Our Staff

Caroline Engler: Ph.D.,HSP-P, Director, Psychologist (she/her/hers)

Dr. Engler is a licensed psychologist who earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Caroline has a special interest in working with students with minoritized identities and enjoys providing individual and group services. She utilizes a feminist-based, person-centered approach to therapy and integrates a variety of treatment modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing. Her clinical training and career expereinces have focused on supporting individuals processing trauma, improving symptoms of depression, using short term counseling interventions to increase behavioral health, and specialization in LGBTQ+ health and well-being. Caroline also enjoys providing supervision and facilitating staff and trainee learning experiences.

In her free time, Caroline enjoys a regular yoga practice, swimming, playing video games, and spending time with family, friends, and fur babies.

M. Jay Manalo: Ph.D, HSP-P, NCC, Associate Director/Training Director/Psychologist (he/him/his)

Jay is an amateur whitewater kayaker, a dog dad, and a gardener with an occasional green thumb, as well as a career-changer, a husband, a son of immigrant parents from the Philippines, and a brother.  Dr. Jay Manalo is a licensed psychologist.  He holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He previously worked in IT consulting, then changed careers by obtaining both his M.Ed. in School Counseling and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The University of Georgia. He spent his doctoral internship at WCU CAPS from 2010 – 2011 and his postdoctoral training and subsequent work experiences with children, adolescents, and adults in private practice settings in Georgia prior to returning to WCU CAPS in 2013.  He is a National Certified Counselor and a member of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.  He serves as a board member of the Association for Counseling Center Training Agencies (ACCTA) and is a site visitor for the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation.

His counseling interests include depression, anxiety, stress, life transitions, ADHD, LGBTQ identity, multicultural psychology, social skills concerns, and developmental disabilities. His approach to counseling is primarily Person-Centered integrated with aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He also enjoys providing supervision and training for emerging mental health professionals. At WCU, he completed Safe Zone, Green Zone, and National Coalition Building Institute training and for the past several years has served as a Safe Zone trainer for WCU.

Outside of work, Jay enjoys whitewater kayaking and is a Wilderness First Responder. He also enjoys spending time with his family, his husband, his dogs, and other loved ones.

Calista Colbert: MA, LCMHCA, Counselor, Master’s Training Coordinator (she/her/hers)

Calista is a friend, partner, quilter, singer, tribal member, pet parent, board-game enthusiast, National Certified Counselor, and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and her certification in Expressive Arts Therapy from Appalachian State University in August 2021. Calista is a SoulCollage® Facilitator and the president of the North Carolina College Counseling Association division of the North Carolina Counseling Association.

Calista loves supporting clients who feel stuck in the “in betweens” of life and using a person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach in her work. She frequently invites art modalities and humor into the counseling room and prioritizes the co-creation of brave spaces for students to share their experiences. Calista enjoys working with students of all backgrounds and has specialized training in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC identity exploration, trauma, anxiety, spirituality concerns, body image concerns, grief, anger, and life transitions. She is particularly passionate about supporting students who are new (and maybe a bit nervous!) about starting therapy.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions

Amber Ellington: LCMHC-A, Counselor, Outreach Coordinator (she/her)

Amber is a partner, sister, daughter, weight lifter, crocheter, nature lover, avid reader, and bullet journal enthusiast. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina. Amber received her B.A. in Psychology from North Carolina State University in 2020 and her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Appalachian State University in August 2022.

Amber is passionate about helping college students create a solid foundation for personal wellness and believes that mental health should be viewed in a holistic manner. She knows that working toward personal wellness is different for every person, and she enjoys exploring both the challenges and the joys of the intersections between wellness and identity. Amber utilizes a person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach and integrates a variety of treatment modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Feminist Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Some of her counseling interests include, but are not limited to, LGBTQIA+ identity, BIPOC identity, relationship concerns, and adjustments/transitions.

When not engaged in counseling sessions, Amber serves as the CAPS Outreach Coordinator, a member of the First-Generation Advisory Board, and a member of the Safe Zone trainer team.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions.

Heather Lloyd: LCMHC, Counselor (she/her/hers)

Heather is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina who earned her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Webster University and B.S. in Exercise Physiology from the College of Charleston. Heather has experience in working with adults in inpatient, outpatient, rural and community-based settings with a variety of mental health concerns. Heather’s counseling interest include providing services to LGBTQ+, student-athletes, health care providers and first responders. She utilizes a person-centered, humanistic approach to therapy through collaboration and choice.

Outside of clinical work, Heather enjoys camping, hiking, woodworking, cooking, beach trips and attending local community events.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions.

Megan Smith: Ph.D. Psychology Resident (she/her/hers)

Dr. Smith is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Dakota. She is actively pursuing licensure in the state of North Carolina. Megan has a special interest in working with students with minoritized identities and enjoys doing individual work. Her clinical interests include mood concerns, anxiety, adjustments/transitions, BIPOC concerns, Native American mental health issues and cultural identity development. Megan uses an integration of insight-oriented paradigms, liberation psychology (examining oppressive structures that have influenced the concept of self and their communities), and cognitive behavioral techniques in her work with students.

