51心頭

Caroline Engler: Ph.D.,HSP-P, Director, Psychologist (she/her)

Dr. Engler is a licensed psychologist who earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Caroline has a special interest in working with students with minoritized identities and enjoys providing individual and group services. She utilizes a feminist-based, person-centered approach to therapy and integrates a variety of treatment modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing. Her clinical training and career expereinces have focused on supporting individuals processing trauma, improving symptoms of depression, using short term counseling interventions to increase behavioral health, and specialization in LGBTQ+ health and well-being. Caroline also enjoys providing supervision and facilitating staff and trainee learning experiences.

In her free time, Caroline enjoys a regular yoga practice, swimming, playing video games, and spending time with family, friends, and fur babies.

Calista Colbert: MA, LCMHCA, Assistant Director of Clinical Services, Counselor,  (she/her)

Calista is a friend, partner, quilter, singer, crafter, tribal member, pet parent, board-game enthusiast, National Certified Counselor, and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina. She received her master���s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and her certification in Expressive Arts Therapy from Appalachian State University in August 2021. Calista is also a SoulCollage速 Facilitator.

Calista loves supporting clients who feel stuck in the ���in betweens��� of life and using a person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach in her work. She frequently invites art modalities and humor into the counseling room and prioritizes the co-creation of brave spaces for students to share their experiences. Calista enjoys working with students of all backgrounds and has specialized training in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC identity exploration, trauma, anxiety, spirituality concerns, body image concerns, grief, anger, and life transitions. She is particularly passionate about supporting Native students and those who are new (and maybe a bit nervous!) about starting therapy.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions

Megan Smith: Ph.D., Assistant Director of Training, Psychologist (she/her)

Dr. Smith is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee who earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Dakota. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of North Carolina. Megan has a special interest in working with students with minoritized identities and enjoys doing individual work. Her clinical interests include mood concerns, anxiety, adjustments/transitions, BIPOC concerns, Native American mental health and cultural identity development. Megan utilizes a liberation psychology and trauma informed approach to her work with clients and often uses humor in sessions.

Outside of the office, Megan LOVES reality TV, documentaries, and true crime. She also enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, Bentley and Fatz.

Amber Ellington: LCMHCA, Counselor, Outreach Coordinator (she/her)

Amber is a partner, sister, daughter, weight lifter, crocheter, nature lover, avid reader, and bullet journal enthusiast. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina. Amber received her B.A. in Psychology from North Carolina State University in 2020 and her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Appalachian State University in August 2022.

Amber is passionate about helping college students create a solid foundation for personal wellness and believes that mental health should be viewed in a holistic manner. She knows that working toward personal wellness is different for every person, and she enjoys exploring both the challenges and the joys of the intersections between wellness and identity. Amber utilizes a person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach and integrates a variety of treatment modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Feminist Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Some of her counseling interests include, but are not limited to, LGBTQIA+ identity, BIPOC identity, relationship concerns, and adjustments/transitions.

When not engaged in counseling sessions, Amber serves as the CAPS Outreach Coordinator, a member of the First-Generation Advisory Board, and a member of the Safe Zone trainer team.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions.

Heather Lloyd: LCMHC, Counselor (she/her)

Heather is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina who earned her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Webster University and B.S. in Exercise Physiology from the College of Charleston. Heather has experience in working with adults in inpatient, outpatient, rural and community-based settings with a variety of mental health concerns. Heather���s counseling interest include providing services to LGBTQ+, student-athletes, health care providers and first responders. She utilizes a person-centered, humanistic approach to therapy through collaboration and choice.

Outside of clinical work, Heather enjoys camping, hiking, woodworking, cooking, beach trips and attending local community events.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions.

Liz Adamovich: MSW, LCSW, LCAS, Master's Training Coordinator (she/her)

Liz loves to spend time with her partner and pets. When she���s not busy, you will most often find her with a cup of coffee and a crochet project or book in hand. Liz enjoys spending time with her large family and taking small opportunities to re-connect with nature, sitting on her porch or taking her dogs on a walk or hike.

Liz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate in the state of North Carolina. She received her master���s degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University. Liz has experience providing mental health services in rural communities in WNC. She is trained in EMDR has a passion for supporting individuals as they navigate and process trauma. In addition to trauma work, Liz also enjoys supporting individuals in self-exploration and identity work, attachment, and perfectionism. She utilizes a person-centered approach to help clients build on their strengths as they work towards their goals.

