Counseling Center Staff

Carnessca Butler earned her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Northern Illinois University in 2009 and is licensed in the State of Ohio. Following graduation she worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, schools and jails. Carnessca is excited to help individuals recognize their strengths and areas for growth to improve their overall quality of life. She is passionate about providing therapy to culturally and ethnically diverse populations. Her areas of interest include but are not limited to depression, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, cultural integration and identity development.

Jared Boot (he/him) earned his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from The Michigan School of Psychology, and he is a fourth-year doctoral in Clinical Psychology at The Michigan School of Psychology. Jared practices from an integrative framework drawing primarily from cognitive-behavioral and existential-humanistic schools of therapy. He is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and brings a feminist multicultural lens into his therapeutic work. Jared has particular interests in identity formation/development, gender and sexuality affirmative therapy, and working with individuals with OCD and anxiety-related concerns. 

Ms. Cramer received her Master of Social Work from the Ohio State University in 2003.  She completed her bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology from the University of Toledo in 1997.  Stephanie has previous experience working with children, families and adults in the mental health, foster care and disability arenas.  She has several years of case management experience and is excited to be working with a diverse student population.   Her job is to help students identify needs and supports, navigate university procedures, and coordinate support services both on and off campus.   

Riley received her bachelor's degree in Education focusing on Individual Studies from Bowling Green State University in May of 2020. Currently, Riley is a graduate student at Bowling Green State University in her second year of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Riley loves being a part of the BGSU community. Areas of interest that Riley is expanding knowledge upon are depression, anxiety, women's issues, grief and loss. 

Dr. Hathaway earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2005, and she is a licensed psychologist in the State of Ohio.  She worked in Counseling Centers in Missouri and Tennessee during her training, then joined the BGSU Counseling Center in 2005.  She started as a therapist and liaison between the Counseling Center and Residence Life, and she coordinated educational programming for the Center for many years.  In 2019 she became Assistant Director of the Counseling Center, serving as an administrator for clinical/counseling services.  She is passionate about training and coordinates the experience for our Graduate Assistants in Psychology.  As a therapist, she works with students with a wide variety of presenting problems, and she is especially interested in women's issues, relational issues, and trauma.  She is committed to diversity and social justice, and trained with the National Coalition-Building Institute, a diversity education organization.

Phil Hughes earned his Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Bowling Green State University in 2013 and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2009 from the University of Cincinnati. Before joining the Counseling Center, Phil worked in community mental health settings providing services to children, adolescents, and adults.  At the center, Phil is the coordinator for Community Intervention or outreach, as some individuals call it, on campus. He has served on several state counseling divisions that focus specifically on LGBTQ+ issues in counseling, counseling in college counseling centers, and spiritual/religious issues in counseling. Some of his areas of interest are affirmative therapy, anxiety, depression, and LGBT issues.  In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing video games, watching movies, and baking.

Kate earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Heidelberg University in 2014 and is licensed in the state of Ohio as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a supervising designation. Kate has worked as the Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Specialist at the BGSU Counseling Center since 2018 and has previous experience working with adolescents and adults in a community mental health setting. She has core clinical training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and uses an integrated approach to counseling that centers on Cognitive-Behavioral interventions. Her areas of special interest include substance use and behavioral addiction, trauma, and personality disorders.

Zachary Silverman is a Graduate Assistant, currently working towards his doctoral degree from Bowling Green State University. He received his bachelor’s from Michigan State University in 2016, working in education before enrolling in his doctoral studies. His research is primarily focused on members of community-based organizations, and the psychological benefits they experience. Zack enjoys working with and supporting a wide range of treatment goals. In his free time, he likes to camp, pick banjo, and play hockey.

Mytien received her Bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in Psychology and Child Development. She is currently a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at Bowling Green State University. She is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion causes and how to incorporate social justice, feminist, and empowerment frameworks into therapy. She is interested in working with trauma, grief/loss, anxiety, and depression.

Bradley is in the fifth year of his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. He received his Master’s degree from the California School of Professional Psychology and his Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Stanislaus in psychology. Bradley has experience working in university counseling centers, inpatient hospitals, and outpatient settings. He has worked with individuals, groups, and families. Bradley enjoys working with his clients to overcome depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, and more. He incorporates interpersonal, humanistic, and multicultural orientations in his clinical work. 

