My Iona

Counseling Center Staff

The Counseling Center is staffed by licensed psychologists and mental health counselors specially trained to work with young adults.

The Center is also staffed by master’s- and doctoral-level Clinical Psychology and Mental Health Counseling externs, who provide counseling to students under the supervision of licensed staff.

Email: bstarkadler@iona.edu

Dr. Brielle Stark-Adler received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Fordham University. Since receiving her doctorate, she has specialized in collegiate and young adult mental health. Dr. Stark-Adler has clinical experience in a variety of treatment settings, including inpatient psychiatry, outpatient community mental health care, inpatient and outpatient substance abuse, and several college counseling centers. Her professional interests include identity development and individuation, religion and spirituality, romantic relationships and sexuality, and clinical training and supervision.

Email: lmcglynn@iona.edu

Lauren McGlynn graduated from New York University with a Master of Social Work degree and obtained additional licensure in clinical practice. She completed a clinical internship as a forensic social worker specializing in incarcerated adolescents and young adults. Lauren also spent six years working on inpatient psychiatry units at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Her primary focus was on the treatment of addiction and she has extensive experience working with substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors. She has received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Beck Institute and is experienced in the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Her professional interests include substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors including social media usage, relationships and sexual identity exploration, and issues related to trauma.

Email: aswoish@iona.edu

Ali Swoish (she/her) graduated from Columbia University with her M.A. and Ed.M. in Mental Health Counseling. She received her undergraduate degree from New York University, studying Applied Psychology with a focus on adolescent mental health. Ali has a specialization in working with neurodivergent children, adolescents, and emerging adults in a variety of settings, including music therapy, education, college counseling, community mental health, dance, and yoga. She served as the Dolce Postgraduate Fellow at Iona while working with neurodivergent emerging adults in both a counseling and classroom setting. Ali's other clinical interests are sexuality and gender identity exploration, as well as issues related to trauma. She utilizes an integrative approach, incorporating both the mind and body into her counseling to create a holistic space for individuals to create meaningful connections within themselves and with one another.

Email: esavage@iona.edu

Emma Savage (she/her) graduated from Fordham University with her M.S.Ed in Mental Health Counseling. She received her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University, studying English. Emma is also a registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance. She completed her clinical externship at Iona University Counseling Center, where she provided individual counseling and mindfulness and yoga-based outreach for emerging adults on campus. She also served as the Dolce Postgraduate Fellow at Iona, specializing in working with Neurodivergent emerging adults in both a counseling and classroom setting. She is the instructor for Gael Chat: Social Communication, which is an experiential learning environment in which students set and achieve goals to expand their skill sets related to social connectedness. Emma’s other clinical interests include intimate partner violence, family issues, and mindfulness. Emma utilizes a collaborative approach to create a warm and safe atmosphere for individuals to understand themselves better and make meaningful changes.

Margaret Bohan joined the staff of the Iona University Counseling Center in 1989, following a seven-year tenure in the Counseling Center at the University of New Rochelle. In addition to providing administrative and technical support to Center staff, she supervises all student workers and participates in special events and projects such as the Honors Convocation and the Middle States Accreditation Process. She has also served as a member of the Iona University Sexual Harassment Task Force, which promulgated the University's policies and procedures on sexual harassment. Additionally, she has served as a member of the Human Resource & Compensation Committee and the Information Technology Committee of the Staff and Administrative Council (SAC). In March 2007, she was the recipient of the Woman of Achievement Award at Iona University.

Extern 2023-24 Bios

Rebecca (she/her/hers) is currently in her third year of pursuing a Psy.D at LIU Post's clinical psychology doctoral program. She received a master's degree in applied psychology from LIU Post and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Touro College. Rebecca has gained practical experience as an extern at LIU-Post's Psychological Services Center and Center for Healthy Living, where she has worked with individuals of different age groups, including children, families, emerging adults, and adults. Through creating a welcoming and collaborative environment, Rebecca supports her clients in exploring their identities and personal experiences. Her areas of interest encompass a broad range of subjects, including the examination of relationships and assisting clients in developing a deeper understanding of their emotions and internal mechanisms. Rebecca draws inspiration from various theoretical perspectives and therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy, and she incorporates a multicultural perspective into her approach.

Benjamin is a 3rd year PsyD student studying clinical psychology at William Paterson University. His clinical interests are sport psychology (especially, the relationship between physical activity and emotional well-being), relationships, and psychotic disorders. Throughout his doctorate program, Benjamin has received clinical training in residential centers, private practices, and sports facilities.

Contact Us

Counseling Center

Spellman Hall, Room 4-203 (second floor)


The Counseling Center is staffed in person Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., on all dates that University offices are open. Call us at (914) 633-2038 or stop in during walk-in hours.

Academic Year Walk-in Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. -  3 p.m., on a first-come, first-served basis. When classes are not in session or during breaks and summer sessions, please call the Counseling Center (at 914) 633-2038 to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

After Hours Counseling: Students can speak to a counselor after hours by calling the Counseling Center at (914) 633-2038. This number is answered 24/7, 365 days a year.

Instagram: @ionacounselingcenter

(914) 633-2038 (914) 633-2038