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Tabitha is an LPC and has experience in play therapy, expressive arts, and sand tray, and  uses an eclectic approach. Using these approaches allow clients to access more silent parts of the brain.  

“Play is the work of childhood.” ~ Mr. Rogers

When working with adults and trauma survivors Tabitha works from the Internal Family Systems theory. This theory allows Tabitha and her client to work with the client’s inner child and their different parts to gain a better understanding on how the client interacts with their world. Her approach to counseling is motivated by respect, openness, and collaboration.  Tabitha is trained in EMDR, specializes in Sand Tray, and is working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist. 

 Matalynn is an LPC whose approach is primarily person-centered and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Matalynn is a Northwest Nazarene University graduate with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with emphases in play therapy and Acceptance and Mindfulness Informed Therapies (AMIT). Along with play therapy and AMIT, Matalynn also has experience in expressive arts and specializes in sand tray. Additionally, she previously worked in respite care, providing services to children on the autism spectrum and their families. Matalynn aims to work with clients to build strong therapeutic alliances unique to each individual. Her continuous goal is to make counseling a space of acceptance where clients can safely share their stories, be authentic, explore values, and increase mindfulness and self-compassion.   

 Deanna has lived in many different places. She was born in Colorado, lived in Idaho for a few years before spending most of her school life in California where she earned her Bachelors of Arts at Biola University. She returned to Colorado with her husband to attend Denver Seminary where she earned her master's in clinical and Mental Health degree. After that she had two beautiful children. While in Colorado she was able to work and intern with individuals coming out of domestic violent situations, as well as children who had to come out of difficult life situations to learn some better coping skills. She is excited for this opportunity to help out more in the community. For fun she likes to spend time with her family and explore the state she has not lived in in many years.

  Tom Leftwich is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in the state of Idaho. He graduated in October 2023 from University of Massachusetts Global with a Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. 

Tom fosters a therapeutic relationship built on trust and collaboration. Drawing from the principles of Carl Rogers' person-centered approach, Tom places a strong emphasis on authenticity, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. He believes that each individual has the capacity for growth and self-actualization, and he works collaboratively with clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Tom specializes in helping clients navigate a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. He employs a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, including mindfulness-based interventions, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and solution-focused therapy.

  Nicole see's clients of various backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, and religious beliefs. She provides a safe and nonjudgmental environment, so clients feel empowered to make their own decisions. Nicole uses an integrative approach to counseling, meaning she uses a variety of disciplines depending on client needs. She primarily uses a Person-Centered approach which believes that clients have the capacity for growth through self-exploration. Nicole is a trauma-informed therapist and believe that many symptoms that clients experience are the result of past trauma.  

Todd is a non-licensed Mental Health Counselor-in-Training currently enrolled in the Counseling program at Idaho State University in Meridian.  He offers a respectful, safe, and encouraging environment where individuals and couples can feel free to share openly and explore their concerns.  Todd’s goal as a counselor is to partner with clients to help them better understand their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and relational dynamics.  He believes that self-awareness gained through counseling can help clients find new ways to grow, deepen their relationships, and improve their well-being. 

 Amanda is counselor in training currently enrolled in Idaho State University's clinical mental health counseling master's program. Amanda was born and raised in Idaho and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho. She looks forward to working with a variety of clients from different backgrounds. Amanda's top priority is providing a non judgmental and inclusive counseling space for all clients. She believes fostering a collaborative and authentic client-counselor relationship is foundational to the counseling process.

 Emily is a counseling intern from Northwest Nazarene University. Emily enjoys seeing individuals and couples from a variety of ages, needs, and backgrounds. She feels the most important part of counseling is the relationship between the counselor and the client. She strives to create a warm, comfortable, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard and validated. Emily partners with her clients to help them meet their goals and believes each person has the capacity for change and growth. Emily tailors her treatment approach based on the client's needs and uses a variety of counseling techniques such as traditional talk therapy, art therapy, sand tray and EMDR. Emily's studies have focused on helping people work through grief and trauma. She also has professional and lived experience with the foster care system and adoption and would love to support anyone dealing with related challenges. 

