Counseling Center Staff

Molly DeWalt, M.S., LMHC
Director & Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
mdewalt@whitworth.edu 

M.S., Counseling Psychology, Eastern Washington University
B.A., Clinical Psychology, Smith College

Former employment: Emergency psychiatric triage counselor at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Inland Psychiatry, Private Practice

"As people grow and go through periods of change, it is not uncommon for them to feel their life is unraveling or to feel off center. My goal is to help my clients find healthy perceptions of themselves and strengthen their relationships. My therapeutic style is primarily cognitive behavioral using strength based, solution-focused techniques.

Prior to coming to Whitworth, I spent 25 years as an emergency psychiatric triage counselor in the emergency room at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. During that time, I also worked as an outpatient therapist primarily with emerging adults at Inland Psychiatry and Psychology for five years.

I am certified as an ESA school counselor and am a trained Love and Logic facilitator. I have extensive training in suicide risk assessment through ASIST and AMSR."

Chad Hamasaki, M.ED., LMHC
Counselor
Mental Health Counselor
chamasaki@whitworth.edu

M.Ed., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Whitworth University
B.A., Psychology, Whitworth University 

Former employment: Counselor at Tamarack Center in Spokane; Crisis Intervention Specialist at Frontier Behavioral Health in Spokane

"Over the course of my 27-year career in the mental health field I have always believed that everyone needs help at some point in their life. The college years are full of changes, transformations and challenges – it is a very natural point to ask for that help. My goal has been to lend that hand, using primarily person centered and cognitive behavioral therapeutic approaches. I have worked with clients across the age spectrum, primarily in crisis resolution, stabilization and safety assessment. I believe that people want to be heard, respected and empowered. Through this, they can safely process, heal and grow. 

As a former collegiate athlete, I understand the demands of balancing athletics, academics, expectations and social demands.

I am Native Hawaiian and appreciate that everyone has their own culture. I feel very blessed that Ke Akua (the Lord) has brought me back to my alma mater to help those in the Whitworth ohana (family)."

Maja LeBon, M.S., LMHC
Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
mlebon@whitworth.edu

M.S., Applied Psychology: Mental Health Counseling Emphasis, Eastern Washington University
B.A., Philosophy, Gonzaga University

Former Employment: Mental health counselor at Children's Home Society of Washington (Child and Family), eating disorder technician and mental health counselor at The Emily Program, private practice

"I was drawn to the counseling profession because it allows me to combine my love for people with my love for creative problem-solving and seeking a deeper understanding of why we do and think the way we do. My experience includes work with people of all ages with a diverse range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, body image concerns and trauma.

My therapeutic style combines a few different modalities, including person-centered counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and Lifespan Integration (LI). Above any specific theory, I deeply value relationship. I believe that people have an amazing capacity for change and often just need a safe space in which to discover and overcome barriers to positive growth. It is very important to me to understand (and help you to clarify) the values that guide your life and integrate them into our therapeutic work. I seek to be flexible in finding the best way to help you move toward a healthy and value-driven life.

Outside of work, I am a mom to three busy kids and wife to my husband. I love running, biking and swimming, so I've taken on triathlons in the last few years. I get so much out of the journey in training and racing, but I also love recovering well with rest, play, family time and good food. I have felt so at home at Whitworth and feel truly blessed to get to serve the community here."

Marshall McLean
Counselor Intern

I am an intern at Whitworth Counseling Services. I am currently pursuing my master's degree in marriage & family therapy at Whitworth. I have a passion for understanding and supporting individuals and families, focusing on purposeful living and existential issues. I am committed to honing my skills and knowledge to support students facing various challenges. In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, fishing, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

“For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

Alessandra Mulroy, MSW, LICSW-A 
Counselor 
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Work Associate  
amulroy@whitworth.edu 
 
Master of Social Work, University of Southern California 
B.S., Health Education, Minor in Psychology, Salisbury University 
 
Former employment: Group therapist at Inland Behavioral Northwest Hospital; clinical therapist at Charmed Counseling Private Practice 
 
"When was the last time you recharged your wellness battery? Are you struggling to find balance in your life? Are you exerting effort to communicate with your loved ones and still don't feel heard? Have you been struggling with loss and need support in healing? Fine-tuning your mind and moving past your stuck points is a challenging journey in life, but well worth it. Let's build up your toolkit, find presence in the now, and continue to help you be resilient through life's ups and downs. We will use a wellness check-in for your mind, body and spirit. 
 
I am a clinical therapist with an educational foundation rooted in community health education. My therapeutic approaches include but are not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma-focused, family systems, person-centered, and strength-based perspectives. 
 
My specialties include neurological disorders (ADHD/autism), trauma-related disorders, grief and loss, anxiety and depression disorder including post-partum depression, mindfulness, art, music, play, and sand tray techniques. It takes bravery to seek help. Let's get started together!" 

Sophia (Sophie) Miller, M.A., LMHC
Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
sophiamiller@whitworth.edu 

M.A., Community Counseling, Washington State University
B.S, Intensive Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz

Former employment: Counselor and Health Awareness Team Coordinator at Washington State University, Counselor at WSU Spokane campus

"Every individual has a unique life story, and a unique path they are taking. Every individual has different experiences they have been through, and different relationships that have helped mold who they are and how they interact with the world. My job as your counselor is to come along side you, as an individual, and help you sort through different aspects, struggles, and challenges in your life. My therapeutic approach is interpersonal process therapy, under the methodology of Edward Teyber, which incorporates object-relations, attachment theory, family systems, and cognitive behavioral therapy. I have specific training and experience working with grief and loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, and interpersonal issues. I have been practicing counseling since 2010, all within the college counseling setting. I believe that every individual is different, and that their needs, strengths, and life struggles are also different. Therefore, every counseling experience is unique, and I greatly enjoy every opportunity to join another person in a segment of their journey through life."

Horizon Worden
Counselor Intern

I am a current candidate in Whitworth’s marriage & family therapy program and am a counseling intern at Whitworth’s counseling center where I work alongside undergraduate students, as well as Whitworth’s marriage & family therapy clinic where I support individuals, families and couples.

My approach to therapy is to come alongside you from a nonjudgemental perspective as you navigate every part of your life. Yes, this includes the big things, little things and everything in between! This, to me, requires an interdisciplinary approach. As a sociologist becoming a therapist, I recognize who you are is often deeply informed by the way you experience the world; race, gender, social class, religion, sexuality and family of origin all inform a person’s identity, and my role is to support you as you situate how each aspect influences your identity as you navigate growth and healing!

When it comes to the specifics of how this looks in therapy, I operate from a person-centered, collaborative, systemic approach, utilizing modalities such as family systems theory, emotion-focused therapy, experiential therapy and narrative-based therapy. Regardless of which theoretical approach, my desire really is to support you, collaborate with you, and help you in ways that are most meaningful, however that may look!

 Bella (the dog!)

Bella is part of Hospice of Spokane's Paws for Comfort Program. She is also associated with Pet Partners, which states on their website: "we believe that the human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial relationship that improves the physical, social and emotional lives of those we serve. We are motivated by connection, compassion and a commitment to sharing this meaningful bond with everyone who can benefit from time spent with an animal."  She is also a certified “Hope Dog” – “trained for comfort in times of crisis.”

Bella is available in the counseling center two afternoons a month. She stays in the counseling center conference room and students are able to schedule a 15-minute session with her individually or with a group. Bella is accompanied by her handler.  

If you have questions about how to schedule an "appointment" with Bella or would like to find out more information, please call the counseling center at 509.777.3259.