Counseling and Psychological Services

Our Team

We are a diverse group, from a range of disciplines, that have expertise in college student mental health. We are all committed to creating a safe and welcoming space within CAPS and broadly at Brown. Additionally, CAPS staff is multilingual, and we can provide treatment in English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Thai and Portuguese.

Clinical Providers

  • Richard Booth

    Richard Booth, Ph.D.

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor
    Pronouns he/him/his
    • Graduate Degree: Ph.D. Counseling and School Psychology: Northeastern University
    • Training/Past Experiences: New England Institute of Art Counseling Center, Dimmock Community Health Center Residential and Outpatient Behavioral Health, Judge Baker Children’s Center Fellowship utilizing manualized treatments for childhood anxiety, depression, trauma, and disruptive behaviors 
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Integrative and evidenced based approaches, examining clients through an ecological perspective. Clinical interests include improving mental health services by increasing representation of marginalized and diverse groups, noting the interplay between person (inner and outer), environments, power structures, societal norms, expectations, and barriers. Context matters
    • Languages: English and Jamaican Patois
    • Favorite Quote: “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” - Lao Tzu
  • Dawn Browne, LICSW

    Dawn Browne, LICSW

    Psychotherapist
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: MSW McGill University, Montreal Canada
    • Training/Past Experiences: Clinical Therapist in Outpatient Mental Health Practice, ER Trauma Center, Inpatient Psychiatry
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Integrative CBT, DBT, ACT and collaborative, strength based, solution focused approaches. Specializing in Mood Disorders, Anxiety, Trauma, Loss
    • Languages: English and French
    • Personal Interests: From Montreal of Caribbean descent and compassionately works with marginalized communities. Enjoys music, travel, time with family and dog. 
  • Headshot of Madhuri Dugyala

    Madhuri Dugyala, LMHC

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Psychotherapist – Graduate Student Focus
    Pronouns she/her/hers

    Madhuri provides dedicated therapy services for Brown graduate students, and has offices in both the CAPS main office (Health & Wellness Building) and the Horace Mann building (47 George Street). Students may schedule appointments with her through CAPS.

    • Graduate Degree: Penn State University, M.A. Applied Clinical Psychology; University of Hyderabad, M.Sc. (Integrated) Health Psychology
    • Training/Past Experiences: Purdue University CAPS – Senior Staff Therapist, Indiana University Bloomington CAPS – Mental Health Counselor, Ponessa Behavioral Health – Outpatient Therapist and Intake Specialist, Chetana Hospital – Counseling Psychologist, Stanford University - Program Coach
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed care, Multicultural Counseling, Feminist Approach, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Social Justice framework; Mood disorders (anxiety, depression), International, First-Gen & BIPOC Students, Intersecting Identities, Trauma, Interpersonal Concerns within multicultural context (family-of-origin, friendships, romantic relationships, boundary establishment, communication skills)
    • Languages: English, Telugu, Hindi
    • Hobbies/Personal Interests: I am an international employee from India and am passionate about the immigrant experience (joys, challenges, and everything in between!). I enjoy traveling, exploring cities, reading, long walks, finding the best restaurants and coffee shops, and spending quality time with my dog, friends and family.
    • Quote: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us” – J. R. R. Tolkien

  • Jennifer Dunbar Yrigoyen

    Jennifer Dunbar Yrigoyen, LICSW

    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: MSW, Hunter College, New York, NY
    • Training/Past Experiences: Criminal Defense Social Worker at public defender office in Bronx, NY; Psychotherapist and Behavioral Science Instructor at hospital primary care clinic in Bronx, NY; Psychotherapist at Columbia University Counseling and Psychological Services in New York, NY.
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Eclectic therapeutic approach, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Psychoeducation, Problem solving, Relational psychotherapy, Anxiety, Depression, Identity formation/development, Relationships/relationship issues, The acculturation of immigrant groups, Ethnic minorities and issues of belonging, Cultural influences on mental health access and treatment
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: First-generation Liberian-American born and raised in Providence. Spent 18 years living, working, and studying in New York City. Enjoys drinking coffee, re-watching favorite TV series over and over, spending time in nature (especially near water), and riding Peloton.
  • Diane Farber, PsyD

    Diane Farber, Psy.D.

