Meet The Staff

Jodi Anderst Keuhey, LCSW/Owner

Jodi Anderst is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is the founder and owner of Monarch Behavioral Health in Meridian, Idaho. Opened in 2013, Monarch Behavioral Health primarily specializes in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), but also provides 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.

Ashlee Seay, LCPC

Ashlee Seay is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor 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.

Gina Sewell, LPC

Gina is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) 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.

Maria "Keny" Pereda-Torp, LPC

Ms. Torp has an extensive background in working with children and families and is an excellent fit for many of our families as she has worked with both minority populations, and the dominant culture. She is fluent in Spanish and English, and has organized and led parent-education classes in both languages. Ms. Torp received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and went on to receive her Master's. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Idaho, and a National certified counselor (NCC). Ms. Torp is a certified PCIT Therapist certified by the UC Davis CAARE Center.

Serena Poland, LCPC, RPT

Serena received her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Play Therapy Emphasis from Northwest Nazarene University. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT) through the Association of Play Therapy. Serena has completed EMDR Basic Training 1 & 2. She previously held certifications through Idaho Health and Welfare for Intensive Behavior Intervention and Habilitative Intervention to provide community based services for children with developmental disabilities. Serena is certified in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) by the UC Davis CAARE Center. Serena works with children, adolescents and adults. Her counseling approach is informed by cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and various play therapy techniques. She has experience working with children with special needs such as autism and their families. Serena focuses on creating a safe space and supportive relationship to empower individuals to accomplish their mental health and wellness goals

Katelyn Perry, LPC & CRC

Katelyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors. She received her Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Idaho and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Clothing, Textiles, and Design from the University of Idaho. Katelyn is also a member of the American Counseling Association, Idaho Counseling Association, and National Rehabilitation Association. She has training in cognitive behavioral therapy, parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), focused acceptance and commitment therapy, and uses a person-centered approach to her clients. Katelyn provides counseling services for all ages.

Jill Carroll, LPC

Jill is a Licensed Professional Counselor 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 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, LMSW

Francieli Altamirano is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Idaho. She earned her Bachelor's in Social Work at Walla Walla University and her Master's in Social Work at the University of Michigan where she emphasized in Interpersonal Practice with Children and Youth. Francieli worked as a case manager for children and youth in foster care, where she utilized a strengths-based approach to addressing barriers and building plans for families involved in the child welfare system. Francieli is bilingual in English and Spanish and is passionate about working with children and families from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Francieli utilizes a person-centered approach and tailors her therapeutic modality to the individual's needs. She enjoys utilizing child centered play, art therapy, mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

Ali Thompson, LMSW

Ali is a Licensed Master Social Worker within the State of Idaho (39123) and received her Master’s in Social Work at Northwest Nazarene University.

Ali was born and raised in Boise and was recruited to play Division I women’s golf at Washington State University on a fully-funded scholarship.

While playing at one of the most competitive divisions in the country, her passion for psychology grew while studying human development and being trained by renowned sports psychologists.

After a ski accident and cervical spine surgery, Ali transferred universities and continued playing golf for Grand Canyon University where she graduated with a Bachelors in Communications.

Instead of pursuing professional golf, Ali had a significant desire to work with people who have undergone various types of trauma.

Ali uses a strength-based approach to empower her clients. She has experience with both adolescents and adults with substance use disorders, persistent mental disorders, depression and anxiety. She primarily works with individuals who have a history of childhood abuse and those who have experienced domestic violence. Ali primarily specializes in suicide/crisis interventions, relational boundaries, utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). See more about EMDR in the "services" tab, including an article written by Ali.

Sheila Blewett-Shaw, LPC

Sheila is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Idaho. She holds a master’s degree from Northwest Nazarene University in Clinical Counseling with an emphasis in grief, crisis, and trauma.

Her areas of expertise include grief/loss, crisis, anxiety, and depression. She counsels with a solution focused and meaning centered approach. She is passionate about partnering with her clients to help individuals find meaning and purpose in both the good and bad.

Sheila has many years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, and families. Previous to Sheila’s experience as a counselor, she was a teacher for middle school and high school students. This experience is what fueled her passion to help adolescents and parents navigate this developmental stage of life for teenagers and young adults.

Sheila enjoys time with her baby boy and family. She loves to hike, bike, do yoga, and enjoy the beautiful Idaho outdoors when she is not working.

Jamie Connolly, LCSW

Jamie is a licensed clinical social worker who has recently moved to the area from Reno, Nevada. Jamie pursued her Bachelors of Science in Community Health Science at the University of Nevada, Reno. She then worked as a children’s mental health case manager for five years before pursuing her Masters of Social Work through Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts. Jamie has three years therapy experience under her belt working with children aged 3-18. She has an affinity for working with children 3-8 in utilizing non-directive play therapy. Jamie also has two years’ experience as a development specialist working with children 0-3 years of age. She has a true passion for working with children and has coached many different sports from cheerleading, to swimming, and snow skiing. Jamie would say that seeing children heal, grow, and develop is truly the highlight of her career. In her spare time, you will find her outside trail running, mountain biking, swimming, and snow skiing.

Allison Power, LPC

Allison is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Idaho and is currently receiving training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. She holds a master’s degree from Northwest Nazarene University in Clinical Counseling with an emphasis in grief, crisis, and trauma.

She loves working with children, adolescents, families, and perinatal clients. Her areas of expertise include parent/child interactions, grief/loss, crisis, anxiety, and depression. She counsels with a strengths-based, holistic, and systems approach. She has training in various play-therapy techniques and parent coaching.

She has a genuine passion for working with youth and their families and has over 10 years of experience coaching competitive figure skating. Allison grew up as a competitive figure skater and recently moved from Boston where she competed on a professional skating team for 3 years. As a figure skating coach and retired professional figure skater, Allison strives to support clients to draw from their inner strength and wisdom to help foster positive change in their lives.

Melissa Wilkes, LPC

Melissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-7707) in Idaho. She graduated from Northwest Nazarene University in 2020 with a Masters in Clinical Counseling with an emphasis on grief and trauma.

She enjoys working with all age groups and has worked closely with adolescents over the last few years. She spent 3 years working in the school system as a career and school counselor with a small private practice on the side. She loves working closely with her clients to achieve their goals and celebrating each step of the journey. Melissa uses a variety of therapies including solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, and person-centered.

Melissa loves spending time outdoors. Paddle boarding and hiking are a huge part of her self-care routine. She is also part of a local adult dance company. She also loves spending any chance with her family.

Sarah Cline, Office Manager

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.

Naomi Funston, Administrative Assistant

Naomi has worked in an administrative setting for almost 2 years and joined Monarch in February of 2020. She is currently enrolled in the School of Social Work at Boise State and has enjoyed getting to know the clients and clinicians as she learns more about social work while employed with us. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, taking her puppy on hikes around the treasure valley, and traveling! She looks forward to being the friendly face at the front desk when you visit us here at Monarch.