Outside of the office, Megan enjoys watching reality tv, going to concerts, reading, and spending time with family, friends, and community.

Liz Adamovich: MSW, LCSW, LCAS-A

Liz loves to spend time with her partner and pets. When she’s not busy, you will most often find her with a cup of coffee and a crochet project or book in hand. Liz enjoys spending time with her large family and taking small opportunities to re-connect with nature, sitting on her porch or taking her dogs on a walk or hike.

Liz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate in the state of North Carolina. She received her master’s degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University. Liz has experience providing mental health services in rural communities in WNC. She is trained in EMDR has a passion for supporting individuals as they navigate and process trauma. In addition to trauma work, Liz also enjoys supporting individuals in self-exploration and identity work, attachment, and perfectionism. She utilizes a person-centered approach to help clients build on their strengths as they work towards their goals.

Adam Hicks: PsyD, Staff Psychologist

Adam earned a B.S. in Psychology from Campbell University in 2008 and an M.A. in Psychology from Western Carolina University in 2011. At that point in his journey, Adam wanted to pursue a career in academia and entered the doctoral program at Kent State University (in Clinical Psychology – Assessment Specialty) in 2012. However, once Adam experienced training in community mental health at Coleman Psychological services in Portage County Ohio, he found his true passion to be providing mental health services. He then left the program at Kent State and returned to WCU and entered their PsyD program in Health Service Psychology.

Adam hopes to provide services to wide range of students at CAPS. His approach to therapy derives from an existential view of mental health, namely that many of the problems we experience are associated with our struggles of living in the world. As such, Adam focuses on experiences, meaning, and belongingness as pillars to help others find ways of improving their lives by “existing better.” To facilitate this, Adam strives to create a space for students to feel safe in being authentic when sharing and processing their experiences and goals. Adam also has focused much of his energy working with students at WCU who have various levels of suicide risk.

Outside of CAPS, Adam enjoys listening to podcasts that range from topics of history, statistics (for some reason, Adam minored in both history and mathematics), cooking, and video games. Adam also listens to comic shows, particularly stand-up, sitcoms, and panel shows.

Myranda Warfield: Ph.D., NCC, LCMHC-A, Counselor In Residence (they/them) 

Myranda is a provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of North Carolina and a National Certified Counselor. They graduated from Ohio University with a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health/Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and doctoral degree in Counseling and Counselor Education at the University of Florida.

Myranda uses an integrated approach of humanistic, queer, and feminist counseling to provide trauma informed services to students. They are a generalist counselor who also has interest and training in providing counseling to queer, trans and gender diverse people, people who have grown up in rural settings, BIPOC people, those with religious/spiritual identities, and those facing the intersections of their identities.

In their free time, Myranda enjoys cooking/baking, playing video and tabletop games, and showing off pictures of their cat to anyone who will look at them. Living in the mountains, Myranda enjoys taking pictures, going to the farmers market, and attending local festivals.

*Offers outdoor and walking sessions.

Kyle Beideman: MA, Doctoral Psychology Intern (he/him) 

Kyle is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and earned his B.A. in Psychology from Immaculata University in 2013. Thereafter, he worked in case management in community mental health and later provided TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) services in an integrative practice setting. Wanting to pursue further clinical training, Kyle began his Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program at Immaculata University in 2019.

While earning his M.A. in Clinical Psychology during his doctoral training, Kyle continued to work in diverse settings, including residential neurorehabilitation, community mental health, and university counseling. These experiences contributed to Kyle’s philosophy of using the therapeutic relationship as a primary method to facilitate change and healing. He draws from several clinical perspectives including humanistic-existential therapies, psychodynamic/Jungian psychology, and relational/attachment theory. Consequently, he employs an integrated approach to treating a variety of mental health concerns. Specifically, Kyle enjoys exploring the meaning of symptoms and how they contribute to a person’s journey toward becoming themselves. His research interests include the impact of nutrition and exercise on mental health and wellness, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy/psychedelic integration, and non-rational spiritual experiences as a method for working toward individuation.

Aside from his clinical work, Kyle enjoys hiking, camping, swimming, paddleboarding, and weightlifting. He is also a student of world religions and classic literature. One day he hopes to open a bookstore/ice cream parlor, where fellow travelers can visit with his 45-year-old box turtle.

Venecia Butler-Pérez MS, Doctoral Psychology Intern (she/her/ella)

Venecia is an islander, Titi (aunt), daughter, sister, friend, ally, researcher, psychologist, organizer, activist and much more than her roles and identities. She completed her B.S. in Criminal Justice with a mayor in Forensics Investigation and a minor in Psychology from InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico in 2018. She earned a M.S. in Clinical Psychology and it's currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Albizu University (Puerto Rico).

