Desert Counseling & Recovery Services, PLLC
Maria A. McKivergan LPC, LPCC, NCC
Maria A. McKivergan LPC, LPCC, NCC
Maria A. McKivergan LPC, LPCC, NCC
Maria is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working with children, couples, and adult populations. She received a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. Maria has experience working with populations ranging from those with severe mental illness to addictions, mood and thought disorders, trauma, depression, grief and loss, post traumatic stress, anger, developmental disabilities, and anxiety disorders. She provides treatment for individuals in both English and Spanish speaking capacities. Maria has been providing treatment in Yuma for over 14 years.
Maria has experience working in inpatient psychiatric hospitals as well as outpatient treatment centers. Her professional experiences include research and fellowships with Boston Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge MA, University of Massachusetts and collaborations with Harvard and Tufts University. She has been published several times in peer reviewed journals with regards to psychological research . Maria has over 4 years of teaching experience in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Phoenix, Southern Arizona Campus.
Maria is also licensed in the state of California and is able to provide tele-therapy services for California based clients.
Brenda H. Gomez M.A., LPC
Maria A. McKivergan LPC, LPCC, NCC
Maria A. McKivergan LPC, LPCC, NCC
Brenda is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned her Masters in Community Counseling from Northern Arizona University. Brenda has over 15 years of experience providing clinically-sound therapeutic services to a variety of populations not limited to but including individuals suffering with substance use struggles, sexual and/or physical abuse, anxiety, depression, current or past traumas, behavioral concerns, adjustment, changes of life, self-compassion and relationship concerns.
Brenda began her career in child and family therapy, and specialized in adoption and foster parenting. Brenda works with children, adolescents, young adults, and parents to identify and alleviate root causes associated with social, emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges in various stages of development. Brenda has experience and training in addressing a wide range of family concerns including attachment/bond, childhood emotional problems, childhood behavioral problems, separation and divorce, school avoidance/phobia, conduct disorders, parenting techniques, infertility and foster parent support.
Jesus Vazquez M.A., LPC
M. Isabel Valtierra M.A., LPC NCC
M. Isabel Valtierra M.A., LPC NCC
JESUS IS NOT ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS AT THIS TIME.
Jesus is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 11 years of experience and has a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling obtained through Northern Arizona University in 2012. As of September of 2016 he became independently licensed through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and in November of 2016 he became qualified to provide clinical supervision to associate level clinicians wishing to seek independent licensure. He is able to provide therapy services in English and Spanish.
His experience began with working with toddlers as a pre-school instructor from 2006 to 2009. From 2009 to 2012 he worked at a local non-profit group home for children ages 3 to 18, providing services that ranged from providing the daily care of children housed at the group home to individual, family and group therapy. Therapy services were provided in out-patient and in-patient settings. He has experience working with behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, family reunification and other issues related to loss and trauma.
M. Isabel Valtierra M.A., LPC NCC
M. Isabel Valtierra M.A., LPC NCC
M. Isabel Valtierra M.A., LPC NCC
Isabel is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience working in behavioral, mental and social services. Isabel worked providing group services to a non- profit organization that assisted field workers of South Yuma County with chronic illness. Isabel has experience in providing individual, group and family therapy services to address a variety of issues, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, anger management, child behavioral problems, and parenting and relationship problems. Isabel obtained a Master’s of Arts degree in Community Counseling through Northern Arizona University in 2012.
Isabel also has experience working in corrections as a Psychology Associate, providing brief therapy services to low and high risk male patients as well as severely mentally ill individuals.
Neal McMann Ed.D., LPC
Evelyn C. Trone M.S.W., LCSW R.N.
Evelyn C. Trone M.S.W., LCSW R.N.
NEAL IS TELETHERAPY ONLY
Neal is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 25 years’ experience conducting individual, couples and family therapy. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Agency Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa and his Doctoral degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Texas A&M University. His clinical experience includes work as a Family Therapist in an inpatient adolescent psychiatric hospital, out-patient Director of Clinical Services for a community mental health agency and Clinical Counselor and Social Services Coordinator with the Marine Corps and the United States Army. His experience also includes many years of counseling services with Native Americans.
Neal’s clinical specialty and expertise include individual, couples and family therapy with emphasis on post traumatic stress therapy, structural and strategic family therapy, grief and loss work, stress management, depression, anger management, addiction, abuse issues, veterans issue and marital counseling.
Evelyn C. Trone M.S.W., LCSW R.N.
Evelyn C. Trone M.S.W., LCSW R.N.
Evelyn C. Trone M.S.W., LCSW R.N.
Evelyn is a Licensed Certified Social Worker with over 20 yrs experience in mental health care, health care, medical social work and mental health counseling. She received her Masters in Social Work from Arizona State University. She completed her nursing education from the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York. Evelyn has a broad base of experience in both inpatient, out patient and Veterans Administration community outpatient clinic settings. She has worked with a wide variety of populations including depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, grief and loss, couples therapy, post traumatic stress disorders, anger management, pain management, and serious mental illness.
