MEET THE TEAM

It takes a village…

Meet these professional space-tenders whose love, dedication, and commitment to serving others allows us to curate powerful containers for healing and learning.

Erin Arnst, MSW, LICSW
Operations Manager

Erin is a dedicated Licensed Independent Clinical Social worker with a passion for fostering embraced engagement and embodying self-authenticity. Erin brings an integrative and holistic approach to her work and lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness within one’s whole self. Identifying as a woman of color and a person of the BIPOC community, she is empathic and equipped with a deep understanding of unique humanness, diversity, necessity for equity, and cultural competence within the therapeutic setting.
Erin is an unwavering believer that all have the innate power of healing and building themselves from the inside out. She carries out this belief through her operations manager role, supporting folx in day to day connection through email correspondence, management of training and retreat registrations, scheduling, payment plan support, and engaging in ACS' social media presence. She is also the main tech assistant for Brainspotting trainings (coining the term D.B.E., Digital Butler Extraordinaire—to have a little fun with her role!) She supports Mari and all who connect with Awaken Consulting Services with mindfulness, attunement, respect, and levity and with her gifts for stewarding communities.

Madeleine Goforth
Administrative Assistant

Madeleine is our matcha-sipping Administrative Assistant and inbox magician keeping things flowing behind the scenes. She is also the Marketing Coordinator for Awakened Roots, helping expand Mari and Greg’s holistic healing offerings via social media, website updates, and community engagement.
Madeleine’s areas of university study include social work and psychology, and she previously worked as a NCBTMB-certified Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner with a focus in lymphatic drainage, reflexology, aromatherapy, and cranial-sacral release techniques. She holds a degree in Film and Digital Media, certifications in copywriting and digital marketing, and is currently studying herbalism. This mix of modalities brings a kaleidoscope lens to the art of healing through storytelling.
While her ancestral roots lie in Scotland, Ireland, and Romania, Madeleine has a relentless interest in cultures across hemispheres and is a lover of classical Indian (Hindustani) music. As a writer and filmmaker, her work intersects science, soul, and sources of post-traumatic growth. Madeleine supports Mari and all who connect with Awaken Consulting Services with empathy and curiosity, holding the firm belief that everyone’s story is sacred, sovereign, and worth telling.

Greg Payne, BS, CLC
Operations Coordinator

Greg is a Certified Life Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Breathwork Facilitator, Certified Brainspotting Practitioner, Certified Kambo Practitioner, and Craniosacral Therapy Practitioner with specialized training in trauma healing. He also holds a degree in Information Technology. And yes, he is Mari’s husband 😊. Greg also identifies as an HSP and as a recently diagnosed neurodivergent individual, allowing him to fully acknowledge and show up in the world and community with his super powers of compassion, patience, psychic abilities, and solving problems.
Greg plays an integral role in both student development and administrative operations at Awaken Consulting Services. He supports the day to day operations behind the scenes, ensuring quality training services, client and trainee communications, and Zoom tech support for trainings. He also uses his diverse healing background during trainings to help students deepen their understanding of Brainspotting as a training assistant.
Greg is also the owner of Awakened Roots, offering numerous holistic and trauma healing methods to individuals throughout the world. As an energy medicine practitioner, he combines ancient and modern techniques to facilitate deep healing within the mind, body, and spirit. His journey into the healing arts began over twenty years ago as an elite cyclist when he discovered how Reiki, meditation, and addressing underlying trauma could enhance not just athletic performance but overall health and well-being.
If you need any support related to Brainspotting trainings or if you’re interested in healing work, reach out to Greg here.

Kim Warner-Hudy, LICSW
Continuing Education Program Coordinator & Training Assistant

Kim Warner-Hudy is an educator and therapist working professionally in the field of child welfare since 1996. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker; founder and owner of a private practice currently licensed in the state of Tennessee and Michigan. Her specialties include adoption, attachment, trauma and racial identity working across the life span. Her professional experiences in the Southeast and the Pacific Northwest include administration, domestic adoption, foster care, international adoption and mental health. She is formally trained in ARC; Certified in Brainspotting, EMDR; Theraplay®; TF-CBT and the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics® Phase I. Kim is also a TBRI® trained professional and TBRI® Parent Educator. Since 2016, she has been a volunteer for the Council on Accreditation as both Hague Reviewer and Peer Evaluator. She is a Korean adoptee and an adoptive parent. She is currently finishing her Brainspotting Consultant Training.
Learn more here.

Ray Morgen
Marketing Coordinator

Ray’s Bio Coming Soon!

