Team | Wellness Research

Current Members

Diversity. Equality. Wellness.

Our team is composed of dedicated master's and doctoral-level students who are passionate about advancing their knowledge of integrative and holistic approaches for diverse populations. Together, we aim to produce impactful research in the field of counseling while promoting the importance of wellness in mental health care. Through collaboration, we strive to enhance the well-being of diverse communities and contribute to the future of counseling and wellness practices.

Serenity Quant

Serenity serves as the current Graduate Research assistant for the Wellness lab. She has a passion for making wellness practices accessible in urban communities. She is the founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth and community wellness. She has Yoga certification and training, and she has facilitated numerous wellness events across Metro Atlanta. She has a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University, where she integrated yoga and mindfulness with evidence-based practices. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student in Mercer's Counselor Education and Supervision program and a member of the CSI Honor Society.

Khaleedah Dickerson

Khaleedah is a current student in the Clinical Mental Health counseling program at Mercer University. She has true passion was promoting mental wellness in underserved populations. Khaleedah is guided by her belief that all individuals deserve personalized, culturally competent and empathetic mental healthcare. Her interests include accessible mental health services for femmes of all walks of life, services for incarcerated individuals and their families, mind-body wellness, queer and trans mental health issues and mental health issues impacting young adults.

Najah Drakes

Najah Drakes is a current student in the Clinical Mental Health counseling program at Mercer University. Work-Life Balance Strategist, Personal Development Coach, and Self Care Expert at Spark Coaching and Consulting. As a burnout survivor, she helps ambitious professionals achieve success beyond their resumes by taking back control of their calendar, time, and peace. She empowers leaders to purposefully achieve success in their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health while balancing their professional success. She currently serves on the executive board of the CSI Honor Society. Her research interests include holistic wellness within historically marginalized communities with a specific focus on populations impacted by trauma.

Sidney Minor

Sidney Minor is a dedicated mental health professional who holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. She holds credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II). She is urrently pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Mercer University, Sidney's academic journey reflects their commitment to advancing the field of mental health. Sidney is dedicated to empowering clients to navigate their healing journey with resilience and strength. Through her work, Sidney strives to foster a culture of understanding and compassion, promoting mental health awareness and destigmatization in their community.

Jarah Tavarez

Jarah is a practice assistant and counseling intern at Psychiatric Professionals of Georgia who helps adults struggling with anxiety and depression. She is a member of the CSI Honor Society. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Georgia State University and is currently pursuing a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Mercer University. She aims to further understand her role as a counselor and its intrinsic connection to advocacy. Her research interests focus on intergenerational trauma, the systemic oppression of women of color, and its effect on mental health. Jarah seeks to provide therapeutic services that are accessible to marginalized communities and socially conscious of their experience.

Veronica Stewart

Veronica Stewart is a current doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Mercer University. She is Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) who operates a private practice in Alpharetta. She also provides teletherapy for her clients in Tennessee. Veronica holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University. She is a licensed mental health service provider, certified clinical mental health counselor, national certified counselor, and board-certified telemental provider. Veronica has extensive experience working with diverse clients in various settings .Her primary clinical and research interests are attachment styles, relational satisfaction, wellness, and student academic success, particularly with marginalized communities.

Previous Members

Shaketa Robinson-Bruce

Shaketa Robinson Bruce a Board-Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia. She is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Mercer University. Her current research interests are resilience and posttraumatic growth experienced by Black Women. She has previously researched historical and racial trauma experienced by African Americans. She is the clinical director and founder of Open Arms Counseling Center in Atlanta, Georgia where she provides counseling for women.

Michelle Shlafman

Dr. Michelle Shlafman is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor who specializes in Holistic Psychotherapy. She is a graduate of Mercer University in Counselor Education and Supervision. Michelle received a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Stetson University. She has been practicing in the field of mental health for over a decade and blends evidence-based research with integrative modalities to support client progress and effective therapeutic outcomes.

Caroline Fernades

Caroline Fernandes is a doctoral candidate (PhD, ABD) in the counselor education and supervision program. Her study interest is spirituality, wellness, mindfulness, and cross-cultural holistic healing interventions in counseling. Her previous research and academic experiences include multicultural supervision in counseling, prevention of misdiagnosing spiritually transformative experiences, narrative studies with refugees, Counselor self-care practices, holistic interventions in counseling,