Cassandra Arbuckle

New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute

I am the current psychology intern at the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute, where I provide therapeutic support to residents on the Long-Term Care unit. I am pursuing a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Northern Arizona University, building on a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University. My clinical approach is rooted in dialectical behavioral therapy, focusing on teaching skills for emotional regulation and resilience to help clients manage intense emotions and develop healthier relationships. My professional background includes working with diverse populations across the lifespan, from children and adolescents to older adults, juveniles, ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. My research interests are centered on the relationship between ADHD and working memory, aiming to inform effective and tailored treatment recommendations for clinicians dealing with complex symptomology. As an advocate for personal well-being, I find balance through my hobbies of traveling, hiking, and enjoying the scenic drives that New Mexico has to offer.

Mikell Bursky

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Mikell Bursky is a Ph.D candidate in Clinical Psychology (with a specialized concentration in neuropsychology) from Queens College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY). He received his undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology from New York University, Master’s Degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Queens College, and M.Phil in Psychology from The Graduate Center. Mikell’s research and clinical interests include the application of meditation training for preserving cognitive function and well-being, and the integration of mindfulness with modern psychotherapy theory and practice. He enjoys the process of neuropsychological assessment and helping patients better understand the relationship between their brain and behavior. Mikell has completed externships in neuropsychology at Weill Cornell Medicine (Department of Neurology: Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders) and NYU Langone Medical Center (Comprehensive Epilepsy Center), a Clinical Psychology externship at Queens College Psychological Center, as well as a Clinical Psychology Fellowship at Queens College Counseling Services. He has collaborated on multiple NIH funded studies and engaged in research exploring a variety of topics including computerized cognitive training for depression, the relationship between white matter hyperintensity burden on antidepressant treatment response, as well as a longitudinal investigation into neuropsychological risk factors associated with intimate partner violence among emerging adults. He has published papers on the utility of meditation and mindfulness-based interventions for pandemic lockdowns and quarantines, and developed a theoretical model integrating mindfulness with computerized cognitive training to target and augment neural networks involved in depression. Mikell is currently completing his doctoral internship in Clinical Psychology at Los Alamos National Laboratory as part of the New Mexico Psychology Internship Consortium.

Ana Dolores

Hidalgo Medical Services

My name is Ana, and I am a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology. I currently provide mental health and substance use services at Hidalgo Medical Services.

Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, and raised in a working-class household, I bring a deep appreciation for community, faith, and resilience to my clinical work. My personal experience as a 1.5-generation Mexican woman has shaped my interest in supporting individuals who balance multiple cultural identities while seeking meaning, belonging, and emotional wellness.

As a bilingual clinician, I strive to create an environment that honors both the emotional and cultural narratives of each client. My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based practices—including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral, and trauma-informed interventions—with somatic awareness, mindfulness, and narrative reflection. I am particularly passionate about helping emerging adults and adults strengthen their sense of self, navigate major life transitions, and build healthier relationships with themselves and others, including in recovery from substance use.

My current dissertation explores the transitional experiences of Christian Mexican American emerging adults and how greater understanding of these experiences can inform more culturally responsive care in faith and educational settings. I am also deeply interested in the connection between body and spirit, particularly how somatic awareness, contemplative prayer, and time in nature can foster presence, healing, and integration. Outside of my clinical and research work, I enjoy spending time with family, journaling and being outdoors—practices that help me remain grounded and connected.

Byron Garcia

Hidalgo Medical Services

Byron García is a doctoral intern at Hidalgo Medical Services and a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology at Arizona State University. He is also a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, a prestigious honor awarded for his research. Originally from Managua, Nicaragua and raised in Miami, Byron’s path into psychology was shaped by witnessing the limited access to culturally sensitive mental health care within his own community – an experience that continues to guide his work today.

Byron’s clinical and research interests focus on how parenting, culture, and self-regulation intersect to shape risk and resilience among ethnically diverse youth and families. His clinical training includes individual/group therapy and assessment across community clinics, school-based programs, and integrated medical care settings. Byron is especially passionate about helping youth and families navigate the effects of trauma, substance use, and behavioral challenges.

In therapy, Byron blends culturally responsive care with evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing, and behavioral and parent management training. He works from a strengths-based, person-centered lens – meeting clients where they are, helping them reconnect with their values, and supporting them in taking meaningful steps toward change.

