OFFERING IN-PERSON AND ONLINE COUNSELING
Jodi Anderst Keuhey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW # 32749) and is the founder and owner of Monarch Behavioral Health in Meridian, Idaho. Opened in 2013, Monarch Behavioral Health provides Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), as well as individual, couples, and family counseling as well. Jodi graduated from Idaho State University with her Bachelors of Social Work in 2000. She immediately went on to get her Masters of Social Work, and then graduated from Eastern Washington University. She has completed her two years post-masters clinical supervision, and is considered a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in her home state of Idaho (LSCW-32749). She is a certified PCIT Therapist and a PCIT Trainer, certified by the UC Davis CAARE Center in 2011. Jodi is the first to develop a PCIT program, and PCIT training program, in Idaho. She currently provides PCIT training and supervision at Monarch. In addition to PCIT, her therapeutic approach comes from a strengths-based perspective. Jodi utilizes cognitive behavioral and solution focused therapies, depending on the need of the individual or family (CURRENTLY NOT TAKING NEW CLIENTS).
Ashlee Seay is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC # 7531) and is the Clinical Director at MBH. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. Areas of work include: depression, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, crisis, relationship issues, boundary work, self-esteem/self-acceptance, life transitions, and general wellness. Ashlee works at providing an open, supportive, and safe environment, and has experience working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and belief systems. Ashlee supports the Wellness model and strives to understand individuals as a whole, not simply through the labeling of a diagnosis. Each person’s needs are unique and treatment approaches are tailored accordingly. Ashlee utilizes a variety of evidence-based approaches including: Parent Child Interaction Therapy, person centered, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, play therapy, art therapy, and mindfulness techniques. Ashlee is a certified PCIT Therapist certified by the UC Davis CAARE Center. (CURRENTLY NOT TAKING NEW CLIENTS)
Sarah has worked in healthcare for 18 years in the Treasure Valley. She was born in Montana but has lived in Boise since she was 4 years old. Aside from work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to the ocean and soaking up the sunshine.
Tara has previously worked 8 years in mental health as a referral specialist and administrative assistant. She is native to the beautiful state of Idaho. She enjoys spending time with her family and dogs. In her spare time she enjoys doing yard work, fishing and playing billiards.
Naomi Nelson is a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW-44056) within the state of Idaho. She graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work in 2022 and her Masters of Social Work in 2023, both from Boise State University. Naomi is passionate about and has experience working with children who have trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges, and more. Naomi works from multiple play therapy modalities including child centered play therapy, directive play, expressive arts, sand tray, and talk therapy. Naomi is also passionate about working with adults through other evidence based modalities such as person-centered, strengths-based, systems theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, and inner child healing work. Naomi places importance on creating a safe and non-judgmental space for every individual and looks forward to supporting them along their journey.
Gina is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC # 6755) in Idaho as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors. She received her Master's in Marriage and Family Counseling from Gonzaga University and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The College of Idaho. Gina is also a member of the American Counseling Association. She has training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1), Emotionally Focused Therapy, and is currently receiving training in Parent Child Interaction Therapy. She works specifically from a Systems Theory perspective in an effort to involve all family members and the various roles they play within the family system. Gina works with both kids (up to age 8) and adults. Gina additionally provides counseling to individuals, couples, and/or families experiencing a variety of issues ranging from depression and anxiety to sexuality, substance abuse, grief, trauma, relational issues, and has experience working with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
Jill is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC # 5949) in the States of Idaho and Ohio as well as a National Certified Counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Her areas of expertise include anxiety, parent/child interactions, grief and separation/divorce counseling. She loves working with children and their parents and individual adults.
Jill received her BA in Psychology from Kalamazoo College (Michigan) and a Master’s in Educational Psychology from SUNY at Buffalo. A few years later she attended the University Of Wisconsin and received a Master’s in Community Counseling. Jill favors a cognitive-behavioral approach. She holds an Advanced Certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Trauma Informed Treatment and has extensive training in play therapy. From a strengths-based perspective, she partners with you to identify patterns of behavior that are no longer working and helps you identify changes you want to make. Her passion is making the lives of children be the best they can be and showing people the strength they possess.
