited internship and overseeing the training program.

Tania’s professional interests include clinical training and supervision for trainees and staff, developmental issues of early adulthood, multiculturalism, mindfulness, stress/anxiety management and trauma. She is a Pennsylvania licensed psychologist.

Outside of work, Tania loves to spend time outdoors paddleboarding, hiking, or at the beach. She also spends time practicing meditation, tending to her plants, and spending time with her family and rescue dog, Baxter.

Matthew LeRoy, PsyD
Associate Director of Counseling
Training Director
(He/Him/His)

Matthew LeRoy, PsyD, is the Training Director / Associate Director of the Counseling Center. He received his graduate degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and has practiced for over ten years at the University of Pennsylvania’s Counseling and Psychological Services. He is a generalist with extensive experience centered on issues related to equity and social responsibility. This work has entailed working with individuals who experience marginalization, and exploring the effect of privilege. He believes being a therapist requires flexibility in approaching students to meet their unique needs, and attention to the way culture and identity affects their lived experiences.

In therapy, Matt believes listening carefully and learning about the specific difficulties clients are experiencing is crucial to helping them live a more meaningful and authentic life. Therapy is inherently a time when individuals examine their lives in an attempt to improve it. In that effort, he sees his role as helping people understand their emotions and different patterns in their lives, which could be hurting their quality of life. He values discussions about relationships including the collaborative relationship between therapist and client, and the most significant relationships in clients' lives.

More personally, Matt enjoys reading speculative fiction, board games, and enjoys spending time with his cat, Arya. He is originally from New York, but over the past ten years has grown to love Philadelphia.

Barbara Inkeles, PsyD
Assistant Director of Counseling
(She/Her/Hers)

Barbara Inkeles, PsyD, joined Drexel's Counseling Center after spending eight years at The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia, a residential facility specializing in the treatment of girls and women with eating disorders and co-occurring mental health issues, including substance abuse, trauma, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression. Her previous experience also includes providing learning therapy to university students with learning disabilities, other disabilities and ADHD. Barbara works collaboratively with students in identifying treatment goals and developing new coping strategies. She creates a safe and supportive environment for students to explore and navigate the complex interconnection between learning, past experiences, interpersonal communication, self-esteem and general well-being.

Barbara has years of experience working in collaboration with and as a member of interdisciplinary health care teams. Her clinical interests include strategies for creating effective interdisciplinary team collaboration as well as improving the health and wellness of both care providers and recipients through stress management and mindfulness skills. She received her doctoral degree from the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology at Widener University in 2005.

Aside from work, Barbara enjoys cuddling with her cats, hiking, spending time with loved ones and getting into deep discussions about cars with her three-year-old nephew.

Elena Cucco, PhD
Staff Psychologist
Outreach Coordinator
(She/Her/Hers)

Elena Cucco, PhD, earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2018 after completing an APA-accredited internship at the Veterans Affairs New Jersey Healthcare System. Subsequently, she completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Princeton University's Counseling and Psychological Services and served as group coordinator at Lehigh University’s Counseling and Psychological Services.

Elena has been working with college students for over ten years and much of her therapeutic style is informed by the honesty, vulnerability, bravery, and hope she sees in her clients. Talking with young folks has taught her to work slowly, care generously, and say what she means. She believes that anyone seeking therapy has come by their pain honestly and that much of what folks find distressing in themselves is a reasonable response to what has happened to them. Thus, she is unlikely to give rote advice and more likely to partner with students in unpacking their histories (personal and generational), learning to trust their feelings, and deciding what wellness would entail for them. While Elena believes in students’ inherent capacity for healing, she holds space in therapy for the very real harm done by forces outside their control and consent like racism, queer phobia, interpersonal violence, and all forms of hate and domination. She thinks that for therapy to be a liberating space, students need the freedom to talk about how their lives are shaped by their identities as well as corresponding experiences of bigotry, marginalization, and erasure. Elena’s interests include trauma and recovery, sexual and interpersonal violence, difficult family relationships, identity development, queer affirming care, Veterans’ concerns, and managing intense emotions.

Outside of work, Elena spends her time listening to mid '00s emo, exploring the wide world of carbohydrates, lovingly caving to the many demands of her rescue dog, and bookmarking Instagram workouts she will likely never complete.

