Contact

Naeema Britton

Naeema Britton, MS, LMHC, LMFT, NCC serves as Director of Counseling and Wellness at the Counseling and Wellness Center. She joined the Counseling and Wellness Center in 2021 as a Counseling Specialist. Her experience in higher education began in 2012 where she served students in various capacities, including as administrative staff and program coordinator. She enjoys assisting students academically, socio-emotionally and mentally to accomplish their professional goals. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Florida and her Master of Science in Counseling (Specializing in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy) from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor, a QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer) Gatekeeper Instructor and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Her experience has been with providing psychoeducation and counseling to assist clients in the areas of trauma, parenting and familial dynamics, self-care and overall wellness, relationships and more. Naeema believes counseling is a collaborative and mutual relationship between counselor and client where the client is the expert on themselves and the counselor provides the space and tools to assist them. Naeema is an entrepreneur, who in her spare time, enjoys true crime, mentoring, reading and traveling.

Steve Vutsinas

Steve Vutsinas, M.A.Ed., Ed.S., VSP, NCC, LMHC, serves as the Lead Counselor at the Counseling and Wellness Center and has been with the Counseling and Wellness Center since 2010. Steve attended the University of Florida for his graduate studies where he received an Education Specialist degree and a Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Mental Health Counseling. Steve's approach to counseling is client/student centered and focuses on solutions to the very real problems that can impact us all personally and academically. Working with college students is a passion of Steve's, something he's been doing since 2005. Steve holds additional certifications and trainings in CBT, PET, DBT, Victim Advocacy, Psychological First Aid, Red Cross Disaster Mental Health and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. He is also trained and certified by the Center for Applied Psychological Testing to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Steve also serves as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Student Development and Leadership where he has taught since 2011. Courses he's taught include SLS1101: College Success, SLS 1301: Life & Career Development and SLS 1601: Living Effectively. In his free time, Steve enjoys watching cat videos on youtube.

Dr. Kalpana Swamy

Dr. Kalpana N Swamy has more than 25 years of clinical experience accumulated in her time as a Clinical Psychologist (in India), Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Santa Fe College and private practice and as a Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida. She has previously served the college in a variety of roles as the Academic Chair and Adjunct Faculty of Student Development and Leadership and as a Director overseeing a variety of student support programs such as My Brother's Keeper, College Achievement Program, Pathways to Persistence, LGBTQ+ Resource Center and the Counseling and Wellness Center. Kalpana received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Capella University with a specialization in Industrial and Organization Psychology. She received her Master of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience in Bangalore, India. Dr. Swamy has trained in REBT( at the Albert Ellis Institute), Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Life and Career Coaching (through MentorCoach) and Gestalt Therapy. Kalpana is passionate about women's empowerment and women's issues, multicultural issues and internationalism. In her free time, Kalpana enjoys reading, music and attending plays.

Ya’Shanti Fields

Ya’Shanti Fields, LMHC, joined the Counseling & Wellness Center in 2025 and serves as a Counseling Specialist. Originally from Tallahassee, Ya’Shanti has studied and worked in Gainesville since 2017. She attended the University of Florida where she received an Education Specialist degree and a Master of Education degree with a focus in Mental Health Counseling in 2023. Prior to working at Santa Fe College, Ya’Shanti gained most of her clinical experiences at the Alachua County Crisis Center and local private practices where she worked with a wide range of clients. She is passionate about systemic issues and their impact on individuals and communities, identity exploration and development, and reducing stigma around mental health help-seeking. Ya'Shanti utilizes Narrative therapy, with one of its ultimate goals being to identify and reinterpret the meaning(s) people have given to their life experiences. She also incorporates approaches such as client-centered therapy and solution-focused therapy, to support clients in meeting their goals. She is excited to serve students as they navigate life and academia. When she is not working, Ya'Shanti enjoys watching pop culture video essays, traveling, and visiting family.

Jason Ward

Jason Ward, RMHCI, serves as a Counseling Specialist Intern at the Counseling and Wellness Center. Jason attended the University of Florida where he received an Education Specialist degree and a Master of Education degree in School and Mental Health Counseling in 2010. He has worked in higher education since that time, holding roles in international education, international student advising, student leadership development, and high school dual enrollment. Jason is passionate about helping clients work towards their goals, cope with life challenges, and deepen their sense of meaning and belonging. He strives to help clients build resilience, live more authentically, and become the author of their own story. In his free time, Jason enjoys traveling, cooking, and playing frisbee golf with his family.

Beau the Therapy Dog

The Counseling and Wellness Center has had the great fortune to host two wonderful therapy dogs since Summer 2017 with the first being Beau the Goldendoodle! Beau was born in Ocala on Jan 10th 2014. His love of life and people is contagious. It was this that brought him and his mom Terry into the world of pet therapy. He enjoys visiting at medical facilities and has a blast hanging out with students at both Santa Fe College and the University of Florida. Beau is registered with: The Alliance of Therapy Dogs #42254, Handler - Terry Biehl #49958 Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) program, registration is #5484 HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response, ID #3-125. In his free time, Beau enjoys squeaky toys, tennis balls, cookies, protecting his family against the evil possum horde and making the world a better place. ❤️