Counseling Services Staff

Heidi Riello, M.S.W, LICSW
Director
Heidi received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in social work from Simmons College. Before joining the MCLA community, Heidi spent 3 ½ years as a member of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Counseling Center staff and 3 ½ years as the assistant director of Counseling Services at Bryant University. She also had a private practice and worked in community mental health on Martha's Vineyard for several years. Her interests include using yoga therapy and mindfulness in the treatment of eating disorders and trauma. On a personal note, Heidi enjoys movies, running, yoga, music festivals and spending time with her family. 

Jacque Marling, M.Ed., LMHC
Counselor
Jacque received a master's degree in counseling from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and her undergraduate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.  Jacque is a clinical hypnotherapist certified by the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists.  In 1989, Jacque joined the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts community as a counselor.  Her professional interests are Cognitive-Behavioral treatments, Hypnosis and Meditation. On a personal note, Jacque enjoys travel, Sudoku and spending time with her family.

Jon Meehan, MSSW, LICSW
Counselor
Jon holds a master's degree in social work at the University of Texas at Austin.  He received his bachelor's degree from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.  A part-time clinician at MCLA, Jon also works at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.  Before joining the MCLA community in the fall semester of 2004, he worked at Child & Family Services in Easthampton, Massachusetts.  He worked at JRI Health in Boston, which specialized in health and mental health treatment for young adults.  He also worked with homeless 18-21 year-olds at a transitional housing program in Somerville, Mass.  His professional interests include mindfulness-based interventions, cognitive-behavioral treatment, and existential theories. He also enjoys gardening, learning, camping, hiking, and family fun.  He relaxes by cooking, spending time in the Adirondacks, reading and swimming.

Claire Cabiles, M.S.W. LICSW
Mental Health Counselor
Claire received her master's degree in social work from the State University of New York at Albany; prior to that she graduated from the City College of New York with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Before joining MCLA Counseling Services, Claire worked for the Brien Center in Great Barrington for more than 17 years.  She also works as a Home-School Liaison in Bennington Elementary School in Vermont.  Claire's professional interests include Mindfulness and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments. On a personal note, she enjoys outdoor activities, gardening and spending time with her family.

Rita M. Karhan, M.Ed.
Office Manager
Rita received her Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration from North Adams State College (now MCLA), and her Master's in Higher Education Administration from MCLA in 1998.  Rita started working at the College in 1994 in the Alumni and Development Office, and joined the Counseling Services staff as office manager in 2000.  Rita's professional interests are in research and finding different ways for all students to connect mental health education with their lives.  Rita is the one who answers the phone, makes your appointment and is the first person you see when you come into the Counseling office. On a personal note, Rita enjoys her gardens, ZUMBA , yoga, and especially her family and grandchildren.

John Howland M.D.
Consulting Psychiatrist