Methodist Counseling Center 

Therapy for Children, Individuals, Couples & Families

Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) have either a master's or doctorate degree specializing in clinical counseling, school counseling or family and interpersonal dynamics. LCPCs and LPCs typically treat individuals and often have specialized training in a particular area of study such as trauma, addiction, school counseling, etc. LMFTs treat individuals in the context of family relationships or a system, addressing issues from anger and resentment to intimacy and communication skills.

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Bree Wells, LCPC

Clinical Counselor, office in north boise

Bree Wells is a Licensed Professional Counselor who obtained a B.S. in Health Science from Boise State University and a M.S. in Counseling from California State University Fullerton. She has almost five years of experience in the mental health field.

Bree’s areas of experience include Play Therapy, Trauma Recovery, Depression/Anxiety Management, Grief and Loss, Family Therapy, Couples Therapy, ADHD, and Chronic Health Issues/Disability.

Bree is specially trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and has worked extensively with children with Autism using play therapy. She is also trained in EMDR and specializes in trauma related to reproductive health. She has done research in the area of postpartum PTSD and utilizes her training to help women and their partners who are struggling with the effects of infertility, miscarriage, postpartum depression, and coping with congenital newborn health problems. She incorporates her knowledge of biological health with her understanding of psychology to help address clients’ needs holistically. 

Bree incorporates attachment theory, person-centered theory, Gestalt, and systems theories into her counseling technique. She is also experienced in working with clients who desire to incorporate spirituality in therapy. She believes that the counseling relationship is built on trust, genuineness, and understanding. Her desire is to help clients build upon their own resources, discover internal strengths, and develop more adaptive coping skills. Her style of counseling is non-directive and incorporates play therapy, expressive arts, sandtray, and EMDR whenever it fits the client’s needs.


Phone: 208-314-4877

Email:bwells@methodistcounseling.org

Janae Bekker, MS, LPC, NCC

clinical counselor, office in meridian, id

Janae Bekker is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She uses a non-directive, emotion-focused approach, and understands that individual struggles affect not only the individuals but also their relationships with family, friends, classmates, coworkers, and church members, to name a few. Janae also uses a psychodynamic perspective and believes that childhood experiences largely influence who we are today. From that perspective, especially if our childhood was traumatic, there may be parts of us “frozen in time” that need help understanding that survival tools we used as children may not be as useful today. Janae will provide new and more effective tools to help those parts be successful today. Per clients’ request, she will also incorporate spirituality in therapy. Janae is experienced in helping people with depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, communication issues, infidelity, and general life struggles.

Janae earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Phoenix and her Master of Science in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling with an emphasis in Grief, Trauma, and Crisis from Northwest Nazarene University. Janae is trained and certified in hypnotherapy and as a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator (a program that helps couples in all stages of their relationships). She is a member of the Idaho Counseling Association, Idaho Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, and the American Counseling Association.

Email: jbekker@methodistcounseling.org
Phone: 208-314-4871 

Valery Dickinson,  MS, LPC, CCHT

clinical counselor,  office in north boise

Valery received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Liberty University in Virginia and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in Minnesota. She obtained her certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy from the Academy of America in New Mexico and is also certified in Choice Theory and is trained in Emotional Focused Therapy, as well as EMDR.

Valery takes an eclectic approach to therapy, which means she uses a variety of techniques and strategies. She believes every client is exclusive, and therefore, each case requires an exclusive approach. She is skilled in cognitive restructuring and in resolving emotional disturbances that could be deep from childhood.

Her focus is on developing a positive self-image, building healthy self-esteem, recognizing one's potential, and reaching reconciliation with the self and others. The main goal of therapy is to take clients to the level where they realize their uniqueness and that their experiences, choices they have made, including their lifestyle as a whole is also unique and remarkable. Valery enjoys working with teens, adults, and couples.
Email: vdickinson@methodistcounseling.org
Phone:  503-307-0243

Maria T. Alvarado, MS, LCPC

Clinical Counselor, Office in Nampa

Maria earned her Master's Degree from Akamai University in Human Sexuality. She is also a Registered Counselor Supervisor in the State of Idaho. She has been working full-time as a Licensed Professional Counselor since 1996 and obtained her Licensed Clinical Professional Counseling License in 2009. Maria is bilingual, speaking Spanish and English fluently.

Maria addresses mental issues such as children with developmental disorders, adolescents in crisis, young adults, adults suffering from trauma and PTSD, sexual issues, transgender, HIV positive clients, couples, and families. She incorporates many modalities including play therapy.

Email: malvarado@methodistcounseling.org
Phone:  208-314-4821

Veronica Zarmez, MS, LPC

Clinical Counselor, office in Caldwell

Veronica earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Boise State University. She has her Master's Degree in Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University. 
She is certified in Gottman Couples Therapy, Advanced Trauma training, is a facilitator for Prepare and Enrich, and also works with members of the LGBTQIA community. She focuses her work with couples and families, while also working with adolescents and individuals.
Her passion is to work with all members of the community and providing them the tools they need. Providing counseling to all members who are in a place they are looking for assistance in all areas; loss/grief, anxiety, depression, parenting, and gender identity. We are all on our own journey and not one map is universal. 