Zuri Javed-Payne
Therapy Cat & Guardian

Zuri June is the watchful guardian of the land and the work that happens through Awaken Consulting Services, Awakened Roots, and the Hidden Sanctuary. Zuri is incredibly protective and empathetic of the clients who do their healing work with us and will often come to support individuals in times of emotional need. After years of watching her mom and dad working with people, she has joined the healing team and often contributes by offering cuddles, stillness, toys at the feet of clients, and little chirps and meows of encouragement.
You can find Zuri sunbathing in the yard, catching grasshoppers for good luck, communing with the fairies and elementals, and guarding the portals of energy on the land that support the work we do.

We honor you, Zuri, for your life, your care, and your companionship. Thank you.

Mariya Javed-Payne, LICSW, LADC
Founder

Read Mari’s full bio here.

USA TRAINING TEAM

Jimmy Tunstall, LCMHC, CADC
Training Assistant
Greensboro, NC, USA

I am licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina and I am a person in long term recovery. I find purpose and passion in honoring the diversity of human experience, respecting differences in gender expression, sexual identity, race, ethnicity, spirituality, and non-traditional relationship structures. I believe in a holistic approach to wellness and utilize Brainspotting, Mindfulness (MBSR), meditation and insight practices to help clients develop their internal and external resources for resiliency and expand their capacity for joy. As a Certified Brainspotting Therapist and Brainspotting Consultant, I strive to create a space that facilitates your deepest healing and activates resources for your highest good.
Learn more here.

Kristine Johnson, LCSW, CDC
Training Assistant
Eagle River, AK, USA

I am lifelong Alaskan, born to immigrant parents from the Philippines who have both proudly served our community in health care and in the armed forces. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Hawaii Pacific University and my graduate degree in Social work from University of Alaska Anchorage. If I am not in my therapy space, you can find me chasing after my two little humans or enjoying the Chugach trails on foot or on bike. Hot beverages, good food, travel, adventuring, listening to audiobooks, and connecting with friends and family feed my soul.

My Approach
You can expect a collaborative approach that focuses on and utilizes your strengths in identifying areas you would like to work on in your journey. I do my best to approach each client with a whole person perspective, attending to the intersecting identities (gender , faith, race, socioeconomic status, motherhood, singleness, etc.) that one may quarrel with and may be contributing to present day stressors and anxieties. I am not the director of your treatment, rather, I am a partner in it. I strongly believe that most people already have the strength to overcome the challenges they are facing. I am merely here to assist you in bridging the gap you may be feeling to see those strengths realized.
I integrate my training and background to adapt a style that is befitting to your needs as best as I can; while also focusing great attention to continuing to develop my skills and training. In that, you may find me utilizing cognitive- behavioral, behavioral, motivational enhancement, gestalt, solution-focused approaches, and others in our time together dependent on what your needs are. I operate through a trauma-informed lens and may also employ Brainspotting or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Though my heart’s work is working primarily with women with relational, developmental and complex trauma I have experience and enjoyed my work with both youth and adults. I have served others in settings that provide care through case management, group, family, and individual therapy to include residential and outpatient settings, survivors of sex trafficking, incarcerated patrons, crisis stabilization, child welfare, and addiction.

Learn more here.

Bridget Martinson, LPC
Training Assistant
Denver, CO, USA

I have had the honor of guiding and holding space for clients for over 8 years. I am often described as having a warm, compassionate, and grounded presence. As a clinician, my priority is to create a space where clients feel seen, heard, understood, and supported. I believe a strong therapeutic alliance is the foundation for vulnerability and authentic self-expression—leading to therapeutic change and growth.
I enjoy working with adult individuals through life transitions, stress, grief, trauma, and religious trauma. I am passionate about helping clients create an authentic sense of self through exploring the big questions of life, finding meaning, finding an authentic belief system or spirituality, and learning to trust one’s inner guidance.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and hold a Master of Arts in Counseling. I have worked previously in private practice and as a Clinical Program Therapist at the Department of Corrections. Though I utilize an eclectic therapeutic approach by drawing from an array of therapeutic modalities, my practice is grounded in a person-centered, psychodynamic, depth-oriented, body-based approach.
As a professional counselor, I value practicing regular mind, body, spirit self-care that allows me to serve from the overflow. I further place high value on doing my own work through a lifetime commitment to personal and professional growth and evolution. I describe myself as a true introvert who enjoys deep conversation, time spent by the ocean, beautiful hiking trails, reading, writing, and introspection. I would be honored to support you at this time in your journey!
Learn more here.

