Who We Are... 

 

Max Zurflueh, Ph.D. spent the first ten years of his life in Switzerland, then moved to Oakland, California. He obtained his B.A. in Psychology at the University of California at Davis. He received his M.A. in Psychology from Arizona University, Chico, and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University. During these years, his experiences included work at a psychiatric hospital attempting to learn to talk to cats (ask him!), evaluations in school setting, and an internship in a college counseling center. He also taught graduate courses, supervised other students, and worked as a rehabilitation consultant. His theoretical outlook at this time was cognitive behavioral. Max came to UMD in 1974, and gradually learned to value short-term counseling in a university setting. He was a consultant to Newport Mental Health Clinic and on the staff of Charlton Hospital. While his views tend to be cognitive-behavioral, he considers himself eclectic in his technique. He is also interested in hypnosis. Currently, Max teaches half time in the UMD psychology department and works half time at the Counseling Center, running our internship program.  He can be reached at X8651 or mzurflueh@umassd.edu.

Gordon McLennan, Psy.D. has been with the Counseling and Student Development Center since 1978. He received his M.Ed. from the University of Vermont after attending Colgate University. He earned his Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.) from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. Gordon's professional interests include family, group, and gestalt therapy, object relations theory, and cognitive behavioral therapy.  Gordon can be reached at X8656 or gmclennan@umassd.edu.

Laurajane Fitzsimons, M.ED., A.C.D.P. joined the Counseling and Student Development Center in 1993. She developed and coordinated the university's alcohol and drug education program until 2004, when she became the Assistant Director of Counseling/Addictions Specialist.  Laura graduated  from Emmanuel College in Boston with a degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, then earned a MEd with a concentration in substance abuse counseling, from Providence College.  She is a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and is currently completing a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Mental Health Counseling at Bridgewater State College.   Laura can be reached at X8654 or lfitzsimons@umassd.edu.

Jonathan Schwartz, M.D. joined the Counseling and Student Development Center in 1985 as our consulting psychiatrist.   He is certified in both child and adult psychiatry.   His training was completed at Children's Hospital in Boston and Mass. General Hospital.   Dr. Schwartz specializes in the treatment of ADD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder and depression.   Students will often be referred to him for diagnostic evaluation and/or to discuss the risks and benefits of  possible use of medication in situation where this would be appropriate.   Students must meet with a counselor first, before scheduling an appointment with Dr. Schwartz.

Deborah Taylor, MA joined the Counseling and Student Development Center in April, 1997.   Prior to this she was staff assistant to the Dean for Outreach Programs in the Division of Continuing Education.  Debbie is a double UMD grad, having earned both her BA and MA in psychology here.   Debbie's areas of interest include depression, anxiety, career development counseling, and working with international students.   Debbie can be reached at X8653 or dtaylor@umassd.edu.


Rachel Jameson Lively, PsyD
Rachel completed her BA in psychology at Tufts University and her PsyD at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.   She has worked in a variety of programs within the mental health field, including several hospitals, a residential treatment facilty, a day program, and a support program for people with cancer and their families.   Rachel also worked at the UMD Counseling and Student Development Center for two years as an intern at the UMD Counseling Center as part of her doctoral studies.   Rachel's areas of focus are broad and include depression, anxiety, trauma and anger management.    Rachel can be reached at X8652 or rachellively@umassd.edu.

Christopher Frazer, MA

Chris Frazer has had training at the doctoral level at the Massachusetts School for Professional Psychology, and at the masters level at Springfield College. He has specialized training in the areas of couples and family therapy, addictions treatment and recovery, and career/organizational consulting. His areas of interest beyond these specializations include sports psychology, men's issues, and all facets of internet communication and relationships. In addition to his work at the counseling center, Chris maintains a private practice office in Raynham and is a visiting lecturer in the Counselor Education department at Bridgewater State College.   Chris can be reached at X8164 or cfrazer@umassd.edu.

Carol Olancin, A. S., Clerk IV, is the other half of the administrative support team.  She came to  UMD  in January of 1983.   She began in the Medical Technology Department, now known as Medical Laboratory Science, then worked in  the Alumni Office, and the Management Department, before joining the administrative support staff of the Counseling and Student Development Center in February of 1999. Carol earned an associates degree from Bristol Community College.   She has also worked at BMC Durfee High School as a substitute teacher and at BCC in the Job Placement Office.   Carol can be reached at X8648 or colancin@umassd.edu.

