Counseling Staff
Counseling Services is staffed with New York State licensed mental health professionals, including psychologists and clinical social workers, all of whom are experienced and knowledgeable about the issues facing college students. In addition, there is a consulting psychiatric nurse practitioner available on a limited basis (1 day a week) to see students who are referred by their Counseling Services counselors. (For more information on staff degrees and job positions, visit What Do Those Degrees Mean?)
Listed below you will find the professional credentials and other details for our staff members. All of our counselors are qualified to treat a wide range of presenting problems, including anxiety, depression, interpersonal problems, eating disorders, academic issues, and more. If you have a treatment-related question for our staff, please use our secure messaging system at myhealth.geneseo.edu.
Rebecca Berger, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist
Professional Credentials:
- Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Hofstra University
- B.A., Psychology & Communicative Disorders and Sciences, SUNY Geneseo
- Licensed Psychologist in New York State
Clinical Interests:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Trauma, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Relationship Issues & Couples Counseling
- Mindfulness & Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Alcohol & Other drug Issues
Professional Organizations:
- Member, American Psychological Association
- Member, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
Alexandra Carlo, Ph.D.
Clinical Director for Lauderdale Counseling Services
Professional Credentials:
- Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, SUNY University at Albany
- B.S., Biology, Purdue University
- Licensed Psychologist in New York State
Clinical Interests:
- Multicultural Counseling and Diversity Issues
- Personality/Psychological Assessment
- Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Issues
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders
- Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Professional Organizations:
- Member, American Psychological Association
- Member, Society for Personality Assessment
Beth Cholette, Ph.D.
Clinical Director for South Village Counseling Services
Professional Credentials:
- Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Hahnemann University
- B.A., Psychology, Bucknell University
- Psi Chi, Psychology National Honor Society
- Licensed Psychologist in New York State
- RYT-200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) and certified Restorative Yoga Instructor
Clinical Interests:
- Positive psychology and optimism
- Holistic approaches, including yoga and meditation
- Grief and Bereavement Issues
- Trauma, including physical/sexual abuse and rape/sexual assault
- Adult Children of Alcoholics, Divorce, or Other Family Dysfunction
Professional Organizations:
- Member, American Psychological Association
- Member, Association for the Coordination of Counseling Center Clinical Services
Sarah E Covell, LMHC, NCC.
Alcohol & Other Drug Program Coordinator Staff Counselor
Professional Credentials:
- M.S. Mental Health Counseling, SUNY Brockport
- B.A., Communication, SUNY Geneseo
- National Certified Counselor
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor, State of New York
Clinical Interests:
- Addiction and substance abuse prevention
- Mindfulness-based therapy approaches
- Neurocounseling
- Trauma and adverse childhood experiences
- Holistic approaches, including therapeutic lifestyle changes
Professional Organizations:
- American Counseling Assocation
- American College Counseling Association
- National Board for Certified Counselors
- New York Mental Health Counselors Association
Gene Griffing, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist
Professional Credentials:
- Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Ball State University
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M.A., Professional Counseling, Central Michigan University
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B.A., Psychology, Michigan State University
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A.A., Liberal Arts, Muskegon Community College
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Licensed Psychologist in New York State
Clinical Interests:
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Women's Issues
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Sexual Abuse
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GLBT Concerns
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Relational Difficulties
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Academic Difficulties, Life Skill Development
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Development of Creative Growth Processes
Professional Organizations:
- Member, American Psychological Association
- Member, APA Division 10, Psychology and the Arts
Laura Swanson, LMSW
Staff Counselor
Professional Credentials:
- M.S.W., New York University
- B.A., Psychology, Cornell University
- Licensed Master Social Worker in New York State
Clinical Interests:
- Identity Development
- Relationship Concerns
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders
- Mindfulness
- Creative Arts Therapy
Professional Organizations:
- Member, National Association of Social Workers
- Member, American College Counseling Association
Madeline Velazquez, LMSW
Staff Psychologist
Professional Credentials:
- M.S.W., University of Michigan
- B.A.W., College at Brockport
- Licensed Master Social Worker in New York State
Clinical Interests:
- Abuse and Trauma
- Personality Disorder
- Art Therapy
- Socio-Cultural Development
- Alcohol and Other Drugs