GREAT NORTHERN THERAPY - Key Persons
Alec is skilled in working with addiction, trauma/PTSD, depression, and adjustment difficulties. Having gone through the L&I system after a work injury in 2013, Alec has first hand experience of healing from a severe wound. After having a positive experience with his personal L&I staff, he decided to work with clients who also went through similar struggles. Alec has a long history of working in treatment facilities for addiction and mental health difficulties associated with trauma, anxiety, and depression. Main intervention strategies include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness/holistic practices, and choice theory.
Amber is located in Mountlake Terrace, WA, and is seeing clients via telehealth as well as performing limited in-person sessions.
Amber has been joyfully serving people with disabilities for 20+ years in many different roles. For the past decade, she has worked as a counselor, specializing in supporting clients who are living with disabilities, chronic pain, chronic illness, and related issues. She is also passionate about supporting clients with histories of trauma, anxiety, and depression. She views developing a healing relationship with her clients as essential to the therapeutic process.
You can read more about Amber on her website: ambersaldivar.com, and see her LinkedIn profile here:
Angela is located in Spokane Valley, ID, and is seeing clients via telehealth as well as performing limited in-person sessions.
Angela is currently seeing clients through Telehealth. She has worked for over ten years in the field of mental health with a large population of individuals with varying mental/emotional or physical issues. Her primary focus is on persons with disabilities and trauma therapy. She has worked in a multitude of settings including at the state level as the Chair Person for the State of Idaho's Independent Living Counsel.
Angela has done a lot of work for persons with disabilities and is passionate about this population. She is an expert in the field of resiliency, compassion and forgiveness. She is approved to administer Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing remotely and is working towards her certification so that she can supervise counselors who are in training for their own certification in EMDR. She also engages in numerous other therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, person centered therapy to name a few. She uses evidence-based practices to provide a brief solution focused approach.
Angela has gone to further her passion and approach to working with persons with disabilities by extensive research into the area of resiliency and forgiveness. She and other known colleagues have written numerous articles and manuals to help clients and practitioners further their understanding in how to incorporate and instill resiliency through compassion and forgiveness.
Carlynn Chumak is the Behavioral Health Program Manager at Great Northern Therapy Associates.
Prior to her work in vocational services, Carlynn worked in the mental health field in a variety of different settings including schools, residential treatment, and group homes. She has over a decade of experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor which has provided her with a solid understanding of the WA Labor and Industries' system and has allowed her to develop a great compassion regarding the unique issues injured workers often encounter.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Diana is located in Yakima, WA, and is seeing clients via telehealth as well as performing limited in-person sessions.
Diana has worked in the medical social work field for over a decade and has a focus in her practice with helping clients cope with chronic and/or terminal illness, grief and loss, caregiver support, and life transitions. She speaks both English and Spanish. See a link to her Psychology Today profile here:
Elva is located in Del Mar, CA and is currently treating clients through telehealth only.
Dr. Elva's education and experience brings a holistic approach to psychology and physiological health, as both a licensed registered nurse and a licensed marriage and family therapist. After completing 2 masters degrees; one in public health with emphasis in nutrition and a second in marital and family therapy with emphasis in postmodern therapies, she earned a PhD in psychology with emphasis in humanistic existential perspectives. Dr. Elva's dissertation research was on traumatic brain injury and the effects on the family/spouse with a focus on adapting to changes and learning to transcend tragedy.
