Robyn Hansen LMHC, CPT

PRESIDENT-ELECT

UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA

Robyn is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in University Place, Washington, where she works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and life transitions. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Puget Sound and is trained in EMDR therapy.

Her involvement with WMHCA began in 2021 as a graduate student, and she has since had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors and chairing the Membership Committee. Robyn is passionate about supporting the counseling profession and advancing access to quality mental health care throughout Washington. She values WMHCA’s commitment to advocacy, professional development, ethical practice, and building community among behavioral health professionals.

When she’s not counseling or volunteering with WMHCA, Robyn enjoys reading, meditating, tackling home improvement projects, spending time with family and friends, and taking walks with her Labrador. She is grateful for the mentors, colleagues, and fellow board members who have supported her journey and looks forward to continuing to serve the counseling profession and the communities of Washington.

Dr. Carolyn Russo LMHC

PAST-PRESIDENT

EDMONDS, WA

Dr. Russo holds a doctorate in Counselor Education from Seattle Pacific University and is a mental health counselor in private practice in the greater Seattle area. Her passion is in education and supervision of counselor's in training. She strives to provide access to quality care within the community by offering low fee services at her community training clinic. Dr. Russo is also a Clinical Training Director and faculty member at Northwestern University. She has taught master's level counselors in the area of ethics, theory, pathology and diagnosis and continues to do research in the area of supervision and training. Dr. Russo has presented at both local and national conferences on these topics. Dr. Russo believes involvement in counseling organizations is critical to the growth of the profession.

Meg Curtin Rey-Bear LMHC, NCC

TREASURER
FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR

SPOKANE, WA

As a therapist with 20 years of experience, Meg has extensive training and practice in complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and family dynamics. She is a Certified EMDR therapist. Meg works to help adults and families find pathways to healing and empowerment. Her work as a therapist focuses on identifying strengths and improving connections, understanding, and acceptance. This includes teaching new approaches and skills and empowering individuals and families to create and maintain the change they want to see. Meg works with older teens, adults, and families and offers extensive experience in helping people fully process complex trauma using CBT, EMDR, and somatic and mindfulness practices. She is a trained family therapist specializing in helping concerned family members reduce tension and foster healthy connections that motivate loved ones to seek the help and support they need. Meg offers clinical supervision and consultation for new therapists and those seeking support and consultation while they practice independently. She has over 10 years of experience working with interns and new therapists and is a State licensed Mental Health supervisor. Before starting Wellness Therapies, Meg was the program developer and the Clinical Director for the YWCA’s Alternatives to Domestic Violence mental health program. Her experience working on program development includes multiple years as a Research Assistant and Clinical Research Therapist on NIH, SAMSHA, and NIDA-funded clinical research grants for the Oregon Research Institute and the University of New Mexico.

Dennis McCarthy LMHC

SECRETARY
SEATTLE, WA

Dennis sees counseling as a way to help people step into their power and contribute to social change.  He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been in private practice since 2006 with a special focus in his practice on the LGBTQ+ Community.  Prior to his transition to counseling he worked in the nonprofit sector where his focus was on developing civic engagement strategies and community building working primarily with the environmental and LGBTQ+ communities.  Other past careers include work in the software industry and as a city planner.  He lives and practices in Seattle.

Dr. Jennifer Kennett MBA, LMHC

POLICY & PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY COMMITTEE CHAIR

REDMOND, WA

Jennifer is the owner of a successful private practice (Eastside Couples Therapy) serving couples since 2013. She has over 20 years’ experience as a therapist. She views the therapeutic relationship as central to effective change, and she draws on strengthsbased approaches, narrative theory, attachment-oriented perspectives, existential theory, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence in her clinical work. During her career, she has forged a reputation as a compassionate, caring, and collaborative counselor, helping clients achieve the connections, growth, and change they crave. In 2021, she began the doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision at Antioch University Seattle. She also offers clinical supervision, consultation, and private practice coaching services to mental health professionals. As an educator, she views learning as an intellectual playground; not the sterile, safety-conscious playgrounds we find today, but those of her childhood: the naturalistic, rural “explore-in-the-woods” kind of playground that allows for exploratory free play with an element of potential risk. She believes that learning starts from a place of curiosity; she wants learners to feel encouraged to explore ideas by engaging their prior knowledge and their lived intellectual and emotional experiences.

Heidi Ehrlich PhD Candidate, LMHC, NCC

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR

SPOKANE, WA

Heidi received a master's in community counseling from Gonzaga University in 2010, and she is currently in the dissertation phase of a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision through Capella University. In the past, Heidi worked in long-term residential care for adolescents and in public mental health. Heidi currently owns and operates a private practice in Spokane called Hope Haven Counseling, PLLC. In her practice, Heidi works with teens and adults with trauma, grief/loss, chronic stress, attachment wounds, suicide loss, life adjustments, burnout, depression, and/or anxiety. Heidi is certified in EMDR, grief education, and first responder counseling. Twice a month, Heidi offers a local support group called SOLOS for survivors of a loved one's suicide. In addition to counseling, Heidi teaches as an adjunct instructor at Gonzaga University.  Also, Heidi is passionate about suicide prevention work, especially with populations with disproportionate rates of suicide. Heidi is committed to servant leadership and relational advocacy with the goal of elevating the voices and needs of individuals and communities holding identities of oppression.

