Meet our staff

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I was raised in Yakima, WA and later attended college at Brigham Young University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  I then obtained both my Master’s degree and my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Ohio University.  I completed my residency program the year following at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.  For the next 15 years, I worked as a faculty member at IUP (Pennsylvania), which had a top 5 nationally-ranked Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology.  There I spent much of my time training doctoral students how to conduct therapy, finishing my time there as director of the doctoral program.  I was fortunate to also be able to remain clinically active through providing therapy for others during each of my years in Pennsylvania.  Ultimately, my wife and I decided that we wanted our five children to be closer to extended family and I left IUP to start a full-time practice in Washington.  

 While I am not from Yakima originally, I have loved living here and I could not imagine myself anywhere else. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Mississippi. Currently I am in the process of getting my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have extensive experience working in special education programs in schools and experience as a crisis counselor. I am excited to start my journey as a counselor and help you meet your goals. 

People and their life experiences are unique, as is their journey within mental health. Many people experience life stressors, including existential crises. In such cases, I serve as a guide providing support and helping clients explore their strengths. I believe there is power in exploring what our purpose and meaning in life is. I have experience working as a mental health therapist for Washington State Department of Corrections, a school district in Washington state, and at a local community clinic. Most of my background comes from working as a crisis counselor and as a designated crisis counselor.   

Originally from the Yakima Valley, I went to undergraduate school at Saint Mary’s College of California, and graduate school at Walla Walla University. Over the years my academic studies broadly include psychology, sociology, and social work, culminating in completion my Doctorate of Social Work in 2022. This academic background greatly influences how I engage with people, considering their individual self within their social context – the person in environment. After settling back into the Yakima Valley in 2015, I have been training and practicing as a clinical social worker for nearly a decade. 

Developing as a clinical social worker has included various roles and duties that include psychotherapy, case management, crisis intervention, substance use counseling, to name a few. With several leadership positions, I have been able to engage within the community in diverse and meaningful ways, having developed several local social service programs and providing clinical supervision for staff and students.

A core aspect of my professional life is finding the balance between real world experience and quality research. I base my therapeutic approaches from rigorous academic trainings, certification courses, and peer reviewed research. I take that foundation and apply my real-world experience from years of crisis intervention, working alongside first responders, community behavioral health treatment, forensic work, and inpatient experience. This balance between experience and research, I call, being a scholar-practitioner. 

Now I am a therapist, educator, leader, and licensed independent clinical social worker in Washington State. In addition to my private practice at Cascade Psychological Health, I teach part-time at a local university and stay involved in policy advocacy across the state. 

My mission is to help individuals, couples, families, and communities alleviate suffering. My vision is to help people grow from those experiences to live their fullest lives.

 Seeking a therapist can often feel overwhelming and you may find yourself wondering where to begin. As a first-generation Latina therapist I value the connection between mental health and personal identity, in supporting clients to feel seen and supported while embracing their unique experiences. Over the years I have worked with children, adolescents and adults. My approach to therapy is centered around providing you with a warm and comforting space. I appreciate working with clients who would like to explore their life experiences, depression, trauma, anxiety, self-esteem and relationships. I look forward to meeting you! 

 Life can get overwhelming and feel like you’re fighting a battle by yourself. I am here so you don’t have to fight your battle alone. I want to support you through your difficult time and guide you toward wellness. My goal is to help you heal from past hurts, overcome current struggles, and prepare for future challenges.

I emphasize a holistic approach - I see you as a person with a mind, body, and soul that has unique needs and strengths. I am here to attend to your emotional and mental health needs, while also helping you identify your strengths and how to use them to increase your life satisfaction.

Our therapeutic relationship will be one of collaboration, open communication, and problem solving so you can feel more prepared to tackle life’s challenges.