CFFD - Key Persons
Ashlie has been practicing as a private practice clinician since 2005. Her professional experience includes work with children, adolescents and adults in individual, family and group sessions. Further, she has great experience and knowledge navigating a variety of academic settings, which includes collaborating and working with educators to help students accomplish goals according to their ability level. In order for counseling to be effective, she believes the therapist and the patient must actively work together to develop therapeutic goals and frequently assess progress, both in and out of session. Ashlie's approach to therapy is eclectic in nature in order to best meet the needs of each individual.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
Curtis completed his Bachelor's Degree from Whitworth and his Master's in Counseling from Creighton University. His academic emphasis and internships focused on adolescent and college student development. After receiving his Master's, Curtis worked for five years as a guidance counselor at a Doulos Discovery School in the Dominican Republic before transitioning to Spokane. He spent the next 4 years in nonprofit leadership, helping build community and grow adults in the West Central and Hillyard neighborhoods. Curtis believes the cornerstone of counseling is the relationship between client and therapist. He aims to create space for clients to experience security, get curious about their own story, and move toward healing. Outside the office, you can find Curtis exploring Spokane with his family, on his mountain bike, or playing board games with his friends.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Jan has worked in mental health for 26 years in several settings, including universities, elementary and alternative middle schools; a trauma clinic for children in St. Louis; domestic violence and outpatient addiction centers; set up parenting courses in schools, and has worked with adults, adolescents and children in individual, couple and group sessions. Empowering clients through psychological education, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and advocacy for their needs and goals through the most effective counseling modality is sought. She specializes in life and relational problem-solving; anxiety, PTSD &trauma, addictions and codependency recovery. She seeks to help individuals overcome barriers to find more personal freedom.
Jo has been in private practice for 18 years and has worked in the field of counseling for 22 years. Her practice is holistic, addressing the need for integration of body/mind/spirit. She recognizes each individual's self-worth by using the client- centered approach along with mindfulness techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy. Jo sees adolescents, adults, and couples. Jo is certified to teach circle of security parenting and enjoys facilitating attachment groups as well as working with individuals on parenting challenges.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Associate
John earned his Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy at Whitworth University. After receiving his undergraduate degree in 2006 from Montana State University, John was a journalist for 15 years. He uses his sincere, inquisitive interest of the human experience in the therapy setting to treat adolescents, adults, couples, and families living with shame, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, addiction, and life transitions and questions. Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and the Circle of Security Core Sensitivities and Parenting for individuals and families, John believes that every person has inherent attachment wounds and behaves accordingly to protect those uncomfortable vulnerabilities. By addressing underlying emotions, he feels privileged to hear clients' life stories while sitting with them in their pain to begin the process of healing. As the Sufi poet Rumi once wrote, "The cure for pain is in the pain." John is a husband and father, as well as an avid skier, who finds peace in nature alongside his playful family and dog.
Kristen is a mental health professional and a child mental health professional with 7 years' experience working in the field. Her client-centered approach working with children and adolescents utilizes components of play therapy, art therapy, CBT, ACT, and DBT as needed depending on the unique concerns and goals of each client. Kristen values the importance of rapport building and finding a good fit in therapy that allows her clients to feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.
Jill is the founder and director of the Center For Family Development, and she is committed to your personal well-being and privacy. As a licensed mental health counselor and certified school psychologist, Jill has seen clients in private practice for more than 30 years. In addition to directing the Center for Family Development, her emphasis with individuals and families in her counseling practice is to help clients improve self-awareness and enhance relationships with others. Jill's professional history includes specialties working with individuals, couples, a diverse range of children's services and family therapy.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
McKenzie graduated from Washington State University with her Bachelor's in Psychology and earned her Masters of Social Work degree at Arizona State University. McKenzie has experience working with children, adolescent and adults. Most recently she has worked in the Portland Public Schools. She has extensive experience with children who have autism and those that need support in school settings. McKenzie believes that individuals should have an active role in their treatment, and she is here to provide guidance and support through this process. She wants all her clients to feel secure and supported throughout the process.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Nilmini has been practicing as a private practice clinician since 2011. Nilmini brings a systemic approach to her practice in therapy with a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. With a history of experience in school and private practice settings, she has experience working with individuals, couples and families. Further, Nilmini has experience facilitating and co-facilitating groups for ADHD, Social Skills, and Self-Esteem. She believes in meeting clients where they are, utilizing various techniques and modalities to assist them in meeting their goals all while continuing to assess progress and make adjustments to accomplish goals for treatment.
Pamela has been in private practice for approximately fifteen years and has worked as a therapist in outpatient mental health settings for approximately thirty years. She has devoted a significant amount of professional training time to the issues of attachment, bonding and caregiving. In addition to her clinical practice, she has taught at Eastern Washington University's Department of Psychology.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Sierra has been working with children, adolescents, and adults for four years. She works from a person- centered, strengths-based perspective supporting the individual where they are. She realizes that each person has a unique background, strengths and challenges that they bring, and she pulls from a variety of modalities including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to name a few to meet those varying needs. She specializes in working with adolescents and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, and life adjustments. Sierra works with the client to help them reach their goals and becoming the best version of themselves. Sierra sees therapy as a true vehicle for self- exploration, discovery, change and to build upon client's personal strengths.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
Tara received her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work from Eastern Washington University. Tara has experience providing mental health counseling in a medical setting with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, along with medical illnesses. She has experience working with at risk youth who are struggling with addiction in an outpatient and inpatient setting. Tara has experience working with kids, youth, and adults and has been practicing in the mental health field since 2017. Tara utilizes a client centered and strengths-based approach with her clients. She believes that individuals should have an active role in their treatment, and she is here to provide guidance and support through this process. Tara's treatment modalities are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Problem-Solving Theory.
Wyatt received his degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Whitworth University and has experience working with individuals, families, couples and children. He uses a systemic approach to therapy and has completed levels one and two clinical training of Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Wyatt has knowledge of many different psychological theories and does not subscribe to a one size fits all method for assisting clients in achieving their goals. He works with his clients to assess their needs and applies the best approach on a case-by-case basis. Wyatt has experience facilitating and co-facilitating group therapy in the areas of: Social skills, training, coping with anxiety, addiction and anger.