Meet the Counseling Staff

About Us

Please note that all of our counselors are trained as "generalists" to work with students on any personal issue. However, we have listed some particular areas of interest and specialized training as well.

Each counselor has recorded a "Meet the Counselors" video introduction. Click on the thumbnail to view a video, or scroll down to see each counselor's bio below.

Colleen Arnold, Ph.D, LMFT

Colleen Arnold, Ph.D, LMFT

Lead Counselor, Clinical Supervisor

Meet the Counselor - Colleen Arnold video

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 36921

SHCS Staff Member since 2016

Academic Training: San Jose State University, MS in Clinical Psychology, 1992

California School of Professional Psychology, Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, 2002

Areas of Special Interest: Life transitions, spirituality and mental health, depression, anxiety, identity issues, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness

Personal or Professional Quote: "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen

 

Kathryn Kirkpatrick, LCSW Counselor Faculty

Kathryn Kirkpatrick, LCSW

Counselor Faculty, Counselor in Housing, Clinical Supervisor

Meet the Counselor - Kathryn Kirkpatrick video 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW 60751
Columbia University

SHCS Staff Member since 2018

Academic Training: Columbia University School of Social Work, MSW, 2008

Areas of Special Interest: First Generation Students, Undocumented/"Dreamer" Students, Relationship Issues, Social Justice, Coping with Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Grief and Loss, and Women's Empowerment.

Languages spoken other than English: Spanish

Personal or Professional Quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Erin Harrell

Erin Harrell, Psy.D

Counselor Faculty, Clinical Supervisor

Meet the Counselor - Erin Harrell video 

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY #27303

SHCS staff member since 2021

Academic Training: California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Doctor of Psychology, 2013

Areas of Special Interest: LGBTQIA Community, Identity (Especially Gender and Sexuality), Social Justice, Life Transitions, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Loss, Relationships. 

Personal/Professional Quote: “Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” - Brené Brown

Benedicta (Bunny) Ott, LMFT, APCC

Benedicta (Bunny) Ott, LMFT, LPCC

Counselor Faculty, Groups Coordinator

Meet the Counselor - Bunny Ott video

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 116068
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC 11923

SHCS Staff Member since 2019

Academic Training:  Regent College, MA in Theological Studies, 2002

Western Seminary, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, 2016

Areas of Special Interest: PTSD, Trauma Relief utilizing EMDR, Family Relationships, Spiritual Integration, Anxiety, Depression, Self-esteem/ Identity Development and Stress Management

Personal or Professional Quote:  “Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” - Frederick Buechner

Rosa Mora

Rosa Mora, Ph.D.

Counselor Faculty, Clinical Supervisor

Meet the Counselor - Rosa Mora video

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY #23233

SHCS staff member since 2021

Academic TrainingIllinois Institute of Technology, MS in Rehabilitation Counseling, 2002

California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, 2007

Areas of Special Interest: Crisis Intervention, First Generation Students, Undocumented/"Dreamer" Students, Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Grief and Loss, Anger Management and Substance Issues.

Languages spoken other than English: Spanish

Personal or Professional Quote: “To make a dream come true, the first requirement is a great capacity to dream. The second; is persistence.” - Cesar Chavez

 

Sophie De Pillis

Sophie De Pillis, LMFT

Counselor Faculty, Counselor at Concord

Meet the Counselor - Sophie De Pillis video

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #122245

SHCS Staff Member Since 2021

Academic Training: The Wright Institute, M.A. in Counseling Psychology, 2018

Areas of Special Interest:  Trauma, anxiety, depression, relationships, identity development, substance use, body image, stress management 

Personal or Professional Quote“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”  - James Baldwin

Christina Tompkins

Christina Tompkins, LMFT

Counselor Faculty, Counselor in Housing

Meet the Counselor - Christina Tompkins Video

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #117352

SHCS Staff Member since 2023

Academic training: The Wright Institute, Masters in Counseling Psychology 2019. 

