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counseling staff photo fall 2023

About Counseling Services

Accreditation

UWEC Counseling Services is accredited by the International Accreditation of Counseling Services (IACS). 

Access

You can make your initial appointment at counseling services Online or by calling 715-836-5521. The primary goal of Counseling Services is to help students develop the personal awareness and skills necessary to overcome problems, and grow and develop in ways that will allow them to maximize their total educational experience at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. This service is devoted in its counseling and consultation roles to aid in the emotional, social, and intellectual development of those we serve.

It is our greatest hope that our work will not only benefit those we interact with today, but that it will also create lifelong changes that will help those we serve fulfill their hopes, dreams, and potentials in the future. We are devoted each day to alleviating suffering and to increasing the happiness and knowledge base of the individuals who utilize our service. We hope this Web site contributes to your knowledge base. More than 1,000 individuals use our service each year.

Counseling Services staff are available to present on a wide variety of topics to classes, organizations, and residence halls. In addition, counseling staff members are often willing to work with students on student research topics and class projects.

Counseling staff

Here are our qualified professionals who want to help you.

  • Riley McGrath
    Riley McGrath, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
    Counseling Services

    Director, Counseling Services | Psychologist

    Riley is a licensed psychologist and Director of Counseling Services. Riley utilizes a strength-based approach to counseling that draws from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Client-Centered frameworks. He has experience working with a variety of different presenting issues including identity related concerns, relationship difficulties, mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment concerns, substance abuse, career uncertainty, and disordered eating.

  • Professional portrait of Erin Gumm
    Erin Gumm, M.A., LPC (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Interim Associate Director | Training Coordinator

    Erin Gumm, MA, LPC brings over a decade of experience to her role at UWEC. Her expertise includes adjustment concerns, anxiety and mood disorders, co-occurring diagnoses, substance abuse, ADHD, family and relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, and attachment concerns. Her approach is client-centered and strengths-based. She is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

  • Professional portrait of Harucha Aly-Greenwold
    Harucha Aly-Greenwold, M.S., M.A., LPC-IT (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor

    Harucha is an Indonesian native with professional interest in multi racial/multi-cultural counseling, Positive Psychology, Social Justices and Humanistic-Existential perspectives. She has experience working with different kind of population and issues including mood and anxiety disorders, LGBTQ+, grief, identity, trauma, abuse, spiritual, adjustment concerns and navigating career uncertainties.

  • Stefanie Benesh
    Stefanie Benesh, M.A., LMFT (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor | Group Coordinator

    Stefanie Benesh, M.A. LMFT

    Stefanie is a Licensed Marriage (Couples) & Family Therapist (LMFT). She focuses on how systems and context influence your current experience and helps connect you to resources to feel more engaged in your life. She works from a Narrative, Experiential, Solutions-Focused lens centered around you as the expert on your life. Her objective is to empower you to develop your own goals and support you in making them happen.

  • Paula Chiara Headshot
    Paula Chiara, M.S., LPC (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor | Outreach Coordinator

    Paula is a Licensed Professional Counselor and outreach coordinator.  Paula’s goal is to provide a safe space for students to feel comfortable in the counseling relationship. She works with clients with a variety of presenting challenges. Her work with clients is guided by Person-Centered and Existential frameworks as well as Attachment, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral theories.

  • Professional portrait of Elizabeth Halama
    Elizabeth Halama, MS, LPC-IT (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor

    Betsy is a Licensed Professional Counselor-in-Training at Counseling Services.  She works with clients with a variety of presenting challenges including depression and anxiety, adjustment to college, grief, relationship concerns and identity development. Her work with clients is guided by Person-Centered, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral frameworks.

  • Stacey Jackson
    Stacey Jackson, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
    Psychology | Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Counseling Services

    Associate Professor | Counselor

    Dr. Stacey Jackson is an Associate Professor of Psychology. She also serves as a Clinician at the University Counseling Center where she sees students for individual, couples, group, and crisis counseling, along with providing psychoeducation and outreach services. Dr. Jackson serves on several committees on campus, within the Eau Claire community, and within her field devoted to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts.