    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: Loyola University Maryland, Psy.D.
    • Training/Past Experiences: Kansas State University Counseling Services, Mount Holyoke College Counseling Service
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Integrative, DBT, CBT, psychodynamic, mindfulness and interpersonal process approaches. Special interests in grief, relationships, and the immigrant experience.
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Emigrated to the US from the Philippines as a child and grew up in NJ. Enjoys cooking and baking, crossword puzzles, karaoke, and good television.
    • Favorite Quotes:
      • “There is a crack, a crack in everything//That's how the light gets in.” - Leonard Cohen
      • "Pain is not a punishment, pleasure is not a reward." -Pema Chödrön
  • Corey Martin Fitzgerald, Ed.D., LMHC

    Corey Martin Fitzgerald, Ed.D., LMHC

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Outreach Coordinator
    Pronouns he/him/his
    • Graduate Degree: Louisiana State University, Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
    • Training/Past Experiences: Louisiana State University Counseling Center, Mississippi State University Counseling Center
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Anxiety disorders, Identity formation/development, Intersectionality-informed care
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Baking, collecting vinyl, attending visual and performing art events, reading nonfiction, caring for my more than 20 house/office plants, being a wannabe potter, and spending time with my cat George.
  • Bryant Ford, Ph.D.

    Bryant Ford, Ph.D.

    Director for CAPS, Psychologist
    Pronouns he/him/his
    • Graduate Degree: Ph.D.; University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Training/Past Experiences: Michigan State University Counseling Center, Dartmouth College Counseling Center
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Interpersonal, CBT
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Traveling and reading

  • Lisa Frappier

    Lisa Frappier, D.O.

    Psychiatrist
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: D.O. University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
    • Training/Past Experiences: Residency at UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Med School
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests:  Medication management, Mood disorders, Anxiety disorders, Trauma, Psychotic disorders
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Born and raised in RI, of French-Canadian and Irish descent. Attended Brown with a concentration in Psychology and Semiotics. Enjoys video streaming and time with her dog.
    • Favorite Quote: “This too Shall Pass” - 13th century Persian folklore
  • Chonlada Jarukitisakul, PhD

    Chonlada Jarukitisakul, Ph.D.

    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: Boston University, Ph.D.
    • Training/Past Experiences: McLean Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, University of Notre Dame Counseling Center, Boston College Counseling Services
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Promoting self-understanding and self-acceptance through integrative, evidence-based approaches [CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness] within the multicultural, relational and social justice framework , Anxiety, Trauma, Eating concerns, Family issues, Identity formation/development
    • Languages: English, Thai
    • Personal Interests: Originally from Thailand; love hiking and traveling
    • Favorite Quote: “Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn’t know the things you know now.” 
  • Headshot of Wilthonie

    Wilthonie Johnson-Goncalves, LICSW

    Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: Clinical & Administrative Social Work (Rhode Island College)
    • Training/Past Experiences: Clinical Coordinator of a Psychiatric Partial program for Women; Clinician of an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit; Clinician at a Juvenile Correctional facility, Home/community Based Psychotherapy.
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and response, Prevention therapy, Mindfulness, Interpersonal therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Mindful time with my husband and children, traveling, cooking, and engaging in “me time”.
  • Erin Lane-Aaronian

    Erin Lane-Aaronian, Psy.D.