Corey Levy, BA
Corey Levy is a third year doctoral student at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.  He earned his BA in education from the University of Vermont and his M.Ed. from Boston University.  Prior to returning to school, Corey worked with college students as an academic advisor at MassBay Community College.   Having spent a number of years teaching abroad, Corey has experience working with a range of culturally diverse individuals.  As an intern at both a community mental health clinic and an inpatient hospital, Corey has worked with families, groups and individuals.   His area of focus is broad but include, organizational and health psychology, family and couples work, anxiety issues and sport psychology.    

Amy Theberge, BS

Amy Theberge is a fourth-year doctoral student at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.  She received her B.S. in Counseling Psychology at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.  She worked with individuals with major mental illness in residential and vocational day programs before her graduate student years.  She worked with children in a public school setting during her first year at MSPP and at Wheelock College counseling center during her second year.  She has experience working with substance abuse, trauma-related issues, grief, anxiety and depression, learning difficulties,and  relationship issues.  She also has experience with cognitive and psychological testing.  She is a returning intern, spending a second year at the UMass Dartmouth Counseling Center.  Her professional interests include relationship issues, sexual identity issues, trauma-related difficulties, as well as the grieving process and academic difficulties related to anxiety or learning difficulties.  

Lisa Ferreira, BS

Lisa Ferreira is a third year student in the clinical psychology master’s program at UMass Dartmouth. She grew up in Westport, MA and received her B.S. in psychology from Brown University. As an undergraduate, she worked at a neuropsychology clinic for children with ADHD and at the Bradley

Sleep Research Lab in Providence, RI. After graduation she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, West Africa. She has volunteered on the Samaritans suicide prevention hotline and has experience working with victims of domestic violence. She has also worked with adolescents with severe mental illnesses in an inpatient setting. Her clinical interests include nutrition, eating disorders, stress management, and working

adolescents and young adults.

Kristen Hagopian, BA

Kristin Hagopian is a third-year student in the clinical psychology program at UMass Dartmouth.   Kristin earned her BA in sociology at UMD.  She entered UMD through College NOW and is the first generation in her family to go to college.    She was born in Louisville, Kentucky and raised in New Bedford..  Throughout her 14 years of working in human services she held various positions such as a clinical coordinator for specialized foster care and New Bedford Police Department Domestic Violence internn.   She currently manages a program that assists first generation and low income high school students in developing the necessary skills for entry into college.

Abbey Pierce

Abbey Pierce is a third-year student in the clinical psychology program and UMass Dartmouth.  She grew up near St. Louis, Missouri and earned her bachelors degree with honors in psychology from the University of Illinois at Edwardsville.  While an undergraduate, she researched the innoculation theory as it is applied to those who are suicidal.  Additionally, she researched attitudes concerning attributions placed on mentally ill individuals with regard to their socioeconomic status and the severity of their psychological disorder.  As an undergraduate, she also had the opportunity to intern at Alton State Hospital where she worked with a forensic population and prepared individuals to stand trial. Since graduation, she has worked as a case manager for adults with severe mental illness.  She has also worked as a crisis intervention specialist. Recently, she interned at Judge Rotenburg Center where she provided direct care to adolescents and young adults with autism, mental retardation, and severe behavioral disorders.  Currently, she works in a domestic violence shelter that provides support and education for women children escaping domestic violence.  Her clinical interests included group therapy, couple and family therapy, eating disorders, suicide, depression, and anxiety.

 Sarah Sanderson

Sarah Sanderson is a third-year master’s student in the clinical psychology program at UMass Dartmouth.  She grew up in western Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, and received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  During her undergraduate studies, she completed an internship working with adults with serious and persistent mental illness in a partial hospitalization program.  Since graduation, she has worked as a residential assistant in a group home for adults with severe mental illness.  She has also co-facilitated a social skills group for adolescent girls.  Currently, she is working for Community Counseling of Bristol County in their day treatment program and partial hospitalization program, providing group therapy to adults with mental illness.  Her experience includes groups on self-esteem, values, mental health education, women’s issues, and process therapy.  Her clinical interests include family and relationship issues, as well as problems with depression and anxiety.