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 (he/him/his)
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 (she/her/hers)
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 (she/her/hers)
Doctoral Clinic Coordinator | Graduate Assistant
Teneya Love is a doctoral student in the Counseling, Counselor Education, and Supervision program at North Carolina Central University. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, 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.
Christian Gibson (she/her/hers)
Doctoral Clinic Coordinator | Graduate Assistant
Christian Gibson, is a doctoral student in the Counseling, Counselor Education, and Supervision program at North Carolina Central University. She is the founder and owner of Boldly Honor You Counseling where she specializes in supporting youth and adults as they navigate life’s challenges to include anxiety, OCD, grief, and major transitions. She is an educator, advocate, and speaker. Christian is especially passionate about helping individuals build emotional resilience, communicate with confidence, and care for themselves in times of uncertainty. Her work is grounded in honesty, care, and collaboration. Christian is licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington State with over ten years of experience providing culturally informed care. She is also a Qualified Supervisor in the state of North Carolina.She earned her Master’s and Education Specialist degrees in Counseling and Human Systems from Florida State University’s College of Education and holds her National Counselor Certification (NCC). Outside of direct clinical work, Christian enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, exercising, and listening to podcasts.
STUDENT COUNSELORS
Sima Clark
Student Counselor
Sima is earning her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina Central University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in psychology from Northcentral University. She brings 31 years of experience in corporate America, where she has built strong client relationships and served as a mentor, trainer, and trusted professional. She has also spent more than a decade coaching and supporting women as they navigated trauma, grief, difficult relationships, life transitions, and the process of rediscovering themselves.
Sima believes counseling should provide a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel genuinely heard and understood. She views the counselor’s role as walking alongside clients—not directing their lives, but helping them recognize their strengths, explore the experiences that have shaped them, and make choices that support healing and meaningful change. Her approach is grounded in empathy, authenticity, cultural awareness, and respect for each client’s individual story.
Heather Ford
Student Counselor
Heather is a student counselor at the Eagle Counseling, Consultation, and Research Clinic. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from NCCU and is completing NCCU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling–Addictions program. A native New Yorker, Heather brings two decades of experience supporting individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders in school and residential settings. After moving to rural NC in 2012, awareness of barriers to mental health care motivated her to pursue counseling.
While initially trained in behaviorism and ABA, Heather approaches counseling through a primarily humanistic-existential lens, emphasizing strengths-based & trauma-informed principles. She strives to create a supportive, nonjudgmental virtual space where clients are respected as the experts on their own lives. Among areas of clinical interests are stress and adjustment, chronic health & pain conditions, trauma, substance use, and pet-related stress & loss, particularly for those with support animals or in animal rescue.
Outside of counseling, Heather volunteers with a boxer rescue and treasures time with family & friends, relaxing with her boxers (Mara Jade Skywalker & newest rescue Lando), reading, photography & going to the beach.
Charisse Hollaway (she/her/hers)
Student Counselor
Charisse Holloway earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from North Carolina A&T State University and a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary. She is currently a third-year graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at North Carolina Central University and an active member of several national honor societies. Charisse fosters a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore life’s challenges. She believes in meeting clients where they are while helping them recognize their strengths, build resilience, and pursue meaningful growth and well-being.
Her clinical approach is rooted in Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) and incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, multicultural counseling, and other evidence-based practices tailored to each client’s needs. Upon request, she also offers faith-integrated counseling. Charisse works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, trauma, self-esteem concerns, academic stress, spirituality, and personal growth challenges, etc.
Before pursuing counseling, Charisse served as an educator and volunteer in public schools across New Jersey and North Carolina and gained valuable experience supporting students within university settings, including the University of North Carolina System Office. Outside of counseling, she enjoys teaching Bible study, exercising, reading suspense novels, and volunteering in her community.
Grace Martin
Student Counselor | Master's Graduate Assistant
Grace Martin is earning her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina Central University. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from NC State University, where she developed a foundation in understanding people while also seeing firsthand the many stressors her classmates were navigating. These experiences strengthened her desire to continue learning and become an advocate for whole-person wellness.
Grace believes that who we are is shaped by our experiences, relationships, environments, and the ways we have learned to understand ourselves. She views counseling as one part of a larger picture of health and well-being, creating space to better understand where we have come from, make sense of the messages we carry, and develop the tools we need to navigate life with greater clarity and confidence.
Wa'Quita McCauley
Student Counselor
Wa’Quita McCauley is a counselor-in-training at the Eagle Counseling Clinic and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at North Carolina Central University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and an Associate’s degree in Health Science. Through her organization, Writefully HONEST, Wa’Quita works with teens and adults to promote mental wellness, personal growth, and the development of social-emotional skills through educational resources and workshops. Wa’Quita has a particular interest in working with adolescents and young adults and hopes to continue serving these populations after graduation. She values creating a welcoming and supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable being themselves, exploring their experiences, and working toward meaningful growth.
Wa’Quita approaches counseling from a humanistic perspective while also incorporating a solution-focused approach. She believes in meeting clients with empathy, authenticity, and respect while recognizing that each client is the expert on their own life and experiences. Rather than simply providing answers, Wa’Quita strives to help clients recognize their own strengths, explore possibilities, and identify meaningful steps toward the changes they would like to make. She views counseling as a collaborative process in which clients are supported and empowered as they navigate their own unique journey.
Outside of her professional and educational work, Wa’Quita enjoys spending time outdoors, especially walking, biking, swimming, and playing tennis. She particularly enjoys being near the water and appreciates activities that allow her to relax, recharge, and enjoy nature. When she is not outdoors, she also enjoys unwinding with a great movie or television show.
Claire Stockhausen (she/her/hers)
Student Counselor
Claire Stockhausen is a graduate student at NCCU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program and intern at the Eagles Counseling, Consultation, and Research Clinic. 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.
