Graduate Counseling Program
Core Faculty & Staff
The Rollins Graduate Studies in Counseling Program professors are nationally certified and licensed professional counselors who are committed to providing students with active learning and real-world experience. Faculty offices are located on the second floor of the Cornell Social Sciences Building in the Counseling/Education suite.
Faculty
Caitlyn McKinzie Bennett, PhD., LMHC, LMFT, NCC
Associate Professor of Counseling
CSS
B.S., M.A., & Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
National Certified Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Dr. Bennett's clinical specialty focuses on anxiety, stress, family of origin issues, sexuality, and LGBTGEQIAP+ experiences for adolescents, young adults, and couples. She also integrates a holistic approach to counseling to help clients increase awareness and coping related to the intersection of physical and mental health. Dr. Bennett's research agenda has focused on neuroinformed counseling approaches (i.e., neurofeedback training) to mitigate experiences of anxiety, stress, and depression. Her scholarship also focuses on utilizing evidenced-based counseling practices (i.e., acceptance and commitment therapy).
Derrick A. Paladino, PhD
Professor of Counseling and Department Chair
CSS
BS, MEd, EdS, University of Florida
PhD, University of Arkansas
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
National Certified Counselor
Cornell Distinguished Faculty Member
Throughout his training, Dr. Paladino gained experience in crisis and emergency services, college counseling, addictions, and has worked in agency settings with adolescents and adults. His clinical specialties are in crisis assessment and intervention, college student development, and multiracial identity. Research interests focus on the multiple heritage population, counselor education and supervision and college student adjustment.
Samuel Sanabria, Ph.D.
Professor of Counseling
CSS
Associate Professor of Counseling, Department Chair
B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D., University of Florida
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Certified Sex Therapist.
Dr. Sanabria completed his doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Florida with an emphasis on sexuality and diversity issues. He has extensive experience counseling couples, families, adults, and adolescents regarding sexual and gender identity concerns. His research interests include moral psychology, human sexuality, and neuroscience.
Leigh DeLorenzi, PhD
Associate Professor of Counseling
CSS
B.A., University of Miami; M.A., Rollins College; Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor
Dr. DeLorenzi has a clinical specialty in the treatment of trauma, and has spent her career counseling children, adults, families, couples, and groups. She serves as a consulting psychotherapist at The Center for Physician Wellbeing where she focuses on program development and burnout prevention for physicians and mental health professionals. Her current research seeks to examine the impact of wellbeing initiatives within the medical and mental health training environments. Dr. DeLorenzi's scholarship also focuses on standards of professional conduct and gatekeeping practices across the mental health professions.
Kyle D. Baldwin, Ed.D.
Clinical Professor of Counseling
CSS
B.A., University of South Florida; M.A., Rollins College; Ed.D., Argosy University/Sarasota
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor
Dr. Baldwin’s clinical experience includes working in private practice, community mental health agencies, and school settings. Her clinical interests include Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Career Counseling, and Couples Counseling. Additional areas of interest include Counselor Wellness and Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Baldwin graduated from the Graduate Studies in Counseling program in 2002.
Brea Hilaire, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Counseling
CSS
B.S., Jacksonville University; M.A., Rollins College; Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, National Certified Counselor
Dr. Brea Hilaire has expertise in working with juvenile offenders, students in college settings, and adults in underserved communities. Her clinical experience informs her research interests, which center around enacting positive change in populations affected by trauma, suicide, and crisis.
Staff
Cheryl Wawrzaszek
Graduate Counseling Program, Administrative Assistant
CSS 253
407-691-1708