Having spent her whole life in the East and Midwest, she enjoys Idaho and all it offers.
Francieli Altamirano is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LCSW #42772) in the state of Idaho. She earned her Bachelor's in Social Work at Walla Walla University (2016) and completed her Master's in Social Work (2017) at the University of Michigan where she emphasized in Interpersonal Practice with Children and Youth. Francieli utilizes different techniques such as arts, crafts, music, and play to engage and empower her clients in therapy. Francieli is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Francieli is passionate about helping clients identify and use their strengths to bring about change. Francieli is bilingual in English and Spanish and enjoys working with children and families from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Outside of work, Francieli enjoys photography, practicing yoga, caring for her plant collection, and loving on her dog.
Mona is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC # 4191) holding licenses in both Idaho and Oregon. She is also a National Certified Counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors. She received her Masters in Human Services with a specialization in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University and her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Mona has training in NeuroCBT, Motivational Interviewing, DBT and EMDR. Her areas of expertise are Trauma, Anxiety and Depression.
Kate Bettencourt is a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW # 42277) within the state of Idaho. She graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work in 2017 and her Master of Social Work in 2022, both from Boise State University. Kate really enjoys working with children and their families. She hopes to increase her training and expertise in areas such as trauma, and attachment. Until then she enjoys modifying the therapeutic approach to best suit the needs and wants of the client. Kate utilizes a strengths-based perspective, and employs modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and solution focused. She has experience working with children with developmental disabilities and their families, as well as children who experience anxiety
Natalya Heisey, is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW # 42294) here in the state of Idaho. She earned her Bachelors of Social Work at Boise State University in 2017. After a few years working with her LSW, Natalya returned to Boise State to complete her Masters degree and graduated May 2022. Natalya has over fifteen years of experience working with both adults and children with various developmental disabilities but is most passionate about working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Natalya works within the modalities of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Parent Child Interacton Therapy (PCIT) as well as Solutions-Focused Therapy. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming space for all of her clients including the LGBTQIA+ community and is passionate about creating a safe space safe regardless of race, creed, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, body size, or class. In her spare time Natalya enjoys spending time with her dog and boyfriend, reading, traveling, and being bad at new hobbies.
Erin is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC # 3140) in Idaho. She is a member of both the American Counseling Association (ACA) and Idaho Counselor Association (ICA). Erin received a Master’s in counseling from Boise State University and her Bachelor’s in English with an emphasis in creative writing from Pacific Lutheran University. She worked as a school counselor for 18 years prior to joining the team at Monarch. In addition to working with children, Erin has experience working with adolescents, adults, and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is a strong believer in each person telling his/her story from a Client-Centered approach. Often we struggle to make ourselves heard, or even to find our voice. Counseling can assist with making that voice heard and empowering self-advocacy. It is hard work to travel the path toward healing, but a path client and clinician do together. Erin creates a safe, non-judgmental environment, communicating “I see you. I hear you.”
Molly is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC 9256). She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Boise State University. Then continued her education and earned Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Wyoming. Molly is passionate about helping individuals and her recent training offers her perspective on trauma-informed care, LGBTQIA+ populations, play therapy, and creative interventions. Molly uses a person-centered and multicultural approach to counseling. Molly enjoys working with clients of all ages and has experience working with clients with anxiety and depression, eating concerns, ADHD, family concerns, career choices, and general wellness.
Vicky is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW 40325). She was raised in Los Angeles, California, and moved to Boise, Idaho three years ago. Vicky has a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in social work. After working in the business for many years, Vicky wanted to pursue her passion in social work.
