Gary DeGroot, Ph.D.
Director | Email

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and have been working with college students in a college counseling center setting for the last 25 years. My theoretical orientation is described as integrative, as it uses humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral principles and techniques. The type of therapy used with my clients largely depends on my clients’ needs, their personality style, and finding an intervention that will best fit and be the most effective. I place emphasis on helping my clients identify and change less effective patterns in their life by addressing difficult issues developed early on, which tend to continue into their adulthood. In therapy, clients will learn methods/techniques that will enable them to make beneficial life changes leading towards positive growth.
As this is my 22nd year at MCAPS, I have extensive experience working with diverse student populations with a variety of issues. Some of my clinical interests and work have been in the areas of grief and bereavement, depression/anxiety, and biracial concerns. As I continue to work with the college student population, I look forward to helping students work through personal issues and experiences, to grow as individuals and to meet the goals they have set for themselves.

 Education: B.A. from Loyola Marymount University, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology

Notable Training and Experience: Over the 20+ years I have practiced, I have attended many conferences and trainings, including national conferences for directors of university counseling centers (Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors and Organization of Counseling Center Directors in Higher Education), and trainings focused on culture and diversity, law and ethics in psychology and more. I have specialized training in grief and bereavement.

Louise Haas 
Administrative Services Manager | Email

I was born and raised in Oxford, England but have called California my home for almost thirty years. Prior to joining the Claremont Colleges Services I worked in the medical field for over twenty-five years and have had experience in a variety of different roles. I am a proud “mum” to two daughters who are both college students themselves. My time away from work is spent with my family; we love to camp at the beach and explore the outdoors.

Fiona Vajk, Ph.D.
Assistant Director / Training Director | Email

My approach to brief individual therapy is to help individuals draw from their strengths, in order to explore possibilities for change and growth, taking into account each person’s unique life experiences and cultural background. My particular areas of specialty are sexual assault/abuse, multicultural and international issues, identity development, women’s issues, body image concerns, mindfulness/meditation, and relationship issues. I am currently the MCAPS liaison to Pitzer College.  I serve on the Institutional Review Board for Scripps College, and the CCRT Team for the EMPOWER Center.

 Education: B.A. from Princeton University, M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from University of Colorado at Boulder

Notable Training and Experience: I have published several articles and book chapters, and have presented at conferences in subjects including mood disorders, supervision of therapists, hidden disabilities, and international counseling. I have attended the Association of Counseling Center Training Directors Conference for 9 years, the National Multicultural Conference and Summit for 3 years, and the NaBITA Conference and Threat Management Institute for 2 years. I am NaBITA Certified in Campus Threat Management. I am also fluent in French and I served in the Peace Corps in Africa.

Carrie Park, Psy.D. 
Senior Staff Psychologist | Email

I have been a member of the Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services staff since 2008. I am licensed as a psychologist in the state of CA and have trained and worked at a number of college counseling centers. In my counseling center experience, I’ve enjoyed working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, focusing on the individual’s unique experience while challenging those thoughts and behaviors which may be maladaptive. My theoretical orientation draws largely from humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and feminist therapy. My areas of special interest include adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, women’s issues, identity development, and GLBTQIA concerns. I am currently the MCAPS liason to Scripps College and serve as the MCAPS outreach coordinator.

Education:  B.S. at the University of Florida; M.S. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University

Notable Training and Experience: I have attended the past three editions of the biennial National Multicultural Conference and Summit, attending sessions on subjects such as Integrated Care for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students within the University Health System, Counseling African American Women Interpersonal Trauma Survivors, Addressing Racial Microaggressions in Therapy, Intersectional Stress and Survival among Queer People of Color, and more. I have also attended conferences focused specifically on serving transgender students and the Association for Women in Psychology.

Vilma Fuentes, Psy.D.
Senior Staff Psychologist | Email

My approach to brief individual therapy is eclectic, even though I draw largely on Humanistic and Cognitive Behavioral approaches. I support my clients through their journey of personal growth by helping them identify and nurture their inner strengths while learning to modify and change unproductive thought patterns. I provide an accepting environment where my clients feel safe to explore their concerns and increase their sense of self-mastery through the development of self-accountability. My areas of interest include multicultural counseling, anxiety, depression, spirituality, family of origin issues, and women’s issues.

