Our Staff
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ALAYNA BRINTON, LICSW, CCFP
Chief Clinical Officer alaynabrinton@anchorpointcounseling.hush.com (509) 593-8122 ext 1 
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CHELSEA MORO
Administrative Director info@anchorpointcounseling.hush.com (509) 593-8122 ext 0 
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LIBBY ARCT
Administrative Assistant assist@anchorpointcounseling.hush.com (509) 593-8122 ext 0 
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JONI HUBBARD
Administrative Assistant assist@anchorpointcounseling.hush.com (509) 593-8122 ext 0 
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HANNA WELSER, LICSW Clinical Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Director of Quality Assurance My Education, Training, and Experience: I earned my undergraduate degree in social work (BSW) in 2013. The following year I completed my master’s degree in social work (MSW) at Walla Walla University. During these years, I completed internships in individual and group therapy/education settings and volunteered until 2015 in a local after-school program focused on support and community for LGBTQ+ teens. From 2014-2019, I worked as an individual and group therapist for adults in a community mental health setting. I am Gottman Level 1 certified for couples counseling, and am trained in Somatic & Attachment Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (SAFE EMDR). I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Washington (License Number: LW60812050). My Treatment Modality and Therapeutic Orientation: I have a warm, person-centered approach to therapy, and come to the therapy room with a variety of tools aimed at ultimately discovering what core beliefs are keeping you stuck in patterns that are not serving you and finding new pathways to healing. I tend to draw on skills from Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and the practice of mindfulness as it applies to training and calming busy minds and letting go of burdens that do not serve us. I strongly believe that as the client, you are the expert on yourself, and that you already possess the capacity within you to grow and find healing. My role as a therapist is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to be heard and learn new skills to reach your goals. My interests in therapy at this time are working with clients 16+ seeking services for depression, anxiety, life changes, communication and boundary problems, chronic physical pain/illness, and grief. I also identify as a gender and sexuality affirming/educated and sex-positive clinician and am excited to be part of your journey around themes of identity, belonging, and navigating healthy and fulfilling relationships. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers |
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KENIA PINEDA, LSWAIC
Clinical Therapist Associate Education, Training, and Experience: I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social work from Walla Walla University in 2020. During my education, I provided advocacy-based counseling to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I have experience working with children, teens, and adults. I am Gottman Level 1 certified for couple’s therapy. I am a bilingual (English and Spanish) and bicultural therapist. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Work Associate in the state of Washington (License #SC61120299). My Treatment Modality and Therapeutic Orientation: My goal as a therapist is to create a safe environment for individuals to heal and meet their individual needs and goals. I provide therapy using a trauma informed, client centered, and strengths-based approach. I believe that every client is the expert of their own life, and that with support and encouragement, they hold the power within themselves to meet their goals. The evidence-based practice that I prefer to use is CBT. 
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ESTÉE PUMMEL, LICSW
Clinical Therapist My Education, Training and Experience: I earned both my Bachelor of Social Work and my Master of Social Work degrees at Walla Walla University’s School of Social Work and Sociology, completing the program in 2014. I focused my classwork on the treatment of mental health, children, and adolescents. I completed my Master’s level practicum at my local Community Mental Health clinic. After finishing my degree, I worked at a skilled nursing facility as the social worker on staff. Since joining Anchor Point I have been treating a variety of clients from young children to older adults. I am licensed as an Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington State. (Credential number LW 61117018). My Treatment Modality and Therapeutic Orientation: I approach my work from a person-centered, trauma informed perspective. Regardless of age or ability, every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and as an intelligent human being with valid thoughts, emotions, opinions and beliefs, even when they may differ from my own. I use what might be called an eclectic approach to therapy. Rather than sticking with one therapeutic modality for all my clients I tend to pick and choose parts of various approaches to fit the needs of the client. I believe trauma impacts how a person perceives the world and can cause significant distress when not addressed. I also believe it is possible to incorporate traumatic experiences and to recover a sense of peace and wellbeing through a process sometimes called post-traumatic growth. I am excited to work with people at all stages of life and to help each one find a path to health and wholeness. Pronouns: She/Her |
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JOSH GRIFFIN, LSWAIC
Clinical Therapist Associate Following careers in emergency response and the military, I graduated from Walla Walla University with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2019 and completed my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Walla Walla University in 2020. During my undergraduate education I worked with a variety of clients in a crisis stabilization facility recovering from various traumas. While completing my master’s education, I interned with a crisis response team, reaching out to individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts. I am a level 2 trained clinician in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and have experience working with and treating children, teens, and adults. My goal as a therapist is to provide an empathetic, non-judgmental approach tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client, couple or family. I utilize a cognitive-behavioral modality while drawing from dialectic behavioral skills, and utilizing various methods from Gestalt. I believe each individual should be the master of their own life, and this belief guides my therapeutic approach toward the specific desires and needs of each person I work with. I am a US Army combat veteran whose continuing mission is to help others enrich their lives. While my past experience has prepared me well to work with the veteran and first responder communities, I am also eager to help any client in need. I look forward to joining you in whatever your journey may be, to assist you in finding hope, healing, and happiness. 
