Counseling Center Staff
Teri L Grayson, MSW, LICSW (she/her/hers)
Clinical Social Worker and Director
Teri is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She received her MSW with a certification in Urban Leadership from Simmons University and her B.A. in Sociology from UMass Amherst. Teri uses strength-based approaches to help students manage life stressors, anxiety, depression, and other challenges affecting their well-being.
As an African American woman who grew up in the Greater Boston area, Teri personally understands the importance of acknowledging and supporting diversity and culture. Knowing the importance of seeing oneself reflected, she has been intentional about serving the communities where she grew up. She has spent the majority of her career providing community-based mental health services before transitioning to college mental health.
When not working, Teri enjoys traveling, participating in a book club (although she rarely reads books), and spending time with her family including her dog, Ruby.
Bill DeFranc, PhD
Psychologist and Assistant Director
Bill is a doctoral-level psychologist whose professional interests managing mood disorders; anger management; gender role socialization, and male psychological development; and training and supervision of graduate students in psychology.
At the Counseling Center, Bill uses a goal-oriented and strengths based approach to counseling so student clients can measure their progress in therapy. He utilizes various therapeutic techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for a range of issues such as depression and anxiety.
Bill enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, and going to the beach in the summer.
Rachel Blumberg, LICSW, MSW, (she/her/hers)
Clinical Social Worker
Rachel is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a M.S.W from University of California, Berkeley School of Social Work, and a BA from Connecticut College. Rachel has a background working in various settings with children, young adults, and families in the child welfare system in CA and in various hospital social work settings here in Boston. In her current position, Rachel provides individual and group therapy, consultation, crisis services as well as training and outreach. Rachel employs a strengths-based approach and works to help students recognize and build upon their own existing supports, coping skills, and resilience in order to manage during challenging times.
Rachel identifies as a white, cisgender female and strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds and identities. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys hiking, cooking, and chasing after her dog.
Zeljka Mileusnic, Psy.D. (she/her/hers)
Staff Psychologist
Zeljka is a clinical psychologist with a passion for helping clients navigate challenges such as anxiety disorders, grief, relationship dynamics, dreams, and spirituality. Her therapeutic approach is collaborative, strengths-focused, and guided by relational, developmental, and social justice principles. Zeljka is dedicated to creating a supportive, affirming space where clients feel truly seen, heard, and valued.
She tailors her approach to meet each individual’s unique needs and has experience leading anxiety management groups and facilitating support spaces for international students.
Beyond her professional work, Zeljka finds joy in nature and loves taking long walks in all kinds of weather. She’s an avid reader of books across diverse fields and treasures trips to her home country of Croatia, where much of her family resides.
Anna Yerang Lee, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Staff Psychologist
Anna is a staff psychologist who received her degree in Counseling Psychology from Boston University. She has a special interest in working with emerging and young adults with marginalized identities including race, ethnicity, abilities/disabilities, gender, sexuality, religion, and socioeconomic status. Anna’s therapeutic approach includes cognitive behavioral, humanistic, and feminist theories as well as social justice approach. She identifies as a Korean cisgender woman with disabilities. She would be happy to speak Korean in sessions with students who prefers to speak the language.
Prior to coming to University of Massachusetts in Boston, she worked in other college counseling settings, such as Counseling, Health, & Wellness at Suffolk University and University Counseling Services at Boston College. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, eating Korean food, and watching Bluey with her little ones.
Allyson Gormley, LICSW
Clinical Social Worker
Allyson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a MSW from Boston University and BA from University or Rhode Island. Allyson brings her prior experience working within a medical setting where she supported individuals coping with complex medical conditions, trauma history, substance use and mental health. She has a special interest in women’s health, anxiety, and grief work. Allyson utilizes a cognitive behavioral approach in her individual work with clients. She is a strengths-based clinician who is excited to work with the students of UMB.
On her days off, Allyson enjoys anything outside (even in the cold) and being with her boys and dog.
Judith Taveras, LICSW
Clinical Social Worker and Coordinator of Advanced Social Work Training Program
Judith received her MSW from BU’s School of Social Work, after working in hire ed and non-profit for several years. As a social worker, she has previously supported survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), folx who have struggled with substance misuse, and individuals managing severe mental illness.
In her current work, Judith takes a humanistic, strengths based, and relational attachment approach to supporting her clients. With the goal to create a space in which folx feel empowered to process their experiences while stabilizing and increasing their self-compassion.
