Tenika earned her Bachelor of Science in May 2016 at Western Connecticut State University. She joined Wesleyan in 2016 as a Public Safety officer, where she developed an enthusiasm for the Wesleyan community. Throughout her career, Tenika has also worked as a 911 Dispatcher and a Social Worker for The Department of Children and Families. She has a strong sense of community and has been part of the Middletown community her whole life. Wesleyan has always been like home to her.

In January 2022, Tenika joined Counseling and Psychology Services (CAPS) as a Case Manager and is very excited to be a part of the team. She is passionate about establishing and maintaining relationships with University staff/faculty, students, and community providers. In this role, she hopes to work with her colleagues to bring a positive light to the importance of mental health and meet the individual needs of each student.

When not working at CAPS, Tenika enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading fiction, listening to music, and learning new recipes.

Dr. D'Andrea is a licensed clinical psychologist who has served as the director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) since June 2011. She earned her Ph.D. from Fordham University in 2003 and completed her postdoctoral specialization at Yale University Medical School. She also has a Master of Education from Boston College and a BA from College of the Holy Cross. Dr. D'Andrea focused her clinical training in the treatment of serious mental illness, the early detection and prevention of psychotic spectrum disorders, and the cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Following completion of her postdoctoral training, she served as the clinical director of a residential treatment facility for adolescent girls, and she spent several years working in a child and adolescent psychiatric hospital in both direct clinical and management capacities. In these arenas, her areas of clinical concentration have included psychotherapy with LGBTQ+ adolescents and survivors of chronic trauma. At Wesleyan CAPS, Dr. D’Andrea initiated and leads the WESupport workshop series and student group, which prepares students to be peer mental health advocates.  When not at CAPS, Dr. D’Andrea enjoys rollerskating with her twin daughters, reading fiction, gardening, and hiking in the national parks.

Allisia Green is a Licensed Professional Counselor who joined the Counseling and Psychological Services team in March 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT in 2012 and then earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Bay Path University in 2016.

Much of Allisia’s experience has been working with the adolescent and emerging adult population both in individual outpatient and acute care settings, such as extended day treatment and partial hospitalization programs. Allisia takes a person-centered approach really working to meet each student where they are at and working collaboratively to create the best solution focused plan to reach a sense of accomplishment and establishing a sense of purpose. Some areas of specialty for Allisia include working through adjustment to life changes, relationships, self-esteem, and trauma. Allisia is certified in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT) where she has been able to apply and adapt strategies to support the emerging adult population.

In her free time, Allisia enjoys spending time with her family and exploring and trying new foods and restaurants.

I am originally from Connecticut and received my PsyD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Hartford.  I have provided therapy and outreach in college counseling settings throughout my training, and I have a developed a special interest in working with ADHD concerns and students who identify as neurodivergent. 

In therapy, I aim to help you understand your stressors and use your strengths to navigate difficult life transitions and develop healthy and effective coping skills.  I use psychodynamic and interpersonal process approaches to explore your relationships to yourself, others, thoughts, and emotions.  I also enjoy integrating other strategies and skills such as mindfulness, values explorations, self-compassion, and acceptance.  I believe our relationship is the most important and effective tool in therapy, and I aim to be my authentic self while meeting with you.  I value warmth, genuineness, openness, collaboration, and empathic listening throughout treatment to help you feel connected and empowered.  Humor is also a welcome friend in therapy with me when appropriate.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing video games (especially Zelda, Metroid, Smash Bros, etc.), drawing, watching Marvel and Star Wars movies and shows, playing with my small but energized dog named Astro, and keeping up with the running meme chats I have with my wife and friends.

Aleksandra Kinard is a psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioner at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). She earned her masters degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing from Yale University and her BSN from Quinnipiac University. Aleksandra completed her internship at Yale Child Study Center, focusing on developmental psychiatry. In her early career, she worked with high-risk children and adolescents as well as adults struggling with substance use. She has also spent over 4 years working with the underserved population in Middletown. In addition to clinical work, Aleksandra Kinard precepted Yale graduate students and taught nurse practitioner residents specializing in psychiatry and family practice. Areas of specialty include complex trauma, developmental psychiatry, anxiety, and depression. In her work, Aleksandra integrates biological, psychological, and socioeconomic factors to understand an individual’s health. As a former international student, she is familiar with the unique needs of that population.  

When not in CAPS, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, skiing, and exploring new places.

Sarah Powers is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who joined the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) team in March 2019. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut in 2007, and her Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Central Connecticut State University in 2011. She became an American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Approved Supervisor in 2018.

