Staff

South Lane Mental Health has nearly 50 employees, including psychiatric nurse practitioners, masters' level counselors, social workers, and mental health associates.

Tom Wheeler, Executive Director
Terry Mastin, Assistant Executive Director
Judy Kephart, Business Manager
Jody Rolnick, Development Coordinator
Tiffany Boonstoppel, Intake Scheduler
Sunny Baird, Medical Records
Evelyn Pruse, Receptionist
Robin Hampton, Receptionist
Laura Munchus, Billing
Loretta Smith, Billing
Lori Willis, Medical Records

Hannah Thomassen

Priscilla Ackerman, QMHA
Steve Barnes, QMHA
Lara Beaston, QMHA
Anna Carl, Intern, QMHA
Anthony Culver, QMHA
Glenn Dever, QMHA
Scott Eastburn, QMHA
Andrea Gifford, Intern, QMHA
Irie Hoffman, Intern, QMHA
Elizabeth Karkula, Intern, QMHA
Cynthia Pratt, QMHA
Toni Wheeler, QMHA

Debra Achenbach, PMHNP
Deb Blackstone, MA, LPC, QMHP
Andrew Buck, MA, QMHP
Tom Favreau, MA, QMHP
Dan Field, MSW, QMHP
Joan Hahm, MSW, QMHP
Michael Harris, Ph.D., M.Div., QMHP
Becca Henry, PMHNP
Daisy Hurst, MA, QMHP
Kathryn Kemp, MS, LCSW, QMHP
Jeff Koeppel, LCSW, QMHP
Elisabeth Lyman, MS, QMHP
Valeria Mainwald, MSW, CADC I, QMHP
Christine Menager, MSNP, QMHP
Cathryn Miles MA, QMHP
Craig Nielsen, QMHP

Marilyn Perry, MA, QMHP
Jacob Pleich, MA, QMHP
Betsy Pownall, MA, QMHP
Lisa Raney-English, MAE, QMHP
Helen Reilly, MEd, QMHP
Jill Robertson, MA, LPC, QMHP
Julie Rudolph, M.Ed., QMHP
Jeremy Russell, MA, QMHP
Deanna "Dee" Stepp, MS, QMHP
Jacque Tofflemire-DeGarmo, MS, CADC I, QMHP
Corinne Vostal, MS, QMHP
Linda Willow, LCSW, QMHP

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Tom Wheeler is South Lane Mental Health's Executive Director.

He has a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and more than 20 years of experience in mental health services in Lane County, including serving as the Director of Community Living programs at Laurel Hill Center in Eugene.

Tom serves on Lane County's Lane Care Executive and Operations Council and several committees of United Way's 100% Access Coalition. He has presented at conferences around the U.S. and published articles on permanent supported housing.

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Sara Frybarger is a University of Oregon graduate intern working at South Lane Mental Health.

She is working toward a Masters in Arts degree in education with an emphasis on couples and family therapy.

Sara specializes in counseling for couples, families, and step-families.

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Debra Achenbach, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, is South Lane Mental Health's clinical director.

A graduate of the University of Washington School of Nursing, her background includes working at Good Samaritan Hospital's Regional Mental Health Center in Corvallis and as a psychiatric nurse for Seattle-King County Jail Psychiatric Services for more than a decade. Previously she worked at the Veteran's Administration outpatient medical clinic in Eugene.

With a specialty in medication management, Debra coordinates and collaborates with area medical professionals on optimal outcomes for clients.

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Elizabeth Akers is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

She earned a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Northwest Christian College in Eugene and she is trained in Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) and Critical Incident Stress Management.

Elizabeth's specialty is treating women in transition and women whose lives and relationships are affected by past experiences such as trauma and abandonment.

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Daisy Hurst is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

Daisy has a master's degree in social work from Portland State University. Prior to joining the staff at South Lane Mental Health in 2007, Daisy was a crisis interventionist and support group facilitator for survivors of abuse and trauma.

In summer 2009, she became certified in providing Circle of Security therapy, an evidence-based practice that addresses parent-child attachment and relationships.

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Steve Barnes is a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) who has been working for South Lane Mental Health since 2000.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Oregon State University, and a K-12 teaching certificate from Western Oregon University.

In addition to working in maintenance for the agency, Steve provides fill-in assistance at Bohemia Residential Community. He also helps personal care assistants maintain their state certification.

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Jon Romans is a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) who works for South Lane Mental Health.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in social work from Humboldt State University with a minor in Native American studies.

In addition to his work for South Lane Mental Health, Jon is a crisis counselor at White Bird Clinic in Eugene. He is also vice president of Harmony Event Medicine, which provides free medical and mental health services at concerts and festivals throughout the United States.