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CAROL IRWIN, LICSW
Clinical Therapist Personal Statement and Credentials: I obtained my Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2008 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in May of 2018. Prior to my licensure as a social worker, I worked for years as a nurse. I have many years of diverse experience in both professional capacities. I offer counseling services for adults living with illnesses or disabilities, people desiring personal growth, and people struggling with interpersonal problem and life challenges. My time as a nurse has influenced and improved my ability as a social worker because I am able to utilize my knowledge from both fields to best treat my patients. My tool kit includes an eclectic mix of evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing among others. Most importantly I am passionate about helping others to help themselves. |
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SHANE LONGMIRE, LMHC
Clinical Therapist, Clinical Supervisor Personal Statement: As a counselor, I strive to create a therapeutic space in which to work collaboratively with my clients to meet their individual needs and goals. I employ a client-centered approach, utilizing a variety of evidence-based methods to facilitate meaningful exploration of concerns with an eye toward mutually agreed upon solutions. Sincere compassion and understanding undergird my approach, enhanced by a history of diverse experiences and a broad knowledge base from which to draw insight and facilitate healing. Experience: As an experienced educator and counselor, I have been working with children and families for the majority of my life. After spending nearly twenty years in the field of education as a teacher and school counselor, I moved away from the school setting to focus on individual counseling, while continuing my focus on children and adolescents. I have been honored to work with a variety of individuals of various backgrounds and experiences and have been trained specifically in trauma-informed therapeutic approaches including S.A.F.E. EMDR. I am a licensed mental health therapist with the State of Washington, obtaining my Master’s at Walla Walla University with a specialty in educational psychology. I have been a therapist for 8 years, working primarily with adolescents and children, utilizing evidence-based practices to address a variety of needs. |
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ALEC SCALF, LSWAIC
Clinical Therapist Associate My Education, Training, and Experience: I graduated with a Master's degree in Social Work from Walla Walla University in 2022. During my practicum I worked as a Behavioral Health Navigator at Blue Mountain Health Cooperative where I was able to meet with clients and help connect them to resources in our community. I also had the opportunity to work one-on-one with college students at WWU who were struggling. My Treatment Modality and Therapeutic Orientation: I commonly use a strengths-based and person-centered approach that also individualizes treatment based interventions to assist each unique person. I work to create a safe and supportive environment that meets people where they are at in order to help individuals meet their personal goals. I utilize other various treatment perspectives based on and tailored to each individual’s strengths, needs, and goals for wellness. While personalizing treatment, I also maintain a biopsycho-social treatment perspective with the consideration for person-in-environment theory. After I graduated I worked at a skilled nursing facility as a social worker before coming to Anchor Point Counseling. I am Gottman Level 1 Certified for Couples Therapy. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Work Associate in the state of Washington (License #SC61400880). My Treatment Modality and Therapeutic Orientation My aim as a Therapist is to have a warm, empathetic approach and create a non-judgmental space for healing and self-actualization. I focus on using a client centered, strengths-based approach and use goal planning and skill learning to better help clients. I believe that individuals hold the answers to their own healing and with support can reach their goals. I am gender and sexuality affirming and sex positive and support clients with their identity and sexuality. I tend use CBT therapy as a modality as well as drawing on ACT therapy with a focus on mindfulness psychological flexibility. |
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CORTNEY NEEDHAM, LSWAIC
Clinical Therapist Associate Cortney completed her Masters of Social work degree June of 2022. Cortney completed her clinical hours at Blue Mountain Health Cooperative, where she fell in love with counseling, and will now be working in this field where she is passionate about helping people of all ages to express their feelings and build skills for a better life. Cortney is focused on whole person care through providing a calm and supportive environment. She has over 20 years of experience in providing Pastoral Care as a trained hospital and hospice chaplain. She plans to use those years of service to inform and provide a supportive and caring experience for her clients. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, horseback riding, and nature photography. Cortney offers Equine Assisted Therapy services in partnership with Blue Mountain Therapeutic Riding 
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CAITLIN HILL, LMFTA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate Education, Training, and Experience: I completed my undergraduate Psychology degree at Whitworth University in 2011. At that point I began working for a residential, crisis center for at risk and homeless teens. I have worked as a family reconciliation counselor for teens who ran away or were at risk or being kicked out of their homes. In 2019 I earned my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. I have experience working with children, teens, individuals, families and couples. During my graduate education I have walked with clients through general relationship and life concerns as well as those navigating diagnoses, and trauma histories. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate in the state of Washington (License # MG61102313 ). My Treatment Modality and Therapeutic Orientation: As a Marriage and Family Therapist I am committed to providing ethical, empirically based, and compassionate care to my clients regardless of their reason for seeking therapy. I work to create a safe space in which my clients are free to experience and express their feelings and perspectives without judgement or shame. I try to foster a transparent partnership with my clients so that they are fully aware and part of the process of therapy and therefore the outcome. I can offer kind, compassionate care to my clients regardless of their unique reasons for seeking therapy because I see them as more than their difficulties and more than their mistakes. I believe that when we experience that unconditional safety, we are more open to change and more willing to take difficult steps in emotional growth. I have experience using Emotionally Focused Therapy and prefer to work from an emotionally focused, person-centered perspective. |