Travis Harris, LICSW
Training Assistant
St. Cloud, MN, USA

My name is Travis Harris, LICSW, MSW (He/Him) pronouns. I am a certified Brainspotting Therapist in the field for 5+ years now. I specialize in Trauma and consider myself a generalist, which is someone who has an interest in many topics (chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, attachment, relationship issues, etc.). I believe strongly in allowing people to live their lives to their fullest potential and allow for healing to be at its fullest potential as well.
I have always loved working with others and being there to provide support when they need it most. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing the progress that occurs and being able to teach people about how mental health has evolved. I enjoy taking part in breaking the stigma of mental health.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, taking my dog on walks and enjoying the outdoors. I also enjoy sports, music and photography.
Learn more here.

Bertha Ramos, LCSW
Training Assistant
San Pedro, CA, USA

I am a bilingual English/Spanish speaking therapist that has provided individual, family, group, and Crisis counseling therapy to children, adolescents, and adults for the past 20 plus years. My specialties include attachment/developmental/generational trauma, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, mood, and emotional, relational, and behavior conflicts. I am certified in Brainspotting, Parent Child Interactive Therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)as well as a Brainspotting consultant and supervise MFT and MSW associates for licensure.
Learn more here.

Kaouther Aliche, LPC
Training Assistant
Columbus, OH, USA

Welcome, my name is Kaouther! I am a compassionate, culturally sensitive therapist who is passionate about working with women; particularly mothers, women of color, and immigrants. As a woman, you navigate the challenges of cultural and social identities, generational dynamics, and personal aspirations. As an immigrant mom, I understand the significance of these factors, and their impact on your mental well being.
I’m a Brainspotting clinician. My therapeutic approach is eclectic and holistic, emphasizing the mind body connection. I respect and honor diverse belief systems, incorporating them into our therapeutic work if it’s desired to support your growth on all levels. In our sessions you can expect a laid back, non judgemental collaborative approach, where we deal with the root cause of distress. I use a multicultural, person-centered, decolonized, trauma-informed lens, and integrate mindfulness, somatics & sometimes even humor.
Whether you’re seeking support in navigating your cultural identity, past trauma, or going through a rough patch, I’m here to support and empower you. You are not broken, defective or unhealed. Your experiences and cultural context matter and I’m here to make sure you feel seen, heard, and genuinely understood. It’s time to reclaim your story, and live joyfully, ready to dive in?
Learn more here.

Dan VerBout
Training Assistant
New Hope, MN, USA

Dan is a licensed therapist with a passion for helping men overcome trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges. As a man himself, he understands the unique pressures and expectations that men face, and he believes that seeking help is a sign of strength and courage.
He specializes in working with men who are struggling with addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and other mental health concerns. His approach is collaborative, strength-based, and grounded in practices, such as Brainspotting, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and harm reduction addiction counseling. Dan believes that every person has the capacity for growth, healing, and change, and he work with his clients to develop individualized treatment plans that incorporate their strengths, values, and goals.
Learn more here.

Nayda Lamberty Medina, PsyD
Training Assistant
Houston, TX, USA

Dr. Lamberty is a bilingual (Spanish/English) licensed psychologist in Texas. She received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the APA-accredited program at Ponce Health Sciences University at Ponce, Puerto Rico. She did her internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center in Manhattan, New York. This experience trained her in the systemic-ecological approach, where she specialized in families and couples, minorities, trauma, migration issues, and aspects of primary care. She has experience with diverse populations and modalities (i.e., families, couples, groups, adults, adolescents, and children).
She received her Professional Certificate in Family and Couples Therapy in Puerto Rico. She spent most of her academic career obtaining experience related to family therapy, couples dynamics, and trauma. Dr. Lamberty also completed her training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 and 2 and Brainspotting Phase 1 and 2, where she is currently a certified brainspotting practitioner. She completed Brainspotting Phase 3 as well. Also, she received training in TF-CBT, and CPT.
Learn more here.

Duaa Haggag
Training Assistant
Burton, MI, USA

Duaa Haggag, LPC is a youth and family therapist that has been working in private practice for 15 years in the state of Michigan. She is Phase 1, 2, 3, and Group BSP trained, and Level 1 trained in IFS. She enjoys incorporating spirituality, liberation, and collectivist healing modalities in her work with families. She has a special interest in storytelling and creating safe, affirming spaces for Muslim youth to discover their identities.
Learn more here.

