Office of Professional Training

Timothy Ford, MA, LMFT

Timothy Ford is Associate Dean of Operations of the JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences, with oversight of the Office of Professional Training, Academic Operations, the Whole Person Center, community services and other school operational functions. Mr. Ford is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). He received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in counseling psychology at National University and is currently enrolled in NU’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD-EdL) program. He has over 25 years of experience in managerial and executive leadership roles in the private sector at companies including FedEx and Yahoo, as well as within the mental health field. Mr. Ford joined John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) as Director of Clinical Operations for JFKU’s Community Counseling Centers in 2017. With the closure of JFKU at the end of 2020, Mr. Ford transitioned to National University, serving as Executive Director of the JFK School of Psychology until assuming the role of Associate Dean for the expanded JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences in 2022. Prior to joining the university, Mr. Ford was the clinical program director for residential treatment centers and Medi-Cal funded school-based mental health programs in the Bay Area, as well as a therapist in private practice since 2009. As a clinical supervisor for over a decade, Mr. Ford is passionate about training and developing new therapists to meet the demands of the continuously changing mental health profession, especially for historically underserved populations.

To contact Mr. Ford, please email opt@nu.edu.

Cassandra Lettenberger-Klein, PhD, LMFT 

Dr. Cassandra Lettenberger-Klein (Dr. LK) is the Senior Director of Clinical Training in the JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences and oversees the Office of Professional Training. Dr. LK received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT) from Purdue University and her doctorate degree in MFT from Florida State University. Prior to working as the Senior Director of Clinical Training, Dr. LK was the Director of MFT Clinical Training at Northcentral University. Dr. LK has held various roles in academia since 2010, including faculty, supervisor, and director. She has also practiced since 2010 and still maintains a small caseload. Dr. LK endeavors to support all those involved in the professional training process with a focus on efficiency, consistency, and accuracy. She is passionate about empowering students to understand and direct their educational experience so that they have the skills needed to achieve their professional goals.

To contact Dr. LK or for or for more information regarding the Office of Professional Training, please email opt@nu.edu.

Rachel Butterfras, MA

Rachel Butterfras is the Director of Professional Training for the JFKSOPSS. She has a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University. She has worked in higher education for over 11 years serving students as an academic advisor, clinical coordinator and manager of academic operations.

To contact Ms. Butterfras, please email opt@nu.edu.

Lindsay Sweetnam, MA, LMFT 

Lindsay Sweetnam, LMFT is the Manager of Clinical Training and oversees the Community-Based Counseling Program and operations for the Psychological Assessment Clinic at the JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences at National University. After receiving her BA from the University of Oregon, she returned to her native Bay Area, CA to pursue her Master’s in Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco. She had direct clinical experience working in a variety of settings including K-12 schools, shelter-based and permanent supportive housing for homeless and formerly homeless families, and an adolosecent inpatient psychiatric facility before moving into the field of domestic violence. She spent 10 years in the field of domestic violence in roles from direct services and community education to Community Programs Director at the oldest and largest domestic violence agency in San Francisco. She joined formerly JFKU in 2017 as a Clinical Supervisor before moving into her current role in 2022.

To contact Ms. Sweetnam, please email cbcp@nu.edu.

Shauntis Bussey, MA, LMFT 

Shauntis Bussey is the Clinical Training Director with the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MAC) program. Ms. Bussey graduated from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University with her second master’s degree in 2016. Ms. Bussey is a solution-focused licensed marriage and family therapist who has dedicated 14+ years to empowering and developing people, programs, and organizations to fulfill their vision for success and build a lasting legacy. She is also an undercover National Park explorer and elevated camping enthusiast. She loves karaoke, chai lattes, and Denzel Washington movies.

To contact Ms. Bussey or to learn more about the Master’s in Counseling Psychology training program in California, email MACtraining@nu.edu.

