Holly Prze
Professional Counselor Associate
Hello, my name is Holly. I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology at Dallas Baptist University and a Master of Science in Professional Counseling emphasizing adolescent disorders at Grand Canyon University.
Supervised by: Erik Denton, MA, LPC, CADC I, ABA
Charlee Mattingly
Professional Counselor Associate
Hello! I’m Charlee Mattingly, I received my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Walden University in 2022. I attended undergraduate school at Southern New Hampshire University and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. For eight years, I have provided support to those with intellectual and developmental disorders. Through this line of work, I’ve gained an understanding of how genetics, pathology, environment, and medication can affect the individual’s cognition and behavior. It also underscores the importance of individualized treatment plans. Change requires vulnerability, while this can be intimidating, I’m gratified to collaboratively work with you as you reach your full potential.
Supervised by: Erik Denton, MA, LPC, CADC I, ABA
Joanne Mueller
Professional Counselor Associate
Joanne graduated with her Master’s degree from George Fox University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Prior to coming to Empowering Choices, she worked for Kairos NW in residential treatment with youth ages 17.5 to 24 years old assisting them with managing their mental health while developing independent living skills.
Supervised by: Erik Denton, MA, LPC, CADC I, ABA
Rebekah Kohl
Professional Counselor Associate
Rebekah received her Master’s in Counseling Degree from George Fox University. She approaches therapy from a Psychodynamic lens, seeking to help clients understand how past experiences impact them in the present. She also implements Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques which emphasizes acknowledging negative thoughts, emotions, and circumstances and committing to find ways through those experiences that are healthy, constructive, and align with one’s values. Her desire is to help clients develop empowerment and insight in order to foster growth and healing into their lives.
Supervised by: Erik Denton, MA, LPC, CADC I, ABA
Patty Quaye
Professional Counselor Associate
Welcome to the beginning of your journey to better self-awareness, growth, and understanding. Hello, my name is Patty Q. I received my master’s in counseling Degree from University of The Cumberlands. I am currently in school for my PhD in Counseling Supervision and Education at Saybrook University. My goal for you in counseling is for you to feel supported, safe, and inspired to learn, grow and become your best self. My areas of specialty include Substance use, trauma, parenting, anxiety, and depression.
Supervised by: Erik Denton, MA, LPC, CADC I, ABA
Christina Bass
Professional Counselor Associate
Christina is a United States Navy Veteran and holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Christina is empathetic, compassionate, and dedicated to empowering and mentoring clients through their journey by building a trusting therapeutic relationship within a safe, non-judgmental environment. Christina understands how one’s environment can impact an individual’s cognition and behavior. Christina’s foundation is Person-Centered and aspires to help clients be their true authentic self. Christina enjoys working with adolescents, young adults, adults, and Veterans within our community.
Supervised by: Erik Denton, MA, LPC, CADC I, ABA
Casey Jansen
M.ED., CADC II, Professional Counselor Associate
Casey received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University in 2023. She practices from a primarily Solution Focused background while including techniques from CBT, REBT, and Adlerian theory. She aims to bring honesty, authenticity, and reliability into each session. She has a specialty in working with addiction which includes adults, families, and children. She also primarily works with clients experiencing anxiety, adjustment concerns, depression, PTSD, and other related trauma diagnosis. She believes that all people have personal strengths and deserve to have a voice that can be listened to. She also believe that through healing, we can take control of our lives instead of feeling controlled by life. Casey is determined to foster a safe environment through empathetic understanding and a trusting therapeutic relationship.
Supervised by: Erik Denton, MA, LPC, CADC I, ABA
Eli Rademacher
Professional Counselor Associate
Michaela Chambers
Professional Counselor Associate
Michaela Chambers graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2020 and her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2024 from her alma mater, Corban University. She has experience working with a range of clients with differing backgrounds at the residential, intensive crisis, and outpatient levels. Michaela has treated a vast number of unique presentations at differing levels of need surrounding depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidality, self-injury, major life changes, issues of identity, and many more. She believes that a trusting and authentic therapeutic relationship is critical in obtaining effective healing. Michaela aims to aid her clients in solidifying their identity and purpose in life and to heal from what may be hindering this pursuit. Michaela practices from a blended counseling approach informed by person-centered, psychodynamic, and existential theories. One of Michaela’s passions is helping her clients transform from, and make meaning of, trauma and crisis as she aims to provide her clients with a safe and comforting space to do so.
Supervised by: Erik Denton, MA, LPC, CADC I, ABA
Erin Kingsley
Professional Counselor Associate
Erin Kingsley is a United States Air Force Veteran, and currently a graduate level intern enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Corban University. She received her undergraduate degree, a B.S. in Speech Communication with honors, from Oregon State University. Erin enjoys working with all demographics including children, parents, families, couples, individuals and veterans. Coming from a position of empathy and understanding, Erin works collaboratively with clients to help meet their individual goals. She is focused on clients feeling safe and heard each session within a supportive therapeutic relationship.
