Meet the Staff

Professional Staff

Rene Monteagudo, Ph.D.

Director, Counseling Ctr

rxm981@miami.edu

(305) 284-5519
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Prior to joining the University of Miami Counseling Center, Dr. Monteagudo served as the Senior Associate Director - Director of Clinical Services at Florida Atlantic University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. Originally from Miami, René received his Bachelor, Master and Specialist degrees from the University of...
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Kirt Patrick McClellan

Assoc. Director, Counseling Ctr

k.mcclellan@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Since obtaining his professional license in 1998 Mr. McClellan has worked in a variety of clinical settings including an acute care psychiatric hospital, an adolescent residential treatment center, a substance abuse treatment center and private practice. Mr. McClellan oversees various clinical operations of the Counseling Center. His clinical...
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Patricia Lobo Arena, Ph.D.

Psychologist

p.arena@umiami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Dr. Arena completed both her undergraduate and graduate training at the University of Miami with a focus on Adult Clinical and Health Psychology and Neuropsychology. Prior to returning to UM, Dr. Arena worked for Cherokee Health Systems, a community health center in Tennessee providing integrated care.  Her areas of clinical interest...
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Kisha Nicole Bazelais

Psychologist

knb32@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Dr. Bazelais earned her Ph.D in Counseling Psychology at Boston College in 2011. After completing her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Miami Counseling Center, Dr. Bazelais went on to complete a two-year research postdoctoral fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College. Prior to returning to UM, Dr. Bazelais worked in the outpatient...
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Elvin O. Blanco

Therapist, Licensed

eob14@miami.edu

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Mr. Blanco comes to the University of Miami’s Counseling Center with a diverse background working with Adults in various Clinical settings, which include but are not limited to Community Mental Health, Residential Treatment, Substance Use outpatient Treatment, Criminal Justice and Private Practice. Through a Person Centered, strength...
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Audrey A Cleary

Psychologist & Sexual Assault Resource Team (SART) Coordinator

a.cleary@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Dr. Cleary earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arizona, and completed both her pre-doctoral clinical internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Miami Counseling Center. Prior to joining the UM Counseling Center, she worked with undergraduate and graduate students at Counseling and Psychological...
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Amy Crandall

Psychologist

axc1631@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Dr. Crandall earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from New Mexico State University. Dr. Crandall earned her Ed.S. in School Psychology at Indiana State University and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. As a therapist, Dr. Crandall works with clients by integrating relational cultural therapy and cognitive behavioral...
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Gina Garrett

Social Worker, LCSW

g.garrett@miami.edu

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Prior to joining the University of Miami Counseling Center, Ms. Garrett worked as a therapist for eight years in outpatient community mental health clinic settings. She has twenty years of experience working with children, couples and families in the mental health field in a variety of settings. She is a board approved clinical supervisor in...
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Caroline Gomez

Psychologist

C.GOMEZ6@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Dr. Gomez earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. She is a proud Miami Hurricane, having completed her undergraduate education at the University of Miami. She completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in affiliation with the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller...
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Catherine A. Holder

Psychologist

cah344@miami.edu

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Dr. Holder earned her doctorate from the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University and is a licensed clinical psychologist. She completed both her pre-doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship in diverse college counseling settings. Prior to joining the University of Miami Counseling Center, Dr. Holder worked in an acute...
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Addys Bertina Karunaratne, Ph.D.

Asst. Director, Counseling Center

abk84@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Dr. Karunaratne earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has over 25 years’ experience working with children, adolescents, and adults.  She is a Licensed Psychologist in the states of Florida, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Dr. Karunaratne has provided individual and...
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Kimberly Martin

Asst. Director, Outreach Services

kmartin@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Ms. Martin joined the University of Miami Counseling Center in 2010. She has extensive experience treating children and adolescents who have been both victims and perpetrators of sexual trauma. Her clinical interests include helping individuals cope with trauma experienced through physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. She completed her Master of...
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Vanessa Payne

Case Manager, Licensed

vxp265@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Ms. Payne has worked in a variety of clinical settings including outpatient community mental health providing integrated care, outpatient substance abuse facility and private practice. She has a range of experience with using an integrative model of care, to help each unique individual improve their overall quality of life. She is a Licensed...
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Edward Rappaport

Assoc. Director, Training Counseling Center

erappaport@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Dr. Rappaport is the founding Training Director for our Predoctoral Internship Program in Professional Psychology. He is an Associate Professor and a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Psychology who has served as President of the Dade County Psychological Association. His professional interests include individual psychotherapy, treatment of...
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Rebecca Schwartz