 Education: B.A. from CSU San Bernardino, M.S. in Counseling from CSU Fullerton, M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University, and Psy.D. from Alliant International University

Notable Training and Experience: I am bilingual in Spanish and English. I have experience in forensic psychology. I have also presented training seminars for post-doctoral therapists on topics such as working with Chicano/Latino students and working with non-traditional aged students.

Sean Cheng, Ph.D.
Senior Staff Psychologist | Email

I am excited to join the staff at Monsour Counseling and Psychological services and have 10 years of experience working in college counseling centers My approach to counseling can be described as an integration of humanistic, interpersonal, and existential approaches within a multicultural framework. Although I identify as a generalist, I have particular specialties in working with concerns specific to Asian Americans, cultural adjustment of international students, ADHD, racial identity formation, career issues, and men’s issues. Currently, I am the MCAPS Liason to Pomona College.

Education: B.A. at Pomona College, Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Notable Training and Experience: I was a presenter at the 20^th, 22^nd and 23^rd Annual Dennis H. May Conference on Diversity Issues and the Role of Counseling Centers. I was also the 2016 Outstanding Asian American Faculty/Staff Award at University of Illinois at Urbana Campaign.

Anneka Busse, Psy.D.
Crisis Therapist/Care Manager | Email

As the Crisis Therapist, I provide crisis therapy and case management services for students. I focus on providing a safe, supportive, and empathic space in therapy, so you can use your strengths to overcome whatever challenges you may be facing. My clinical experiences have been primarily at community mental health agencies and university counseling centers, including University of California Riverside Counseling Center and the University of Los Angeles Center of Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States. Currently, I am the MCAPS Liason to Harvey Mudd College, the leader of the Case Management Working Group at the 7C’s and I serve on the CCRT Team for the EMPOWER Center.

Education:  B.A. from CSU Channel Islands, M.M.F.T. from the University of Southern California, Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.

Notable Training and Experience: I am a certified College and University Suicide Prevention Specialist through the American Association of Suicidology and the JED Foundation. I am also NaBITA Certified in Campus Threat Management.  I have presented research at the Western Psychological Association Conference and trainings at the 5C Student Affairs Conference. I am also a member of the Higher Education Case Managers Association.

Mary Weber, M.A.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Staff Therapist | Email

Being a student at any age can be both an exciting and challenging time.  My approach to therapy is to provide a safe environment to explore issues in which the goals of therapy are tailored to each individual’s concerns. I want my clients to feel they are gaining new tools and insights in order to cope with life’s transitions and hardships. I use several therapeutic modalities to assist clients in addressing issues, including Integrative Therapy, Family Systems Theories, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Interventions. I am the Liaison to the Queer Resource Center and provide drop in hours at the QRC. My areas of interest include addiction Issues, spiritual Issues, LGBTQ Issues which includes Gender Identity Issues, Family and Couples Issues, multicultural counseling, depression, anxiety, and adjustment issues. Please click this link to find out more about Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.

 Education: B.A. from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Notable Training and Experience: I was awarded The Westminster John Knox Press Award for Creative Integration of Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy. Notable trainings and conferences I have attended include the World Professional Association for Transgender Health: 2017: Best Practices in Medical and Mental Health Care; Kentucky School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies and Prevention Research Institute, Motivational Interviewing, Modified Group Psychotherapy, Mindfulness and Psychotherapy.

Michelle Chan, M.A.
LMFT, Case Manager | Email

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. I have worked for various nonprofit organizations and schools, servicing students and clients of all ages and backgrounds. At Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services, my goal is to empower students by providing them with knowledge and information, so that they can better understand their needs and seek the right kind of support for them. I hope to be able to help students succeed and achieve their personal and academic goals.

 Education: B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles, M.A. from Alliant International University.

Notable Training and Experience: I am trained in Seeking Safety and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am also a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and Asian Professional Exchange.