Dr. Susan Stuntzner, PhD is a Licensed Mental Counselor and is also licensed in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. She has been in the counseling profession for over 27 years working with people in numerous professional positions which primarily focus on serving individuals with disabilities. Dr. Stuntzner earned her PhD in Rehabilitation Psychology. While there, her dissertation research focused on the application and implementation of a forgiveness intervention compared to another coping intervention among people with spinal cord injuries as a means to enhance the coping process. She is passionate about helping people learn more about the disability/condition, become empowered to take positive actions, and live the best quality of life possible. Susan understands that the coping process is not always easy nor is it linear, but that it can be improved by learning numerous skills and ways to enhance one's life. In an effort to help people do that, she extended her initial work on forgiveness and co-developed a 10-module resilience intervention followed by the development of a 7-module forgiveness intervention to assist people with disabilities in learning these skills and processes to improve their coping and adaptation to disability process. In addition to her work as a Contract Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Great Northern Therapy Associates, Dr. Stuntzner, is a part-time lecturer for two universities, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the University of Providence. Courses she teaches include Advanced Counseling Techniques, Medical Aspects of Disability, Psychosocial Aspects of Disability, Introduction to Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Counseling Services, Counseling Theories, Disability Policy & Self-advocacy, and Case Management. She is a published author and scholar with much of her work focusing on forgiveness, resilience, and self-compassion, and the Therapeutic Triad (integration of these skills). Her most recent book is, "Resilience and Disability: The Family After." She is currently working on two other books. Dr. Stuntzner has been interviewed four times for Psychology Talks (CCTV) by Dr. Angela Plowhead to share information about resilience, living well with a disability, supporting people with disabilities, and COVID-19: being resilient during and after the pandemic. Additional information can be found at her website: https://therapeutic-healing-disability.com
Prior to her work with injured workers, Jess had worked in a variety of treatment settings including work with mental health, substance use, and personality/mood disorders. Her work in a multitude of treatment facilities and working with different treatment approaches helps give her a diverse knowledge to work with injured workers. She has advanced clinical training with Biopsychosocial approaches, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. See a link to her Psychology Today profile here:
Laynya has over 20 years of counseling experience involving the workers compensation industry, VA, SSDI, as well as individual, group and family therapy in various settings including schools, juvenile detention, inpatient, group homes and community-based mental health agencies. With experience with various mental health disorders, Laynya offers an empathetic, collaborative, strength-based approach utilizing the biopsychosocial model of counseling.
Job Titles:
- Behavioral Health Care Manager ( BHCM )
Linda (she/her) is located in Post Falls, Idaho, and is seeing clients via telehealth as well as performing limited in-person sessions.
Linda has over 20 years of experience in mental health treatment and 9 years assisting individuals with substance use disorders and has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, elementary schools, treatment centers, Idaho National Guard and primary care clinics.
Linda is also trained in Equine assisted Psychotherapy and started a non-profit organization in 2015 pairing equine with children and adolescents, individuals in the criminal justice system and military personnel. This vast experience has provided Linda with the expertise and commitment to inspire hope, engage individuals in motivation to change and to nurture wellness. Linda is trained and skilled in EMDR, Solution-focused, Behavioral Activation, problem-solving therapy, CBT/DBT and trauma informed therapeutic approaches.
Manny has nearly twenty years of experience in the mental health field having worked in hospitals, residential treatment settings and private practice. He possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience working with diverse populations and issues. He specializes in treating trauma, depression, anxiety disorders, relationship issues, LGBTQ issues, codependency, and marriage and family conflict. He is trained in Dialectical Behavioral, EMDR, and Attachment-Based Family Therapy. Manny is most passionate when he can serve his community. He has been a qualified supervisor since 2006 preparing mental health professionals for their lifelong goals of helping clients and their families. He has been active in raising awareness and funds to treat addiction and severe mental illness among indigent populations, volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children, and served on many community planning boards to help make his community a better place to live. See a link to his website here: mindscapecounseling.org
Dr. Susan Stuntzner, PhD is a Licensed Mental Counselor and is also licensed in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. She has been in the counseling profession for over 27 years working with people in numerous professional positions which primarily focus on serving individuals with disabilities. Dr. Stuntzner earned her PhD in Rehabilitation Psychology. While there, her dissertation research focused on the application and implementation of a forgiveness intervention compared to another coping intervention among people with spinal cord injuries as a means to enhance the coping process. She is passionate about helping people learn more about the disability/condition, become empowered to take positive actions, and live the best quality of life possible. Susan understands that the coping process is not always easy nor is it linear, but that it can be improved by learning numerous skills and ways to enhance one's life. In an effort to help people do that, she extended her initial work on forgiveness and co-developed a 10-module resilience intervention followed by the development of a 7-module forgiveness intervention to assist people with disabilities in learning these skills and processes to improve their coping and adaptation to disability process. In addition to her work as a Contract Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Great Northern Therapy Associates, Dr. Stuntzner, is a part-time lecturer for two universities, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the University of Providence. Courses she teaches include Advanced Counseling Techniques, Medical Aspects of Disability, Psychosocial Aspects of Disability, Introduction to Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Counseling Services, Counseling Theories, Disability Policy & Self-advocacy, and Case Management. She is a published author and scholar with much of her work focusing on forgiveness, resilience, and self-compassion, and the Therapeutic Triad (integration of these skills). Her most recent book is, "Resilience and Disability: The Family After." She is currently working on two other books. Dr. Stuntzner has been interviewed four times for Psychology Talks (CCTV) by Dr. Angela Plowhead to share information about resilience, living well with a disability, supporting people with disabilities, and COVID-19: being resilient during and after the pandemic. Additional information can be found at her website: https://therapeutic-healing-disability.com
Prior to her work with injured workers, Jess had worked in a variety of treatment settings including work with mental health, substance use, and personality/mood disorders. Her work in a multitude of treatment facilities and working with different treatment approaches helps give her a diverse knowledge to work with injured workers. She has advanced clinical training with Biopsychosocial approaches, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. See a link to her Psychology Today profile here:
Laynya has over 20 years of counseling experience involving the workers compensation industry, VA, SSDI, as well as individual, group and family therapy in various settings including schools, juvenile detention, inpatient, group homes and community-based mental health agencies. With experience with various mental health disorders, Laynya offers an empathetic, collaborative, strength-based approach utilizing the biopsychosocial model of counseling.
