Chrisann became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in 1998, following completion of a Masters of Education in Social Agency Guidance and Counseling from Whitworth University in 1995. Chrisann spent twelve years working as a milieu staff and therapist in Spokane at an adolescent inpatient treatment center before returning to Dayton. She then spent two years working as a mental health therapist in Walla Walla before joining Blue Mountain Counseling in June of 2006 as a mental health therapist and crisis responder. Chrisann was a Designated Crisis Responder for fifteen years. Chrisann has been the clinical director at Blue Mountain Counseling since 2015.
Chrisann currently works with all populations; children, adults, and geriatric. Using evidenced based practices, Chrisann strives to help clients utilize their strengths and resources to accomplish the goals they set for themselves. Additionally, Chrisann is working on completing her requirements to become a Substance Use Disorder Professional.
Teresa Rae holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Walla Walla University in College Place, Washington. Her thesis research specialty addressed “rebuilding identity after loss.” Teresa has been a certified health coach since 2003, and has worked in the mental health field for the past 10 years. She has experience working with all ages to minimize symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep problems, chronic pain, transitions and adjustment, identity development, bipolar, and schizophrenia. Teresa is bilingual and can conduct therapy in Spanish. Teresa utilizes a multi-disciplinary, individualized approach, integrating person-centered, narrative, cognitive behavioral, emotion-focused and trauma healing treatments, to enable clients to break through barriers and grow into their best self. Teresa can help you take control of your life, strengthen your coping skills, and give you hope for a healthy future.
Dr. Luce has been with Blue Mountain Counseling since its start in 2004. He provides Medical Director oversight as well as Medication Management for Blue Mountain Counseling. Dr. Luce received his MD from Michigan State University, College of Medicine and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Luce retired from Family Medicine but is still very active in his community and provides services for other community partners. Dr. Luce and his wife, Mary, are big supporters of Dayton and actively volunteer in local community activities.
Dimita has been with Blue Mountain Counseling since it began business on October 1, 2004. Dimita started out as the Business Manager and was promoted to Director on January 19, 2010. Dimita graduated from Walla Walla Community College with AA in 1998 and graduated from Eastern Washington University with a BA degree in business in 2000. Dimita has worked in the behavioral healthcare field for 39 years.
Loretta is an administrative assistant with twenty-five plus years of experience working alongside executive teams. She graduated from Columbia Basin College with an Associate of Arts degree with emphasis in business in 2004. Loretta is inspired daily by her family. In her free time, she likes to fish for salmon, steelhead, and walleye, walk and spend as much time as possible with her grandchildren.
Monica received her bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Washington State University and her master’s degree in social work from Walla Walla University. Her experience includes working for a foster care agency and as a social service specialist that consisted of case managing two long-term care facilities. Monica is bilingual and has many years of experience working in a school setting with children and families. She is certified in Gottman Method Couples Therapy-Level 1 and utilizes evidence-based practices and techniques to help clients reach their goals. She provides her clients with an empathetic, holistic, strengths-based approach. Monica believes that every person is unique, therefore tailoring each approach to the client’s specific needs and goals. She is eager to work together on your journey and to remind you that you are not alone. Growth and healing bring with them hope and freedom.
Racheal has been with Blue Mountain Counseling since 2016. When she joined the team in 2016, she was the receptionist and about a year later she took the Administrative Assistant position. Over the years Racheal has learned the ins and outs of BMC and was appointed to the position of Business Manager in mid-2023. She is a 2004 graduate of Apollo College, earning her Medical Assistant Certification and has worked in the medical field including clinical and business since graduating.
Sherri holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Eastern Washington University in Spokane, a Bachelor’s Degree from WA State University in Human Development, and an AA degree in Liberal Arts from BMCC in Pendleton, OR. Sherri has been working in the mental health field for over twenty years between Walla Walla and Columbia Counties. Her work experience includes serving as a Social Service Director for two long term care facilities, 14 years between two community mental health agencies as a Rehabilitative Case Manager and Mental Health Case Worker, and over four years as a Family Services Shelter Manager at Christian Aid Center. Sherri’s passion for the field and empathy for her clients are rooted in her personal experience having a mom who lived with Schizophrenia. Sherri provides faith-based counseling, as well as evidenced based practices that include Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing in the treatment of anxiety, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and trauma related disorders such as PTSD. Sherri delivers a strength’s based and collaborative approach with a focus on whole person care and is currently facilitating a weekly trauma support group using the Cognitive Processing Therapy curriculum.
