The BRAIN Center, headquartered at the University of Memphis, is a transdisciplinary collaborative of clinicians and researchers who aim to advance evidence-based practice and policy through neuroscience-informed interventions in integrated mental and behavioral counseling services.
Dr. Eraina Schauss
Director / Founder
Dr. Schauss is an Associate Professor in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Memphis where she also serves as the Coordinator of the Clinical Mental Health Masters Degree Program. She holds a faculty appointment at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in the College of Medicine, Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics. Dr. Schauss specializes in the conceptualization, design and translation of mental health research into evidence based clinical practice with a focus on the neuroscience of resilience. She continues to research and train clinicians in the areas of resilience, child cognitive, behavioral, emotional and neurodevelopment, evidence-based clinical interventions and family systems therapy.
She holds a Bachelors degree from Boston College, dual Masters degrees in the field of Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy from University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics and Political Science, and, a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from George Washington University with a specialization in Child and Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider and Approved Clinical Supervisor in the State of Tennessee.
Clinical Team
Dr. Sydnie Allen
Dr. Allen is The BRAIN Center’s Clinical Director of Trauma Services for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Trauma Center. She graduated with her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Memphis in May of 2024. Dr. Allen received her master of science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021 and a double bachelors in psychology and philosophy in 2018 from The University of Memphis.
Previously, she served as a trauma mental health counselor and research assistant at the BRAIN Center in collaboration with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. At Le Bonheur she provided universal screening for trauma patients, mental health interventions, and ongoing outpatient counseling sessions.
She is passionate about empowering clients to take control of their lives and end cycles of generational trauma. She aims to meet her clients where they are with a compassionate approach that focuses on cultivating environments for holistic wellness. She enjoys being part of a diverse, collaborative team and utilizing a variety of skills to achieve the team’s goals.
Steven Smith
Steven Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a designation of Mental Health Service Provider. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in Marketing from The University of Tennessee at Martin and his master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Memphis. Steven has experience counseling teens, adults and geriatrics in various settings including inpatient, outpatient, and residential. He is a native Memphian who wears his local pride on his sleeve. He is passionate about encouraging wholistic wellness through emotional harmony and practical therapeutic interventions. Steven specializes in helping those with issues related to anxiety, depression, stress, and emotional processing. Steven loves spending time with his friends, discovering new music, traveling, and learning new things.
DeKayla Thomas
DeKayla Thomas, MS, NCC, LPC-MHSP, is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Tennessee. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Alcorn State University and her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Memphis, where she is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision. Her current research interest focuses on how women emotionally experience and make sense of reproductive symptoms, such as menstrual, perinatal, and postpartum changes. She is especially interested in how these experiences influence emotional wellness, self-understanding, and identity, particularly when they are not formally recognized within medical frameworks.
DeKayla has had the honor of supporting individuals from early childhood through older adulthood as they navigate a range of emotional and life challenges. In her current role at Le Bonheur, she is especially passionate about walking alongside children and families during difficult and uncertain times. Recognizing how overwhelming hospital experiences can be, she offers a steady, compassionate presence and strives to ensure each child and caregiver feels emotionally supported, understood, and cared for throughout their healing journey.
She is deeply committed to supporting marginalized populations and aims to be an affirming presence for those who often feel unseen. DeKayla values creating spaces where people feel respected and genuinely cared for. Her clinical work centers on reducing mental health stigma, expanding access to care, and honoring the full humanity of every person she serves.
Phebe Alice
Phebe Alice is a compassionate Trauma Mental Health Counseling Intern at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, specializing in supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse, violence, and adverse childhood experiences. Originally from India, Phebe earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in before relocating to the United States to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Christian Brothers University.
With a client-centered, humanistic approach at the core of her practice, Phebe integrates multiple evidence-based therapeutic interventions to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each child. Her outgoing personality, creativity, and strong people management skills enable her to build trusting relationships with her young clients and their families, fostering a safe and supportive environment for healing.
