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Connie Deutsch

Connie Deutsch, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and director of Work/Life & EAP. She is also on the national register of Health Service Providers in Psychology (HSP); is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP); and is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), along with other professional organizations. She specializes in manager and workgroup consultation, assessment of aggression and threat in the workplace, cognitive stress management, and dealing with depressive disorders. She has worked at UT Austin since 2001 and has over 30 years of clinical/counseling and managerial experience. Prior work includes psychiatric and chemical dependency inpatient treatment; psychotherapist in private practice; mental health center therapist; diagnostic consultant and expert witness; director of the Capital Area Mental Health Center; consultant for an independent research review board; mental health disability examiner; oral examiner for the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; and psychology instructor in three higher education settings. Connie was a 2006 recipient of the university-wide Outstanding Supervisor Award.

Rita R. Handrich

Rita R. Handrich, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with more than 20 years of experience. Prior to joining UT Austin's EAP in 1997, Rita worked in a private psychiatric hospital, university counseling centers, community mental health, and with the "criminally insane." She has expertise in serious mental illness, manager consultation, and problem-solving strategies for addressing personal and work-related challenges, interactions, and dilemmas. Rita provides monthly manager training on responding to distressed/distressing employees and also does regular campus training on increasing civility at work.

Mary Bade

Mary Bade, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with 13 years of experience.  In addition to her work at UT Austin, she has a private practice in the community. Her prior work experience includes being a counselor at an employee assistance firm, a director of a college counseling center, an instructor at three universities, a counselor at an outpatient mental health clinic, a college academic advisor, and a college staff member.  Mary works with a wide range counseling concerns, such as stress management, life transitions, communication skills, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse/dependence.  She has specialized interests in facilitating resiliency in coping with crises and in providing trainings that promote health and wellness.

Jeff Stellmach

Jeff Stellmach is a licensed clinical social worker with 15 years of professional experience. In addition to his work at UT Austin, he has worked in the state hospital system, community mental health settings, primary care clinics, and nursing homes. He specializes in eldercare issues, assisting individuals in making care decisions and finding community resources for loved ones. He also provides trainings to the campus community on stress management and on dealing with safety concerns related to impaired, distressed, and disruptive persons.

Susan Harnden

Susan Harnden is a licensed clinical social worker with over 22 years of experience. She works with individuals, couples, organizations and managers at UT Austin and in private practice. Previously, she worked in psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, schools, parent support organizations, and outpatient mental health centers. She helps individuals understand and resolve a variety of concerns including; depression, anxiety, stress, and grief. She specializes in helping couples, co-workers, and managers sort out and improve interpersonal interactions and communication concerns. Susan also provides training for UT departments on a variety of topics, including workshops for managers, and she is adjunct faculty at the UT Austin School of Social Work. Susan received a University Operations SLICE award in 2008 for service, leadership, innovation, creativity, and excellence. In 2009 she received a UT Austin Outstanding Staff award.

Christopher Solis

Christopher Solis is the office manager for Work/Life & EAP, and is the first contact for callers and visitors. Formerly from the University of California System, he has 10 years of experience working in the higher education arena as an administrative professional. Additionally, he has worked in administration and human resources with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Small Business Administration participating in disaster relief work in Texas and Louisiana. His responsibilities include appointment scheduling, responding to inquiries about W/L & EAP events and services, and administering the application process for the university’s Staff Emergency Fund.

Kristin Goodwin

Kristin Goodwin is a Social Work intern who is completing her final course of study for a Master's of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at UT Austin. Most recently, she facilitated life-skills groups for children and adolescents in an after-school program. Her professional interests include medical social work, chronic illness coping, grief and loss, spirituality and the mind-body connection. She is working under the supervision of EAP Counselor, Susan Harnden.