Venecia's therapeutic approach is person-centered integrating the student's needs and context. She believes that therapy is not a "one size fits all", so she works collaboratively with the student to best address the presenting issues and achieve their goals. Venecia brings an affirming and culturally sensitive lens to her therapy.  Some of her professional interests consist of anxiety; eco-anxiety or concerns; stress; depression; LGBTQIA+ challenges; affirmative therapy; outreach and prevention. As a doctoral intern, Venecia hopes to provide services to a wide range of students at CAPS. 

Outside CAPS, Venecia enjoys nature, going to the beach, talking about her homeland Puerto Rico, advocating for the protection and care of nature, social justice , sharing quality time with her family and friends, eating out, and experiencing live music. 

Kim Holt: MA, Doctoral Psychology Intern (she/her) 

Kim is a mother, dog and cat mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She is a native of Appalachia and enjoys everything outdoors, including paddleboarding, boating, hiking, collecting heart-shaped rocks, being on or near the water, and spending time with family and friends.

Kim is a doctoral psychology intern working towards completing her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Appalachian State University, where she received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology. She enjoys working with adolescents and young adults. She takes a humanistic and integrative approach through a multicultural lens, emphasizing cultural humility and acknowledging individual uniqueness while providing trauma-informed and affirmative counseling to clients.

Kim has worked with children, adolescents, and young adults in rural and community-based settings with a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, mood concerns, family concerns, interpersonal challenges, grief, identity development, sex, and sexuality. Her passions include working with young adults experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness as they adapt to new environments and have increased responsibilities during their transition to college. This transitional phase is an opportunity for self-advocacy, yet students may struggle to find their voice and manage emerging adulthood responsibilities. Therefore, Kim aims to empower clients to develop their advocacy skills, enabling them to take charge of their mental health needs as they transition into emerging adulthood.

Laura Franke: Masters Trainee, Clinical Mental Health Program, (she/her) 

Laura is a friend, sister, and daughter, as well as a cat mom, a singer, a bookworm, a coffee lover, and a runner. She is working towards completing her master’s in clinical mental health counseling at Western Carolina University and is thrilled to be training with CAPS this academic year! Laura studied psychology and music in her undergraduate career at Bates College. She has worked in a variety of mental health settings here in Western North Carolina including residential treatment, intensive in-home therapy, and case management, and is passionate about serving rural communities.

Laura’s therapeutic approach is rooted in collaboration, compassion, and resiliency. She is passionate about facilitating a safe and inclusive environment where students of all intersecting identities feel seen, valued, and empowered in their journey through college. Laura utilizes a person-centered, trauma-informed lens in her clinical work. She often draws on mindfulness-based modalities, dialectical behavior therapy, and relational-cultural theory to inform her therapeutic framework. She also loves interweaving creative/expressive activities in the counseling space! Laura’s counseling interests include LGBTQIA+ identity exploration, trauma, anxiety, perfectionism, body image concerns, and grief/loss.

Cara Berlin: Masters Trainee, Social Work Program, (she/her) 

Cara received her undergraduate degree in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The love of characters and stories that drew her to books and writing also informed her decision to pursue becoming a therapist. Cara loves sitting with people and hearing their stories and connecting as humans. She doesn’t view herself as the all-knowing expert in the therapeutic relationship but as an ally that is working collaboratively with individuals to find greater ease and more self-acceptance.

Cara loves working with people with body image and eating concerns, chronic illness, anxiety, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Cara believes that context and social location and identities inform mental health and access to healing, and she uses frameworks that integrate that understanding. She draws from many modalities including Dialectical Behavior Therapy and parts work.

In her free time, she loves to hang with her family, read novels, watch terrible reality TV, and go for walks.

Kyla Allison: B.S., Case Manager (she/her)

Kyla completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology here at Western Carolina University in 2019 and is currently a graduate student in the social work program. She was a member of the Western Carolina Women’s Basketball team from 2019-2023.

Kyla is passionate about community connection and building relationships. She focuses on the importance of collaboration, interrelatedness, support, and advocacy to assist in providing resources and services for students on and off campus. Her collegiate career as a full-time student-athlete has sparked her interest in working in higher education where she can strive to have a positive impact on all students. She utilizes her past experiences as a tool to develop relationships with students and colleagues while engaging in outreach and community development.

In her free time, Kyla enjoys painting, exercising, watching basketball and football, cooking, playing video games, experiencing nature, sitting by the pool with a good book, and traveling to visit her loved ones.

Lee Anne Burrell, Administrative Support Specialist (she/her)

Lee Anne has been in the medical field for over 35 years with the majority of her career in the hospital setting. She has a love for children and young people. Her greatest joy is seeing today's youth succeed. She joined WCU in 2014, a native to Western North Carolina, attending local high school and Southwestern Community College.

When she is not working you will find her enjoying the lake and camping life with her family and the absolute loves of her life; her two grandsons, along with her two yorkies.

Denise Stephens, Administrative Support Specialist (she/her)

Denise has worked in a medical office setting for over 20 years.  She is a native of western North Carolina and joined WCU in 2015.  When she is not working you will find her enjoying time with her children, often at the lake, river, or local hiking trails.