Senior Staff	Graduate Assistants
Dr. Brian Van Brunt Director	Julie Goble Psychology
Dr. Karl Laves Assistant Director	Sam Husted Psychology Grad Assistant
Dr. Debra Crisp Training Coordinator	Rebbeca Wittman Psychology Grad Assistant
Dr. Eric Manley Clinical Services & Research Coordinator	Sarah Arnold Social Work Grad Assistant
Betsy Pierce Outreach Coordinator	Yanjie WangCounseling & Student Affairs Intern
Elizabeth Madariaga Sexual Assault Services Coordinator
Todd Noffsinger Emerging Services Clinician
Sharon Ercey Testing Coordinator
Julia Johnson Office Associate
Jeannie Banter Office Assistant

Brian Van Brunt, Ed.D.

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Director, Counseling and Testing Center

From the cold northeast, I’ve come to Western Kentucky University to lead the Counseling and Testing center to brave new horizons (insert maniacal laugh here). When I’m not traveling to Walt Disney World, I’m working hard on developing nurturing a work environment for my staff so the students they work with can be even better supported, cared for and helped on their journey through college. My personal counseling style is centered on helping people understand themselves and their stories in more positive frame—to recharge and renew their energy and faith in themselves. I’m old enough to have seen the original Star Wars in the theatres, but young enough so you’re not sure if the action figures in my office are mine or my kids (they’re mine, BTW). Listen to Brian

Professional web page: www.brianvanbrunt.com     

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Karl Stanley Laves, Ph.D.

Licensed Counseling Psychologist

Assistant Director, Counseling and Testing Center

I am a former guidance counselor and assistant principal who did not want to grow up, so I entered a doctoral program at the University of Missouri-Columbia and came to WKU to work in a college counseling center. I love my family, I love my job, and I love to eat. I like to use humor and encouragement when working with students and I like to challenge people to see their own strengths. I believe that life is too short to be miserable and too precious to be cautious. Listen to Karl

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Debra Crisp, Ph.D.

Licensed Counseling Psychologist

Training Coordinator

I arrived in Bowling Green, KY in 1998 after spending a frigid year at the University of Pittsburgh as a Predoctoral Intern in their Counseling Center. I am someone who enjoys the energy of a college campus. I received my undergraduate and master’s degree from Appalachian State University (The Back to Back Champions of Division IA football and the spoilers of the University of Michigan football team). My background is in student affairs so I have worked with career counseling, African American Student Development, parent orientation, and financial aid. However, I really enjoy working with students on a more one on one basis. I earned my doctorate at the University of Memphis in counseling psychology. It is my great pleasure to be the training coordinator as we assist therapists-in-training to develop their skills. Listen to Debra

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Eric Manley, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Clinical Services and Research

I am a former high school English teacher who learned very quickly that I really enjoyed working with students on an individual basis. I returned to grad school, planning to become a guidance counselor but after completing a field placement in a college counseling center, I knew that I had found the best fit for me. I received my M.A. in Counseling at the University of Montevallo and obtained my PhD. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Memphis. Currently, I work at the center as a staff counselor and I also coordinate clinical and research services.  Listen to Eric

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Betsy Pierce, MA

Licensed Psychological Associate

Outreach Coordinator, Counseling and Testing Center

I received my MA in Clinical Psychology from WKU in 2000, which proves that it is never too late to go back to school! As Outreach Coordinator, I help schedule and provide programs to the campus community. However, most of my time is spent with students for individual counseling, and I have a particular interest in eating disorders. I love reading, gardening, and chocolate, not necessarily in that order, and am a firm believer that we need to laugh about something every day, including ourselves! Listen to Betsy

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Elizabeth Madariaga

Sexual Assault Services Coordinator

As you can tell by receiving my undergraduate in psychology, then my graduate in mental health counseling from Western Kentucky University, I am a true Big Red fan! I came “home” in December of 2003 as a staff counselor and the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator for campus. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I get to do lots of really cool stuff with my job including individual counseling and outreach. I have a special interest in sexual assault and violence. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, music, movies and my latest craze is the Wii! Oh, and did I mention that I think BIG RED ROCKS!! I love a good laugh but most importantly, life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.

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*the above image is an approximation.

