Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) Staff

CAPS staff consists of licensed psychologists, postdoctoral fellows and advanced graduate trainees in counseling and clinical psychology

Administrative Staff
Norma Ngo, Psy.D. Director

Licensed by

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Other Credentials

Certified Anger Resolution Therapist

Doctoral Degree

Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Clinical Psychology

Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Cornell University Counseling and Psychological Services

Pre-Doctoral Internship

Michigan State University Counseling Center

Profile

Dr. Ngo has eighteen years of experience in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, emergency room, forensic, inpatient psychiatric, community mental health, managed care, and private practice. Dr. Ngo's areas of interests include Multicultural/Diversity Issues, Crisis Intervention, Parenting issues, Relationship Issues, Anger Management, Veterans, Athletes, Police Psychology and Forensic Psychology. Dr. Ngo is a member of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) and the Texas University and College Counseling Directors Association (TUCCDA). She maintains involvement with the Houston Asian American community through her previous role as Vice President of the Board of Directors and currently as an Advisory Board member with Asian American Family Services. Dr. Ngo also serves as an oral examiner and professional reviewer of complaints for the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

Christopher Scott, Ph.D. Associate Director
Clinical Director
Licensed by

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Doctoral Degree

University of Missouri-Columbia, Counseling Psychology

Pre-Doctoral Internship

University of Iowa Counseling Center

Profile

Dr. Chris Scott has thirteen years of experience in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, community mental health, career services, federal prison, and the Veterans Administration. His areas of interest include: Group Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Depression and Anxiety Disorders, Career Development Concerns, Supervision and Training, Substance Abuse, Multicultural/Diversity Issues, and International Students.

Cecilia Sun, Ph.D. Assistant Director
Training Director
Licensed by

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Doctoral Degree

State University of New York at Buffalo, Counseling Psychology

Pre-Doctoral Internship

Boston University Counseling Center

Profile

Dr. Cecilia Sun has eighteen years of experience in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, community mental health, career services, academic counseling, and neonatal intensive care. Her areas of interest include supervision and training, group therapy, ethnic and LGBTIQ identity development, interpersonal psychotherapy, personality disorders, sexual trauma, and technology. She has served on the Board of Directors (2003-2005, 2010-2012) for the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies (ACCTA). She also serves as the e-mail List Manager for the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC).


Senior Staff Clinicians
Kay Brumbaugh, Psy.D. Psychologist I
Outreach Coordinator
Licensed by

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Doctoral Degree

Nova Southeastern University, Clinical Psychology

Pre-Doctoral Internship

Park Place Behavioral Healthcare

Profile

Dr. Brumbaugh has ten years of experience in a variety of settings including university counseling center, community mental health, private practice, Veterans Administration Hospital, detention centers (adult/juvenile), and residential substance abuse. Her areas of interest include substance abuse and dual diagnosis, anxiety and depression disorders, stress management, life transitions, ACOA, and community outreach.

Susan Chanderbhan-Forde, Ph.D. Psychologist I

Licensed by

Florida Board of Psychology
Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Doctoral Degree

University of South Florida

Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Dallas Independent School District

Pre-Doctoral Internship

Dallas Independent School District

Profile

Dr. Chanderbhan-Forde has seven years of experience in schools, an outpatient mental health clinic, non-profit organizations, and an academic institution. Dr. Chanderbhan-Forde’s areas of interest include: trauma work, identity development, migration and immigration, and family therapy, as well as research, program evaluation, and teaching. Dr. Chanderbhan-Forde has published book chapters and research articles and presented at professional conferences.

Carolina Jimenez, Ph.D. Psychologist I
Doctoral Degree

University of Houston

Post-Doctoral Fellowship

San Jose State University

Pre-Doctoral Internship

University of California, Merced - Counseling and Psychological Services

Profile

Dr. Jimenez has nine years of experience in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, school districts, substance abuse clinics, neuropsychology private practice, and non-profit organizations. Her areas of interest include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Depression and Anxiety Disorders, Substance Abuse, Interpersonal Concerns, Trauma History, Adjustment Disorders, Life Transitions, Family of Origin Issues, Outreach, Multicultural/Diversity Issues and working with First Generation College Students.

Rune Mølbak, Ph.D. Psychologist I

Licensed by

The Board of Psychology, Florida Department of Health
Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Doctoral Degree

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Clinical Psychology

Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Citrus Health Network, Center for Adolescent Treatment Services

Pre-Doctoral Internship

Counseling Center at Catholic University of America

Profile

Dr. Mølbak has eight years of experience of doing psychotherapy with adults and adolescents in community settings and counseling centers. His areas of interests include psychoanalytic, existential and humanistic approaches to treatment, depression and anxiety disorders, trauma work, supervision, teaching, and research. He has published many articles in scientific journals on topics as diverse as multicultural psychology, substance abuse, child development, and philosophical approaches to psychology.

Publications

View Publications

Thomandra Sam, Ph.D. Psychologist I

Licensed by

North Carolina Board of Psychology

Doctoral Degree

Auburn University

Pre-Doctoral Internship

Clemson University Counseling and Psychological Services, Redfern Health Center

Profile

Dr. Thomandra S Sam has seven years of experience of psychotherapy and psychological assessment with adults and adolescents in a variety of settings such as community mental health, inpatient psychiatric, marriage and family therapy clinic, university counseling centers, domestic violence centers and homeless shelters. She utilizes relational-cultural, solution-focused and humanistic approaches. Her areas of interest include cultural and gender issues, identity development, anxiety disorders, LGBTQIA+ issues, couples/families, clinical supervision, teaching, and research.

