CLINIC LEADERSHIP
Dr. Kelsey Hargrove (she/her/hers)
Clinical Supervisor
Kelsey Hargrove is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS), 500-hour Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT), and the founder of Living for Synergy Wellness, an embodied wellness practice dedicated to holistic psychotherapy, yoga, and clinical supervision. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Kelsey’s work focuses on integrating storytelling, mental health, cultural consciousness, and embodiment, to create accessible learning environments and wellness spaces.
With over a decade of experience across inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization settings, Kelsey has provided therapeutic care to individuals and families navigating body image dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and acute eating disorders. Her unique perspective—shaped by years of serving in fitness and wellness spaces—fuels her passion for addressing mental health disparities among BIPOC populations through the integration of mindful movement and embodiment practices.
When she’s not teaching or leading yoga and group fitness classes, Kelsey enjoys being outdoors/hiking, trying new restaurants, watching thriller movies, car karaoke, trying not to over or under water her houseplants, reading, and spending time with loved ones!
Dr. Helen Lupton-Smith (she/her/hers)
Faculty Liaison
Dr. Lupton-Smith is a Professor in the Counselor Education Program at North Carolina Central University. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from North Carolina State University. Before coming to North Carolina Central University, Dr. Lupton-Smith was a faculty member in the Counseling Program at North Carolina A&T State University and then the Counselor Education program at NC State University. While at NCSU, Dr. Lupton-Smith served as Co-Director of the Community, Counseling, Education, and Research Center (CCERC), NCSU program’s community counseling center where counseling services are provided to underserved populations who can’t afford services as well as training experiences for graduate counseling students. Dr. Lupton-Smith has counseling experience in both school and agency settings with teens and adults. Her interests are around supervision and teaching strategies that facilitate the development of counselors in training as well as a counseling model that promotes access, engagement, and wellness of underserved community members.
Dr. Adam Brandt
Co-Director of Community Outreach
Adam Brandt, Ph.D., holds a Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Dayton and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Counselor Education from North Carolina State University. He has clinical experience working with college students, adults, and teenagers. His clinical expertise is in obsessive-compulsive disorder, existential issues, and psycho-spiritual concerns.
Adam's research interests include Buddhist psychology and the intersection of faith and multicultural development. He is also the recipient of the 2022 ASERVIC Research Award. In his free time, Adam enjoys running, cycling, improving his guitar skills, and perfecting his morning ritual–making coffee.
Dr. Mia Kennedy
K-12 Partnerships and Outreach Co-Director
Dr. Mia Kennedy is a licensed school counselor and clinical mental health counselor-associate with 17 years of professional counseling experience across K-12 and higher education settings. A proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University (B.S., M.S.) and North Carolina State University (Ph.D.), she has dedicated her career to promoting equitable access, culturally responsive support, and advocacy for students and families. Her research centers on school counselor preparation, career development, and anti-racist counseling practices, and she has shared her work at local, state, and national conferences.
As the K-12 Partnerships and Outreach Director, Dr. Kennedy brings a strong foundation in community engagement, educational collaboration, and student-centered counseling. Her passion aligns seamlessly with the Eagle Counseling, Consultation, and Research Clinic’s mission to provide accessible, culturally aware, and socially just mental health services, as well as its vision to model excellence in community outreach, counselor training, wellness promotion, and school-based partnerships.
Dr. Kennedy’s commitment to advocacy, education, and wellness reflects the heart of the clinic’s purpose. She is excited to contribute her skills, passion, and leadership to advance the clinic’s impact within the Durham community and beyond. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys listening to music, spending time with loved ones, and volunteering.
Teneya Love
Doctoral Graduate Assistant
Teneya Love is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at North Carolina Central University. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate, and Licensed School Counselor. As the owner of Guiding Life Therapeutic Services, she provides counseling to adolescents and young adults, addressing a range of presenting concerns. In addition to her private practice work, Teneya serves as a doctoral graduate assistant at the Eagle Counseling Clinic, where she serves as a supervisor, and supports counselors who are in training and assists with clinical operations. In her personal time, she enjoys watching Netflix and spending time with her family.
Caleb Waters
Master's Graduate Assistant
Caleb Waters is earning his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina Central University in Durham. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in broadcast journalism, he spent seven years working in sports TV production. Now, he wants to use his passion for storytelling to help clients rewrite their own stories.
Caleb believes that counseling should embody a professional relationship, seamlessly blending the technical qualities of skill, theory, punctuality, and organization with the relational aspects of non-judgment, empathy, and unconditional positive regard for the client. He views the counselor’s role not as pushing or pulling the client but instead as accompanying and walking alongside them.
As a graduate assistant for the ECCRC, Caleb communicates with prospective clients and assists with operations.
