Ignite Counseling Student Interns
As an approved Clinical Internship site, part of our mission is to offer Graduate Student Interns a one-year program, in a group practice setting, where they build upon their counseling education and implement direct client-facing skills.
We provide our interns with the opportunity to gain experience in how to become an integral member of the Professional Mental Health Community and the importance of breaking down barriers to adequate mental health care by advocating for those in most need.
Interns provide competent supervised therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups. They are also able to offer these services for clients covered under Medicaid State insurance and can offer a low-cost, reduced fee rates for promoting affordable access to care for all.
Meet Our Team of Difference Makers…
Tara Brouwer
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN
NAROPA UNIVERSITY
Pronouns: They/Them
Populations: Adolescent, Young Adult
Modality: DBT, CBT, ACT, Mindfulness
To be human is to be struggling with something. Often this struggle prevents humans from achieving their desire of being happy and healthy. Why struggle alone? Humans need connection and support to thrive. My goal is to be that support as you grow, develop, and heal in the direction you want. I am not the expert of your life, you are. I strive to honor and validate your experience, while we uncover how your experiences have affected you and whether you want to do anything about that.
I use an array of modalities in my work, all underscored by a basic belief in your innate goodness. I am a firm believer in Rogers' theory that productive therapy is based on unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence from the therapist. I also employ CBT, DBT, Gestalt, and ACT as appropriate to the client's need. I prefer to work with teenagers and young adults. I am happy to see clients in person or via telehealth.
LÉONIE(LAYA-NEE)Edwards
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN
GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY
Pronouns: She/Her
Populations: Adult individuals (preferred)
Modalities: EFT/CBT/Gestalt/Person-centered
Specialities: Attachment trauma/Narcissistic Abuse recovery
Making the decision to begin therapy is hard. Living with unresolved fear, doubt, anxiety, depression, or trauma is harder! You’re here because you know your life can be better and you’re brave enough to seek help. I’m here because I’ve been where you are, and I know the amazing, transformative power of therapy! Therapy literally changed the course of my life, personally and professionally. After 30 years in the healthcare field, I returned to school to pursue a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from George Fox University. I have completed all required course work, and I am now completing my fieldwork. I also hold a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University. My approach to therapy is warm, person-centered, inclusive, and non-judgmental. I believe YOU are the expert on your own life. I believe you already have everything you need to live the happy, authentic life you dream of. Sometimes, though, we can be so close to a problem that it’s hard to see a solution. Sometimes, we need someone to come alongside us and help us see things in a new way. I would be honored to join you in your journey toward healing.
As human beings, we are wired for connection to others. How we learned to connect (or not!) during our early childhood years can have a long-lasting impact on how we view ourselves, and on our adult relationships. My therapeutic approach is grounded in attachment theory, which explores how we learned to connect (or “attach”) to others in childhood. Sometimes, we learned to act in certain ways that kept us safe or helped us get our needs met. As adults, these same ways of being often do not work and can lead to confusion, hurt, fear, and frustration. Using an integrative approach that draws on concepts from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Gestalt Therapy, I will help you discover your attachment style and how it is showing up in your life today. Whether you are coming to therapy alone or with a partner, together we can explore new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving to improve your relationship to yourself and others.
For your convenience, I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions to my adult clients. For some clients, sitting in a therapy room or in front of a computer screen can feel awkward or intimidating. Therefore, I am excited to also offer Walk & Talk Therapy! This dynamic and research-backed approach combines therapy with a walk in the great outdoors! Shown to reduce anxiety and increase focus, Walk & Talk Therapy allows you to get your steps in while working through challenging topics. With a curated list of some of the most amazing walking locations in the Tacoma area, I’ll set the place, you set the pace! Whatever you find yourself struggling with right now, you don’t have to struggle alone.
Come on in….let’s talk.
Jenna Mallon
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN
NAROPA UNIVERSITY
Pronouns: She/Her
Populations: All, particularly college students and young adulthood, adult children of emotionally immature parents/ACOA
Modalities: Brainspotting, IFS, Gestalt, Art
Specialties: acute and complex trauma, preverbal and generational trauma
I'm for you if you've tried traditional talk therapy in the past, but it hasn't felt very helpful. You are longing for a deeper and more authentic connection with yourself, others, and the world around you. Perhaps you spend much of your time confused, bored, or disconnected. I would likely be helpful to you if you think you "should be over it by now," but emotionally, you're not.
