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Staff
MEET OUR STAFF
A disclaimer about electronic email: We discourage any student to communicate through email regarding personal problems. With the nature of email, we cannot guarantee your confidentiality, nor do we operate on a 24 hour basis, so we cannot guarantee that your email will be read and answered in a timely manner. We prefer and suggest that students make a face-to-face appointments with a counselor to discuss specific needs.
Director
David J. Denino, LPC, NCC
Associate Director
Elaine Allen, MTS, MSW, LCSW
Staff Counselors
Michelle A. Lawler, MS , LPC, NCC
Michael Momparler, MSW, LCSW, BCD
Denise L. Zack, MS, LPC, NCC
David J. Denino, LPC., NCC top
Director
Office Phone: 392-5475
Adjunct Faculty, Counseling and School Psychology
A.B.D., Educational Leadership - Counseling Psychology, University of Connecticut
M.S., Counseling Psychology, Southern Connecticut State University
Theoretical Orientation:
William Glasser - Reality Therapy with the goal of helping the individual achieve autonomy; Rogers - Person Centered approach and a focus on the clients responsibility and capacity to discover ways to more fully encounter reality.
Professional Interests:
College Student Development, Psychology of Career Development, Multicultural concerns, support groups, college teaching.
Mental Health Philosophy:
A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt may sum up the experiences, both developmental and educational, that college students have the opportunity to take advantage of: "The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."
Elaine Allen, MTS, MSW, LCSW top
Associate Director
Office Phone: 392-5475
Post-Graduate Certificate in Clinical Practice, Smith College
Master of Social Work, University of North Carolina
Master of Theological Studies, Duke University
Theoretical Orientation: Strengths-oriented, empowerment approach, drawing on cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, family systems, narrative, and psychodynamic perspectives. Active, collaborative, non-directive style. I view therapy as an experiential learning process in which students can test hypotheses about themselves, identify and let go of self-defeating behaviors, and practice new, more fulfilling ways of relating to themselves and others.
Professional Interests: Anxiety, depression, graduate student development, gender issues, sexual orientation, sexual assault and abuse, relationship and family of origin issues. Modalities include individual, couples, and group psychotherapy, as well as development and support of student-initiated peer education, peer counseling, and community-building activities.
Mental Health Philosophy: Self-acceptance is the foundation for self-change. By honoring the healthy intention (a longing for connection, competence, or self-preservation) underlying even our most negative and self-defeating behaviors, we can develop the self-compassion and confidence necessary for risking positive change.
In counseling sessions, I work to create a safe, respectful environment in which students can allow themselves to acknowledge, express, and examine all aspects of their inner conflicts and concerns. We work together to identify and clarify internal and external stumbling blocks and to develop the strengths and skills necessary for resolving problems, overcoming fears, and making desired changes.
Michelle A. Lawler, MS , LPC, NCC top
Associate Counselor
Office Phone 392-5475
E-mail: LAWLERM1@scsu.edu
M.S., Counseling Psychology, Southern Connecticut State University
B.A., Mass Communication & English, St. Bonaventure University
Theoretical Orientation: Eclectic--focusing on the whole person connecting the mind-body and spirit--uses theories and interventions that best suit the client and his/her needs. My emphasis is on Carl Roger's Person Centered Theory, Spiritual Solution Based Therapy, Constructive Narrative Therapy, existentialism (finding meaning in the world) and others that reflect on the resilience and strengths of individuals. (Milton Erikson, Bill O'Hanlon, Don Michebaum, Virginia Fry, Bessel van der Kolk, Matthew Selekman, Carl Jung, Victor Frankl, Erik Erickson, etc.)
Professional Interests: Grief, bereavement, trauma, critical incidents, spirituality, women's issues, self-esteem, and stress management.
Certification in: Critical Stress Management, Red Cross Mental Health Disaster Training, Suicide Prevention, Grief and Sexual Assault.
Member of: Connecticut State Crisis Response Team, National Certified Counselors, American Counseling Association and Connecticut Counseling Association. President-elect of CT Mental Health Counselor Association.
Mental Health Philosophy: "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past; not to worry about the future but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." Buddha
"To Thine Own Self Be True..."
Michael Momparler, MSW, LCSW, BCD top
Associate Counselor
Campus Phone: 392-5482
B.A. Psychology, University of South Florida
M.S.W. Simmons College of School of Social Work
Certified Sex Therapist, Yale Human Sexuality Program, Yale Medical School
Theoretical Orientation:
Existential, psycho-dynamic, inter-personal, cognitive-behavioral, gestalt, directive, eclectic, spiritual and pragmatic.
Professional Interests:
Human sexuality, gender issues, multi-culturism, leadership, meta-physics.
Mental Health Philosophy:
Understanding and appreciating the importance of offering a caring environment that encourages a sense of psychological, emotional, physical safety and acceptance;
"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." Forrest Gump
Denise L. Zack, MS, LPC, NCC top
Assistant Counselor
Office Phone: 392-5475
M.S. Counseling Psychology, Southern Connecticut State University
B.S., Human Development and Family Relations, University of Connecticut
Theoretical Orientation:
Cognitive Behavioral therapy with major emphasis on the here and now; Adlerian Psychotherapy focusing on how the past affects the present. For in-depth and lifelong struggles, I combine past and present - looking at, but not dwelling on, the past to determine how it affects our present day life. If we can unlock the doors to our past, and address unhealthy patterns, we can begin to reconcile these maladaptive patterns and live more fully and with more satisfaction in the present.
Professional Interests: Support groups, depression, anxiety, gender identity issues, empowerment and self-esteem, grief and loss, transitions, life planning/career counseling and educational programming.
Mental Health Philosophy:
"Think well...feel well...live well". Our thoughts have a central impact on how we feel and consequently how we act. If we can explore, understand and change unhealthy thought processes, we can then change negative emotional patterns and ultimately make behavioral changes that are empowering and positive.
Carol Domorod top
Administrative Assistant
Office Phone: 392-5475
B.A. English, University of New Haven
Professional Orientation: Carol has been a member of the university community for the past seven years. Her educational background and experience here at the university has well prepared her for the challenges and intricacies of working with sensitive and confidential student issues. She joined University Counseling Services in 2003. Prior to her joining the department Carol was the secretary in Student Supportive Services where she assisted in the day to day work load of various programs, including but not limited to, Campus Tutorial and Writing Centers, International Student Services and the Supported Education Programs.
Her administrative and interpersonal skills lend to the difficult task of managing high volume phone calls, walk-ins and emergency situations that arise in the office. She is able to communicate effectively and sensitively to students in distress and quickly direct the student to the help they need, whether it be an appointment with a counselor, information regarding career assessment, or referral to another department on campus.
Carol manages the daily flow of appointments making sure students' needs are met regarding services in the department. Student, faculty, staff and parent inquiries are handled in a professional, caring and timely manner. She is an integral part of the Counseling Services team.
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