Health & Well-Being Staff

Mary Shafer DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CPN

Assistant Director of Medical Services, Nurse Practitioner

Mary Shafer is the Director of Health Services and is a nationally board-certified nurse practitioner with the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a family nurse practitioner. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2017, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Drexel University in 2011, and her Associate in Science of Nursing as a registered nurse from Capital Community College in 2003. She has served as a professor of nursing for undergraduate and graduate students for many years. She received the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing as well as a Patient Experience Star Award for her dedication to the art and science of nursing practice and patient care. She completed a child and adolescent Mental Health Fellowship program in 2021 and is a published author in The Journal of American Association of Nurse Practitioners regarding her doctoral work in screening for childhood adversity.

As a university healthcare provider, she is dedicated to the health and well-being of young adults as they navigate healthcare and their own health and wellness journey.

Sharon Brown DNP, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner 

Sharon Brown is a dedicated and accomplished nursing professional who has completed both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees at Elms College. She holds a national board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), demonstrating her commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care. As a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), Sharon is actively engaged in advancing the field of nursing and advocating for patient care.

In her role, Sharon provides direct healthcare services to both employees and students, ensuring their physical and mental well-being. Her clinical expertise spans various specialties, including gastroenterology and urology, where she has gained significant experience managing a wide range of conditions. Sharon is currently expanding her clinical scope by completing a post-certification program to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). This additional credential will enable her to better address the mental health needs of her patients, reflecting her holistic approach to healthcare and her dedication to continuous professional development.

Ariel Bullock MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

Ariel Bullock is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She provides direct patient care at the Center for Health and Well-Being as a part-time provider. Ariel was previously employed by Harrington Physician Services where she worked in pediatrics for three years. She also worked as an on-call nurse practitioner, providing telehealth services to several Massachusetts practices. Ariel presently teaches family nurse practitioner students online with Regis College.

Ryan Berthiaume M.Ed

Director of Counseling

Ryan Berthiaume is the Interim Director of Counseling Services at the WNE Center for Health & Well-Being. Ryan is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and has been with the Center since Spring 2021. He attended the University of Maine Farmington and earned a B.S. in Psychology and full honors distinction by completing the school’s honors curriculum with a successful undergraduate thesis defense for a research study done on the stigmatization of athletes and athletic identity. Ryan pursued his research interests in Psychology and college athletics by attending Springfield College for graduate study in Athletic Counseling. While studying at Springfield, Ryan completed the requisite hours and coursework for certification for the Association of Applied Sport Psychology before ultimately pursuing and graduating with an M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

As a counselor, Ryan has a person-first and solution-focused approach to counseling that is centered in building a strong working relationship and foundation with the individuals he works with while building towards their therapeutic & life goals. Through patience, understanding, and the right mix of humor and empathy, he strives to create a safe and welcoming space for any individual who works with him. Despite his switch to Clinical Mental Health Counseling, he has not forgotten his background and passion for athletics, mental performance, and sport psychology. This has resulted in a clinical approach that mixes both traditional Clinical Mental Health techniques and mental performance and sport psychology techniques that can help both athletes and non-athletes alike. Ryan still works with athletes and sports teams here at WNE for mental performance work but also meets with athletes and non-athlete students for Clinical Mental Health work here in the Center for Health and Well-Being.

Allyssa Burby LMFT

Assistant Director of Training and Counseling Services

Allyssa Burby is the Assistant Director of Training and Counseling Services at the WNE Center for Health and Well-Being. Allyssa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor. Allyssa has been with the center since the fall of 2021, but has been part of the Golden Bear family since she was a freshman herself here at WNE in 2007. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with her B.A. in Psychology in 2011 and earned the Western New England University Psychology Honor Graduate Award. She graduated with her M.Ed. at Springfield College in the Marriage and Family Therapy program in 2014. Upon receiving her master’s degree, she came back to WNE in 2014 and began teaching as adjunct faculty in the Psychology Department while working in community mental health, inpatient hospital programs, and private practice. Allyssa is the clinical supervisor for all pre-licensed clinicians and developed the Center's graduate intern program which serves in teaching master’s level graduate students to become therapists.

As a therapist, Allyssa’s clinical lens is focused on treating not just the individual but the systemic context in which the person exists. She believes relationships in our lives whether they are romantic, familial, friendships, or acquaintances all shape who we become and how we respond to difficult life stressors. She explores the relationships you have and how each serves you and seeks to identify the phase of life transitions you are experiencing, what resources you have for support and unpacks how to differentiate your own thoughts/feelings/values/morals from your family of origin as you progress in your life. She incorporates mindfulness, breath work, and yoga into her therapy style. She operates from a direct solution focused approach in order to highlight exceptions and identify obtainable goals. She believes growth is not linear, sometimes it’s multidimensional and welcomes exploration into each dimension of your life.

Derick Arhin M.Ed

Staff Mental Health Counselor and Cultural/Inclusion Specialist 

Derick Arhin received his Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Springfield College. His clinical lens centers around creating a safe space for clients to explore one's self-concept through a holistic lens. Derick firmly believes in the therapeutic relationship as the cornerstone of healing and as a culture and inclusion specialist, he enjoys working collaboratively with individuals to self-advocate, build resiliency, and explore skills that help them navigate conflicts on their journey to self-actualize.

Emma Smith M.Ed

Staff Mental Health Counselor 

Emma Smith is a clinical mental health counselor at the WNE Center for Health & Well-Being. Emma first started working with the center in the Fall of 2023 while completing her clinical internship. She attended Roger Williams University and earned a B.A. in Psychology and minored in foreign language with a Spanish concentration. Emma pursued her interest in Psychology by attending Springfield College for graduate study in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. During her higher education, Emma was involved with student leadership and involvement, as well as athletics, which gave her unique skills working with and offering support to college-students processing and managing their stressors. Emma uses these skills in her work focused on students in crisis in the center.  

As a counselor, Emma has an approach to counseling that is centered in building a strong working relationship and foundation with the individuals she works with while building towards their therapeutic and life goals. Emma uses a mixture of person-centered and solution-focused theory in addition to humor and mindfulness interventions to guide students through coping with and processing their daily life.  

Marilyn Laboy CMA

Medical Assistant, Office Manager 

Marilyn Laboy is a certified medical assistant and the office manager. Her responsibilities include assisting the health care providers with procedures, maintaining office and medical supplies, providing information to patients, managing all immunizations and health records. Marilyn provides triage at the reception area. Marilyn was previously employed by Hampden County Physicians as a medical assistant in both primary and urgent care. 

Jacqueline Coyle CMA

Medical Assistant, Insurance Coordinator

Jackie Coyle is a certified medical assistant and the student health insurance coordinator. Her responsibilities include assisting the health care providers, patient triage, and maintaining medical supplies. Jackie was previously employed at AFC Urgent Care in Springfield for eight years as the center administrator and medical assistant.

Alisha Ross

Staff Assistant

Alisha Ross is the staff assistant and one of the first faces you'll see in the CHWB office. Supporting the office manager and clinical staff, Alisha helps ensure smooth operations for those seeking counseling and medical services. With over 10 years of experience providing advocacy, crisis response, and administrative support, she brings invaluable expertise to her role. Alisha was previously employed at UMass Amherst as a Crisis Intervention Specialist and Civilian Advocate for the Five College Community.