A vast field of blooming lavender plants under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.

Meet Our Caring and Qualified Staff

Learn more about the staff at Valley Community Counseling. Our staff are certified in different areas and practices to help you, no matter what you're struggling with. If you're interested in joining the Valley Community Counseling team, please visit our employment page.

Administrative Staff

A smiling woman with glasses, wearing a black and white striped top, sitting in an office chair in front of a beige wall with a black and white cityscape picture hanging on it.

Carla DeJong - Administrator

Carla DeJong is an administrator and co-owner of Valley Community Counseling. Carla has been at VCC for over 15 years! In her free time Carla enjoys camping, watching sports, baking, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Marcia Young - Office Administrator

Marcia Young is our office administrator at Valley Community Counseling, taking on many roles and responsibilities. Marcia is in charge of billing insurance, among countless other vital tasks! Marcia enjoys spending time with family, crafting, reading, and a variety of outdoor activities.

A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing glasses and a blue patterned blouse, smiling while standing against a plain beige wall.

Carlene Scott - Office Assistant

Carlene Scott handles our clinical wait-list and scheduling. She enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, and grand kids. Carlene also enjoys taking care of her animals.

Counselors

A smiling woman with blonde wavy hair wearing a brown knit beanie, pink hoodie, and white quilted vest outdoors on a foggy day, with leafless trees and a wooden fence in the background.

Kelsie Robinson LCPC

Kelsie Robinson, LCPC, is the co-owner of Valley Community Counseling and has over 20 years of experience in the counseling field. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education and worked in the school system for 6 years teaching and coaching before pursuing her counseling degree from Northwest Nazarene University. She enjoys working with clients of all ages dealing with a wide array of issues. She has extensive experience in trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and family and school issues. She enjoys spending time with family, hiking, camping and helping out with their family ranch.

Smiling woman with long wavy dark hair standing outdoors in a park or garden area.

Jacqueline Cardinet LMSW

Jacqueline Cardinet LMSW, earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Boise State University. She enjoys spending time with family, kayaking, and playing with her four paw child.

A smiling woman with short gray hair wearing a black Christmas sweater with red bird and holiday decorations, standing next to a festive decor with poinsettia and pine branches.

Christine Chugg LMSW

Christine Chugg LMSW, specializes in play therapy. Her hobbies include sewing, reading, quilting, painting, and photography.

A woman with short blonde hair, glasses, and a striped sweater kneeling next to a service dog in an office setting.

Karen Hall LPC

Karen Hall LPC, has spent 32 years working in education at various levels as teacher and school counselor. Karen has been an LPC for over 12 years. She enjoys working with a variety of clients, both young and old. Karen has a passion for helping others find their internal strength. She enjoys hiking, spending time with her family, traveling, and being with her dogs. Karen loves to cook for family and work crews on the family ranch.

A young woman with long dark hair smiling, wearing a red turtleneck sweater, sitting indoors with a brick wall and a lamp in the background.

Mary June Mano LPC

Mary June Mano LPC, has over 5 years of experience working as a BI in schools and in the community. She earned her M.S. in Marriage, Couples & Family Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University. She earned her B.S. in Psychology, B.A. in Communications, and a minor in International Studies from Idaho State University. Mary June was born and raised in Taiwan and enjoys meeting and helping people from all backgrounds. She loves game night, animals, hot springs, food, traveling, and her baby.

A woman with curly brown hair smiling at the camera, with a wall and some framed pictures and plants in the background.

Rachel Jolovich LCPC

Rachel Jolovich LCPC, earned her Bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University and taught first grade for 4 years. She has since earned her Master’s degree in counseling from Northwest Nazarene University, with an emphasis in trauma and play therapy. Rachel enjoys traveling, hiking and camping, reading, art, and spending time with her family.

A woman holding a small dog in her left arm and standing outside in a field of tall, yellow grass with a large dog on a leash by her side. The woman is smiling, wearing a denim jacket over a gray hoodie, and the background is filled with bare trees.

