Meet Our Staff

John Friend, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Executive Director

Theoretical Orientation: Dr. Friend’s clinical work is driven by his interest in the application of behavioral principles in understanding topics such as purpose, meaning and values, the therapeutic relationship, and present moment focused work.

Professional Interests: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, integrated healthcare, sport and performance psychology, anxiety-related disorders, relationship issues, and coping with life transitions.

Professional Memberships: Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

Joel Dobson, LPC, NCC
Associate Director

Theoretical Orientation: A collaborative, client-centered approach that integrates evidence-based treatment modalities to build on each client’s unique personal strengths in order to assist them in achieving personal goals and improving their overall sense of well-being.

Professional Interests: Family of origin issues, childhood trauma, life transitions, young adulthood, integrated healthcare, anxiety, mood disorders, and substance use

Vallarie Jones, M.S., LPC 
Counselor

Theoretical Orientation: Integrated psychodynamic-interpersonal process approach that draws upon cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, reality, and encompasses other theoretical strategies that are best suited for each individual client to be their best self.

Professional Interests: Stress management, family and relationship issues, anxiety, depression, health and wellness, coping skills, and correctional behavioral health.

Professional Memberships: Alabama Counseling Association, Alabama College Counseling Association

Rhena Baxter
Associate Counselor

Theoretical Orientation: An integrative, client-centered approach drawing from humanistic, existential and holistic based therapies with emphasis on a person’s self-growth and self-actualization. Therapy may include both talk therapy and nontraditional therapies such as guided imagery and mindfulness-based modalities to enhance client awareness and overall well being.

Professional Interest: LGBTQIA+ affirming care including exploration of gender and personal identity, adaptation to life changes and transitions, interpersonal issues, building trauma resiliency, stress, anxiety, and coping skills.

Professional Memberships: Alabama Counseling Association, National Board of Certified Counselors

Alyssa M. Moody, M.S., ALC
Associate Counselor

Theoretical Orientation: A collaborative approach centered around client values and self-identified goals utilizing aspects of various cognitive behavioral interventions such as mindfulness, acceptance, or distress tolerance. Each student holds something incredibly unique to the world and my hope is to help them identify their strengths and promote their overall sense of self.

Professional Interests: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, spirituality issues, PTSD and other traumatic experiences, substance use, anxiety, depression, academic stress, and life transitions.

Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association, Alabama Counseling Association

Lauren Hodges, M.A., LMSW
Associate Counselor

Theoretical Orientation:  A collaborative, client-centered approach utilizing aspects of various evidence based practices including cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and motivational interviewing techniques.  It is my goal to engage with each client as an individual and identify their unique strengths and social location in order to best aid them in reaching their goals.

Professional Interests: Stress management, anxiety, life transitions, young adulthood, academic distress, interpersonal relationships, identity work, family dynamics, and coping skills.

Becky Smith, Ph.D. LPC, NCC
Counselor – College of Medicine

Theoretical Orientation: An integrated approach that utilizes cognitive theories, motivational interviewing, emotion-focused and solution-focused strategies.

Professional Interests: Stress, anxiety and mood disorders, substance use, eating disorders, trauma, emotional intelligence, grief/loss, social media and wellbeing.

Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association, Alabama Counseling Association, Alabama College Counseling Association

Karin Hendricks
Advanced Practicum Student, Doctoral Clinical & Counseling Psychology Program

Theoretical Orientation: A collaborative, skills-based approach that primarily utilizes “Third Wave” cognitive behavioral therapies (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, and Behavioral Activation). She focuses on supporting an individual’s growth through a person-centered therapeutic approach.

Professional Interests: Integrated health care, self-compassion, suicidality and self-harm, social justice, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, young adulthood, coping skills, and interpersonal conflict.

Professional Memberships: American Psychological Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Amy Huff, M.Ed., LPC
Doctoral Clinical & Counseling Psychology Program Student

Theoretical Orientation: I believe the therapeutic relationship between the counselor and client is fundamental in therapy. As that relationship develops, I take a holistic, person-centered, and strengths-based approach. This empowers clients to grow and incorporate the reflections and realizations they have in therapy into their every day life. 

Professional Interests: Life transitions (particularly transitioning into college), career and identity, young adulthood, health and wellness, integrated healthcare, anxiety, depression, student-athletes,

Professional Memberships: American Psychological Association

Timmy Marrinan
Masters-Level Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern

Theoretical Orientation: An integrative approach with a Humanistic foundation,emphasizing the value and potential growth of each student, helping identify and leverage each student’s strengths, and supporting students in creating actionable goals and practical solutions.

Professional Interest: Life transitions (adjusting into college and preparing for life after college), men’s mental health, stress management, depression, and anxiety Professional Memberships: American Counselors Association, Alabama College Counseling Association, Alabama Counselors Association, and Arizona Counselors Association

Emily Hilst
Masters-Level Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern

Theoretical Orientation: I believe in focusing on the person as a whole, encouraging them to embrace self-acceptance, challenge negative thoughts, and develop positive perceptions. I want to empower clients to realize their full potential. I believe this comes through establishing sustainable routines and developing your ability to advocate for yourself in both personal and professional relationships.

Interests: Stress management, life transitions, trauma-based care, anxiety, perfectionism, advocating for victims of sexual abuse and assault, interpersonal relationships, executive dysfunction and time management.

Professional Memberships: Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society, Alabama Counseling Association, and American Mental Health Counselors Association

Blake Stanley
Masters-Level Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern

Theoretical Orientation: A collaborative Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based approach with an emphasis on self-awareness and reflection. Working with the client to identify and achieve goals and promoting individual growth through self-exploration. Utilizing evidence-based interventions to meet the client’s unique needs and develop the therapeutic relationship.

Professional Interests: Life transitions, anxiety, depression, substance use, coping skills, LGBTQIA+ issues.

Amanda Meyers
Secretary