The Counseling Center is staffed by three full-time, licensed mental health professionals, seven part-time doctoral practicum therapists, a part-time administrative assistant, and a part-time psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Please note: email is not a secure method of communication and confidentiality cannot be ensured. If you are in a mental health emergency during standard hours of operation (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.), contact the Counseling Center at 502.272.8480 or Campus Safety at 502.272.7777. If you should experience a mental health emergency after normal office hours or during the weekend, contact Campus Security at 502.272.7777. Campus Security will notify one of our counselors who can assist with the situation. You may also contact the Seven Counties Crisis Line at 502.589.4313 or call 911.
Gary Petiprin, Ph.D., Director
Gary (email) is a licensed psychologist with more than 20 years of professional experience working in college and university
counseling centers. He received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology
in 1993 from Indiana State University and his bachelors degree in
Psychology and masters degree in Community Counseling at Oklahoma State
University. He has worked at the University of Louisville Counseling
Center as a staff psychologist and served as the Counseling Center
Director at East Tennessee State University (1998-2004) and Hanover
College (2004-2007). His areas of interest include gender issues;
multicultural and LGBT issues; substance abuse; sexual assault and
suicide prevention.
Marlana Bragg, Psy.D., Assistant Director
Marlana (Email) is a licensed psychologist, and earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2013 from Spalding University and her bachelors degree in Psychology from Shawnee State University (2007). Marlana comes from a generalist training program in which she was trained to work with a variety of different clients in many different settings. While in graduate school, Marlana was a practicum student at Bellarmine University (2011-2012). Marlana’s pre-doctoral internship was at the Southern Louisiana Internship Consortium, where her major rotation was at Louisiana State University’s counseling center (2012-2013). Upon earning her doctorate, Marlana spent the first 6 years of her career working at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women, where she was the program administrator of a co-occuring disorders program. This experience shaped her interests, but she remained passionate about working with students in higher education. Her areas of interest include trauma; gender issues; eating concerns; multicultural and LGBT issues; substance abuse and other addictive and self-destructive behaviors.
Jami Notaro, M.Ed., Staff Counselor
Jami (Email) is a master’s level therapist and has been a member of the Bellarmine University Counseling Center since September 2020. Jami earned her Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling Psychology from the University of Louisville in 2015. Grounded in a holistic approach with a focus on heath psychology Jami obtained two Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and health and movement studies from Hanover College (2007-2011). Post graduate school Jami spent 5 years working with a diverse population and age range in Southern Indiana. As a therapist, she considers it an honor to be able to accompany students as they navigate the joys and challenges of higher education. Jami’s areas of interest include mental and physical wellness, navigating chronic illness, neurodiversity, trauma and adverse childhood events, multicultural and LBGTQ issues and student-athlete success.
Training Program 2020-2021
Bellarmine University Counseling Center provides training to psychology doctoral graduate students and a post-doctoral fellow. The graduate students are obtaining their doctorates in clinical and counseling psychology from Spalding University and the University of Louisville. The post-doctoral fellow has obtained their doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology and is completing a final year of specialized training before obtaining their independent license as a psychologist. Practicum and post-doctoral therapists are supervised by the Counseling Center licensed staff members.
Practicum and post-doctoral therapists serve the Bellarmine University campus community by providing individual and group therapeutic services, psychological assessments, liaison relationships to campus organizations, and general outreach programming. We are pleased to have the following seven practicum therapist joining the Counseling Center for the 2020-2021 academic year:
Practicum Therapists
Haley Beisler, M.A.
Haley (email) is a doctoral practicum student from Spalding University and joined the counseling center this spring. Haley earned her master’s in clinical psychology from Spalding University (2020) and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Louisville (2016). As a practicum student, Haley has enjoyed working with a variety of clients from various backgrounds and settings. Her clinical experience includes working with those who struggle with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, trauma, relationship and interpersonal difficulties and identity development. Her approach to therapy is collaborative in nature, working with her clients to create a warm, empathetic and safe space to express themselves. Her areas of interest include: developmental trauma, attachment-based issues, resilience and coping, multicultural and LGBTQ+ issues and advocacy work.
Margaret “Maggie” Carraway, M.A.
