Who We Are
Our Staff
Director
Margaret Jill Madsen-Kelly, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Certified School Psychologist
Jill is the founder and director of the Center For Family Development, and she is committed to your personal well-being and privacy. As a licensed mental health counselor and certified school psychologist, Jill has seen clients in private practice for more than 30 years. In addition to directing the Center for Family Development, her emphasis with individuals and families in her counseling practice is to help clients improve self-awareness and enhance relationships with others. Jill’s professional history includes specialties working with individuals, couples, a diverse range of children’s services and family therapy.
Perry District
Office Staff
Kristi Sicilia, Office Manager
Perry District
Counseling Staff
Ashlie Ball, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Certified School Psychologist
Ashlie has been practicing as a private practice clinician since 2005. Her professional experience includes work with children, adolescents and adults in individual, family and group sessions. Further, she has great experience and knowledge navigating a variety of academic settings, which includes collaborating and working with educators to help students accomplish goals according to their ability level. In order for counseling to be effective, she believes the therapist and the patient must actively work together to develop therapeutic goals and frequently assess progress, both in and out of session. Ashlie’s approach to therapy is eclectic in nature in order to best meet the needs of each individual.
Perry District
McKenzie Davis, MSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
McKenzie graduated from Washington State University with her Bachelor's in Psychology and earned her Masters of Social Work degree at Arizona State University. McKenzie has experience working with children, adolescent and adults. Most recently she has worked in the Portland Public Schools. She has extensive experience with children who have autism and those that need support in school settings. McKenzie believes that individuals should have an active role in their treatment, and she is here to provide guidance and support through this process. She wants all her clients to feel secure and supported throughout the process.
Alice Heise, MSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
Alice received her Bachelor's in Fine Art from Comish College of the Arts and her Master's degree in Social Work (Advanced Generalist) from Arizona State University. Alice takes a holistic approach and seeks to create a meaningful, trusting partnership that builds upon the client's strengths and resources. She provides a safe, nonjudgmental, supportive space and encourages positive thinking, self-kindness, and deep reflection. She uses a variety of therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness and Meditation skills, and Motivational Interviewing. She works with the client to manage and cope with emotional distress, anger management, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trauma, post-partum symptoms, parenting. relationships, terminal illness, and life changes. Alice is a wife, mother, avid hiker, artist and gardener, and dotes on a rescued Chihuahua named Russell.
Tara Marcella, MSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
Tara received her Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Social Work from Eastern Washington University. Tara has experience providing mental health counseling in a medical setting with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, along with medical illnesses. She has experience working with at risk youth who are struggling with addiction in an outpatient and inpatient setting. Tara has experience working with kids, youth, and adults and has been practicing in the mental health field since 2017. Tara utilizes a client centered and strengths-based approach with her clients. She believes that individuals should have an active role in their treatment, and she is here to provide guidance and support through this process. Tara’s treatment modalities are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Problem-Solving Theory.
Elizabeth Oaksmith, M.Ed., LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Liz (she/her) has a Master’s degree from the University of Washington and has been practicing as a licensed mental health counselor for over twenty years. She has a wide variety of experience including working in an Emergency Room, in inpatient psychiatric units, in a residential addiction treatment center, and at the University of Washington. Liz provides a safe and non-judgmental space to help clients compassionately explore their struggles and learn coping skills and tools to better understand and manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. She utilizes a variety of therapies and techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness and Meditation, Motivational Interviewing, Humor, and ADHD management. Liz also provides specialized treatment in addiction recovery.
Perry District
Curtis Powell, MS
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
Curtis completed his Bachelor's Degree from Whitworth and his Master's in Counseling from Creighton University. After graduate school, Curtis worked as a school counselor in the Dominican Republic before transitioning back to Spokane. Curtis practices play therapy. His approach cultivates emotional skills, secure relationships, and a positive sense of self. Outside the office, you can find Curtis exploring Spokane with his family, on his mountain bike, or playing games with his buddies.
Sierra Ramos, MSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Sierra has been working with children, adolescents, and adults for four years. She works from a person- centered, strengths-based perspective supporting the individual where they are. She realizes that each person has a unique background, strengths and challenges that they bring, and she pulls from a variety of modalities including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to name a few to meet those varying needs. She specializes in working with adolescents and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, and life adjustments. Sierra works with the client to help them reach their goals and becoming the best version of themselves. Sierra sees therapy as a true vehicle for self- exploration, discovery, change and to build upon client’s personal strengths.
North Division
John Stifter, MA, LMHC, LMFTA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Associate
John earned his Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Whitworth University. After receiving his undergraduate degree in 2006 from Montana State University, John was a journalist for 15 years. He uses his sincere, inquisitive interest of the human experience in the therapy setting to treat adolescents, adults, couples, and families living with shame, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, addiction, and life transitions and questions. Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and the Circle of Security Core Sensitivities and Parenting for individuals and families, John believes that every person has inherent attachment wounds and behaves accordingly to protect those uncomfortable vulnerabilities. By addressing underlying emotions, he feels privileged to hear clients’ life stories while sitting with them in their pain to begin the process of healing. As the Sufi poet Rumi once wrote, “The cure for pain is in the pain.” John is a husband and father, as well as an avid skier, who finds peace in nature alongside his playful family and dog.
