Meet the Staff
Dr. Gulati received a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Delhi, while living in her native country of India. Geeta then came to the United States to complete her doctoral work in Clinical Psychology. She received her doctoral degree from Spalding University in 2000 and has since been working at Seven Counties Services in various capacities including crisis intervention counselor, therapist and supervisor for doctoral psychology students. Geeta specializes in working with substance abuse, brain injury, personality disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She uses a combination of Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. She speaks Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu in addition to English.
In addition to her work at U of L, Gabrielle has worked as a therapist at both LifeSpring in Indiana and Seven Counties Services in Louisville. Throughout her career, she has helped guide people of all ages and backgrounds through the process of dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, substance abuse and issues surrounding grief and trauma. Gabrielle has worked with individuals, families and couples. Prior to becoming a therapist, Gabrielle worked in a variety of fields, including an internet start-up in Lexington, Kentucky, and as an English teacher with the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program in Fukushima, Japan. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Gabrielle's goal is to help every student who walks through her door feel safe and secure discussing and working to resolve whatever issues have brought them to counseling.
Gabrielle graduated in 2014 from the University of Louisville with a M.Ed. in Counseling and Personnel Services. Before attending U of L she completed her undergraduate degree at Kennesaw State University and earned a B.Sc. in Psychology with minor in Dance. Gabrielle is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, as well as an Art Therapist. Before joining the U of L counseling center, Gabrielle started a private practice. She also worked with local agencies in Louisville providing inpatient, outpatient, and community-based counseling. While working with these agencies, she assisted clients with finding resources along with meeting their mental health needs. Her therapeutic approach is centered around trauma-informed CBT and mindfulness-based practices. Gabrielle strongly believes in the significance of the mind-body connection and its impact on mental health. She pursued her 200 Hours in Yoga Teacher Training, 500 hours in Pilates Teacher Training and is certified as a Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP). This interest has provided her the opportunity to strengthen and deepen her education in nutrition and exercise as an alternative support for those interested in an integrative approach.
Gabrielle is excited to work with the students, campus, and community to build relationships that will foster growth and wellness. In her free time, Gabrielle enjoys being in nature, creating art, fitness and spending time with her family.
Rachel is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Registered Art Therapist. She completed her undergraduate studies at Ohio University in Athens, OH prior to coming to the University of Louisville, where she earned her Masters in Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy. Prior to joining the UofL Counseling Center staff, she most recently worked as a counselor at Appalachian State University, located in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Rachel was previously employed as an art therapist in a community mental health setting where she gained great experience working with a diverse, underserved population with a wide range of needs. Her clinical areas of interest include anxiety, depression, identity development, LGBTQ concerns, self-esteem, family of origin, and substance abuse issues. Rachel takes a warm, person-centered approach to her work in order to understand and best serve the needs of the individual.
When she is not at work, Rachel enjoys making time for her own various creative pursuits including painting, drawing, ceramics, knitting and sewing.
Dr. Hagan started out her education at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana. She then transferred to Ball State University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Aleska earned her master’s degree in Counseling at Indiana University, and she received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Dakota. While born and raised in central Indiana, Aleska’s studies and career have led to her providing counseling services at the University of North Dakota, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, California State University- Northridge, the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Aleska’s background as a low income, first generation college student has instilled in her a great appreciation for the impact that education can have on life trajectory. Aleska values education equity, and she is excited to support the students of the University of Louisville. Aleska considers herself a generalist with a wide variety of clinical interests. Her clinical interests include, but are not limited to, multicultural/diversity issues, issues related to social class, LGBTQ concerns, first generation college student concerns, family of origin related issues, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Aleska utilizes an integrative approach to flexibly meet the needs of her Clients which primarily incorporates Client Centered, Interpersonal, CBT, and Feminist theories amongst others. Aleska enjoys painting, live music, and connecting with nature. She spends much of her free time with her two pugs, Doodad & Gadget.
