Sharon Harrington-Hope, MA, LMHC
Director of Counseling and Clinical Counselor
she, her, hers
sharrington-hope@lasell.edu
617-243-2145

Sharon honors diversity in its variety of forms and is grateful to have the opportunity to know and work with all Lasell students. She strives to create a supportive connection with anyone seeking help as she works to understand the unique strengths and needs of her clients. Her areas of clinical interest include: the experience of first-generation students, integrating multicultural perspectives in counseling, utilizing a trauma-informed lens, and supporting people in recovery from addictive or self-injurious behaviors.  
  
When not in the office (or the telehealth screen) she enjoys spending time with family, biking, walking her dog, and trying new recipes.  

Joanna Garcia, MA, LMHC
Clinical Counselor
she, her, hers
jgarcia2@lasell.edu
617-243-2286

As a clinician of color, Joanna is interested in recognizing the diverse individual and collective experiences and identities of each person. She aims to create and hold space for each student in a way that is culturally responsive and inclusive. Her areas of clinical interest include: intergenerational trauma, BIPOC identity development, domestic violence, racial trauma and stress, mind-body connection, and psychospirituality. 

Outside of work, Joanna enjoys listening and dancing to music, hiking, cooking, trying different cuisines, and exploring different nature landscapes in the US and abroad. 

Adela Hruby, PhD, MPH, MS 
Health Educator and Clinical Counselor
she, her, hers
ahruby@lasell.edu
617-243-2334

Adela believes that life is easier when someone else "gets it." She aims to provide that kind of feeling to students in counseling. She feels it is a privilege to accompany students on their journey of self-discovery and reaching their unique potential. Her areas of clinical interest include: anxiety, grief, eating disorders and hoarding, holistic well-being, and psychospirituality.   

When not in the Counseling Center, you'll find her campaigning for and teaching public health, conducting research, baking in her kitchen, hiking in the Whites, or on her yoga mat. 

Lenora Benson, MSW, LICSW  
Clinical Counselor
she, her, hers
lbenson@lasell.edu
617-243-2054

Lenora is fulfilled when she has the opportunity to help and support diverse groups of students on their journey to self-discovery and healing. She approaches her practice with an open mind and sees the therapeutic relationship as a collaboration and partnership. Lenora wants every person to leave a session feeling a bit more equipped and confident in their own strength and ability to persevere and be resilient through life’s most challenging and complicated moments. Her areas of clinical interest include: intergenerational trauma, racial trauma and stress, substance use disorders, anxiety, and the mind-body connection.

In her free time you can find her creating memories with family and friends, participating in hot yoga, working out, running, getting a massage, or EATING! She will also never turn down a comedy show, poetry slam, or a Beyoncé concert.

Cindy Spertner, MA
Administrative Assistant
she, her, hers
cspertner@lasell.edu
617-243-2181

Cindy has a B.A. in English/Education and a master’s degree in Writing and Publishing. She has worked as a writing instructor and was an editor at Teen Ink magazine for over 12 years. Her professional interests include writing, editing, expressive/art therapy, and empowering students and staff in the Lasell community.  
 
Outside of work, Cindy enjoys spending time with family, baking apple pies, creating new soup recipes, walking in the woods, and working toward her goal of reading 500 novels in her lifetime. 

Our clinical and social work interns are graduate students in mental health counseling or social work, completing their clinical training in the Counseling Center. They conduct individual and group counseling, and facilitate various academic and mental health programs across campus.

Abby Albright
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
she, her, hers
aalbright@lasell.edu

Abby is professionally interested in supporting young adults as they navigate new college experiences and as they plan for post-graduate life. She is particularly interested in the intersection of career development and mental health. Abby’s other clinical interests include supporting individuals who struggle with disordered eating and substance use. 

 Outside of the office, Abby enjoys reading for fun, trying new foods, and traveling. She de-stresses with some good TV, cooking, and playing with her cat.

Samantha Aube
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
she, her, hers
saube@lasell.edu

Samantha’s professional interests include anxiety, depression, panic disorders, trauma, and OCD, in addition to college student mental health and disaster mental health.  She looks forward to supporting students who present with a broad range of concerns.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys long walks, arts and crafts, and listening to music.

Ellen Fridland, MA, PhD
she, her, hers
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
efridland@lasell.edu

Ellen’s clinical interests are rooted in humanistic, relational, feminist, and trauma-informed approaches to psychotherapy, incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion to create self-knowledge, trust, acceptance, and love through connection. She believes that the therapeutic process must involve empathy, a nonjudgmental attitude, and a deep respect for the wisdom of the client. Ellen is in the second year of her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a holistic concentration at Lesley University. She brings 20 years of college classroom experience to her counseling practice.

Ellen also enjoys reading and writing philosophy, cooking and eating good food, connecting with friends, and especially spending time with her 6-year-old daughter.

Alyson King
she, her, hers
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
ALKing@lasell.edu

Alyson is in her final year of clinical training at Boston College with hopes of pursuing her PhD in counseling psychology in the near future. Her clinical interests include a range of adjustment and transition concerns such as anxiety, depression, and grief and loss among adolescents and young adults. Her experience includes working in a therapeutic high school setting for adolescents suffering from various emotional and/or behavioral disturbances, providing both individual and group counseling sessions and support in vocational exploration and training.

Outside of school and the office, Alyson loves to take day trips to different places all around New England, attend sports games and concerts, and explore any tourist trap there is!

Nicole Petersen
she, her, hers
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
npetersen@lasell.edu

Nicole’s professional interests include holistic mental health counseling and a mind-body-spirit approach to wellness. She takes a person-centered approach to counseling, emphasizing the unique needs of each individual and the importance of a collaborative therapeutic relationship. Nicole is in the final year of her master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Holistic Studies at Lesley University. She is looking forward to supporting the Lasell community this year. 

In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with loved ones, working on creative projects, and being in nature.