Counseling Staff
All staff are under the clinical supervision of Carmella Hill, M.Ed., L.P.C.C.-S, Director of Counseling Services.
Carmella Hill, M.Ed., L.P.C.C.-S: For over 24 years, Carmella has worked within the mental health profession serving the entire lifespan in various settings (e.g., community mental health agencies, nursing homes, private practice, colleges/universities, emergency rooms). Additionally, she has extensive experiences related to crisis intervention whereas she assesses risk issues and working with persons who are presenting with thoughts of suicide, homicide, and self-harm. Some areas of treatment provision have been assisting those with severe persistent mental illness, first episode psychosis, depression, anxiety, and adjustment issues, to name a few. Carmella enjoys clinical work, professional development, and supervising persons for licensure. She is a sought-after speaker for cultural diversity issues and passionate about helping professionals develop multicultural awareness and sensitivity. Carmella loves traveling, journaling, shopping, and watching her favorite sports teams, the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Ohio State Football.
Julie Thornberry, MA, LPC: Julie received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mount Union and graduated from Walsh University with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has experience working with a diverse population of students and adults. Julie enjoys helping others to see their potential and to appreciate their unique strengths. She strives to create an environment in which students feel heard, safe, and empowered. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, self-esteem, adjustments, and career. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, knitting, and weaving.
Lillian Williams, BA, CT: Lillian is a graduate student pursuing her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at John Carroll University. She is a 2023 Indiana University graduate with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Folklore, as well as a concentration in American Sign Language (ASL). Lillian combines empathy, active listening, and cultural awareness in her work, with a strong passion for clinical sex therapy and advocacy for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) community. She focuses on fostering healthy relationships and addressing taboo aspects of human sexuality, while also applying her expertise in sports psychology to help athletes enhance performance, manage anxiety, and recover from injury. When she isn’t working and at school you can find her baking, traveling new places and spending time with family and friends.
Michelle Alessandro, MSW, LSW: Michelle received her Bachelor’s degree from Malone University and a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Physical & Mental Health from Baylor University. Her practice background includes working with individuals and families who have experienced anxiety, depression, stress, grief/loss, trauma, and life transitions. Michelle is welcoming and affirming, and believes in creating a safe, open space that allows individuals to process their thoughts and feelings in a genuine, authentic way without the fear of being judged. For fun, she enjoys spending time with her sassy dog and 2 cats, watching Sunday football with her family, and working towards maintaining and bettering her own physical and mental health.