Vicky enjoys working with children, adolescents, the LGBTQ community, and adults. Vicky believes in working from a warm, empathetic approach to create a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can learn, grow, and achieve shared goals. Approaches used by Vicky might include play therapy, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, dialectical behavior techniques, Adlerian and narrative therapy. Vicky looks forward to working with her clients to help support them on their personal journeys..
Aimee is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist (#7699) in the state of Idaho and completed her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2014, with a focus on couples and families at Antioch University. Aimee’s prior career in business communications often provides a useful perspective for understanding a variety of issues that are presented in therapy and treatment.
Aimee works with individual teens and adults, couples and families and can help with issues including but not limited to communication, relationship distress, work stress and life balance, career transition and retirement, pre-marital counseling, low motivation or feeling stuck, family finances, family business, raising kids, adjusting to new life situations, and navigating issues related to blended, non-traditional and extended family.
Aimee’s treatment approach is oriented in family systems, which considers individuals in the context of their environment and social systems, including work, school, lifecycle stage, gender, ethnic background, and relationships. Aimee draws from her expertise with the Gottman method, neuroscience, differentiation and cognitive behavioral therapy in her approach to therapy.
In addition to her master’s level training and 9 years in practice, Aimee is actively training through the Couples Institute in California and the Doherty Institute in Minnesota,. (NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Stephanie Hamilton, LCPC, NCC
Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC # 9439) in Idaho as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors. She received her M.S. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University in 2017, with emphasis areas in Logotherapy, as well as Crisis, Trauma, & Grief Therapy. She enjoys working with teenagers, adults, perinatal clients, Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing population. Stephanie has advanced training in American Sign Language (ASL) with a minor in Deaf Studies from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN, where she received her B.S. degree in Biblical Studies with a concentration in Women’s Ministry. Christian counseling can be provided at the request of the client.
Stephanie’s counseling style is encouraging, non-judgmental, and based on the strengths of the client. She is very passionate about helping people find inner and interpersonal healing and overcoming any barriers to personal growth. Counseling theories include Cognitive Behavioral therapy, trauma/grief focused interventions, Logotherapy to help find meaning and purpose, positive psychology approaches, motivational interviewing, as well as mindfulness-based interventions. Stephanie specializes in helping people with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, perinatal concerns, complex trauma, grief/loss issues, relationship distress, and coping with life changes.
Paola Lamberti is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW # 32723) in the state of Idaho. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina in (1993) and completed her Master’s in Social Work (2015) at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. Paola utilizes a Strengths-based perspective, Person Centered, Multicultural and Solution focused approaches in her counseling. She works well with diverse populations and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Paola uses different technique such as arts, crafts, interactive therapy along with play therapy to engage, empower and work on skill building. She tailors her interventions based on client’s needs and goals for therapy by utilizing mindfulness-based interventions, motivational interviewing as well as cognitive behavioral therapy. Paola enjoys working with children, adolescents and adults that might be experiencing a variety of issues ranging from depression, anxiety, ADHD, family concerns, trauma, grief and loss, life transitions and changes, relational conflicts, and general wellness. Outside of work, Paola enjoys playing tennis, soccer, volleyball, reading and traveling.
Eric Summers, LPC
Eric is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-9762). He graduated from Brigham Young University-Provo with his BS in psychology and Grand Canyon University with his MS in mental health counseling with an emphasis on child and adolescent disorders. Eric works with kids (ages 3-12) and adolescents (13-18). He has had many experiences working with these age groups, including in school mental health, private practice, and other therapeutic settings. He excels in helping those with behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relational problems-including familial issues and struggles. Some counseling techniques and practices he uses are CBT, motivational interviewing, positive psychology, and general humanistic practices. Eric strives to see the good in his clients, making their progress and needs his priority. Eric loves learning new things about counseling and how he can improve to help the younger population succeed. He is energetic, positive, and motivational for those he works with and looks for forward to helping serve the youth of Treasure Valley.