Catherine Dubaillou, PsyD
Lead Psychologist
(She/Her/Hers)

Catherine Dubaillou, PsyD, received her master of arts degree in art therapy from Drexel University in 1999 and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Widener University in 2012. She previously spent four years at The Renfrew Center in Philadelphia, a residential facility specializing in the treatment of women suffering from eating disorders and co-occurring mental health problems. Prior to The Renfrew Center, she provided services in a variety of settings including community-based mental health clinics, a veteran's medical center, inpatient, residential and partial hospital settings. She has experience working with families, couples, children and adults from various backgrounds and levels of functioning. Her clinical experience began in the art therapy field.

Catherine primarily conceptualizes her clinical work from an integrative psychodynamic and interpersonal-relational theoretical framework, but incorporates interventions from a variety of theories based on the student's needs and presenting issues. Her training as an art therapist has made her particularly attuned to the role of creativity, the use of metaphors, and non-verbal approaches to treatment. Catherine emphasizes a collaborative therapeutic relationship where the focus is on fostering personal growth and awareness and in helping students make choices that are adaptive and empowering.

Catherine's professional areas of interest include body image and eating disorders, trauma, interpersonal relationship issues, cultural transitions, sociocultural influences and socioeconomic status in adjustment issues. As a French native, she is also fluent in French.

James Kim, PsyD
Staff Psychologist
Groups Coordinator
(He/Him/His)

James received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2019 from George Fox University in Newberg, OR after completing his pre-doctoral internship at Drexel Counseling Center in Philadelphia, PA. He earned his bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies from Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA, and his master's in Clinical Psychology at George Fox University in Newberg, OR.

James has clinical experience working with college and graduate students from various college counseling centers. He has also provided clinical services in community mental health settings and crisis consultation services at emergency departments.

James takes a Relational-Cultural approach to therapy, the idea that we are relationally oriented, and human connection provides meaning and empowerment in one's life. In addition to understanding the student's concern within the context of past and present interpersonal relationship patterns and sociocultural factors that may intersect with their experience, he utilizes aspects of Humanistic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to meet the student's goals. His clinical interests include diversity/multiculturalism/cultural humility, group therapy, spirituality, relational concerns, identity formation.

Outside of work, you can find James catching up on TV shows/movies, adding songs to his ever-growing music playlist, spending time with loved ones, taking road trips, and exploring new areas/eateries.

Minsun Lee, PhD
Staff Psychologist
(She/Her/Hers)

Minsun Lee, PhD, received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Drexel University in 2012, after completing her pre-doctoral internship at the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida. Before joining the Center, she served as Assistant Professor at Temple University School of Medicine where she conducted studies to enhance health equity in racial/ethnic minority populations through community-based participatory research.

As a clinical health psychologist by training, Minsun worked in various multidisciplinary settings including sleep, oncology, and pain clinics, rehabilitation services, HIV partnership center, and community-based mental health clinics, as well as student counseling centers. She primarily adopts a broad-based cognitive and behavioral orientation utilizing a biopsychosocial perspective, but incorporates psychodynamic, humanistic, and interpersonal approaches to address clients' unique needs. Minsun values a culturally adapted approach in therapy and is passionate about serving diverse clients who face a variety of biopsychosocial issues including somatic symptoms, depression and anxiety, interpersonal issues, acculturation, and social identity in their journey to self-discovery and maturation. Minsun is available to provide therapy in Korean.

During her spare time, Minsun enjoys watching feel-good movies and TV shows with her loved ones. She also frequents local gardens and parks to roam around and interact with her neighbors and their small dogs.

Stephanie Shiffler, PhD
Part-Time Staff Psychologist / Alcohol and Other Drugs Specialization
(She/Her/Hers)

Stephanie Shiffler, PhD, received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from University of Georgia in 2020 and completed her APA-accredited internship and postdoctoral residency at Lehigh University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. She is a part-time staff therapist, specializing in AOD. Stephanie also works in private practice, providing long-term therapy to individuals and couples.

Stephanie operates from a relational, emotion-focused perspective when conducting therapy, aiming to see the world through her clients’ eyes. She prioritizes students’ lived experiences, making space to explore intersecting identities and to process challenging life experiences. Stephanie is especially interested in helping students understand and optimize their relationships to substances by providing a nonjudgmental space in which they can be open about their use. She believes that shame often interferes with our ability to get curious about our behavior and take constructive steps toward healing.

