Counseling Center Team

Brian Cahillane, MSSW, JD, LICSW
Director
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Brian attended Westfield State University his first year of college before transferring to Saint John’s Seminary College in Boston where he completed his undergraduate education. He started a graduate program at Saint John’s, and then realized priesthood was not his desired career. At a parish in Springfield, Brian was a liaison between them and an adolescent substance abuse treatment facility, which inspired his desire to enter the field of social work. Brian received a master’s degree in social work from Springfield College. Brian began working at WSU in 1993 and has been working in the Counseling Center since 1995 (he was WSU’s first substance abuse specialist). He was one of the co-founding advisors for what is now the Queer Straight Alliance on campus. Brian grew up in Northampton, MA and he is an Irish citizen as his father was born and raised in Ireland.

 

Michael Norman, LCSW
Staff Counselor
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Mike came to Westfield State University as an undergrad through the Urban Education program in the summer of 2013. He was active with several leadership and supportive opportunities and graduated with his BA in Communications in 2017. After graduating, he worked at Westfield State in Residential Life. Later, Mike entered the social work field, working with families and providing in-home therapy. Mike began his master’s in social work shortly after entering the therapeutic world. During his master’s program, Mike interned as an elementary school social and emotional student support counselor. He later interned at Westfield State University’s Counseling Center. After completing his MSW in 2022, Mike returned to the University again as a Staff Counselor at the Counseling Center. He currently provides drop-in counseling and consultation for the Urban Education Program students to help normalize and make therapy easier to access. He also facilitates communication and relationship workshops and ongoing individual counseling.

Kurt Morris​​, LCSW
Outreach Counselor
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Originally from the Midwest, Kurt moved to Massachusetts in 2008. After many years working in libraries (including at universities), he realized his primary passion was working directly with college students. Kurt obtained his MSW from Simmons University and is a licensed clinical social worker in Massachusetts. He started at Westfield State University in 2023. He has experience working with young adults in university settings and outpatient partial hospitalization programs. Kurt utilizes mindfulness, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral,  and solution-focused therapies in his practice. He bases his work on social justice, client-focused, and strengths-based perspectives. Kurt is especially interested in working with students who deal with suicidal ideation, LGBTQ folks, individuals who are questioning their faith, and those in non-traditional relationships. However, he welcomes everyone who feels they could use support during their college experience. In addition to his clinical role, Kurt runs outreach programs at Westfield State.

Leslie Scheip
Administrative Assistant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Leslie has lived in Westfield since she was a small child and truly loves the area and all it has to offer. She has close ties to the community and says that even though she thinks about retiring south, she probably never will. Leslie feels very lucky to have the opportunity to work at Westfield State University. She enjoys working with students and assisting them in any way she can during their academic years and she has established friendships along the way. Leslie says: “GO OWLS!”

Suzanna Adams, MA, NCC, LMHC
Associate Director and Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Suzanna Adams has a MA in Psychological Studies and is the Associate Director in the Counseling Center and Coordinator of Clinical Internships.  She has been with the Counseling Center since its opening in the Fall of 1995. Suzanna supervises Mental Health interns and has extensive experience in trauma-informed counseling. Suzanna has lived all over the US; originally from Oklahoma but has resided in MD, Chicago, Illnois, Seattle, WA, Chapel Hill, NC and Columbia, MO. She sings in her spare time with Illuminati Fine Arts Ensemble and Novi Cantori, a chamber group.