Our Staff
Our staff consists of professional counselors whose education and interests prepare them to offer mental health support and interventions as well as outreach programs relative to a variety of personal, social, and academic-related concerns.
Audra J. Tonero, Executive Director MS Ed, LPC, LCADC
Executive Director, Counseling and Wellness
Holloway Annex 21 (in the same building as the Health Center up the hill from the University Commons)
973-408-3398
atonero@drew.edu
The college years can be both exciting and challenging, I find it rewarding to help students move past their barriers to achieve personal success. I approach my clinical work with a comprehensive focus on college development concerns and integrate clinical theories such as interpersonal, cognitive behavioral and person-centered in order to help students explore the connection between their thoughts and experiences.
Rebecca Scotti
Office Manager
Holloway Annex 21 (in the same building as the Health Center up the hill from the University Commons)
973-408-3398
Navigating all the services and resources on campus can be overwhelming and confusing. I can help guide you in the direction you need based on what you’re dealing with at the time. I am usually the first person you come in contact with at the counseling center and am happy to help find the right service for you.
Carol Gernat, PhD
Staff Counselor/Psychologist
Holloway Annex 21 (in the same building as the Health Center up the hill from the University Commons)
973-408-3984
cgernat@drew.edu
Something I remember from my early counseling training is that counseling psychologists “deal with the messy problems of living.” The reason this has stayed with me, I think, is because so many factors (internal to the self and external in the environment) shape well-being, and I see a good part of my work as connecting non-judgmentally with students so they can tell their own stories, process thoughts and feelings, and heal. I consider myself a generalist, and I have worked with students who present to counseling with a range of concerns such as acute psychological crisis, panic, anxiety, and depression, as well as the effects of trauma, and coping with loss. In the years that I have been at Drew (since 2004), I have become more interested and involved in sexual assault awareness, prevention, and support of survivors. I also have a strong interest in meditation and its use as a stress-reduction tool, and I have conducted open groups on campus focused on mindfulness skills.
Therese Zimmer-Farid, MSW, LCSW, DRCC
Staff Counselor/Social Worker
Holloway Annex 21 (in the same building as the Health Center up the hill from the University Commons)
973-408-3398
tzimmerfarid@drew.edu
As exciting as this time is in one’s life, it can also be stressful and overwhelming. Today’s student is more attuned to the importance of understanding mental health and overall well-being in their life. Together, in an open-minded and non-judgmental atmosphere where you feel heard and supported, we can address depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship or family dynamics; or trauma that may have been experienced and that may be affecting where you are in your life right now. My approach is integrative with attention to Solution-Focus and Cognitive Behavioral therapies, along with a Mindful approach of how to manage your challenges and reclaim your strengths.
Vanessa Oyeneye, LSW, LCADC Intern
Staff Counselor/Coordinator of Prevention & Wellness Education
Holloway Annex 21 (in the same building as the Health Center up the hill from the University Commons)
973-408-3398
voyeneye@drew.edu
I’ve worked with a diverse range of clients, but working with those in young adulthood has always been a favorite of mine. This is a time that is often filled with many transitions (including attending college!). While this is an exciting time, it can also be a time where one might need help learning how to navigate and cope with challenges that arise. I aim to create a space where clients feel understood and supported, and I do this by taking a person-centered and non-judgmental approach to counseling utilizing mainly dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing. As the Coordinator of Prevention & Wellness Education, I aim to teach you skills to improve not only your mental health, but also for any substance use challenges that may arise during this time on both an individual and campus-wide basis.