Auburn University Student Counseling Services Staff

SCS Staff

SCS staff clinicians are qualified, experienced, and skilled professionals who are specialists in their respective fields. Please contact SCS to make an appointment for a meeting with one of our staff.

Doug Hankes, Ph.D., Director, Licensed Psychologist

Doug completed his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas in 1996. He is a licensed psychologist in Alabama and Tennessee. Doug returned to his alma mater in 1998 after working at the University of Tennessee. He describes his therapy approach as mindfully eclectic and fosters a collaborative relationship with clients to promote positive change. He has been actively involved at the national level in sport and exercise psychology and has served on the Executive Boards of APA Division 47 (Exercise and Sport Psychology) and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. He is currently listed on the 2008-2012 United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry.

Joeleen Cooper, M.E., Senior Staff Clinician

Joeleen is currently completing a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany, SUNY in Albany, NY. She recently completed her pre-doctoral internship at Virginia Tech's Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center and also has experience working with college students at the University at Albany and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Joeleen's professional interests include intervention and outreach to diverse populations, training/supervision, psychological assessment, group therapy, and relationship issues. Her approach to treatment is integrative, incorporating interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral techniques.

Ann Marie DelSignore, B.S., Senior Staff Clinician

Ann Marie is currently completing a doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University. Her clinical interests include trauma, self-injury, interpersonal neurobiology, LGBTQ issues, and the training/supervision of psychologists. She uses an integrative clinical approach that primarily draws from humanistic/existential and multicultural perspectives.

Kelly Knorr, Administrative Assistant

Kelly has been with Student Counseling Services since October 2004. Her primary responsibility is scheduling appointments and office coordination. During her spare time she is working towards becoming an Accredited Home Staging Professional. Kelly enjoys exercising, traveling, and spending time with her family. “I truly enjoy being part of such a wonderful service and staff.”

Mark Lasota, M.A., Senior Staff Clinician

Mark is in the process of completing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He comes to Auburn after completing a pre-doctoral internship at Clemson University. His clinical and research interests center around anxiety conditions with a particular emphasis on perfectionism. Mark’s therapeutic orientation is best characterized as an integration of cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapies. He also seeks to address the impact of cultural factors in therapy and underlying themes associated with privilege. Mark’s hobbies include running, biking, softball, travel, watching off-beat comedies, and faithfully following the Chicago Cubs.

Vern Russell, Ph.D., Counselor, LPC, NCC

Vern earned his doctorate in Counselor Education from the University of Georgia in 1981 and has been a licensed counselor in Alabama since 1983. A past Director and current staff member, he has been with the Counseling Center for 25 years. He has a special interest in outreach/prevention, the developmental concerns of the college student and creating a context for growth. He enjoys the outdoors, jogging and mindful living.

Jenna Silverman, M.A., Senior Staff Clinician

Jenna is currently completing a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her clinical interests include response to sexual trauma, eating disorders, and self-injury. Jenna’s therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing primarily from cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal orientations. Her hobbies include outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming, travel, and avid movie- and TV-watching.

Kacey Wilson, Ph.D., Senior Staff Clinician

Kacey earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University in August, 2008. Her approach to therapy is primarily influenced by psychodynamic, interpersonal, and experiential theories. She especially enjoys the process of integrating creativity, expressive arts, and metaphor into her therapeutic work with clients. Her clinical interests include: group psychotherapy; family of origin and relational issues; psychotherapy training and supervision;
and object relations theory. She enjoys live music, yoga, traveling, and being with her family
and friends.

Practicum Students 2008-9

Batsirai Bvunzawabaya, B.A.
Benjamin Carter, B.S.
Amber Douglas, M.A.
Emily Kahumoku, M.S.
Laura Obert, B.A.
Christina Spragg, B.A.