Organizational Unit: Behavioral Health Providers

Arcelie Lopes, LICSW

I joined UCNW in 2023.

I have Master of Arts in Religious Education with Emphasis in Family life, and a Master of Social Work from Andrews University in Michigan. Prior to joining Unity Care, I worked as a therapist in a non- profit community mental health center in Colorado.

I love seeing my patients experience good health and happiness. It gives me great joy and satisfaction when I see them experiencing improvements in their behavioral and overall health. I enjoy helping people and providing them with skills and resources to address their daily life struggles. I teach my patients evidenced based skills and interventions to help them change behaviors they want to improve.

I like working together with a team who also love helping people live healthy. Working in a community center like Unity Care, provides me a great team support and resources I need to provide the best care for my patients.

Mary Burchard, LMHCA

I joined Unity Care in 2022.

I received my BA in Anthropology from Western Washington University, and my MS in Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College. I am a Certified Family Therapist from The Sky Center/New Mexico Suicide Intervention Project, and a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator. I’ve also been trained as a Professional Mediator with the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center.

I have an Emphasis in Somatic Therapy, and became a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Specialist through 6 years of working in Outdoor Behavioral Therapy.

I enjoy working in Community Health because it connects me to clients diverse as our community.

 

Julia Scherting, LMHC

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Recreation from Western Washington University, and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Washington University. I utilize a person-centered, trauma-informed approach while assisting patients in reaching their health goals.

Areas of interest include trauma, anxiety, body image/eating concerns, depression, grief, relationship concerns/attachment difficulties, finding meaning, LGBTQIA+ allied. I have a background as a recreational therapist and yoga instructor, which are integrated into my work as a counselor through modalities such as encouraging engagement in natural environments for healing and somatic approaches for addressing distress.

I find it fulfilling to be a part of an organization that utilizes an integrative approach which assists patients in strengthening different aspects of their health in a holistic way.

 

Mallory Hamilton, LMHC

I received my MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from Western Washington University.

I work with children, adolescents, couples, and adults – specializing in work with individuals who have a history of trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

My professional activities include volunteering with non-profits that support sheltered and unsheltered community members within Whatcom County. I also created a trauma-informed training for volunteers working with unsheltered individuals.

My interests include walking, cold water swimming, yoga, and dancing. I love working in community health because it integrates medical, behavioral, dental, case management, health goals and pharmaceutical needs under one roof. Supporting a human in autonomy and building trust in their support network creates long lasting effects. The hope is that the struggle decreases and the relief increases.

 

 

Chalice Bailey, LMFT

I started working at Unity Care in 2022. I have a BA in Psychology from Seattle University, and an MA in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University.

My approach is to bring forward the strengths of lived-experience, as we move through life’s challenges together. I draw on compassionate inquiry to uncover trauma and beliefs that undermine our best efforts in life.

I am a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, as well as the Washington Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

I appreciate Unity Care NW and their values, which are consistent with my own, in that we are here for and with each other – we are all family.

Pam Jacobs, PhD

I was the Chief Behavioral Health Officer at the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the NW (NARA) where I also served as the Adult Mental Health Director and as a clinical manager. I spent 15 years in private practice in Hillsboro, Oregon and had an adjunct faculty appointment at Pacific University’s Graduate School of Psychology, where I taught courses in basic clinical skills, advanced clinical skills, and the business of psychology. I received my bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, and my master’s and doctorate from The Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (now Palo Alto University) in Palo Alto, California. My interests include hiking and birdwatching, travel, and horseback riding.

Jeremy Rutherford, PhD

I am a licensed psychologist and received my PhD in Counseling Psychology from New Mexico State University. I received my Master of Science degree in Psychology-Clinical Emphasis from Eastern Washington University, and my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Gonzaga University.  Prior to starting at UCNW, I was the Coordinator of Behavioral Health Services at Cougar Health Services at WSU.

I like to work from a solution-focused, behavioral, and compassion-focused framework. I believe in the value of holistic treatment and value multiculturalism and diversity. I’m passionate about equitable mental and physical healthcare and believe healthcare is a right. ​

I love working together with my fellow community members, to improve their health and mental health.

Amanda Weis, LICSW

I started working at UCNW in June 2021.

I have an MA in Social Work from Eastern Washington University in Cheney.  I have several years’ experience as a therapist working with children and families, including roles at Lutheran Community Services in Spokane and at ​Lower Columbia Mental Health & ​Children’s Center ​in Vancouver, WA​.  I also worked at ​Strengthening Foundations Counseling Services in Vancouver, providing community and home-based therapeutic services for families referred from Children’s Administration and Juvenile Courts.

Working in Community Mental Health has been an opportunity to witness resiliency in action, and be a part of building hope in partnership with children and families.

Libby Michel, LMHC

I received my BA in Psychology from Western WA University, and my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University. I previously worked with youth and adults at Catholic Community Services, as a Co-occurring Substance Use Disorder Professional, and prior to that as a Substance Use Disorder Professional.

I enjoy working in community health because of the collaborative approach that goes in to each individual’s care.

Ashley Carter, LMHC

I find my work to be a privilege in partnering with those who seek to grow and further explore their lives.  I strive to provide a safe place for individuals to expand their health, resilience and well-being while identifying the change they desire in their lives.

I received a Bachelor’s of Psychology from Kent State University and Master’s of Counseling from Walden University.  I have 10 years of experience utilizing evidenced based practice in community behavioral health services in a variety of roles.

My favorite part about working in community health is being a part of a team that can create positive life changes that impact the greater whole.