Manny has nearly twenty years of experience in the mental health field having worked in hospitals, residential treatment settings and private practice. He possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience working with diverse populations and issues. He specializes in treating trauma, depression, anxiety disorders, relationship issues, LGBTQ issues, codependency, and marriage and family conflict. He is trained in Dialectical Behavioral, EMDR, and Attachment-Based Family Therapy. Manny is most passionate when he can serve his community. He has been a qualified supervisor since 2006 preparing mental health professionals for their lifelong goals of helping clients and their families. He has been active in raising awareness and funds to treat addiction and severe mental illness among indigent populations, volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children, and served on many community planning boards to help make his community a better place to live. See a link to his website here: mindscapecounseling.org
Helping people is Sarah's passion, and individual therapy is her way of doing that. Sarah joined this field after graduating from the University of Idaho with her Bachelors in Psychology. She obtained her Masters of Social Work through Walden University in 2019. Prior to working with injured workers, she has been a master-level clinician for working with adults and supervising fellow clinicians at a major community mental health organization. Sarah specializes in a variety of different evidence-based practices including EMDR, CETA, CBT, CBT-I , FLASH and DBT. Her mission for her clients is to create a therapeutic relationship that is welcoming, empowering and provides a space to learn various tools and skills that her clients can use in their day-to-day lives. Sarah's goal is to teach, listen and understand; knowing very well that her clients are the masters of their own lives. Sarah is a mom and a wife, and loves being creative on her off time. She aspires to practice the skills that she teaches her clients in her day to day life including meditation, exercise and various distress tolerance skills, and self compassion. She looks forward to getting to you know and walking with you on the journey towards healing and recovery!
Melissa is located in Spokane Valley, WA, and is seeing clients via telehealth as well as performing limited in-person sessions.
Melissa specializes in working with clients struggling with chronic pain, panic attacks, eating disorders, adjustment issues, and anxiety. See a link to her Psychology Today profile here:
Sandi is located in Seattle, WA, and is seeing clients via telehealth as well as performing limited in-person sessions.
Sandi has specific training and a focus in her practice with treating addiction, trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Prior to working in addiction and with injured workers, she worked in community mental health with the Latino population. She is a state certified ethnic minority mental health specialist. See a link to her Psychology Today profile here:
Job Titles:
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Sandy is located in Yakima, WA, and is seeing clients via telehealth as well as performing limited in-person sessions.
Sandy has worked in the medical social work field for 15 years. Sandy has worked with people from many different backgrounds. She specializes in working with individuals who are dealing with chronic pain, grief and loss, anxiety, depression and trauma. See a link to her Psychology Today profile here:
Helping people is Sarah's passion, and individual therapy is her way of doing that. Sarah joined this field after graduating from the University of Idaho with her Bachelors in Psychology. She obtained her Masters of Social Work through Walden University in 2019. Prior to working with injured workers, she has been a master-level clinician for working with adults and supervising fellow clinicians at a major community mental health organization. Sarah specializes in a variety of different evidence-based practices including EMDR, CETA, CBT, CBT-I , FLASH and DBT. Her mission for her clients is to create a therapeutic relationship that is welcoming, empowering and provides a space to learn various tools and skills that her clients can use in their day-to-day lives. Sarah's goal is to teach, listen and understand; knowing very well that her clients are the masters of their own lives. Sarah is a mom and a wife, and loves being creative on her off time. She aspires to practice the skills that she teaches her clients in her day to day life including meditation, exercise and various distress tolerance skills, and self compassion. She looks forward to getting to you know and walking with you on the journey towards healing and recovery!
Stephanie is treating clients in Washington state through telehealth services only.
Stephanie specializes working with individuals who struggle with trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression and major life transitions. She has worked in community mental health with serving families in the Latino population, and speaks Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Teena is located in Longview, WA, and is seeing clients via telehealth as well as performing limited in-person sessions.
Teena has extensive training and experience treating addiction, depression and anxiety, as well as helping clients cope when diagnosed with life-altering medical diagnoses.