Bethany Mills
Director of Counseling Services, Assistant Professor of Psychology
B.S., 1996, Mount Vernon Nazarene College
M.S., 2000, Indiana University
Psy.D., 2005, Spalding University, Louisville, KY
bmills@olivet.edu
Dr. Mills has been employed at Olivet since fall 2005. She began her assignment as the Director of Counseling Services and Assistant Professor of Psychology with primary teaching responsibilities in the undergraduate program. Originally, she trained as a child and family psychologist, with areas of specialty of counseling and parenting. Her dissertation culminated in a parenting education program that targets fathers and emphasizes their importance in the lives and development of children.
Dr. Mills is a member of the University Leadership Council and chairwoman of the Eating Issues Committee. She is engaged in cross-campus and community consultation, working closely with resident directors and resident assistants, as well as developing relationships with helping professionals in the surrounding community. She has a passion for prevention and education. She provides most of the intake and assessment feedback sessions for new clients to the counseling center and runs a grief support group.
Prior to joining the Olivet community, Dr. Mills was a therapist involved in private practice and community mental health. She has a breadth and depth of professional mental health work experience, ranging from testing/assessment, inpatient adult psychiatric units, addictions, children & adolescents, EAP programs and work within the foster care system. She also served as an adjunct psychology professor for Indiana Wesleyan University and Oakland City University. Dr. Mills was nominated to the Who’s Who of American Women and Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals.
Married and having three sons, Dr. Mills keeps busy with family, her love of music and community service. She is a member of the worship ministry team at College Church of the Nazarene along with her husband, Dwayne, who is Olivet's Associate Dean for Student Development. When she’s not teaching, administrating the counseling center, or serving in the church, she can be found rooting on The Ohio State athletic teams and cooking.
Cynthia V. Taylor
Staff Therapist
B.A., 2003, Governor State University, University, Park, IL
M.A., 2006, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL
ctaylor2@olivet.edu
Enjoying the best of both worlds, Cynthia began her educational pursuit at ONU. Now she has the privilege of serving those who stand in the shoes she once stood. Since the spring of 2006, Cynthia has worked with the Counseling Center as a staff therapist. Being a life long learner, she continues her pursuit at Capella University pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Studies. Her specializations are depression, anxiety, self-esteem, grief, and adjustment issues.
Cynthia is a licensed professional counselor of Illinois, who is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, American Mental Health Counselors, American Counselors Association, the Illinois Counseling Association, and an inductee into Chi Sigma Iota.
Cynthia has a busy life as she shares in the ministry with her husband as a pastor’s wife, servicing the Chicagoland area. She takes pride in being a mother of two energetic and fun loving children. Although she is busy, Cynthia is passionate about singing, encouraging and empowering others.
Susan Ferris
Staff Therapist
B.A., Olivet Nazarene University, 2002
M.A., Olivet Nazarene University, 2007
sferris@olivet.edu
Susan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Olivet Nazarene University in 2002 and went on to complete her Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling at Olivet Nazarene University in 2007. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Type 73 Certified. While earning her masters she counseled students and community clients at ONU’s counseling lab and completed an internship at two elementary schools: Liberty Intermediate and Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center. Her passions and interests include: people, art, reading, writing, music, and cooking. She is married and is a proud parent.
Ben Kunz
Staff Therapist
B.S., 2004, Olivet Nazarene University
M.A., 2007, Wheaton College
bkunz@olivet.edu
Though he wishes it was in the mountains, Ben is pleased to be back at his alma mater, having received his Bachelors of Science in Psychology from ONU in 2004. Ben earned his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College in 2007 and is currently continuing at Wheaton, working on his doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology. Ben’s counseling passions involve relationships and working from an integrated perspective of the biological, psychological, relational, and spiritual realms. Ben is married to Kate and when spare time is found, he enjoys the outdoors, carpentry, gardening, cooking, skiing, sailing, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. Variety is the spice of his life when it comes to travel, food, the arts, and especially music.
Kari Alderson
Staff Therapist
B.S.W., 1998, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.W., 2001, University of California, Los Angeles
kalders2@olivet.edu
Kari Alderson has worked in the Counseling Services department since the fall of 2007. She works part time counseling students and supervising the practice of counselors working toward their counseling licenses.
Kari is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She earned this credential in 2005 after two thousand hours of supervised clinical practice and an exhaustive test of clinical social work knowledge. In addition, Kari holds an Illinois School Service Personnel Certificate for school social work.
Kari started her social work career living in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles, California where she worked at an after-school program for transient families living in the area. Kari and her husband thoroughly enjoyed mentoring and sharing their lives with urban teenagers and their families. From there, Kari attended graduate school and earned a Master of Social Work degree with concentrations in School Social Work and Public Child Welfare. Kari then worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services investigating child abuse reports and working to safely reunify divided families. Upon returning to Illinois, Kari has loved working in high schools counseling students in alternative academic programs.
Kari has three young children and keeps busy with them doing art projects, playing house, and building sheet tents in the living room. In rare moments of alone time, she loves to swim and read. She is an avid “Survivor” fan and has vowed to someday be the token “older lady” on the show.