Sarah utilized the beginning of her career exploring the field, working with children and families, to adults involved in the judicial court system with mental illness, and finally to working with Young Adult Services, a program through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) for the State of Connecticut. Here is when she began teaching masters-level MFT students at her alma mater, CCSU, during their clinically intensive internship year. This fulfills her passion for academia, as well as helping students find themselves and internally grow during this very progressive, though transitional, time in their lives.

Sarah specializes in all relationships: intimate, family, peers, occupational interactions, etc. and has completed Level I and Level II in Couple’s Therapy with The Gottman Institute, to deepen her knowledge and clinical training with intimate relationships. She works closely with her clients to increase awareness on how their family history and norms contribute to their current behaviors, interaction styles, internal conflict and symptoms. She believes how we learn to relate to ourselves and others can impact our mood, mental health, and overall functioning. Sarah has completed Level I and Level II of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, which provides tools in better understanding our “true” selves.

When not working, Sarah enjoys writing, working out, as well as time spent with family and friends.

Neal Sardana is a Licensed Professional Counselor who joined Wesleyan CAPS in 2017.   He received a Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in Career Counseling and an emphasis in College Student Development from San Francisco State University.  He has experience in college mental health as a therapist, instructor, consultant, group facilitator, and a social justice advocate.  Neal currently serves as CAPS liaison for Graduate Studies and The Gordon Career Center.  He also collaborates with CAPS staff and The Resources Center to co-facilitate support spaces for BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) and FGLI (First Generation Limited Income) students. 

 

One area of special interest for Neal is career development. Neal understands career development is complex. Career choices can be influenced by our mental health, interests, values, personality, exposure to experiences, identity, and family/societal expectations. He utilizes a holistic, strength based, collaborative approach to help students navigate their career exploration and search process.  

 

Other counseling topics Neal is interested in are: identity development, marginalization and privilege, adjustment into and out of college, personal and romantic relationships, cultural expectations, and toxic masculinity. Neal is very excited to meet and hear the stories of Wesleyan students.  In his free time, he enjoys cooking, tarot card reading, watching sports, and drinking lots of tea.   

Priya is a psychotherapist, sex therapist and sex educator. She joined the Counseling and Psychological Services team in 2018. She completed a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Assumption College. She received certificates of study in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for individuals and families. She completed a 2-year Holistic Sex Therapy training at the Institute for Sexuality Education & Enlightenment and is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist.

Her work recognizes the intersection of sex, relationships / sexual orientation, identity and mental health. Priya is a polyamory, kink and LGBTQIA+ aware psychotherapist and recognizes the curiosities and interests of students within these areas; especially the complexity of emotions that can come up as students choose to explore (or not) during their time at Wes. Priya works closely with the health education office, WesWell, to offer therapeutic support to those affected by intimate partner violence or sexual violence.

During psychotherapy sessions, Priya takes a collaborative and relational approach, believing the student is the expert on themselves and what they feel. She assists the student in identifying patterns…be them of behavior, relationship dynamics, attachment, or others. The student and Priya can then come up with a plan to address the situation. The plan is always based on the student’s interests, experiences and strengths.

In leisure Priya enjoys hiking, flea markets and growing / cooking yummy food for all the hungry folx she loves.

Jennie is a psychotherapist who joined the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office in September 2017.   She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Northeastern University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairfield University.  Prior to joining the staff at Wesleyan University, Jennie built a strong clinical foundation completing her internships at Fairfield University Counseling and Psychological Services, providing psychotherapy and groups to undergrads as well as Fairfield Counseling Services where she worked with adults struggling with PTSD, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety, among other mental health concerns.  Most recently Jennie worked as an Emergency Mobile and Psychological Services (EMPS) clinician providing crisis stabilization to children with complex trauma, suicidal ideation, and mental health and behavioral issues.

Jennie’s passion lies in working with a collegiate population struggling with adjustment, anxiety, addiction, and sexuality.  As a former scholar athlete, Jennie specializes in working with this population, helping them to navigate the rigors of everyday life and academic challenges coupled with the intense demands of their sports.  She uses a pluralistic approach to therapy which builds off of a strong client therapist relationship. 

During her free time Jennie enjoys spending time with her family and playing sports.