Modalities: the basis of all of my counseling is rooted in compassion, body awareness, and following my client's lead. We might do Brainspotting together -- a direct trauma reprocessing therapy -- depending on your needs and goals, and we might also use internal family systems, gestalt, and art/experiential therapies.
My specializations: acute and complex trauma, preverbal and generational trauma, college students and young adulthood, adult children of emotionally immature parents/ACOA, overachievers/perfectionists, attachment and adoption, substance use, behavioral addictions
Roya Shalchi
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN
NAROPA UNIVERSITY
Pronouns: She/Her
Populations: Young adults and Adults
Specialities: Depression, anxiety, grief, substance use recovery, identity exploration, child of immigrants/diasporic experiences, life transitions, spiritual guidance, somatic symptoms of trauma, ancestral healing, inner child work
Modalities: IFS/Gestalt/Somatic/Mindfulness-Based/Transpersonal
Hi my name is Roya and I am so grateful that you are here!
Life can be challenging, and it often feels like society makes it even harder. My hope is to guide you in increasing your capacity to hold all that life brings your way. Even if it feels overwhelming now, I believe you have the inner wisdom and capability to handle it all. My role is to help you clear the path so you can access that deep well of strength and wisdom within you!
With a background in yoga and mindfulness, I approach therapy through a compassionate, body-centered perspective. I honor the validity of all experiences and emotions. When you work with me, you will get the tools to develop a deeper relationship and acceptance of your inner experience. Through relating and accepting, our inner experience then feels safe enough to transform, leading you to live a more grounded and connected life.
Albina Terpetska
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Intern
Pronouns:She/Her
Populations: Children, Teens, Adults, Couples, Families
Modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused therapy (EFT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy (STST), attachment theory, and Mindfulness.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), I am passionate about building strong therapeutic relationships and nurturing deep, meaningful connections with my clients. I provide an accepting, welcoming, and safe environment where you can feel supported, listened to, and understood.
A trauma-informed approach is an important part of my practice. I conduct therapy with a thorough understanding of how trauma impacts both the mind and body, remaining sensitive to potential triggers and creating a safe, supportive space that helps the healing process.
As a trained NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) practitioner, I bring a holistic perspective to therapy, paying close attention to the language we use and its impact on our feelings, actions, and overall well-being. Along with other approaches, this method helps in understanding and transforming thought patterns and behaviors, cultivating more effective and meaningful change. In addition, I use play therapy with children to help them express their feelings and experiences in a creative and developmentally appropriate way. This technique allows younger clients to communicate and work through their challenges in a supportive and engaging environment.
As a yoga practitioner, I also incorporate Mindfulness into my practice, honoring the body-mind connection. Whether you are seeking individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, or group sessions, I am here to collaborate with you toward meaningful and lasting change. I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions for adult clients, and in-person sessions for children. My practice is inclusive and respectful, and I find joy in working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Let’s begin this journey together toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Sarafina Landis
Intern
Pronouns: They/Them
Populations: Adolescents and Adults
Specialities: Depression, anxiety, grief, identity development, life transitions, trauma, spiritual guidance, LGBTQIA+, poly and kink, end-of-life
Modalities: Parts Theory/IFS, Person-Centered, AEDP, Attachment Theory, Somatics, Relational-Cultural
Are you feeling inhibited from accessing the fullest version of yourself, your belonging, your aliveness with the world? In our collective experience of trauma, and the profound complexities of being alive, we are not meant to forge our way through alone. As a therapist, I will companion you to traverse the deep terrain of yourself and your life, to rebuild and breakthrough to your innate wise, resilient, and loving nature.
We are not silos; we are an ecosystem, composed of many parts who interact. Some of our parts which control us most have formed in response to trauma. As a therapist, I bring the tools and a skillful container to usher the work of healing those patterns, and moving through life’s transformations and transitions. Only you – in the truest sense of you – know where the healing is, where the wound is, where the horizon is: I will collaborate and attune to the part of you that knows. We will work toward building more capacity, connectedness, and openness.
I bring an awareness of systemic oppression to my work, alongside attachment theory, parts theory / Internal Family Systems, AEDP, and a somatics-based, experiential, and humanistic approach with some psychodynamic emphasis.