Areas of Special Interest: LGBTQIA+ folks, Identity (exploration, development, and intersectionality), Trauma and Resilience, Interpersonal relationships, Substance Use, and Domestic Violence. 

Languages Spoken other than English: Moderate Level of proficiency in Spanish

Quote: "You don't have to sing it nice, but honey, sing it strong, at best you'll find a little remedy, at worst the world will sing along" -Hoizer

Naya Gordon, LCSW

Counselor Faculty

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW # 107433

SHCS staff member since 2024

Academic TrainingCalifornia State University East Bay, Master of Social Work, 2018

Areas of Special Interest: Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Neurodiversity, Interpersonal Relationships, Couples, Substance Use, Grief and Loss, and Identity Development

Personal or Professional Quote: "I have to constantly re-identify myself to myself, reactivate my own standards, my own convictions about what I’m doing and why.” Nina Simone

Dahlia Case

Dahlia Case, LMFT

Counselor in SEAS - please note that Dahlia works specifically with students from the Student Equity and Success programs.
Meet the Counselor - Dahlia Case video

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #140026

SHCS Staff Member since 2022

Academic Training:  The Wright Institute, Masters in Counseling Psychology, 2016

Areas of Special Interest: Faith/Spirituality, Self-esteem/Identity Development, Depression, Anxiety, Communication, Relationships

Personal or Professional Quote: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

Tori Parsons

Tori Parsons, ACSW

Associate Counselor

Meet the Counselor - Tori Parsons video

Associate Clinical Social Worker, ACSW #100352

SHCS staff member since 2023

Academic TrainingCal State University East Bay, MSW, 2019 

Areas of Special Interest: Neurodiversity Affirming Care, Embodied Somatic Abolitionism, Cultivating space for more imagination, joy, and authenticity.

Personal or Professional Quote: “Ease is your birthright.” - Tricia Hersey 

Songs that help me Groundhttps://music.apple.com/us/album/rest-life/1593190533?i=1593190769

Fun Fact: I love to collect hot sauces.

Dejaun Gray

Dejaun Gray, AMFT

Associate Counselor

Meet the Counselor - Dejaun Gray video

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #141227

SHCS Staff Member since 2023

Academic Training: San Francisco State University, MS in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy, emphasis in Clinical Mental Health, 2023

Areas of Special Interest: First-generation college students, life transitions, identity development, anxiety, depression, and developmental trauma.

Personal or Professional Quotes: “Actions create consequences which produces new worlds, and they’re all different” - Ruben Blades

“Taking care of you is not selfish or egocentric but essential to finding your own success. Finding balance begins with allowing yourself the opportunity to build a foundation of how you want others to see you.” - Brian Bovino

Mary Ann

Mary Ann Dawkins-Padigela

Associate Counselor

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #128724 

SHCS Staff Member since 2024

Academic Training: Pacific Oaks College - San Jose, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, emphasis in Trauma Studies, 2021

Areas of Special Interest:  Military Veterans, First Responders, BIPOC, Biracial Identities, First Gen, Complex Trauma, Justice Involved, LGBTQIA+, Parenting, Child loss, Catholicism, Hinduism 

Personal or Professional Quote:  "Take care of y'all bodies, take care of y'all chicken, take care of y'all mental." - Beastmode : Marshawn Lynch

Shauna Hong, LCSW, PPSC

Shauna Hong, LCSW

Director of Counseling Services

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCS24276
San Jose State University

SHCS Staff Member since 2009

Academic Training: San José State University, MSW, 2003

Areas of Special Interest: First Generation College Students, Identity Development (Ethnic, Sexual, Gender, Spiritual), Relationships, Couples, Social Justice

Languages spoken other than English: Spanish

Personal or Professional Quote: “The soul speaks its truth only under quiet, inviting, and trustworthy conditions. The soul is like a wild animal – tough, resilient, savvy, self-sufficient, and yet exceedingly shy.”
- Parker Palmer