Meet the Counseling Services Staff
Sharon
Biegen, Ph.D., Director
Sharon is a licensed clinical/counseling psychologist
with particular interests in women's issues, recovery
from sexual abuse, family of origin issues, mindfulness
meditation, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
She is past chairperson of the Missouri Psychological
Association's Women's Issues Committee, and a winner
of the UMSL Women Trailblazers Award. "My approach
to counseling is to focus on strengths and encourage
personal empowerment. I try to help clients develop
a clearer and more positive sense of self in the context
of relationships."
Rachel Calhoun, Counseling Intern
Rachel received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2007 from the University of Central Missouri. She is currently pursuing her Master of Education degree in Counselor Education at UM-St. Louis. Her research and clinical interests are in working with women, young adults, families, relationship issues and culturally diverse populations.
Emily Hamilton, Ph.D., Counseling Psychologist/Training Coordinator
Emily received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2008 and is a licensed psychologist in the state of Missouri. She provides individual, couples, and group counseling, along with supervision, consultation, and outreach to the campus community. While she views herself as a generalist and has worked with a wide range of issues and individuals, Emily's clinical interests include women's issues, trauma recovery, relationship issues, anxiety, eating disorders/eating issues, and mindfulness. She views clients through a multicultural lens, taking into account each client's unique experience and culture, and enjoys working with students from a variety of diverse backgrounds including racial/ethnic minorities, GLB, and international students.
Lesley Krakauer, Counseling Intern
Lesley is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work at Washington University in St.
Louis. She concentrates in mental health, specializes in research, and is currently researching U.S. regional differences in access to mental health services. Her clinical interests are broad, but center around family of origin issues, anxiety, and multicultural counseling.
Jamie
Linsin, Psy.D, Counseling Psychologist/Coordinator of
Outreach
Jamie received his Psy.D. from the Wright State University School of Professional Psychology in 1997. A licensed psychologist and native St. Louisan, Jamie wears several hats at Counseling Services, providing therapy and supervision in addition to coordinating both the office’s outreach work for the campus and the UM-St. Louis Safe Zone program. He is also the Co-Coordinator of InterAct, the UMSL interactive theatre troupe. His professional interests include depression, crisis intervention, rape education/prevention, LGBT issues, and theatre for education and social justice.
Kate Steer, Psy.D., Counseling Psychologist/Partners in Prevention Coordinator
Kate received her Psy.D. from the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology in 2007. Her activities at Counseling Services range from individual therapy to outreach for campus groups and supervision of graduate students. Kate’s clinical interests include women’s issues and empowerment, chronic medical conditions, and multicultural awareness.
Chris Sullivan, M.Ed., Associate Counselor
Chris received his Master’s degree in Counseling and Family Therapy in May 2006 from UM-St. Louis. He is Assistant Director in the Center for International Studies and is a part of a new collaboration between the Center for International Studies and University Health, Wellness, & Counseling Services to provide greater support for international students on campus. His areas of interest include the impact of culture on individual and family therapy with a special focus on cultural transitions, accommodations, and adaptations.
Amy Ziegler, Counseling Intern
Amy is pursuing her masters degree in Community Counseling at UM-S
t. Louis. She is a licensed massage therapist and an attorney. Amy hopes to blend her background in both these fields in her counseling practice. She is particularly interested in working in the areas of family issues, abusive relationships, addictions and trauma.