Meet Our Clinicians and Staff

Nicole Dovel, LPC, Counseling Services Lead Counselor

Sarah Ketchum, Resident in Counseling

Sarah Ketchum (She/Her) is a resident in counseling who received her B.A in psychology at James Madison University, and completed her Master’s of Science in clinical mental health counseling at Radford University. Sarah is originally from Frederick, Maryland, but moved to Virginia to start her college career. She fell in love with Virginia, and moved back to Harrisonburg this summer after 2 years living in Blacksburg. She previously began her career working briefly as a crisis counselor, and transitioned into working intensive in-home during her Master’s program. She currently works full time at SRMH as a behavioral therapist.  She has a true passion in this field, and loves to be a core support for anyone in need. She enjoys working with all populations, but enjoys specialties such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and LQBTQ+ communities. Sarah takes a person centered approach, as well as utilizing cognitive behavioral techniques in her practices. Sarah loves the outdoors, music, surfing and snowboarding (when Massanutten cooperates!) She can’t wait to work with you!

Annalise Livingston, MA, Resident in Counseling

Annalise (she/her/hers) is a Resident in Counseling who obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology at James Madison University, and completed her graduate studies in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University. Annalise was born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia and fell in love with the Harrisonburg area on her JMU college tour. She has worked in various healthcare and crisis stabilization settings, including VCU Health Systems and Region Ten Community Services Board, and her love for supporting and caring for others has only grown throughout her experiences in the field. She believes in the importance of meeting people where they are, wherever that may be. She is passionate about helping individuals with anxiety, depression, interpersonal skills, and emotional regulation. She takes a Person Centered and Existential approach and actively integrates tenets of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Annalise enjoys spending her free time hiking, reading, attempting to learn how to cook, and spending time with loved ones.  

Jess McLaughlin, MS.Ed, Resident in Counseling

Jess earned her Master of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of Alabama. Jess specializes in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, trauma, and self-esteem challenges. Her approach is trauma-informed and rooted in psychodynamic therapy, with a focus on understanding patterns and relational dynamics that shape a person’s inner world and connections with others. She values the integration of emotional, relational, and spiritual growth in her work with clients and offers teletherapy sessions tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals. In her free time, Jess enjoys spending time with family, painting, gardening, and horseback riding.

Rachel Farrell

Rachel Farrell is the Front Desk Attendant in Counseling Services.  She graduated from EMU in 2007 and benefited greatly from the support of the Counseling Center during her time at the university.   Now she is grateful for the opportunity to be in a role that allows her to welcome and support students who will benefit from these services today.  When she’s not at her desk, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out with her goats/chickens/cows/cat/etc., supporting her church, and reading when she can squeeze it in.  Remember that you’re welcome to stop by Counseling Services for any reason - we weren’t meant to go through life on our own!