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.
Archives: People
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
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.
Dr. Anita Parada, PhD is a Neuropsychologist licensed in New Mexico and Certified Brain Injury Specialist. She was born and raised in Poland. During her education and career, she lived in several countries in Europe and North America. Yet, she fell in love with New Mexico/green chili, moved here with her family, and has joined the HMS to serve her neighbors.
Dr. Parada obtained her PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in neuropsychology from the University of Warsaw, a postgraduate degree in psychotherapy from the Jagiellonian University in Cracow and completed postdoctoral training in advanced rehabilitation research on mild traumatic brain injury. Before joining HMS, she had worked for five years as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso.
During her career, Dr. Parada has worked in academic and
clinical settings, doing research, teaching, performing neuropsychological evaluations, and as a psychotherapist. She has worked with the military, veterans, first responders,
people who experienced violence, and athletes with brain and psychological trauma or brain disorders treating cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems.
Dr. Parada integrates various assessments, therapies, and neurorehabilitation in her approach, including behavioral and non-invasive brain stimulation and strong collaboration with other health providers and the community. She believes every person is a unique compilation of body and spirit, a dynamic result of biology, individual, family, human history, and environmental challenges and opportunities.
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.
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.
Dr. Danielle Barnes is a clinical (forensic) psychologist at the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where she is currently assigned to the Forensic Division. Dr. Barnes completed her doctorate degree at Alliant International University in San Diego, California and completed her pre-doctoral internship at W. Gary Cannon Psychological Services Center in Fresno, California. Dr. Barnes has both clinical and forensic experience working in private practice, corrections, inpatient, and community clinics. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor for Pepperdine University’s online master’s program. Following licensure, Dr. Barnes has focused primarily on forensic evaluation and completing evaluations of adjudicative competence.
Marie C. Weil, PsyD, ABPP (she/her/ella) is a bilingual (Spanish/English) licensed clinical psychologist in NM and TX, board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in clinical health psychology. Dr. Weil is the Psychology Services Director at Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) and site director of the NM Psychology Internship Consortium. She maintains a clinical health psychology practice in Silver City, New Mexico. Dr. Weil performs culturally and linguistically relevant psychological testing and assessments, psychological consultation, and community training. As faculty of the NM-Psychology Internship Consortium, she collaborates on training and clinical supervision of future psychologists to competently practice in New Mexico’s unique rural communities. Her professional and personal passions are shaped by growing up in multiple border communities in the southwestern US and witnessing the inequalities, inequities, and oppression in lives that have been fundamental in her life journey. With enriched understanding, appreciation, and solidarity, she advocates for optimal access, change, and justice in health care and wellness systems partnering with important stakeholders and community members – promoting wellbeing – bienestar.
Dr. Weil’s career spans interprofessional collaboration in the Veterans Health Administration, Federal Bureau of Prisons, hospitals, universities, managed care, private practice, community behavioral health, and a FQHC. Dr. Weil teaches graduate social work students at a state university in a bilingual/bicultural concentration program. She earned a PsyD and MS in clinical psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, an MA in applied psychology from Penn State University, and BS in psychology and Spanish from Sweet Briar College.
She is an active member in her local and national community providing both professional and volunteer services. She has extensive lived professional and personal experience in Latin America, the Caribbean, and across the United States. Dr. Weil relishes music, food, culture, travel, and art! Upon return to Silver City (Class of ’90 SHS), she honors the privilege that “life works in mysterious ways.”
Dr. Weil’s clinical and scholarly interests include comprehensive psychological testing and assessment, bilingual clinical supervision, health psychology practice focused on integrated care with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges and for patients with chronic medical conditions. Her expertise includes chronic pain, health behavior change, palliative, hospice, and end-of-life care. She contributed to impacting multidisciplinary teams, rural adults and families, older adults, limited-English and Spanish-speaking, Veterans, formerly incarcerated, patients with chronic medical and life-limiting illnesses, palliative and hospice patients, survivors and offenders of interpersonal violence, survivors of sexual violence, immigrants and refugees, patients with co-occurring substance use and mental illness, and those with trauma.
Dr. John Moulton is a clinical (forensic) psychologist at the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he is currently assigned to the Forensic Division. Dr. Moulton earned his Ph.D. from St. John’s University in Queens, New York; he completed his pre-doctoral psychology internship at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center (now New York-Presbyterian Hospital). Following licensure in New York, he worked in private practice for five years while also conducting research related to child/adolescent anxiety and depression at the New York University School of Medicine. After leaving New York, Dr. Moulton relocated to the Western U.S., where he spent several years working in corrections, before transitioning into forensic evaluation. For the past six and a half years, Dr. Moulton has been working full-time as a forensic examiner primarily completing evaluations of adjudicative competence. He is particularly interested in the assessment of response style within the forensic context, as well as sharing this knowledge with both colleagues and supervisees.