Auburn University, 2016
Joined Emory: 2023

A licensed psychologist, Tenille earned her PhD in counseling psychology at Auburn University, master’s degree in clinical psychology at Georgia Southern University, and bachelor’s in psychology at Winston-Salem State University. Tenille’s career spans more than a decade of student-oriented leadership and clinical experience in higher education. Prior to joining Emory, she served in a dual role as interim director of Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) and director of Counseling Services at Michigan State University.

Under Tenille’s leadership, Emory CAPS continues to evolve its clinical service delivery methods to remain innovative and flexible in the dynamic field of university counseling services. She employs quantitative and qualitative data to establish and implement strategic goals for CAPS, while remaining deeply engaged in the university community. As a member of Campus Life’s health and well-being leadership team, she serves as an integral advisor for university responses to crises.

As a first-generation college graduate, Tenille understands the importance of community. She continually seeks new ways to be in community with all students, destigmatize mental health care, and foster inclusivity, belonging, and equity.

Tenille values her leisure time with family, including her significant other and their dog. She also enjoys traveling, catching a great movie (“popcorn is a must"), and participating in volunteer community service as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated.

University of Georgia, 2004
Joined Emory: 2016

Courtney earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1997) and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Georgia (2004). Prior to joining CAPS, she worked in a specialized program within the public school system for students with severe emotional and behavioral issues. She enjoys working with students in an educational setting and believes that mental health is just as important as physical health in creating success.

Courtney’s professional interests include: students living with disabilities, depression and anxiety, identity exploration, chronic mental illness, and crisis intervention. She uses an integrative approach drawing from psychodynamic, interpersonal, developmental, cognitive behavioral and attachment theories. She believes in creating a positive, collaborative, therapeutic relationship with each student.

Outside of CAPS, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and being the mother of two rambunctiously fun boys.

Ohio State University, 1991
Joined Emory: 1993

Cynthia received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Spelman College, and her masters and doctorate degrees in psychology from The Ohio State University. She began her career at Emory as the Director of the Emory Student Helpline and developed and coordinated the CAPS Eating Disorders Program, which included coordinating Body Acceptance Week, for 12 years. She assumed the role of Associate Director of Clinical Services in 2007.

Cynthia’s clinical interests include: identity development, self-esteem and self-image; eating disorders, cultural diversity, women’s issues, and grief and loss. She works from an interpersonal theoretical frame and believes in “showing up” as an authentic person when providing psychotherapy.

On a personal note, while she grew up in Fresno, California, she has southern roots and greatly values being a southerner living in metro Atlanta. She enjoys listening to books on tape and spending time with her partner/spouse doing new and interesting things as empty nesters. They have two wonderful sons who attended college on full academic scholarships.

Marywood University, 2021
Joined Emory: 2022

Amara obtained her bachelor's degree from Howard University and her master’s in psychology from Marywood University. Amara also obtained her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) Degree from Marywood University as well. Before joining Emory, Amara completed her post doctorate fellowship at the FAU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) center in Florida and her doctoral internship at Michigan State University’s CAPS center.

Amara is passionate about working with POC (persons of color) clients and has a detailed interest in servicing the African-American/Black woman population. While she is a generalist, clinical areas of interest include working with those who deal with body (dis)satisfaction, advocating for mental health to historically marginalized populations, and processing anxiety, stress, depression, and self-esteem concerns.

Her therapeutic approach involves an integrated framework, utilizing a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach, combined with Interpersonal and Psychodynamic theories. Amara’s goal is to provide a collaborative and welcoming environment for clients to process their presenting concerns. When not working, she enjoys baking/trying out new food spots and recipes, watching k-dramas, hanging out with friends, dancing, and doing DIY projects.

University of St. Thomas, 2019
Joined Emory: 2023

Dr. Gabrielle Woodard obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish from The University of Alabama and her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rochester (NY). She received her Doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota where her research focused on utilizing narrative therapy techniques to address implicit bias. She completed an APA accredited doctoral internship at the University of Florida’s Counseling and Wellness Center.

Dr. Woodard’s approach to therapy integrates Family Systems and Relational Cultural theories infused with techniques and interventions from CBT and DBT. Family systems works to understand the client within the context of the family and explore patterns that may be perpetuated through friendships, romantic relationships, or others. The integration of the relational cultural lens allows her to view the client within their cultural context and explore the ways in which they are feeling connected to and/or disconnected from their communities and other communities. She views the therapeutic relationship as an essential component of therapy and works to build a strongly attuned relationship through mutual empathy, connecting through humor and ensuring that her client feels seen, valued, and heard.

Dr. Woodard is particularly interested and passionate about promoting wellness in historically marginalized and underserved populations. Her professional interests include couples therapy, multicultural concerns, LGBTQ+ concerns, depression, anxiety, family and group dynamics and identity concerns. Her approach to wellness includes art, music, connecting with family and friends and spirituality. She enjoys painting, singing, playing instruments, yoga, and dancing (formerly a certified Zumba instructor!).

BA (2017) University of Florida

MSW (2022) Florida State University

Joined Emory: 2022, re-joined in 2024

Helen has experience working in college counseling centers, non-profit organizations, within the child welfare system, and with adults with disabilities. In her practice, Helen draws from Black feminist thought, intersectionality, systems theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and self-compassion.