Stephanie uses her time away from work connecting with loved ones, being outside, and watching bad television.

Robia Smith-Herman, LCSW
Staff Therapist/Embedded BIPOC Specialist
(She/Her/Hers)

Robia Smith-Herman, LCSW, joined the Counseling Center and Center for Black Culture in January of 2022. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Africana Studies from Gettysburg College, and her Master's in Social Service from the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research at Bryn Mawr College. Prior to joining the Drexel team, she worked at the Renfrew Center of Radnor as the Team Leader and Student Internship Supervisor.

Within the therapeutic relationship, Robia is strength based, with a significant focus on the person in their environment with their intersecting identities. As an integrative therapist, she uses skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relational Cultural Theory, Exposure Therapy, including Prolonged Exposure, and Psychodynamic Therapy.

More personally, Robia is a huge soccer fan, loves Broadway, and enjoys visits to National Parks. Originally from Maryland, Robia has been in PA for over 10 years.

Sarah Maver, PsyD
Staff Psychologist
Peer Support
(She/Her/Hers)

Sarah Maver received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Immaculata University in 2021 after completing her pre-doctoral internship at Drexel University Counseling Center. Subsequently, she completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Tuttleman Counseling Services at Temple University. Sarah earned her interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in biology and psychology from Loyola University Maryland and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Immaculata University.

Prior to entering the college counseling world, Sarah spent time working in residential, inpatient hospital, and outpatient medical settings. In therapy, she primarily utilizes relational and psychodynamic perspectives, focusing on a client's strengths and holding space to explore the various pieces of their identity. She also incorporates interventions from other modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Sarah strives to create a warm, collaborative, and safe space where clients can be their authentic selves. Her areas of clinical interest include difficulties in relationships, adjustment, body image and eating concerns, cultural humility, and peer counseling. In addition to her clinical work, Sarah leads the peer support programs at the Counseling Center.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with loved ones, adventuring through the city with her dog, reading and researching, and visiting new places.

Melisa Mitchell, MSW, LSW
Case Manager/Therapist
(She/Her/Hers)

Melisa Mitchell joined the Counseling Center in October of 2022 as their clinical case manager. Melisa received her Masters of Social Work degree and Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a minor in geography and urban studies at West Chester University. She also completed her post-graduate trauma studies certificate at Widener University. Melisa is passionate about empowering and helping others to achieve their goals. Melisa has experience in clinical work serving individuals of all life stages and diverse backgrounds at an acute psychiatric crisis center; community-based mental health clinics; and non-profit agencies providing crisis intervention, counseling, care coordination, and case management services.

Melisa works from a strength-based, humanistic, psychodynamic, and behavioral approach to counseling. Melisa also integrates different therapeutic techniques tailored to her client’s current needs, such as motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Melisa believes in creating a nurturing and calm environment that fosters safety, respect, empathy, collaboration, and authenticity for her clients to facilitate their growth and wellness. Her clinical interests include diversity, relationships, personal growth, grief and loss, life adjustments, depression, anxiety, and stress management.

In her spare time, Melisa enjoys watching anime, shows, and movies; baking; and playing video games. She also enjoys reading, drawing, spending time with loved ones and pets, and trying out new things.

Mara Capistrano, LCSW
Staff Therapist, DEI Focus
(She/Her/Hers)

Mara Capistrano is a clinical social worker and practices in Pennsylvania. She was born in Quezon City, Philippines and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mara grew up in a multi-generational, immigrant household. She received her bachelor's from Rosemont College, and then attended Bryn Mawr College for her Masters in Social Services.

She has been a licensed mental health provider for over ten years, practicing mostly in Philadelphia. Her experience includes HIV counseling and testing, substance use treatment, psychiatric rehabilitation, and college counseling. In the university setting, Mara provides individual and group therapy, using a strengths-based, multi-cultural and trauma-informed approach.

Outside of work hours, Mara appreciates time with her family and extended family, gardening, and traveling. She loves watching sci-fi, fantasy, and basketball.