Supervised by: Erik Denton, MA, LPC, CADC I, ABA
Twenty-eight years ago, Erik began working in the social service world with children and teenagers who were struggling in life to find the balance between who they were and how they fit into the world around them in relationship to where they had already been in life. Over his career, he has continued to work with children, teenagers, and adults who suffer with diagnoses such as: bi polar, schizophrenia, PTSD, Autism, Aspersers, Borderline Personality Disorder, etc. In doing so, Erik has worked in classrooms, residential placements, and community proctor homes, and he has worked as a proctor parent. Over the course of his career he has worked with a variety of cultures such as: Native American, Latino, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, street, gang, etc.
As a founding member, Lucas has been with Empowering Choices since opening in 2014 and has been working full time for Empowering Choices since 2020. Lucas graduated with his Masters in Counseling from Corban University in 2013. Lucas has worked with the Corban University Free Mental Health Clinic, Albertina Kerr’s foster care program, Catholic Community Services foster care program, Shangri-La’s mental health residential housing program, and at the Oregon State Hospital.
Lucas Pitman
MA, LPC, Counselor
Lucas Pitman
MA, LPC Counselor
As a founding member, Lucas has been with Empowering Choices since opening in 2014 and has been working full time for Empowering Choices since 2020. Lucas graduated with his Masters in Counseling from Corban University in 2013. Lucas has worked with the Corban University Free Mental Health Clinic, Albertina Kerr’s foster care program, Catholic Community Services foster care program, Shangri-La’s mental health residential housing program, and at the Oregon State Hospital.
Janda Grigsby
MA, LPC
Melissa Lunde
LPC
Melissa brings with her a Master’s in Counseling degree from Northwestern University. She provides clinical mental health therapy for children and adults. Her areas of specialty include Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, behavioral disorders, individuals impacted by trauma, parenting, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and play therapy. Melissa assists clients in establishing a stronger sense of self-esteem and an ability to cope with life circumstances. She offers both traditional therapy and teletherapy.
I graduated from Portland State University in 2018 with a bachelor degree in social sciences and completed my master ‘s degree in clinical mental health counseling at George Fox University in 2022.
I aspire to offer a safe space for individuals to be vulnerable and their authentic selves by practicing empathy, compassion, and support. I believe that individuals can make transformative steps in their life when they are motivated to change and offered a healthy and supportive environment to open up in. My client focus is on women with sexual trauma, relationship issues, and intimacy and sexual struggles. I also work with adolescents 8-17 years old, young adults, and couples.
Bri Boyd
LPC
Siri Carlson
LPC
Siri graduated from Corban University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology: Family Studies, and completed her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Corban University in 2013. Her counseling modalities are based on person-centered therapy (PCT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalytic theory, solution-focused therapy, and strengths-based therapy. Past counseling experiences involved clinical work at Corban University Free Mental Health Clinic and Neurotherapy Systems LLC. Presently, Siri has been at Empowering Choices Counseling and Consultation since December 2021.
Twenty-eight years ago, Erik began working in the social service world with children and teenagers who were struggling in life to find the balance between who they were and how they fit into the world around them in relationship to where they had already been in life. Over his career, he has continued to work with children, teenagers, and adults who suffer with diagnoses such as: bi polar, schizophrenia, PTSD, Autism, Aspersers, Borderline Personality Disorder, etc. In doing so, Erik has worked in classrooms, residential placements, and community proctor homes, and he has worked as a proctor parent. Over the course of his career he has worked with a variety of cultures such as: Native American, Latino, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, street, gang, etc.
Amber Sirstad
MA, QMHP II, LPC Counselor
Amber received her B.S. in Psychology through Liberty University in 2013. She did her undergraduate internship with the Department of Human Services in Gresham, OR. Upon continuing her education , in 2016, she completed her MA in Counseling through Corban University in Salem, OR. Amber did her clinical internship at the Washington County Jail in Hillsboro, OR. Amber believes people have self-awareness, personal strength, truthfulness and can be personally resourceful in these capabilities to create change in their lives. She works toward the goal of creating an atmosphere of comfort for the client based on trust, understanding, and unconditional positive regard while remaining attentive.
Janet Pitman
Office Manager
Janet started her career in the late seventies and has worked in all different types of offices for most of that time. She started at the State of Oregon securing several promotions for the years she was employed there. She married in 1982 and moved to Southern California. There she worked for Vyline Corporation in Long Beach for the two years she lived there, advancing to office manager. She moved to Eugene in 1984 and worked for the office that supported 15 Wendy’s restaurants. She returned to Salem in 1988 she took a break from her career to raise two children.
Indy is our clinic service dog. He is a two-and-a-half year old, medium sized, Black Lab/German Shepard/Australian Shepard mix. He is full of energy, loves to greet people at the door, walk people out of the office, and shaking hands. Indy is a nationally certified service animal who aspires to move further in his training as a service dog, as well as, into agility training. As an energetic young dog, he loves to interact with people, go for walks, and play fetch. He has become a valuable member of our team.
Indy
Service Dog
Indy
Service Dog
Indy is our clinic service dog. He is a two-and-a-half year old, medium sized, Black Lab/German Shepard/Australian Shepard mix. He is full of energy, loves to greet people at the door, walk people out of the office, and shaking hands. Indy is a nationally certified service animal who aspires to move further in his training as a service dog, as well as, into agility training. As an energetic young dog, he loves to interact with people, go for walks, and play fetch. He has become a valuable member of our team.