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-Pacheco

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.

Psychologist

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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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



William Bewley

Psychiatrist

william.bewley@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr


Durim Bozhdaraj

Psychiatrist

durim.bozhdaraj@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr


Andrew New

Psychiatrist

andrew.new@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr


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.

Interns


Dorothy Addae

Intern

Dorothy Addae is completing her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Miami. She received a B.A in psychology from the University of Missouri. Her clinical experiences and interests involve working with immigrant populations including international students and Third Culture Kids (TCKS) as well as the areas of transition, acculturation, adjustment, and identity development. Dorothy’s approach to therapy is integrative combining psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural theories. She values the importance of context and culture and believes therapy is most effective when these factors are taken into account. Dorothy seeks to work collaboratively with clients to accomplish their goals, foster their well-being, and live their best lives.

Jordan Coello

Intern

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. He attained 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 in Clinical Psychology. Jordan’s research and clinical interests are in the culturally-sensitive assessment and treatment of depression, suicide, and self-harm in minority as well as marginalized populations using 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, validating environment where clients can feel both supported and empowered to try new things.

Krystal Stephen

Intern

Krystal received her graduate training in the University of North Texas (UNT) Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program and attained her Bachelors of Science degree in psychology at Sam Houston State University. During her graduate training, she was a member of the Family Attachment Lab, which studies interpersonal processes underlying psychological risk and training in family research. Her clinical interests include family and couple therapy, relational trauma, and loss within a relational and cultural context. Krystal’s research interests focus upon the role of religiosity and social support in relation to couple functioning post loss.

Graduate Assistant


Stephanie Best

Graduate Assistant for Outreach Services

 

Practicum Students



John Abbomonte

Practicum Student

 


Brittany Jaso

Practicum Student

 


Alexandra Lane

Practicum Student

 


Michael Murgo

Practicum Student

 


Sofia Poma

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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