Bethanne Frazer, MS, LPC, NCC, ATR-P
Part-Time Staff Therapist
(She/Her/Hers)

Bethanne is a licensed professional counselor and art therapist. She earned a master's in science degree from Thomas Jefferson University in their Community & Trauma Counseling program, with a specialization in art therapy. Bethanne earned a bachelor's in fine arts degree from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (CUNY) in Fine Arts, with minors in art history and psychology. In addition to her role at DUCC, Bethanne works in private and group practice. Bethanne has clinical experience in various treatment settings, including residential treatment, outpatient community mental health care, and college counseling centers. As a teaching artist and art therapist, Bethanne believes in creative expression as a means of self-discovery and a therapeutic healing process.

Bethanne utilizes her strengths and skillset to best support those in need offering art therapy and talk therapy to help clients manage anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges. We all need space to prioritize our thoughts and feelings, to say what we need to say aloud to someone who will not judge us for how we think and feel. Oftentimes, we cannot expect the people in our lives to be impartial or unbiased. Sometimes, the people in our lives are far too involved in why we need this space, and they might not realize why we are anxious, depressed, or have traumatic experiences to process. The therapeutic relationship is all about what you want and need, prioritizing direct communication, trust and openness. Bethanne promotes safety and recovery in this collaborative relationship, aiming to explore effective coping strategies to manage adverse experiences and difficult symptoms. In her work, she provides a space to be heard and through listening and asking thoughtful questions, we will begin to recognize patterns and make connections, making efforts towards meaningful and empowering change.

Bethanne is a native Brooklyn, New Yorker and has resided in Philadelphia, PA since 2015. Bethanne is a visual artist who works in mixed media, painting, drawing, and capturing analog or digital photos and video. Bethanne enjoys walking amidst nature and animals, swimming, cycling, gardening, and spending time with loved ones.

Neal Stolar, MD-PhD
Psychiatrist

Neal Stolar, MD-PhD, serves as the psychiatrist for the Center. He received his MD in 1990 and his PhD in Biological Psychology in 1992, both from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign. He completed his psychiatry residency program in 1995 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He has worked in private practice since 1996, using psychotherapy in combination, when needed, with medication management. He has worked in community mental health centers and residential programs as staff psychiatrist and sometimes as Medical Director as well. Along with his work at Drexel, he currently works in the Crozer Psychotherapy Services, and is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pennsylvania. He has participated in research there in both basic and clinical aspects of schizophrenia and has co-authored publications there and elsewhere about these subjects as well as psychophysiology.

Neal's true passion is the practice of psychotherapy – ‘talk therapy’ – of which he utilizes many modalities in his work outside the Center. His view of psychiatric medications is that they can be beneficial as a supplement to the important practice of psychotherapy. He tries as best possible to keep their use to the safest minimal level, emphasizes avoidance of side effects, and encourages students to participate in the decision-making process of choosing which, if any, medications might be preferable. Natural supplements and diet adjustments can also be part of the treatment approach. Health habits, including exercise, relaxation techniques, socialization, leisure activities, proper limitations of caffeine and other substances, and sleep hygiene are also assessed and evaluated. Neal participates in weekly meetings with the other clinical staff to coordinate care of Drexel students.

Linda DePrisco-Privetera
Business Manager
(She/Her/Hers)

Linda DePrisco-Privetera joined the Drexel community in 1998 and worked in the Office of the Dean of Students for two years before transferring to the Office of Counseling, Health and Wellness in May of 2000. Linda brings many organizational and managerial talents to her role as office coordinator. She is also the person responsible for scheduling all appointments at the University City Counseling Center location. She received her bachelor of arts degree in communications from Temple University in 1988.

Outside of work, Linda enjoys reading; watching cooking shows; and taking trips to the beach with her husband, son, and their adorable Boston Terrier, Daphne.

Ashley Martindale
Administrative and Program Coordinator
(She/Her/Hers)

Ashley Martindale earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from West Chester University in December 2019. Prior to joining Drexel University’s Counseling Center, she served as the office manager of a local outpatient treatment center. In her role at Drexel, she assists with scheduling all appointments for therapists and helps coordinate outreach activities, among other various administrative duties to support the center.

Outside of work, Ashley can often be found curled up with her cat, Nyx, and a fantasy or science fiction novel.

Andrew Wilkins, MS
(He/Him/His)

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change" - Carl Rogers. Andrew loves this quote because it embodies our need for change and growth — and it also acknowledges how essential it is that we grow to become comfortable with who we are through mastery and exploration of our inner world. In his experience, it has been critical that to form a trusting, judgement-free, scientifically-valid, and sacred environment for these transformations to take place. As a caring and trusting team, Andrew will work with you to find meaning in the areas of your life that may have been painful and traumatic. Simultaneously, Andrew will help you also seek to create and maximize the aspects of yourself that you can love.

