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.
Tristen Bergholtz,
M.Ed., LPC, Assistant Director of Student Health and Wellness
Tristen Bergholtz, originally from Sorrento, Florida, is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Central Florida in 2009. She received her Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance from Louisiana State University in 2014. Bergholtz’s interests include first generation concerns, relational issues, interpersonal effectiveness, and personal growth. When she is not providing clinical services or outreach events, Tristen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time in nature.
Lynsey Mercer
MA, NCC, LPC, DBT-C, Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives
Lynsey Mercer, originally from Mangham, Louisiana, is a National Board Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. 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, self-esteem improvement, and interpersonal effectiveness. Although integrative, Mercer primarily provides psychotherapy from a cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic perspective, using many techniques and interventions from acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling with family and friends, attending concerts, and going on walks with her dog, Muffin.
Charli Perry
MS, Counselor / Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives
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.
Victoria Ned
MS, Counselor / Coordinator of Student Relations and Special Projects
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 graduated 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.
Claire Guillet
MA, Counselor / Coordinator of Student Health and Wellness
Claire Guillet, originally from Natchitoches, Louisiana, is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor. Claire obtained her BA in Psychology with a minor in Family & Child Studies at Louisiana Tech University in 2022. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern State University in 2024. Her clinical interests include anxiety disorders, relational issues, trauma, self esteem improvement, and personal growth. In her free time she enjoys reading, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and 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.
Shaylee Fitzgerald
BS, Coordinator of Administrative Services and Case Management
Shaylee Fitzgerald, originally from Monroe, Louisiana, is the Coordinator of Administrative Services and Case Management. Shaylee obtained her BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at Louisiana Tech University in 2024. She is excited to work in a clinical setting during her gap year before applying to physician assistant schools. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, cuddling with her two puppies, Winnie and Brooster, and crafting.
Jaelyn Blankenship
MA, Doctoral Intern
Jaelyn Blankenship, originally from Riverside, California, is a Counseling Psychology Doctoral student at Louisiana Tech University. Jaelyn obtained both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2020 and her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2022 from Louisiana Tech University. Jaelyn’s clinical interests include working with collegiate student athletes, interpersonal effectiveness, relational issues, anxiety, and depression. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the movies, and playing with her two dogs, Emmy and Luna.
Blaise Caldwell
BA, Doctoral Intern
Blaise Caldwell, originally from Monroe, Louisiana, is a third-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Louisiana Tech University. She obtained her BA in Psychology at Louisiana Tech in 2021. Her clinical interests include but are not limited to anxiety, trauma, depression, and personal growth and development. While her theoretical orientation is integrative, Caldwell primarily utilizes a process-oriented approach along with cognitive-behavioral techniques. In her free time, she enjoys photography, attending concerts, playing games with friends, watching movies, and spending time with loved ones.
Lauren Suess (Elle),
BA, Master’s Level Intern
Elle is a West-Coast native, earning her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oregon and later moving to Ruston from the Los Angeles area. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from ULM, with completion set for Spring 2025. Her clinical interests include stress and anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, trauma, relational issues, multicultural concerns, as well as working with the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities. Elle’s therapeutic approach is eclectic, utilizing a combination of modalities in a neurodivergent-affirming space. In her free time, she enjoys working out, traveling for foodie events, playing video games, and expressing herself creatively through various artistic outlets.
Drew Thomas
BA, Master’s Level Intern
Drew Thomas, originally from Monroe, Louisiana, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2010 from Louisiana Tech University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Systems in 2012 from Louisiana Tech University. He is currently an intern in the Master of Arts Counseling and Guidance degree program in the Counseling Psychology concentration. Drew’s clinical interests include sports psychology, student athlete well-being, anxiety, and personal growth. During his free time, Drew enjoys exercising, spending time with friends, reading, traveling, and various outdoor activities.