Judith self identifies as queer, first-generation, Afro-Latina who is cisgender and uses she/her/hers pronouns. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, wrapped up in a good book, or messing up a bread recipe.
Elvin Cardona, LICSW
Social Worker
Beatriz Louzado (she/her/hers)
Mental Health Educator
Beatriz is a UMass Boston alumni, Class of 2022, who received a B.S. in Biology and Psychology. In her experience at UMass Boston, Beatriz has worked in a range of different departments from studying as a pre-medical student, to working as a Resident Assistant at the residential halls, working as a Peer Mentor before and throughout the pandemic, volunteering with SAEC, starting her own club The Character Collaborative, managing as the Vice President of Recruitment for Phi Delta Epsilon, and more. Beatriz, understanding the school from a student's perspective, now dedicates her time as a health educator where she amplifies the voice of our Beacons and teaches them the importance of giving attention and care to our lifelong companions, our minds.
As a Latinx woman, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Beatriz understands the struggles immigrants and POC face in this country. With personal and academic experience in equity and inclusion, Beatriz promises to educate students on how much our mental health frequently relies on our identity, how we want to be perceived and how we perceive ourselves, highlighting how much pressure that can cause. In being an alumni and a resident of the New England area, Beatriz pledges to provide our students with the resources students of all backgrounds need to survive and thrive not only at UMass Boston, but in the big city.
In her free time, Beatriz enjoys exploring new adventures with her family and friends, hiking
new trails, visiting unique events and locations, and meeting new people. She also knows
how to wiggle her ears!
Leah Livingstone (she/her/hers)
Clinic Administration
Leah is our front desk staff and is most likely to be the first person you will meet coming into the Counseling Center. Leah is in charge of scheduling, administrative duties and keeping the Counseling Center running. Leah’s goal is to make sure that every person who walks through our doors feels welcome, safe, and cared for.
Outside of work Leah enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to Walt Disney World, reading fiction novels and watching Elmo’s World with her grandchildren. She is also an advocate for her transgender and disabled son. Leah identifies as a cisgender white woman.
The UHS Counseling Center serves as a training site for second-year students in the UMass Boston Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program. The Counseling Center also serves as a training site for second-year social work interns and advanced psychology trainees and clinical fellows.
2024 - 2025 Counseling Center Trainees
Sarah Farhan (she/her)
Clinical Psychology Program
Sarah specializes in family systems and identity development, with a focus on SWANA identities, intergenerational and historical trauma, and multicultural therapy. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate interpersonal relationships, conflict, and anxiety while fostering a supportive and culturally responsive space for growth and healing.
Elizabeth Kilgallon (she/her)
Clinical Psychology Program
Elizabeth is passionate about providing neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed care with a focus on ADHD, anxiety, and autism. Her specialties include emotion regulation, distress tolerance, family systems, identity development, and empowerment. She is dedicated to helping individuals navigate stigma, internalized ableism/sanism, and fostering mindfulness-based approaches for growth and self-acceptance.
Lisa Nakamura (she/her)
Clinical Psychology Program
Lisa specializes in self-compassion and acceptance-based approaches, mindfulness, and anxiety. She has a particular interest in Asian and Asian American mental health, multicultural therapy, and identity development, with a focus on the experiences of immigrants and children of immigrants. Lisa is dedicated to creating a supportive space for exploration and healing and is conversational in Japanese.
Krystel Francis (she/her)
Clinical Psychology Program
Krystel specializes in multicultural therapy, family systems, and Black mental health, with a focus on interpersonal dynamics, life transitions, and adjustment issues. She is passionate about supporting immigrants and children of immigrants as they navigate identity and cultural experiences. Krystel provides a compassionate space for managing anxiety, depression, and stress and is bilingual in English and French.
Niara J. Carrenard (she/her)
Clinical Psychology Program
Niara is dedicated to supporting individuals coping with trauma, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. She specializes in Black and Haitian mental health, childhood sexual abuse recovery, anger management, and interpersonal relationships. With a focus on immigrant and children of immigrant experiences, minority stress, and IPV/DV, Niara provides a compassionate and culturally responsive space for healing. She is bilingual in English and Haitian Creole.
