About the Counseling Center

The Counseling Center is an integral part of the Emerson community, providing services to both undergraduate and graduate students. It is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services.

The Center's clinical staff is composed of three licensed psychologists, two licensed clinical social workers, and two part-time consulting psychiatrists. The Center offers brief individual psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and the option of group therapy. When appropriate, we also provide referrals to outside agencies/clinicians for longer term therapy and/or psychiatric evaluation.

Senior staff members consult regularly with the Residence Life staff and other College personnel regarding their questions and concerns about student behavior. Senior staff and trainees also provide outreach programming for students and staff members on a variety of topics (e.g., stress management, relationships, and computer addiction).

Mission and Philosophy

Our primary goal is to help students fully develop their intellectual, emotional, and social potential. We believe that your psychological development is affected by your personal history and the larger social, cultural, and physical environment. Our work is focused on helping students prevent, reduce, or eliminate emotional and psychological barriers that may interfere with this developmental process. It is a sign of strength to explore personal concerns and feelings in therapy, and we regard your concerns with respect, curiosity, and interest.

Our Services

At the ECCC, we provide brief psychotherapy for students as individuals, couples, and groups, as well as consultation to faculty, staff, and concerned friends and family as needed. We provide training and outreach to the campus community to contribute to the creation of a healthy campus environment in which students can thrive. The ECCC is committed to creating and maintaining an open and accepting environment in which all clients feel welcomed and valued.

Confidentiality

At the ECCC, we care about protecting your privacy, and believe that counseling is most effective when students feel comfortable speaking openly with their counselor. Under ordinary circumstances, no one outside the ECCC is given any information—even the fact that you have been seen here—without your written consent. There are a few exceptions to confidentiality that your counselor will discuss with you in your initial session. These typically refer to situations in which safety is a concern.

Counseling Center Staff

All staff members are committed to using a developmental framework that validates the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and spiritual aspects of undergraduate and graduate students.

• Elise Z. Harrison, Ph.D, LMFT

  Elise Harrison is the Director of the Counseling Center. Elise is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She received her MS and 6th year degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. In addition, she earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from University of Connecticut. Elise has 17 years of experience in college counseling and recently joined Emerson from her previous position at Fairfield University in Fairfield Connecticut. Elise works from a Strength-based approach incorporating mindfulness and Brief Solution-focused therapy. She has worked extensively with eating disorders, substance issues, relationship issues, grief, and adjustment to life transitions. Elise majored in Anthropology in undergraduate school and continues to love experiencing different cultures, particularly world music and folk dance. She loves spending time growing food and flowers and getting out onto the water kayaking. Since arriving at Emerson, she is having a great time exploring Boston.

• Patricia Challan, PsyD

  Dr. Patricia A. Challan is the Associate Director of the Counseling Center. She also serves as the Director of Training. Patty received her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Patty has 15 years of experience in college counseling, as well as specific training in child and adolescent psychotherapy. Patty’s clinical interests include mindfulness, expressive art therapy, play therapy, and the personal and professional development of mental health trainees. Patty has been at Emerson since October 2003, and she is inspired by the creativity, passion, and talent of Emerson students. A native of New Jersey, Patty is a writer who enjoys reading, entertaining her energetic cats, being at the ocean as much as possible, and listening to music.

• Jenn Brandel, LICSW

  Jenn Brandel, LICSW, has been an Emerson College staff social worker since 2006. She received her MSW from Boston University School of Social Work. Jenn has worked with adolescents and young adults as both a clinician and a health educator for more than 15 years. Jenn's clinical interests include work around harm reduction and Buddhist psychology; healthy sexuality; relationships; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues; STDs; and HIV. Jenn relies heavily on her sense of humor and spends much of her time writing, playing video games, watching The Daily Show and Adventure Time, and goofing around with her daughter.