Andrew Wilkins, MS is a doctoral intern at the Drexel University Counseling Center. He is also a Clinical Psychology doctoral candidate (PsyD) at Chestnut Hill College. Andrew has experience serving as a therapist for individuals, couples, families, and group settings. Additionally, Andrew also has experience as an adjunct professor in Clinical Psychology.

Andrew is a local from the southwest Philadelphia area and often enjoys playing chess in Clark Park, creating new smoothie combinations at Wawa, and arguing about the best cheesesteak spots in the city.

Alyssa Shapiro, MS, LMSW
(She/Her/Hers)

Alyssa Shapiro is a doctoral intern at the Drexel University Counseling Center, completing a one-year internship to earn her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University-Post. She earned her master’s degree in social work at Silberman School of Social Work. Alyssa proudly began her clinical journey as a peer counselor during her undergraduate years, and has since had the opportunity to work in numerous settings including schools, outpatient clinics, private practices, and an inpatient medical hospital.

As a therapist, Alyssa strives to welcome individuals into an accepting, compassionate, and curious environment. In the space, she uses the relationship as a guide for navigating struggles outside of the room. She works from a person-centered lens, whereas she collaborates with each person to find the style and framework that most aligns to their goals and being. She believes that each person knows themselves best and sees the therapy relationship as an opportunity for people to explore how their histories impact their present with compassion and grace. In doing so, Alyssa encourages her clients to be kind to themselves and work towards understanding their reactions to the world, rather than judging them. She strives to treat students with honesty, safety, and respect. Her clinical interests include trauma, emotion regulation, identity development, challenging relationships, and existentialism. She feels honored to be able to witness the self-exploration of those who courageously invite her into their world.

Outside of work, you can find Alyssa taking strolls around the city window shopping, going down rabbit holes of random topics on TikTok, and playing with her sweet, but sassy, dog Lucky.

Yamilet Santiago Dávila, MS
(She/Her/Hers)

Yamilet Santiago Dávila is a doctoral intern at the Drexel University Counseling Center. She is completing her one-year internship to earn her PsyD degree in clinical psychology from Albizu University, San Juan campus, P.R., institution where she also earned her MS in clinical psychology. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she received her BA in psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. Her clinical experiences have included a community mental health center, a non-profit metal health organization, various elementary schools, and a hospital specializing in cancer/oncology.

Yamilet considers therapy to be an experience that is as unique as the people involved in it, filled with useful contradictions. She works toward building a secure space where one might find comfort and challenge, understanding and accountability, tears and laughter, as well as a brief revision of the past to accommodate the desired future. Yamilet seeks to empower students’ genuine selves in an ever-changing world, believing in the healing power of being heard. She practices from a strong emphasis on multiculturalism, self-compassion, validation, humor, and flexibility. Her clinical interests include grief, sexuality, autism in adults, and anxiety. She is available to provide therapy in Spanish/English/anything in-between.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Yamilet enjoys reading fantasy, fiction, and romance novels; writing nonsense that will someday become best-sellers; cooking and eating Puerto Rican dishes; and smiling at any animal that crosses her path.

Ali Perez, MA
(She/Her/Hers)

Ali Perez is a doctoral intern at the Drexel University Counseling Center. She is also a clinical psychology doctoral candidate at La Salle University. She has earned her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from La Salle University and her BA in Psychology from St. John’s University. Ali has prior experience conducting individual and group therapy in college counseling and community mental health settings.

Ali is passionate about creating an accepting and nonjudgmental environment to foster strong relationships with her students. She believes that a strong therapeutic relationship allows students to freely express their emotions in order to grow in meaningful ways. Ali acknowledges that all students have unique needs based on their distinctive histories, intersecting identities, and the systems in which they operate. To this end, she approaches her work with each student by collaboratively identifying their inherent individual strengths that will help them in their journey towards freedom from pain and suffering. Ali’s interests include identity development, interpersonal relationships, and navigating strong emotions.

Outside of work, Ali can be found cooking a new recipe, playing fetch with her dog, and taking long walks on sunny days.