The Furman Counseling Center staff is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and interns in these fields. As a group, we represent a wide variety of professional interests and specializations, including multicultural issues, wellness, sexual identity, women's issues, eating disorders, and social justice. All of us are committed to providing services in ways that recognize, respect, and value the diversity of Barnard students.
Click on a name or scroll down for a short biography.
Mary Commerford, Ph.D., Director
Julia Sheehy, Ph.D., Associate Director
Hilary Colenso, Ph.D
Elizabeth Hantman, M.D.
Afiya Mangum, Ph.D.
Mayowa Obasaju, Ph.D.
Christy Paliouras, Ph.D.
Joseph Reynoso, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral Fellow:
Teresa Hurst, Ph.D.
Doctoral Intern:
Gavin Kenny, Psy.M
Doctoral Externs:
Lauren Appio, B.A.
Susan Mao, M.Ed.
Counseling Extern:
Jessica Cannon, B.A.
Social Work Interns:
Kalli Kofinas, J.D.
Jacqueline LaGrassa, B.A.
Christine Dominguez, B.A.
Anthony Riello Jr., M.A.
Office Coordinator/Admin. Asst.
Norinda del Fierro, B.A.
Receptionist/Admin.Asst.
Cachaundra Tarvin
Mary Commerford, Ph.D., Director, Furman Counseling Center
mcommerf@barnard.edu
Education History:
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Fordham University
- M.Div. Ministry, Yale University Divinity School
- A.B. Theology, Philosophy, University of Notre Dame
Professional Interest and Specialties:
- Eating Disorders
- Psychoanalysis
- Spirituality/Religion
- Women and Young Adult concerns
Julia Sheehy, Ph.D., Associate Director, Furman Counseling Center
jsheehy@barnard.edu
Professional Interest and Specialties:
- Coordinator of Barnard's Eating Disorders Treatment Team
- Director of the Counseling Center's training program
Hilary Colenso, Ph.D., Director of the Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program
hcolenso@barnard.edu
Education History:
- Ph.D. New York University
- M.Sc. University of Oxford, England
- B.A. University of Leicester, England
Professional Interest and Specialties:
- Interested in a broad range of women’s psychological and relationship issues including the loss and transitions, affective disorders, substance use, trauma and abuse.
Research Interests:
- Women’s Substance Abuse and Treatment
Elizabeth Hantman, M.D. Staff Psychiatrist
Education History:
- Residency in Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute and
- Columbia University
- Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York Presbyterian
- Hospital of Columbia and Cornell Universities
- M.D.Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons
- B.A. Psychology, Rutgers College, Rutgers University
Professional Interest and Specialties:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Evaluation and treatment of psychiatric illness
- Psychological development throughout childhood and adulthood
Research Interests:
- Pain symptoms, stress, and psychiatric illness
Afiya Mangum , Ph.D., Staff Psychotherapist
amangum@barnard.edu
Education History:
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Howard University
- B.A. , Psychology (minors: Africana Studies and Sociology), University of Pennsylvania
Professional Interest and Specialties:
- Student of Color Mental Health and Multicultural Counseling
- Narrative Therapy and Emotional Healing
- Group Therapy, Community Outreach, and Social Justice
Research Interests:
- Psychological/emotional significance of race through a narrative approach
- Mental Health/Wellness for people of African Descent
- Identity Development
Mayowa Obasaju, Ph.D., Staff Senior Psychotherapist
oobasaju@barnard.edu
Education History:
- PhD, Clinical and Community Psychology, Georgia State University
- BA, Psychology and Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at
- Chapel Hill
Professional and Research Interests:
- Systemic, clinical and community based approaches to trauma intervention and prevention.
- Interpersonal, relational, and community violence with a focus on childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and work with women of color.
- Substance use, psychological problems, and HIV/AIDS.
- Transformative and social justice
Christy Paliouras, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
cpaliouras@barnard.edu
Education History:
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus
- B.A. Psychology, University of California at Berkeley
Professional and Research Interests:
- Eating Disorders
- Trauma and Dissociation
- Attachment Theory
- Psychoanalysis
Joseph Reynoso, Ph.D., Staff psychologist
jreynoso@barnard.edu
Education History:
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York
- B.A. English/Psychology, Rutgers University
Professional Interests:
- Romantic relationships
- Development difficulties of emerging adulthood
- Applied psychoanalytic studies (film, literature, sports)
Research Interests:
- Personality disorders treatment
- Interpersonal effects of ADHD
- Applying psychodynamic principles to working with underserved populations
Teresa Hurst, Ph.D., Post Doctoral Fellow
Education History:
- Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, New School University
- M.A., Psychology, New School University
- B.S., Mathematics (minor: Probability and Statistics)
Professional Interest and Specialties:
- The long-term impact of childhood abuse and intimate partner violence
- Gender and sexual identity/LGBTQ issues
- The treatment of anxiety and personality disorders
Research Interests:
- Attachment theory and the relationship between childhood trauma and adult personality
- The prevention of childhood abuse through transformative and social justice approaches