Ms. LaPolt is a graduate of BGSU.  She has lived in Bowling Green for over 35 years.  She enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family.

Denise received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Iowa State University in 2001 and is a licensed psychologist in the state of Ohio. She has worked with college students for most of her career and has experience working with a diversity of clients and client struggles. She specializes in the treatment of individuals with eating disorders, body image, and disordered eating but also frequently works with members of the LGBTQ+ community, with abuse, trauma, and family of origin issues, grief and loss, and spirituality. She has a feminist, interpersonal, multicultural approach to working with her clients and providing supervision. She is active in providing comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy services. Denise currently serves as Assistant Director/Training Director and oversees training programs at the center. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her wife, kids, and menagerie of pets and loves to read and to bake.

Dr. Mitchell-Corsino is a psychologist licensed in Michigan and Ohio. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Detroit Mercy. She completed her Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology and her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has experience working in various settings including college counseling, community mental health, the federal government, and private practice. Dr. Mitchell-Corsino specializes in working with students who identify as being from a marginalized identity. Additionally, she enjoys working with students who are dealing with depression, anxiety, women’s issues, and self-esteem related topics. She practices from a Cognitive Behavioral theoretical orientation and blends in elements of Humanistic and Existential psychology.

Becca earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Dayton. She is currently a doctoral psychology intern enrolled in the Clinical Psychology program at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where she also earned a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. Becca’s previous experience has been with children and adults in higher levels of care (inpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential) and college counseling centers. Her areas of interest include but are not limited to working with the LGBTQ+ population, gender and identity issues, mood-related difficulties, eating and body image difficulties, and interpersonal concerns. She is excited to help students achieve their goals in an affirming and validating environment.

Mrs. Perez enjoys working, interacting and serving the students and staff of BGSU. She is a member of Classified Staff and has worked at the university for 30 years. She enjoys her family life and gardening.

Kaylee is a third-year undergraduate student studying for her BA in Psychology with minors in Human Development and Family Studies and Neuroscience. She is employed part-time at the local domestic and sexual violence shelter, volunteers as a crisis counselor for a national text line, and is involved in several groups on campus. In her spare time, Kaylee loves spending time with her dog, playing video games, and watching her favorite TV shows.   

Bridgett Rivera earned a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Heidelberg University in 2015 and is licensed in the State of Ohio as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. Bridgett has previous experience working in elementary and high school settings as well as community mental health. She also has several years’ experience working with substance abuse disorder and providing medication-assisted treatment. She is excited to bring her education and work experience to campus. Her areas of interest include but are not limited to substance abuse, grief/loss, adjustment, life transitions, women’s issues, depression and anxiety. She utilizes an integrative approach to therapy with an emphasis on person-centered and cognitive behavioral treatment.

Ms. Sherife-Kekulah earned her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from The University of Toledo in 2010 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Ohio.  She also earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater from the University of Toledo. Mandisa sits on the Toledo Pride committee, as well as volunteers her time at PRIDE Center 419.  Mandisa has previous experience working in elementary and high school settings as well as community mental health, with adolescents and adults.  Her areas of interest include but are not limited to anxiety, grief, trauma, interpersonal relationships and empowerment.

Emily earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology in 2021. She has experience working with college students as well as clients ranging in age from preschoolers to middle-aged adults. Emily has experience working in settings including university counseling centers, community mental health, and private practice. Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, identity development, family problems, disability, and social justice issues. Emily practices from an integrated humanistic and intersectional feminist framework and regularly incorporates self-care, self-compassion, and mindfulness into her work. She is committed to forming authentic relationships with her clients and providing them with a space to receive validation, care, and solidarity.

Jessica earned her Master’s degree in Professional Psychology from William James College in Newton, MA, where she is currently enrolled in the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology program. She also holds Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Art Therapy from Ursuline College. Jessica has previous experience working in college counseling, private practice, residential treatment, and rape crisis. Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to the LGBTQIA+ community, survivors of sexual violence, ADHD, learning differences, international students, and issues of identity/identity development.