Maggie (email) is a doctoral level practicum student in her fourth year of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral program at Spalding University, where she specializes in working with forensic and adult populations. Maggie earned her Master of Clinical Psychology degree (M.A.) at Spalding in the summer of 2020 and, prior to this, obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with minors in Criminal Justice and Spanish in the mountains of NC. She approaches therapy through a positive psychology lens and strives to meet clients where they are in their suffering and help guide them towards growth and wholeness. She places emphasis on building a warm and trusting relationship that is collaborative in nature and safe for individuals of all backgrounds and ethnicities. Her specific areas of interest include trauma, maladaptive interpersonal patterns, mood concerns and self-image issues, and she has a specific desire to work with underserved and marginalized populations. When Maggie is not engaging in therapy at BUCC, she enjoys doing anything outdoors, including hiking or laying in her hammock, and spending time with friends and family!
Caitlin Estep, M.A.
Caitlin (email) is a master's level therapist and a member of the practicum student staff since August 2020. Caitlin is attending Spalding University to earn her Psy.D. Caitlin earned her Master’s of Clinical Psychology from Union College in May 2020. Caitlin comes from a generalist training program where she has been trained to work with a variety of different clients and settings. While earning her master's, she gained two years of therapy experience working as a Child and Family Interventionist in a rural Kentucky school. Her areas of interest include trauma; substance abuse; gender issues; and suicide prevention.
Andrew Facemire, M.A.
Andrew (email) is a pre-doctoral trainee in his fourth year of training at Spalding University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and creative writing from West Virginia Wesleyan College and his master’s degrees in clinical psychology from Morehead State University and Spalding University. He has over two years of experience working in community-based clinics with children, adolescents and adults alike, and has spent some time providing services to clients in inpatient, correctional and private practice settings. Andrew’s areas of interest include social anxiety and anxiety disorders; mood disorders; neurodiversity; multicultural and LGBTQ issues; positive psychology; and the use of gaming, hobbies and personal passions to improve mental wellness.
Tia Hunziker, M.A.
Tia (email) is a fourth-year doctoral practicum student from Spalding University’s Psy.D. program in clinical psychology. She received her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Spalding University (2020) and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Louis University (2016). Spalding’s Psy.D. program provides generalist training in clinical psychology, enabling Tia to work with a variety of different clients in many different settings. Her previous practicum sites include private practice, Roederer Correctional Complex, Communicare, Center for Behavioral Health and Central State Hospital. Tia’s areas of clinical interest include working with those suffering from mood disturbance, adjustment issues, ADHD, trauma, relationship and interpersonal difficulties and multicultural and LGBTQ issues.
Ameenah Ikram, M.A.
Ameenah (email) is a 4th year doctoral student in Spalding University’s Psy.D. program. Ameenah has earned a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from Spalding University in 2020 and earned two Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Psychology and Sociology in 2017 from the University of Louisville. Ameenah’s clinical emphasis areas are Child/Adolescent/Families (CAF) and Adults. Ameenah has had previous psychotherapy and psychological assessment practicum experience at a variety of sites including The Center for Behavioral Health, StrongMinds, Nur Islamic School of Louisville and Islamic School of Louisville. Her role this year at the Bellarmine University Counseling Center (BUCC) is to provide care for students of all backgrounds who may be in need of counseling or assessment services. During her time here at BUCC, Ameenah will be supervised by a licensed clinical psychologist. Ameenah identifies as an American Pakistani Muslim. Her areas of interest include working with individuals of minority/marginalized backgrounds and cultures, multicultural issues, managing depression and anxiety, managing stress, trauma recovery, behavioral struggles, psycho-education, postpartum/peripartum depression and reproductive psychology. Ameenah is dedicated to grow in her diversity journey and makes it a daily goal to practice cultural humility in her work. In her free time, Ameenah enjoys spending time with family and friends, being involved in the Louisville Muslim community, volunteering for various nonprofit organizations in the Louisville area, doing Zumba, journaling and drinking tea.
Cara Janes, M.A.
Cara (she/her/hers) (email) is a doctoral practicum therapist from Spalding University School of Professional Psychology. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Indiana University Southeast (2015) and her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Spalding University (2019). Currently, she is in her final year of practicum training in her doctoral program. Her previous clinical work includes a large range of presenting concerns in adult populations, specifically at a community mental health center and a local nursing college counseling center. Areas of clinical interest include trauma, gender identity, relationship difficulties, identity exploration, group therapy and LGBTQIA+ and multicultural issues. Her self-care time is dedicated to family, friends, Netflix documentaries and exploring Louisville's diverse food scene.
Psychiatric Services
- Aly Inclan, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, APRN
Clinic Assistants
- Andrew Facemire
-
Nicole Hagan