Nick Pierorazio (he/they)
Clinical Psychology Program
Nick specializes in psychological trauma, oppression-based stress and trauma, and dissociation, with a focus on interpersonal abuse, violence, PTSD, and dissociative disorders. He is passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ individuals. He takes an integrative psychotherapy approach to healing. Nick provides a safe, affirming space for clients to navigate their experiences and work toward recovery.
Miah Sabas (she/her)
Clinical Psychology Program
Miah specializes in Asian American mental health, LGBTQ+ issues, and the experiences of immigrants and children of immigrants. She is passionate about supporting individuals navigating racism, family and interpersonal conflicts, life transitions, and the pressures of perfectionism. With a focus on first-generation college students, anxiety, depression, and stress management, Miah provides a compassionate and culturally responsive space for growth. She is conversational in Tagalog.
Jordan Cherry (she/her)
Clinical Psychology Program
Jordan takes a social justice and feminist-based approach to psychotherapy, specializing in anxiety, depression, and life transitions. They are passionate about supporting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals in navigating interpersonal relationships and family dynamics. Jordan provides an affirming and inclusive space for healing, growth, and self-discovery.
Berson Eliancy (He/Him)
Counseling Psychology Program
Berson specializes in anxiety, depression, confidence, and relationship trauma, with a focus on Black male mental health, Haitian mental health, and BIPOC mental health. He is passionate about supporting individuals navigating low confidence and self-esteem, family dynamics, life transitions, and mental performance. Berson takes a humanistic approach, integrating CBT, relational cultural therapy, and psychodynamic therapy to boost self-efficacy, compassion, and resilience. Berson takes a very personal approach, prioritizing the therapeutic relationship in session. He is bilingual in English and Haitian Creole.
Katherine Hales (she/her)
Counseling Psychology Program
Katherine specializes in life transitions, identity development, and personal growth. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate family dynamics, relationship challenges, and stress management. Katherine utilizes values-based and strengths-based approaches to empower clients in their journey toward resilience and self-discovery.
Kayla Sliz (she/her)
Counseling Psychology Program
Kayla focuses her work on individuals struggling with eating disorders, body image concerns, and compulsive exercise, with a specialization in athlete mental health and performance. She is also passionate about supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, interpersonal challenges, trauma, and personality disorders. Kayla takes a process oriented and person-centered approach, incorporating ACT, DBT skills improve their well-being. She is also dedicated to providing affirming care for the LGBTQ+ community.
Kensie Faldoski (she/her)
Counseling Psychology Program
Kensie specializes in working with LGBTQ+ individuals and those exploring their identities. She is passionate about supporting clients through life transitions, self-esteem challenges, interpersonal relationships, and women’s issues. With a focus on cross-cultural experiences and identity development, Kensie provides a compassionate and affirming space for growth and self-discovery.
Taylor Eggers (He/Him)
Counseling Psychology Program
Taylor specializes in LGBTQ+ mental health, anxiety, depression, and body image concerns. They are passionate about supporting individuals navigating life transitions, trauma, OCD, substance use, and eating concerns. Taylor takes a trauma-informed, person-centered approach, incorporating ACT, DBT, Exposure Therapy, and multicultural perspectives to create an affirming and supportive space for healing and growth.
Libby Lazar (She/Her)
Clinical Social Work Program
Libby is working towards her MSW from Boston University and is completing her advanced clinical placement at the Counseling Center. She takes a special interest in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, first generation college students, immigrants and refugees, young adults from marginalized communities, student athletes, and those struggling with disordered eating and/or substance use. Her approach includes person-centered, cognitive behavioral, narrative, and dialectical behavioral therapies, with an emphasis on social justice and anti-racism in her practice.
Libby identifies as an ex-college athlete, fat, neurodivergent, queer, cisgender, Moroccan-American woman. In her spare time, you'll find her in the gym, lounging with her dog, hiking, or continuing the hunt for the best dumplings in Massachusetts.
Hessah Alasousi (She/ Her/ Hers)
Clinical Social Work Program
Hessah is a social work intern, currently in her final year MSW program at Boston College. She received her BSW from Kuwait University. She has an interest in working with first generation, international, refugee and immigrant students who are facing difficulties in dealing with adjustments, life transitions and stressors, anxiety and depression. She is interested in helping students develop healthy coping strategies to deal with those difficulties. Her therapeutic approach includes Cognitive behavioral therapy and strength-based approach.
When she is not working, she enjoys exploring new destinations, taking good photographs and drinking her matcha latte.