Dr. Sally Turner, Counseling Center Director
Sally Turner, Ed.D, NCC, CASAC graduated May 1996 Doctor of Education, Counseling and Psychology in Education from the University of South Dakota. In addition, she holds a Master of Arts, Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of South Dakota (Aug. 1993), Bachelor of Science, Applied Health with major in Alcohol and Drug Studies from the University of South Dakota (May 1991), and an Associate of Arts, Nursing from the University of South Dakota (May 1970).
After working many years as a registered nurse, Sally completed a counseling internship at The Wellness Center, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and the Student Counseling Center at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota. Following her internship, she worked one year as a dual diagnosis counselor at the Student Counseling Center at the University of South Dakota.
During her counseling career, Sally worked for several years in private practice providing individual, couples, and family mental health counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. Concurrently, Sally taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of South Dakota in Alcohol and Drug Studies and Educational Psychology Departments.
Sally has worked extensively with issues of abuse, trauma, substance misuse, depression, and anxiety. While working at SUNY Fredonia she has been one of the principle investigators of a Department of Justice grant to reduce violent crimes against women on campus.
Dr. Sally Turner is a Registered Nurse (RN) in South Dakota, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), and a New York State Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC).
Dr. Sally Turner is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American College Counseling Association (ACCA), the American College Health Association (ACHA), and the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA).
During her career, Sally has been honored as the Knapp Scholarship Recipient (1995), Outstanding Doctoral Graduate, Division of Counseling and Psychology, University of South Dakota (1996), and received the 2000 Howard B. Smith Distinguished Service Award by the South Dakota Mental Health Counselors Association. In 2008 she was presented the SUNY Fredonia President's Award for Excellence for significant contributions to the campus community.
Sally has two grown children and one granddaughter. She enjoys throwing pottery, reading, bird feeding, cooking, and gardening.
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Dr. Leanna White, Senior Counselor
Leanna S. White, Ph.D, NCC
Leanna earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has worked at Fredonia since 1981 and during her early years at Fredonia taught classes such as Human Sexuality and Introduction to Counseling for the Psychology Department. Since 1986 she has worked at the Counseling Center.
Leanna has a strong belief in the right and in the ability of each person to find his or her own path to health and fulfillment. She works to help her clients develop more self-compassion and a greater awareness of their own strengths. Her favorite websites include www.self-compassion.com, www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx, and www.mindfullivingprograms.com/whatMBSR.php/mindfulness.php.
Leanna cares deeply about social justice issues and about the environment. She was responsible for beginning the peer education group STEPS and for initiating the campus Safe Zone project. She hopes to promote compassionate and respectful behavior, appreciation of diversity, freedom of choice, community and sustainability.
Outside work Leanna enjoys gardening, reading, hiking, canoeing, and camping. She and her husband Brian McMahon live in the woods and off the grid, relying on wood for heat and solar panels for electricity. Leanna has three adult daughters, one teenage stepson, an Australian cattle dog who specializes in Frisbee and a small female cat who specializes in extremely effective rodent control.
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Dr. Tracy L. Stenger, Counseling Center Assistant Director
Tracy L. Stenger, Ph.D., NCC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and an alum of SUNY Fredonia. She has been serving as a counselor at SUNY College at Fredonia since Fall of 1998. Additionally, she has served as an adjunct professor in the Psychology Department since fall of 1999. Tracy completed her master's in Counseling Psychology at Ball State University in 1998 and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education at the University at Buffalo in 2007. Prior to pursuing her master's, Tracy worked two years as a teacher of English in Japan, spent one year in Malaysia working for the US embassy as an instructor at the Sungei Besi Vietnamese Refugee Camp and as a Bi-national Fulbright Commission Student Advisor. She completed an internship at Pendleton Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison in Indiana in 1998. During a sabbatical during the fall 2002 semester, Tracy worked as the mental health professional for the Institute of Shipboard Education Semester at Sea program, sailing the globe with 650 university students.
Since coming to Fredonia, Tracy initially focused on substance abuse services, implementing the Fredonia CARES program. She spear-headed the now annual Campus-Wide Donation Drive and helped the SFCC outreach program by coordinating the Don't Cancel That Class program. Tracy is currently focusing efforts on suicide prevention/intervention.
