Monsour Center Staff
Gary DeGroot, Ph.D., Director / Chief Psychologist-
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I am a licensed clinical psychologist and have been at MCAPS for about 13 years. My theoretical orientation is described as eclectic, as it largely depends on my clients' needs, their personality style, and finding an intervention that will fit best and be the most effective. More... I place an emphasis on helping my clients identify and modify less effective patterns and address issues developed early in their life which tend to continue into their adulthood. In therapy clients will learn methods/techniques that will enable them to make beneficial life changes leading towards positive growth.
As this is my twelfth year at MCAPS I have extensive experience working with a diverse student population with a variety of issues. Some of my clinical interests and work have been in the areas of grief and bereavement, depression/anxiety, and biracial concerns. As I continue to work with the college student population, I look forward to helping students work through difficult issues and experiences. 
Fiona Vajk, Ph.D., Senior Staff Psychologist- Send Fiona an e-mail
My approach to brief individual therapy is to help individuals draw from their strengths, in order to explore possibilities for change and growth, taking into account each person's unique life experiences and cultural background. More... I draw from both cognitive-behavioral and self-psychology theories to understand students' concerns, which means that I am interested in how people have learned to think about themselves and the world around them, as well as how their early experiences have helped to shape their individual development. My particular areas of interest are sexual assault/abuse, multicultural counseling, depression, identity development, women's issues, body image, self-esteem, mindfulness/meditation, and relationship issues.
Carrie Park, Psy.D., Senior Staff Psychologist-
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I have been a member of the Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services staff since 2008. I am licensed as a psychologist in the state of CA and have trained and worked at a number of college counseling centers. In my counseling center experience, I’ve enjoyed working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, focusing on the individual’s unique experience while challenging those thoughts and behaviors which may be maladaptive. More... My theoretical orientation draws largely from humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and feminist therapy. My areas of special interest include adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, women’s issues, identity development, and GLBTQ concerns.
I am excited to be entering my second year as part of the Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services staff. I have trained and worked at a number of college counseling centers and am licensed as a psychologist in the state of CA. 
Craig Beeson, Ph.D., Senior Staff Therapist-
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In my therapeutic work, I’ve become particularly fascinated by how students make meaning out of their unique life journeys. My approach is to work collaboratively to provide relief from problematic symptoms by aiding in developing tools while going beyond to empower students to move toward the people they want to become. More... I want to create an empathic and nonjudgmental space where students can explore themselves and work toward their goals. This may include exploring their relationships and social and cultural context. My work is informed primarily by narrative, humanistic, positive psychology, and cognitive-behavioral therapies.
While I consider my specialty college mental health, I am especially interested in issues of adjusting to college, depression, stress management, identity development, culture, relationships, grief and loss, sexuality, and spirituality. I have trained and worked at a variety of college counseling centers and am excited to have the opportunity to work with the Claremont students. 
Rumana Mansur, Ph.D., Senior Staff Therapist-
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I completed my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University — Los Angeles. I have worked in a variety of clinical settings, providing both outpatient and inpatient psychotherapy. In my work, I draw from both cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic theories and I consider many aspects of the student including developmental, familial, social, and cultural history. More... I work collaboratively, focusing on student’s goals, strengths, coping skills, and self-awareness. My clinical and research interests include Asian American mental health concerns, multiculturalism, immigration, intergenerational conflict, ethnic identity, acculturation, and culturally appropriate psychotherapies, research instruments, and interventions for the immigrant and minority communities. I am bilingual in Bengali/English, and enjoy working with students from diverse backgrounds.
Kristen Masters, Psy.D., Staff Therapist-
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I am delighted to be continuing at Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services working with the students at the Claremont Colleges. Although my theoretical perspective is generally informed by psychodynamic and humanistic orientations, I tend to employ an eclectic approach and prefer to work collaboratively with clients to tailor therapy to clients’ unique needs. More... I consider factors such as personality, culture, family history, relationships, past experiences, language, as well client’s strengths and goals. My hope is for clients to feel more empowered and able to address their challenges in appropriate and healthy ways uniquely suited for each client. Although I am a generalist and happy to work with clients with any presenting concerns, I am particularly interested in those related to family dynamics, relationships, attachment, life transitions, depression, anxiety, stress management, adjustment, assertiveness and, and identity development.
Vilma Fuentes, Psy.D., Senior Staff Psychologist- Send Vilma an e-mail
My approach to brief individual therapy is eclectic, even though I draw largely on Humanistic and Cognitive Behavioral approaches. I support my clients through their journey of personal growth by helping them identify and nurture their inner strengths while learning to modify and change unproductive thought patterns. More...I provide an accepting environment where my clients feel safe to explore their concerns and increase their sense of self-mastery through the development of self-accountability. My areas of interest include multicultural counseling, anxiety, depression, spirituality, family of origin issues, and women's issues.
Nancy James, Psy.D., LD/ADHD Therapist-
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My area of specialty includes working with students who have been identified with Learning Disabilities (LD) and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I also work with students who are struggling academically and suspect they might have a LD, ADHD, or question the cause of their difficulties. More... The focus of my work with students centers on improving areas of academic concern (e.g., study skills, test taking strategies, writing, time management, and stress reduction). In addition, I lead workshops targeting the improvement of specific academic skills, I review documentation to support the use of accommodations, and I provide consultation on specific areas of academic concern.
