Senior Staff
Dr. Erica Pearson
Director of the Counseling Center
Ph.D., LPC, NCC
Dr. Erica Pearson (she/her) earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Western Michigan University and her MA in Counseling from Oakland University. She is a licensed and board-certified professional counselor with specializations in trauma counseling and creative therapeutic approaches. She has worked with college students since 2015. She believes that the potential for growth and healing lies within every person, and her role as a therapist is to connect individuals to their intrinsic worth and value. Dr. Pearson actively strives to establish a supportive and authentic environment where students have agency to allow for honest discussion, self-awareness, and collaboration toward identified goals. She integrates several styles of person-centered therapy to work in partnership with students and uses a social justice perspective that acknowledges the ways in which identity shapes life experiences. She delivers therapy through a holistic, strengths-based lens, meaning that treatment is guided by the unique needs of each individual and their cultural worldview.
Phone:
269.337.7191
Email:
Calvin Ruff
Therapist
MSW, LMSW
Calvin Ruff, LMSW, has a depth of experience providing a variety of mental health services at the local and international levels. Calvin completed a BA in Psychology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has earned a Master of Social Work degree from Western Michigan University. He has engaged collaboratively with individuals and families seeking guidance and relief from the challenges of a broad spectrum of mental health and social concerns, evolving identities, intercultural dynamics, and existential exploration. Calvin subscribes to an eclectic, humanistic, client-centered philosophy to treatment that is supported by a variety of treatment approaches (e.g. DBT/CBT, Multicultural counseling, Mindfulness-based skills training). Calvin seeks to be a witness who authentically values the narrative of each individual’s lived experience, with the goal of facilitating insight, acceptance, and change to propel them in the direction of building a life worth living by their own accord. His firm commitment to the values of mutual respect, human dignity, and loving kindness serve as a strong foundation for his integrated approaches to wellness.
Phone:
269.337.7190
Email:
Bryce Wade
Therapist
MA, LPC
Bryce Wade, LPC, is a therapist who seeks to help people find their own strength and peace to manage the various stressors that they experience in the day-to-day lives. Bryce graduated from Western Michigan University with a Master’s Degree in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling and has had experience working with people of all ages, helping them to adjust to change and strengthen their ability to cope with and process emotions. Bryce seeks to create an environment in which the client can feel comfortable and safe to tackle issues relating to anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, issues relating to race and LGBTQ+ identity and a myriad of other topics. Bryce is trained in various treatment styles, including CBT, Mindfulness based practices, EMDR and Multicultural counseling.
Phone:
269.337.7382
Email:
Mya White
Therapist
MSW, LLMSW
Mya is a graduate from Western Michigan University School of Social Work, where she focused on studying trauma and interpersonal violence. Mya previously worked as a sexual assault and domestic violence advocate where she worked with primarily disabled individuals and college students. Some may recognize her as she was previously the K College Campus Advocate! Mya is also anti-oppression consultant, focusing on disability justice, racial healing and anti-violence work. She has led multiple programs and initiatives that were successful in enhancing anti-violent efforts such as creating resources for advocates, decreasing culture shock for black and brown students, as well as mobilizing support to provide a more equitable experience for biopic youth in the justice system. Mya is excited to be back at K College providing therapy for students seeking support.
Phone:
269.337.7348
Email:
Interns
Jenny Deren
Doctoral Intern
DTLLP
As a therapist, Jenny finds great importance in a strong and genuine therapeutic relationship as a foundation for change. Relatedly, she strives to create a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients in therapy. Jenny believes that there are common themes that individuals face in their lives that may bring discomfort but recognizes that everyone has their own lived experiences. At the forefront of her work, she finds attention to each person’s identity and background to be essential in the therapeutic process. Jenny is currently completing her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at Western Michigan University.
Email:
HanaLi Gilbert
Doctoral Intern
DTLLP
HanaLi Gilbert (she/her) is currently enrolled in Western Michigan University’s Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Grand Valley State University. As a doctoral intern, HanaLi holds a Doctoral Temporary Limited License (DTLLP) in the state of Michigan. HanaLi seeks to provide a safe, affirming space where individuals can explore emotional wounds, ongoing stressors, or conflictual relationships that have given rise to difficulties in their life. HanaLi values collaborating with clients to help them decide how to create actionable change in their lives while increasing their comfort being with themselves and relating to others. HanaLi is guided primarily by humanistic, interpersonal process, and relational-cultural approaches, but will tailor her treatment approach to fit clients’ individual needs. HanaLi values individuality, mutual respect, cultural diversity, and open communication. HanaLi enjoys working with young adults to address issues related to anxiety, depression, relationships, identity development, stress management, and life transitions.