Tevya Zukor, Ph.D., CGP
Director
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Education: Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, George Mason University, MA Clinical Psychology, George Mason University, BS Psychology, James Madison University.
Dr. Zukor is excited to be a part of the University of Mary Washington community and continue his work in college counseling administration and providing services to university students. He completed his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at George Mason University and completed his internship and post-doctoral work at The Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center at Virginia Tech. He is a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) and is passionate about group, supervision, and training. His professional interests include intimate interpersonal relationships, trauma recovery, grief & loss issues, and crisis management. Dr. Zukor utilizes an interpersonal and integrative approach in his work with students with the goal of developing awareness of patterns in relationships, increasing coping skills, and developing a healthy lifestyle.
Tev’s Favorite, Fun 80’s Movies:
- The Princess Bride (1987)
- The Neverending Story (1984)
- Ghostbusters (1984)
- Back to the Future (1985)
- Gremlins (1984)
Melissa Palguta, Psy.D.
Staff Therapist
Education: Psy.D. & MA from University of Indianapolis; BS from University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Melissa is delighted to be part of the University of Mary Washington community and to continue her experience working with college students. She completed her internship at George Mason University Counseling & Psychological Services Center. She enjoys working in a variety of functions and with a wide range of issues, but she has a particular interest in working with trauma survivors, as well as with diversity and social justice-related issues. She is a strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community and she enjoys exploring the strengths and concerns of this group through her work. She primarily works from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, providing students with concrete skills and support to aid them in overcoming personal difficulties and in improving their quality of life. She takes a collaborative approach to treatment, working with her clients to establish a treatment dynamic and therapy goals that work best for them.
Melissa’s Top Feel-Good Movies:
- Noises Off
- Hidden Figures
- Soap Dish
- Blame it on the Bellboy
- A&E version of Pride and Prejudice (warning, this one is VERY long)
- Inside Out
- Princess Bride
Jared Grigg, MA
Staff Counselor
Education: BA in Psychology, BA in Spanish (Baylor University); MA in Clinical Psychology (University of Mississippi)
Jared considers it a privilege to work with the students of UMW and help them overcome their challenges in pursuit of their goals. A native of Tulsa, OK, Jared earned a double major at Baylor University in Psychology and Spanish, before entering graduate school for Clinical Psychology at the University of Mississippi. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans, LA before receiving a commission as a Lieutenant in the US Navy. Jared was stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA working as a therapist and medical research oversight officer. His clinical and research interests include trauma, PTSD treatment, assessment, and outcome-based systems research. He uses a cognitive behavioral approach to therapy that prioritizes problem-solving strategies and personal strengths.
Jared’s Top Feel-Good Movies:
- Cats
- Aristocats
- The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
- A Whisker Away
- Nine Lives
Amira Niori, Psy.D.
Mental Health Coordinator/Staff Psychologist
Education: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and MA in Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and MA in Counseling with a concentration in community and agency and BA Psychology from Hampton University
Amira is thrilled to be a part of the Talley Center team again. She enjoyed being an extern and working with UMW students so much that she returned to the Talley Center team as a staff psychologist. Amira completed her internship at the University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Service Center. She also has experience in other settings and forms of treatment, such as; inpatient, private practice, in-home therapy, and case management. Amira enjoys working with the college population and supporting students in such an important developmental time. She has experience with trauma, depression, anxiety, other mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. Amira tends to be collaborative when working with students as her approach to therapy is to meet the student where they’re at. Consequently, Amira is integrative in the type of therapy interventions that she uses. Amira is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Amira is a new mommy and enjoys spending time with her son when she is away from the office.
Amira’s Top Four Feel-Good Movies:
- School Daze
- The Princess and the Frog
- Home Alone 2
- House Party
Krysta Thomas, LPC
Staff Counselor
Education: Dual MS in clinical and counseling psychology from Capella University. BS in Behavioral Science from New York Institute of Technology
Krysta is thrilled to be joining the University of Mary Washington community. She has a dual MS in clinical and counseling psychology from Capella University. She grew up as a military child and has lived in Germany and Saudi Arabia, as well as multiple states in the US. She has experiencing with crisis, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse and has worked with a variety of populations. She primarily works from a solution focused perspective, however utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and other techniques help clients develop the skills necessary for success. She prefers to spend her free-time with her daughter and enjoys cooking, crochet, yoga, and travel.
Krysta’s Top Feel-Good Movies:
- The Princess Bride
- Willow
- Mr. Right
- When Harry Met Sally
- MCU Movies
Debbie Huff
Office Manager
Debbie is excited to be a part of the team at the Talley Center at the University of Mary Washington as the Office Manager. During the academic year, she will be working in the Lee Hall location and assisting the UMW community as well as providing support to the staff. Debbie is a lifelong resident of VA, and in her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Debbie’s Top Five Feel-Good Movies:
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
- Some Kind of Wonderful
- The Notebook
- Big
- The Breakfast Club
Nicole Hicks
Administrative Assistant
Nicole is excited to join the team at the Talley Center. She spent the last 6 years working in the elementary school system and it was a rewarding and wonderful experience. She is very excited about following her passion and serving the college community in her new position. Nicole is from New York but is a country girl at heart. In her spare time, she loves to take walks, trips to the mountains, reading, listening to music, and spending quality time with her husband, family, and friends.
Nicole’s top five feel-good movies
- The Ten Commandments
- Finding Nemo
- Love Story
- Brian Song
- War Room
Trainees
Demi is completing her final semester in the Counseling Program at Liberty University to become a Clinical Mental Health Professional. She is passionate about helping and meeting people where they are in life. Her therapeutic style is influenced by Cognitive Behavioral and a Person-Centered approach to therapy. Demi has experience working with anxiety, depression, and is skilled in resilience training. As Demi continues to build her own therapeutic style, she utilizes integrative approach to therapy and strongly believes in a collaborative approach to treatment to achieve the best outcome for the client. When not working at the Talley Center, Demi enjoys spending time with her family, reading, crafting and baking sweet treats.
The Proposal
War Room
Salt
The Blindside
The Avengers (All of them)