Athletics - Osprey PERCH Bios
Osprey Perch Staff
April Jones, B.S.
Master of Science Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Class of 2021
Osprey PERCH Student Life Counseling Intern– Athletic Department
I am a second year Clinical Mental Health Counseling student in the Brooks College of Health, interning with the athletic department. As a retired Army officer and group fitness trainer I have a wealth of experience inspiring and developing individuals to be their best selves. I consider myself easy to talk to and strive to build an inclusive environment wherever I find myself. I believe and live by the principles of improving mind, body, and spirit to achieve mental wellness.
Alison Leapley-Williams, B. S.
Master of Science Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Class of 2021
Osprey PERCH Student Life Counseling Intern
My goal is to work with horses helping athletes, team building, and military families. I am currently in my second year in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program here at UNF. I have a master's in performance enhancement and injury prevention, certifications in integrative nutrition, and equine assisted learning. I also hold certifications with NASM for personal training, nutrition, corrective exercise and performance enhancement. I chose PERCH to work with our Osprey athletes both on campus and at the barn with horses. I am so excited to introduce to those who have not worked or been around horses, as well as those who have, how powerful the work with horses can be.
Carlene H. Taylor, Ed.D., LMHC-S, LPC, RYT200
Dr. Taylor is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Qualified Counselor Supervisor in Florida and Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia. She is a Georgia Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor and a National Board-Certified Counselor. She holds a Georgia Professional Teaching Certificate in School Counseling. She and her K-9 partner, Eli, are registered with the AKC and the Pet Partners Program as a Therapy Dog/Handler Team, and Dr. Taylor is a Licensed Pet Partners Team Evaluator. Dr. Taylor is registered with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) with specialized training in yoga for general mental health and trauma treatment. She is most recognized in the UNF community as a leader and advocate for Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling and Integrative Healthcare through the Integration of Creativity, Animals & Nature in Healthcare Initiative within the Brooks College of Health.
Prior to joining the faculty at UNF, Dr. Taylor has served for 20 years of clinical practice in numerous administrative and clinical positions working to expand high quality clinical care to underserved populations. She is a nationally recognized expert in Human-Animal Interaction, Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling and Childhood Sexual Abuse. Her practice specialties have included working with experientially with children and adolescents who have experienced sexual trauma and those who additionally became sexual offenders. In a related capacity, she provided forensic interviewing and offender risk assessment as well as expert testimony in cases involving child abuse for both Georgia and Florida Superior Courts.
The Georgia Legislature has enacted laws based upon expert witness testimony from Dr. Taylor as she has been successful in advocating for expanded privileges for Licensed Professional Counselors and to limit access of known sexual offenders to children. Dr. Taylor maintains a small private practice specializing in the integration of creativity, animals and nature for health and wholeness.
Dr. Jessie Stapleton
Dr. “J” Stapleton is an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science in the Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida. Her research interests include social influence on physical activity among persons with mobility impairment and self-regulation among student-athletes. Dr. J serves as a mental performance coach for UNF Athletics and USA Para Powerlifting. She is also a competitive athlete and avid traveler.
