STAFF

Shelly Lear is the Director of Counseling and Student Wellness, coordinating the many student services of the Center, including counseling, consultation to students, faculty and staff, prevention and wellness programming, outreach to campus groups, and psychological crisis responding . She is a licensed clinical psychologist and completed her doctorate in 1997 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, (specializing in family and couples therapy). She completed her clinical internship at the University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center in 1996. Shelly is certified in clinical hypnosis and also has an interest in family/relationship issues, anxiety and depression, mindfulness approaches, dream interpretation, professional ethics, rural (small worlds) psychology and feminist therapy; her professional orientation is integrative and transtheoretical. Shelly currently serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), a national research and benchmarking study investigating college mental health services and seeking to define best practices in the field. When not in the office, she enjoys time with her husband and their dog, quilting, gardening, painting, and reading. You may see her walking around campus with her buddy Hobbes in the morning.

Sandy Gerlach, Secretary/receptionist at the Center for Counseling and Student Wellness, has worked on campus since 1998. She has worked in several departments including the Colleges' Post Office, The Bookstore, and Admissions, and has been with the Counseling Center since January 2011.  She takes pleasure in numerous challenges work has to offer and is always ready for any opportunity to learn. Throughout her years at the Colleges she earned an AAS Degree in Marketing and is a Licensed Real Estate Agent. Sandy enjoys making gift baskets for special occasions and would someday like to offer them for sale or consignment. During the summer/fall months she is an avid camper. She takes every advantage in spending time outside and with her two grandchildren. Lastly, when she joined the staff at CCSW, she felt it was a great fit since she enjoys helping and assisting others.

Meghann Wraight-Steinmetz is the Assistant Director for CCSW and a Licensed Psychologist. She completed her doctoral degree in counseling psychology at the University at Buffalo. Her professional interests and specializations are college student mental health, trauma, and working with students with dis-Abilities. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, with a foundation in psychodynamic and feminist theories. She also integrates solution-focused interventions, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral techniques into her therapeutic work. She enjoys various types of exercise, running and martial arts are her two favorites, meditation, the Adirondack Mountains, and spending time with family and friends.

Linda Kondilis is a Staff Psychologist and Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Services. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Nova Southeastern University. Her primary research interest is better understanding decision-making as it pertains to women's health. Professional interests include self-defeating behavior, group therapy, and couples therapy. She uses a psychodynamic approach focusing on relational patterns, as well as mindfulness techniques and motivational interviewing strategies. She enjoys traveling, softball, as well as spending time with her husband and dogs.

Maria Saavedra Finger is a Staff Psychologist and Coordinator of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, College Park and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of Rochester. In addition to providing individual and group therapy, Maria is the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Coordinator. Her professional interests include adult romantic attachment, mindfulness, identity formation, and trauma. She utilizes an integrative approach to therapy with a focus on interpersonal and psychodynamic theories. She also incorporates cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and guided imagery techniques into her clinical work. She enjoys traveling, libraries, new recipes, and going on hikes with her husband and dog.

Michael Siembor is a Staff Psychologist and Coordinator of Community Provider Relations and Campus Outreach. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame and is currently finishing his dissertation to complete his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University at Albany, State University of New York. He has particular interests in working with students as they transition into the college lifestyle, individuals involved in the arts, and individuals from traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations. He uses a generalist approach, but pulls heavily from psychoanalytic and humanistic frameworks. His research and professional interests include clinical supervision, assessment, and community mental health. Michael enjoys reading a good book, writing, running, and playing his clarinet.

Herbie is the CCSW greeter. After a long and fruitful career as a trusted domestic companion, he has found his true professional calling. Without any formal training, Herbie possesses organic empathy skills that help to instill a sense of calm and peace in others. He enjoys sleeping, laying out in the sun, wagging his tail, and being scratched on his head.