Jacksonville University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling |

June 2025 | Vol. 1 Issue 4

Happy Summer, JU CMHC Alumni, Site Supervisors, Employers and Friends!

Greetings from the faculty of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) department. We are pleased to present you with the summer issue of CMHC Quarterly. Thank you for keeping up with us.

Photo: First-year 'Phins at the Research Symposium

Congratulations to our Future PhDs!

Exciting Doctoral Acceptances for JU CMHC Students

The Jacksonville University Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is proud to announce that two of our outstanding students have been accepted into prestigious doctoral programs.

Ben Myers, a 2024–2025 Florida Blue Scholar and Chi Sigma Iota member, has been accepted into the Ph.D. program at Florida State University.

Katherine Espano, Vice President of Chi Sigma Iota’s Eta Upsilon Chapter, winner of the ACES Leadership Essay Contest, and Editorial Assistant for Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, will be attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

We celebrate their achievements and look forward to the incredible impact they will make in the field of counseling.

Publications: Hot off the Press

Our faculty love publishing and presenting with our students. Faculty's names are in bold text and students' names are italicized.

Summers, L., Borden, N., & Brown. A. (2025). Mentorship and its ripple effect. In Hendricks, L. & Smith, D. (Eds.), The Giving African American Scholar: Fostering Growth Through Academic Altruism. (publication date pending).

Holladay, K., Cortes, R., Ching-Chen, C., and Sanders, C., (2025). Closing the Gap in Career Counselor Development with Inclusive Teaching Strategies. Journal of Employment Counseling. http://doi.org/10.1002/joec.12250

Holladay, K., Merrill, E., Barrios, V. (2025, March). “To Numb the Pain, I Got High”: Underrepresented career sex workers’ lived experiences with substance use and childhood trauma. American Counseling Association. Orlando, FL.  

Students had a great time networking with community site supervisors and peers at UNF on March 31 for the Practicum and Internship Fair.

Dr. Seneka Gainer delivered the Closing Session Keynote at the 2025 ACA Business of Counseling Summit on May 30. Her talk was titled “The Brave New Practice: Multiplying Impact in the Empathy Economy."

 Dr. Kelley Holladay presented research at the American Counseling Association (ACA) Conference, Orlando, FL.

It's graduation season!!! Drs. LaTonya Summers, NeShaun Borden and Michelle Ellis at graduation.

Dr. NeShaun Borden pictured with Dean Mark Tillman at graduation.

Congratulations Class of 2025!

*not all are pictured

Chi Sigma Iota - Eta Upsilon held their initiation on May 23rd, 2025. Pictured above is the incoming board!

Outgoing CSI Leadership: Ben Myers, President Willow Bartlett-Kester, Katherine Espano, and Allison Stark.

Dr. LaTonya Summers (second from left) as a panelist for a Mental Health in the Workplace event for the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission.

Research is Fun!

In groups of 2-4, students proposed research studies that would improve clients’ lived experiences with childhood trauma, borderline personality disorder, addictions, foster care, and many more topics. They did an amazing job at the Research Symposium!

Join us at the Military Symposium!

A conference for students and community members - aimed at those working with service members and military connected families.

Hosted by faculty of Jacksonville University, the University of Central Florida, and the Military and Government Counseling Association



Register Here!

Meet Hector Colon!



Hector, a Jacksonville native, did not begin his career in counseling as he received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at UNF. Working in software development for 12 years, Hector transitioned to the helping profession and is currently a 2nd year master’s student at JU’s CMHC program. Hector is not new to transition as he moved to Puerto Rico at a young age with his family before returning to Jacksonville at age 8. Now interning at the UNF counseling center, Hector is pursuing his passion for a career he finds more meaningful and better aligned with his personality. Hector decided to choose the JU CMHC program after authentic interactions with the professors and recognition of the strength of the program. Hector also volunteered with the JU Jazz Music Department as a jazz guitarist during the 2021-22 school year, so he enjoyed firsthand experience of the campus and school culture – an experience that offered him a sense of belonging and connection. In pursuit of his master’s, Hectors is also a recipient of the Florida Blue Scholarship. 