Jillian is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW#43030). She enjoys working with children and adolescents. Areas of work include: depression, anxiety, self-esteem/self-acceptance, Developmental disorders, and LGTQBTIA+ Topics. Jillian believes in including the whole person in treatment, taking into account how their relationships and past experiences have shaped their world view. Jillian works from a Systems Theory and Adlerian Play Therapy/Integrative Play Therapy approach. Jillian utilizes a variety of evidenced-based approaches including directed and child-centered play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, theraplay techniques, expressive art, and talk therapy. CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
Aubrey is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW #43650) in the state of Idaho. Aubrey completed her Bachelors of Social Work in 2022 and Masters of Social Work in 2023, both from Boise State University. Aubrey is passionate about working with young children through the use of Play Therapy. Aubrey has experience counseling children who have Trauma, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, and Self-Esteem challenges. Aubrey is considered an Integrative Play Therapist as she uses a variety of evidence-based modalities to address each child’s unique needs. These modalities include child-centered play therapy, Theraplay, expressive art therapy, sand tray therapy, directive play therapy, and talk therapy. Aubrey enjoys working with clients and their families to educate, provide resources and be a support during the therapeutic process.
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
Melodie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho (LPC-5918) and received a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University with an emphasis in Grief, Trauma, and Crisis. Melodie practices from a systems theory perspective and uses a solution-focused approach based in cognitive-behavioral theory. She uses a variety of techniques based on the client's needs and goals for therapy such as mindfulness training, cognitive restructuring, and play therapy. She has completed Level 2 Training in Gottman Couples Therapy and is certified in Parent Child Interaction Therapy. Melodie works with families, couples, teens, and adults. She has worked with refugees and enjoys working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Her areas of practice include helping clients cope with issues of depression, PTSD, anxiety, life transitions, relational conflict, sexuality, LGBTQIA+ issues, spirituality, grief and loss, trauma, and crisis. Every client comes to counseling with their own unique strengths, which they can use to create solutions and make progress towards wellness. Melodie believes that counseling, although difficult, can help individuals, couples, and families reach their goals and move toward healthier relationships and habits.
Amy Ives is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC-9909) in the State of Idaho. Amy's work is characterized by her sense of humor, kindness, compassion, straight talk, and patience. She has worked in some of the hardest fields in Counseling (in trauma, grief counseling, depression, life transitions, cancer, addictions, and anxiety), with an ease, kindness, and humor that is helpful to clients. She is not a Counselor who you will be able to see without ever laughing or expressing yourself. She could care less if you cuss or wear sweatsuits, she wants you comfortable.
Amy believes in evidenced based techniques and a Biological-Psychological-Social-Spiritual approach to wellness. She tailors treatment to the situation and the client or clients. She believes in care that is holistic (whole person, whole couple, and whole family care) and works hard to empower clients. She enjoys her job and people.
Amy strives to create a therapeutic environment that enables clients to feel safe enough to disclose what they deem necessary and let go of pain. She respects client readiness and will willingly wait until you are ready and have developed enough trust. She doesn't believe in forced vulnerability or the client not having a say in their treatment. She thinks every client should be able to give their therapist feedback to assist in the direction of care.
Sandra Baeza Nunez is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC #10103). Sandra obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Idaho. She got her Master of Science in Counselor Education from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. Sandra also obtained an emphasis on grief, trauma, and crisis. She is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish. Sandra’s focus is on children 6 and older, adolescents, and adults. She uses a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, child-centered play therapy and sand tray therapy. Sandra is also a school counselor and has experience in college and career counseling. Sandra believes the counseling relationship should be based on mutual trust and respect.
Bianca is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her Master’s in School Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University in 2024, with an emphasis in Play Therapy. During internship she served clients in both clinical and school settings where she worked closely with the special education department to provide educational based counseling services to students in crisis as well as assisting students with career counseling. She enjoys working with both children and adults and utilizes therapeutic interventions from modalities such as solution focused therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy and sand tray. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, spending time with family and her three dogs.