Her clinical interests include, anxiety, grief/loss, relational concerns, trauma/racial trauma, first-generation college student concerns, first/second generation immigrant concerns, Black women's mental health, and general Black mental health. Helen works collaboratively with clients by utilizing client's strengths to both empower them and to help identify healthy coping skills. Helen is Eritrean American, from Florida, and is a first-generation high school and college graduate. She enjoys traveling, listening to podcasts, hiking, being anywhere near a beach, and spending time with her loved ones.

Year of graduation: 2008 from Georgia State University

Year I joined Emory: 2023

Brief info and clinical experience:

Karia Kelch-Oliver, better known as “Dr K-O”  is a psychologist with CAPS embedded in the School of Medicine (SOM). She provides counseling and other psychological services to all degree programs within the SOM, including medical and health science students. After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Howard University and master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Maryland College Park, she obtained a PhD in Counseling Psychology at Georgia State University. Dr K-O completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry at Grady Health System. Previous work experience includes providing behavioral health consultation in primary care (i.e., Adult and Pediatric Medicine) at Kaiser Permanente of Georgia, and working as an assistant professor and psychologist at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Dr K-O’s therapeutic approach is to create a welcoming and supportive environment within the therapeutic relationship for growth, acceptance, and change. She conceptualizes from a Family Systems, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness perspective. While Dr K-O is passionate about working with underserved or marginalized populations and students of color, especially Black women in medicine or health science fields, she welcomes the opportunity to work with students from all identities and backgrounds. She enjoys collaboration within the SOM and other campus partners, outreach and consultation with faculty, staff, and students to promote mental health awareness and advocacy.

State University of New York at Albany, 2002

University of Georgia, 2021

Onoriode is originally from the Albany, New York area and has lived in Atlanta since 2004. He received his Ph.D in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Georgia and his Masters of Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany. Onoriode, called “Ono” for short, has worked in higher education, K-12 education, juvenile & family courts, and therapeutic foster care.

Therapeutically, Ono employs an integrative approach that draws heavily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Systems Theory, and is influenced by social justice frameworks. Professionally his interests include: racially marginalized students, developmental concerns, family of origin concerns, relationship concerns, stress/anxiety induced academic performance issues, men’s issues, and imposter syndrome/sense of belonging. 

Outside of work, Ono considers himself a “Blerd”. He is a serious movie buff, with an extensive collection of movies. He is also a fan of Sci-Fi/fantasy (movies, tv, books, etc). He also enjoys community service and cultural events.

Oklahoma State University
Joined Emory: 2023

Pronouns: she/her/hers

RaiNesha received her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology at Oklahoma State University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Florida’s Counseling and Wellness Center. She has served clients in various community mental health and university counseling settings emphasizing the equitable delivery of services to underserved communities.

RaiNesha's professional interests include understanding the ways in which one’s sociocultural context impacts their identity formation, world navigation, and mental health. Specifically, she integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Intersectionality, Black Feminist Thought, and Internal Family Systems to examine the impact of possessing multiple marginalized identities on an individual’s experiences of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and relational conflict. It is important that each of her clients feel seen, heard, accepted, and supported when working with her. RaiNesha's style of therapy spotlights honesty, transparency, empathy, and mutuality as she works to ensure that the therapeutic space does not become a microcosm of oppression for any of her clients.

Rai's consistent self-care routine includes spending time with friends and family, cooking foods that reflect her southern roots, enjoying a good laugh or two, and creating a soft life for her fur-baby, November (Novi) Rain.

University of Georgia, 2021

Joined Emory: 2023

Shujing received her doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of Georgia, dual master’s degrees in mental health and professional counseling from the University of Pennsylvania, and bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She completed her doctoral internship and postdoctoral residency at Emory University School of Medicine.

Shujing is a licensed psychologist at CAPS embedded in the Emory School of Medicine. She is passionate about supporting medical students and allied health students as well as working with students of color and international students. Shujing utilizes evidence-based and culturally informed clinical practices in therapy that largely incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and creative arts therapy approaches. Her professional interests include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, self-esteem, identity exploration, interpersonal relationships, various forms of trauma, and global mental health.

When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, trying out new food, traveling, creating art, and pampering her furbaby Meeka.

Mercer University, 2018

Joined Emory: 2025

Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with a minor in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University, followed by an MBA from the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business at Mercer University in Atlanta. She has a richly varied professional background, having served as a photographer in the United States Air Force before transitioning to the travel industry. Lisa worked as a senior travel advisor with American Express Travel and as an operations manager for a prominent travel company in Atlanta. In addition to her professional achievements, Lisa also embraced the role of a stay-at-home mom, further enriching her life experiences and patience.

Prior to joining CAPS, Lisa was the Director of Business and HR Operations for the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), where she managed the business and human resources operations. Through her varied career and personal endeavors, Lisa has developed a unique perspective on problem-solving and team dynamics - where she continuously seeks ways to enhance efficiency and foster a positive and productive work environment.

Outside of her role at CAPS, Lisa loves spending time with her husband, family and friends, and crocheting and playing tennis whenever she can.