Phone: 208-649-4018 

Email: vjoyce@methodistcounseling.org

Counselor Interns

Part of the mission of the Methodist Counseling Center is to help train new counselors through supervised internships. Our interns are held to high standards of excellence by supervisors with years of supervision experience. One of our wisest supervisor might even have received training from Methuselah (last statement not verified).

Chelsea Leatherman

Chelsea attended Boise State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science with an emphasis in Psychology and Addiction Studies. Currently, she is a graduate student in the Counselor Education Department at Northwest Nazarene University and will receive her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling with focused studies in grief, trauma and crisis. Chelsea works within the theoretical orientations of CBT and ACT to assist individuals of all ages; however, she has a particular interest in couple relationships, teenagers and adults. She is currently working toward becoming EMDR Certified and gaining expertise knowledge in the areas of Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Sex Therapy.

Chelsea approaches therapy with compassion and acceptance, providing a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to open up and be present with their thoughts and emotions. She aims to help clients deepen their self-awareness, strengthen relationships and develop kindness, confidence, acceptance, and compassion with themselves. She views the counseling relationship as a professional partnership in which clients become familiar with their inner wisdom, values and personal strengths as to assist them in overcoming challenges and change their relationship with discomfort/pain. She is passionate about holding space for individuals and couples to heal at their own pace, moving gently through the discomfort caused by life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma as well as other social, psychological or personal difficulties.

Email:  cleatherman@methodistcounseling.org

Phone: (208) 501-2181 x 15

Erin Eadington

Erin is a graduate student in Counseling at Northwest Nazarene University. Her focus is Marriage, Couples, and Families, and she has a heart for adolescents and teens and all of the adjustments necessary during those years for both the individual and the family who loves them. Erin also has a great passion for helping develop and increase effective communication skills within couple and family relationships. Erin believes everyone has a unique story, and that each individual is the expert regarding their own lives. Erin’s goal is to come alongside her clients and work with them to develop new understandings about their stories with greater compassion and new perspectives. Erin likes to create a safe and accepting place for clients to explore those stories, look at old patterns and experiences in a new way and create positive change in their lives.

Email: eeadington@methodistcounseling.org
Phone:  208-501-2181 ext. 12

Sandra Baeza

Sandra obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Idaho. She is currently in the master’s program in the Counselor Education Department at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. She is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish.

Sandra’s focus is on children, teenagers, and adults. Sandra believes the counseling relationship should be based on mutual trust and respect. She uses a combination of person-centered, reality, and solution-focused therapy.


Email:  sbaeza@methodistcounseling.org

Phone: 208-501-2181 x13


Andrea Morris

Andrea is a graduate student in Counseling at Northwest Nazarene University with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy. She works with clients from a systems perspective, which looks at an individual’s needs and growth within in the context of family relationships and the broader environment. Andrea’s goal is to help clients develop a new understanding of themselves, and to hold the space for them feel safe, have new experiences, and grow as human beings. Andrea is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy and works with couples to change negative patterns and foster a deeper connection.

Andrea worked previously as a volunteer on the mental health hotline and National Suicide Prevention Line. She holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s in education from Northwestern University, and has a certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University.

Email: amorris@methodistcounseling.org 

Phone: (208) 501-2181 x19


Donna Williams

Donna is in the Masters in Counseling program at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa.

She has a B.A. in Speech Communication from Texas A & M University.


Donna’s focus is on both adults and children. She served ten years on a church staff leading large groups of adults and children. She has experience counseling and teaching couples, parents, individuals and children.

Her interests include play therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Person-centered Therapy and Existential Therapy. She listens attentively because the client is the expert in his/her own life, and listening has always been a strength for her. She wants to hear your story and come alongside you in this journey together.


Email: dwilliams@methodistcounseling.org

Phone:  208-501-2181 ext. 14

Carol McLaughlin

Carol has completed a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Georgia State University and she is a Registered Counselor Intern at the Methodist Counseling Center. She works with older teens, adults and couples. Her areas of interest include

· Life transitions – early adulthood through end of life issues

· Divorce – how to reduce the stress so you can move forward in a positive, intentional manner

· Parenting – putting it into perspective, setting boundaries, supporting parents with special needs children

Carol believes that individuals inherently know what will work for them as they strive to heal and move forward to create a life of meaning and purpose. Through a trusting therapeutic relationship founded in acceptance and non-judgement, clients can develop awareness and courage to make the changes they desire. A whole-body approach which integrates mind, body and spirituality is used to build resiliency and acceptance of life’s challenges. Focus is on the “here & now” exploring historical issues as they impact current wellness and functioning. An eclectic approach is used based on an individual’s needs that is strength-based, person centered and incorporates principles of mindfulness.


Email: cmclaughlin@methodistcounseling.org

Phone: 208-501-2181 x18