Meet the Counseling Staff
About Us
Please note that all of our counselors are trained as "generalists" to work with students on any personal issue. However, we have listed some particular areas of interest and specialized training as well.
Each counselor has recorded a "Meet the Counselors" video introduction. Scroll down to see a link in each counselor's bio.
Colleen Arnold, Ph.D, LMFT
Lead Counselor, Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 36921
SHCS Staff Member since 2016
Academic Training: San Jose State University, MS in Clinical Psychology, 1992
California School of Professional Psychology, Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, 2002
Areas of Special Interest: Life transitions, spirituality and mental health, depression, anxiety, identity issues, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness
Personal or Professional Quote: "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen
Kathryn Kirkpatrick, LCSW
Counselor Faculty, Counselor in Housing, Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW 60751
Columbia University
SHCS Staff Member since 2018
Academic Training: Columbia University School of Social Work, MSW, 2008
Areas of Special Interest: First Generation Students, Undocumented/"Dreamer" Students, Relationship Issues, Social Justice, Coping with Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Grief and Loss, and Women's Empowerment.
Languages spoken other than English: Spanish
Personal or Professional Quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
Erin Harrell, Psy.D
Counselor Faculty, Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY #27303
SHCS staff member since 2021
Academic Training: California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Doctor of Psychology, 2013
Areas of Special Interest: LGBTQIA Community, Identity (Especially Gender and Sexuality), Social Justice, Life Transitions, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Loss, Relationships.
Personal/Professional Quote: “Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” - Brené Brown
Benedicta (Bunny) Ott, LMFT, LPCC
Counselor Faculty, Groups Coordinator
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 116068
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC 11923
SHCS Staff Member since 2019
Academic Training: Regent College, MA in Theological Studies, 2002
Western Seminary, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, 2016
Areas of Special Interest: PTSD, Trauma Relief utilizing EMDR, Family Relationships, Spiritual Integration, Anxiety, Depression, Self-esteem/ Identity Development and Stress Management
Personal or Professional Quote: “Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” - Frederick Buechner
Rosa Mora, Ph.D.
Counselor Faculty, Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY #23233
SHCS staff member since 2021
Academic Training: Illinois Institute of Technology, MS in Rehabilitation Counseling, 2002
California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, 2007
Areas of Special Interest: Crisis Intervention, First Generation Students, Undocumented/"Dreamer" Students, Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Grief and Loss, Anger Management and Substance Issues.
Languages spoken other than English: Spanish
Personal or Professional Quote: “To make a dream come true, the first requirement is a great capacity to dream. The second; is persistence.” - Cesar Chavez
Sophie De Pillis, LMFT
Counselor Faculty, Counselor at Concord
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #122245
SHCS Staff Member Since 2021
Academic Training: The Wright Institute, M.A. in Counseling Psychology, 2018
Areas of Special Interest: Trauma, anxiety, depression, relationships, identity development, substance use, body image, stress management
Personal or Professional Quote: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” - James Baldwin
Christina Tompkins, LMFT
Counselor Faculty, Counselor in Housing
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #117352
SHCS Staff Member since 2023
Academic training: The Wright Institute, Masters in Counseling Psychology 2019.
Areas of Special Interest: LGBTQIA+ folks, Identity (exploration, development, and intersectionality), Trauma and Resilience, Interpersonal relationships, Substance Use, and Domestic Violence.
Languages Spoken other than English: Moderate Level of proficiency in Spanish
Quote: "You don't have to sing it nice, but honey, sing it strong, at best you'll find a little remedy, at worst the world will sing along" -Hoizer
Naya Gordon, LCSW
Counselor Faculty
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW # 107433
SHCS staff member since 2024
Academic Training: ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ East Bay, Master of Social Work, 2018
Areas of Special Interest: Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Neurodiversity, Interpersonal Relationships, Couples, Substance Use, Grief and Loss, and Identity Development
Personal or Professional Quote: "I have to constantly re-identify myself to myself, reactivate my own standards, my own convictions about what I’m doing and why.” Nina Simone
Dahlia Case, LMFT
Counselor in SEAS - please note that Dahlia works specifically with students from the Student Equity and Success programs.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #140026
SHCS Staff Member since 2022
Academic Training: The Wright Institute, Masters in Counseling Psychology, 2016
Areas of Special Interest: Faith/Spirituality, Self-esteem/Identity Development, Depression, Anxiety, Communication, Relationships
Personal or Professional Quote: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
Tori Parsons, ACSW
Associate Counselor
Associate Clinical Social Worker, ACSW #100352
SHCS staff member since 2023
Academic Training: Cal State University East Bay, MSW, 2019
Areas of Special Interest: Neurodiversity Affirming Care, Embodied Somatic Abolitionism, Cultivating space for more imagination, joy, and authenticity.
Personal or Professional Quote: “Ease is your birthright.” - Tricia Hersey
Songs that help me Ground:
Fun Fact: I love to collect hot sauces.
Dejaun Gray, AMFT
Associate Counselor
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #141227
SHCS Staff Member since 2023
Academic Training: San Francisco State University, MS in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy, emphasis in Clinical Mental Health, 2023
Areas of Special Interest: First-generation college students, life transitions, identity development, anxiety, depression, and developmental trauma.
Personal or Professional Quotes: “Actions create consequences which produces new worlds, and they’re all different” - Ruben Blades
“Taking care of you is not selfish or egocentric but essential to finding your own success. Finding balance begins with allowing yourself the opportunity to build a foundation of how you want others to see you.” - Brian Bovino
Mary Ann Dawkins-Padigela
Associate Counselor
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #128724
SHCS Staff Member since 2024
Academic Training: Pacific Oaks College - San Jose, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, emphasis in Trauma Studies, 2021
Areas of Special Interest: Military Veterans, First Responders, BIPOC, Biracial Identities, First Gen, Complex Trauma, Justice Involved, LGBTQIA+, Parenting, Child loss, Catholicism, Hinduism
Personal or Professional Quote: "Take care of y'all bodies, take care of y'all chicken, take care of y'all mental." - Beastmode : Marshawn Lynch
Shauna Hong, LCSW
Director of Counseling Services
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCS24276
San Jose State University
SHCS Staff Member since 2009
Academic Training: San José State University, MSW, 2003
Areas of Special Interest: First Generation College Students, Identity Development (Ethnic, Sexual, Gender, Spiritual), Relationships, Couples, Social Justice
Languages spoken other than English: Spanish
Personal or Professional Quote: “The soul speaks its truth only under quiet, inviting, and trustworthy conditions. The soul is like a wild animal – tough, resilient, savvy, self-sufficient, and yet exceedingly shy.”
- Parker Palmer