    Associate Director for CAPS, Psychologist
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: William James College (formerly MSPP), Psy.D.
    • Training/Past Experiences: Tufts University Counseling Center, Rhode Island College Counseling Center, The Providence Center School
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Relational, integrative, strength-based approach to care
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Born and raised in CO, came east for college; love to spend time outside with my family
    • Favorite Quote: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose” - Dolly Parton

  • Ancha Santana

    Ancha Santana, LMHC

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Urgent Care Clinician
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: M.A .in Counseling Psychology, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
    • Training/Past Experiences: LifeSpan - RI Hospital, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, Landmark Medical Center, Pawtucket Memorial Hospital, Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School, Woonsocket High School, Gilbert Stuart Middle School, Gateway Healthcare
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: CBT, Existential/BIPOC, First generation/immigrant, Intersecting identities/LGBTQ+
    • Languages: Cabo Verdean Crioulo, Portuguese, Spanish
    • Personal Interests: Originally from Cabo Verde, I grew up locally in Pawtucket. I am an animal lover and have a home full of fur love. I enjoy traveling, cooking elaborate meals, gardening and spending time with my partner, our 3 children and my mother. 
  • Jayden Thai

    Jayden Thai, Ph.D.

    Pronouns he/him/his
    • Graduate Degree: University of Louisville, Ph.D., Counseling Psychology
    • Training/Past Experiences: University of Utah, Indiana University Southeast, Spalding University
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Integrated approaches of Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy, centered in an intersectional socio-political-cultural social justice framework, BIPOC, queer and gender diverse identities and experiences
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Finds healing energy in cooking/eating, hiking, and camping activities; also loves to do woodworking, curling, drink coffee, and spend time with my partner and our two dogs and two cats.
    • Personal Interests: Finds healing energy in cooking/eating, hiking, and camping activities; also loves to do woodworking, curling, drink coffee, and spend time with my partner and our two dogs and two cats.
    • Favorite Quote: “900 years of time and space, and I’ve never met someone who wasn’t important.” – Doctor (from Doctor Who)
  • Tanya Thomas, M.D.

    Psychiatrist
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: M.D., The Medical College of Georgia, 2007
    • Training/Past Experiences: General Psychiatry Residency, Brown University, 2007-2011 
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Providing education and support regarding mind-body interconnection, Patient advocacy, Moral injury/burnout, Self-compassion, Mindfulness, Minority/LBGTQIA+ mental health, Medication management for psychiatric conditions, PTSD/trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Mood disorders
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Reading, baking, gardening enthusiast (houseplants, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and carnivorous plants). Writing, currently I am a medical columnist for MDedge focusing on minority mental health, physician mental health and advocacy.
    • Favorite Quote: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
  • Head shot of Damion Vania

    Damion Vania, LMHC

    Psychotherapist
    Pronouns he/him/his
    • Graduate Degree: MA Lesley University
    • Training/Past Experiences: Gateway Community Health, Private Practice, 16 years at RISD CAPS
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Relational, strengths based, informed by various modalities and therapeutic stances, including psychodynamic, ACT, CBT, IFS, narrative practices and mindfulness
    • Languages: English 
    • Personal Interests: Grew up in Middle East and Japan. Plays wordle, connections, strands and the mini daily. Enjoys running, art, creating new traditions, acrostics, wild spaces-despite size or locale, and playing in waves, either sonic or liquid
  • Kerri Varela, LICSW

    Assistant Director for CAPS, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: Boston University MSW (LICSW)
    • Training/Past Experiences: Providence Public Schools, The Providence Center, Bridgewater State University
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Integrating different therapeutic approaches to best meet students' needs and preferences, Relational, strength-based, solution-focused and cognitive behavioral therapy, Mood disorders, Anxiety disorders, Life transition, Identity formation/development, Relationships/relationship issues, First-generation college students, Historically marginalized communities
    • Languages: English, Cape Verdean Kriolu and Spanish
    • Personal Interests: Born and raised in RI, first generation Cape Verdean-American; loves being near the ocean, traveling, streaming movies/TV shows, TikTok and anything related to the Fall.
    • Favorite Quote: "You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather” - André 3000
  • Michael Wolfe

    Michael Wolfe, M.D.

    Psychiatrist
    Pronouns he/him/his
    • Graduate Degree: M.D. from WVU
    • Training/Past Experiences: Graduated Psychiatry Residency & Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship through Brown University; Previous work in Outpatient, Community Psychiatry, Partial Hospital Programs, and Prior Chief of Young Adult Partial Program
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Anxiety, Mood disorders, OCD, Wellness, Mindfulness/meditation, DBT, CBT, Collaborative and integrative care
    • Languages: English
  • Heather Wong-Bailey

    Heather Wong-Bailey, Psy.D.