STUDENT COUNSELORS
Sharon Baker
S
tudent Counselor
Sharon Baker is in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Masters program at NC Central University. Her clinical interests include, but are not limited to, anxiety, life transitions and adjustment, relationship issues, burnout, ADHD, trauma, and addiction. Sharon believes that a diagnosis does not define you and that you are the expert on your own experiences. She takes a strengths-based, collaborative approach to counseling, where she joins you on your journey to discover what has been working and what techniques would be helpful to add to your toolbox. While her theoretical orientation is humanistic and client-centered, Sharon is also interested in applying evidence-based therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients manage intense emotions and negative thought patterns. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, taking her dog to the dog park, and thrifting.
Alexis Capel
Student Counselor
Alexis Capel is in her final year in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She believes that every person deserves to have a safe space to grow into their best self. Alexis values autonomy and is committed to meeting clients where they are. She has a passion for advocacy within the African-American community, and she is invested in supporting men as they navigate the complexities and stigmas facing mental wellness. Her clinical style is rooted in Person-Centered therapy as she honors the client as the expert of their own life. Outside of the clinic, Alexis loves to be creative whether she is in the kitchen trying new recipes, reading a new book on how to better herself and those around her or writing poems. She also enjoys quality time with her loved ones.
Heather Ford
Student Counselor
Heather Ford is a student counselor at the Eagle Counseling, Consultation, and Research Clinic. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from NCCU and is completing their Clinical Mental Health Counseling–Addictions program. A native New Yorker, Heather brings nearly two decades of experience supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. After moving to rural NC in 2012, lived experiences and mental health care barriers motivated her to pursue counseling.
Initially trained in behaviorism and ABA, Heather values a humanistic-existential and trauma-focused approach, emphasizing clients’ strengths and creating a safe virtual space where clients are respected as the experts on their own lives. Her clinical interests include trauma, chronic health and pain conditions, substance use, co-occurring disorders, among others. Outside of counseling, she volunteers with a boxer rescue, relaxes with her boxer Mara Jade Skywalker, enjoys the beach, and treasures time with her family—especially the playful chaos her grandchildren bring.
Michelle Martells
Student Counselor
Michelle Martells is in her third year in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She completed her undergraduate degree at East Carolina University and began studying at NCCU in the Fall of 2023. Michelle sees it is a privilege to be able to do counseling work and provide the community with resources. As a counselor-in-training, Michelle is very passionate about working with adolescents. Michelle approaches counseling from a person-centered, humanistic, and multicultural approach.
Haley Ross
Student Counselor
Shequita "Haley" Ross is a final-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) certification at North Carolina Central University. She is an active participant in the North Carolina IMPACT program, where she incorporates Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) approaches into her clinical practice to address the holistic needs of her clients.
Haley earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Mars Hill College in 2022. Prior to entering the mental health field, she spent over a decade in the corporate sector, serving in various leadership roles where she developed a deep appreciation for understanding people holistically. This extensive experience in leadership and human development inspired her transition to clinical mental health counseling, leading her to begin her graduate studies at North Carolina Central University in Fall 2023.
As a developing clinician, Haley embraces a humanistic approach to therapy, believing that the therapeutic process is fundamentally rooted in genuine human connection. Drawing upon her background in business leadership and her commitment to person-centered care, she works to assist her clients in cultivating self-awareness and empowering them to become their fullest, most authentic selves.
Trent Stamer (he/him/his)
Student Counselor
Trent Stamer is a student counselor at the Eagle Counseling, Consultation, and Research Clinic (ECCRC) and is currently enrolled in NCCU's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Trent's interests within the field of counseling include existentialism, multiculturalism, rural mental health, systems therapy, and many others. As a clinician, he believes that therapy is a humanistic process and works to assist his clients in increasing awareness of themselves in order to become their full and authentic selves. Trent began his journey at the ECCRC in 2024 when he began working as the graduate/research assistant at the clinic. Throughout his experience, he conducted–alongside Dr. Lupton-Smith and Dr. Beckwith–the ECCRC's inaugural research study, Examining Client Access, Satisfaction, and Wellness at NCCU's Eagle Counseling Clinic, which was recently accepted to present at the 2025 ACES Conference. Regarding this ECCRC study, Trent received first place in NCCU's 2025 Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium for his research poster presentation. In 2023, Trent graduated from Illinois College with a degree in psychology and art & design.
Claire Stockhausen
Student Counselor
Claire Stockhausen is a second-year graduate student at NCCU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She has a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences and graduated with her master's in Physician Assistant Studies in 2009. For ten years, she worked as a Physician Assistant primarily in oncology before deciding to step away from the medical field to pursue a counseling degree. Claire believes that mental health is health care and should be accessible to all. As a counselor-in-training, she brings her prior professional and lived experience, with a strong emphasis on community-based care. While Claire is still developing her counseling style, she combines person-centered, relational-cultural, existential, and multicultural approaches to best meet the unique needs of the client. Outside of school, Claire enjoys spending time hiking, gardening, eating and cooking delicious meals, making pottery, exploring the many vintage and antique shops in the area, and spending quality time with her partner, family, friends, and canine companions.
