AVÀÇÂÛ̳

Valerie Gifford was welcomed in August 2019 by the UAF Student Health and Counseling Center as the new Director.  Originally from Wyoming, Dr. Gifford relocated to AVÀÇÂÛ̳ in 1994. The majority of her time in AVÀÇÂÛ̳ has been committed to living and providing services in rural communities.  Dr. Gifford earned her Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from UAF, Master’s of Social Work degree from Wurweiler School of School Work at Yeshiva University, and her Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural and Indigenous Emphasis from UAF.  In addition to her work with UAF Student Health and Counseling, Dr. Gifford serves on UAF’s faculty for the School of Education’s Counseling Program and the College of Liberal Arts’ Psychology Department. She is licensed in AVÀÇÂÛ̳ as a psychologist and clinical social worker.   

Adrienne recently joined the staff at SHCC in Fall 2023. She has worked in various capacities and contexts in mental health care for over a decade, but she most enjoys providing care in collegiate settings. Adrienne recognizes the specialness of college life and understands the unique challenges and opportunities that higher education pursuits can bring. She enjoys collaborating with students to find solutions to their challenges and make meaning of those experiences as well. Adrienne most often uses cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness approaches to help clients. Adrienne is skilled at treating social and general anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and relationship problems. She can also help clients understand how early experiences and family patterns impact them in the here-and-now, and she enjoys helping clients learn about themselves and set boundaries with others in healthy, adaptive ways. Adrienne earned a Master’s of Education in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, AL. She also earned a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Anchorage. Adrienne is a current doctoral candidate for a degree in Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural and Indigenous Emphasis at the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Anchorage, and she is completing her dissertation research. In her free time, she enjoys watching re-runs of Bob’s Burgers, cooking, reading, and listening to her favorite music on repeat.

Angelica is the embedded mental health counselor at the MBS complex.  Angelica is Licensed as a Professional Counselor and a Certified Addictions Specialist. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Colorado State University and her Master's Degree in Community Counseling, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, from the University of Northern Colorado and is in the process of obtaining licensure in AVÀÇÂÛ̳.  Angelica has over 10 years of experience in the mental health and substance use field in a variety of settings. She has experience working with mood disorders, addictions, couple's and family counseling, PTSD, stress management, and relationship and adjustment issues.  Angelica relies on a variety of therapeutic styles and intervention strategies such as CBT, DBT, Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, and EMDR.  Her treatment philosophy is that change occurs through learning to identify and label difficult emotions that lead to distress as well the needs behind them.  Through the process of therapy  her clients learn and practice the skills necessary to manage stress and difficult emotions effectively, which supports getting their needs met in healthy and realistic ways.  She is upfront, honest, and logical with her clients while guiding them toward making positive change in their lives.

Hannah joined Student Health and Counseling in 2023 as an intern mental health counselor. She is a graduate student in the UAF Counseling Master’s Degree program. Hannah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English Literature and was commissioned from the University of Delaware Army ROTC program in 2012.  She completed active-duty service in 2016, and has been a part of the UAF community since Fall 2018.  Hannah is currently stationed with her family in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and provides counseling to UAF students through telehealth.  She believes that connection with self and others is the foundation of resiliency and growth, and her approach is person-centered and relational.  She is especially interested in giving back to the military community and helping students experiencing major life transitions, trauma, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal challenges.