Meet the Staff

Professional Staff

Rene Monteagudo, Ph.D.

Director, Counseling Ctr

rxm981@miami.edu

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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

g.garrett@miami.edu

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Room 118
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

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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

nxk319@miami.edu

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Room 112
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
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Ms. Martin joined the Counseling Center staff in 2010 and is the Assistant Director of Outreach Services as well as a therapist. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker by training.  Ms. Martin earned her Undergraduate Degree from Ohio University and her Master in Social Work degree from Indiana University.  A central...
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Edward Rappaport

Psychologist-Training Director

erappaport@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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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Benjamin H Stocking

Psychologist & Group Therapy Coordinator

bhs56@miami.edu

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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



Rolando Gonzalez

Psychiatrist

rolando.gonzalez2@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr


Raul Poulsen

Psychiatrist

raul.poulsen@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Raúl Poulsen, MD is a licensed psychiatrist who proudly serves the community and aspires to provide dedicated mental health care to Miami. He is a graduate from the University of Florida with a degree in psychology, and received his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine. Dr. Poulsen was trained in adult psychiatry at Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson, NJ and continues his training in child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital, FL. He has experience working with patients of all ages and backgrounds who suffer from depression, anxiety and a number of co-morbid psychiatric and medical conditions. He offers a supportive therapeutic approach along with evidenced psychopharmacologic treatments that compliment and address each individual's path, life meaning, and goals. He works to create a safe and confidential space for patients to feel comfortable processing the challenges that are affecting their functioning whether it be difficulty coping with change, grief, anxiety, insomnia, depression, pain and other health related issues.


Stefania Prendes Alvarez

Psychiatrist

stefania.prendesalv@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Stefania Prendes-Alvarez, MD, MPH received her Medical Degree, with research distinction, and Masters in Public Health from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She completed her adult psychiatry training at the University of Miami/Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital and is board-certified through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.  She is currently completing her last year of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship. Dr. Prendes-Alvarez has been recognized throughout her training for her scholarly achievements, excellence in psychotherapy and her compassion; she was also recently inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha – a national medical honor society. Her clinical and academic interests include internalizing disorders in adolescents and adults, student mental health, psychodynamic psychotherapy, the interface between public health and mental wellness and medical education. She has published work in peer-reviewed journals and medical textbooks. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; and an adjunct member of the Florida Psychoanalytic Institute. Dr. Prendes-Alvarez works closely with her patients to understand their situation and develop a comprehensive treatment plan. She uses an empathic approach and joins her patients on their journey to feeling better.


Nils Westfall

Psychiatrist

nils.westfall@jhsmiami.org

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Nils Westfall, MD graduated summa cum laude with a double major in neuroscience and genetics and then attended medical school at the University of Minnesota. He has since completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry, serving as Chief Fellow, and is currently in his last year of psychiatry residency training at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He has received his training program's highest awards for resident education and psychotherapy and is currently serving as a Child PRITE Fellow with the American College of Psychiatrists. His clinical and academic interests include developmental and perinatal psychiatry, the effects of early life trauma, personalized medicine, individual and family psychotherapy, and medical education. His peer-reviewed publications include journal articles about the long-term effects of early life trauma in women and the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a textbook chapter about the mechanisms by which child abuse and neglect increase the risk of PTSD across the lifespan.

Rachel Esther Neuhut

Asst. Professor of Clinical

rneuhut@miami.edu

(305) 243-2301
Professional Arts Center
1150 NW 14th St
Room 100
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Interns

Kayla Whitney Carrigan

Doctoral Intern

kwc33@miami.edu

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Originally from Idaho, Kayla earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Delaware and a Master of Science Degree at the University of North Texas. Kayla is currently working on her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology at the University of North Texas. Her therapy experience and clinical interests...
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Christopher R Shelton

Doctoral Intern

crs219@miami.edu

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Chris Shelton is completing his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Wyoming. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Northern Illinois and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Illinois University. Chris’ clinical interests include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood and anxiety disorders,...
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Kseniya Zhuzha

Doctoral Intern

kxz192@miami.edu

Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
Kseniya Zhuzha is completing her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Auburn University. She received a B.S. in psychology from Union College in Schenectady, NY. As a therapist, Kseniya works with clients by intergrading emotion focused and interpersonal process therapy within a multicultural framework. She works...
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Graduate Assistant


Lauren Rodriguez

Graduate Assistant for Outreach Services

 

Practicum Students



Dorothy Addae

Practicum Student

 


Kiet Huynh

Practicum Student

 


Amina Simmons

Practicum Student

 


Sara Wigderson

Practicum Student

 

Substance Abuse Counselor



Francis J. Flynn

Psy.D.,CAP

Francis J. Flynn, Psy.D., CAP graduated from the University of Miami in 1967; a decade later, after completing a Master of Divinity degree in Systematic Theology, he returned to the University of Miami to begin graduate studies in Psychology, He completed his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University and is a Certified Addictions Professional. Dr. Flynn served for eleven years as a supervising chaplain in the Florida prison system and has served as an adjunct professor in the UM Department of Religious Studies.

Support Staff

Alice Marie Bailey

Office Assistant

abailey@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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Edricka Denishia Grant

Secretary

e.grant1@miami.edu

(305) 284-5511
Counseling Center
5513 Merrick Dr
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