Counseling & Psychological Services

The Counseling & Psychological Services Center is pleased to announce our doctoral interns for the 2014-2015 school year. They are Meagan Brunson from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia,  Kati Connelly from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and Jessica Hurlston from the University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana,

In addition to our new doctoral interns, we are very pleased to announce our very first post doctoral resident, Jake Nienhuis. Jake comes to us by way of the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.

Meagan Brunson is a doctoral candidate in Counseling Psychology at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. She earned her Bachelor of Science at Appalachian State University in 2004 in Psychology. Meagan received her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Richmont Graduate University in 2006. After earning her Masters degree, Meagan worked in Asheville, North Caroline as an outpatient psychotherapist at a community mental health organization and earned a state license in Professional Counseling. Meagan is scheduled to earn her Ph.D in August 2015. As a graduate student, Meagan trained at Covenant College, Parkridge Valley Behavioral Health Hospital, and West Virginia University’s Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services. In her clinical work, she utilizes an integrative approach, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Theory, and developmental and existential perspectives. Her primary therapeutic interests include anxiety, depression, crisis, disordered eating, spiritual concerns, and existential issues. She is also interested in gaining experience and knowledge pertaining to clinical administration and university macro systems. In her free time, Meagan enjoys skiing, jogging, sewing, contra dancing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Kati Connelly is a doctoral candidate in Counseling Psychology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Virginia in 2009, double-majoring in Political & Social Thought and Psychology. After college, she worked as a research assistant at the Fisher Center for Familial Cancer Research at Georgetown University Medical Center.  Kati received her Master of Science in Psychology at UF in 2012, and she is scheduled to earn her Ph.D. in August 2015. As a graduate student, Kati trained at the UF Counseling & Wellness Center, the Alachua County Crisis Center, and the UF & Shands Eating Disorder Recovery Center. In her clinical work, she utilizes an ever-evolving integrative approach, drawing from feminist, client-centered, humanistic/existential, and interpersonal theories. She frequently weaves CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based techniques into her practice. Her primary therapeutic interests include crisis, trauma, disordered eating, grief, and multiculturalism/social justice. She is also very passionate about outreach and training/supervision. In her free time, Kati enjoys practicing yoga, running, connecting with friends and family, traveling, and reading.

Jessica Hurlston is completing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at theUniversity of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University in 2008, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.  After studying abroad in France after undergrad, Jessica received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at the University of Indianapolis in 2012, and she is scheduled to earn her Psy.D. degree in August 2015.  As a graduate student, Jessica trained at two University Counseling Centers where she discovered her passion for working with college students.  She has experience in individual therapy, group therapy, outreach, ADHD/LD assessment, and supervision of Master’s-level student therapists.  Jessica approaches her clinical work from an integrative perspective, pulling from interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and emotion-focused orientations.  She enjoys working with a range of client issues including anxiety, identity development, self-esteem, relationship issues, trauma, and crisis.  When she is not working, Jessica mostly spends her time with her husband, family, and friends.  She also enjoys traveling, going out to eat, the outdoors, sporting events, reading, and watching too much Netflix.

Jake Nienhuis is a recent graduate from the University of Louisville’s Ph. D. program in Counseling Psychology. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Calvin College (a small liberal arts college in western Michigan) and his Master’s degree from the University of Louisville.  Jake has a strong interest in working with university students, having experience at three different university counseling centers prior to ASU. He also spent a year at Fort Knox’s Department of Behavioral Health working with active duty military and looks to help veterans in the transition to university life. Jake primarily approaches counseling from a short-term psychodynamic perspective that focuses on one’s experience (or non-experience) of emotion and how one struggles with conflict between their thoughts and feelings. This work often integrates cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, and systems work. He is also passionate about trauma work and supervision/training. When not working, Jake enjoys hiking with his dog, playing games with friends and family, film (all kinds), reading/audiobooks, and trivia.

The Center is fortunate to have three such capable interns and our first post doctoral resident. We look forward to the special skills, abilities, and personalities that they bring to the Center, the students, and the Appalachian community. The internships begin August 1, 2014 and end July 31, 2015.