Dr. Rebecca Waldenstrom is the Program Director for the Professional Counseling Program at LMU.
Dr. Mark Tichon, LPC-MHSP, is the Practicum and Internship Coordinator in the counseling program. Dr. Tichon earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee, with a cognate in Child and Family Studies and a specialization in group work. He completed an M.S. in Clinical Psychology at Georgia Southern University and a B.A. degree with a double major in History and Classical Archaeology from the University of Michigan. Dr. Tichon has experience in adolescent residential treatment centers as well as outpatient behavioral health settings. Dr. Tichon’s research interests include incorporating service-learning into the counseling curriculum, neurofeedback as an adjunctive method to counseling, and process factors associated with grief. He is interested in expanding study abroad opportunities for graduate students at LMU. In his spare time, Dr. Tichon is an avid hiker who is working on completing hikes on all the trails in the Smoky Mountains.
Connie Elkins, Ph.D., LPC, NCC. Dr. Elkins is an Assistant Professor of Education for the Professional Counseling Program at LMU. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Lindsey Wilson College with concentrations in Education, Leadership, Research, and Clinical Studies. Dr. Elkins received her M.S. in Counseling and Human Development with a concentration in School Counseling from Radford University and a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Communications from Old Dominion University. She has been a Licensed School Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia. Her clinical interests include Counselor Supervision, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Experiential Treatment. Her most recent passion is the promotion of effective leadership for counselors through research, presentations, and consultation. Dr. Elkins enjoys hiking, reading, and camping and is dusting off her piano keys in attempts to resurrect her long lost skill of making a joyful noise. She lives with her husband, Kevin, and dog, Pepper.
Joel “David” Effler, PhD, is Adjunct Professor in the Counseling Program in the Carter & Moyers School of Education at Lincoln Memorial University. Dr. Effler is a licensed Senior Psychological Examiner and has worked in mental health and public education settings for a combined total of 34 years. Dr. Effler received his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Appalachian State University and his doctorate from the University of Tennessee in School Psychology. Dr. Effler’s research interests include quantitative EEG (qEEG) and neurofeedback diversity and universality as variables in effective counseling. In his spare time, Dr. Effler enjoys studying languages, spending time with his family, and spending time at his cabin in the Smoky Mountains.
Carletta Smelcer, Ed.D., LPC is an Assistant Professor of Education for the Professional Counseling Program at LMU. She earned her Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University, Nashville. Dr. Smelcer also received her M.A. in Professional Counseling from Argosy University, Nashville and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tennessee and an approved clinical supervisor. Some of her clinical interests include Counselor Supervision, Trauma-Focus Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Addiction Treatments. Dr. Smelcer worked for a local non-profit for many years and most recently worked in private practice. She serves on several local volunteer boards and is a current member of the Knox County Ethics Committee. Dr. Smelcer enjoys spending time at the lake, reading, shopping, attending UTK football games, and camping. She also enjoys watching her oldest daughter cheer Friday nights and her youngest daughter play softball and basketball.