  Alma is an Idaho native, and a recent College of Idaho graduate, with a B.A. in Psychology, and minors in Biology, Music, and Professional Foundations. She plans to attend grad school in the near future to become a Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in youth mental health. She can’t wait to see what the future holds while working for Family Counseling Services, as it has quickly become a great stepping stone in her journey. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, singing, shopping, and chasing exquisite Idaho sunsets.  

   Nicole is a Brigham Young University of Idaho graduate. Graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marriage and Family Studies, whith and emphasis on Early Childhood Development. A fun fact about Nicole is that she has performed professionally as a singer. Nicole is very passionate about helping those with special needs, as one of her children has Autism. Nicole is very excited to be apart of the FCS team so that she is able to help neurodivergent children one on one and learn more about how to provide the best services for them! 

   Aspen is an Idaho native who graduated with a bachelor’s in social work. In the near future, Aspen hopes to return to Boise State for graduate school. She is passionate about helping others and has found joy working with children. It is important to try new things and explore different options when working with clients because not all solutions fit everyone, and that is something she has enjoyed being able to do in past work environments and now here with FCS. In her free time, she enjoys being with family and friends, working out, and spending time with her dog, Oakley! 

 Amy graduated from Boise State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a minor in Data Science. She loves these fields of study, because she feels like they're where art, creativity and science intersect. Amy is still exploring her long-term career goals, but she really enjoys her current job as a BI Tech because she enjoys the variety and creativity in tasks, while getting to know the wonderful kids she works with over time. In her free time, Amy enjoys church activities, exploring coffee shops and restaurants, road trips, cooking, baking, singing, art,  animated shows and movies, and video games. She also enjoys spending time with her loved ones, including her dog, Hime (pronounced "He-May," which is Japanese for "Princess"). 

  Jennie enjoys helping people be their best selves. She is currently working on a master’s degree in counseling from Northwest Nazarene University and is looking forward to using her skills and talents to help others. As a behavioral technician specialist, she enjoys working with children and youth as they learn to overcome the challenges that keep them from succeeding in school and their lives.  Jennie loves spending time with her husband, children, and their significant others. In her free time she enjoys hiking, camping, yoga, paddleboarding, game nights, reading books, and watching movies. 

 Tava just moved to Idaho a few months ago from Arizona. Tava graduated with a B.A in psychology, and a minor in social work. She also graduated with a Master degree in psychology. Tava has always had a passion for working with children and FCS allows her to do that every day!  She would love to become a child psychologist one day! In her free time she enjoys exploring Idaho, spending time with family and friends, shopping, and being with her husband and two cats, Zona and Brew! 

  Genette (Geni) is originally from Idaho and recently moved back from Alaska. She graduated with a Bachelors in Behavioral Health with an Emphasis in Trauma from Grand Canyon University, with a future goal of returning to school to complete her masters degree. Her passion to see others succeed and build confidence in themselves to empower individuals to be all they dream to be. She believes working with clients it is important to see them as individuals and each needing to create their own unique set of skills as this is not a one size fits all dynamic. In her spare time she loves to bake, specifically gluten free, hike, camp, paddle board and hang out with friends and four kids.  

   Ishael was born and raised in Turkey and spent the majority of her life in the Middle East. After moving to Boise in the Summer of 2024, she is wanting to use her degree in Human Services from Columbia International University to help people struggling with their mental and emotional health. Passionate about showing love to the unlovable, she is dedicated to improving her skills in the field of mental health. Ishael is passionate about physical health, as she believes in the crucial role that our physical health plays in our mental health. Therefore she is a regular member of a CrossFit gym and is getting her certificate to be a Certified Personal Trainer. She believes in the importance of leading by example, therefore she will model a healthy life to her clients (mentally and physically) before encouraging them to pursue those goals 

    Shawnacee was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington before she moved to Idaho for school. She (is or will be, come May 2025) a graduate from Northwest Nazarene University where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Counseling, while playing basketball on the women’s team. Shawnacee plans to attend grad school to complete a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy program. She enjoys reading, hiking, working out, and cooking in her free time.