Meet the counselors

Bill Iavarone

I received my clinical license (LCPC) in 2015 while working at Arrowhead Ranch, a residential treatment facility for DCFS and the juvenile court system. While at Arrowhead, I focused on trauma-informed care as the clinical director for the facility. I left Arrowhead and worked at Camelot Therapeutic Day School, which is a school for students with behavior disorders or autism spectrum disorders. At Camelot, I supervised the clinical staff and focused on solution-focused and cognitive-behavioral approaches to therapy. Since January of 2019, I have been the director of counseling services at Augustana.

I use a narrative approach to counseling, listening to the stories and memories of my clients so that they can listen more sensitively to their stories and their thoughts. I use cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and narrative therapy interventions. Philosophically, I lean towards existentialism; however, I practice more from a cognitive behavioral lens, helping my clients become critical of their thoughts. Sometimes, this leads to conversations about the meaning of their lives and actions, but I let the client lead us into those conversations.

Education

• B.A., English, University of Iowa
• M.A., English, Western Illinois University
• M.S. Ed., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Western Illinois University
• D.B.A., Healthcare Administration, North Central University

Anne Oakes

I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2003, spending several years in roles as an outpatient therapist (all ages) and a school-based therapist (K-12) for a community mental health center. I transitioned several years ago to my role in college counseling and have really enjoyed the privilege of working with students through some very formative years as new adults, full of change and opportunities.

My style is strengths-based and collaborative. My goal is to create a safe therapeutic relationship where students feel comfortable and secure in exploring their thoughts/emotions/experiences, finding solutions and uncovering strengths. I place importance on exploring and affirming each student’s unique sociocultural experiences and background as well. I use a variety of methods in session, including a trauma-informed approach as well as CBT, ACT, emotion-focused and solution-focused interventions.

Education

• B.S.W., University of Northern Iowa
• M.S.W., St. Ambrose University

Allison Mirell-Heaton

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and have been working at Augustana's Student Counseling Services Office since 2012. I use a variety of methods in session but primarily Solution-Focused and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. I enjoy collaborating with students to identify their goals and teaching them skills and strategies to use both within and outside of the therapy sessions to achieve those goals. I work at the student's own pace of comfort and readiness. Students should expect to find a strengths based, supportive, and comfortable counseling environment.

Prior to Augustana, I worked as an outpatient therapist at the Robert Young Center in Moline, Illinois working with persons of all ages. I have also worked for the Illinois Department of Rehabilitative Services and at a youth residential treatment center as well.

Education

• B.S., Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• M.S.W., Mental Health concentration, Loyola University in Chicago

Leah Jorgensen

I am currently a graduate student at Western Illinois University working toward my LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). From there, I plan on getting my LCPC and going on for my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in order to be a professor of counseling education. I have been working at Augustana since February 2024 and enjoy helping students learn more about themselves and find ways to manage stress and difficult emotions.

I work from a Gestalt perspective, which focuses on increasing a person's awareness of themselves. The Gestalt motto is that awareness necessarily brings change. In session, this can look like role-play, art, movement, talk therapy and much more. I like to work with students to understand their values, put names to emotions, use special interests to understand their own lives, and clarify thoughts and intentions. Above all, my goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment where students can find support for their unique journeys. 

Education

• B.A., Organizational communication, Bradley University
• M.S.Ed., Clinical mental health counseling, Western Illinois University (expected 2025)