Meet Our Staff

Caroline Engler

Ph.D.,HSP-P, Director, Psychologist (she/her)

Dr. Engler is a licensed psychologist who earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Caroline has a special interest in working with students with minoritized identities and enjoys providing individual and group services. She utilizes a feminist-based, person-centered approach to therapy and integrates a variety of treatment modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing. Her clinical training and career expereinces have focused on supporting individuals processing trauma, improving symptoms of depression, using short term counseling interventions to increase behavioral health, and specialization in LGBTQ+ health and well-being. Caroline also enjoys providing supervision and facilitating staff and trainee learning experiences.

In her free time, Caroline enjoys a regular yoga practice, swimming, playing video games, and spending time with family, friends, and fur babies.

Calista Colbert

MA, LCMHC, NCC, Assistant Director of Clinical Services, Counselor, Master's Training Coordinator (she/her)

Calista is a friend, partner, fiber artist, singer, tribal member, pet parent, board-game enthusiast, National Certified Counselor, and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the state of North Carolina. She received her master鈥檚 degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and her certification in Expressive Arts Therapy from Appalachian State University in August 2021. Calista is also a SoulCollage庐 Facilitator.

Calista loves supporting clients who feel stuck in the 鈥渋n betweens鈥� of life and using a person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally-rooted approach in her work. She frequently invites art modalities and humor into the counseling room and prioritizes the co-creation of brave spaces for students to share their experiences. Calista enjoys working with students of all backgrounds and has specialized training in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC identity exploration, trauma, anxiety, spirituality concerns, body image concerns, grief, anger, and life transitions. She is particularly passionate about supporting Native students and those who are new (and maybe a bit nervous!) about starting therapy.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions

Megan Smith

Ph.D., HSP-P, Assistant Director of Training, Psychologist (she/her)

Dr. Smith is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee who earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Dakota. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of North Carolina. Megan has a special interest in working with students with minoritized identities and enjoys doing individual work. Her clinical interests include mood concerns, anxiety, adjustments/transitions, BIPOC concerns, Native American mental health and cultural identity development. Megan utilizes a liberation psychology and trauma informed approach to her work with clients and often uses humor in sessions.

Outside of the office, Megan LOVES reality TV, cross-stitching, documentaries, and true crime. She also enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, Bentley and Fatz.

Amber Ellington

LCMHCA, Counselor, Outreach Coordinator (she/her)

Amber is a partner, sister, daughter, weight lifter, fiber artist, nature lover, avid reader, and bullet journal enthusiast. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the state of North Carolina. Amber received her B.A. in Psychology from North Carolina State University in 2020 and her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Appalachian State University in August 2022.

Amber is passionate about helping college students create a solid foundation for personal wellness and believes that mental health should be viewed in a holistic manner. She knows that working toward personal wellness is different for every person, and she enjoys exploring both the challenges and the joys of the intersections between wellness and identity. Amber utilizes a person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach and integrates a variety of treatment modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Feminist Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Some of her counseling interests include, but are not limited to, LGBTQIA+ identity, BIPOC identity, relationship concerns, and adjustments/transitions.

Amber is a certified Trauma-Informed Weight Lifting Practitioner and a certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP). She provides romantic relationship and friendship counseling in addition to individual counseling.

When not engaged in counseling sessions, Amber serves as the CAPS Outreach Coordinator and as a member of the First-Generation Advisory Board.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions.

Heather Lloyd

LCMHC, Counselor (she/her)

Heather is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina who earned her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Webster University and B.S. in Exercise Physiology from the College of Charleston. Heather has experience in working with adults in inpatient, outpatient, rural and community-based settings with a variety of mental health concerns. Heather鈥檚 counseling interest include providing services to LGBTQ+, student-athletes, health care providers and first responders. She utilizes a person-centered, humanistic approach to therapy through collaboration and choice.

Outside of clinical work, Heather enjoys camping, hiking, woodworking, cooking, beach trips and attending local community events.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions.

Adam Hicks

PsyD, HSP-P, Staff Psychologist (he/him)

Adam is a provisionally licensed psychologist who graduated with a PsyD in Health Service Psychology from 蘑菇短视频 in 2024. Adam will share that he has had an unconventional path to this point in his life. Initially, Adam's goal was to go into research and academia; however, after spending 3 years in community mental health he discovered his passion was as a therapist and not as a professor.

Adam's approach to therapy derives from an existential foundation, as he believes that many of the concerns people have are associated with the struggles inherent to living. His approach in session is to help others explore their present (current and recent stressors), past (learned patterns and experiences), and future (goals, meaning, and purpose in life). His overall goal as a therapist is to help people live a more fulfilled life by making choices consistent with their values, beliefs, and goals.