Outside of his professional life, Byron enjoys spending time with his partner and two young sons, fishing along the coast (or lakes and rivers in the mid/southwest), making music, singing karaoke, and staying active through sports and fitness.

Melanie Griffin

Northern Navajo Medical Center

Melanie Griffin is the current psychology intern at Northern Navajo Medical Center and Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Health Center. Melanie is pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She holds Master’s in Clinical Psychology at UNLV and a Bachelor’s in Psychology at Idaho State University. 

Melanie has experience working with individuals across the lifespan from diverse populations experiencing anxiety, trauma, grief, life stress, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Melanie combines systems-based and cognitive behavioral approaches to collaborate with clients and their surrounding people to support their mental health and well-being. Prior to NM-PIC, she worked in community mental health, private practice, and state agencies. Melanie’s research interests include selective mutism and co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders.  

In addition to her role as training psychologist, Melanie enjoys reading, going for walks, playing video and board games, and spending time with her husband and two cats. 

Valeria Paniagua

The New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute

Valeria Paniagua is the psychology intern at New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute (NMBHI) located in Las Vegas, NM. She holds a Master’s in Community Counseling from Lewis and Clark College (Portland, OR) and is pursuing a PsyD from Pacific University (Hillsboro, OR). Ms. Paniagua is a board certified licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Oregon, as well as a board certified alcohol and drug counselor with additional training in gambling addiction and eating disorders. She is an active member of the American Psychological Association, the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology, and the American Psychology- Law Society. 

Ms. Paniagua has served a diverse range of clients since 2008. She has worked with clients with a wide variety of brain related disorders and conditions, including dementia, traumatic brain injury, concussion, stroke, epilepsy, and toxic waste exposure, as well as ADHD.  In addition, she has worked with a variety of medical and mental health diagnoses in inpatient, outpatient, medical, and forensic settings. 

Ms. Paniagua prioritizes close collaboration and works as a team with each client and their families/caregivers, the referring provider, and all medical and mental health professionals involved in their care. She works to ensure that clients understand their strengths and weaknesses, encouraging them to maximize strengths to the best of their ability. Her goal is to empower clients by giving them the tools and the knowledge necessary for them to be able to live a more successful, complete, and fulfilling life. 

Monae Porter

IHS: Northern Navajo Medical Center

Monae Porter is the current psychology intern at Northern Navajo Medical Center, Iina Counseling Services, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology at Virginia State University. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Health Psychology from Virginia State University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Old Dominion University.

Adopting a person-centered therapeutic approach, she focuses on fostering collaborative sessions that encourage client empowerment and self-advocacy. Her professional experience includes working with diverse populations including active-duty service members, veterans, sexual and gender minorities, and children individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Her research interests are centered on sexual health practices, aiming to promote safe sex as a form of self-care.

In addition to her role as a psychologist-in-training, she enjoys running and exploring healthy versions of classic food dishes.

James Fayne

IHS: Northern Navajo Medical Center

James is a doctoral candidate from The College of Professional Psychology at The Chicago School. A former special education teacher, he came to clinical psychology with a background working with students with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. Throughout his doctoral training, James specialized in psychological assessment as well as working with individuals living with trauma and severe/persistent mental illness through integrating interpersonal-relational, existential, family systems, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches. When he grows up, James aspires to practice street medicine mental health, providing psychological care to people in need outside of the office setting. He is also working to continue his research in modeling intersectionality as well as teach undergraduate psychology. In all realms of his life, James fiercely advocates for equity, justice, and the liberation of minoritized and marginalized groups. He is a Scorpio, vegan, and when not working on his dissertation, loves kayaking and reading historical fiction novels.

Tamir Judd

IHS: Northern Navajo Medical Center

My name is Tamir, and I am a doctoral-level psychology intern. I currently provide mental health services at Northern Navajo Medical Center and Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Health Center. 

Growing up in rural North Carolina, life revolved around family values and community engagement. My involvement in sports throughout my youth provided an avenue for social connections and physical well-being, while my love for the natural sciences opened me up to nature’s wonders. Now, as a mental health professional, I recognize the importance of including nature-based activities in the healing process for those seeking to regain balance–especially young adults and at-risk youth in underserved communities. With that in mind, I strive to establish a community-oriented mental health approach devoted to restoring healing and healing through interactions with nature and Mother Earth.

With over ten years of experience working with diverse populations, my therapeutic approach focuses on the use of culturally relevant therapies and interventions centered around holistic health and healing. I specialize in the use of psychodynamic psychotherapy and dream interpretations to navigate the challenges associated with historical trauma and dissociative experiences. 

