Andrea Guastello is a fourth year doctoral student in the UF counseling psychology program. Andrea earned BAs in Psychology and in Writing Intensive English from Marquette University. Currently, Andrea’s professional interests focus primarily on evidenced based treatment for obsessive compulsive and related disorders. In addition to her professional and academic life, Andrea enjoys swimming, SCUBA diving, traveling, cooking, and playing with her Old English Sheepdog, Bobbi.
Alex Lenzen is a fifth year student in the UF counseling psychology program. Alex is currently completing her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Texas at Austin. Alex grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota and earned her BAs in Psychology and Communication from the College of Saint Benedict. Her professional interests include understanding and combating oppression using an intersectional feminist lens. She is particularly interested in the prejudice and discrimination experiences of women and LGBTQ+ individuals. In her free time, Alex enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing board games, and being outside.
Dr. Engin Ege graduated from the UF Counseling Psychology Program in 2016. She is currently working as a staff counselor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Dr. Ege grew up in Germantown, Maryland and earned her BAs in Psychology and Environmental Policy from the College of William and Mary. Her professional interests include exploring the links between social belonging and mental health outcomes for racial minority students. In her spare time, Dr. Ege enjoys cooking, gardening, and visiting family overseas. For more information about Engin Ege, please visit VCU’s counseling services website at https://students.vcu.edu/counseling/
Dr. Elliot Tebbe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology’s Counseling Psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Elliot graduated from UF’s Counseling Psychology program in August, 2015 and completed his psychology internship at the University of Minnesota’s Student Counseling Services. Elliot’s research focuses on the health and well-being of sexual minority and gender diverse populations. Elliot is particularly interested in the role of identity and related factors in promoting psychological well-being. Elliot has also discovered a passion for teaching since beginning his career, and has enjoyed immensely the opportunity to mentor students and be a part of their professional development. Outside of work, Elliot enjoys attempting small projects around the house, playing guitar, going for long walks with his dog, and just about every Netflix-produced TV show. For more information about Elliot Tebbe, please visit http://cehs.unl.edu/edpsych/faculty/elliot-tebbe/
Dr. Lana Tolaymat graduated from the UF Counseling Psychology Program in 2014. Dr. Tolaymat is originally from Jacksonville, Florida. She earned a BS in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of Florida. Currently, Dr Tolaymat’s research focuses on the experiences of Muslim women. In her spare time, Dr. Tolaymat enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Brandon Velez is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education in the Counseling Psychology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Florida in 2014. Dr. Velez’s research focuses on the associations of experiences of discrimination and identity-related attitudes with psychosocial outcomes (e.g., psychological distress, well-being, job satisfaction, body image) among people with marginalized identities. He is also interested in the ways that multiple forms of oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, heterosexism) may contribute additively, interactively, or intersectionally to the psychosocial functioning of people with multiple marginalized identities, such as sexual minority people of color. In his free time, Dr. Velez enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, reading science fiction and fantasy novels, and catching up on TV. For more information about Brandon Velez, please visit his lab website at http://www.tc.columbia.edu/sii/
Dr. Mike Parent graduated from the UF Counseling Psychology Program in 2013. He earned his BA in Psychology from the University of Manitoba. Currently, Dr. Parent is Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Counseling Psychology Program at Texas Tech University. His research focuses on intersections of gender, sexuality, and health, as well as on professional training in psychology. In his spare time, Dr. Parent is an avid weight trainer, reads, cooks, and eats (a lot). For more information about Dr. Mike Parent, please see his professional website at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/psy/people/mparent.php
Dr. Shengying Zhang graduated from the UF Counseling Psychology Program in 2013. Dr. Zhang received her BA in Psychology from the National University of Singapore, and her MEd in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She completed both her psychology predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Delaware’s Center for Counseling and Student Development. Currently, Dr. Zhang is a staff psychologist at DePauw University Counseling Services: http://www.depauw.edu/studentlife/wellness/counseling-services/counseling-staff/
Dr. Melanie Brewster graduated from the UF Counseling Psychology Program in 2011. Dr. Brewster was born and raised in Miami, Florida and completed her undergraduate work in criminology and psychology. Currently, Dr. Brewster is Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology at Teacher’s College, Columbia University in New York City. Dr. Brewster’s professional interests include (1) the mental health correlates of discrimination and oppression, (2) intersections of personal identities, (3) social justice in the workplace, and (4) measurement development and evaluation. In her spare time, Dr. Brewster makes and sells jewelry in stores across the country through her business, Velvet Seahorse. For more information about Dr. Melanie Brewster, please see her professional website at https://www.tc.columbia.edu/faculty/meb2222/
Dr. Yu-Ping Huang graduated from the UF Counseling Psychology Program in 2011. Born in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, she earned her BA at the National Taiwan Normal University and received a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her professional interests include working with women, eating concerns, and multiculturalism. Dr. Huang is currently a counselor faculty and Group Therapy Coordinator at the Counseling and Psychological Services at San Jose State University. Dr. Huang enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and reading. For more information about Yu-Ping Huang, please visit http://www.sjsu.edu/counseling/About_Us/Biographies/Yu-Ping_Huang/
Dr. Cirleen DeBlaere graduated from the UF Counseling Psychology Program in 2009. Dr. DeBlaere identifies as a biracial Asian American woman. Upon graduating from UF, Dr. DeBlaere joined Lehigh University’s Counseling Psychology Program as an Assistant Professor, and she is now an Assistant Professor in Georgia State University’s Counseling Psychology program. Dr. DeBlaere’s professional interests focus on the experiences and mental health of individuals with marginalized identities, particularly multiple marginalized identities, and multicultural counseling. Dr. DeBlaere also considers student mentorship a personal and professional priority. When not working, Dr. DeBlaere enjoys reading, the arts, and spending time with family and friends. For more information about Dr. Cirleen DeBlaere, please see her professional website at http://education.gsu.edu/CPS/8314.html
Dr. Marcie Wiseman graduated from the UF counseling psychology program in 2009, and has held appointments as a Staff Psychologist at Valdosta State University and University of Central Florida. Dr. Wiseman is currently the Director for Counseling Services at Aurora University. Her professional interests include working with trauma, relationship concerns, gender/sexual orientation, diversity/multiculturalism, and first generation college students. Dr. Wiseman enjoys spending time outdoors hiking or biking, painting, and reading. For more information about Marcie Wiseman please visit https://aurora.edu/student-life/campus-services/counseling/staff.html
Dr. Melinda Goodman graduated from the UF counseling psychology program in 2008. After graduating Dr. Goodman worked in Philadelphia as a Staff Psychologist at the University of the Sciences Student Health and Counseling. Currently, Dr. Goodman lives in Baltimore and works in a private practice. Dr. Goodman’s professional interests include individual, adolescent, and couples counseling with an interest in LGBTQ issues, adolescent adjustment, adjustment to college life, depression, anxiety, and relationship concerns. In addition to working as a psychologist Dr. Goodman spends her time raising her infant son Joshua. For more information about Dr. Goodman, please see http://www.melindagoodman.com/