Counseling Program Faculty

Meet Ellen Henderson, EdD
Assistant Professor and Program Director
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Counseling Program Director Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Counseling Program at Gwynedd Mercy University. We are excited at the prospect of bringing you into our learning community as you train for the counseling profession. The faculty and staff at Gwynedd Mercy University are committed to core values that we believe will develop competent clinical mental health and school counselors who will positively influence the profession and world. Using a holistic approach, we encourage our students to synthesize academic and experiential learning in service to others. Our goal is for every graduate of our program to find meaningful work as a counselor, but also transform lives through service and advocacy.

You will find our program is distinctive in many areas, most notably through the two on-campus weekend residencies and our faculty-student mentoring program. Residencies offer hands-on learning opportunities, time to meet fellow students, and the chance to work closely with faculty to develop and refine counseling skills. The emphasis on personal connection and support from faculty carries over to our mentoring program: we pride ourselves on assigning every student a full-time faculty mentor to help support them through the graduate learning experience, as well as offering real-world professional guidance.

Please take your time exploring our department webpages. We know you are carefully weighing the cost, time and sacrifice in making your graduate school decision and are here to help as you consider your options.

With best wishes,
Dr. Ellen Henderson, Graduate Counseling Program Director

Counseling Program Full-Time Faculty

Jennifer Aucoin, PhD

Jennifer Aucoin, PhD, School Counseling Certificate
Assistant Professor, Counseling
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Elizabeth Brokamp, PhD

Elizabeth Brokamp, PhD, LPC (VA), NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, Licensed as School Counselor (VA); Diplomate-Academy of Cognitive Therapy
Assistant Professor, Counseling
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Elizabeth Brokamp, PhD

Tina Pharr, PhD, LCMHCA (NC), LMHC (FL)
Assistant Professor, Counseling
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Elizabeth Brokamp, PhD

S. Meghan Walter, PhD, LCMHCA (NC), NCC, BC-TMH, Licensed as School Counselor (NC, CO), CFLE, Gottman Educator, Certified Parent Coach
Associate Professor, Counseling
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Counseling Program Staff

Jody Lerner, EdD
Fieldwork Coordinator
Adjunct Professor
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lerner.j@gmercyu.edu

Sarah Smalarz, M. Ed.
Academic Advisor, Student Success Center
smalarz.s@gmercyu.edu or nontermadvising@gmercyu.edu
267-485-1630

Counseling Program Adjunct Faculty

Barb Aiello, MS
Adjunct Professor, Counseling
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Beverly Barksdale, EdD, EdS
Adjunct Professor, Counseling
Adjunct Professor, Spanish
Dissertation Advisor, Doctorate in Education (EdD) Programs
VP, GMercyU's Alumni Association
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Viriginia Barrett
Adjunct Professor, Counseling
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Michael Brill, LPC, NCC, CCTP, MS
Adjunct Professor, Counseling
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Joseph Cice, PhD
Adjunct Professor, Counseling
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William Holt, MSW
Adjunct Professor, Counseling
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Cara Knaster, PsyD
Adjunct Professor, Counseling
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Jesse Kunwar, MA, NCC, LPC, CCTP
Adjunct Professor
Counselor and Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinator, GMercyU's Counseling Services Office
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