SCS Staff Profiles
Jen Knuepfer, Psy.D., Interim Co-Director/Interim Assistant Director for Training/Staff Psychologist (she/her)
Dr. Knuepfer received her master's degree (M.A.) and doctorate (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University, Chicago. Before joining the counseling staff at ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï in 2015, she worked in a number of university counseling centers, including those at Elmhurst University, Illinois Tech/Kent College of Law, and Indiana University-Bloomington. She has also provided clinical services in hospital inpatient/partial hospitalization programs and community mental health center settings, treating co-occurring mental health and substance use issues. She uses an integrative approach within a multicultural and feminist framework, incorporating elements from psychodynamic, interpersonal, and Relational-Cultural theories. Her areas of focus include multiple identity development, grief and loss, complex trauma, sexual assault and intimate partner violence, adult children of alcoholics, substance use, eating concerns, family and relationship issues, spirituality, and couples therapy. She enjoys working with students from diverse backgrounds and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. She also serves as a Title IX confidential Advisor.
Ebony Jiminez Lee, M.A., LCPC, Interim Co-Director, Staff Psychotherapist, Mental Health Case Manager, Peer Wellness Coach Coordinator (she/her/hers)
Ebony Jiminez Lee is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Ebony received her master’s degree in Psychology and post-graduate community counseling certificate from National Louis University. Ebony has more than 15 years of experience working as an LCPC in private practice and an academic advisor in higher education. Ebony uses an integrative approach within a relational and cultural framework with strength-based, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral theories. She enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds and has experience in supervision/training, consultation, outreach, individual and group psychotherapy, and couples counseling. Her areas of interest include life transition, family of origin issues, anxiety, grief, loss, racial stressors, relationship issues, intersectionality, LGBTQ concerns, and multicultural perspectives. Ebony believes in having a safe, brave, empathetic, supportive space to explore challenges, gain insight, improve self-awareness, self-acceptance, coping, and communication, and break dysfunctional patterns to have more enriched, empowered, productive life experiences and relationships.
Michael McPartland, Psy.D., Outreach Coordinator and Staff Psychologist (he/him)
Dr. McPartland received his master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University. He has worked in university counseling centers throughout Chicago and the Midwest including Michigan State University and Roosevelt University. Additionally, he has provided clinical services in community mental health, primary care, and inpatient psychiatric hospital settings. Dr. McPartland enjoys the range of opportunities working within a university setting, including individual and group therapy, supervision/training, consultation, and outreach. His clinical interests include identity development, life transition and adjustment, LGBTQA concerns, family of origin issues, mood disorders, and trauma. He has worked with children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds presenting with a wide range of clinical issues. Dr. McPartland has enjoyed over nine years at Northeastern as a staff psychologist and outreach coordinator.
Japneet Wahi, LSW, Staff Psychotherapist/STEM Case Manager/Peer Wellness Counselor Manager (they/them)
Japneet Wahi (They/Them) is a Licensed Social Worker who earned their Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago(UIC).As a first-generation Indian American, Japneet brings a culturally responsive and inclusive lens to their work, with a strong commitment to creating affirming and accessible spaces. Prior to graduate school, Japneet worked as a transfer admissions counselor at UIC, collaborating with City Colleges and supporting students of all ages and backgrounds. During their MSW program, they completed clinical training in community mental health centers and served as a school-based therapist on Chicago’s South Side.
Japneet’s therapeutic approach is grounded in Harm Reduction and guided by the principle of meeting clients where they are. They are certified in Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and draw from a range of practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Somatic work, Play and Art Therapy, and body-centered techniques. They emphasize the importance of connecting with the body as a tool for healing and self-awareness. Japneet is passionate about supporting individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance use, eating concerns, and gender and sexuality exploration. They work to reduce shame and stigma around mental health challenges and believe in honoring each client’s unique story, strengths, and goals.
Kristin Keeler, Psy.D., Part-time Staff Therapist
Dr. Keeler received her masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Illinois Benedictine College and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology. She has more than 20 years of experience working as a psychologist in private practice, and has provided clinical services in a variety of settings including in-home, inpatient hospital, not for profit organizations and schools. She has provided services such as individual therapy and psychological assessment, family therapy, group therapy, and crisis intervention. Her areas of interest include anxiety, depression, trauma, identity development and life transition and adjustment.
