Staff

Our Practice Philosophy

The FSU Counseling Center staff are a group of dedicated and compassionate mental health providers who specialize in college mental health. Though we have a variety of clinical work styles, we all embrace providing mental health care from a strengths based perspective, utilizing a bio-psycho-social assessment and treatment model. We all strive to create a therapeutic environment for students to identify their needs, discuss difficult emotional issues safely,  teach and support healthy coping strategies, and assist students with wellness referrals elsewhere, if needed. We are also community partners with many FSU staff and faculty in helping to support student wellness and success.

 

 

Paul Welch, LICSW

Director

Paul has been with the Counseling Center since 1992, first as a graduate intern, then as a staff therapist, and now as the director. He is a 1993 graduate of Simmons Graduate School of Social work.

Andrew Lipsky, LICSW

Assistant Director

Andrew first joined the Counseling Center in 2002 as a graduate intern, then as a staff member in 2004, and now as assistant director. He is a 2003 graduate of Boston College School of Social Work.

Natalie Engler, LICSW

Staff Counselor

Natalie joined the Counseling Center in 2017. She is a 2014 graduate of Simmons Graduate School of Social Work. During her graduate studies Natalie worked as an intern at this counseling center.

Rupal Bhatt, Psy.D.

Staff Counselor

Rupal joined the Counseling Center in September 2011. She received a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford in 2003 and graduated with a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford in 2010.

Kim Charneski, LCSW

Staff Counselor

Kim returned to the Counseling Center in November 2010. She is a 2001 graduate of Boston College School of Social Work. During her graduate studies, she worked as an intern at this counseling center and has also worked here previously as a staff counselor.

Jeanne Haley, LICSW

Staff Counselor

Jeanne joined the Counseling  Center in August 2008 and is a 1985 graduate of the Boston University School of Social Work.

Christina Garbarino, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Christie joined the Counseling Center in September 2008. She received her Masters of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from Boston College in 2005. She offers psychiatric consultation and medication management for students who may need those services as part of their care at the Counseling Center.

The Counseling Center welcomes our three current interns: Melanie Mitchell is in her final year at Salem State University Masters of Social Work program. Jennifer Schackner is attending Boston College Graduate School of Social Work and will receive her masters in May. Stefanie O'Brien will receive her masters in May from Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work.

Jane Buchanan-Stover

Administrative Assistant

Jane joined the Counseling Center as the Administrative Assistant in the summer of 2017. She has worked at Framingham State University since 2008.