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.

Cassandra Rudd, LMHC
Assistant Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Cassandra is originally from Upstate New York but came to Massachusetts to complete her Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Psychology from Nichols College in 2017. Cassandra is also an alum of Westfield State University and completed her Master of Arts in forensic mental health counseling in 2020. After spending several years in the juvenile justice field working with incarcerated youths, Cassandra wanted to return to higher education. In fall 2024, she was appointed the Assistant Director of the Counseling Center at Westfield State. Cassandra has been certified in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) by the Beck Institute. She also has extensive training in dialectical behavior therapy and trauma-informed care. Cassandra utilizes CBT, person-centered, and solution-focused therapies in her work with clients. She also enjoys spending time outdoors and considers herself a lifelong learner. 

Jessica Goonan  
Mental Health Coordinator  
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Originally from Utah, Jessica has lived in Massachusetts since 2012. Before that, she spent six years in the Utah National Guard with deployments to Saudi Arabia, Mali, and Iraq. Jessica graduated from Westfield State with bachelor's degrees in psychology and criminal justice in 2017 and a master's degree in mental health counseling in 2024. Since 2016, she has worked in the mental health field as a mentor and in-home therapist for children and families, foster kids, and teens transitioning into adulthood. Jessica also has experience working with adults as an outpatient clinician. In her therapeutic work she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, and person-centered approaches. 

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 certified 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.

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

Mike came to Westfield State University as an undergrad through the LEAD Scholars 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. He 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 LEAD Scholars students to help normalize and make therapy easier to access. He also facilitates communication and relationship workshops and ongoing individual counseling.

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!”

Selina Teixeira
Staff Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 

Selina came to Westfield State University as an undergraduate after transferring from Holyoke Community College. She received her BA in psychology in 2021. Selina was accepted into Westfield State's mental health counseling graduate program and interned at the Westfield State University Counseling Center. She discovered her dedication to aiding college students in their mental health journeys. After graduating in the spring of 2024, she began working at the Counseling Center as a Staff Counselor. Selina’s clinical perspective is multi-modal, biopsychosocial, and trauma-informed. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Selina is devoted to continually learning more modalities to serve her clients better. She is especially interested in working with those who are survivors of sexual and domestic abuse as well as those who are working through current or past traumas. Selina was born and raised in Ludlow, Massachusetts, and enjoys hiking all around New England in her spare time.