Jennifer Smith, Psy.D. Psychologist I
Group Coordinator
Licensed by

Pennsylvania Board of Psychology
Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Doctoral Degree

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Duquesne University Counseling Center

Pre-Doctoral Internship

University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center

Profile

Dr. Smith has six years of experience in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, a private practice, an emergency room, and an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Dr. Smith’s areas of interest include: Relationship Issues, LGBTQIA Issues, Depression and Anxiety, Identity Development Concerns, Group Psychotherapy, Training and Supervision, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy.


Post-Doctoral Fellows 2012-2013
Nicole Gassman, Psy.D. Post-Doctoral Fellow
Clinical/Assessment
Doctoral Degree

Florida Institute of Technology

Pre-Doctoral Internship

University of Houston, Counseling and Psychological Services

Profile

Dr. Gassman has four years of experience in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, community mental health centers, inpatient psychiatric crisis units, and domestic violence centers,. Areas of interest include adjustment, outreach, ADHD, multicultural issues, psychological assessment, and Interpersonal and Positive Psychology approaches to therapy.

Carlton Green, Ph.D. Post-Doctoral Fellow
Multi-Cultural
Doctoral Degree

Boston College

Pre-Doctoral Internship

University of Maryland Counseling Center

Profile

Dr. Green has worked with college-aged adults in a variety of academic and mental health settings for almost twenty years. He has provided therapy to clients in both university counseling and community mental health centers. His areas of interest include racial and cultural identity, religious and spiritual development, trauma, grief, and depression.

Ruchi Kukreja, Psy.D. Psychological Counselor

Doctoral Degree

Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Argosy University

Pre-Doctoral Internship

University of Houston, Counseling and Psychological Services

Profile

Dr. Kukreja has six years of clinical experience in a variety of settings including university counseling settings, community mental health centers, and an elementary school. She has also had experience with groups and providing counseling and direct treatment within early intervention programs. Ruchi's interests include anxiety and mood disorders, groups, outreach and multicultural/diversity work.


Pre-Doctoral Psychology Interns 2012-2013
Beatriz Craven, M.Ed. Ph.D. Candidate

Doctoral Degree (In Progress)

Texas A&M University

Profile

Beatriz has four years of counseling experience with diverse individuals presenting with a variety of presenting problems. She values her previous experience working in multiple settings including a university counseling center, private practice, and a community mental health center. In addition to individual therapy, she has also facilitated an Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) eating disorder support group for 3 years. Special interest areas include women's issues, trauma, depression, and community outreach. Beatriz utilizes an eclectic, but primarily humanistic approach with a client-centered foundation, a positive psychology core, and an existential mindset. Her aim is to meet her clients where they are and establish a unique therapeutic approach to best meet their goals.

Emily Kates, M.A. Ph.D. Candidate

Doctoral Degree (In Progress)

California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University

Profile

Emily has three years of clinical experience in a variety of settings including university counseling, school-based counseling, and a Veterans Affairs hospital. Emily's areas of interest include family and relationship issues, multicultural psychology, religion and spirituality, identity development, psychological assessment, and psychodynamic approaches to therapy.

Clifford Rone, M.S. Ph.D. Candidate

Doctoral Degree (In Progress)

Idaho State University

Profile

Cliff has three years of clinical experience in a variety of settings including a university counseling center, a community hospital, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, a psychology clinic, a state prison, and a state funded community resource center. Cliff's clinical interests include relationship/interpersonal problems, depression, anxiety, coping, and identity development. Cliff enjoys providing psychological services in individual, couple, and group counseling; as well as conducting outreach projects and psychological assessments.

Chad Valadez, M.A. Psy.D. Candidate

Doctoral Degree (In Progress)

La Salle University

Profile

Chad has 3 years of graduate clinical experience including practicums conducting both individual and group psychotherapy in university counseling, an inpatient eating disorders unit, and in community mental health. Additional clinical training with specialized foci have included year-long rotations in Emotion Regulation, Depression and Mood disorders, and Psychological Assessment. He has also obtained 18 months of volunteer clinical experience at an HIV/AIDS community mental health center providing individual psychotherapy. Clinical interests include multicultural psychotherapy and diversity, Axis II psychopathology, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, emotion regulation, eating disorders, and psychological assessment.

Publications

View Publications


Practicum Students 2012-2013
Felicia Fisher, M.S.

Doctoral Degree (In Progress)

University of Houston

Profile

Felicia is pursuing a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology. Her areas of clinical interest include couple, family, multicultural issues, and group dynamics. Currently Felicia is researching African American intimate relationships and factors that impact these relationships.

Martinque K. Jones, B.A.

Doctoral Degree (In Progress)

University of Houston

Profile

Martinque has two years of experience primarily in a hospital setting. Martinque’s areas of clinical interests include behavioral management skills, mood/anxiety disorders, group psychotherapy, identity development, (i.e., racial/ethnic, gender, and sexual), and multicultural/diversity issues among adolescents and college-aged students. Martinque has participated in research on academic achievement and risk behaviors and has plans to pursue future projects focused on romantic relationships/mate selection among young adults.

Mark Yeh, B.S.

M.Ed. (In Progress)

University of Houston

Profile

Mark is in his second year of studies as a master's degree student. His professional interests include multicultural counseling, gender equality issues, stress in a post-secondary educational environment, the unique challenges faced by students of higher education, and the use of technology in counseling.



Support Staff
Tonya WintersOffice Coordinator
Pamlar ClarkOffice Assistant II
Michelle LeFinancial Coordinator


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