Tracy is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), American Counseling Association (ACA), the American College Counseling Association (ACCA), the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA).
Outside the office, Tracy spends time with her husband and son. She enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, flying, and exercising. Her research interests include: impact of mobilization and deployment on soldiers, suicide prevention and intervention, effective counseling, and college student development.
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Jeffrey Janicki, Counselor
Jeffrey Janicki, M.S., NCC, LMHC, has been serving as a full time counselor at SUNY College at Fredonia since the Fall of 2000. He began his Fredonia career in 1998 as a Residence Hall Director. Jeff currently serves as the advisor to Panhellenic and S.T.E.P.S. (Students Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality) peer education group. In addition, Jeff facilitates group work to address high risk substance use behaviors and men's issues.
Jeff's current professional interests involve utilizing Motivational Coaching Strategies and Positive Psychology Research to address developmental identity concerns related to Emerging Adulthood. Positive Psychology research offers a unique perspective on college student development theory. Character Strength and Virtue theory is particularly useful in assisting students address academic concerns, career/major uncertainty; minimize risks associated with alcohol/substance use behaviors; and improve intra/interpersonal satisfaction, mood and self-concept/purposeful living.
Jeff received his Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Gannon University (1998) and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from SUNY College at Geneseo (1994). His work experience includes serving as the Assistant Director of the Powell Campus Center at Alfred University, the Greek Life Advisor at Gannon University, a Psychotherapist at Lake Erie Counseling Associates, and the Chautuaqua Institution College Club Director.
Jeff is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American College Counseling Association (ACCA), and the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA). He is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in NYS.
Jeff spends his time away from Fredonia with his wife and two sons. He enjoys camping, hiking, playing/coaching hockey and serving as a volunteer firefighter.
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Dr. Matthew Abrams, Psychologist
Matthew Abrams, Ph.D., started at the SUNY Fredonia Counseling Center in August 2012. He is currently pursuing licensure as a Psychologist in New York State. Matthew is a graduate of the Counseling Psychology doctoral program at Loyola University Chicago (2012). He completed his Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology at the University of Notre Dame Counseling Center. His Master of Arts (Community Counseling) degree and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degree were completed at Governors State University. Matthew is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Division of Counseling Psychology, and the American Counseling Association (ACA), American College Counseling Association (ACCA) division.
Matthew’s clinical interests include mindfulness, anxiety, depression, well-being, performance enhancement, and group therapy. He is also committed to providing outreach and consultation services to underserved student populations. Matthew is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and is particularly passionate about assisting the student veteran population. He believes in an integrated approach to therapy, which includes the promotion of healthy eating, exercise, proper sleep hygiene, relaxation, and mindfulness/meditation in the treatment of student concerns. He employs an integrative theoretical orientation with a strong concentration in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Buddhist Psychology. Matthew has research interests in vocational psychology, coping/resiliency, well-being, and psychological measurement.
Matthew’s personal interests include spending time with family and friends, watching and participating in sports, and focusing on his spirituality and meditation practice. He also enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures.
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Julie Hoen Bezek, Coordinator of Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention (SAVP)
Julie Hoen Bezek, MA, has been at the Counseling Center since 2005 serving as the coordinator of Campus Education Awareness, Support and Effect (CEASE), the violence prevention - victim services program. In 2009 the CEASE Office expanded to include to alcohol and other drug prevention services. Julie coordinates outreach and advocacy services in the areas substance abuse and violence prevention, including Fredonia CARES and ADEPT. Julie serves as advisor Students Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality (STEPS).
Julie is a member of the Chautauqua County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the American College Health Association (ACHA), and the New York State College Prevention Project (NYSCPP).
Julie received her Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from SUNY Fredonia. She has previously worked in health promotion, residence life, and first-year programs.
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Dr. Abassi and Kyle Wiktor
Psychiatric services at the SFCC will be provided by a new provider this year. Former clients of Dr. McAlevey with concerns regarding medication refills should contact the counseling center directly at 673-3424.
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