Health & Wellness Center Staff

counseling@wallawalla.edu 
(509) 527-2147

Our therapists are here to help.

Matthew Vaughan, LMHC

Clinical Director of Counseling

Matthew graduated from Washington State University in 2015 with a degree in psychology and earned his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Phoenix in 2020. He completed his Master’s internship at WWU in 2020 and returned to the WWU Counseling Center in the spring of 2021 as a full-time therapist. Prior to coming to WWU Matthew worked in community health and substance abuse programs. Through this work, he developed a passion for supporting and advocating for young adults from marginalized groups. He seeks to provide a safe and healing space for individuals who are struggling to belong and find purpose in their lives.

Matthew is strongly influenced by the works of Michael White and he takes a post-modern approach to counseling. He is committed to enter every therapeutic relationship with openness, care, and curiosity.

Michelle Naden, PhD, LMFT

Contracted Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
 

Michelle has over 20 years of experience as a faculty member at Loma Linda University and Seattle Pacific University, where she directed graduate clinical training programs. She is a licensed family therapist and has practiced in several private practice settings within multi-disciplinary teams of providers. Michelle graduated from Loma Linda University with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and she earned her PhD in Sociology at the University of Southern California, with a special emphasis in Family Therapy.

Michelle loves working with young adults, and specializes in conversations that highlight their strengths and passions, and inspire their competence and confidence. She has considerable experience working with young people on issues relating to their passage into adulthood, and working with couples and families to build more satisfying relationships.

Sara Peterson

Testing and Counseling Coordinator

 

 

Sara started her career at WWU as a student of Engineering in 1997. She worked as a Teacher's Assistant in surveying, graded papers for several engineering classes, and tutored engineering students. She co-taught Writing for Engineers with Sylvia Nosworthy over multiple quarters. More recently, she taught Engineering Economy.

Sara is excited to join the Counseling and Testing team and looks forward to helping students start or finish their college careers by coordinating their testing.