Grant Goodman, Ph.D.
ADHD/LD Therapist| Email

As the ADHD/LD therapist at MCAPS I offer support and consultation to students dealing with learning differences. I provide screenings for ADHD and learning disorders and advocate for students as they work to succeed academically. I also assist students with receiving academic coaching and academic, cognitive, and neuropsychological testing. I approach therapy from a time limited dynamic psychotherapy model and I also employ techniques from interpersonal therapy as well as acceptance and commitment therapy. I strive to create a safe space in therapy for students to understand themselves more deeply and understand how their early life experiences impacted their current way of interacting with the world. I work collaboratively with individuals on fostering growth and helping them to thrive in their roles as students. My areas of interest include anxiety disorders, multicultural issues, academic difficulties, group therapy, interpersonal growth, and identity formation.

 Education: B.A. from Cedarville University, M.A. in Psychology and Ph.D. in Clinicial Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

Notable Training and Experience: I have presented research focused on attention, memory and learning at conferences, including the National Academy of Neuropsychology Conference. I also have provided working memory training to children in a private practice setting.              

Dana Reyes, Psy.D.
Senior Staff Psychologist |E-mail

I am a licensed clinical psychologist, I earned both my master’s and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. I have provided clinical services to diverse populations in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, community mental health centers, and at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. I have experience working with a wide range of mental health concerns. Although I consider myself a generalist, my clinical interests include working with students of color, survivors of sexual trauma, and working with relationship issues particularly with interracial couples. An emerging area of specialty is working with students with disordered eating. I am part of the Eating Disorder Task Force. My approach to therapy is strengths based. I work from a time limited dynamic psychotherapy perspective to help students understand themselves and their relational patterns better. I strive to help students utilize their individual strengths and feel empowered in their lives. I am currently the liaison on the Chicano Latinx Student Affairs Office, Claremont McKenna College, and Claremont Graduate University.

Education (college, grad schools, degrees): B.A. at California State University, San Bernardino, M.A. in Clinical Psychology emphasis on Family Systems and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology emphasis on Family Systems at Azusa Pacific University

Notable Training and Experience:  I won the Dissertation award for dissertation that most represents family systems (Awarded by APU). Dissertation title: How Facial Affect Influences Perceived Self-Awareness in Couples.  I spent a summer abroad doing clinical work at a group home in Kenya, Africa. I have worked with several student organizations such as Queer People of Color and have had specialty supervision training in Latinx Cultural Dynamics and Behavioral Medicine.

Melissa Lamoureux, MS, LMFT, LPCC
Licensed Marriage and Famly Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor/Staff Therapist |E-mail

I believe in working collaboratively with my clients, empowering you to explore your life on a deeper level, helping you discover how you can create the life you want, and supporting you as you begin taking those steps. My approach to therapy can be described as eclectic as I draw from various approaches to best support you as a client, including Humanistic, Existential, Mindfulness, Family Systems, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Education: B.A. from University of San Diego with a double major in Ethnic Studies and Psychology; M.S. in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton.

Notable Training and Experience: As a generalist, I have worked in a variety of settings with many different populations including in-patient mental health, school-based K-12 mainstream and IEP, continuation high school, community centers, and non-profits. I have experience working with all ages (children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults), individuals, families, couples, people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Nirmala Gratton, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Staff Therapist |E-mail

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California. I have worked in non-profit organizations with co-occurring disorders and substance abuse. I am invested in meeting clients where they are and assisting them to create unique and independent solutions to their concerns. I aim to foster independence and self-efficacy in my clients. My approach to therapy is eclectic, existential and solution focused. However, I also provide Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Seeking Safety. I enjoy working with all clients and welcome their personal and cultural diversity. I am particularly interested in depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, eating disorders, working with LGBTQ clients.

Education: B.A. Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield England, United Kingdom; M.S. University of La Verne, La Verne California, United States of America.

Notable Training and Experience: I am former registered mental health nurse, and clinical nurse specialist in substance abuse in England, United Kingdom. I am trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Stephanie Covington’s, trauma informed approaches for women. Additionally, I have training and experience with Motivational Interviewing.