Adam Hicks: PsyD, Staff Psychologist (he/him)

Adam is a provisionally licensed psychologist who graduated with a PsyD in Health Service Psychology from 51心頭 in 2024. Adam will share that he has had an unconventional path to this point in his life. Initially, Adam's goal was to go into research and academia; however, after spending 3 years in community mental health he discovered his passion was as a therapist and not as a professor.

Adam's approach to therapy derives from an existential foundation, as he believes that many of the concerns people have are associated with the struggles inherent to living. His approach in session is to help others explore their present (current and recent stressors), past (learned patterns and experiences), and future (goals, meaning, and purpose in life). His overall goal as a therapist is to help people live a more fulfilled life by making choices consistent with their values, beliefs, and goals.

Outside of CAPS, Adam enjoys listening to podcasts that range from topics of history, statistics (as a self-identified nerd, he minored in history and mathematics), cooking, video games, and tabletop gaming. He also likes comedy and particularly enjoys British comedians and panel shows.

Myranda Warfield: Ph.D., NCC, LCMHC, Counselor In Residence, Groups Coordinator (they/them) 

Myranda is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of North Carolina and a National Certified Counselor. They graduated from Ohio University with a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health/Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and doctoral degree in Counseling and Counselor Education at the University of Florida.

Myranda uses an integrated approach of humanistic, queer, and feminist counseling to provide trauma informed services to students. They are a generalist counselor who also has interest and training in providing counseling to queer, trans and gender diverse people, people who have grown up in rural settings, BIPOC people, those with religious/spiritual identities, and those facing the intersections of their identities.

In their free time, Myranda enjoys cooking/baking, playing video and tabletop games, and showing off pictures of their cat to anyone who will look at them. Living in the mountains, Myranda enjoys taking pictures, going to the farmers market, and attending local festivals.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions.

Kyla Allison: MSW, LCSWA, Case Manager (she/her)

Kyla completed her bachelor���s and master���s degrees here at 51心頭 in psychology and social work, respectively. She was a member of the Western Carolina Women���s Basketball team from 2019-2023.

Kyla is passionate about community connection and building relationships. She focuses on the importance of collaboration, interrelatedness, support, and advocacy to assist in providing therapeutic support as well as resources for students on and off campus. Her collegiate career as a full-time student-athlete has sparked her interest in working in higher education where she can strive to have a positive impact on all students. She utilizes her past experiences as a tool to develop relationships with students and colleagues while engaging in outreach and community development.

In her free time, Kyla enjoys painting, exercising, watching basketball and football, cooking, playing video games, experiencing nature, sitting by the pool with a good book, and traveling to visit her loved ones.

Connor Schell: MA, Doctoral Psychology Intern (he/him)

Connor is a partner, friend, and lover of nature. He completed his B.S. in Applied Psychology at New York University and earned his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Indianapolis. He is now currently working as a Doctoral Psychology Intern here at CAPS while he completes his Clinical Psychology Psy.D. with the University of Indianapolis.

Connor primarily takes an emotion-focused approach to therapy. He works with students to understand how one���s lived experience and life context shape their emotional responses and behaviors in the present moment. He emphasizes a collaborative therapeutic environment, in which the student and therapist co-create an understanding of the current problem and work together to resolve it. Connor is a generalist counselor who enjoys working with nearly all presenting concerns. However, some of his specific professional interests include emotional dysregulation, suicidal ideation, grief, body image concerns, interpersonal challenges, and difficulties with anger.

In his free time, Connor enjoys hiking, kayaking, and exploring the outdoors. He also enjoys reading, woodcarving, playing and listening to music, and spending time with family.

Nisha Nidhi: MA, Doctoral Psychology Intern (she/her)

Nisha is a partner, daughter, sister, and music lover. She is from New Delhi, India, and has lived in several states including Ohio, Wisconsin, California, Georgia, and Indiana. She completed her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Public Health from The Ohio State University. She earned a M.A. in Clinical Psychology and is currently pursuing her Psy.D. degree from University of Indianapolis.

Nisha���s approaches therapy from an integrative perspective. She builds upon a person-centered core, emphasizing a therapeutic environment in which clients feel comfortable, open, and supported in making change regardless of where they are currently in life. Simultaneously, she incorporates actionable interventions, pulling techniques from cognitive-behavioral and acceptance and commitment therapy into her clinical work. She uses evidence-based interventions that will best serve each individual client���s needs, such as the exploration and challenging of irrational thoughts, guided meditation, diaphragmatic breathing, interoceptive exposure, and more. Some of her professional interests are chronic pain/illness, mood disorders, relationship difficulties, habit formation, trauma, group therapy, and outreach.