Post-graduation, Hector hopes to fulfill his goal of becoming specialized in EMDR and open up his own private practice working with clients who have experienced trauma. His clinical interests include adverse childhood experiences and the body-mind connection. Hector plans to learn more about the correlation between trauma and chronic illness and the overall relationship between mental and physical health. Outside of school and work, Hector enjoys spending time with his golden doodle, playing his guitar at different open mics (particularly jazz), watching sports (Go Jags!), and being active outdoors. 

Hector offers a few words of advice for incoming students! This field is challenging yet fulfilling, so always stay in touch with your passion – remind yourself why you decided to go into the field. When stress blossoms, keep pushing through; it might be stressful but it will always be rewarding.

You've been a CMHC faulty member since 2021. Tell the community stakeholders about yourself. Perhaps, what brought you to JU, let them know about your research interests, perhaps the university and community committees you serve on, and other work related stuff. 

After spending time training and working across the country, I returned to my hometown of Jacksonville to help shape the next generation of clinical mental health professionals. I specialize in trauma and substance use, with a research focus on the intersection of exercise, trauma responses, and recovery. In addition to my research, I have a deep commitment to community impact and student development. I remain active in the field through training our next generation, scholarly agenda, active involvement in counselor organizations, and running a practice near the ocean.

At the heart of my identity is my role as a mother. Balancing the demands of parenthood with the rigors of academia, I find joy and inspiration in my family and students. 

What courses do you teach and share how you keep students engaged in them.

I currently teach the Career Counseling Course and the Addiction's Course. We have several guest lectures from those active in the field, and experiential activities to get students into the community.

We preach self-care to students. How do you take care of yourself and how do you demonstrate wellness to students?

I prioritize movement, boundaries, and rest—whether that means taking a midday walk, logging off when the day is done, or spending screen-free time with my family. I model wellness by being transparent about these choices with students and encouraging them to do the same in ways that align with their own values.

What do you enjoy outside of work? Any favorite TV shows, or hobbies. 

Outside of work, I stay active with my family. We walk the beach often, I practice yoga weekly, lift a lot of weights (body builder and ballerina in a past life), and chase around our three dogs plus the deer that visit on occasion.

Got a link to any of your articles you care to share?

Holladay, K., Hagedorn, W., Boote, D., and Lardier, D. (2021). The trauma of cyber-sexual assault: Heightened dimensions of emotional dysregulation among survivors. Journal of the International Trauma Training Institute. 3(1). 60-77. http://www.thepractitionerscholar.com/

Alumni Spotlight!

Adam Murchison

Meet Adam Murchison!

Adam is a Florida native and received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UNF. While working full-time, he attended JU for his Master of Science in CMHC. Currently living just south of Sarasota as the Director of Membership Sales for a Resort & Golf Course, Adam is now looking to transition back to the counseling field! Adam shares that counseling is where he wants to be and hopes to build upon the opportunities it can offer him to interact with and guide individuals from all walks of life. In his shift back to counseling, Adam is interested in working in the athletic community on topics of performance and identity.

While working in Sales, Adam has begun part-time hours as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, but hopes to now transition into counseling full-time. During the interview process, Adam describes the JU professors as not only creating a welcoming environment but also making intentional efforts to form a genuine connection – 2 reasons why he decided to choose the JU CMHC program. Adam shares that the program has benefited him while working both in Sales and in his part-time counseling work. Offering him a transformative experience, Adam notes increased competency in organization, time management, stress tolerance, and overall ability in forming relational connections with others. Outside of work, Adam is a multi-talented musician with experience playing guitar, piano, and singing! He also enjoys doing yoga, traveling, attending concerts, and being outdoors. 

