AVÀÇÂÛ̳

Valerie Gifford was welcomed in August 2019 by the UAF Student Health and Counseling Center as the new Director.  Originally from Wyoming, Dr. Gifford relocated to AVÀÇÂÛ̳ in 1994. The majority of her time in AVÀÇÂÛ̳ has been committed to living and providing services in rural communities.  Dr. Gifford earned her Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from UAF, Master’s of Social Work degree from Wurweiler School of School Work at Yeshiva University, and her Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural and Indigenous Emphasis from UAF.  In addition to her work with UAF Student Health and Counseling, Dr. Gifford serves on UAF’s faculty for the School of Education’s Counseling Program and the College of Liberal Arts’ Psychology Department. She is licensed in AVÀÇÂÛ̳ as a psychologist and clinical social worker.   

Angelica is the embedded mental health counselor at the MBS complex.  Angelica is Licensed as a Professional Counselor and a Certified Addictions Specialist. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Colorado State University and her Master's Degree in Community Counseling, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, from the University of Northern Colorado and is in the process of obtaining licensure in AVÀÇÂÛ̳.  Angelica has over 10 years of experience in the mental health and substance use field in a variety of settings. She has experience working with mood disorders, addictions, couple's and family counseling, PTSD, stress management, and relationship and adjustment issues.  Angelica relies on a variety of therapeutic styles and intervention strategies such as CBT, DBT, Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, and EMDR.  Her treatment philosophy is that change occurs through learning to identify and label difficult emotions that lead to distress as well the needs behind them.  Through the process of therapy  her clients learn and practice the skills necessary to manage stress and difficult emotions effectively, which supports getting their needs met in healthy and realistic ways.  She is upfront, honest, and logical with her clients while guiding them toward making positive change in their lives.

Salma is the embedded Student Support Services (SSS/TRIO) mental health counselor. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University and her M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks. She is a mental health counselor working toward licensure in AVÀÇÂÛ̳. As a first-generation Chicana counselor, Salma is committed to culturally responsive, inclusive care and to supporting students from diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. Salma has experience working with anxiety, mood concerns, stress management, relationship concerns, and adjustment-related challenges. She particularly enjoys working with students navigating identity development, cultural concerns, and the transition to college life. Salma uses a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), person-centered therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Her work emphasizes collaboration, emotional awareness, and helping students develop skills that align with their values and goals. Her counseling style is warm, direct, reflective, and collaborative, and she works alongside students to support growth, resilience, and self-efficacy.