Staff
Current Clinical Staff
John Ward, Ph.D.
Dr. John Ward began serving as the Director of Student Counseling Service in March, 2018 approximately 15 years after he joined Miami University. Prior to overseeing the SCS's committed and talented team of mental health professionals, he served as Coordinator of Men’s Services, Assistant Director for Clinical Services, and Associate Director. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Comparative Religion from Miami University and a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Ward is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Ward’s clinical and professional expertise are in diversity and inclusion, psychological supervision and training, gatekeeper training, as well as establishing campus and community mental health partnerships.
Joshua Abraham, Ph.D.
Joshua Abraham is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Coordinator of Multicultural Services. He received his BA in Psychology from Temple University, his Masters in Clinical Mental Health from West Chester University, and his doctorate in Counselor Education from Old Dominion University. Josh approaches therapy from an integrative perspective combining elements from humanistic-existential therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relational-cultural therapy. His areas of interest include multicultural and diversity issues, gender and sexual identity, mood disorders, relationship issues, and adjustment. In his free time, Josh enjoys music, tv, reading, eating, and podcasts.
Nick Brausch, LISW-S
Nick is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and staff clinician. He uses a variety of treatment methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Nick's areas of interest include adjustment, communication, decision making, family conflict, and social challenges.
Maria Carrubba-Whetstine, Ph.D.
Maria is a Licensed Psychologist and the Associate Director for Training Programs. She serves as the Training Director for the APA Accredited Health Service Psychology Doctoral Internship Program and for graduate level training at the practicum level. Maria received her PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia and she completed her internship at the University of Florida. Maria approaches therapy from a multicultural, relational, and psychodynamic perspective. Her clinical interests include issues of marginalization (especially related to sexual orientation and gender identity), relationship concerns, depression, and self-injury. In her personal time Maria enjoys spending time with her wife, their 4 kids and 5 cats, and a wide variety of artistic endeavors including learning the guitar, knitting, paper crafts, scrapbooking, and sewing.
Josh Demakovsky, Psy.D.
Josh is a Licensed Psychologist. He approaches therapy from a Cognitive-Behavioral orientation. Josh's clinical interests include depression, anxiety, and identity development.
Kristen Reser, Ph.D.**
Kristen is a Licensed Psychologist in Counseling Psychology. She received her doctorate from Ball State University, and completed her doctoral internship at Ohio University Counseling and Psychological Services. Her therapy approach integrates cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and feminist approaches. Her clinical interests include trauma, anxiety and affective disorders, and identity concerns, though she enjoys working with a wide range of people and presenting concerns. In her personal time, Kristen enjoys reading, creative writing, and gardening.
Saúl Rivera, Ph.D.
Saúl is a Licensed Psychologist and our Associate Director for Clinical Services and Technology. He earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Andrews University and completed his doctoral internship at The Ohio State University Counseling and Consultation Service. He also holds a masters degree in Theology, a second masters in Community Counseling. Saúl approaches therapy from an integrative perspective combining culturally responsive elements from cognitive-behavioral and humanistic-existential therapy. His areas of interest include multicultural and diversity issues, social justice issues, suicide prevention, integration of spirituality and religious issues in psychotherapy, group therapy, and supervision. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling, camping, and vacationing.
Nancy Roane, MSW, LSW
Nancy is a Licensed Social Worker and the Care Coordinator for Student Counseling Service. She manages community referrals and assures continuity of care for students. Nancy received her Master of Social Work from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research and holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Pennsylvania. Nancy approaches therapy and clinical case management from a relational, psychodynamic, and humanistic perspective. Her clinical interests include grief, chronic pain, work stress, despair, and issues arising from social marginalization. In her free time, Nancy enjoys reading, creative writing, and hiking.
Rebecca Stone, Ph.D.**
Rebecca is a Licensed Psychologist who approaches therapy from an interpersonal, multicultural, and systems perspective. Her clinical interests include issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity, concerns related to trauma, and general identity concerns.
Melanie Rose Y. Uy, Psy.D.