Outside of CAPS, Adam enjoys listening to podcasts that range from topics of history, statistics (as a self-identified nerd, he minored in history and mathematics), cooking, video games, and tabletop gaming. He also likes comedy and particularly enjoys British comedians and panel shows.

Sheree Ash

Psychologist

Myranda Warfield

Ph.D., NCC, LCMHC, Counselor In Residence, Groups Coordinator (they/them)

Myranda is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of North Carolina and a National Certified Counselor. They graduated from Ohio University with a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health/Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and doctoral degree in Counseling and Counselor Education at the University of Florida.

Myranda uses an integrated approach of humanistic, queer, and feminist counseling to provide trauma informed services to students. They are a generalist counselor who also has interest and training in providing counseling to queer, trans and gender diverse people, people who have grown up in rural settings, BIPOC people, those with religious/spiritual identities, and those facing the intersections of their identities.

In their free time, Myranda enjoys cooking/baking, playing video and tabletop games, and showing off pictures of their cat to anyone who will look at them. Living in the mountains, Myranda enjoys taking pictures, going to the farmers market, and attending local festivals.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions.

Kyla Allison

MSW, LCSWA, Counselor (she/her)

Kyla completed her bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology here at 蘑菇短视频 in 2019 and is currently a graduate student in the social work program. She was a member of the Western Carolina Women鈥檚 Basketball team from 2019-2023.

Kyla is passionate about community connection and building relationships. She focuses on the importance of collaboration, interrelatedness, support, and advocacy to assist in providing resources and services for students on and off campus. Her collegiate career as a full-time student-athlete has sparked her interest in working in higher education where she can strive to have a positive impact on all students. She utilizes her past experiences as a tool to develop relationships with students and colleagues while engaging in outreach and community development.

In her free time, Kyla enjoys painting, exercising, watching basketball and football, cooking, playing video games, experiencing nature, sitting by the pool with a good book, and traveling to visit her loved ones.

Stephanie Allen

M.A./Ed.S., LCMHCS, NCC, CCTP, Counselor (she/her)

Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS), a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) with experience providing mental health services in university, community, and private practice settings.

Stephanie enjoys working with college students as they navigate the many transitions, challenges, and opportunities that come with university life. Her clinical interests include identity development, life transitions, trauma and helping students strengthen resilience and self-compassion. She also has extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals and is committed to providing an affirming space. Stephanie utilizes an integrative, trauma-informed approach to therapy, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and person-centered principles to meet each student鈥檚 unique needs.

Outside of the counseling office, Stephanie enjoys getting lost in a good book, diamond painting, playing board games with family and friends, and traveling to explore new places whenever she has the opportunity.

Kelly Spears

B.S., Clinical Case Manager (she/her)

Kelly is a new addition to the CAPS Team in Fall 2026 as their new Clinical Case Manager! She is a returning alum who is beginning her professional journey at Western Carolina University.

Kelly is passionate about mental health, especially in the rural communities of Western North Carolina. As a long-time resident of Cullowhee, she cares deeply about public health and the wellbeing of her community.

Outside of CAPS, Kelly enjoys gardening, playing video games, hiking & nature walks, kayaking, cooking/baking, photography, and creating art. She likes spending time with her partner, taking silly selfies with family & friends, and caring for her pets (two kitties & a snake!).

Samuel Raines

MS, Doctoral Psychology Intern (he/him)

Sam is interning at 蘑菇短视频CAPS as he completes his degree requirements for a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Memphis. Sam uses a broadly humanistic lens, often focusing on supporting students as they process their thoughts and emotions in a safe, supportive, affirming environment. However, Sam incorporates insights and techniques gleaned from several theoretical perspectives both within and outside the humanistic therapeutic approach based on the needs of the person in front of him, including motivational interviewing, exposure therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused, and CBT. Sam is a generalist counselor who works with people experiencing a wide array of concerns; however, some of his specific professional interests include depression, self-esteem, addiction, emotional dysregulation, body image concerns, social anxiety, and trauma, including from sexual assault, relational abuse, and discrimination on the basis of one鈥檚 identity.

Sam enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, exploring the outdoors, and recording and performing original music.

Carli Rossi

MA, Doctoral Psychology Intern (she/her)

Carli is a daughter, sister, friend, cat mom, bookworm, and lover of nature. She is grateful to be part of the CAPS team working with 蘑菇短视频students and the 蘑菇短视频community as a doctoral psychology intern as she completes her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Auburn University.

