Department of Human Development Counseling

Brookens Library 332
One University Plaza
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, Illinois 62703-5407

E-mail: hdc@uis.edu
Phone: (217) 206-6504

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Core Faculty

Dr. Timothy Hakenewerth, LPC (MO), NCC 
Assistant Professor 
Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling Co-Coordinator 

Ph. D., Idaho State University

Areas of Specialization: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; Counselor Development; Counselor Education; Clinical Supervision; Emotional Support Animals in Mental Health; Reflecting Teams 

Email: thake2@uis.edu 
Phone: (217) 206-8151 
Office:  BRK 343 

Dr. Timothy Hakenewerth headshot

Dr. Holly Thompson, LCPC
Associate Professor
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Area Co-Coordinator

Ph.D., Idaho State University 

Areas of Specialization: Community and Mental Health Counseling Supervision; Professional Counselor Identity; Multi-and trans-cultural Counseling; GBLTQ; Human Sexuality 

E-mail: hthom2@uis.edu
Phone: (217) 206-7568
Office: BRK 348 

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Dr. Tiffany Nielson, LPC
Associate Professor & Counseling and Social Work Department Chair
Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling Co-Coordinator

Ph.D., Idaho State University 

Areas of Specialization:  Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling; Mentoring in Counselor Education; Child and Adolescent Counseling; Child Sexual Abuse; Religion and Spirituality in Counseling and Counselor Training

E-mail: tniel3@uis.edu
Phone: (217) 206-8521
Office: BRK 358 

Dr. Tiffany Nielson headshot

Dr. James Klein, LPC
Associate Professor
School Counseling Area Coordinator
Program Admissions Coordinator

Ed.D., Northern Illinois University 

Areas of Specialization: Counselor Competence; Licensure in Counseling; School Counseling; Conflict Resolution

Email: jklei4@uis.edu
Phone: (217) 206-6883
Office: BRK 348 

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Dr. Lomi Li, LPC (China)
Assistant Professor
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Co-Coordinator
Program Admissions Coordinator

Ph.D., University of Iowa

Areas of Specialization: School Counseling, Trauma-informed Counseling Practice, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Supervision and Vicarious Trauma, Gender & Sexuality Related Counseling Issues, Sand-tray and Creative Arts in Counseling

E-mail: hli254@uis.edu
Phone: (217) 206-8532
Office: BRK 331

Dr. Lomi Li

Clinical Faculty

Shannon Pivoney, M.A., LCPC 

M.A., University of Illinois at Springfield 

Areas of Specialization: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Trauma-Informed Counseling, Community Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Dissociation, Depression, Anxiety, Anger Management, Geriatric Issues, LGBTQ+ Issues and Personality Disorders.

Email:  swain01s@uis.edu
Phone: (217) 206-6504
Office: BRK 335

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Associated and Adjunct Faculty

Mollie Buchanan, M.A, LCPC 

M.A., University of Illinois Springfield  

Areas of Specialization: Areas of clinical interest are trauma focused treatment, the impact of trauma on the neurological system. child and adolescent counseling and mental health treatment within the child welfare system. 
E-mail:  mgust01s@uis.edu 

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Essence Lee, M.A., LCPC

M.A., University of Illinois Springfield 

Areas of Specialization: Private Practice, Adults with Depression, Anxiety, and Adjustment Disorders, And College Counseling. 
Email: elee84@uis.edu 

Essence Lee

Karen Lee, M.A. 

M.A., University of Illinois Springfield 

Areas of Specialization:  Art Therapy; Trauma; Schizophrenia; Assertive Community Treatment, Neurobiology of Psychotherapy  
Email: klee001s@uis.edu 

Karen Lee

Dr. Leigh Steiner

Ph.D., Southern Illinois University 

Areas of Specialization: Community Counseling; Ethics; Policy and Administration; Organizational Development; Appreciative Inquiry 
Email: lsteiner123@hotmail.com 

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Emeritus

Dr. William Abler 
Associate Professor 
Marital, Couple, & Family Counseling Co-Coordinator 

Ph.D., Michigan State University 

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Staff

Colleen Speten
CSW Department Advisor and Support Specialist

Phone: (217) 206-6504
Office: BRK 332

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Jillian Bryan
Graduate Assistant

Email: jbrya33@uis.edu
Phone: (217) 206-7943
Office: BRK 341

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