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Deb Blackstone is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

She has a Master of Arts degree from Northwest Christian College in Eugene, is trained in Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), and has a post-graduate diploma in art therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute.

Deb specializes in counseling for children and adults; facilitating women's groups; and art, sand, and play therapy. Topics of interest include: abuse and trauma, chronic pain, domestic violence and mind-body-spirit.

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Elisabeth Lyman is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

She has a Master's of Science degree from the University of Oregon. She completed special training at the Center for Family Development in family therapy and couples at Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Elisabeth specializes in working with couples on their communication, and with children and families. She also provides art and play therapy and can help with issues resulting from eating disorders.

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Jeff Koeppel is a counselor, case manager, and supervisor at South Lane Mental Health.

He earned his master's degree in social work from the University of California at Berkeley. His background includes working in an inpatient mental health hospital, as a patient's rights advocate, and with clients during mid-life transitions.

Jeff specializes in working with adults, the severe and persistently mentally ill, and those who have experienced trauma.

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Christine Menager is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with 30 years of mental health experience.

She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree at University of California at Berkeley before getting her Master's of Science degree in psychiatric/mental health at University of California, San Francisco.

She worked in various psychiatric hospitals and outpatient mental health settings in France and in the U.S. before moving to Oregon. She has been working at South Lane Mental Health since 1994.

Christine takes a holistic approach to mental health and is willing to consider alternatives to conventional medications. Her philosophy is "the less, the better" when it comes to prescribing medication, but realizes that polypharmacology is necessary for some people to insure their safety and to improve their daily functioning.

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Cathryn Miles is a counselor and case manager for South Lane Mental Health.

Cathryn has a Master of Arts degree from Northwest Christian College. Before joining the staff at South Lane Mental Health, she worked as a victim's advocate, in crisis response, and with people with developmental disabilities.

Currently she provides general therapy to adults.

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Judy Kephart is South Lane Mental Health's Business Manager.

Judy has nearly two decades of expertise in finance, accounting, and medical billing after working for years at Cottage Grove Hospital.

In addition to overseeing the agency's business operations, she regularly counsels clients on financial matters.

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Kathryn Kemp is a counselor and case manager at South Lane Mental Health.

She has a master's degree in social work from the University of Utah. She also completed special training at the Process-Oriented Psychology Institute in Zurich, Switzerland.

Kathryn has worked as a mental health counselor in a variety of settings including in a hospital and for a hospice agency; in the foster care system; and in a domestic violence shelter. She has worked as a vocational rehab counselor; providing day treatment for the chronically mentally ill; and as a therapist in private practice.

Kathryn specializes in working with chronically mentally ill adults.

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Elizabeth "Betsy" Pownall is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

She earned a Master's of Arts degree in professional counseling from Northwest Christian College. She completed internships at both the Veteran's Affairs and the Northwest Christian College clinics in Eugene.

Betsy specializes in working with adolescents and young adults as well as with men and women on mid-life transition issues.

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Jill Robertson is a therapist and supervisor at South Lane Mental Health. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with a Master of Arts degree in art therapy counseling from Marylhurst University (1990) in Portland.

She has been working at South Lane Mental Health since January of 2007, specializing in art and play therapy with children. She also offers family therapy, marital therapy, and individual therapy for adults and adolescents. Previously, she has worked in community mental health and also in private practice. She has taught art therapy technique to graduate students and practicing therapists.

Jill works with the following issues related to families with children: child behavior, parent/child conflict, family relationships, divorce/changing families, blended families, foster families, pregnancy and adoption. She also works with children and adults who have issues related to trauma, incest/abuse, depression, grief/loss, and anxiety.

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Julie Rudolph is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

She earned her Master's in Counseling degree from the University of Oregon in 2000.

Julie works primarily with adults with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, transition, and relationship issues. Her specialty is working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens and adults.

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Marilyn Perry is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

She has a Master's of Arts degree in professional counseling from Gonzaga University in Spokane. As a Qualified Mental Health Professional, Marilyn worked in crisis intervention, child and family therapy, and parenting skills and education.

She specializes in counseling for adults and children; family systems; and with those experiencing trauma, anxiety and depression.

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Lisa Raney-English is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

She earned a Master's of Arts degree in education and counseling from Pacific University. She previously worked for the Center for Family Development, the Department of Youth Services, and in private practice. She is a Gottman educator for the “Bringing Baby Home” program.

Lisa specializes in relationships, couples, marriage and pre-marriage counseling; teens; and parenting.

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Helen Reilly is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

She has a Master's of Science degree in early intervention from the University of Oregon. She previously worked for the Family Relief Nursery with young children and families. She has special training in Circle of Security, therapy that addresses parent-child attachment and relationships.