    Psychologist
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: Florida Tech, Psy.D., Clinical Psychology
    • Training/Past Experiences: Previous experience working with college students at UMass Amherst, Harvard University, and as a private practitioner in Cambridge, MA for twelve years
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Integrative with an emphasis on resilience, strengths and helping students find their voice and identify their needs, Contextualizing mental health utilizing a sociocultural framework, Solution-focused, Collaborative
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Born and raised in CA; enjoys travel and spending time with family
    • Favorite Quote: “The best therapist has fur and four legs” - unknown 
  • Michelle Zager

    Michele Zager, Psy.D.

    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Graduate Degree: William James College, PsyD
    • Training/Past Experiences: Private practice providing treatment to emerging adults (ages 18-30), Roger Williams University Counseling Center, Butler Hospital Womens’ Partial Program
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: 
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Enjoys exploring with my dog, the outdoors, nature and wildlife; hiking and kayaking; engaging in different making practices (drawing, painting, crafting)

Embedded Staff

One way CAPS is working to effectively and efficiently distribute mental health services for students is by placing our clinicians in locations on campus where students can easily access our services.

Warren Alpert Medical School

  • Laurice Girouard, LICSW

    Psychotherapist at Alpert Medical School
    Pronouns she/her/hers

    Laurice Girouard  provides dedicated therapy services for Medical Students. Students may contact her directly via email at laurice_girouard@brown.edu  to make an appointment. 

    • Graduate Degree: Smith College School of Social Work (MSW)
    • Training/Past Experiences: Has evolved on behalf of diverse populations in a variety of healthcare and academic settings
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Therapeutic style synthesizes various treatment models, Resiliency, Relational, cognitive behavior, Internal family systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness
    • Languages: French, Spanish, Portuguese
    • Personal Interests: travel, writing, teaching, music and cooking

Department of Athletics

  • Brittan Davis

    Brittan Davis, Ph.D.

    Clinical Sport Psychologist
    Pronouns she/her/hers

    Dr. Davis provides dedicated therapy services for Brown student-athletes. Students may schedule appointments with her through CAPS (https://caps.brown.edu/appointments)

    • Graduate Degree: Ph.D., Cleveland State University
    • Training/Past Experiences: University of Pennsylvania CAPS (Athletics and LGBT Center Liaison), USA Field Hockey, University of Akron Counseling & Testing Center, Oberlin College Counseling Center, John Carroll University Counseling Center
    • Therapeutic Approach/Clinical Interests: Generalist practitioner with an integrative, strengths-based, and evidence-based approach to care [Relational Cultural, Psychodynamic, Emotion Focused, DBT] with a multicultural and social justice foundation in working with student athletes, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, students with intersecting minoritized identities.
    • Languages: English
    • Hobbies/Personal Interests: I enjoy exploring with my dog (Siggy), spending time with my partner and my family, being active (hiking, yoga, pickleball, softball, soccer), cooking and sharing food with loved ones, traveling, engaging with the arts, and embracing new experiences.
    • Quote: “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” - Brené Brown

Administrative Staff

  • Headshot of Rebekah Lippiatt

    Rebekah Lippiatt

    Administrative Assistant
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Degree: Tri-County Technical College - A.S.
    • Past experience: Administrative Assistant for Youth Advocate Services, located in Columbus, OH
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Road trips, reading, cozy coffee shops, writing poetry, and making people laugh.
  • Colleen Gosetti

    Colleen Gosetti

    Administrative Assistant
    Pronouns she/her/hers
    • Degree: Johnson & Wales University - A.S.
    • Past Experience: CAPS staff since 2016
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Enjoys camping, time spent with her 3 sons and loves animals 
  • Peter Mello

    Peter Mello

    Administrative Manager/DCC
    Pronouns he/him/his
    • Degree: University of Rhode Island
    • Past Experiences: Worked at Brown since January of 1999, previously at University of RI
    • Languages: English
    • Personal Interests: Music/Reading/Baking & Cooking