Adam’s advice for current and incoming students is to be ready to reflect and change. This program will evolve you into a different person with more self-awareness, skill, and insight – it's exciting! While being in graduate school, try to enjoy this time as much as possible. Adversity, stress, and burnout are all normal, but coming out on the other side is rewarding and purposeful. Lastly, embrace the friendships and relationships you gain during the program.

Alumni Spotlight!

Cindy Williams

Meet Cindy Williams!

Cindy, a LCMHC and NCC, is a double dolphin, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from JU. She supplements these 2 degrees with an Associates in Nursing from FSCG and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Columbia University. In addition to her educational achievement, she is also a veteran. Beginning a master’s degree in Nursing Education, Cindy felt an innate calling to the helping profession of counseling– a prominent factor in the transition to clinical mental health counseling. Fun fact: Cindy was in the very first cohort of JU’s CMHC program with about 10 students! Cindy expresses appreciation for the program and its ability to prepare her for the world of counseling and therapy. 

Cindy was a nurse for 30 years and worked dually as a nurse and mental health counselor until 2 years ago. Currently, Cindy works as a part-time therapist contracted under a private practice where she provides services to a wide range of adult clientele throughout Florida via telehealth. Cindy also expresses immense passion for her work in equine-facilitated psychotherapy. This interest flourished during her time in school where she immersed herself in the services offered by PX Equine. Working to develop her skillset in equine-based psychotherapy, Cindy also works with The Herd Institute in Orlando. In her unwavering dedication, she has fully completed The Herd Institute’s Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy program and only needs a few more clinical hours until she is eligible for certification! Equine psychotherapy offers a unique style of feedback and support where clients partner with the horse and work through their challenges in the here and now. Post-certification, Cindy plans to start her own equine program in the Fall – when it gets a bit cooler. Cindy encourages anyone and everyone to reach out if they are interested in the work of equine psychotherapy! Outside of work, Cindy is very family-oriented and takes great pride in her role as a grandmother to 4 grandchildren! She is an animal lover with 4 (soon to be 5) horses, a dog, a cat, and plenty of birds in her backyard that love her bird feeders. She also loves traveling. 

Cindy leaves some words of advice for current and incoming CMHC students! Stay curious and get as much experience as you can. Gain as much exposure in the various modalities and populations as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take risks in your counseling journey.

Congratulations!

The following JU CMHC students engaged in UNF's Counseling Our Communities internship support program. Students who completed the program will receive a $1000 award.

Jamie Bauroth

Madison Gorman

Adalyn Graham

Naomi Karr

Michelle Martinetti

Benjamin Myers

Mikali Myers

Larry Rencher

• JU CMHC will no longer offer the Graduate Play Therapy Certificate program. We will continue to offer courses that prepare our students for working with children and adolescents and their families. 
• JU CMHC will miss our colleagues, Drs. Bradley McKibben and Page Thanasiu, as they are no longer with the university. 
• Alumni who would like to be featured in the CMHC Quarterly should send an email to lsummer@ju.edu.
• Got any family or friends interested in our program? Invite them to audit (i.e., sit in and observe) one of our classes. Those who are interested can email Dr. LaTonya Summers at lsummer@ju.edu.

What to look forward to...

The Fall issue of CMHC Quarterly will make its way to you on September 15.

Advisory Board

We’ve got the BEST Advisory Board of all! The group of faculty, students, alumni, and community stakeholders met on campus on March 31. Thank your for your service, Board!

Your Feedback is Needed!

Click on the link below that best describes your relationship with us and give feedback.

Alumni survey: for JU CMHC graduates class of 2018-2024

Site Supervisor survey: for those who provide practicum and internship sites

Employer survey: for those who employ our graduates

Class of 2025 survey: for students who are finishing the program

THANK YOU!

A special thanks to the editors of this issue!

LaTonya Summers, Content manager, Writer

Kelley Holladay, Layout and Design

Michelle Ellis, Editor

Lanni Brown, Student, Writer