The staff at the Counseling Center are here to support students in managing their lives at college and exploring barriers to being successful both here and in their lives in general. The team provide a variety of avenues for students to achieve their personal goals while they are here including individual, group, workshops, screenings, consultations, and crisis support.
Claudia Werner
Director of Counseling
- Phone: (865) 981-8035
- Email: claudia.werner@stoodthere.net
- Education: LPC/MHSP
Claudia leads staff in providing counseling services and other related activities at the Center and strives to help students in any way she can. She uses her prior experience in different therapeutic environments to ensure that the needs of students are met in a positive way. Claudia enjoys being a resource for faculty and staff in their roles with students. She works with several nearby colleges to maintain master level interns who support the Counseling Center’s goal of helping students. She loves working with students in one-to-one sessions to explore their needs and provide the tools they need to be successful. Claudia believes that therapy is a valuable experience for many reasons and promotes a variety of avenues for students to improve their lives.
Emily Dobias
First Steps Coordinator
- Email: emily.dobias@stoodthere.net
After completing her Clinical Social Work graduate degree at the University of Tennessee, Emily joined the Counseling Center as the First Steps Coordinator. She has a role in mental health awareness on campus as well as facilitating groups and training for students. Emily is passionate about educating others about mental health to empower them in seeking therapy, learning about themselves, and growing as individuals. She believes in promoting resilience and trauma-informed care across campus to create a culture where everyone can thrive.
Maddy Moyers
Counseling Intern
- Email: maddy.moyers@stoodthere.net
Maddy is a Master’s student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lincoln Memorial University. She got her undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in neuroscience at the University of Tennessee. With a background being a yoga instructor, Maddy has a passion for using holistic methods of treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, and overall life stress. She is excited to start at Maryville college and meet the wonderful students here.
Jessica Dutkosky
Counseling Intern
Jessica is a Master’s student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Carson Newman University. She is originally from Knoxville. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Maryville College with a minor is American Sign Language. She has always had a passion for working with students. She is very excited to be back at Maryville College and is looking forward to getting to know the students, faculty, and staff.
Mike Garza Semple
Counseling Intern
Michael Garza Semple comes to us as a master’s student in Social Work at the University of Tennessee. Originally from Dayton, OH, he grew up in an Air Force family and graduated high school from an air base in South Korea. He later attended Ohio State, earning a bachelor’s degree in Theatre. He currently hopes to graduate with his master’s degree and earn his LCSW so he can work as a professional therapist and counselor. He is excited to be on campus at Maryville College and is looking forward to getting to know the students, faculty, and staff.
Litzy Espinosa
Counseling Intern
Litzy is a Master’s level student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UTK. Litzy is a bilingual first generation student that has previous experience working with migrant children and families. This has inspired her holistic approach with past childhood experiences, identity development, LGBTQIA+-affirming, and narrative style counseling. She offers her clients warmth, empathy, and openness. She is super excited to meet students at Maryville College and hopes to encourage her clients to be authentic.