Alec Hilario Bustos, LMSW
Training Assistant
Las Vegas, NV, USA

Alec is a Los Angeles native and a Las Vegas transplant. He received his undergraduate in business administration with a focus on entrepreneurship from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He continued his education to receive a Master in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis and a Master in Social Work with a concentration in Direct Practice and Integrated Behavioral Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has a background working with children and teens on the autism spectrum, before becoming a social worker he had a career in ABA. His passions include working with adolescents, teens, and families. He worked with adolescents and teens diagnosed with various disorders including Autism, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, complex trauma stemming from physical/emotional/sexual abuse, and attachment disorders. He applies a variety of modalities in his practice including, Play Therapy, TheraPlay, CBT, DBT, Psychoeducation, Brainspotting, and TBRI. He has been drawn to the mental health field as far as he can remember. He is interested in supporting the LGTBQIA2S+ and BIPOC community with mental health services and providing Latinx community members with therapy in their language. Alec is a proud first-born generation Mexican in the U.S. and the first in his family to receive a graduate degree. Alec is currently working on his PhD in School Psychology with an emphasis on Neuropsychology. Alec enjoys reading, traveling the world, and spending time with family and friends.
Learn more here.

Vanya Garabedian
Training Assistant
Albuquerque, NM, USA

As the founder and owner of Intentional Path Counseling LLC, Vanya Garabedian is passionate about enabling and promoting learning. This is clearly demonstrated in the workshops she conducts, where she cultivates an atmosphere that captures participants attention, and is both engaging and informative.
Vanya has accumulated over two decades of experience in the Mental and Behavioral Health field working with diverse populations. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) she is a certified Brainspotting therapist, along with being trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and intensively trained in Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Her background also includes extensive knowledge of experiential models, facilitating ropes courses, and adventure therapy.
Learn more here.

Erin Provost, LPC
Training Assistant
Houston, TX, USA

Erin Provost, LPC-S, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who owns a private practice specializing in working with neurodivergent individuals, particularly Highly Sensitive People and those dealing with developmental and/or complex trauma. Since 2023, she has been a certified Brainspotting Clinician and is currently training as a Brainspotting Consultant.
With 18 years of experience in public education as both a teacher and a school counselor, Erin successfully supported students and staff before deciding to pursue her dream of establishing a private practice.
Learn more here.

BRAINSPOTTING INDIA TRAINING TEAM

Akshita Vaidyanathan, LICSW
Brainspotting Trainer
Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Akshita Vaidyanathan, LICSW
Akshita (she/they) is a neurodivergent, queer trauma-focused therapist, clinical social worker, and certified Brainspotting practitioner with over 9 years of experience in mental health and social work. She has worked across clinical, research, and community-based settings in the United States, India, and Singapore and now owns and runs her own private practice based in India. Their work is deeply soul-centered and rooted in values of anti-oppression and liberation. Akshita's approach to therapy and healing is integrative and holistic - they are client-centered, relational & neurodiversity affirming and use eclectic methods including Brainspotting and somatic psychotherapy, emotion focused therapy and attachment focused orientations, parts work, DBT skills and more. They currently offer support through individual therapy, empowerment-oriented tarot readings, groups, and short-term trauma healing intensives. They specialize in working with adults from the following communities - Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, highly sensitive people, LGBTQIA+, polyamorous and non-monogamous individuals, survivors of developmental trauma, interpersonal and state-sanctioned violence, and individuals navigating their gender and sexual identities. She also works with activists, mental health professionals, and other kinds of healers. Akshita brings herself and her histories into all parts of her work and believes in the healing power of authentic relationships. She is currently in training to become a Brainspotting consultant.
Learn more here.

Bharathy Thridandam, LCSW
Brainspotting Trainer
Carslbad, CA, USA

Bharathy is an California Board of Behavioral Sciences Approved Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2001. She has been trained as a Medical and Psychiatric Social Worker at NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) in India, before she moved to the US in 1994. She has worked with clients with Chronic Schizophrenia, clients with cognitive/memory impairments due to brain injury or dementia and has supported their families, has worked with terminally ill clients and their families in a Hospice setting and since 2003, she spent 19 years working in a Psychiatric Outpatient setting with an HMO covering the range of mental health conditions, teaching classes on Anger management, Stress management & Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction(MBSR).
Bharathy is currently in Private practice full time, working with adults-Individuals and Couples from different ethnic backgrounds, and provides EAP counseling as well.
She works from a multi-cultural Lens, applying Brainspotting, EMDR, CBT, DBT skills/techniques,
Gottman trained Couples therapy, IFS informed practice & Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. She is trained in Yoga (YTT200) and is currently in a YTT 300 hr program.
Her Clinical practice focuses on addressing Trauma due to any of the following:
Workplace stress-Recovery from Burnout; Work-Life Balance. Specializes in addressing Trauma due to attachment disruption, Grief; Loss issues, Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Pain/Health challenges, Couples/Relationship issues.
Learn more here.