About Us

Lizy joined the staff in July 2016. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Lee University in Cleveland, TN, and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, IL. Lizy grew up in Colorado and California before moving to Tennessee for her bachelor’s degree. She particularly enjoys working in the college setting and helping college students with a variety of mental health concerns. College students are at a unique time in life as they meld life and academics and she wants to help students navigate this season. Her previous clinical experiences include working at Lincoln Christian University Counseling Center and Heartland Community College Counseling Center in central Illinois. Lizy believes that developing a safe and accepting relationship is essential to the counseling process and she has experience working with a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, academic distress, grief, family issues, and trauma. Lizy is working towards licensure as a Professional Counselor. Lizy enjoys spending time with her husband and enjoying the beautiful outdoors when it isn’t too hot. She loves to paint, draw, and write during her free time.

Lacy joined the staff in fall 2017. She holds a B.A. in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina, a M.S. in Psychology from Augusta State University, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia. She began her professional career as the inaugural Coordinator of Suicide Prevention and Crisis Response at the Georgia Institute of Technology Counseling Center and developed a passion for working with college students with a wide variety of concerns. Lacy’s professional interests include suicide prevention and postvention, grief and loss, couples and relationships, group therapy, spirituality, and substance use concerns. She is a QPR Master Trainer, a trained Survivors of Suicide Loss group facilitator, and a past junior board member for the Georgia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, adventuring outdoors, and planning fun surprises.

Bill enjoys working with students across the wide range of issues at the intersection of personal growth, mental health and academic success. He believes that giving oneself permission to find and follow one’s authentic passions is an important first step in living a vital, engaged and fulfilling life. Bill’s professional areas of interest are anxiety, health behavior change and LGBTQ issues. His approach to counseling and psychotherapy draws from cognitive behavioral, interpersonal and mindfulness theories. Bill completed his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his doctoral internship at the University of Florida Counseling Center. He is licensed as a Psychologist in Georgia and North Carolina. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Equality Clinic of Augusta and is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior. He enjoys playing guitar badly, travel and laughter with friends and family. His favorite word is ''imagine'.

Professional Interests: Multicultural counseling competencies, multicultural organizational development, effects of oppression and discrimination on mental health, health and well-being of international students, women’s mental and physical health, identity development, and the mind-body relationship. Elena joined the Augusta University Counseling Center in August, 2015. Elena is originally from Macedonia. She has lived, studied and worked in the US since 1999. Elena has worked with individuals, groups and couples who have needed help with adjustment difficulties, identity development, physical health problems, depression, anxiety, life crises, life transitions, family of origin concerns, and problems in interpersonal relationships. Prior to moving to joining Augusta University, Elena worked as a staff psychologist at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for seven years, and prior to that she lived in Muncie, Indiana where she was completed her predoctoral internship at the Ball State University Counseling Center. Prior to that, Elena lived in Auburn, Alabama while working on her doctoral degree, and had clinical experience in both the college counseling setting and community mental health setting. While working on her master’s degree in Edwardsville, Illinois, Elena obtained clinical experience in a hospital setting in Skopje, Macedonia. As a staff psychologist, Elena focuses on creating a collaborative and supportive relationship with the student and on empowering the student to discover and create resources and personal strengths to solve problems, make new meanings out of life circumstances and events, as well as advocate for him or herself in difficult situations. Academic Training: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University, MA in Clinical-Adult Psychology from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, BA in Psychology from Graceland University. Personal Interests ; Elena likes the outdoors and walking. One of her hobbies is jewelry making and learning about gems and gemology. She finds it very important to have good communication with and to support her immediate family members who live in Macedonia.

A recent graduate of Augusta University, Traci Westin became a part-time counselor in August 2017 after completing her master's of education in clinical mental health counseling. While she was in the counselor education program, Traci served as the graduate assistant, practicum counselor, and counselor intern at SCAPS. Before following her gifts of empathy and positive regard to the counseling field, she spent nearly two decades as a newspaper editor. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in mass communication from Winthrop University. As a counselor, Traci integrates her journalism background by helping her clients make meaning of their own stories. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside college students as they learn the significance of caring for their mental health, often for the first time. As a former college softball player, Traci has a particular interest in student athletes and the unique challenges they face as they strive to succeed on the playing field and in the classroom. Traci enjoys life in Augusta with her husband and rescue dogs. 

Gwen began working in the Counseling Center February 1, 1995, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience in the Administration field. Gwen manages the daily operations of the Counseling Center, she greets students when they come to the Center, makes sure they fill out the proper paperwork and assist them in getting the help they need. Gwen also schedule appointments using Titanium a computerized program for the Director and Counseling Center staff, including Graduate Assistant and Intern. Additionally, Gwen is responsible for the client database, scoring and preparation of the Myers and Strong Interest Inventory Assessments, and other administrative duties. Gwen also provides training and supervision of two student workers.

Charlette joined the staff in August 2017. She graduated from Paine College in May 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and from Troy University in December 2010 with a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management. She has worked previously in the field of Social Service as a Social Service Case Manager with the Department of Family and Children Services and as a Family Service Worker with CSRA EOA Head start. She has a heart for helping others which led her to the Augusta Care Pregnancy Center; a non- profit organization. In January 2012, Charlette became a trained Volunteer for the Augusta Care Pregnancy Center. Several months later she obtained a position as an Office Associate. Charlette enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and loves to shop, travel, read and volunteer.  

Kate is working as a Graduate Assistant while pursuing her M.Ed. in Counselor Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Previously, she worked at a refugee resettlement agency in Atlanta for three years after obtaining her undergraduate degree in Anthropology. Her experience working with refugees fueled a passion for advocacy and outreach, especially concerning mental health care for marginalized populations. Kate is passionate about reducing the stigma associated with mental health and helping people realize they aren’t alone in their struggles. Kate is a native Augustan and tries to give back to the community by volunteering with local organizations. She loves spending time outside hiking, playing volleyball, and keeping up with her husband while cycling. On lazy days, she enjoys reading and playing video games.