Meet the Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) Staff

Clinical Staff

Dr. Lashia Bowers

Director of Counseling Services

Lashia Bowers is a Licensed Professional Counselor and an Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and raised in Winston-Salem, NC. She earned her B.A. in English Education from UNC-Greensboro. Upon completing undergrad, she became a high school teacher and later the English Department Chair. While she was teaching, she completed her Master's in Counseling at Prairie View A&M. Lashia has experience counseling adolescents, young adults, and families. She has worked within a school-based setting, a behavioral health agency, and in private practice. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership P-12 at Clemson University. Lashia is a scholar-practitioner that has presented at national and international conferences. Her research agenda includes emancipatory practices, Africana psychology, and African-centered education. She co-authored a research article in the Journal of Ethnographic and Qualitative Studies, and she also has a poem published in Root Work Journal. 

She approaches counseling with unconditional positive regard and mutual respect for all cultures. She utilizes an eclectic and research-based approach that values the intersectionality of everyone's identity in individual and group counseling, including African-centered theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. Lashia enjoys traveling, cooking, poetry, and being in nature.

Charlie Wilson, Jr.

Associate Director / Director of Clinical Services

Mr. Wilson, holds licensure as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and State Education license as Professional School Counselor Pk-12th in the state of SC. He has multiple years of experience providing counseling and guidance services to students ranging in ages of Pre-K through College. Previous experience includes working within the SC Dept. of Corrections, clinical based school therapy, School Counselor (Guidance Counselor), Private Practice, Child & Family Therapist, and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility Therapist. Mr. Wilson specific areas of interest include relationships, self-esteem, race, and aspects of racism. His approach to counseling is person-centered and solution focused. His primary interventions include Psycho-Education, CBT, DBT and Guided Self-Help.

Jamaya Binns

Counsleor

Jamaya is originally from Greenville, South Carolina, and comes from a big family with five brothers and one sister. She loves to travel, has over 70 plants, and loves to do crafts and puzzles. Jamaya is a recent graduate of Webster University with her master's In Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She graduated from Coastal in 2017 with a bachelor's in Psychology and Sociology with a concentration in Criminology. She has  previous experience working in a hospital setting and some experience in law enforcement as a Victim's Advocate. Her approaches are Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.

Carly Nelson

Counselor

Carly Nelson is a Creative Arts Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of South Carolina. Carly was born and raised on Long Island, NY where she completed her education. Carly holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Clinical Art Therapy from Long Island University, C.W. Post campus. While having a passion for making art, Carly always knew that she wanted to use her skills beyond being a professional artist. When she found the field of Creative Arts Therapy, Carly knew this would be her lifelong mission. It combines her love of all things creative, and her desire to help others help themselves Carly has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a primary focus in cognitive disabilities and chronic mental illness. As a Creative Arts Therapist, Carly believes the use of creativity has a deeply emotional connection to ourselves and our psyche, making it an effective tool for therapy without always needing to say the words. Carly believes that art therapy is beneficial to all ages and provides a space for you to explore your capabilities, promoting self-esteem and personal success, making it an ideal fit for working with students at Coastal Carolina University. In her free time, Carly enjoys yoga, hiking, and traveling whenever possible.

Letitia Minor

Counselor and Intercultural Specialist

Letitia was born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa and is a CCU Track and Field/Cross Country Sasser Hall of Fame inductee. Letitia is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate of South Carolina and holds a M.Ed. in School Counseling from Campbell University, North Carolina, and was a school counselor in Horry County, South Carolina for 3 years, before joining the counseling team at CCU. Letitia graduated from CCU in 2015 with a B.A. in Sociology. Letitia is also a Certified Trauma Professional and a Certified School Career Development Advisor. As the Counselor and Intercultural Specialist, Letitia is committed to creating a space where authentic life experiences and genuine thoughts and feelings meet unconditional positive regard. She believes that the role of a counselor is to be a facilitator of change and she considers it a privilege to build relationships with students to enhance their personal, social, and emotional growth. Her approach to counseling is Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She specializes in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and stress management techniques and practices. In her free time, Letitia enjoys running, hiking, spending time with family, coffee, and watching a good movie.

Kaitlyn Ingram

Counselor

Kaitlyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of South Carolina. She is a native of Syracuse, NY, and pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at West Virginia University, in Morgantown, WV. Kaitlyn went on to receive a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Her approach to counseling is eclectic and person-centered, rooted in a strong foundation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and focused on understanding and connecting early childhood experiences. She has always had a passion for helping others to become the best, most authentic versions of themselves and she approaches her clients with unconditional positive regard which harbors a warm and welcoming environment for change. Kaitlyn believes that all people are resilient and strives to help others redefine their purpose, uncover their true identity, and restore meaning to their lives. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys running, painting, cheering on the West Virginia Mountaineers, and spending time with her two pugs.

Katelyn Kates

Mental Health Practitioner

Katelyn is originally from Salem, NJ and is a CCU Alumni. She graduated from CCU with her B.A. in Psychology in 2015 and went on to receive her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. Katelyn considers herself to be an eclectic therapist, using several theories and modalities to create a unique counseling experience for her client’s based upon their needs. She believes that the most crucial part of the counseling experience is creating a safe space where individuals feel free to explore their thoughts, emotions, and identity. Katelyn is certified in Psychological First Aid and Cultural Somatics and has completed training in Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Suicide Prevention/Intervention. Katelyn has a passion for working with the LGBTQIA+ community and takes pride in creating a safe and affirming space. In her free time she enjoys spending quality time with her family, doing yoga, cooking, reading, and playing the piano.

Marissa Solari

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Marissa Solari is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Born and raised in Loris, SC, she is no stranger to Teal Nation. Marissa is an alumna of CCU where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While furthering her education at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC, she worked at a local MAT facility with clients struggling with addiction. Upon completing her Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology, she pursued state agency work including individual and family therapy as well as crisis management. She describes her approach to therapy as humanistic and person-centered. She believes everyone is capable of living up to their fullest potential provided the right guidance, empowerment, and self-assurance. Marissa is passionate about working with young adults and therefore, pursued work in higher education as an Academic Advisor. She was recently afforded the opportunity to transition to Counseling & Psychological Services and feels it is a privilege to be able to advocate for students during one of the most significant experiences of their lives. For leisure, she enjoys cooking, watching documentaries, and traveling. Marissa has traveled to the following places so far: Portugal, Hawaii, Italy, Mexico, St. Maarten, Bahamas, and France!

Front Office Staff

Claudia Johnson

Administrative Assistant

Claudia Johnson was born in Long Island, NY, where she began her career path at LIEOC in Nursing. Claudia began to lean towards Leadership, Supervision, Customer Service, and Finance, where her focus was on servicing others. She moved to South Carolina in hopes of continuing to serve the needs of others and lead by example. She continued working in Finance and received on-going training in Leadership and Customer Service.

Claudia is the renowned author of the book Esteem Yourself Higher, which was written to inspire self-motivation. She also published a 30-day push journal, Elevation of Esteem, three other journals I'm Positioned, "I Get to do", Baby journal and two notebooks. In addition, she is a certified Book Publisher, Business Consultant, Executive Assistant, Life Coach, Mental Health First Aid, DEI and Podcaster(CLRS). Claudia received her BA in Theology and Religious Studies and is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree in Biblical Psychology at HBI. She also stands as CEO of Ladies of Virtuality which is a non-profit organization that gives women the tools to empower their mind, body, and soul.