Christa Tackett LPC - Intern

Christa Tackett graduated with a Bachelors degree in Family Consumer Science and a Masters degree in Education. She has taught in Twin Falls for over 16 years. She enjoys working with kids. When Christa is not working she can be found with family, watching her kids play sports, and coaching

Case Manager

A woman with reddish-brown hair smiling in a home setting, with a table and various household items in the background.

Lisa McLinn

Lisa McLinn is a case manager and HI in a local school. Lisa has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from BSU. After years of working in the legal system, she decided to return to working with children. Lisa is a local and enjoys spending time with her son and family.

Developmental Disability Program

A smiling woman with long black hair and bangs, wearing a white top and a beaded necklace, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

Heather Barnes M.Ed. - DDA Director

Heather Barnes M.Ed., is the DDA director at Valley Community Counseling. She has spent most of her life studying Human Behavior, Psychology, Social Work, and Education. She has over 20 years’ experience working with children and adolescents. In her free time, she enjoys white water rafting with her family.

A woman with wavy brown hair smiling indoors near a computer monitor.

Heidi Mattson - DDA Administrative Assistant

Heidi started working at Valley Community Counseling in 2005. She previously worked at O’Leary Jr. High School for 8 years as a para educator, working with kids who needed a little extra help. Her love for helping others brought her to VCC. Heidi has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. She loves spending time with her “grand nuggets”, cooking, and crocheting. Heidi is married to the love of her life and the president of a motorcycle club, The Snake River Bros. They are active in raising money for local charities and families in need

Anita Arsenault

Anita Arsenault is a single mom and has always loved children. Anita has family members with ASD. This assists her in understanding the patients, timing, understanding, and care our children with special needs require. Anita loves to sew, bake, and garden. She proudly makes great jams and syrups.

Cassandra Cuellar

Cassandra Cuellar is continuing her education in Psychology with an emphasis on Child Advocacy. She is not only passionate about the work she does, but puts her all into making sure her clients knows they are heard and seen. She enjoys learning different interventions that best suit her clients learning style and meet their individual needs to support growth. In Cassandra’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, yoga, running, and reading.

A woman with long black hair, wearing colorful earrings and a denim jacket, smiling in front of a whiteboard with writing and drawings.

Tessa Guinn

Tessa Guinn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. She has worked with and supported clients with diverse learning, developmental, and physical needs, creating inclusive environments where every child can thrive. Tessa enjoys learning the specific ways in which each child expresses themselves. In her free time she enjoys being outside with her family.

Carson Hess

Carson Hess loves to be creative. He enjoys photography, painting, and graphic design. Carson has found a passion for working with kids while doing this job. He has his associates degree from CSI, and is working towards a BA in Secondary Education.

A smiling woman with curly brown hair, wearing a dark long-sleeve top, standing outdoors with a blurred background of greenery and a building.

Ashlynn Hicks

Ashlynn Hicks enjoys traveling, and reading. However, most of all she loves spending time with her family and all of her animals.

Taylor Hines

Jeffery "Taylor" Hines is currently a lead CBRS at Oregon Trail Elementary for the FAST program. He attained his Bachelor's degree in Family and Child Science from New Mexico State University. Taylor has worked with clients of all ages; dealing with substance abuse, gang intervention, school, community, and family issues. In his free time Taylor enjoys hiking, snowboarding, playing basketball, airbrushing, spray painting, and spending time with his family.

Taelar Kennison- Lively

My name is Taelar Lively has been working at Valley for over three years now. She is currently studying at Boise State University for her bachelors degree and loves working with our clients! Taelar has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is being family!

Young woman with long blonde wavy hair taking a selfie in an office or classroom setting, smiling at the camera.

Allie Lively

Allie Lively graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2020 and earned a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. Allie enjoys working with children and teens. She has a background of working with children with many different disabilities. Allie enjoys boating with her family and friends; she also enjoys going to the mountain in Pine.