Anushree Belur, Psy.D.
Post-Doctoral Therapist | E-mail

Therapy is a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement. My role as a therapist is to support you in this journey by creating a safe place for you to process your thoughts and emotions, and to help you explore and develop coping skills to change unhelpful patterns of behaviors. I have primarily worked with adults who have experienced anxiety, depression, academic concerns, relationship issues, trauma, and grief and loss. Additionally, I have worked with students exploring their identity from an intersectional and multicultural perspective. I integrate humanistic and cognitive behavior therapy approaches along with mindfulness practices, as mindfulness has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and depressive symptoms. I strongly believe that individuals are experts on themselves, and therefore, focus on tailoring therapy to meet my clients’ needs.

Education: B.A. from University of California, Los Angeles; M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles.

Notable Training and Experience: I completed my pre-doctoral internship at Northern Arizona University’s Counseling Services, where I became involved in efforts to integrate physical and mental health services. I have researched and presented on body acceptance and intuitive eating habits. More recently, I am conducting research aimed at preventing and intervening intimate partner violence, as well as exploring the #MeToo movement.

 Beth Perlman, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Therapist | E-mail

My style of therapy is empowerment-focused and collaborative, taking into consideration the unique individual, social, and cultural experiences of each student. Ultimately, my goal is to provide an open and accepting environment where students can explore painful or challenging internal experiences.  I incorporate a variety of therapy approaches into my work including interpersonal process therapy, feminist perspectives, emotion-focused therapy, and mindfulness. While I consider myself a generalist, I have professional interests in grief/loss, self-compassion, cultural identities and intersectionality, relationship stress, immigration concerns, as well as in working with graduate students, international students, and survivors of sexual trauma. 

Education: BA from Cornell College, MA in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia

Notable Training and Experience: I recently completed my pre-doctoral internship at the University of Washington Counseling Center where I received additional training’s in disordered eating and emotion-focused couple’s counseling. I have written papers and presented at conferences on topics such as women’s issues, infusing diverse perspectives in undergraduate counseling courses, as well as supporting the academic and career development of undocumented students. I have also attended a range of training and conferences focused on diversity, professional development, and social justice.

  Lisette Sanchez, Ph.D. 
 Post-Doctoral Therapist | E-mail

 I am honored to be part of the staff at Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services. My theoretical framework is drawn from cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused and narrative therapy.  I approach working with students from a collaborative, multicultural, social justice and strength-based lens. I enjoy working with a variety of concerns and my areas of special interest include Latinx mental health, social anxiety, academic issues, college adjustment, group therapy and working with students of color, first generation college students and international students. I look forward to working with you! Sí se puede!

Education: B.A. from University of California, San Diego; M.A. and M.Ed. in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College at Columbia University; M.S and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon.

Notable Training and Experience: I am bilingual in Spanish and English. I have conducted therapy in Spanish and have provided Bystander Intervention training in Spanish. I have also attended various multicultural and diversity training including serving AB 540 and undocumented students, and LGBTQ+ students.

Mendel Feldsher, M.D.
Board Certified Psychiatrist

Katrine Enrile, M.D.
Board Certified Psychiatrist | Email

                               Judy Hu, M.D.
                               Board Certified Psychiatrist |

                                Moises Vargas, M.D.
                              Board Certified Psychiatrist | 

Lorrie Delgado
Secretary Receptionist | Email

Lorrie, the familiar face and voice of Monsour Counseling Services, was born and raised in southern California. She is now in her 20th year at the Claremont Colleges. Previously, Lorrie worked in a Pediatric Neurologist’s office for five years and states she “learned many things.” This proud mother of two sons, and four grandchildren is happily married. She enjoys interacting with people, working in her yard gardening and love sports.

Valerie Martin
Office Assistant | Email

I am returning to California after 25 years of Florida beach living.  I have two sons, four grandchildren and a Golden Retriever named “Brandi”. I am working on getting certified as a “Microsoft Office Specialist”. I am very happy to be working at TCCS; it is a rewarding position.