Melanie is a Licensed Psychologist and the Associate Director for Multicultural Initiatives, as well as coordinator of the dog therapy program. She received her doctorate from Xavier University and completed her doctoral internship at Clemson University Counseling and Psychological Services. Melanie approaches therapy from a cognitive-behavioral orientation, is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and also incorporates techniques from ACT, interpersonal, and solution-focused therapy. Her clinical interests include anxiety, adjustment, interpersonal concerns, identity issues or exploration, skill-building, and outreach/consultation. In her personal time, Melanie enjoys all things food related (e.g. baking, cooking, and finding new restaurants), being active, spending time with her dog (Poppy), friends, family and her dog clients.
Bethany Valenti, Psy.D.
Bethany is a Licensed Psychologist in Clinical Psychology. She received her doctorate from Wright State University, and completed her doctoral internship at Virginia Tech’s Cook Counseling Center. Her approach integrates primarily humanistic and feminist methods in treatment. She likes to work collaboratively with her clients to find creative ways of setting and meeting their goals. Though she enjoys working with a wide range of concerns, she enjoys working with those experiencing anxiety, trauma, interpersonal issues, and identity concerns. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, eating, exercising, cooking, reading, singing in the car, and cuddling with her 2 mischievous dogs, Sunny and Louie.
Laura Wonsik, M.A., PCC-S
Laura is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a supervisory designation and is the Coordinator of Referral Services. She received her Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Xavier University in 2009 and her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Hispanic Studies from Earlham College in 2005. Laura approaches therapy from a systemic and existential perspective and utilizes mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoeducation to empower clients to wellness. She has a special clinical interest in anxiety disorders and couples counseling. In her personal time, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters and scrapbooking.
Jennifer Young, Ph.D.**
Jennifer is a Licensed Psychologist and the Associate Director for Community Engagement. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron. Her clinical interests include adjustment to college; relationship concerns; identity issues; social justice; working with survivors of interpersonal violence and trauma; supervision/training of mental health professionals; and consultation issues. Jennifer uses a variety of approaches in therapy including feminist, cognitive-behavioral, multicultural, interpersonal, and trauma-based interventions including EMDR. In her personal time, Jennifer enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with family, friends, and any type of animal!
Kristen Reser, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
Jennifer Young, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Associate Director for Community Engagement
Current Interns
Kelli Hess, M.A.
Kelli is a Psychology Intern. She approaches therapy from an integrative approach emphasizing feminist, multicultural, interpersonal and relational, psychodynamic, and cognitive/behavioral perspectives. Her clinical interests include identity concerns and development for LGBTQ+ individuals, relationship issues, personality disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, and trauma.
Kat Liang, M.S.
Kat is a Psychology Intern. She approaches therapy from an integrative perspective emphasizing cognitive and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Her clinical interests include adjustment struggles, identity (e.g., ethnicity/race, gender, sexuality) / role (e.g., academic, family, career) conflicts, relationship/
Aroosa Syed, M.S., Psy.M.
Aroosa is a Psychology Intern. She approaches therapy from an integrative perspective emphasizing cognitive behavioral, feminist, multicultural, interpersonal process and psychodynamic perspective. Her clinical interests include trauma, anxiety, depression, multicultural identity formation and adjustment struggles (especially related to international students). Aroosa also provides therapy in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi.
Shir Wasserman, M.A.
Shir is a Psychology Intern. She approaches therapy from an integrative perspective emphasizing cognitive behavioral theory, interpersonal process, psychodynamic, and multicultural perspectives. Her clinical interests include collegiate athletes' mental health, athlete performance enhancement, mood and anxiety disorders, relationship issues, adjustment struggles (especially related to international students), and eating and body image concerns.
Support Staff
Tonia Farthing
Tonia is the SCS Administrative Assistant, and has been at Miami since 2007. Outside of work, she is dedicated to her husband, children and her four grandchildren. Tonia enjoys spending time with her family, and likes being outside and reading.
Andrea Batdorf
Andrea is the SCS Program Associate, she has been at Miami since 2000. Andrea is an Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and moonlights at Oxford Urgent Care. She enjoys her family & pets, outdoor activities & arts and crafts.
Kellee Avery
Kellee is the SCS Program Associate. She has been with Miami since 2014. Kellee is a graduate of Miami University ’12 with a Baccalaureate in Integrative Studies and minors in Gerontology and Criminology. Kellee is also pursuing a graduate degree in Educational Psychology. She enjoys spending time with her two children, grandson and and two dogs Chloe & Remi.