Meet the Staff

Professional Staff

Rene Monteagudo, Ph.D.

Director, Counseling Ctr

rxm981@miami.edu

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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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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

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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

Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Professional Development Coordinator

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

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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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Aliya Ismail

Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Clinical Care Coordinator

axi169@miami.edu

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From Toronto to Miami to Lima, Peru, Ms. Ismail has been working with youth and young adults in underserved communities and educational settings for over a decade. Oriented by a Relational framework, Ms. Ismail integrates a strength-based, anti-oppressive approach to her therapeutic practice. Ms. Ismail earned her B.A. in International...
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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 state of Florida. Dr. Karunaratne has provided individual and group therapy in a variety of settings including...
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Natalie Kretsch

Psychologist and Suicide Prevention Coordinator

nxk319@miami.edu

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Natalie Kretsch is a licensed psychologist who joined the UM Counseling Center in 2016. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Texas A&M University Student Counseling Service and her-post-doctoral residency at the UM Counseling Center....
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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

Triage Counselor

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

Psychologist-Training Director

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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Yvonne Rodriguez

Therapist, Licensed

yxr275@miami.edu

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Prior to joining the University of Miami Counseling Center, Ms. Rodriguez worked as the senior counselor for the University of Tampa. She has over 29 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families in a variety of outpatient mental health settings. She is also a board certified clinical supervisor for the State of Florida. Ms....
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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.bozdaraj@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick 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. 


Linda Collado

Psychiatrist

linda.collado@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Dr. Linda Collado is an Affiliated Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital. She is a Psychiatric Emergency Room attending physician at Jackson Memorial Behavioral Health Hospital. Dr. Collado completed a general psychiatry residency at Larkin Community Hospital where she served as Chief resident. She also completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital where she received a clinical scholar award. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and American Medical Association.


Joshua Frankel

Psychiatrist

joshua.frankel@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Currently a fellow and co-chief at the University of Miami's Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr. Frankel is originally from Boston, graduated from Brandeis University, the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and completed a residency in adult psychiatry at SUNY Upstate, where he worked with undergraduates at Syracuse University, as well as the medical students. Dr. Frankel enjoys kayaking, reading, and writing.


Stefania Prendes Alvarez

Psychiatrist

stefania.prendesalv@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Dr. Prendes-Alvarez is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She earned her combined Medical Degree and Masters of Public Health from the University of Miami. She completed a general psychiatry residency and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she served as chief fellow. Dr. Prendes-Alvarez is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She is also a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, a national medical honor society, and an adjunct member of the Florida Psychoanalytic Institute, where she completed a 2-year psychodynamic psychotherapy course. Dr. Prendes-Alvarez has published work in peer-reviewed journals and medical textbooks. She has a special interest in the treatment of internalizing disorders, psychodynamic psychotherapy, medical education and supervision.


Shivanshu Shrivastava

Psychiatrist

shivanshu.shrivastav@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr

Interns


Andrea Biel

Intern

Andrea is currently completing her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in Clinical Psychology at Xavier University, where she also attained her Master of Arts degree in Psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan. Her clinical interests include interpersonal/relationship issues, family of origin concerns, trauma, and grief/bereavement. Andrea utilizes psychodynamic theory as the principal framework for intervention while also appreciating the value of integrating interpersonal, strengths-based, and third-wave behavioral models based on client concerns. She is passionate about working with college students and aims to work with each individual to maximize understanding, holistic well-being, and growth.

Christina Douyon

Intern

Christina, originally from South Florida, earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Florida, and her M.A. in clinical psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in counseling psychology at Boston College. Christina’s research interest are issues of race, culture, racism, eating disorders, and identity. Her clinical experiences and interest involve working with immigrant populations, racial and cultural minorities, Women, disordered eating/ body image, identity development, and acculturation. Christina’s approach to therapy uses a Relational Cultural Therapy lens to collaboratively assess an individual’s distress in a social and cultural context that takes into account learned relational patterns and issues of power.

Sara Wigderson

Intern

Sara Wigderson is completing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Miami, where she also earned her M.S. degree. Sara received her B.A. in psychology and music performance from SUNY Geneseo. Before attending UM, she worked as a research assistant at McLean Hospital. Sara’s approach to therapy is integrative and draws primarily from cognitive behavioral therapy. She also incorporates elements of acceptance and commitment therapy, interpersonal therapy, and positive psychology. Sara assesses clients’ individual needs and works collaboratively with them to achieve their treatment goals and apply new coping strategies. Her clinical interests include anxiety, OCD, family of origin concerns, interpersonal and romantic relationship issues, and psychological assessment of learning disorders, ADHD, 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




Yuqi Chen

Practicum Student

 



Alexandra Lane

Practicum Student

 


Elizabeth McInerney

Practicum Student

 


Nikki Puccetti

Practicum Student

 

Support Staff

Alice Marie Bailey

Office Assistant

abailey@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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Edricka Denishia Grant

Secretary

e.grant1@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
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