I specialize in working with young adults and adults, grief and end-of-life, LGBTQIA+ issues, poly and kink community, identity development, spiritual exploration, trauma healing, and transitions. My academic training has a focus in trauma, and builds on my professional experience with death care and grief, eco-spiritual chaplaincy work, LGBTQ+ healthcare advocacy, and decolonial sexuality studies
ADAM PETERS
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING STUDENT INTERN
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS GLOBAL
Populations: 12-60, individuals, families, groups, teens, young adults
Specialties: Military, trauma, PTSD, Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling, and Divorce.
Modalities: Emotionally Focused, Psychodynamics, Solution Focused Therapy, Behaviour Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Sound Marital House Theory (The Gottman Method).
Everyone has a story, everyone’s story is unique and deserves to be heard. We all experience life differently. The ability we have internally to address the stressors in life can be developed and encouraged no matter what our preconceived ideas may be. You have the ability to make a change in your life, I am here to help guide you on your journey as you develop and perfect the skills you need to succeed.
I am a veteran and a parent and husband. I have a strong sense of service which I carry into all areas of my life and work. I will work with you to identify the problem and analyze the best response to the issue while keeping your goals and abilities in mind.
I tend to rely on emotionally focused therapy and family-based modalities, but I also utilize tools and techniques from multiple theories and I always expect to learn something new along the way. Let’s get together and start the process of self-discovery. With an open mind and a willingness to learn and make changes, anything is possible.
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you [choose to] react to it.”
~ Charles R. Swindoll
VIRGINIA WURTS
SUBSTANCE ADDICTION LICENSED COUNSELOR, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY STUDENT INTERN
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS GLOBAL
Population: Couples and families, children, teens and adolescents, seniors.
Specialties: Children & childhood trauma, attachment disorders, Grief and loss, family relationships, divorce adjustment, trauma, & abandonment & substance abuse issues.
Modalities: Client-Centered- Therapy- /Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, /Art & Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
Life can get messy at times. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities. Sometimes we can get stuck and need help sorting through the ups and downs of life.,No one is perfect, we all make mistakes and sometimes can lose our way. It helps to know that there are others that care. Within this process of care, I am committed to helping my clients through client-centered collaboration,empathy, and respect. Through individual or family therapy, my focus is to help clients reach their goals.No matter what stage of life we are in,childhood, adolescence, adulthood, or senior,conflicts can occur.Therapy is not a one size fits all. Each client and case is unique and deserves focused and skilled attention. I focus on solution-based therapy, but will alter my approach as needed for each individual.We all have a story to tell. Each of us is the author of our own story. With that, we can also change our story. Sometimes we need help learning how to change our negative thinking patterns to a more positive narrative and direction. My background includes working as a teacher and a school counselor. After a 25 year career, I returned to school to become a Family and Marriage Therapist. In addition to working with adults and children through individual and family therapy, I am a licensed substance and addiction counselor.I married my best friend 53 years ago, until his recent passing. We have 3 adult children and three grandchildren. The Pacific Northwest has been my home for most of my adult life. As an intern, I feel fortunate to be a part of the Ignite Pathways team.As a therapist, with a teaching background, I often refer to the ABC’s. We all need: A) Acceptance, accountability and affirmation B) We all need to have a sense of belonging and a belief in ourselves and in others C) We all need community, connection, and collaboration.In my spare time I love learning something new,visiting with family and friends, beach time,and working in my yard. I think we’re very fortunate to live in the Pacific Northwest with its beautiful landscape, ocean, and mild seasons. I believe my background, life experience, and skill set have prepared me to help others in their personal life journey and path to wellness. I look forward to working with you through the Ignite Pathways team.
REBECCA JUSTICE
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN
BRADLEY UNIVERSITY
Pronouns: She/Her
Population: Everyone
Modalities: Gestalt/Person-Centered/Multicultural/Neurocounseling
As a counselor, I acknowledge the complexity of human experience and value collaborating to meet your individual needs by creating a safe space. I believe that you are the expert on your life and your experience. Counseling with me is directed by you and your needs. You may already know what you need from therapy or maybe you’re unsure and just want some guidance. I’m here to support you wherever you are on your journey.