Phebe’s passion for creative pursuits and leadership shines through in her work and beyond. She thrives in leading teams and has held multiple leadership positions on campus with high communication skills, showcasing her ability to inspire and collaborate effectively. Her confidence and resilience allow her to navigate complex cases with empathy and professionalism. Passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, she is committed to helping her clients overcome challenges and build brighter futures.
Ryan Haik
Kathryn Ryan Haik is a graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Memphis. She is a graduate assistant on the University of Memphis’ BRAIN Center team. Ryan earned her master’s degree in Experimental Psychology with an emphasis in Behavioral and Brain Sciences from the University of South Alabama. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Her research interests focus on examining the relationship between individual, social, and school factors that impact the collegiate experience of autistic students. Ryan is also interested in integrated behavioral health programs and collaborative care.
Research Team
Dr. Debra Bartelli
Debra Bartelli, DrPH, is a Research Associate Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Memphis School of Public Health. She received her MPH and her doctoral degree from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health with a concentration in Socio Medical Sciences.
Dr. Bartelli has extensive experience in community-based health research and evaluation of public health interventions. Her current research interests include health behavior and the neurobiology of self-regulation and use of neuroscience interventions to address health disparities.
Dr. Susan Elswick
Susan Elswick obtained her Master of Social Work at University of Tennessee in 2006 and her Doctor of Education in Instructional and Curriculum leadership with a specialty in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Memphis in 2011. Dr. Elswick served as a clinical assistant professor at the University Of Memphis Department of Social Work from 2012-2015. She served as assistant professor and BA Program Director from 2015-2019 at the University of Memphis Department of Social Work. She is currently an Associate Professor within the Social Work Department.
Dr. Susan Elswick has over 16 years of clinical mental health experience that includes community mental health, case management, residential programming, ABA-based programming, school-based programming, parent coaching, integrated behavioral health, infant mental health, and home-based services. Her research interests include the use of evidence-based behavioral interventions for addressing client’s needs, supporting schools in developing effective school-based mental health programs that are trauma-responsive, the use of expressive art therapies/ experiential therapies in the field of social work practice, and the use of informatics and technology in the field of social work.
Dr. Elswick is an LCSW in AR, MS, and TN, and she is a licensed school social worker in TN. She is a nationally certified CBITS, TFCBT, AutPlay, and EMDR clinician. She is endorsed in Infant Mental Health in the state of TN, is Certified as an Animal Assisted Interventionist, and she is also a Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor (RPT-S). She is also a national trainer and supervisor for a number of evidence-based modalities and trauma-based interventions. Dr. Elswick is the author of over twenty-five peer reviewed journal publications, two monographed books, and served as the editor for one book publication. She also has over thirty referred conference presentations, and she has received more than $1 million in internal and external grants to date.
Dr. Shemeka Hamlin-Parker
Shemeka Hamlin-Palmer is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Healthcare Leadership at the University of Memphis. Dr. Palmer’s professional development has been grounded in theories and methods found in the field of social and behavioral science. In addition to teaching, she has dedicated the past 17 years to working, partnering, and collaborating with CBOs, healthcare organizations and academic institutions to reduce the impact of health disparities, to include HIV/AIDS, mental health, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer in minority populations throughout the United States and abroad. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Health Education, Promotion and Behavior Change from Jackson State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Health Sciences from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Palmer has received rigorous trainings from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the MS State Department of Health and have implemented educational programs such as Sister to Sister, SiHLE, Nia, Community-Based HIV Testing and Outreach programs and services relative to sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Amr Mohamed
Amr Mohamed completed his doctorate degree in statistics under Dr. Kevin H. Lee at Western Michigan University, he also earned a certificate in biostatistics from the same university. Dr. Amr earned his master’s degree in Statistics from the University of Essex (Colchester, UK). He is currently an assistant professor of teaching in biostatistics in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Memphis.