Outside CAPS, Nisha enjoys artsy and entertainment activities such as embroidery, paint by gems, drawing, singing, and dancing to both Bollywood and English pop songs. Moreover, she likes trying out different cultural cuisines and listens to a wide range of music. Lastly, she enjoys spending time in nature and with her family.

Abby Vonderhaar: BS, Master of Social Work Trainee (she/her)

Abby earned her B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Health Studies from Appalachian State University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work at Western Carolina University. She is passionate about supporting individuals as they navigate challenges and work towards becoming the best versions of themselves. Abby practices from a person-centered, trauma-informed lens, emphasizing compassion, collaboration, and empowerment. Her clinical interests include substance use treatment, life transitions, anxiety, depression, body image, and grief.

Outside of the office, Abby enjoys spending time outdoors and connecting with nature. She spends most of her free time hiking or trail running, but values time spent at home as well. She enjoys reading thrillers, and watercolor painting!

Stu Reit: BSE, Clinical Psychology Master's Trainee (he/him)

Stu is a master���s student in the clinical psychology program at 51心頭and is delighted to be a trainee at CAPS this year. He loves spending time with friends and family ��� whether adventuring, sharing a meal or drink, or simply enjoying each other���s company. You may also find him on the basketball court, learning to salsa dance, or playing the latest season of Fortnite.

Stu believes in meeting each client where they are. He takes a collaborative approach, exploring clients��� wants and needs in therapy and tailoring their work together in ways that feel supportive and helpful. He draws from a variety of modalities in his clinical work, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based practices.

Emma Thomas: BS, Master of Social Work Trainee (she/her)

Emma Thomas is a Master of Social Work graduate student with a passion for community care and fostering meaningful connections for young adults. She takes a person-centered approach to counseling, grounded in compassion, curiosity, and a deep respect for each unique individual story.  Outside of her studies and clinical work at CAPS, she enjoys spending time in her apartment garden, taking long walks in nature, crafting, and exploring existential questions through philosophy. These interests inspire the creativity and care that she brings into her practice. She looks forward to collaborating with clients to build trust and insight, supporting them in exploring and understanding themselves as they work toward their own personal growth. 

Sylvan Alvarado: BSW, Master of Social Work Trainee (she/they)

Sylvan believes in moving slowly and delighting in the small joys of life. She enjoys reading philosophy, going to farmer���s markets, dancing, thrifting, swimming in rivers, and naps. She dreams frequently of a more just, equitable world and how we get there. They live in Asheville with their girlfriend and three cats.

They earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Warren Wilson College in 2021. After graduation, they joined the direct care team at a residential treatment program for LGBTQ+ young adults navigating substance use and mental health challenges, where they led groups in horticultural therapy, cooking, relational health, and hiking. They also worked at an outpatient step-down program for young adult women in recovery. In these programs, Sylvan discovered a love of helping clients live with their trauma in new ways, unlearn shame, work through internalized oppression, explore identity, navigate climate grief and existential questions, and grow more compassion for themselves in our difficult world.

She takes an integrative approach, utilizing a feminist, queer, trauma-informed framework that addresses the role of power in clients��� lives and in the therapy room. She utilizes tools such as DBT and mindfulness, with a core belief in the therapeutic relationship itself as a site for healing. They are open to a diverse range of clients and feel especially drawn to queer, trans, neurodivergent, disabled and/or chronically ill populations.

Lee Anne Burrell, Administrative Support Specialist (she/her)

Lee Anne has been in the medical field for over 35 years with the majority of her career in the hospital setting. She has a love for children and young people. Her greatest joy is seeing today's youth succeed. She joined 51心頭in 2014, a native to Western North Carolina, attending local high school and Southwestern Community College.

When she is not working you will find her enjoying the lake and camping life with her family and the absolute loves of her life; her two grandsons, along with her two yorkies.

Denise Stephens, Administrative Support Specialist (she/her)

Denise has worked in a medical office setting for over 20 years.  She is a native of western North Carolina and joined 51心頭in 2015.  When she is not working you will find her enjoying time with her children, often at the lake, river, or local hiking trails.