I understand the unique challenges of bright and gifted students who struggle with reading, writing, organization, etc., and I strive to empower students to improve their self-advocacy skills in a collaborative way. My theoretical orientation is influenced by a biopsychosocial model; I utilize Humanistic and Cognitive Behavioral techniques to help students identify creative ways to compensate for or improve their areas of limitation, and to discover their personal strengths. 
Lotem Giladi, Ph.D., Post-Doctoral Therapist-
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I was born and raised in Israel and arrived to the U.S. 5 years ago to pursue my doctorate degree in clinical psychology. I have worked with ethnically and internationally diverse populations of college students at Caltech as well as with individuals, families, and couples at a community clinic in LA. I believe that the general goal of therapy is to reduce self-judgment while increasing curiosity and self- awareness. More... My approach to therapy is collaborative and interpersonal. I focus on creating meaningful relationships with my clients and work with them to identify their strengths and resiliency.
Like all MCAPS staff, I am a generalist and enjoy working with students with all types of concerns, but my areas of special interests include: cultural adjustment, relationships issues, couples therapy, identity development, impact of trauma on the survivors and their families/significant others, and body image and eating-related concerns.
My clinical work is inspired by psychodynamic and family systems theory, which means that I am interested in exploring how people view themselves and others and how they form relationships with their family members, friends and significant others. Specifically, I am interested in fostering differentiation of self, which means increasing our ability to maintain a clear sense of who we are while being in close relationship with family members and significant others.
I am privileged to have the opportunity to work with a diverse population of students and be part of their unique personal journeys. 
Robin M. Cooper, Psy.D., Post-Doctoral Therapist-
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In my approach to therapy, I draw extensively from multicultural, psychodynamic, and humanistic perspectives. Essentially, I am interested in understanding the ways in which early relationships and the social and cultural context impact how people learn to think about themselves and form relationships. More... Further, I consider the ways in which an individual’s relationship with self and others is affected by multiple components of identity (i.e., ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, country of origin, ability status, etc.). Using empathy and a non-judgmental approach, I attend to a client’s strengths to facilitate curiosity, self-awareness, and opportunities for growth. I am strongly guided by the therapy relationship and make an effort to empower clients in a safe and trusting environment.
I have worked in college settings as well as in community clinics with individuals from a wide range of cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds as well as with individuals who identify as LGBTQIQ. In addition, I am committed to using the tools of psychology to work towards social justice, and I look forward to collaborating with the campus community to generate a dialogue about important health and social issues. Like all MCAPS staff, I am a generalist and enjoy working with students with a wide range of concerns. Yet, my particular areas of interest include multicultural counseling, LGBTQIQ issues, identity development, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, and mindfulness/meditation.
I thoroughly enjoy working with college students and am excited to have the opportunity to complete my postdoctoral year at The Claremont Colleges. 
Cherie Obranovich, M.A., Intern Therapist-
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I am currently a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology, and I am delighted to join the staff at Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services this year. I have worked in a variety of clinical settings, providing both outpatient and inpatient psychotherapy. My approach to brief individual therapy is integrative, based mainly on cognitive-behavioral, insight-oriented, and differentiation theories. More... This means that I work with students to build a stronger sense of self by increasing self-awareness and strengthening effective coping skills. My orientation is tailored to the unique needs of each individual where I collaborate with students to develop personalized treatment plans. In my clinical work, I am committed to forming a meaningful relationship with each student in a supportive and confidential environment to manage issues of concern. In addition, I encourage students to utilize their unique personal strengths to achieve a greater sense of happiness, health, and balance in their lives. My particular areas of interest include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, body image concerns, relationship issues, and personal growth.
Yin-Chen Shen, M.A., Intern Therapist-
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I am a doctoral student in clinical psychology. My previous experience has been with patients in the psychiatric hospital. The trainings I had equipped me with sensitivity towards individual differences and the unique personality, and thus I approach treatment with consideration of each person’s values, cultural identity, strengths, and life experiences. More... My intervention approach includes developing communication style and conflict resolution skills, identifying strengths to resolve current difficulties, and building positive life skills and learning how to effectively implement these skills into daily routines. My clinical interests are: promoting academic success among underrepresented student groups, helping students transition and adjusting to college life, and discussing and exploring sexual identity and gender issues.
Mendel Feldsher, M.D., Board Certified Psychiatrist- Send Mendel an e-mail
Lorrie Delgado, Secretary Receptionist- Send Lorrie an e-mail
Lorrie, the familiar face and voice of Monsour Counseling Services, was born and raised in southern California. She is now in her 13th year at the Claremont Colleges. More... Previously, Lorrie worked in a Pediatric Neurologist's office for five years and states she "learned many things." This proud mother of two sons, two step daughters and four grandchildren is happily married. She enjoys interacting with people, working in her yard gardening and love sports.
Alicia Becerra, Office Specialist- Send Alicia an e-mail
Alicia was born and raised in Los Angeles and has worked for the Claremont Colleges for 2 ½ years. Alicia is very flexible and floats between HEO, Monsour Counseling Services and Student Health Services. Previously she worked in the telecommunications industry for 5 years.
