Meet the Staff

John Hancock, Ed.D., serves as our Associate Dean of Students, Director of Wellness Services, and Chief Psychologist.  Dr. Hancock supervises the Counseling Service, Student Health Service, and Health Promotion & Wellness office.   Dr. Hancock earned his doctorate at West Virginia University in Counseling Psychology. He completed an extramural training program at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy & Research and has been granted diplomate status by the Academy for Cognitive Therapy.  He has directed college counseling services for almost 20 years. His professional passion is suicide risk reduction and intervention, and he is a trainer for the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.  

Michelle J. Kirton, Ph.D., Associate Director of Counseling/Training Director, is a licensed psychologist specializing in career and professional development, women’s issues, and multiculturalism. Her Ph.D. is from Arizona State University–Tempe, and her M.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Since higher education settings have been a focus for Dr. Kirton, she has also worked with students at OHSU, and has created and taught courses for both Pacific University and Portland State University.

Jeanne M. Lilly, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Her professional interests include positive psychology, the treatment of trauma, psychospiritual approaches to counseling, and Eastern psychology. She has taught courses for both Lewis & Clark College and Marylhurst University.

Bobbi Mihara, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist from Pacific University. She specializes in working with LGBTQ, multicultural, and creative students, and with couples. She takes a humanistic approach to mental health, which explores the student’s individual, interpersonal, and cultural strengths to increase insight into challenges that students may face. In addition to her work at Lewis & Clark College, Bobbi has worked in counseling centers at Portland State University, Pacific University, and Oregon State University. She has also created and taught courses for both PSU and OSU.

Tim Beecher, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with an M.Ed. from Washington State University and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Dakota. Tim has worked at several university and college counseling centers; his expertise includes working with students to improve their relationships, teaching students mindfulness skills, and helping students who want to address substance abuse problems. Tim’s therapeutic style is empathic, supportive, open and direct, and he identifies as a LGBTQ ally.

Melinda Brooks, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist from Pacific University. She has worked at student counseling centers at Pacific University and the University of Washington. Melinda’s professional interests include helping students with mood and anxiety disorders, interpersonal relationships, grief and loss, and trauma and abuse issues. Her approach to therapy is integrative and addresses identity development, career, and education issues into the therapeutic work with students.

Maria Marshall, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Illinois State University and a Ph.D. from Fielding Graduate University. Besides working at Lewis & Clark, Maria has also served at the Illinois State University and the Johns Hopkins University student counseling centers. She is passionate about helping college and graduate students deal successfully with a wide array of psy-chological issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship and family of origin issues, identity development, grief and loss, and trauma. Maria’s approach to therapy draws on interpersonal, emotion-focused, existential, and positive psychology influences.

Kim Coppersmith, M.S.,  is a 4th-year psychological trainee from Pacific University. She has a B.A. in psychology from St. Thomas University in Minnesota, as well as a master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pacific. Kim has worked with a wide array of clients, including those struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use, as well as with relationship issues and phase-of-life adjustments. Her work with clients is grounded primarily in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) theory. Kim works collaboratively with students to help them identify their individual needs and learn to become more accepting of their thoughts and feelings. She enjoys helping clients identify personal values and find ways to shape their lives according to the elements that are most important to them.  

Tony Davis, M.A., Q.M.H.P., is a psychological trainee from Pacific University with a master’s degree in School Psychology from Texas State University. Before returning to school, Tony worked as a licensed specialist in School Psychology in the public school system, where he provided assessments and counseling to children, adolescents, and young adults to support their educational achievement. Tony has an interest in multicultural and diversity issues, and has worked with adults of Native American descent to address substance abuse and dependence, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and a variety of anxiety and mood disorders. Addition-ally, he has experience with the Gestalt therapy approach, emphasizing a client’s increased personal insight and awareness.

Hana Nielsen-Kneisler, J.D., M.S., is a psychological trainee from Pacific University with an undergraduate degree and a law degree from UC-Berkeley. Hana has worked with persons struggling with depression, anxiety, sexual and emotional trauma, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, substance abuse, eating disorders and body image issues, career exploration, and spiritual and phase-of-life adjustments. She has a particular interest in law student mental health, and has conducted research on law student stress. Hana practices therapy from a client-centered approach, allowing clients to address concerns, develop new skills, and explore deeper parts of themselves in a safe and supportive environment. Hana is also bilingual (Spanish/English), and is trained in multicultural approaches to therapy. She identifies as an LGBTQ ally.

Mary Kitchel, counsel@lclark.edu, Administrative Coordinator, schedules client appointments, facilitates students, and serves as office manager.