About Us

Joined Staff: 2018

 

About Me: Kevin (he/him) grew up in the Augusta until leaving for Charleston, SC to play soccer and earn degrees at The College of Charleston.  After college Kevin lived, worked, and traveled in different parts of the country and world before returning to Augusta and eventually returning to education to earn his M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Augusta University.  Kevin worked briefly in private practice before joining SCAPS as a clinician.

 

Therapeutic Style: Kevin takes an eclectic, client-centered approach to psychotherapy. He believes that each student presents with a unique life history and therefore requires an individualized approach that may span the many different modalities psychotherapy has to offer. Most importantly, Kevin believes in the positive quality of the relationship between therapist and client, as this is one of the most consistent indicators of successful outcomes in psychotherapy. Kevin has a specialty in working with adolescents who present with symptoms of anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, anger, stress, and adjustment difficulties.

 

Fun Facts: Outside of being a therapist Kevin spends time with family, on a soccer field, working with wood, and growing food.  He very much enjoys escaping to the mountains to get lost in the woods and play in rivers.

Joined Staff: 2022

 

About Me: Nolie (she/her) is a graduate of University of West Georgia where she earned a B.S. in Criminology and minor in Sociology. After undergrad, she worked with the Department of Family & Children Services to aid in sustaining families and later provided services to juvenile offenders while working for the Department of Juvenile Justice for five years. It was during her time at DJJ that she discovered a passion for empowering others and decided to return to graduate school at Georgia Southern University to obtain a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Following graduation, Nolie provided clinical services to K-12 students, college students, and adults of all ages. Her experiences both professionally and personally have impacted her desire to empower anyone needing guidance through challenging times and unfortunate life events. However, she is specifically passionate about working with students dealing with anxiety, depression, familial concerns, adjustment concerns, and identity formation (e.g. professional, personal, spiritual, and educational identities).

 

Therapeutic Style: Nolie believes that a collaborative therapeutic relationship between her and the client is the foundation of progressive therapy. Trust must be established through a nonjudgmental environment that is created from the start of the first session. Nolie takes an integrative approach to therapy, incorporating person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, and any other techniques, as needed. 

 

Fun Facts: Nolie enjoys shopping trips, deep belly laughs, Thai cuisine, and spending quality time with family and friends. 

 

 

Joined Staff:  2015

 

About Me:  Originally from North Carolina, Bill (he/him) completed his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his doctoral internship at the University of Florida. He is licensed as a Psychologist in Georgia and North Carolina.  Bill’s professional areas of interest are anxiety, health behavior change and LGBTQ issues. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior.

 

Therapeutic Style:  Bill believes that giving oneself permission to find and follow one’s authentic passions is an important first step in living a vital, engaged and fulfilling life. His approach to counseling and psychotherapy draws from cognitive behavioral, interpersonal and mindfulness theories

 

Fun Facts: Bill enjoys playing guitar, travel, and laughter with friends and family. His favorite word is ''imagine”.

About Me: Amber (she/her) was born and raised in Augusta, GA. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Augusta University in 2022. During her time as an undergraduate student, she worked in student affairs and gained a passion for working with college students. Through her undergraduate studies, she became so passionate about mental health and helping others that she decided to continue her studies and is now obtaining a master’s degree in counselor education at Augusta University.  Amber hopes to become a licensed professional counselor and eventually open up a private practice.

 

 

Fun Facts: While not at work or school, Amber enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her amazing husband. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching true crime documentaries, and trying out new local coffee shops.

 

Joined Staff: 2019

 

About Me: After working in social work for about 5 years, Bayo (he/him) returned for graduate studies at University of West Georgia, terminating in a specialist degree in Counseling and Supervision. In totality, Bayo has amassed over 15 years of experience serving students, families and their communities through clinical mental health work focused on improving functioning and fostering healthy development. He has worked with children, teenagers and adult populations and has integrated his multiple languages into his clinical work (Yoruba, West African Pidgin & English). Bayo’s treatment philosophy focuses on the principle that all people at their core, crave balance: Therapy and mental health treatment aims to broaden resilience and deepen self-understanding through insights and active learning.

 

Therapeutic Style: Bayo’s preferred treatment modalities are an integration of a humanistic orientation, creativity-based approaches and cognitive behavioral and solution-focused ACTIVE interventions. He has worked with clients on mood management (anxiety, depression, anger, etc.), existential concerns (spirituality, mortality, purpose/meaning exploration, etc.), cultural difficulties (discrimination, integration, exploration, etc.), trauma (neglect, abuse, injury, etc.) and relational transitions (grief, breakups, other conflict, etc.).

 

Fun Facts: When Bayo is not doing clinical work, he is finding ways to laugh deeply with friends and family, exploring geek/fan interests, walking or gardening.

Joined Staff: 2015

About Me: Elena (she/her) was born in North Macedonia (former Yugoslavia) and came to the US as an international student in 1999. She obtained a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University, MA in Clinical-Adult Psychology from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and BA in Psychology from Graceland University. Elena’s experiences as an international student and immigrant have had a significant impact on her personal and professional interest in human resilience and intercultural adaptation. She became the Director of Student Counseling and Psychological Services (SCAPS) in 2018. Elena’s areas of professional and clinical interest include: women’s health, feminist psychotherapy, multicultural organizational development, multicultural personal development, the relationship between mental and physical health, and the impact of oppression and discrimination on human development and health.