Therapist, Licensed

rxs1801@miami.edu

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Dr. Schwartz is a licensed clinical psychologist in North Carolina and Florida. Dr. Schwartz earned her Psy.D in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Johns Hopkins University Counseling Center and her post-doctoral fellowship at New College of Florida's Counseling and Wellness...
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Benjamin H Stocking

Psychologist & Group Therapy Coordinator

bhs56@miami.edu

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Dr. Stocking earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the University of Miami Counseling Center. Prior to joining the University of Miami Counseling Center, he worked for two years in an intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment center in Eastern Tennessee. He...
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Psychiatric Providers



Durim Bozhdaraj

Psychiatrist

durim.bozhdaraj@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
1307 Stanford Dr.
Dr. Durim Bozhdaraj is a Voluntary Faculty of Clinical Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is a Psychiatric Emergency Room attending physician at Jackson Memorial Behavioral Health Hospital . He earned his Medical Degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed a general psychiatry residency and a forensic psychiatry fellowship at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Bozhdaraj is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a member of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law. Dr. Bozhdaraj has a special interest in the treatment of acute psychiatric emergencies, addiction disorders, mood disorders, medical education, and supervision of medical trainees. 


Kevin Whitlock

Psychiatrist

kevin.whitlock@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
1307 Stanford Dr.


Areej Alfarj

Psychiatrist

areej.alfaraj@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
1307 Stanford Dr.


Fred Jones-Rosa

Psychiatrist

fred.jonesrosa@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
1307 Stanford Dr.


Timothy Saeed

Psychiatrist

timothy.saeed@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
1307 Stanford Dr.

Interns


Juliana Guitelman

Intern

Originally from Argentina, Juliana is currently completing her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology (Ph.D.) at the University of Florida, where she also attained her M.S. and B.S. degrees in Psychology. Her clinical interests include interpersonal/relationship issues, trauma, family of origin concerns, and a broad range of sexuality-related issues. Juliana is passionate about maintaining a social justice foundation while utilizing humanistic, multicultural, and cognitive-behavioral frameworks for intervention while also appreciating the value of integrating interpersonal, strengths-based, and dialectical-behavioral models based on client concerns. She hopes to work with each individual to maximize well-being, self-understanding, and growth.

Brittany Jaso

Intern

Brittany is currently completing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Miami, where she also earned her M.S. degree. Brittany received her B.A. in psychology with honors from Cornell University. Before attending UM, she worked as a research assistant at the National Institute of Mental Health. Brittany’s approach to therapy is integrative and draws primarily from cognitive behavioral therapy. She also incorporates elements of dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and interpersonal therapy. Brittany assesses clients’ individual needs and works collaboratively with them to achieve their treatment goals and apply new coping mechanisms. Her clinical interests include depression, disordered eating/body image concerns, anxiety, and interpersonal relationship issues.

Christina Martin

Intern

Christina Martin is currently completing her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany, SUNY. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Christopher Newport University. Christina’s approach to therapy is an integrative, anti-oppressive model of care, drawing primarily from a psychodynamic lens. She also incorporates flavors of interpersonal process therapy, emotion-focused, strengths-based and social justice-informed practices. Central to her approach, is honoring the collaborative partnership with clients, and working together to achieve their treatment goals and maximize holistic well-being. Christina’s clinical interests include working with first generation and international college students, racial and cultural minorities, treating trauma, substance use dependency, interpersonal and romantic relationship concerns, identity development, acculturation, depression, anxiety and complex concerns.

Graduate Assistant


Karina Lutfey

Graduate Assistant for Outreach Services

 

Substance Abuse Counseling

Jordan Coello

Jordan Coello

AOD Fellow

 Originally from Miami, Jordan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with Departmental Honors in Psychology and a minor in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory from the University of Pennsylvania. Jordan earned his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology with minors in Developmental and Quantitative Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he is currently completing his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology. Jordan’s clinical interests include suicide, self-harm, substance use, and dialectical behavior therapy. Therapeutically, Jordan aims to help clients achieve their treatment goals through a balance of acceptance and change strategies practiced in a safe and validating environment where clients can feel supported and empowered to try new things. In addition to his clinical work, Jordan has served as the Assistant Manager of Residential Life at the Colburn School. Jordan is bilingual in English and Spanish and has elementary proficiency in Japanese.

Practicum Students




Jessica Schwartz

Practicum Student

 



Alexis Friedman

Practicum Student

 


Marcella May

Practicum Student

 


Tamara Greak

Practicum Student

 


Margo Fernandez-Burgos

Practicum Student

 

Support Staff

Edricka Denishia Grant

Secretary

e.grant1@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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