Announcement: CU Denver is Celebrating 50 Years
Whether you’re an alumnus, current student, member of the faculty and staff, donor, or neighbor, you’re a valuable part of the CU Denver community. Help us celebrate the last 50 years and a future that works for all.
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Counseling Center Staff
Meet Our Team
Heather Aberle, MA, LPC
Pronouns: she, her, hersPsychotherapist Heather Aberle is a licensed professional counselor, psychotherapist, and certified practitioner of Rapid Resolution Therapy. Heather is the Trauma Specialist at the Counseling Center and is on campus part-time. She also has a private practice working with adolescents and adults. Heather completed her master's degree at CU Denver. She specializes in Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT) which is designed to quickly and painlessly "clear" the distress associated with trauma or other disturbing events. Heather utilizes RRT to address symptoms associated with PTSD, anxiety, panic, depression, guilt, grief and loss, phobias, abuse, and assault.
Katelyn Hinshaw, MA, LPC
Pronouns: she, her, hers Interim Assistant DirectorKatelyn is the crisis coordinator at the counseling center as well as a clinician and clinical supervisor. She received her Masters in Counseling Psychology from CU Denver and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Santa Clara University. Katelyn is a licensed professional counselor and specializes in individual adults who have been impacted by chronic or acute trauma, grief and loss, depression, and anxiety.
Heather Hurd, MA, LPC
Pronouns: she, her, hersPsychotherapist Heather Hurd joined the Counseling Center in 2016 as a full-time licensed therapist after 21 years working primarily with adolescents. Heather's clinical experience includes individual, group, and family therapy with a focus on the adolescent female population and topics specific to them. Heather is a graduate of Spelman College and earned her Master in Counseling Psychology from CU Denver.
Jessica A. Jaramillo, MS, LPC
Pronouns: she, her, hersInterim Crisis Coordinator Jessica is a Licensed Professional Counselor, licensed in Colorado and Florida. She graduated with a M.S. in Professional Counseling Psychology from Florida International University. Jessica started her career in the mental health field over twelve years ago in Mexico City, she has been part of a wide variety of work settings which range from residential treatment centers to research programs. Jessica specializes in treating difficulties with emotion dysregulation, eating disorders, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and has also worked extensively with LGTBQ teens and multicultural communities. Her theoretical foundation is rooted in evidence-based practices and third wave approaches such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). In her practice, she seeks to deliver culturally sensitive interventions, in which the client’s cultural background is recognized, respected, and incorporated into treatment. Jessica provides services to CU Denver students in both English and Spanish depending on personal preference.
Frank Kim, PhD, MSW
Pronouns: he, him, his Director Frank is a licensed psychologist who joined the Counseling Center in January of 2016 as the director. He received his
Master of Social Welfare (MSW) at the University of California, Berkeley and his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from University of Colorado Boulder. Frank has worked in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, community mental health, non-profit organizations, and national mental health advocacy settings. Areas of expertise include multicultural counseling and services, community-based mental health services, community psychology, diversity training, and blended/integrative (health and behavioral health) care.
Avary Lin-Ye, MSEd, LPC, NCC
Pronouns: she, her, hersClinical Counselor/Multicultural Specialist Avary Lin-Ye is a full-time licensed professional counselor, specializing in multicultural concerns throughout life transitions, such as adolescence, migration, education, family roles, illness, and loss. Avary earned her master’s degree in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Columbia University Barnard College. She is also a National Certified Counselor. Her counseling background ranges from healthcare to private practice, serving both domestic and international populations of diverse cultural identities. Avary provides services to CU Denver students in both English and Mandarin Chinese depending on client preference.
Patricia Ruiz de Santiago, MS, LPC
Pronouns: she, her, hers PsychotherapistPatricia is a full-time bilingual (Spanish speaking) counselor licensed in the state of Colorado. Her first years of educational and professional experience were in Mexico, and in 2011 she migrated to San Antonio, TX to complete her master’s in counseling at Our Lady of the Lake University serving mainly Latinx, refugee and immigrant communities from all over the world. She has experience working with survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence, intergenerational trauma, acculturation issues, PTSD, depression, life limiting disabilities, grief, anxiety, etc. Patricia has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, public schools, in home therapy, outpatient and community mental health centers.
Jennifer Whang, MA, LMFT
Pronouns: she, her, hers Clinical CounselorJennifer Whang is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in New York and Colorado. Jennifer got her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from California State University of Northridge. Her experience in working with mental health has ranged from an outpatient mental health clinic to private practice, to home-based family therapy. Areas of focus with clients in navigating intersections of identity, including race, cultural, and relationships.