Dr. Taylor is a licensed clinical psychologist at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).  She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Kent State University and her BA in psychology from Princeton University.  Dr. Taylor completed her pre-doctoral internship at a community mental health center and her postdoctoral specialization in the adult psychiatry department at a medical center, both located in central California.  In these outpatient clinic settings, as well as the most recent several years in group and private practices in Connecticut, Dr. Taylor has provided individual and group psychotherapy to support individuals overcoming a wide range of psychological challenges. Areas of specialty include disordered eating, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and negative sense of self/body image, etc. Dr. Taylor utilizes an integrative approach to psychotherapy, primarily drawing from mindfulness-based cognitive behavior therapy (MB-CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT), and adapts her approach and the pace to best meet the needs and preferences of each student.

When not at CAPS, and not watching movies, Dr. Taylor most enjoys kicking a soccer ball around and walking through the woods with her kids. 

Sarah earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University's Derner School of Psychology. She previously trained in hospitals, college counseling centers, and a psychoanalytic institute and has worked with a range of populations in these settings. Most recently, Sarah completed her clinical internship at Pace University's Counseling Center. 

Sarah believes that therapy offers the opportunity for individuals to engage with their mind, history, and relationships in new--and sometimes challenging--ways. She practices from an integrative perspective that is largely informed by psychodynamic, interpersonal and person-centered traditions. Most importantly, however, Sarah believes in attending closely to the individuality of each patient in identifying an approach that works best for them. 

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new places, and cooking/eating delicious food.

Muhammad Abubakar is a doctoral level practicum student with a cognitive behavioral focus. He brings an energetic aura into the therapeutic process and emphasizes building a strong, professional rapport with clients. He views therapy as a goal-oriented and collaborative process, in which the client dictates the pace. Muhammad believes therapy plays a crucial role in building healthy relationships and navigating through tough transitions. Working with young adults, Muhammad supports those who have suffered loss as well as those experiencing anxiety and depression. He also provides family counseling to build assertiveness and healthy pathways of communication. Muhammad's interests include issues surrounding disabilities, grief work, and trauma.

Muhammad is a fourth year clinical psychology doctoral student who is pursuing a PhD at Fielding Graduate University. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Connecticut as well as a Master's Degree in Neuroscience from the University of Hartford. His background is in education as a high school teacher in the private sector for  years. Muhammad has worked closely with students who have special needs from diverse backgrounds. His research interests include the effects of trauma, integration of spirituality/religion into mental health, and cultural stigma of pharmacotherapy. Muhammad has presented his research at national conferences including the American Psychological Association, the Association of Psychological Science, and the American College of Forensic Psychology. Prior to joining Wesleyan CAPS his clinical experience focused on anxiety and depression in all ages as well as family and couples therapy. As a practicum student clinician, he is under the supervision of Dr. Cale Kaminsky.

Outside of the clinic, Muhammad enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and reading fantasy novels.

Imani Parks-Williams (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Springfield College. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of New Haven. Imani has gained clinical experience in inpatient substance abuse treatment, community mental health, crisis residential care, as well as adult and child outpatient settings. Imani’s clinical interests include substance abuse, misuse, and moderation, interpersonal/family concerns, treatment for chronic mental illness, mental health within the Black and LGBTQ+ communities with a developing special interest in gender affirming care. Her approach to counseling is rooted in existential therapy though she utilizes an integrative approach featuring both narrative and feminist therapeutic techniques to meet the unique and ever evolving needs of her clients.

In her free time, Imani enjoys being outdoors and seeking out opportunities to hear live music. She is a folk art enthusiast, who likes collecting and interacting with things made by those in her community and other communities she finds herself connecting to. Imani welcomes her clients to bring in their own art as it relates to their identity and the work being done in the counseling space!

Jennifer Tarm (she/they) is a second-generation Asian American psychologist-in-training, educator, and community organizer. She is a 4th-year Counseling Psychology doctoral candidate at Springfield College and received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Southern California. Tarm comes from training experiences supporting marginalized communities in outpatient clinics, schools, college counseling centers, and group private practice. Some of her clinical areas of focus include BIPOC mental health (with an emphasis on the pan-Asian community), gender/power-based harm, 1st & 2nd-gen experiences, and identity development. She also enjoys supporting students who identify as caregivers and community leaders/organizers. Tarm’s healing philosophy is informed by a systemic and relational-cultural perspective. Her approach is also grounded in values of liberation psychology and collective/cultural healing. She honors the contexts of her clients and works collaboratively with them to help them move towards their values, goals, empowerment, rest, and joy. 

Outside of clinical work, Tarm serves as the Director of Partnerships for the Asian Mental Health Project. She energizes and centers herself through activities such as her matcha tea ritual, spending time with loved ones, movement (strength-training, yoga, volleyball, cycling), watching K-dramas and anime, eating comfort food, and naps.