Lauren Fix, PhD, LMFT, LPC Supervisor

Dr. Lauren Fix is the Director of Clinical Training (DCT) for the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) Program. She received her master’s and doctorate degrees in marriage and family therapy (MFT) from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Prior to working as DCT for MAMFT, Dr. Fix has served as a faculty member at Northcentral then National University since 2016 teaching foundations, core, and clinical courses. Dr. Fix is a Louisiana Licensed MFT Supervisor and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor as well as an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Dr. Fix has experience working in a variety of clinical and academic settings, including private practices and community agencies. Her areas of special interest include ethics and supervision. Dr. Fix considers her work in clinical training a great privilege and values her relationships with students and supervisees.

To contact Dr. Fix or to learn more about the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Program, email mfttraining@nu.edu.

Emily Schmittel, PhD, LMFT 

Dr. Emily Schmittel is the Associate Director of Doctoral Marriage and Family Therapy Clinical Training. Emily received her PhD in Human Development and Family Studies- with a specialization in Couple and Family Therapy from Michigan State University. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Dr. Schmittel practiced couple and family therapy in private practice for nearly 10 years before transitioning to full-time faculty with Northcentral University. Dr. Schmittel’s main clinical and research experience is on therapy with child welfare involved families. She has published in the areas of criminal justice, child welfare, and telesupervision. She continues to supervise and mentor local clinicians in Springfield, MO. In her role at NU, Dr. Schmittel assists doctoral MFT students in planning their clinical courses. She is passionate about assisting doctoral students in designing experiences that align with their personal passions, professional goals, and local community needs.

To contact Dr. Schmittel or to learn more about the Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral training programs, email mfttraining@nu.edu.

Sharon Christensen, PsyD

Dr. Sharon Christensen is Director of Clinical Training for the PsyD Program and the lead faculty for the Correctional/Forensic Concentration. She teaches the Integrated Professional Seminar course focused on developing students’ clinical proficiency and professional development skills. She brings 20 years of experience as a clinician working with diverse, underserved populations. Her culturally informed clinical style helps her provide effective psychological services across populations in order to meet the diverse needs of the community. As Director of Clinical Training, Dr. Christensen actively mentors students from a developmental trajectory perspective meeting with students one-on-one to provide individualized support throughout the student’s clinical development as they matriculate through the program. Dr. Christensen is focused on meeting students where they are and providing them the support and clinical experience needed to reach their career goals in the field of Health Psychology.

To contact Dr. Christensen or to learn more about the Psychology Doctorate (PsyD) training program, email psydtraining@nu.edu.

Julie Hayden, MA, CMPC

Julie Hayden, MA, CMPC is the Director of Applied Training for the MA in Sport & Performance Psychology program. Ms. Hayden earned her MA in sport psychology from formerly JFKU in 2017 and her BS in psychology from Michigan State University. Ms. Hayden is driven to provide a rewarding and challenging mentored applied training experience for student-interns within this program, offering an unparalleled supportive and immersive experience. She is extremely proud to be part of this fun and hard-working team. Ms. Hayden also teaches for the MA in Sport & Performance Psychology program, specializing in applied training preparation and execution of mental performance techniques. Ms. Hayden’s passion in the sport psychology field lies within enhancing sport and performance culture to promote healthy and safe motivational climates where athletes and performers are empowered to become the best versions of themselves, with a particular focus in gymnastics as well as underrepresented populations as a centerpiece of her private practice.

To contact Ms. Hayden or to learn more about the Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology applied training/applied training experience, email sppmate@nu.edu.

Matthew Diner, PhD, LCSW

Dr. Matthew Diner is the Director of Clinical Training with the Masters in Social Work (MSW) program. Dr. Diner received his MSW and PhD from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Prior to joining National University, he has taught graduate school at Columbia University, Fordham University, and the City University of New York. He has also been professionally trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities including CBT, TF-CBT, CPP, MST, and psychoanalysis and has trained supervisees as a clinical supervisor for clinical and community-based social work practice. Dr. Diner has a strong passion for academic excellence and fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment. 

To contact Mr. Diner or to learn more about the Masters in Social Work Program, email mswtraining@nu.edu.