Counseling Staff photo Fall 2022

Counseling Staff

Here to help you

Here are our qualified professionals who want to help you.

  • Riley McGrath
    Riley McGrath, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
    Counseling Services

    Director, Counseling Services | Psychologist

    Riley is a licensed psychologist and Director of Counseling Services. Riley utilizes a strength-based approach to counseling that draws from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Client-Centered frameworks. He has experience working with a variety of different presenting issues including identity related concerns, relationship difficulties, mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment concerns, substance abuse, career uncertainty, and disordered eating.

  • Stefanie Benesh
    Stefanie Benesh, M.A., LMFT (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor | Group Coordinator

    Stefanie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She focuses on how systems and context influence your current experience and help connect you to resources to feel engaged in your life. She works from a Narrative, Experiential, Strengths-based framework and acknowledge that you are the expert on your life. Her objective is to empower you to develop your own goals and support you to make them happen.

  • Ashley Galoff Headshot
    Ashley Boyea, M.S., LPC (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor | Case Manager

  • Paula Chiara Headshot
    Paula Chiara, M.S., LPC (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor | Outreach Coordinator

    Paula is a Licensed Professional Counselor and outreach coordinator.  Paula’s goal is to provide a safe space for students to feel comfortable in the counseling relationship. She works with clients with a variety of presenting challenges. Her work with clients is guided by Person-Centered and Existential frameworks as well as Attachment, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral theories.

  • Stacey Jackson
    Stacey Jackson, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
    Psychology | Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Counseling Services

    Assistant Professor | Counselor

    Dr. Stacey Jackson is an Assistant Professor of Psychology. She also serves as a Clinician at the University Counseling Center where she sees students for individual, couples, group, and crisis counseling, along with providing psychoeducation and outreach services. Dr. Jackson serves on several committees on campus, within the Eau Claire community, and within her field devoted to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts.

  • Professional portrait of Geri Krause
    Geri Krause, M.S., LPC-IT (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor

    Geri is an LPC-IT with degrees in Graphic Design and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After years of parenting/art/design/music, she recognized her heart for people’s lives and completed grad school. Believing in the power of the mind to change our thoughts and behaviors, she employs a holistic well-being approach incorporating good self-care practices, which can be difficult during college as students adjust to a new normal.

  • Headshot
    Ashley Walton-Beal, M.S., LPC (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor | AODA Coordinator

    Ashley is a Counselor at UWEC Counseling Services and the AODA coordinator. She obtained her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wisconsin - Stout. Ashley's areas of clinical interest include depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustment to college, stress management, identity development, intersectionality, and concerns related to gender identity and sexual orientation.

  • Melissa Will
    Melissa Will, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Psychologist | Training Coordinator

    Melissa has her doctorate from the University of Georgia. As a feminist clinician, she strives to acknowledge the balance of power within relationships, intersecting identities, and the value in honoring diverse cultural experiences. She has experience addressing a variety of clinical concerns including: anxiety, depression, identity development, LGBTQIA+ concerns, eating disorders, relational difficulties, and relational/sexual violence.

  • Professional portrait of Cindy Yang
    Cindy Yang, M.S., LPC (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    Clinical Counselor | Social Media Coordinator

    Cindy is one of the counselors and the Social Media Coordinator at Counseling Services. She also co-facilitates the Students of Color Support Group. She works from a humanistic, cognitive behavioral, and solution focused with an emphasis on client empowerment. She has experience working a wide range of presenting concerns for individuals of all ages. She works closely with Multicultural Support Services to help advocate and amplify students of color voices.

  • Victoria Weiser head shot
    Victoria Weiser (she/her, they/them)
    Counseling Services

    Department Assistant

  • Michaela Tessling
    Michaela Tessling (she/her/hers)
    Counseling Services

    University Services Program Associate

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