Megan Hobbs Begovic, LPCC
Counselor I
Megan is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She earned her B.A. in Psychology, M.S. and Ed.S. in School Psychology, and Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities from University of Kentucky. She later earned her M.Ed. in Counseling & Personnel Services, with emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, from University of Louisville. She began her career as a school psychologist and worked with Pre-K to 12th grade students in public schools before she became a professional counselor and transitioned to working with adolescents and adults in university, outpatient group practice, and residential treatment settings. Her clinical interests generally center around adjustments to trauma, grief, illness, injury, disability, major life changes, and marginalization. She takes a collaborative, strengths-based, and integrative approach to counseling and primarily uses ACT, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR Therapy, DBT Skills, Solution-Focused strategies, and trauma-informed yoga practices (she has completed 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training). She recognizes we are all interdependent with each other and larger systems and strives to promote social justice through her work.
In her leisure time, she most enjoys exploring new places, marveling at nature, and sharing experiences with others.
Michelle earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Kentucky. She holds a B.A. in Psychology (1998), a M.S. in Counseling Psychology (2002) and a M.S. in Family Studies with emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy (2007). Her experience in the mental health field began at Eastern State Hospital in Lexington as a Mental Health Associate working with the acute psychiatric population. Her interest and experience include issues around substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration and parole and other mental health issues that impede normal functioning. She also has experience providing counseling to children, adolescents, families and couples. She very much enjoys working with college students as they continue to develop and transition into a different phase of life and attempt to achieve a healthy life balance.
Dr. Sarah Kolb completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Louisville, and obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. She has a wealth of experience providing therapy to children and adults in a variety of outpatient settings, and has also worked at an inpatient psychiatric hospital with individuals experiencing severe mental illness and acute stressors. Her clinical interests include trauma, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, LGBTQ concerns, and mood and anxiety disorders. She is trained in EMDR, a specialized treatment approach to trauma. She places a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and strives to take a collaborative approach with her clients. She is committed to helping individuals through the struggles which bring them to counseling, as well as towards emotional growth and overall wellness. Sarah is excited to be a part of the U of L community again!
Christina Kayrouz, LCSW
Counselor
Christina graduated with her MSSW from U of L’s Kent School of Social Work in 2013 and became licensed in Kentucky in 2016 and Arizona in 2021. Prior to her master’s in social work, Christina earned her BA in Philosophy and Psychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies from Western Kentucky University in 2007. Christina’s experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker has been in private practice, non-profit and community mental health settings, in a variety of therapeutic and administrative roles. Christina uses a person-centered and holistic approach to therapy, meeting each individual where they are. Christina’s areas of focus and expertise in therapy treatment are trauma, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, vulnerable populations, multicultural/diversity issues, relationship difficulties, grief and loss. Using a wide range of treatment modalities, Christina’s therapeutic approach integrates Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Solution-Focused and Mindfulness practices.
Christina enjoys art, books, being in nature and visiting Louisville’s Olmstead Parks.
Lauren Marietta, M.Ed., LPCC
Lauren is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who earned her M.Ed. from the Counseling and Personnel Services Program at the University of Louisville in 2021. Before joining the University of Louisville Counseling Center, Lauren worked with clients with moderate to severe brain injuries. She enjoys working with students with a wide variety of presenting issues including those with disabilities, neurodiversity, those experiencing depression and anxiety, LGBTQIA+ students, and those experiencing grief. She believes in taking a warm, person-centered approach that is customized to the individual and their preferences and needs. She utilizes a variety of modalities in this integrated approach including CBT, strengths-based techniques, ACT, Narrative Therapy, mindfulness, and somatic coping skills.
Lauren is excited to work with and provide support to the students at her Alma Mater and build positive relationships within the University of Louisville community. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gentle hikes in nature, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Dr. Beth Simon, Psy. D.
Dr. Beth Simon focuses on unconditional positive regard, transparency, and humor in her therapeutic processes. She seeks to create a flexible and safe emotional space where individuals can explore experiences, patterns in thoughts and behavior, and ways to increase quality of life. She is a Louisville- area native and completed her B.A., M.A., and Psy.D. at Spalding University. She completed her Pre-Doctoral Internship at Friends Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and her Post-Doctoral training at Communicare Services in Bardstown, Kentucky, focusing on "Transitional Aged Youth." Dr. Simon is delighted to be working with the students at the University of Louisville.
Valerie Wells
Program Assistant, Sr.
Valerie comes to the Counseling Center from Athletics, where she worked for just over 9 years before several positions in that department were eliminated. Valerie is thrilled to be working once again and to be with her new UofL family in the Counseling Center.