Ginny Meredith

Ginny Meredith taught 1st grade for 10 years, and received her Masters in Education from Northwest Nazarene University in 2014. Ginny loves working with kids of all ages. She has a passion for helping children develop the love of learning and love of life. In her spare time, Ginny enjoys spending time with her family playing games, laughing, and having fun. Spending time outside and in the mountains is where Ginny loves to unplug and get rejuvenated.

A woman with long brown hair, glasses, and a multicolored gray, black, and white vest smiling outdoors with greenery and blurred buildings in the background.

Opal Oldfield RBT

"Bridging the gap between sensory challenges and daily success through patience, persistence, and heart."

Opal Oldfield’s journey into the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began in 2014 as a parent advocate following her son’s autism diagnosis. This personal experience ignited a passion for helping other families navigate similar paths, leading her to transition into a professional role in 2018. After three years of foundational work in Elko, Nevada, Opal moved to Twin Falls, where she have been a dedicated member of the Valley Community Counseling team for over four years.

Specializing in working with children focuses on: Social-Emotional Growth: Helping clients develop the tools to navigate social interactions with confidence. Daily Living Skills: Empowering children to achieve greater independence in their everyday routines. Sensory & Behavior Support: Utilizing a compassionate, sensory-informed approach to help manage maladaptive behaviors. Opal is a firm believer in the power of "small wins." Whether it is the weeks of patient encouragement required to help a child overcome sensory overload to try a new food, or the moment a client masters a task they once found impossible. Opal finds a "mountain of happiness" in every step forward. These incremental successes are the building blocks of a brighter, more independent future. Outside of the clinic, she finds balance in nature. Opal loves spending time in her garden and taking long walks with her children.

Carson Steffensen

Carson Steffensen grew up in Idaho Falls with his amazing parents and four crazy brothers. Carson's favorite hobby is going boating with his friends and family. He is currently in a Business Management program at CSI.

Parker Straubhaar

Parker Straubhaar is currently working at Valley Community Counseling and is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of Valley’s team. He is passionate about helping others and is currently attending school to become a Marriage and Family Counselor/Therapist. In his free time, Parker enjoys spending time outdoors. You can often find him camping, swimming, or traveling and exploring new places. Parker looks forward to continuing his education and making a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families through counseling..

Jennifer Struchen

Jennifer Struchen has 30 years of experience working with kids and holds an Associate's in Elementary Education and an Associate's in Mind-Body Psychology. She also has a background in the healing arts, which complements her work in behavioral health. Currently, Jennifer is enrolled at BSU studying Interdisciplinary Professional Studies. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her dog and finds joy in meditation and personal growth. Jennifer is passionate about partnering with families to help their kids thrive.

Field of orange poppies and wheat against a pale, overcast sky.

Jessica Thomas

Jessica Thomas is a mother of five children. She has been teaching preschool for the past five years and loves children. Jessica earned her Bachelors degree from BYU, where she majored in Therapeutic Recreation. She loves non-traditional forms of therapy. Jessica enjoys reading Historical fiction, riding her bike, and watching her kids play sports.

Katie Westfall

Katie Westfall has an associates degree in Early Childhood Education and her bachelors degree in Family and Human Services. Katie loves to hike and explore with her family. She also loves to play volleyball and pickleball. She loves to read, and can play the flute and the alto saxophone. Katie loves working with people of all ages and abilities. You can always find her where there’s yummy food and fun activities.

A field of tall green wheat with scattered red poppies and a pale sky in the background.

Shawn Wildman

Shawn Wildman likes to spend as much time as he can riding dirt bikes. He plays guitar in the CSI jazz and marching bands. Shawn has 20 years of experience with adults in DDA programs. These experiences are what led him to earn a degree in Social Work and why he chose to work at VCC.

Heidi Wineger

Heidi Winegar is originally from Oakdale California and has two siblings. She moved to Twin Falls when she was about twelve years old. Heidi is currently attending CSI and wanting to go into Dental Hygiene. She enjoys spending time with family and doing anything in the outdoors. Heidi loves going on side by side rides, camping and just seeing the world.