Saumya Arora, Ph.D., Post-Doctoral Fellow (she/they)
Dr. Saumya Arora earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is completing her Postdoctoral Fellowship at ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï, working towards the requirements to become a licensed psychologist in Illinois. Saumya has extensive experience working in university counseling centers, where she has provided individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, outreach, and supervision. Her clinical areas of interest include identity development, acculturation and assimilation, family-of-origin concerns, spirituality and existential exploration, trauma support, relationship issues, and QTBIPOC wellbeing.
Saumya takes an integrative approach to therapy, drawing primarily from person-centered, emotion-focused, and feminist-multicultural perspectives. Her work is grounded in the belief that intersecting identities and systems of oppression profoundly shape people’s experiences and sense of self. She strives to create a warm, humorous, and affirming therapeutic space where clients feel safe to be authentic, empowered, and supported in their healing. Depending on client needs, she also incorporates mindfulness, strengths-based strategies, and creative practices
Shaima Aljawfi, M.A.,Pre-Doctoral Extern (she/her)
Shaima Aljawfi is a Pre-Doctoral Extern from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, where she earned her Master’s degree in Psychology. She previously trained as a therapy extern in a community mental health setting, providing individual therapy across the lifespan and supporting clients with concerns such as anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, adjustment, and interpersonal challenges. Prior to that, she facilitated group therapy in an inpatient setting with diverse age groups managing mood and severe mental health issues.
Her clinical interests include working with individuals from all backgrounds who are experiencing anxiety, mood, interpersonal and intrapersonal difficulties, as well as acculturation concerns. Shaima values a multicultural perspective on psychological issues, recognizing the impact of socioeconomic factors on individuals’ identities and their experiences of the world. Drawing from her own journey of moving to the U.S. for academic pursuits, Shaima is deeply passionate about providing inclusive services for immigrants, international students, and underserved populations as they navigate their unique challenges.
Isaiah Rice, M.A., Pre-Doctoral Extern (he/him)
Isaiah Rice is a Pre-Doctoral Extern from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where he is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. He recently joined our team after working in a community mental health setting, providing psychological assessments to adolescents and adults. His clinical interests include working with individuals experiencing difficulties with anxiety, mood, life transitions, identity formation, trauma, and purpose. Isaiah has had a long-time passion for psychology starting from when he was just an adolescent himself. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and more recently earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School.
Isaiah is dedicated to helping students pursue their greatest potential here at NEIU. This means not only helping students put their best foot forward during their time at school, but helping students set themselves up for joy and success in all areas of their life. As a proud Black man himself, Isaiah is invested in helping his clients take pride in and draw strength from every aspect of their identity. Taking an empowerment focused and strength-based approach, Isaiah strives to help clients become the best version of themselves possible.
Alison Meany, M.A., Pre-Doctoral Extern (she/her)
Alison Meany is a pre-doctoral extern from The Chicago School where she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Prior to NEIU Student Counseling Services, she spent time at a private practice providing comprehensive neuropsychological assessments for individuals across the lifespan, and providing individual and group therapy for individuals at a substance use treatment center and recovery home in Chicago. Her clinical interests include supporting individuals with depression, anxiety, complex trauma, substance use and addiction difficulties, struggles with self-criticism and perfectionism, self-esteem, and identity formation. She is also interested in working with couples.
Alison’s approach to therapy is rooted in empathy and focused on emotion. She works together with clients towards understanding the bad, old feelings that hold people back. Alison seeks to guide her clients towards the core of their problems so that their pain can truly be transformed. Her goal is to make way for new emotional experiences which allow clients to live more authentically, freely, and with more fulfilling relationships. Alison hopes to support clients in exploring their intersecting cultural, racial, sexual, and gender identities as it is core to your being. She is committed to creating a space where individuals from all walks of life feel heard, supported, and comfortable being their most authentic self. Everyone is welcome here!