Joanne Mueller
Clinical Counseling Trainee
Joanne is currently a Master’s student in George Fox University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She is scheduled to graduate from the program in May of 2023. Prior to coming to Empowering Choices to complete her internship, she worked for Kairos NW in residential treatment with youth ages 17.5 to 24 years old assisting them with managing their mental health and gaining independent living skills.
Christina Bass
Clinical Counseling Trainee
Christina is a graduate level intern, enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Walden University. She will graduate from the program in August 2023. She received her undergraduate degree, B.S. in Psychology, Family Studies from Corban University and during that time, worked with adolescents struggling with addiction. She is empathetic, compassionate, and dedicated to empowering and mentoring clients through their journey by building a trusting therapeutic relationship. Christina’s foundation is Person-Centered and aspires to help clients be their true authentic self. Christina enjoys working with adolescents, young adults, and adults.
Casey Jansen
Clinical Counseling Trainee
Casey received her B.S. in Psychology through Corban University in 2019 and is currently a Master’s student in Lamar University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She is scheduled to graduate in August 2023. Casey has a specialty in working with addiction which includes adults, families, and children. She also works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, Bipolar, and Borderline Personality Disorder. She believes that all people have personal strengths and deserve to have a voice that can be listened to. She is determined to foster a safe environment through empathetic understanding and a trusting therapeutic relationship.
Rebekah Stoltzfus
Clinical Counseling Trainee
Rebekah is a graduate level intern and currently in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at George Fox University. She is scheduled to graduate with her Masters in May of 2023. She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from George Fox University. Rebekah approaches therapy from 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.
Melissa Lunde
QMHP II, Professional Counselor Associate
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.
Supervised by: Erik Denton
Sharon Barth
QMHP II, Professional Counselor Associate
Sharon is a Master’s student in Walden University’s Clinical Mental Health Counselor program. She will graduate from the program in November 2021. She has her B.S. in biological anthropology. She has nineteen years of experience in emergency services as an EMT-B, dispatcher, and military police officer. This gave her experience in crisis intervention
Sharon wants to help children and adults who have suffered traumatic events and give them back their lives. She embraces existential theory, which looks at the “why” or one’s “purpose”. She is eager to learn EMDR, CBT, and DBT.
Sharon Barth
QMHP II, Professional Counselor Associate
Sharon is a Master’s student in Walden University’s Clinical Mental Health Counselor program. She will graduate from the program in November 2021. She has her B.S. in biological anthropology. She has nineteen years of experience in emergency services as an EMT-B, dispatcher, and military police officer. This gave her experience in crisis intervention
Sharon wants to help children and adults who have suffered traumatic events and give them back their lives. She embraces existential theory, which looks at the “why” or one’s “purpose”. She is eager to learn EMDR, CBT, and DBT.
Holly Prze
QMHP II, 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.
Holly Prze
QMHP II, 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.
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.
Supervised by: Erik Denton
Bri Botsch
QMHP II, Professional Counseling Associate
Bri Botsch
QMHP II, Professional Counseling Associate
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.
Supervised by: Erik Denton
Tim Engle
QMHP II, Professional Counseling Associate
Tim is a Master’s student in George Fox University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. He is set to graduate from the program in May of 2022. He has taken time to teach and live in Asia and Europe before beginning his Master’s program and has gained a wider cultural perspective as a result.
Tim is passionate about helping those dealing with anxiety and depression. He operates from a Person-Centered framework with a dash of Existentialism, firmly believing in the importance of unconditional positive regard and taking time to listen to the client and allow them to process feelings and thoughts. He is also excited to learn more about Strengths-Based therapy and Gestalt therapy and find ways of implementing them in his practice.
Supervised by: Erik Denton
Stacie Fish
QMHP II, Professional Counseling Associate
Hello! I’m Stacie Fish, a current student at George Fox University obtaining a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I attended Undergraduate school at Western Oregon University and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Minor in Business. With over eight years working in the mental health field, including the Oregon State Hospital, I recognize the fear associated with seeking mental health assistance and am humbled to be on this journey with you. I believe vulnerability is one of the most courageous and transformative steps an individual can take within the healing process. In counseling, I can offer you a safe space to be your most authentic, vulnerable self as we work together to uncover the path to healing. I acknowledge that you are the expert of your life and I will walk alongside you while helping provide useful tools to obtain your goals. …
Supervised by: Erik Denton
Charlee Mattingly
QMHP II. Professional Counseling Associate
Hello! I’m Charlee Mattingly, a master’s graduate student at Walden University participating in the clinical mental health counseling program. I attended undergraduate school at Southern New Hampshire University and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. For seven 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
Siri Carlson
QMHP II. Professional Counseling Associate
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.
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, QMHP II, LPC Counselor
Lucas Pitman
MA, QMHP II, 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.
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.
Janda Grigsby
MA, QMHP II, LPC
Janda earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Applied Psychology from the Oregon Institute of Technology in 2007. A year later she was hired at the Children’s Farm Home in Corvallis, Oregon as a Children and Adolescent Treatment Specialist (CATS). As a CATS staff, she worked with children and adolescents who were struggling with mental, emotional and behavioral problems. Her duties included: maintaining a safe living and working environment for clients and staff, teaching and modeling appropriate behavior, and acting as a listening ear for the clients, leading groups, administering medications and participating as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.
Jeramy DiSenso, MA., QMHP is a counselor and registered intern with the State of Oregon. Jeramy earned his Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Corban University. Before working for Empowering Choices Counseling, Jeramy worked at the Oregon State Hospital serving patients with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Jeramy’s client focus is with adults and couples struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, and relationship issues.
Jeramy DiSenso
MA, QMHP II, LPC Counselor
Jeramy DiSenso
MA, QMHP II, LPC Counselor
Jeramy DiSenso, MA., QMHP is a counselor and registered intern with the State of Oregon. Jeramy earned his Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Corban University. Before working for Empowering Choices Counseling, Jeramy worked at the Oregon State Hospital serving patients with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Jeramy’s client focus is with adults and couples struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, and relationship issues.
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 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.
Amber Sirstad
MA, QMHP II, LPC Counselor
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.