Brianna “Breezy" Tottenhoff, MA, LMFTA
Marriage & Family Therapy Associate
Brianna, better known as Breezy, received her Bachelor's degree from Washington State University and Master's degree from Whitworth University. Breezy is humbled and honored to share each client's story and walk alongside them through their journey. Initially a skeptic of therapy herself, Breezy approaches her work with a compassionate desire to meet every client where they are and hopes to ease the uncertainty of seeking mental health treatment. Whether you are coming to therapy on your own, with your spouse/partner, or with family, she strives to make the experience comfortable while you face a sometimes painful healing process together. Breezy is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and the Gottman Method.
North Division
Nilmini Wilkens, MS, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Nilmini has been practicing as a private practice clinician since 2011. Nilmini brings a systemic approach to her practice in therapy with a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. With a history of experience in school and private practice settings, she has experience working with individuals, couples and families. Further, Nilmini has experience facilitating and co-facilitating groups for ADHD, Social Skills, and Self-Esteem. She believes in meeting clients where they are, utilizing various techniques and modalities to assist them in meeting their goals all while continuing to assess progress and make adjustments to accomplish goals for treatment.
Perry District
Counseling
Independent Contractors
Pamela Barnes, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Unable to accept new clients. Wait list closed at this time.)
Pamela has been in private practice for approximately fifteen years and has worked as a therapist in outpatient mental health settings for approximately thirty years. She has devoted a significant amount of professional training time to the issues of attachment, bonding and caregiving. In addition to her clinical practice, she has taught at Eastern Washington University’s Department of Psychology.
Perry District
Cori Deitz, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Cori received her Bachelor’s Degree from Maryville University and both her Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Education with an Emphasis in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Missouri -St. Louis. Cori joined the Center for Family Development in December 2020 after moving to the area with her family. Cori utilizes many different methods in her counseling approach; she believes in collaboratively working with her clients to develop goals and measure progress. Cori wants her clients to feel secure and supported throughout the process.
Perry District
Kristen Heritage, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Kristen is a mental health professional and a child mental health professional with 7 years’ experience working in the field. Her client-centered approach working with children and adolescents utilizes components of play therapy, art therapy, CBT, ACT, and DBT as needed depending on the unique concerns and goals of each client. Kristen values the importance of rapport building and finding a good fit in therapy that allows her clients to feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.
Sommer Kraft-Purvis, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (sommerkraftpurvisms.com)
Sommer attended Eastern Washington University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology in 2000 and a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2003. Native to the Spokane area, she has worked in the mental health field since 2002. Her primary focus is helping women navigate the challenges and triumphs of conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, motherhood and relationship transitions. However, she warmly welcomes individuals and couples working through a broad range of personal issues including depression, anxiety, grief, relationship obstacles, traumatic experiences and difficult transitions. In addition to her work in maternal mental health, Sommer lectures on a variety of topics in the community, assists with forensic neuropsychological evaluations and maintains a professional relationship with EWU. She is a member of many organizations including the American Counseling Association and Postpartum Support International.
Perry District
Nicole Markealli, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Nicole received her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Washington University, her Master’s Degree from Gonzaga University and joined the Center for Family Development in March, 2019. Nicole utilizes many different methods in her counseling approach; she believes in collaboratively working with her clients to develop goals and measure progress. She is here to provide guidance and support in order for her clients to reach their goals, specializing in child and family work as well as couples counseling. Nicole’s experience includes working with children, adolescents and adults in private practice and in a school setting.
Jan McCormick, MC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Jan has worked in mental health for 26 years in several settings, including universities, elementary and alternative middle schools; a trauma clinic for children in St. Louis; domestic violence and outpatient addiction centers; set up parenting courses in schools, and has worked with adults, adolescents and children in individual, couple and group sessions. Empowering clients through psychological education, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and advocacy for their needs and goals through the most effective counseling modality is sought. She specializes in life and relational problem-solving; anxiety, PTSD &trauma, addictions and codependency recovery. She seeks to help individuals overcome barriers to find more personal freedom.
Perry District
Wyatt O’Dell, MA, LMHC, LMFTA
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licenced Marriage and Family Therapy Associate
Wyatt received his degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Whitworth University and has experience working with individuals, families, couples and children. He uses a systemic approach to therapy and has completed levels one and two clinical training of Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Wyatt has knowledge of many different psychological theories and does not subscribe to a one size fits all method for assisting clients in achieving their goals. He works with his clients to assess their needs and applies the best approach on a case-by-case basis. Wyatt has experience facilitating and co-facilitating group therapy in the areas of: Social skills, training, coping with anxiety, addiction and anger.
North DivisionJ
Melinda Ovnicek, MS
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Jonathan Weber, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Jon’s personal desire and professional calling is about establishing genuine connections with people. He is most enthusiastic about encouraging and empowering individuals to experience life to the fullest! Jon’s work focuses on assisting individuals to grow and develop in the various dimensions of their lives. He enjoys working with adolescents and adults in all seasons of life in the specific areas of human thriving, holistic development, meaningful relationships, identity formation, sexual identity, spiritual crisis, addiction recovery, and dealing with personal struggles of all kinds (e.g., anxiety, depression, relational conflict, and self-esteem).
Matthew Scott Woods, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Matt’s experience includes working with children, adolescents and adults in individual and group sessions. He believes in a client-centered approach coupled with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). However, he believes individuals are unique in regards to reflectiveness, experiences, personality, and circumstances, therefore he readily utilizes strategies from other approaches (e.g. play therapy, behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, reality therapy, etc.) to best meet an individual’s needs.
PhD Affiliate
Trish Kraft, Ph.D., is available for consultation and supervision of all our therapists.