Ellie Lovde, LMHCA

MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH COMMITTEE CHAIR

Ellie Lovde is a licensed mental health counselor associate (LMHCA) at Save Point Behavioral Health, offering a special focus on the mental health needs of queer, neurodivergent geeks and gamers, integrating therapeutic gaming into practice. Ellie is a recent graduate of the Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) program at Antioch University in Seattle, with a certificate in Addiction Studies. Ellie received their undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University, with a bachelor’s in sociocultural anthropology and a minor in psychology. They have professional experience in a variety of healthcare roles, including five years in emergency medicine. Ellie is a member of the Omega Mu Gamma (OMG) Chapter of the Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Honor Society and involved in the mentorship program for graduate students. Their approach is integrative, holistic, and process focused, with a goal to empower clients through collaboration, reframing negative internalizations, and fostering self-congruence.

Lucinda Black

GRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH COMMITTEE VICE-CHAIR

Lucinda Black spent 23 years in 911 emergency communications, working as a call receiver, dispatcher, trainer, and supervisor before shifting into mental health counseling. That background shapes everything she does now. She is a Certified Peer Support Specialist and an MS Candidate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a trauma specialty at Walden University, currently transitioning into practicum and internship, where she will be incorporating EMDR into her clinical work. She also provides peer support in a behavioral health hospital setting and with first responders through Aspire365.

Lucinda created the FIRST Ecosystem™, a framework for understanding the cumulative occupational trauma carried by 911 telecommunicators, born out of not being able to find language for it anywhere else. That gap continues to drive her work, from clinical training to advocacy. As WMHCA's Graduate Student Representative and Vice Chair of the Engagement Committee, she brings a peer support and first responder lens to conversations that don't always have one.

Outside of work, she can usually be found with her two rescue dogs, exploring new places whenever travel calls, audiobook in her ears, and out in nature.

Bree Sutton LMHC

JUSTICE EQUITY DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CHAIR

SPOKANE, WA

Bree Sutton is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist in Washington state. Bree graduated with a Master's Degree in Clinical Counseling from Alliant International University in San Francisco, CA in 2013. She has experience working in a variety of treatment and academic settings in multiple states, and is happy to have established a private practice in Spokane, serving all of WA State. Bree works personally and professionally toward anti-racist thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors, in order to create a safe space for her clients and interrupt oppressive systems. Bree specializes in working with athletes as well as high-achieving women with anxiety. As a Certified HeartMath Practitioner, she is passionate about using mindfulness practices, biofeedback, and Brainspotting as her main modalities.

Raquel Sadler LMHC, LPC

JUSTICE EQUITY DIVERSITY & INCLUSION VICE CHAIR

Raquel Sadler is a highly skilled Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) providing specialized, compassionate therapy to adults and children across Texas, Washington, and Oregon. Driven by a client-centered, empathetic approach, Raquel creates a space where clients feel supported, affirmed, and empowered to grow. Her EMDR training enhances her ability to work with trauma, guiding clients through complex emotions and fostering resilience with evidence-based methods that drive lasting change.

Raquel holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Colorado Christian University, a CACREP-accredited program renowned for its rigorous standards, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Her dedication to excellence is further demonstrated by her National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC) designation, which reflects her commitment to advanced standards that exceed state requirements.

Beyond her clinical practice, Raquel is a dedicated advocate for her profession and her clients. As a Clinical Supervisor in Washington, she provides guidance and mentorship to associate counselors, supporting their growth as they work towards licensure. Raquel's leadership includes serving as the Washington State Liaison for the Texas Sandtray Association, where she previously held the position of President. She actively contributes to the Washington Mental Health Counseling Association, serving on the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) and Policy & Professional Advocacy committees. Through these roles, she works to promote accessibility, inclusivity, and ethical standards in the field.

With a profound dedication to both her clients and her profession, Raquel brings warmth, expertise, and a commitment to advocacy and education to every aspect of her work. She is passionate about providing a safe, nurturing environment where clients feel empowered to explore, heal, and thrive on their personal journeys.

Casey Akerhielm LMHC

BOARD MEMBER

Casey is a licensed mental health counselor in WA state with a strong commitment to supporting individuals living with complex mental health conditions, including psychosis, OCD, ADHD, and trauma. With extensive clinical experience, Casey specializes in trauma-informed care and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD. In addition to individual counseling, Casey runs multiple group therapy sessions each week, focusing on helping people living with psychosis find stability and recovery.  

