The Counseling Center has a full-time staff of caring psychologists and counselors who provide short-term counseling using a wide variety of theoretical approaches. A psychiatric & mental health nurse practitioner is also available for medication evaluation and management.
DIRECTOR: Dianna K. Abel, PhD: Dianna is a native of Southern California, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach in 1992. She then moved to Utah and completed her master's (1996) and doctoral (1999) degrees in Counseling Psychology at the University of Utah. Dianna is a licensed psychologist who enjoys working with many of the developmental issues common to the college student experience, most especially those related to identity, self-esteem, relationships, gender and culture.
PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER: Jonathan Selden, PMHNP-BC:
COUNSELORS:
Mark Adams, PhD: Mark is a Marriage and Family Therapist and is originally from Utah. He has a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in Psychology (1996) and a master's degree in Gerontology from the University of Arizona (1999). Mark's clinical training at Texas Tech University (2006) includes a variety of populations and locations including: domestic violence shelter, in-home therapy with juvenile offenders, university counseling center, incarcerated drug-offenders, assisted-living facility, and private practice. His work is systemic and relationship oriented with a special interest in couples and families. Prior to coming to WSU Mark worked four years as an assistant professor at Northern Colorado. He can also be found across campus teaching/consulting in the departments of Child & Family Studies, Psychology, and Athletic Training.
Jodie Benabe, Psy.D.: Jodie is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at the Counseling Center. Originally from New Jersey, Jodie obtained a BA in Psychology from Occidental College (2004). She went on to obtain a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Diversity and Multicultural Studies from Phillips Graduate Institute in Los Angeles (2009). She completed her predoctoral internship at Utah State University, a postdoctoral fellowship at Metro State College of Denver, and additional training at California State University Pomona. Jodie has worked with individual, couples, and groups from diverse backgrounds, and has experience in community mental health, residential treatment, and with law enforcement personnel. Her areas of clinical interest include trauma, eating disorders and other addictions, depression and anxiety, identity development, and loss.
Lawrence Helmbrecht, PhD: Lawrence received a B.A. in Psychology in 1980, and an M.A. in Educational Psychology in 1986, from the University of Minesota. In 1990 he received a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin. Larry is a licensed psychologist who does individual, relationship, and group interventions. He enjoys working with a diverse population of clients and presenting concerns. Away from work his interests and activities include the outdoors, gardening, the Arts, and solitude.
Donna Hunter, MA, LPC: Donna is originally from New Jersey where she completed her graduate training at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. She enjoys working with college students and has a special interest in family therapy and traumatology.
Shaney McCoy, M.Ed.: Shaney received a B.S. in Psychology from Arizona State University and an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology with emphasis on Professional Counseling from the University of Utah. Although Shaney has a background in the fields of community mental health and substance abuse, she particularly enjoys the university counseling center environment because of her interest in the wide variety of challenges that clients present with, including those related to self-esteem, identity development, stress, trauma history, anxiety and depression. Shaney has a special interest in helping with challenges associated with domestic violence. Additionally, Shaney is a member of the LGBTQ Affirmative Therapists Guild of Utah and has experience and training in helping clients in areas of sexual orientation, as well as issues related to HIV status including living well with HIV, practicing safer sex and special challenges for serodiscordant couples. Outside of work, her alter ego is that of a singer-songwriter who performs frequently throughout the area. She also enjoys reading, hiking, yoga and playing with her puppy.
Craig A. Oreshnick, PhD: Craig is a licensed psychologist with special interests in wellness and depression. Craig has been with Weber State since 1992. He received his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Washington (Seattle) in 1982. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Iowa State University in 1986 and 1991, respectively. Craig completed his predoctoral internship at the University of Utah Counseling Center. Lastly, Dr. O holds adjunct faculty positions in the departments of Child & Family Studies and Psychology.
Tamara Robinette, LCSW: Tamara completed her Bachelor degree at Weber State University (1982) and her Master in Social Work degree from the University of Utah (1986). She completed the licensing requirements to be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 1988. She has worked primarily in the field of sexual abuse, treating both victims and perpetrators, but she also has extensive experience working with all forms of abuse, including domestic violence, physical and emotional abuse, rape and assault. Her experience includes working with children, adolescents and adults. She has worked in various settings, including out-patient service agencies, group homes and correction centers. Before coming to Weber State University, Tamara worked at LDS Family Services where her focus was primarily on relationship problems, depression, anxiety and abuse resolution.
Jennette Wood, MSW, LCSW: Jennette is a graduate of Weber State University receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work in 1985. She obtained her Master of Social Work degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas in 1986. She has experience working with a wide population of clients. She enjoys providing individual, family and group services and has extensive experience in a variety of areas including substance abuse, domestic violence, grief and loss, adjustment problems as well as anxiety and depression. She has a particular interest in working with Weber State’s diverse group of students and staff.