(she/her)
Student, Graduate student, Alumna, Police Officer, Victim’s advocate, Clinical Supervisor for Student Advocacy and Trauma Support, and now Director of Counseling Services, I have worn many hats at Winthrop University. Each role has shaped who I am today and I’m proud of every step that led me here.
In my current role, I have the privilege of supporting individuals from all walks of life in a clinical capacity. My approach draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care, allowing me to provide care that is both practical and compassionate. Together with our counseling team, I strive to build a community of care where students feel seen, heard, and valued, ensuring that our services are both evidence-based and compassionately delivered.
My professional goals include helping people discover/ rediscover who they were before life happened and advocating for equitable, student-centered mental health services that expand access, reduce stigma, and foster a campus culture of wellbeing and resilience.
(she/they)
I received my Bachelor’s in History and Psychology from Winthrop University (Go Eagles!) and graduated from Appalachian State University in 2016 with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and graduate certificates in Expressive Arts Therapy and Systemic Multicultural Counseling. I recognize what a risk it is to seek help for something you’re struggling with and do my best to create a space and relationship where students are comfortable sharing and sitting with difficult things. My practice is heavily influenced by Relational-cultural, and Narrative theories and draws on practices from Dialectical, Cognitive, and Neurodiversity-Affirming frameworks. I frequently utilize the expressive arts (including visual arts, writing, music, and movement) in my work with students. I love the arts for their ability to both expose and contain our pain and messiness.
I love working with students of all different backgrounds and abilities and have particular
interest in working with those students struggling with concerns surrounding eating
and body image, self-harm and suicide, and neurodivergence (especially ADHD and autism).
Veronica Rector, MEd, LPC(she/her/hers)
I earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Winthrop University in 2016. Over the years, I have worked in both school-based settings and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH), where I gained extensive experience supporting individuals navigating severe and complex mental health concerns, including trauma, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
My clinical approach is grounded in trauma-informed and attachment-based perspectives, recognizing the impact that early relationships, life transitions, and adverse experiences can have on us. I integrate narrative, rational emotive, and cognitive behavioral therapies while also drawing on attachment theory to help students better understand how their past shapes their present relationships, coping strategies, and sense of self.
I am passionate about working with students during this formative stage of life and creating a safe, affirming, and collaborative space for healing and growth. College can be both exciting and overwhelming, and I want students to know they don’t have to navigate it alone. I believe every student’s story is both important and unique, and I am committed to walking alongside them as they build resilience, strengthen connections, and find their own path to balance and well-being.
(he/him)
I have a PhD in Exercise Science, with a Concentration in Sport and Exercise Science from Oregon State University and I have a MEd Counseling and Human Development fromWinthrop University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology
I work with student-athletes and performers to support both mental health and performance goals. My specialties include managing stress and anxiety, building confidence, enhancing focus, and navigating transitions in sport and life. I also have expertise in holistic approaches that integrate brain science, mental skills training, and counseling strategies tailored to individual needs.
I take a collaborative, practical approach that blends counseling and performance psychology. I emphasize core health behaviors like sleep, nutrition, and recovery as the base, then build on that with behavioral strategies and principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. My style is supportive but structured, helping clients understand how their brain works, stay adaptable, and develop sustainable mental habits they can apply in training, competition, and daily life. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, spending time outdoors, and being with my family.
(she/her)
I graduated with my Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Winthrop University in ’22. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and have training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing. I have extensive experience working with the LGBTQIA+ population, trauma, personality disorders, depression, and anxiety.
I like to approach counseling with a person-centered focus and maintain a holistic perspective. I enjoy incorporating mindfulness and skills training in sessions, as I believe this helps clients increase their autonomy and window of tolerance outside of counseling.
Mackenzie Miller, MACC, LPC-A(she/her)
I graduated with a masters in counseling with a focus in clinical mental health from Gordon-Conwell in 2025 and am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A). I completed a year of internship at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center and another year of internship at Winthrop University.
I work from an integrative approach rooted in person-centered therapy, with meaningful influence from narrative work, solution-focused strategies, and DBT. I believe people grow in spaces where they feel safe, understood, and supported, and I try to create a counseling relationship that reflects that. I often work with anxiety, identity concerns, and big life transitions, helping clients make sense of their story while also finding practical tools that actually help in the moment. DBT skills come in when someone needs something concrete, especially with emotional intensity or black and white thinking. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally aware, and tailored to the person in front of me. My goal is to hold space well and support people as they reconnect with themselves and move forward in a way that feels honest and doable.
Outside of work, you can usually find me enjoying live music, spending time with my favorite people, doing something crafty, or getting outside whenever I can.
Layton Frost, MEd, LPC-A(he/him)
My name is Layton and I graduated from Winthrop in 2024 with a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. I specialize in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and Brainspotting. I believe that true healing comes from within, and my passion lies in helping individuals unlock their inner potential for growth, resilience, and self-discovery. In my practice, I integrate the transformative techniques of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and Brainspotting to guide clients on their journey toward healing and self-awareness. IFS recognizes that within each of us exists a system of different parts, each with its own thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. By understanding and harmonizing these parts, we can achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life. Some of the things that make me feel fulfilled is spending time in nature and reading books! Lord of the Rings is my favorite and if you visit my office that becomes very apparent.
(she.her.hers)
I find some of my greatest peace among plants and flowers—whether I’m growing them, tending to them, or simply admiring them. I firmly believe there is no such thing as too many plants! I love escaping to the mountains, tending my pollinator garden, and creating pottery and jewelry. These creative pursuits are more than hobbies; they are some of my favorite ways to slow down, stay grounded, and practice self-care.
As a proud Gen-Xer, I’ve always been drawn to icons who remind us to lead with kindness, acceptance, courage, and love. My personal trio? Wonder Woman, Mr. Rogers, and Kermit the Frog—a combination that probably says a lot about me! And when it comes to music, Stevie Nicks has a permanent spot at the top of my Spotify playlist.
Tay is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student and counselor-in-training who believes in creating a safe, welcoming space where clients can feel seen, heard, and understood. Her approach is grounded in empathy, authenticity, and a holistic understanding of the connection between the mind, body, and overall well-being. She is passionate about helping individuals explore their experiences, develop meaningful insight, and navigate life’s challenges with greater self-awareness and confidence.
Ayah Alkhatib I am a current Master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at UNC Charlotte and currently, serve as the Program Assistant for the Master’s in Counseling at UNC Charlotte. I graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Minor in Religious Studies.
As a counselor in training, I hope to learn how to integrate my cultural perspective and combine it with my passion for mental health advocacy. As a former HR Specialist and Student Care Representative, this is where I learned my passion and values for building meaningful connections and supportive relationships, especially with students helping them to succeed.
In my free time, I enjoy going out with friends, trying new coffee shops, cooking, and reading.
I graduated with my B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from UNC Greensboro and am currently a graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at Winthrop University. I have experience working with adolescents, adults, the LGBTQ+ population, eating disorders, and ASD. I am passionate about helping people feel empowered by recognizing their strengths and seeing their full potential. I value the importance of advocacy and enjoy helping others access the support they need to grow. As a first-generation college student, I understand the challenges that can come with navigating college and life independently. I want students to know that there is a community around them ready to provide support, guidance, and encouragement.
In my free time I enjoy dancing, nature, and finding meaningful ways to connect the mind and body.
