Meet Our Staff

Katharine Oh, Ph.D - Director of the University Counseling Center

I love working with college students and take a collaborative approach to therapy. Together, we can identify your strengths and roadblocks and find the best ways to help you move forward to be more of yourself. I use gestalt, relational cultural, and feminist therapy to empower students to reach their goals. I received my doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky. In addition to college and university counseling centers, I have experience working in an intimate partner violence shelter, an eating disorder clinic, and a psychiatric hospital.

Clinical Interests: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Suicide Risk and Self-Harm, Identity and Acculturation, LGBTQ clients, and Asian and Asian American clients

Personal Interests: Reading broadly, weight lifting, cooking new dishes, travelling, and learning about leadership. 

Alia Lawlor, LPCC-S, CCMC – Assistant Director of the University Counseling Center

I love working with people desiring to better themselves and the world; and helping facilitate movement towards self-empowerment and positive change is a privilege. My early training with existential and psycho-dynamic perspectives prepared me well for seeing patterns and themes across life domains, and facilitating change at the root level. Overall, I apply a whole person approach to my work with clients. My prior experience includes private practice, corporate workforce development, the technology sector, and I've owned several businesses. I also supervise and train master's level counseling interns at the counseling center.

Clinical interests: Trauma, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, self-love and compassion, relationship issues, meditation & mindfulness, women’s issues, working with athletes, existential issues, sexual and emotional abuse, LGBTQ+ issues, couples counseling, issues about identity and meaning, and supervision and development of counseling interns. My theoretical background includes Polyvagal Theory, somatic psychology, CBT, ACT, and I'm currently obtaining a complex trauma certification. 

Personal interests: I love to do artwork, hike / be in nature, especially the mountains; bike, meditate, garden, search for vintage things, do home renovation, and read / research whatever shiny object catches my attention.

Amanda Groves, LPCC - Full time Staff Counselor 

Amanda Groves is a licensed professional clinical counselor. She completed her MA degree in clinical mental health counseling from John Carroll University in 2020, and her MA in higher education from Baldwin Wallace University in 2014.

Amanda is trained extensively in evidence-based treatments such as: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Her areas of interest include the treatment of anxiety, depression, emotional eating, adjustment and life transitions, academic and career exploration, relationship issues and bereavement.

Amanda has over 10 years of experience working at various colleges and universities across the United States supporting the diverse needs of young adults. In addition to her experience in the collegiate setting, she has worked in the community supporting children and adolescents who have suffered severe neglect and trauma.

Shelby Bitter, LPCC - Part time Staff Counselor 

I truly enjoy working alongside my clients to empower and instill positive change. I believe that we all have the power within us to achieve and sustain personal growth and wellness and live the life we ultimately want. With each client, I strive to create a nonjudgmental space where everyone is free to be themselves and work toward their goals. I earned both my bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Ohio State University. In addition to university counseling centers, I have experience working in community mental health agencies, a domestic violence shelter, and private practice. 

Clinical Interests: Anxiety, life transitions, athlete issues, relationship concerns, adult children of emotionally immature parents, depression, self-esteem and identity development.

Personal Interests: Watching sports, exercising, exploring new places in Cleveland, cooking, and spending time with my friends, family, partner and dog!

Dr. Matthew Andersen - Psychiatrist

Matthew Andersen, MD, is a general adult psychiatrist with special interests in college mental health, refugee/immigrant mental health and LGBTQ+ mental health. He received his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and psychiatry residency training at Mount Sinai St Luke’s-Roosevelt program in Manhattan, NY. He is an assistant professor for Case Western University School of Medicine and works primarily at University Hospitals Adult Psychiatry clinic.

Dr. Sibani Aggarwal - Psychiatric resident

Sibani Aggarwal, MD, is psychiatry resident at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and completed her undergraduate degree in Biology and Health Care Ethics at Saint Louis University. She then went on to attend medical school at University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Her passion within medicine and psychiatry is working with marginalized populations, and she has spent a considerable amount of time developing a Diversity and Inclusion curriculum for her residency program to address oppressive systems within medicine. She is in her final year of training at UH and has found her passion working with college-aged patients!

Clinical interests:  Community psychiatry, college mental health, serious mental illnesses, multicultural psychiatry, LGBTQ+, correctional psychiatry

Personal interests: Traveling, reading, reality TV, true crime documentaries/series, spending time with family!

Dr. Robert Burns - Psychiatric resident 

Robert Burns, MD, was born and raised in southeastern Michigan and graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine with his medical degree. He is currently finishing his adult psychiatry residency through University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center prior to pursuing a fellowship through University Hospitals for child and adolescent psychiatry.

Leya Belnavis, CT (she/her/hers) -  Graduate Assistant and Counselor Trainee

I am passionate about mental health and ensuring that all people have access to adequate mental health services. I am currently in my final year of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's program here at John Carroll. I am thrilled to work in the Counseling Center as both graduate assistant and counselor trainee as I will work to help students find their strength and celebrate them for it. I utilize a person centered and feminist approach to counseling as I believe that each person is the expert in their own lives and I serve as a guide in helping them discover that. A native of Jamaica, I am also extremely proud of my culture and enjoy sharing aspects of it with others. I believe that mental health care is just as important as physical health care and hope to see the stigma in seeking mental health care ultimately disappear. 

Clinical Interests: Grief counseling, trauma counseling, psychological disorders, mindfulness and multicultural counseling.

Personal Interests: Listening to true crime podcasts, spending time with my partner, friends and family and reading 

Katie Cox, CT (she/her/hers) - Counselor Trainee

I strive to strengthen the mental health of my clients and empower them to live their fullest lives. I believe in a collaborative approach to therapy and incorporate humanistic and person-centered methods to help clients achieve their goals. I provide a space where everyone feels welcome and free to be themselves. I’ll be completing my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling here at John Carroll this summer and look forward to working with the JCU community across the year. 

Clinical Interests: Identity Issues, Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment to College, Life Transitions, Challenges of Student Athletes, LGBTQ+, Career Decisions

Personal Interests: Cycling, Yoga, Interior Design/DIY Home Projects, Podcasts, Traveling, Watching the Latest TV Series, Quality Time with Husband and Dog

Mary Beth Kelley – Administrative Assistant

I have been the Administrative Assistant at the Counseling Center since 2007. Prior to coming to John Carroll I held a similar position at CWRU School of Law and was at home for several years navigating the schedules of our five kids. I am fortunate to work in such a welcoming, nurturing environment. I’ve learned so much about adjusting to college, stress management and self-care. I find it rewarding to connect students to the help they need during their time at John Carroll.

Personal interests: I enjoy spending time with family, cooking, reading and getting outdoors when the Cleveland weather permits.