In summer 2009, Helen became certified in providing Circle of Security therapy, an evidence-based practice that addresses parent-child attachment and relationships.

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Jacob Pleich is a counselor and case manager at South Lane Mental Health.

He has a Master of Arts degree in professional counseling from Northwest Christian College and a Bachelor of Science degree in history from the University of Oregon. He previously worked at the Center for Family Development and at the Northwest Christian College Counseling Center. He also has a background in construction and working in rural communities.

Jacob's specialty is working with adults, adolescent boys, and the severe and persistently mentally ill. He provides vocational and life skills training, communication skills training, and spirituality and values-based counseling.

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Deanna “Dee” Stepp is a case manager in supported housing services at South Lane Mental Health.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology, both from the University of Oregon.

Dee has spent the past 21 years working with people who have severe and persistent mental illness.

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Jody Rolnick is the development coordinator for South Lane Mental Health.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from the University of Oregon.

Jody is a grant writing consultant. She spent a little over a decade as a newspaper reporter at a variety of daily and weekly newspapers on the East Coast, and was most recently the publisher of the Cottage Grove Sentinel.

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Andrea Gifford has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon and is working as an intern at South Lane Mental Health while she earns a Masters in Social Work degree from Portland State University.

She has worked at The Child Center, The Family Relief Nursery, The Child & Family Center and Ophelia's Place.

Andrea is trained in attachment theory with traumatized children.

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Jacque Tofflemire-DeGarmo became a counselor at South Lane Mental Health in 2004.

She earned a Masters of Science degree in counseling from Oregon State University in 1997. She is a certified alcohol and drug counselor.

Jacque uses a client centered, eclectic approach. She sees children, adolescents, families and individual adults.

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Jeremy Russell is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

He has a Master of Arts degree in professional counseling from Northwest Christian College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and psychology from the University of Oregon.

Jeremy previously was a group worker at Lane County Juvenile Detention and a therapist intern at Children's Farm Home. He specializes in counseling children and adolescents

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Corinne Vostal is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

She earned a master's degree in behavioral consultation from the University of Oregon. She also received certification as a neurofeedback clinician from EEG Spectrum International. Corinne previously worked at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, at the CAFA Counseling Center in Eugene, and at the Center for Attention and Learning in Eugene.

Corinne specializes in neurofeedback and adult counseling.

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Linda Willow does counseling, psychotherapy and is developing the grief and bereavement program at South Lane Mental Health.

She received her Masters in Social Work degree from Arizona State University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in psychiatric hospital and mental health clinic settings.

Linda works with adults and teens on problems like depression or anxiety, and has training that allows her to work with clients who have substance abuse or compulsive eating issues in addition to emotional troubles.

Always down-to-earth, Linda does bereavement support groups, grief classes and sees individuals for grief counseling. She is also welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered clients.

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Becca Henry is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who joined South Lane Mental Health in November 2009.

She has Master’s of Science degree in Nursing and in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. She also did post-master degree work at the University of Maryland as a family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Becca has a rich background in mental health, having spent seven years on staff as a Registered Nurse on an in-patient child psychiatric unit at Hopkins; two and a half years as an outpatient child/adult practitioner with PeaceHealth; and more than two years serving residential sub-acute adult patients at the Heeran Center through Shelter Care in Eugene. Before that, Becca served in the Peace Corps in Morocco.

Becca believes in working on behavioral approaches in her specialties of supporting parents with their special needs children; and in patients dealing with anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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Since 1985 Terry Mastin has been working in community mental health, primarily with adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses. Terry has always served consumers through outreach and support services, with an emphasis on promoting independence and community integration.

Terry has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis and Clark College.

From 2005 to 2008 she coordinated the SOAR (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery) technical assistance project through the Oregon Department of Human Services Addictions and Mental Health Division and was able to define the practice of Supported Housing so that it could be included on the Oregon list of Evidence-Based Practices for mental health.

Terry has worked as an intensive case manager, counselor, clinical supervisor, and adult services coordinator. In the spring of 2009, Terry joined South Lane Mental Health as the Assistant Executive Director.

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Dr. Michael Harris is a counselor at South Lane Mental Health.

He earned a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University in Counseling Psychology; an M.S. from California State University-Hayward in Counseling Psychology; and an M.Div. from the Graduate Theological Union (Starr King School for the Ministry) with emphases on counseling and world religious traditions.

Michael provides client-centered, systemic, relational psychotherapy for adults, families, couples, children and groups.

Therapeutic issues of special interest include depression, anxiety, trauma, holistic stress management, spirituality and mindfulness, grief and loss, substance use and abuse/harms reduction, multicultural counseling, social justice, and existential quest.

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