CLINIC LEADERSHIP
Kevin Eason, M.A., LCMHCA, NCC (he/him/his)
Director and Licensed Counselor
Kevin is a founding member of the Eagle Counseling, Consultation, and Research Clinic and currently serves as the Director. He has a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina Central University and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Kevin is also a Certified Grief-Informed Professional (CGP) and a Certified Trauma-Informed Professional (CTP). He has worked within the non-profit sector for 25 years, focusing on increasing access to mental health services, human rights, civil liberties, and equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
Kevin has nearly 15 years of experience working in community mental health. He began his career working in crisis management with numerous Assertive Community Treatment Teams and providing care for individuals dually diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. Kevin has worked in a variety of mental health settings, including Community Support/Teams (CS/CST), Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) programs, group home and independent living environments, and intensive outpatient programs. He particularly enjoys working with marginalized & marginalized individuals/communities and those interested in exploring their identity. Kevin’s practice is grounded in Radical Love & Acceptance and liberation. Throughout his career, he has remained passionate about helping close gaps in care and supporting people throughout their journey to be unapologetically their full, authentic selves. As a social justice advocate, Kevin is committed to dismantling white supremacy culture and the foundations of racism & oppression that many of our institutions are built upon. When not working, Kevin enjoys spending time with his family and friends, tending to his orchids, and fighting his Great Danes for room on the couch or bed.
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.
STUDENT COUNSELORS
Janazia Dixon (she/her/hers)
Student Counselor
Janazia Dixon is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at North Carolina Central University. Regarding her view of therapeutic change, Janazia operates as from a strengths-based perspective. She was raised in Eastern North Carolina and attended Carolina Wesleyan University as a student-athlete. At CWU, Janazia received her bachelor’s in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. After graduating, she led therapeutic groups for children and adolescents struggling with behavioral health, taught high school courses, counseled youth involved in the justice system, and advocated for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. As a counselor, she believes that troubles can lead to triumph, endurance, character, and hope.
Tamika McCollum (she/her/hers)
Student Counselor
Tamika McCollum is in her last year of the Clinical Mental Health Program at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Tamika's lived experiences have led her to the counseling space for herself, which she affirmed has changed her life! As a counselor, Tamika embodies an integrative approach to counseling, acknowledging that what works for one person may not work for another. Her approach to counseling also includes cultural humility, advocacy, and trauma-informed care. She lives by the philosophy that we all have a story to tell and desire to know ourselves and be known by others. She considers the counseling space sacred ground and believes having a non-anxious and non-judgmental presence is healing within itself!
Hind Ouammou (she/her/hers)
Student Counselor
Hind Ouammou is a graduate student pursuing her master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at North Carolina Central University. Born and raised in Morocco, she brings a rich multicultural perspective that informs her therapeutic approach and deepens her understanding of diverse lived experiences.
As a multilingual professional fluent in Arabic, French, and English, Hind offers clients the invaluable opportunity to engage in the therapeutic process using the language they feel most comfortable expressing themselves in. These multilingual skills, combined with her cross-cultural background, enhance her ability to form meaningful connections with individuals from varied cultural contexts and lived experiences.
With a profound respect for client autonomy, Hind recognizes that individuals are the foremost experts on their own lives. She creates a safe, supportive therapeutic environment where clients feel genuinely seen and heard, facilitating their journey toward healing and personal growth at a pace that feels comfortable and sustainable for them.
Kyla Saunders (she/her/hers)
Student Counselor
Kyla Saunders is a graduate student at North Carolina Central University pursuing a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As an undergraduate student, she attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she majored in psychology and minored in African American studies. At UNCG, she did extensive research on Black mental health and suicide rates in Black men. From a young age, Kyla knew she had a passion for helping people, so it was no surprise when she set out to pursue a career in mental health. She has background in Applied Behavior Analysis, providing therapeutic interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As a counselor in training, Kyla strives to provide clients with person centered, solution focused, and cognitive behavioral approaches to counseling. As an individual, Kyla enjoys traveling, coloring, listening to music, and going to the gym during her spare time.
Felix Sebera (he/him/his)
Student Counselor
Felix is a graduate student at North Carolina Central University pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he experienced a prolonged battle with depression that significantly impacted his life. Fortunately, with the support of his family, friends, and mental health resources, he regained control of his life and graduated with a degree in sociology. After college, he spent six years mentoring students at his alma mater and developed a passion for helping others achieve greater wellness. He knows that each client's journey is unique and uses active listening and intersectionality to see from their perspective. He values the transformative power of welcoming and non-judgmental spaces and strives to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where clients can freely explore their concerns. Felix is a spiritual person who encourages clients to explore and utilize their spiritual resources on their path to improved wellness. His therapeutic approach combines elements of person-centered, feminist, narrative, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Trent Stamer (he/him/his)
Student Counselor
Trent Stamer is a student counselor currently enrolled in NCCU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. His 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 becoming their full and authentic selves. Trent began his journey at the ECCRC in 2024 when he began working as the graduate assistant in the clinic. Most notably during this time, he worked as the research assistant alongside Dr. Lupton-Smith and Dr. Beckwith on the ECCRC’s inaugural research study. In 2023, Trent graduated from Illinois College with a degree in psychology and art & design. At IC, he spent a considerable amount of time involved in multiple studies surrounding the topics of Perfectionism, COVID-19, and emotional regulation.
Jailyn Weaver (she/her/hers)
Student Counselor
Jailyn "Jai" Weaver is a counselor in training at North Carolina Central University, pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She received a Bachelor’s in Psychology from NCCU, as well - double eagle pride! As a counselor, her therapeutic approach integrates client-centered, solution-focused, Cognitive-Behavioral, mindfulness-based, and trauma-informed theories and techniques. Jai is dedicated to creating a supportive and collaborative environment for clients, particularly under-represented populations, children, adolescents, and those who have experienced trauma. Jai has experience as a Registered Behavior Technician, working with children with autism. Working as a RBT has deepened her expertise and passion for serving younger populations. In her free time, she enjoys self-care, spending time with loved ones, and exploring nature.
