CURRENT STUDENTS
Meet Our Staff
Ashley Owen
PhD, Director of Counseling Services
Ashley Owen is a National Board Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, and a QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor. In 2009, Owen received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Louisiana Tech University. She returned to Louisiana Tech University to receive a Master of Counseling and Guidance in 2013, and completed her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Louisiana Monroe in 2021. Owen’s clinical interests include anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, self-harm, disordered eating, and personal growth and development. Her research interest are issues in suicidal bereavement specific to existential regret, sense-making, meaning-making, relational aspects, and the impact of physical exercise on mental health. In her free time, Owen can often be found cheering on the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters, spending time with family, and volunteering.
Dontisha Davis
MS, LPC, Associate Director of Clinical Operations and Student Advancement
Dontisha Davis, originally from El Dorado, Arkansas, is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Sociology in 2015 and Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Henderson State University in 2018. Davis’ clinical interest include anxiety disorders, multicultural concerns, relational issues, and personal growth concerns. On campus, she is involved with many student-led organizations such as the Black Student Union and Peer Leadership Council. When Davis is not providing clinical services, Dontisha enjoys photography, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Antoinette Nieves
MA, LPC, Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives
Antoinette Nieves, originally from Keansburg, New Jersey, is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2014 and Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021 from Louisiana Tech University. Nieves’ clinical interests include anxiety, depression, trauma and personality disorders. In her free time, Antoinette enjoys binge-watching crime shows, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Lynsey Mercer
MA, PLPC, Assistant Director of Student Health and Wellness
Lynsey Mercer, originally from Mangham, Louisiana, is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor. Lynsey obtained her BA in Psychology with a minor in Family & Child Studies at Louisiana Tech University in 2020. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Louisiana Tech University in 2022. Her clinical interests include anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, personality disorders, complex trauma, relational issues, LGBTQ+-specific issues, self-esteem improvement, and interpersonal effectiveness. Although integrative, Mercer primarily provides psychotherapy from a cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic perspective. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling with family and friends, attending concerts, being a plant-mom, and going on walks with her dog, Muffin.
Charli Perry
MS, PLPC, Counselor / Coordinator of Student Relations and Special Projects
Charli Perry, originally from Athens, Louisiana, is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor. Charli obtained her BA in English at University of Louisiana Monroe in 2020. She graduated with a Master of Science in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling at Southern Arkansas University in 2024. She served in the Army National Guard for six years as a Transportation Specialist, where she earned her title of Sergeant. Her clinical interests include trauma and stress related disorders, grief, disruptive and conduct disorders, substance-use disorders, and adjustment disorder. In her free time, she enjoys reading, having coffee with friends, and spending time with family.
Tony Young
PhD, MP
Dr. Tony Young is a medical psychologist. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Louisiana Tech, prior to earning graduate degrees in Theology and Clinical Psychology from Fuller Seminary, and clinical psychopharmacology from Alliant International University. He is licensed as both a clinical and medical psychologist. Young worked in various settings, including academia, private practice, inpatient psychiatric, addiction treatment, group home facility, and medication management settings. Most of his work in medication management has been in an outpatient setting, where he continues to treat children, adolescents, and young adults. Young enjoys his family, his work, and gardening.
Betsy McCaslin
BS, Coordinator of Administrative Services and Case Management
Originally from West Monroe, LA, Betsy earned her bachelor’s degree in 2019 from Louisiana Tech University in Family and Child Studies where she discovered her passion for serving children, adolescents, and young adults. She gained 4 years of experience in the classroom setting and human services prior to joining the team at Louisiana Tech Counseling Services. In her free time, Betsy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, creating art, watching movies, and reading.
David Rusk,
BA, Doctoral Intern
David Rusk is a Counseling Psychology doctoral student at Louisiana Tech University and is a Louisiana native from Olla. They earned their bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Louisiana Tech University in 2021. During their undergraduate studies, Rusk was involved in Residential Life, Peer Leadership Council, and PRISM. Their clinic interest includes working with the Queer Community, stress, imposter syndrome, and well-being. While their theoretical orientation is still developing, Rusk leans more towards a process and emotional approach with some cognitive-behavioral techniques sprinkled in. During their free time, Rusk enjoys hanging out with friends, working out, playing video games, and playing with his dog, Shirt (yes, that is his name).
Victoria Ned
BS, Master’s Level Intern
Victoria Ned, Ruston native, graduated with her bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Child Development, supplemented by coursework in Child Life from Louisiana Tech University in 2020. She is currently on track to graduate with a master’s of science in Counseling, specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, from Nova Southeastern University in December 2024. Victoria’s clinical interests include anxiety, relational issues, personal growth, and trauma/trauma-bonding. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, binge-watching anime and Korean dramas, volunteering, planning at coffee shops, and spending time with loved ones.