Carli was inspired to become a therapist by the resilience and capacity for growth and change each of us possesses as human beings. She works primarily from a culturally-rooted psychodynamic framework to collaborate with individuals to better understand their ways of relating to themselves, others, and the greater communities and systems with which they interact. She also integrates elements of Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Dialectical and Behavioral therapy, and humanistic therapy to help individuals cultivate more meaningful and fulfilling ways of being and relating to themselves and others. Carli collaborates with individuals to work on a variety of concerns, including (but not limited to) anxiety, mood concerns, relational concerns, trauma, and career exploration. She enjoys helping individuals identify and utilize their inherent strengths and capacities for curiosity and compassion to move towards growth and greater fulfillment in their lives.

Tyler Tatton

BA, Doctoral Psychology Intern (he/him)

Tyler is a devoted partner, a proud dog dad, and an unapologetic fan of all things fantasy (LOTR, D&D, Harry Potter, etc.). His path into psychology began with a B.A. from Southern Utah University, and he鈥檚 currently completing his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at the same institution, gaining hands-on clinical experience as a Doctoral Psychology Intern here at CAPS.

Grounded in Cognitive Behavioral and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy frameworks, Tyler helps students recognize the thought patterns holding them back and build the flexibility needed to pursue what genuinely matters to them. Rather than specializing narrowly, he welcomes clients across a broad range of concerns with particular interest in depression, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, phobias, trauma, and group therapy settings.

When he鈥檚 off the clock, Tyler is likely buried in a good book, deep into a Dungeons and Dragons session, or unwinding with a video game. He鈥檚 just as happy outdoors, especially when he is fishing or playing pickleball. But most of all, he cherishes time spent with the people (and the dog) closest to him.

Cesar Sanchez

B.S. Psychology, Master's Counseling Trainee (He/Him,脡l)

Growing up in Raleigh, NC, Cesar originally attended 蘑菇短视频for Music Education. After some time away in community college, he returned to complete a B.S. in Psychology in 2022. Cesar has spent the past two years at the 蘑菇短视频Biltmore Park campus completing his coursework for his Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. He is excited to return to Cullowhee for his field experience at CAPS.

While he is currently developing his areas of focus, he has professional interests in working with refugee/immigrant populations, eating-disorder and body-image concerns, and the implementation of expressive arts in client work. In his free time, Cesar enjoys photography, tinkering on everything from cars to computers, and traveling for concerts and music festivals.

Trevor Gates

B.A., Social Work Master's Trainee (he/him)

Trevor is currently a Master of Social Work student and is also pursuing a specialization in addiction treatment. He is a local from Jackson County, specifically Cullowhee, who earned his associates at Southwestern Community College, his undergrad in psychology at 蘑菇短视频, and now his master's degree also as a Catamount. He has a special interest in working with marginalized groups, especially LGBTQ+ individuals and folks with disabilities, and hopes to provide individual and group services in his career. Trevor is queer-identified and is Blind/visually impaired, along with other disability related identities. He hopes to support those who have faced similar struggles while holding space for people from all walks of life.

Trevor enjoys spending time with his friends, playing tabletop games, playing video games, traveling for music and comedy shows, reading, and discovering new foods in the places he visits.

Mary Leavines

B.A., Social Work Master's Trainee (she/her)

Mary is a partner, dog mom, nature-lover, and lifelong learner. She completed her B.A. in English and Religious Studies at Louisiana State University. Currently, she is a Master of Social Work student here at 蘑菇短视频, completing her clinical practicum at the CAPS center.

Mary鈥檚 approach to therapy is collaborative and client-led. She believes that you are the expert on your lived experience, and her goal is to curate space for you to explore current difficulties and potential solutions, and to navigate a path forward that feels holistic, true to your values, and purposeful. As a trainee, she is a generalist, but some of her professional interests include life adjustments and transitions, relationship concerns, and exploring religious and spiritual beliefs.

Outside of clinical work, Mary enjoys backpacking, photography, farmer鈥檚 markets, coffee shops, and long morning walks with her partner and their dog.

Lee Anne Burrell

Administrative Support Specialist (she/her)

Lee Anne has been in the medical field for over 35 years with the majority of her career in the hospital setting. She has a love for children and young people. Her greatest joy is seeing today's youth succeed. She joined 蘑菇短视频in 2014, a native to Western North Carolina, attending local high school and Southwestern Community College.

When she is not working you will find her enjoying the lake and camping life with her family and the absolute loves of her life; her two grandsons, along with her two yorkies.

Denise Kuykendall