Tawnya Swenson M.A., LPC
Tawnya Swenson M.A., LPC
Tawnya Swenson M.A., LPC
Tawnya is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working with adolescents, couples, and adult populations. She received a Masters in Counseling from the University of North Dakota. Tawnya has experience providing therapy services for a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-compassion, stress management, and trauma.
Tawnya works from a person centered perspective while using other empirically validated modules to guide therapy. Tawnya has clinical experience working in outpatient and inpatient settings. She has experience providing educational classes for the community.
Lisett Figueroa MS, LPC
Tawnya Swenson M.A., LPC
Tawnya Swenson M.A., LPC
Lisett is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has provided over 15 years of service to the Yuma community, in various capacities, within the social services field. She gained years of experience within the justice and judicial field prior to transitioning to adult education as an assistive technology instructor for the blind and visually impaired.
Lisett receive her Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She also has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology from Arizona State University.
Lisett has clinical experience facilitating outpatient therapeutic services in both English and Spanish. She has experience in providing individual and family therapy to children, adolescents and adults. Lisett also has experience working with individuals experiencing difficulties with thought, emotional, and behavioral processes; including depression, anxiety, adjustment, stress, anger, trauma and relational challenges. She also has experience as a co-facilitator to peer-support group for homeless and at-risk Veterans.
Aleksia Ramirez LMSW
Tawnya Swenson M.A., LPC
Aleksia Ramirez LMSW
Aleksia is a Yuma native and graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from Arizona State University. Aleksia is an associate-level clinician and is in the process of obtaining her clinical licensure with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Aleksia has experience working in a private therapeutic setting and has worked with adolescent and adult populations. Aleksia has worked with clients to address challenges of anxiety, depression, trauma, parental/relational conflict, self-exploration, and life transitions. Aleksia strives to provide a stress-free and welcoming environment for the clients. She desires to work with clients to discover their inner strength and potentials to overcome their barriers
Kimberley Kern LMSW
Angelica Rodriguez M.S.,LAC
Aleksia Ramirez LMSW
Kimberley is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has experience working with various issues including women’s health, maternal and postpartum health, substance abuse, ADHD, anxiety, depression and other related issues. Kimberley has experience providing behavioral health services in a variety of settings including the justice system, school social work and primary care.
She received her Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University in New York City. While at Fordham, Kimberley participated in several research projects focusing on post-traumatic stress and political issues amongst vulnerable populations. Kimberley is passionate about learning and opportunities for growth to continue improving mental health care in underserved communities like Yuma.
Reyna Bonilla M.S., LAC
Angelica Rodriguez M.S.,LAC
Angelica Rodriguez M.S.,LAC
Reyna is a Licensed Associate Counselor with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, from the University of Phoenix. She has been working in the mental health field for over 10 years. Reyna has experience in group work, supervision, chemical dependency, residential settings, Drug Court, Mental Health Court, in addition to extensive outpatient treatment experience. She has experience with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems.
Reyna incorporates an eclectic therapeutic approach that is person-centered, solution-focused, and strengths-based; this includes psychodynamic, conflict resolution, and cognitive behavioral techniques. Her genuineness, empathy, and warmth help to create a safe, nonjudgmental space, where clients feel accepted, respected, and can process and heal. She has experience working with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, addiction, relationship concerns, and other life experiences.
Angelica Rodriguez M.S.,LAC
Angelica Rodriguez M.S.,LAC
Angelica Rodriguez M.S.,LAC
Angelica is a Licensed Associate Counselor with a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She has experience in trauma-focused interventions for children, adolescents, and adults while employing trauma-informed care.
Angelica is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused CBT. She has further experience working with adults with autism, LGBTQ+, depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, stress/trauma, relationship distress, grief and loss, as well as ADHD. She leverages an eclectic therapeutic approach designed to suit each client’s needs. Angelica is devoted to having a safe and comfortable environment where clients feel valued and accepted.
Anthony Corona MS
Anthony Corona MS
Anthony Corona MS
Anthony is an intern currently working on his second master's degree in Professional Counseling with an emphasis in childhood and adolescents from Grand Canyon University. He has a master's in Psychology from Grand Canyon University. He has experience working with children adolescents, and young adults for over 10 years. He plans to take this experience into the counseling field and work with children and adolescents, as well as provide sessions with a variety of other populations. He has been presently working with couples and conducting DUI screenings, treatment and education groups here at Desert Counseling.
Margarita Torres
Anthony Corona MS
Anthony Corona MS
Margarita is an intern currently working on her Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She has experience working with migrant families, school aged children and young new parents. She has had the pleasure to facilitate educational classes to parents in attempt to better understand their role as primary educators for their children. Margarita is excited to put into practice her skills in the field and provide a safe and welcoming environment to her clients.
Kristaly Zamora
Anthony Corona MS
Kristaly Zamora
Kristaly is an intern working on her Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. She has experience working with low income families, child development, and behavior analysis. She also has experience leading educational trainings with parents in attempts to demonstrate techniques beneficial for their children on the spectrum. She plans to use her skills to provide sessions for a variety of populations.
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