Todd Noffsinger

Emerging Services Clinician

As the Emerging Services Clinician, I assist students as they transition into the Counseling and Testing Center and ensure complete care for students seeking services outside the university. I received my master’s in Counseling from WKU, with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. My clinical interests include addictions, career, and couples counseling. I enjoy working from a Solution-Focused approach, which recognizes exceptions to the problem as well as ways in which we are already working toward a desired outcome. I also borrow from family systems and holistic-based models as I believe wellness includes physical and interpersonal care. For leisure, I enjoy running, backpacking and spending time with my wife (her cats) and family. Listen to Todd

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Sharon Ercey

Coordinator of Testing

The phrase “slowly but surely” best describes the way I received my degree. I worked full-time at WKU and attended classes part-time. My goal was to graduate from college before my daughter graduated from elementary school! I received my Bachelor’s Degree in 1996 in what is now called Interdisciplinary Studies. As Testing Coordinator, I oversee the administration and staff training for many institutional and national exams given year-round. I also do presentations about our testing program for various offices on campus and in the community. I enjoy working with students of all ages and helping them find ways to make their academic life at WKU a little less stressful. I like to read, work puzzles and travel and believe that anyone possessing a sense of humor can achieve great things in life. Listen to Sharon

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Julia Johnson

Office Manager

I have recently joined the Counseling & Testing Center in August 2008. I am graduate of WKU and I have always enjoyed working at a university, because I believe it keeps you young and heart and helps you learn new things. I like getting to know the students and working with them. I have been married to Brandon for five years and we have two children Rachel & Logan. I also enjoy shopping, doing crafts with my kids and traveling. I always say “look at the positive side of anything and SMILE while doing everything.” Listen to Julia

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Jeannie Banter

Psychology Intern Trevecca Nazarene University

Jeannie is pursuing her Masters in Counseling Psychology at Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville, TN and spending this academic year at WKU as a counselor in our center. She grew up in the South where she developed her love of white water rafting, cows and scary carnival rides. Although she misses her family, friends and new baby niece back home, she calls her work in counseling psychology “the best job in the world!”

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Julie Goble

Clinical Psychology Intern

After graduating from the University of Evansville in 2007, I bounced around several different jobs and finally settled on returning to school to continue my education.  I am a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Master’s Program here at Western, and a new addition to the Counseling and Testing Center.  I look forward to working with everyone and honing my skills as a counselor, and having a good time in the process.  In my spare time, I enjoy reading, gaming, and watching movies.

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Sam Husted

Clinical Psychology Graduate Assistant

I am pursuing my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Western Kentucky University. I grew up in Minnesota, where the summers are colder than the winters in Kentucky, and 2 inches of snow on the ground does not mean automatic school cancellation. Being from Minnesota, I am an avid college hockey fan (go Gophers!), and I love following the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Wild, and unfortunately, the Minnesota Vikings as well. In my spare time, I enjoy going for runs, reading history books, and watching Disney movies. I am extremely excited to be working at the Counseling & Testing Center this fall, because helping people work through their problems is by far the most rewarding job in the

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 Rebbeca Wittman

Clinical Psychology Graduate Assistant

Becca is pursuing her Masters in Clinical Psychology at Western Kentucky University. She plans on continuing her education in a Clinical Psychology doctoral program after graduating from WKU. After finishing her education, Becca intends on pursuing a career as a private practice clinician working with children and adolescents. In her spare time, she loves to dance, play and help out with the kids at her mother’s daycare, and spend time with friends and family.

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Sarah Arnold

Social Work Graduate Assistant

Is pursuing her Masters in Social Work as well as Sociology at WKU.  She completed her undergraduate degree at WKU in Sociology with a minor in Criminology and Sexuality Studies.  In her free time Sarah enjoys spending time with her friends and family as well as traveling.  Some of her research interests include: youth gang involvement, homelessness, and nursing home assistance. 

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Yanjie Wang

Counseling & Student Affairs Intern

Yanjie gained her Bachelors in English from China in 2007.  After she graduated from college, she decided to seek more freedom and opportunities so she is here now.  Yanjie is currently pursuing her Masters in Counseling at Western Kentucky University. It has been challenging for her since she came to the United States in 2007; however, that was such a great experience to develop her academic and career goals.  She has completed 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship in Family Counseling Clinic at Western Kentucky University during 2010 to 2011.  She is looking forward having more experience, working with people who want to make better choices in their lives.

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