• Emily Inglesi, PsyD

  Dr. Emily Inglesi has been with the Emerson College Counseling Center since August, 2011. She received her PsyD in clinical psychology from Argosy University, Washington, DC and her MA in journalism from NYU. Before working at various college mental health centers, Emily was a travel writer and interior design editor—experiences that have enriched her current clinical work with the creative Emerson community. Emily integrates mindfulness and humor into her therapy approach, and her clinical interests include relationship dynamics, working with international students, body image issues, anxiety and stress management, and helping clients navigate life transitions. In her leisure time, Emily loves taking her energetic dog on walking adventures, exploring places near and far, getting lost in art museums, and watching everything from indie films to Three's Company reruns.

• Kerri Murphy, PhD

  Dr. Kerri Murphy is a staff psychologist at the Counseling Center. She earned a master's degree in mental health counseling and a PhD in counseling psychology from Boston College. Kerri has worked in various college mental health settings and acute residential and partial hospital programs, where she has enjoyed combining relational approaches with more mindfulness and behaviorally based therapies. Kerri also enjoys teaching and is an adjunct faculty member at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Boston College. Her research focuses on the intersections of student engagement, career development, and mental health of underserved adolescents and young adults. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, who bravely let her try out new recipes on them; to spend time outdooors hiking and swimming; and traveling to visit family living overseas.

• Sarah Weintraub, Ph.D.

  Dr. Sarah Weintraub is a part-time staff psychologist at the Counseling Center. She first worked with Emerson students as a psychology intern in 2004 and is excited to be back! Sarah received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Boston College and her Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has worked in various college, community mental health, and VA settings. Sarah enjoys working with Emerson students, and integrates relational and acceptance-based approaches in therapy. Her clinical and research interests include mindfulness and acceptance; healing from trauma and post-traumatic growth; relationships and empowerment; and the ways in which race, class, culture, and gender affect identity and relationships. For fun, Sarah likes to be outside, sing songs with her daughter, and listen to the Coffee House on Emerson Radio.

• Maureen Crowley, BA

  Maureen Crowley has been the staff assistant at the Counseling Center since May 2006. She received her BA in social and rehabilitative services from Assumption College. Maureen spent more than 10 years as a healthcare recruiter and several years at Merrimack College before coming to Emerson. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running around Lake Quannapowitt, and exploring Boston by foot. She loves working in the Theatre District and being around the creative Emerson students.

• Meghan Blattner, MA

  Meg Blattner is a graduate intern at the Counseling Center and in her second year of the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program at Boston College. Meg previously attended Boston College and received both her Masters in Counseling Psychology with a certificate in Human Rights and International Justice and her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Human Development and Economics. Her most recent clinical work was with the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, where she provided individual and family therapy for children and adults. Meg uses a mixture of relational techniques, mindfulness practices, and playful energy in her clinical work. In her free time, Meg enjoys crafting, dancing, wearing brightly colored clothing, and participating in her church community.

• Craig D. DiGiovanni, MA

  Craig is a graduate intern at the Counseling Center and second-year counseling psychology doctoral student at Boston College. He earned his B.S. in chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and M.A. in mental health counseling at Boston College. Craig’s previous clinical experience focused on LGBTQ youth. His research interests include sexual orientation identity development through a social psychology perspective and its intersection with mental health. He has also worked extensively with Gay-Straight Alliances in Massachusetts high schools. In his spare time, Craig enjoys running, swimming, cooking with friends, traveling, listening to indie folk, and tracing his Irish, Italian, and Lithuanian roots.

• Daniel Wolfson, BA

  Dan is a graduate intern at the Counseling Center and currently working on obtaining his Psy.D. from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. Prior to joining Emerson College, Dan worked in a number of clinical settings, functioning as a counselor for public high school students needing increased emotional and behavioral support, a group facilitator for bereaved youth, and a clinical educator at a school providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities on McLean Hospital’s campus. Dan is a Massachusetts native, but attained his undergraduate degree from Skidmore College, and highly encourages people to spend a weekend enjoying what Saratoga Springs, NY has to offer. He also enjoys snowboarding and live music, and looks forward to being a part of the Emerson community.