Using experiential methods and techniques from gestalt and person-centered therapy, I focus on the therapeutic alliance to help you create effective change in your life. Gestalt techniques allow us to dig deeper into your experience and discover new ways to be present in your life. I also apply multicultural counseling to ensure you receive adequate care relevant to your lived experiences.
We may also use neurocounseling and neurotherapy to assess how trauma, disorders, and illnesses can affect the brain. I primarily use psychoeducation to help you understand the main factors that influence your brain development and how these changes in your brain are related to your behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.
LACEY MONSON
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN
CITY UNIVERSITY OF SEATTLE
Pronouns: She/they
Populations: Adults in general, but mainly focused on young adults and the LGBTQ+ population
Modalities: Psychodynamic, EFT, Gestalt, Person-centered
I offer a compassionate and non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. My approach to counseling is informed by a range of modalities, including psychodynamic, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), gestalt, and person-centered therapies.
Through psychodynamic therapy, I help clients gain insight into the unconscious thoughts and feelings that may be driving their behaviors and relationships. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) allows me to work with clients to identify and reorganize negative patterns in their relationships, fostering deeper connection and intimacy.
Gestalt therapy enables me to focus on the present moment, exploring how clients' thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations intersect to create their current experience. This approach helps individuals develop greater awareness and take responsibility for their choices and actions.
My person-centered approach emphasizes empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, creating a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their concerns and work towards personal growth. By integrating these modalities, I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs and goals of each client, supporting them in developing greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and fulfillment.
I am committed to providing a collaborative and empowering therapeutic experience, honoring the inherent worth and dignity of each individual. If you are seeking a supportive and non-judgmental space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, I invite you to contact me to schedule a session.
HALEY CAIN
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
Pronouns: She/Her
Population: Young Adults, Adults
Modalities: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Reality Therapy, Motivational Interviewing
Specialties and Areas of Interest: Life transitions and goal-setting, LGBTQIA+ identity and relationships, Self-esteem and personal empowerment, Healing from toxic relationships, Motivation and behavior change, Career and purpose exploration, Boundary Setting
Hello Friends—I’m Haley, a clinical intern here at Ignite and a proud Tacoma native. I live with my partner, our three cats (who think they run the house), and one very sassy dog. When I’m not in session, you can usually find me with coffee in hand and a to-do list that’s ambitiously optimistic.
Finding the right therapist for you can be hard, my style is all about authenticity, accountability, and tapping into your inner drive. I believe that each person already holds the power to change—and I’m here to help you access that. I’ll meet you with empathy, honesty, and a little tough love when it’s needed. We’ll celebrate the wins, challenge the stuck points, and work together to move you toward the life you want.
If you're ready to do the work, I’m here to walk beside you—with encouragement, strategy, and maybe a laugh or two. My goal is to create a space that feels supportive, grounded, and real—where you can explore your values, decisions, and goals without judgment, and feel empowered every step of the way.
CLAY BOBST
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN
ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY
Pronouns: They/Them, He/Him
Populations: Adolescents, Young Adults, and Adults, with a particular focus on LGBTQIA2S+ individuals
Modalities/Influences: Humanistic/Person Centered, Queer Theory, Liberation Ecopsychology, Narrative Therapy, Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Specialties/Areas of Interest: LGBTQIA2S+, gender identity and transition, kink and poly, coming out, religious trauma, spirituality, neurodivergence, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, climate anxiety
Hi, my name is Clay and I am a clinical mental health counseling student intern, attending Antioch University. I approach therapy and the therapeutic relationship with empathy, genuineness, curiosity, and when called for, a bit of humor. We humans are relational beings and our greatest capacity for healing and growth can be found in the community we build with one another. I haven’t been where you have been, but I am here to be present with your story and walk with you towards whatever future you are hoping to create. I welcome you in taking this first step on your journey. Wherever you are, wherever you are coming from, I am here to take the next steps alongside you.
I work with every individual to develop a therapeutic plan that meets your unique needs and goals, believing that you are the expert on your own life. We will journey together to explore what is necessary for you to create a fully embodied life of thriving. I believe that many of the challenges we face today are framed by the dominant culture as shortcomings within ourselves, when in reality systems of oppression keep us from accessing the resources and relationships that would allow us to thrive. To that end I work within a relational-cultural (RCT), liberation- based, and queer framework to address the systemic factors that impact well-being. My therapeutic approach is informed by Humanistic Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and liberation ecopsychology, and I have a particular interest in Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) modalities. I am kink- and poly-friendly and LGBTQIA2S+ affirming and specialize in working with adolescents and adults on issues related to gender and sexuality, neurodivergence, depression, anxiety, religious trauma, spirituality, grief and loss, and climate anxiety.
