UNF Clinical Mental Health Counseling

10/22/2026

Episcopal Children's Services (ecs4kids.org) is hiring!!! They are looking to fill 2 positions: Child Mental Health Specialist and Behavior Intervention Specialist. Here's the link that takes you to their career page.

https://www.ecs4kids.org/contact/careers/

Explore career opportunities at ECS4Kids and join a team dedicated to making a difference in early childhood education.

10/18/2026

Better late, than never: Here's to celebrate Dr. Tes Tuason's Distinguished Professor Runner-Up Award at the Faculty Awards luncheon. In photo with Interim President Angela Falconetti, Provost Patterson, and Dr. Mike Binder. In another photo with B*H Dean Mei Zhao, Chair Weimin Gao, fellow awardee Dr. Zhiping Yu, and colleague, Sericea Stallings-Smith. Congratulations also to our other B*H faculty award winners: Chitra Balasubramanian, Jenifer Ross, Casey Colin, and Zhiping Yu!

10/14/2026

Dr. Carlene Taylor, congratulations!

Food is medicine. Community is the prescription. 🌱

The Brooks College of Health is proud to announce that our Integrative & Lifestyle Medicine Initiatives has been selected as a subawardee on Madison County Memorial Hospital's Cancer Innovation Fund Food-as-Medicine Research Initiative (CIF-FAM), bringing nearly $500,000 in support for research focused on cancer prevention and rural health.

Leading UNF's role is Carlene Taylor, Ed.D., Director of Community Engaged Research and Clinical Assistant Professor in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In her leadership role, Dr. Taylor guides community-engaged research that connects academic expertise with real-world impact. Since 2019, she has secured more than $1.6 million in funding for community-based implementation science and continues to build partnerships that improve health outcomes across Florida.

Over the coming months, UNF faculty and students from Nutrition & Dietetics, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, and Film & Media will work alongside rural health partners across North Florida to study how nutrition, wellness coaching, and AI-supported tools can help expand access to cancer prevention resources.

Congratulations to Dr. Taylor and the interdisciplinary team advancing innovative solutions that strengthen communities and improve lives.

10/05/2026

Nami 5K today, Oct. 4, Sunday, as organized by CSI! The students provided resources to community members at the wellness fair. We also had several first years: Grace Collins (not pictured), Christine Johnson, Katy Smith, Marisa Kortright, and Jack Hyde who cheered on the walkers/runners. Thanks to the CSI members: Grace Flatscher, Sarah Feinman, Marissa Durnan, Gilbert Figueroa, and the faculty, Drs. Yanson, Terrell, and Wren who were present.

09/30/2026

🍿 Help Us Raise Money with Regal! 🍿
We’re excited to announce that we’re hosting a Regal fundraiser to help raise money for CSI, UNF CMHC's Chi Sigma Iota!
For just $30, you’ll receive TWO Regal movie tickets redeemed at any Regal location in the U.S.
How it works:
Purchase 2 Regal movie tickets for $30 using
https://www.groupraise.com/oc/87589?utm_campaign=ocmp_copy_url&utm_medium=social&utm_source=offers_promo
Your purchase helps support our fundraising goal
Use the tickets at Regal locations across the U.S.
Enjoy a movie while supporting our group! 🎥🍿
If you’re interested in supporting us, please consider purchasing a set of tickets or sharing this fundraiser with friends and family.
Thank you so much for your support! ❤️🎬

Regal Fundraising Campaign for UNF CSI. Order online & redeem at participating Regal locations. 25% donated back.

09/26/2026

UNF’s inaugural cohort of student trainees in the Equine-Assisted Services Initiative officially kicked off this week at MarshFire Equine Assisted Healing & Research Center!
Students from Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Criminal Justice, Nursing, Integrative Behavioral Health, Environmental Science, and other disciplines are beginning a unique interdisciplinary experience combining equine-assisted services, experiential learning, and professional development.
Through this multi-phase,hands-on program, students can earn experience with equines, complete internships, serve UNF and community members, and prepare for certification through PATH International.
We can’t wait to watch this first cohort take the reins! A new cohort will begin in the spring. 🐴

09/23/2026

And another night!!! Mentor-Mixer: First- and Second-year cohort members gathered last Monday, 9/21 for an evening of laughs and connections to facilitate mentor matches. Special shout-out to CSI board members Marissa and Afrianey for designing and facilitating our game selection! Thanks to CSI and Dr. Yanson, and guest appearance of Dr. Wren!

09/23/2026

Wow what a night! First Skills Night of 2026--- Our first-year students gathered to practice their clinical counseling skills, with second year sutdents providing feedback and engagement. Second-year students Sam Boyce and Sara Susen also provided a demonstration of skills. Thanks to CSI and Dr. Yanson for organizing this!

09/19/2026

New Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Renyi Huang, Assistant Professor
This is what Dr. Huang would like to share:

Hi everyone! I'm a new Assistant Professor in the CMHC program, and I am teaching Clinical Counseling Skills this fall. I recently earned my PhD in Counselor Education from Idaho State University. My teaching and research interests include counseling skills development and international issues in counseling.
I'm originally from China and recently moved to Jacksonville, so I'm also learning the art of surviving Florida summers! Outside of work, I enjoy rock climbing and spending time outdoors.
I'm excited to get to know you and be part of your counseling journey.

Welcome to the UNF CMHC family, Dr. Huang!

09/16/2026

New Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Karina Crescini, Visiting Instructor and Assessment Coordinator
Here's what Dr. Crescini says about herself:

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Qualified Supervisor (QS) and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) with specialized training in child-centered play therapy, Adlerian play therapy, family play therapy, sand tray, animal-assisted play therapy, and EMDR. I have worked with individuals of all ages in low-cost community counseling centers and Title 1 schools. My counseling specializations include child counseling/play therapy, sexual abuse trauma, domestic violence, psychoeducational assessments, and parent/family engagement. My research interests aim to improve multiculturally oriented and trauma-informed counseling approaches for youth and promote collaboration and consultation among a child’s support system. I have taught a variety of counseling courses such as counseling skills, practicum, trauma/crises, counseling diverse populations, human sexuality, assessment, career counseling, group counseling, and play therapy. At UNF, I hope to foster safe and challenging spaces for student growth and provide guidance and support to students as they develop their unique counselor identity and grow as culturally responsive counselors serving their communities.

Welcome to our UNF CMHC family, Dr. Crescini!