Counseling Center

Meet the Staff

Natasha Ali, Ph.D., Psychology Resident, Diversity Coordinator and BASICS Facilitator

Natasha received her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from New Mexico State University. Her theoretical orientation integrates psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral theories. She also acknowledges the role that faith can play in healing. She really enjoys working with college students, and her clinical and research interests include: diversity, couple and group counseling, and conflict mediation. She also coordinates the BASICS program (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students) and considers drug and alcohol use/abuse an emerging specialty. Two values she holds strongly are: multiculturalism and social justice.

María P. Arizaga, Ph.D., Associate Training Director

María received her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from New Mexico State University. Her major interests are in counselor training and supervision; working with clients with issues related to domestic violence, sexual abuse and other forms of trauma, acculturation, and grief and loss. Working with LGBTQ clients is another area of strong interest.

Debra Darmata, WAVE Program Coordinator

Debra is originally from Chicago and has a Master's Degree in Psychology. Her life work and passion has been in the field of Psychology with extensive experience working with women who suffer from eating disorders, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Theresa Demock, Administrative Secretary III

Theresa has worked in the Counseling Center since 1999. She was the Records Tech I until May 2007, and then she was promoted to the Administrative Secretary III.

Angelina Frias, Records Technician

 

Summer Garcia, M.Ed., Predoctoral Psychology Intern

Summer is a predoctoral psychology intern at NMSU. She received her bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Eastern New Mexico University, her master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services from Lehigh University, and is currently completing her doctorate in Counseling Psychology at Texas Woman's University. Summer enjoys working with college students and diverse populations, particularly Latino/a students. Her areas of interest include education, multicultural issues, sexual and gender diversity, and coping with trauma.

Joey Hannah, Ph.D., Psychology Resident, Suicide Prevention Programming

Joey received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Florida, and completed his internship at the Georgia State University Counseling & Testing Center in Atlanta, GA. His interests include suicide prevention/intervention, crisis intervention, sexual and gender diversity issues, trauma recovery, grief and loss, interpersonal relationships, college student development, teaching and training/supervision.

Denise Haselwood, M.S., M.A., Predoctoral Psychology Intern

Denise is a predoctoral psychology intern at NMSU. She has a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, a M.S. in Sport Psychology, a M.A. in Clinical Psychology, and is currently completing her doctorate at Biola University's Rosemead School of Psychology. Denise enjoys being part of the university community and is interested in working with issues related to performance enhancement, particularly with athletes. Her areas of interest include mindfulness, managing anxiety, identity issues, and relational problems.

Lori Martinez-Haussamen, LMSW, NMSU Social Work Services

Lori is a Social Worker for the Student Health Center and the Counseling Center. She has a master's degree in Social Work from New Mexico State University. Before coming to NMSU, she worked with children ages birth-3 and individuals with disabilities. Her professional interests include parent-child attachment patterns, social justice, community development, suicide prevention, and working with individuals and families in poverty.

Mindy Moellmer, M.S., Predoctoral Psychology Intern

Mindy is a predoctoral psychology intern at NMSU . She is completeing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of La Verne, where she also received her masters degree in clinical psychology. Mindy earned her bachelors degree from Portland State University. She enjoys working with college students from diverse backgrounds individually, in couples, and in groups. Some of her interests include multicultural competency, LGBT issues, and animal assisted therapy.

Sandy Newsome, Ph.D., Behavioral Health & Wellness Coordinator

Sandy received her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at New Mexico State University and her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Montana State University. She enjoys working with individuals, couples, and groups of diverse backgrounds. Her areas of interest include stress reduction using mindfulness and biofeedback, self-compassion, depression and anxiety, eating disorders/body image concerns, addictions, sexual and gender diversity, as well as training and supervision.

Diana Sanchez-Lira, Ph.D., Psychology Resident, Outreach Coordinator

Diana received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from NMSU and completed her predoctoral psychology internship at Texas Woman’s University Counseling Center. Her major interests are in working with college students, training and supervision of counselors, working with individuals with concerns related to trauma, relationship issues, and multicultural issues (including race, ethnicity, social justice issues, sexual orientation, spirituality, and academic socialization). Diana is particularly interested in diversity issues on college campuses, including Latino/a concerns.

Karen Schaefer, Ph.D., Director

Karen received her Doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has a strong interest in the training and supervision of trainees in counseling; clinical interests in working with individuals who have childhood histories of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect), other forms of trauma, grief and loss issues, offenders of abuse, animal abuse (offenders and victims who witnessed such abuse), and the provision of animal-assisted therapy.

Corey Vas, Ph.D., Associate Director, Clinical Services

Corey's primary professional interests include biofeedback, hypnosis, LGBT issues, anxiety disorders and early childhood intervention. Much of his practice includes career planning, counselor training and supervision, and group therapy for men and for LGBT individuals.

Mike Waldo, Ph.D., Psychologist

Mike is currently a professor with the Counseling and Educational Psychology Department at New Mexico State University. His practice and research interests include design and evaluation of preventive interventions that employ group work to improve interpersonal relations.

Chaunce Windle, Ph.D., Group Therapy Coordinator

Chaunce received her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Notre Dame. She has a strong interest in the training and supervision of trainees in counseling; clinical interests in group therapy, emotion regulation concerns, trauma and abuse recovery, LGBT issues, multicultural counseling, and eating disorders/body image concerns.

Eileen Winfree, LPC, Career Counselor

Eileen has a MA in Counseling and Educational Psychology. During her 14 years as a Career Counselor, she has helped many students find their career direction and choose a major. In addition to teaching classes in Freshman Year Experience (UNIV 150) and Career Planning and Development (AS 102), she gives classroom presentations, participates in New Student Orientations, and acts as a liaison between the Career Exploration Center and other student services offices.

Robert Yoder, M.A., Predoctoral Psychology Intern

Robert is a predoctoral psychology intern from Pacific University Oregon. He received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, OR and his master's degree in clinical psychology from Pacific University Oregon in Forest Grove. He enjoys working with college students as this is a valuable opportunity for growth both academically and personally. Some of his interests include anxiety, depression, and interpersonal growth/awareness.