In 2014, DIA Administration and the I-Perform group began working with Carle partners to extend the mental health and sport psychology services available to our student-athletes. Since the fall of 2014, Carle Mental Health Providers have been able to see student-athletes in DIA facilities making care convenient and efficient for student athletes. This mental health/mental health team includes a psychologist, two psychiatrists and three counselors/social workers. Doors Open will continue to grow and evolve its services and availability to optimally serve and support its student-athletes.
Jim Maurer
Jim has served as a Mental Health and Sports Performance Counselor for the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics since 2012.Â
Jim is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is employed at Carle Psychiatry & Psychology Department and has been with Carle since 1989.  Jim is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Masters Degree in Social Work.Â
Jim is also a Certified Sport Social Worker specializing in working with athletes on sports performance.
Jim has been in the counseling field since 1983 and has worked with many mental health issues including depression, anxiety, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, and many others. Jim also has worked with physical and sexual abuse issues, rape, and other trauma issues. Jim has worked with high school and college student-athletes in the areas of stress, anxiety and performance, focus, peak performance, emotional management, alcohol and drug use, stress management, life balance, adjustment issues related to first year student-athletes, mental and emotional management of injuries, and on field optimal level of performance, concentration, visualization, and self-confidence.
Dr. Charles Hawley
Dr. Hawley joined Carle Psychiatry & Psychology Department in 2001. He is a member of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatric Association. He is Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, and is Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Dr. Hawley has his MD from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1996. He is also has a JD from the University of Illinois College of Law, Urbana in 1992. He received his BS Degree from University of Illinois in 1989.
Dr. Hawley completed his medical training in Child/Adolescent Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin from 1999-2001. He also received training in Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Dr. James Whisenand
Dr. James Whisenand joined Carle Psychiatry & Psychology Department in 1990. He is a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. Whisenand has his MD from St. Louis University of Medicine in 1986. He received his BA Degree from University of California at Santa Barbara in 1982.
Dr. Whisenand completed his medical training in Adult Psychiatry at the Oregon Health Sciences University in 1986-1987.
Dr. Whisenand has special interests Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Eating Disorders
James A. Warren, Jr.
James serves as the Program Manager for Mental Health and Sports Performance for the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.
James is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20Â years of experience providing mental health services in the Champaign area after receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and his Master's Degree in Social Work from the U of I. James has experience working with issues including depression, anxiety, stress management, emotional management, substance abuse, identifying and working toward personal, academic, and professional goals; family, romantic, peer, coworker, and other relationship issues; suicidal ideation, self-harm issues, traumatic experiences, adjustment issues, racial and cultural issues, domestic violence victimization, domestic violence perpetration, schizophrenia, sexual abuse victimization, sexual abuse perpetration, and more.
James utilizes a range of therapeutic modalities and primarily focuses on building on clients' strengths and helping them understand how their thinking and setting goals can positively impact their circumstances. James works to impart a sense of hope in others and is willing to walk alongside of people to help them through whatever challenges they're facing. James also recognizes the importance of having a sense of humor and using laughter to help in both positive and stressful situations.
KaWanna Brooks
KaWanna Brooks, MSW, serves as a part time Mental Health Counselor for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Joining the Doors Open team in the fall of 2024.
KaWanna a former Fighting Illini athlete, received both her Bachelor of Science in Community Health and Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Through her education and work experience, she has worked with individuals managing depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, mood disorders, athletic performance, and relationship issues.
KaWanna uses a holistic approach in therapy, pulling from a mindfulness perspective focusing on the integration of mind, body, and spirit connections. She utilizes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Client-Centered modalities.
KaWanna's purpose is to help clients gain clarity and peace while working through their unique situations. Her primary goal is to meet you where you are and join you on your journey in healing to harvest joy, improve your mood, develop relationships, and embrace self-love.