Dr. Amr’s research interests are broadly focused on applied statistics and data analysis. His research interests include, but not limited to: high-dimensional statistical inference/analysis, statistical machine learning and data mining, variable selection, classification and clustering. His research applications are largely in the area of biostatistics and health sciences.
Dr. Amr has over a decade of experience in his field. Prior joining the college of Health Sciences, he taught at several universities including Western Michigan University, Miami Regional University, The National University of Singapore and The American University in Cairo.
Dr. Brandt Pence
Brandt Pence, PhD is an Associate Professor and the Director of Research for the University of Memphis College of Health Sciences. He received his PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2012. At the University of Memphis he also serves as Nutrition unit coordinator and was awarded a University Research Professorship in 2021.
Dr. Pence’s research focuses on the contributions of aging to metabolic and immune system dysfunction. He is interested in how intrinsic changes to immune cell metabolism and mitochondrial function promote aging-related organ system changes and disease. He also has active research lines in how behavioral interventions such as exercise and nutrition impact immune system function. His research is funded by the NIH, and he has previously received funding from the American Heart Association and American College of Sports Medicine among others.
Dr. Michelle Stockton
Michelle (Shelly) Stockton is an Associate Professor of Lifestyle Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Memphis College of Health Sciences. She received a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology and a PhD in Educational Psychology and Research with an emphasis in research methodology and statistics. Dr. Stockton is engaged in a research agenda centered on the identification, prevention and reduction of health risks. Her research incorporates the design, implementation and treatment fidelity of community-based health behavior interventions/programs at specific and multiple socio-ecologic levels as well as identifying mediating and moderating variables that are intertwined in making successful health behavior changes. She also researches and trains undergraduate and graduate health science majors in health counseling/coaching.
Dr. Regan Williams
Dr. Regan Williams graduated Summa Cum Laude from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. After graduating with a double major in Biology and Chemistry, she went on to study medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. Memphis became her home, and she completed her graduate education earning her medical degree, completing her general surgical residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a fellowship in Pediatric Surgery at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Following her fellowship training, she accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and in 2019, she was promoted to Associate Professor of Surgery.
At Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Dr. Williams is the Medical Director of Trauma and the Associate Chief of Staff. She has completed a Master’s of Science degree in Epidemiology and her research efforts are focused on developing evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of pediatric trauma and surgical disease. She is board certified in general and pediatric surgery and has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Williams is active on the Emergency Preparedness Committee, Committee on Pediatric Emergency Care, Operative and Invasive Procedure Committee, Pediatric Research Collaborative, Peer Review Oversight Committee, and Advocacy Advisory Committee. She is Chair of the Senior Leadership Council, Chair of the Peer Review Oversight Committee, and on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Emergency Care Alliance. She is a Course Director and instructor for ATLS, as well.
In her role as Trauma Medical Director, Dr. Regan Williams remains active in her efforts to improve trauma care at a state and national level. She is deeply involved in the Stop the Bleed campaign, as well as local community outreach events, such as Community Walks Against Gun Violence. Dr. Williams’ goal is to decrease gun related injuries in children. She dedicates her time and resources to ensure optimal care for children across the state of Tennessee.
Dr. Yonghong Jade Xu
Dr. Yonghong Jade Xu is a Professor in Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research at the University of Memphis. Her expertise is in statistics, quantitative research methodology, survey design, and program evaluation. She teaches courses in statistics and survey design/analysis. Her primary research focuses on gender and racial disparities in STEM education and career success. Dr. Xu also serves as evaluator on the BRAIN Center Memphis team and other funded research projects.
Dr. Haley Zettler
Dr. Zettler is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of North Texas. She received her Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of Texas at Dallas, and also holds a B.A. in Criminology from the University of Oklahoma, and her M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas. She is a former probation officer who worked as a supervision, presentence investigation, and court officer.
Her recent publications appear in Crime & Delinquency, Journal of Criminal Justice, Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, Criminal Justice Studies, and Criminal Justice Review. Her primary research interests include corrections, mental health and substance use, specialty courts, pretrial release, and recidivism.