I am white, queer, and transmasculine and identify spiritually as an agnostic with paganist, animist, and mystical influences. I am an avid reader who is eternally curious about the world and our relationships to each other and the more-than-human. In my spare time you can usually find me out exploring with my partner and our three fur babies by car, foot, bike, or boat.
EMRIC PENNINGTON-DAVIS
CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER INTERN
BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
Pronouns: He/him/his
Populations: Children, Teens, Adults,
Specialties: 2SLGBTQIA+, identity development, neurodiversity, anxiety, depression, trauma
Modalities: CBT, DBT, ACT, Play therapy, Narrative therapy, Art therapy
Seeking therapy can be a difficult journey--especially when you've experienced harm in therapy in the past or when society tells you "it's all in your head". As such, I want to celebrate your bravery in making it this far already!
I believe that my role as a therapist is to stand beside you as you explore opportunities for growth and to collaborate with you as you draw up a map towards self-discovery & connection. Here there be dragons--and also a supportive space for healing!
I use narrative therapy in my work and understand that stories we tell ourselves–and are told by the systems we live within–have great power. I work with clients to explore the stories they tell and are told about their own lives, honoring them as the expert on their experiences. What stories are you ready to let go of? What new stories do you want to tell?
As someone who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as an adult, I work with clients to embrace and navigate neurodiverse experiences through exploring your unique strengths and creative avenues for empowerment. Instead of focusing on medical models that pathologize lived experiences, I instead work with clients to unearth joy, meaning and belonging within themselves and their relationships outside of the predescribed cisgender, heterosexual expectations.
I use art and play therapy in both my work with adults and children---I believe that processing our feelings, untangling past traumas, and learning new coping skills can be easier when we're speaking through a stuffed dragon, nerding out over our favorite characters, and drawing stick figures. As a queer, transgender man, supporting my clients in exploring gender and sexuality identity, unlearning toxic masculinity/fostering positive masculinity and developing healthy queer relationships are major tenants in my work.
I was born and raised in the tiny town of White Salmon, WA. I moved to the Tacoma area for undergrad and fell in love with Tacoma’s charm and its wonderful queer scene. I'm in my first year of the online Master’s of Social Work Program at Boise State University. In my free time, I enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons, learning new fiber crafts, and hanging out with their rambunctious rabbit Juno.
I'm available for in-person sessions with clients five years old and older and also offers online telehealth sessions. I look forward to collaborating with you on the journey forward!
STEPHEN SISSEL
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN
CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
Pronouns: He/him/his
Populations: Military, Couples/family, individual, Adolescent
Modalities: CBT, Solutions-Focused, Person-Centered, Mindfulness
As a counselor I believe in the journey to wellness. I believe in the power of mindfulness, I believe in pragmatic solutions, and I believe in our own abilities to heal from little hiccups as well as big hurts, this is a possible future for us. Through the counselor client connection, with a little education, and some understanding we can discover why we think and feel, the way we think and feel, and change how we think and feel. One tenant of the counseling profession is meeting a client where they are, for most of us were not at 100% when we decided to try therapy. I know I wasn't, it's refreshingly easy and is becoming a norm. Another tenant of the counseling profession is the counselor sharing their experience, strength and hope, I believe in both of these, and I believe in happier healthier futures.
Urie Brofenbrenner (1917-2005, Moscow Russia), famously said “Every child deserves at least one adult in their life that is irrationally crazy about them”. Urie may have been referring to children and parents/grandparents, however, every client deserves the same from their counselor, what Carl Rogers called ‘unconditional positive regard’. That is part of my role as a counselor. Another part of my role as a counselor is challenge, change and growth for the problem at hand.
Through my experience as a crisis counselor and first responder outside of Chicago Illinois, and as a residential counselor with a Washington State Mental Health Hospital, I am not squeamish talking through difficult subject material. As a father of three, husband, and veteran, I have lived through and survived much of life’s little experiences that bring us into a therapist’s office. Life can be fun and easy, life doesn't have to be an uphill battle. All of these experiences are all part of the human experience.