I will earn my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2024, providing an even greater understanding of interpersonal dynamics and improving my ability to assist Black/Indigenous individuals, couples, children, and families find holistic balance.

In my spare time, I try to enjoy a few hobbies which include meditation/yoga, playing basketball, and spending time with my family.

David Tio

David Tio is a psychology intern at Hidalgo Medical Services via the New Mexico Psychology Internship Consortium. Currently completing a PhD in Clinical Psychology from St. John’s University in Queens, New York; David is an east coast transplant who is excited to put down roots with his wife and daughter in a sunny beautiful place with little pollution and lots of good vibes.

David’s clinical and research interests have always been centered on advocating for underserved communities. Although David’s education has been focused on working with children, parents, and families; he appreciates a generalist approach to training and seeks to build his repertoire and expand his scope of practice. David has experience in social work as well as psychology, which has served to augment his understanding of the different systems involved in providing support to marginalized communities. David is bilingual and always eager to improve his cultural competencies.

Since the birth of his daughter, who was diagnosed with a genetic condition, David has become increasingly engrossed in the role of metabolism and lifestyle factors in offsetting the risk of developing chronic illness. Having had success in using the tools of psychology to effect daunting changes in the stubborn and self-defeating behaviors of many past patients, David is a firm believer that the field of psychology is well-suited to motivate patients to consider the influence certain lifestyle factors may have on their physical and mental health.

David’s goals involve introducing efficacious programs that target prevention of common health concerns in underprivileged populations and empowering individuals by educating them on how to be critical evaluators of their own health metrics. David also aims to eventually be part of a collective of like-minded healthcare practitioners who subscribe to a holistic perspective on treatment and emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. David has a fuzzy canine companion named Señorita Bonita.

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (Child Track) – St. John’s University (anticipated 2024)

Masters of Arts in General Psychology with Clinical Emphasis – New York University

Bachelors of Science in Psychology – Barry University

Nicky Petersen

My name is Nicky Petersen (she/her/hers), and I am the current psychology intern at Northern Navajo Medical Center, Iina Counseling Services. I am earning my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the APA-accredited Fielding Graduate University. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, my experiences as an immigrant and my previous career as a journalist for Reuters have shaped my interest in becoming a psychologist and understanding culture’s role in mental health. In my academic career, I have consistently sought clinical and research experiences with individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness, trauma, and substance abuse. My professional goal is to serve my community as a general psychologist providing culturally informed clinical care. I have authored manuscripts and have publications under review for topics such as the Benefits of Yoga in Prison and other issues related to social justice and police reform. My research interest reflects my life experiences and the clients I am interested in working with. Through my clinical experience and life experiences, I have learned the significance of social justice issues and diversity. Through data-driven research, I aim to have publications representing the clients I work with and the issues they face in their everyday lives. My passions lie in social justice and advocacy for easy access and appropriate application of evidence-based mental health treatments that are more inclusive and culturally responsive. Through inclusionary research, I strive to fight the stigma associated with mental health, especially in under-resourced and disenfranchised populations.

I am a resident of the Native Land of Wašišiw ítde (Washoe), also known as Fernley, Nevada, which falls in the territory of Numu (Northern Paiute) near Reno, Nevada. I am a mother of two boys, Cash (15) and Rocco (13), and a dog mom to my 11-year-old black lab Ryder. I enjoy working out, paddle boarding at Lake Tahoe in the summers, and watching foreign films and documentaries.

Meya Mongkuo

After being born and raised by the ocean in St. Petersburg, Florida, Meya is thrilled to have new adventures in the mystical Gila Wilderness. She is a pre-doctoral clinical psychology intern at Hidalgo Medical Services via the NM – Psychology Internship Consortium. She is currently earning her Ph.D. in clinical health psychology from Virginia State University. She is interested in developing her skills as a culturally competent psychologist who values the intersection of health and culture while honoring clients’ mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. She was awarded a CEMRRAT-2 research grant for students of color in psychology.  It is her passion to research and cultivates healing spaces for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) communities.

In addition, she is interested incorporating mindfulness-based therapies from a trauma-informed perspective in treatment settings. She is excited to complete her training with NM-PIC in learning to deliver quality whole-person care to rural New Mexico communities. Her hobbies include being an avid meditator, astrology, and enjoying quality time with loved ones.