 

Therapeutic Style: As a clinician, Elena is a generalist, however, she is specifically interested in working with clients with mood and anxiety disorders. She focuses on creating a collaborative and supportive relationship with the client and on empowering the client to discover and create resources and personal strengths to solve problems, make new meanings out of life circumstances and events, as well as advocate for self in difficult situations. Elena is a bi-lingual therapist. She can fluently speak in English and Macedonian. While she is not as fluent in Serbian, Croatian and Bulgarian, she can clearly understand individuals who speak these languages and would more easily express themselves in these languages in the counseling session. As the Director of SCAPS, Elena is passionate about working for the SCAPS team and for the AU students. Her biggest passion is advocating for mental health resources for students, reducing mental health stigma, and advocating for a nurturing and supportive work environment for mental health clinicians.

 

Fun Facts: Elena’s personal interests and hobbies include travel, listening to electronic music, taking long walks, and learning about gemstones and jewelry making. She finds it very important to have good communication with and to support her immediate family members who live in North Macedonia.

Joined Staff: 2019 

 

About Me: Sabrina (she/her) was born here in the Central Savannah River Area and is a native of Lincolnton, Georgia.  Even though she graduated from Voorhees College with a Bachelors of Sociology degree, she has always had a passion for Customer service. This led her to her current position within S.C.A.P.S.   She has worked in Mental Health for well over 12 years and has experience on both sides of the counter, from being a paraprofessional and helping clients in the field to being behind the desk and assisting in other ways, she has done it all.   

 

Fun Facts: When not at the office, Sabrina enjoys spending time with her awesome husband and they just celebrated 14 successful years of marriage in June 2021. She and her husband have two amazing children, whom they affectionately call “miracles” because doctors said they would not have children, but God!  Her husband is her best friend and there is nothing they can’t achieve together. When not with her family, she enjoys thrifting, organizing, bowling, and singing.  

About Me: Aaron (he/him) was born in Staten Island, New York but moved to Georgia around 2002.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kennesaw State University. He is currently a second year here at Augusta University's Master of Science in Clinical/Counseling Psychology program. He hopes to start working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor after graduating. As an African American counseling intern, Aaron enjoys working with any students of color at Augusta University. 

 

Fun Fact: Aaron is also Guyanese, so some of his favorite foods include oxtail with rice and beans. When he is not going to class Aaron typically enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the gym, trying new restaurants, and listening to R&B music or afrobeats. 

 

Joined Staff: 2019

 

About Me: Yamil (he/him) was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to Augusta, Georgia in 2010. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in Psychology from Augusta University (GoJags!). Yamil is currently working on becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor to continue expanding his therapeutic skills. His clinical interests include anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, existential concerns (purpose, spirituality, values, etc.), adjustment stress and grief. As a Latino staff counselor, Yamil is fluent in Spanish and enjoys working with Latino students at Augusta University. As the coordinator for virtual services, Yamil is interested in the use of technology to deliver comprehensive psychological care and community outreach presentations. He believes that navigating life more efficiently requires a good balance of acceptance, change, creativity, and innovation. 

 

Therapeutic Style: Yamil’s approach to counseling is one that embraces acceptance and self-compassion. His approach is grounded in the belief that through intentionality, creativity, and collaboration one can find inner-balance in moments of emotional pain. His preferred treatment modalities include a blend of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), parts-work, and creativity-based interventions.

 

Fun Facts: Before becoming a full-time counselor, Yamil enjoyed practicing photography. His favorite hobbies today include gaming, reading, walking his dog Peaches, and spending time with his family. Yamil also enjoys teaching psychology and is an adjunct instructor of the Department of Psychological Sciences. His favorite season of the year is fall.

About Me: Jasmin (She/her) was born in Yonkers, NY, and moved to Georgia around 2014. She is attending Augusta University to complete her bachelor's degree. She had transferred from the Military Resource Center at Georgia Southern University, where she had previously worked, and this experience had prepared her for her current role at SCAPS. She enjoys helping those in need, so she decided to earn her degree in healthcare. She is thrilled to be a part of the SCAPS squad at Augusta University and hopes to earn awards. 

 

Fun Facts: Jasmin enjoys reading fantasy books, and her very first tattoo is a symbol from The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, one of her all-time favorite books. She is half Dominican and half Ecuadorian; thus, her favorite foods are mote pillo and Mangu with salami and frito cheese. She also enjoys cuddling with her dog, Coddy, whose name was inspired by The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. 

Joined Staff: 2015 

 

About Me: Traci (she/her) joined SCAPS first as a graduate assistant then as a trainee while working toward her master’s degree in counselor education here at Augusta University. She became a staff counselor on the Health Sciences campus in 2017 and assumed the assistant director/clinical coordinator role in 2024. Counseling is Traci’s second career. Before entering collegiate mental health, Traci edited daily newspapers in Florida, Georgia, and her home state of South Carolina. As a journalist, Traci helped tell peoples’ stories to engage and educate readers. As a counselor, Traci wants to empower students to write – and rewrite – their own stories through therapy. Traci’s professional and clinical interests include providing inclusive mental health services for a diverse student body, developing multiculturally responsive practices, seeking and sharing education on antiracism and LGBTQ+ concerns, destigmatizing mental health care, and fostering workplace wellness. Traci previously served as SCAPS’ coordinator of diversity initiatives and supervises counseling interns from AU master’s programs in counselor education and psychology.

 

Therapeutic Style: Traci is an encourager who takes a holistic, strengths-based, and individualized approach to counseling. Believing that human connection has the power to effect positive change, Traci values the opportunity to create warm, trusting, and equitable relationships with her clients. She invites clients to challenge old patterns of thought and behavior so they can enjoy healthier minds, bodies, and spirits. She embraces the diversity of AU’s student body and stays curious about how individuals’ intersecting identities influence their relationships with the world and affect their overall well-being.

 

Fun Facts: A former softball player at Winthrop University, Traci understands that student-athletes face unique challenges, and she enjoys supporting the Jaguars through their individual and collective journeys. She stays energized by playing tennis, going to Americana and folk-rock concerts, laughing loud and often, and loving on her rescue dogs.