    Pronouns: She, her, hers

    • Hibbard Humanities Hall 261, Eau Claire | Directions
    • Office hours: Fridays by appointment.
      Please send an email to schedule in-person or virtual appointments.
    • View full profile
  • Professional portrait of Geri Krause
    Geri Krause, M.S., LPC-IT (she/her/hers) Alum
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor

    Geri is an LPC-IT with degrees in Graphic Design and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After years of parenting/art/design/music, she recognized her heart for people’s lives and completed grad school. Believing in the power of the mind to change our thoughts and behaviors, she employs a holistic well-being approach incorporating good self-care practices, which can be difficult during college as students adjust to a new normal.

  • Professional portrait of Lauren Novak
    Lauren Novak, Psy.D. (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Psychologist

    Lauren is a pre-licensed psychologist with a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Through her work in community mental health and inpatient settings, she has developed a collaborative and flexible therapeutic style that is person-centered and trauma informed. Lauren believes in the incredible power of human connection, empathy, and compassion to foster growth and resilience.

  • Professional portrait of Rebecca Staupe
    Rebecca Staupe, M.A., LPC (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor

    Becca is a licensed professional counselor. She obtained her Masters in Mental Health Counseling at Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development. Becca has worked with individuals childhood through adulthood. She enjoys supporting clients in meeting their individual goals and finding meaning and purpose.

  • Professional portrait of Noah Terrell
    Noah Terrell, M.S., LPC-IT (he/him/his) Alum
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor

    Noah is a Licensed Professional Counselor-In-Training. He views the counseling process as a collaborative effort between the counselor and client, and empowers clients to make confident decisions for their benefit. Placing a large emphasis on the counseling relationship, he works through a person centered, cognitive behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and solutions-focused framework

  • Headshot
    Ashley Walton-Beal, M.S., LPC (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor | AODA Coordinator

    Ashley is a Counselor at UWEC Counseling Services and the AODA coordinator. She obtained her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wisconsin - Stout. Ashley's areas of clinical interest include depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustment to college, stress management, identity development, intersectionality, and concerns related to gender identity and sexual orientation.

  • Nancy Xiong
    Nancy Xiong, MS, LPC, ATR (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor

    Nancy is a licensed professional counselor and credentialed Art Therapist. Nancy received her Master’s Degree in Art Therapy from Mount Mary University. Nancy is passionate about mental health wellness and prevention. Nancy enjoys supporting young people in developing the skills and tools they need to successfully confront challenges and manage their emotions. Nancy also believes in equity and accessibility of mental health support for individuals from all backgrounds.

  • Marissa Yenter
    Marissa Yenter, MSW, APSW (She/Her/Hers) Alum
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor

    Marissa is a Clinical Counselor and Case Manager at Counseling Services. She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from UWEC and then her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Capella University. Marissa has worked with individuals of all ages that experience anxiety, mood disorders, and suicidal tendencies. She also has experience in crisis intervention. Marissa works from a strengths based, solution focused, and cognitive behavioral approach.

  • Professional portrait of Rebecca Rudolph
    Rebecca Rudolph (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Masters Level Intern

    Rebecca is an intern with Counseling Services and is currently a Winona State University student pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health. Her approach to counseling includes incorporating a trauma-focused lens into cognitive behavioral, person-centered, and solution-focused therapies. She enjoys helping college students take ownership of their mental health by connecting them with the tools they need to thrive in their lives and empowering them.

  • Professional portrait of Haley Wold
    Haley Wold (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Masters Level Intern

    Haley is an intern with Counseling Services and is currently completing her master’s degree in social work at Simmons University. Her approach to counseling incorporates a collaborative, strength-based and client centered lens, while utilizing cognitive behavioral and solutions focused therapies. She is passionate about walking alongside students as they become empowered in their mental health journey.

  • Shauna Putzy, M.S., LPC
    Shauna Putzy, M.S., LPC (She/Her/Hers)
    Counseling Services

    Pre-Doctoral Intern

    Shauna is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over ten years of experience in the field. She obtained her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and is a pre-doctoral intern of Clinical Psychology with Capella University. Shauna focuses on the overall health and well-being of the individual. She utilizes a cognitive behavioral and solution-focused approach to therapy and has experience working with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and life transitions.

  • Michaela Tessling
    Michaela Tessling (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    University Services Program Associate

  • Victoria Weiser head shot
    Victoria Weiser (she/her, they/them)
    Counseling Services

    Office Manager

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