Casey is passionate about group therapy and has a particular focus on leading trainings for colleagues across all health professions on mental health, trauma-informed care, and patient rights. Casey’s dedication to serving underserved populations is also evident in their work with the LGBTQ community, with a focus on providing specialized care to transgender clients.  

As an active member of the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WMHCA), Casey has served on the Policy and Legislative Committee for nearly two years, advocating for equitable access to mental health care and supporting the integration of anti-racism and anti-ableism policies within the profession.  

 Casey’s goal is to further WMHCA’s mission of equity, diversity, and inclusion in mental health care and to ensure all individuals, regardless of background or identity, have access to high-quality, inclusive services.

Dr. Melissa Mace LICSW

BOARD MEMBER

SPOKANE, WA

Dr. Melissa Mace, based in Spokane, WA, is a dedicated social work professional, educator, and clinical leader specializing in trauma-focused care, behavioral therapy, and community engagement. With advanced degrees in social work and certifications as a Clinical Trauma Professional and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, she has been providing tailored interventions since 2017.

As the founder and Clinical Director of Discovery Counseling Group, Dr. Mace delivers innovative, culturally affirming support systems and treatment plans and fosters collaboration in care delivery. She also mentors aspiring social workers through her academic roles at Walla Walla University and Eastern Washington University, promoting evidence-based practices and professional development. In the last year, Dr. Mace excepted the opportunity to become the first Executive Director of the NAACP Spokane Branch. 

Throughout her career, Dr. Mace has advocated for those within the global majority, leading impactful initiatives in case management, program development, and community collaboration. She is committed to advancing mental health awareness, promoting diversity within the field, and empowering individuals on their personal growth and resilience journeys.

Dr. Amy Cummings-Garcia

BOARD MEMBER

I am a mental health professional, educator, and advocate with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, leadership, and community outreach. My work focuses on integrating justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into mental health care, ensuring that services are accessible, culturally responsive, and grounded in evidence-based practices. I am committed to dismantling systemic barriers to wellness and fostering inclusive teams that prioritize human dignity and community well-being.  

Much of my career has been dedicated to teaching in graduate counseling programs, ensuring that new professionals are trained in alignment with the CACREP model while integrating social justice and advocacy into their work. My experience spans inpatient and crisis settings, clinical assessment, and curriculum development. I also volunteer as the Co-Behavioral Health Lead for the Seattle King County Clinic and previously served as Washington State Ambassador for Autism. In my roles as Clinical and Training Director, I have built relationships statewide to expand access to free and low-cost care through telehealth, listening sessions, and community groups.  

As an advocate for marginalized and disenfranchised communities, I integrate anti-racism, anti-ableism, education, public policy, community building, and relational advocacy into my work. Throughout my career, I have led initiatives to create, implement, and consult on what it means to embrace a liberation model of counseling. I recognize my multilayered identities and the privileges they afford me, and I strive to use these privileges to amplify voices and drive systemic change.  

In this board position, I am committed to learning from WMHCA members while leveraging my platform to advocate for meaningful transformation. From addressing disparities in maternal care to championing paid internships for graduate students, I aim to align anti-racist rhetoric with tangible action. My experience across multiple universities includes participation in four CACREP accreditations, where I have helped embed anti-racism and social justice into curriculum development, learning outcomes, KPI assessments, and evaluation frameworks. Beyond academia, I have extended these initiatives to state law enforcement and inpatient hospital settings.  

As the Director of Clinical Training, I cultivate community partnerships that align with our university’s social justice mission, including collaborations with organizations like Project Access Northwest and outreach to Tribal communities. I am dedicated to ensuring that WMHCA continues to lead in promoting human dignity in mental health by embedding anti-racism into all aspects of the profession.

Toni Aswegan LMHC, NCC, ACS

BOARD MEMBER

Toni Aswegan is the founder and Executive Director of Riverbank Therapy, a group practice based in Seattle. Toni is a graduate of Virginia Tech. In her clinical work, Toni focuses on anxiety, depression, and PTSD, drawing on ACT, existential, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to help clients connect with a deeper sense of wholeness.

Toni also cares deeply about helping solo and group practice owners build sustainable, meaningful practices, believing psychologically safe workplaces are a form of advocacy in their own right. As a member of WMHCA's Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee, Toni is particularly interested in supporting insurance industry reform efforts that protect both clients and the clinicians who serve them.

Shannon Thompson LMHC, CMHS, NCC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Shannon is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and a child and adolescent mental health specialist (CMHS).  Shannon graduated from Argosy University with a Master's in Mental Health Counseling in 2006.  She spent many years in community mental health before opening a private practice in 2013.  Her career has primarily been focused on serving children, adolescents, and their families.  Shannon has been part of the WMCHA board since 2016.  She joined originally as a volunteer and was the workshop chair.  In 2018 she became the Education and Advocacy Director and more recently has been promoted to Executive Director of the WMHCA board.