Counseling and Resource Center employees

Meet the Staff

Our counselors have at least a Master's level education in counseling or a related field and are licensed or licensed eligible in the state of Washington.

Jessica Burwell, M.A.

she/her

Director, Counseling and Wellness
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
WA. State Approved Supervisor

Jessica oversees the Counseling and Resource Center and Wellness Center. She meets with students who are in crisis or seeking career counseling services, and serves on the CARE Team and Queer Action Team. She works from a multicultural and social justice perspective. She believes that every student has the capacity to overcome barriers and obstacles and succeed in school, given they have the relational and community support and resources they need. In her counseling role, she helps individuals find and rediscover the best parts of themselves, gain confidence, and feel more hopeful about their future.

• M.A.Ed., Community Counseling | Seattle University

Tanya Knutzen, MSW

she/her

Assistant Director, Counseling and Wellness
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
WA State Approved Supervisor

Tanya helps support the operations of the Counseling and Resource Center and Wellness Center. She also serves on the CARE Team, sees students for individual counseling, and meets with students who are in crisis.

Tanya has experience working in community mental health, private practice, and hospital settings and enjoys working with folks from all walks of life. She believes that our early relationships and life experiences have a profound impact on the way we engage with the world and that examining these in the context of a safe and supportive relationship can bring about healing and growth. Tanya is passionate about helping students build a life they love through honest and compassionate connection with themselves and others. She has an eclectic, client–centered, and trauma-informed approach to counseling, drawing on attachment, humanistic, and social justice theory, and utilizing elements of CBT, DBT, and EMDR as appropriate. She offers counseling services in English, Ukrainian, and Russian. When not in her office, Tanya enjoys wild outdoor adventures, taking care of her 70+ houseplants, making art, crafting, cooking, puzzles of all kinds, and gatherings with friends and family.

• MSW, Clinical Social Work | University of Washington
• B.A., Psychology and Sociology | Seattle Pacific University

Arlene Vollema

she/her

Program Specialist

Arlene has many years of experience in public education at the K-12 and college level as an Executive/Administrative Assistant and Benefits Specialist. Her goal is for everyone who sends an email, calls or comes into the CRC to feel welcome and supported.

In her free time, Arlene enjoys spending time with her family, crocheting, tending to her indoor and outdoor plants and going for long walks.

• Legal Secretarial Services | Everett Business College

Lara Delfin, B.S.

she/her

Wellness Coordinator

Lara holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western Washington University. With a strong background in higher education and mental health services, she has developed valuable skills in crisis intervention and support for students facing various challenges. Lara is passionate about promoting mental well-being and creating supportive environments for those in need. In her free time, she enjoys cooking a variety of cuisines, experimenting with new recipes, and spending quality time with her community.

• B.S., Psychology | Western Washington University

Meet the Counselors

Ashley Martin, M.A.

she/her

Counselor Intern

Ashley is completing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University. She has experience counseling adults in a telehealth setting as well as leading parent support groups through PEPS (Program for Parent Support). Before starting her Master’s program, Ashley worked as a SpEd paraeducator and one-on-one aide, supporting primary and elementary age students in Seattle Schools.

Ashley takes a humanistic approach to counseling, helping clients lean into their own wisdom while exploring the experiences, systems, and relationships that impact each individual uniquely. She is passionate about helping others become the best versions of themselves through self-discovery, education, and personal growth. Ashley loves yoga, being outdoors, and creating art. She can often be found recharging her batteries in and around the Pacific Northwest mountains, woods, and waters with her family and her dog.

• M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Antioch University Seattle (In Progress)
• B.A., Fine Art | Western Washington University
• A.A. | Whatcom Community College

Jason Koop, M.A.

he/him

Counselor Intern

Jason is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Seattle University. He has previous experience working as a behavior specialist working with children and adolescents within public school districts. Through his experiences, Jason understands the struggles and joys of balancing school, work, and life outside of professional settings.

Jason views counseling as a method for individuals to understand themselves from a holistic perspective and practices a humanistic philosophy that holds value in empathy, collaboration, and empowerment. He believes that everyone holds unique stories and experiences that shape who they are. Jason aims to help in recognizing one’s strengths and empowering clients to reach their goals. He envisions working collaboratively as a team in a safe, reflective, engaging, and supportive environment.

During his free time, Jason enjoys playing PC games, lifting weights, snowboarding, and tending to his house plant collection.

• M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Seattle University (In progress)
• B.A., Community Psychology | University of Washington, Bothell

Tess Millar

she/her

Counselor Intern

Tess is currently pursuing her Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Seattle University. She has experience working with children and adults with disabilities through different roles related to equine assisted therapies as well as with people experiencing crisis through local emergency services.

Tess is passionate about serving the community and providing trauma-informed care. She works under the belief that each individual is an expert in their own life. Tess’s approach is centered in forging a trusting therapeutic relationship that fosters growth and recovery in a brave, authentic space. Drawing from person-centered, humanistic, and existential therapeutic lenses, Tess aims to connect clients with helpful resources and support clients in exploring difficult topics, setting personal goals, and identifying helpful strengths.

Tess enjoys spending time at the barn with her horse, Hero, and her dog, Princess. She draws comfort from caring for horses, exploring state parks with friends and family, and vegetable gardening.

• M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Seattle University (In Progress)
• B.S., Animal Science | California Polytechnic State University, SLO

Sheena Sonntag, M.A.

she/her

Counselor Intern

Sheena is pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University. She has experience with telehealth counseling as well as facilitating support groups. Prior to her Master’s program, Sheena worked as a personal fitness trainer and led social justice focused youth camps.

Sheena approaches counseling from a holistic, trauma informed lens and is committed to social justice. She draws from attachment-based, polyvagal, and somatic orientations and views people within the context of the systems in which they exist. She believes everyone is whole and has everything inside of them needed to heal. She strives to provide the safe space needed for clients to access their inner wisdom and reconnect with their full, authentic self. Outside of counseling, Sheena loves spending time with her family, lifting weights, being outdoors, whether near the beach or in the mountains, as well as creating art!

• M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Antioch University Seattle (In Progress)
• Trauma Certificate | Antioch University Seattle
• B.S., Biology | University of Washington

Torran Kitts

he/him

Counselor Intern

Torran has worked in mental health for the last five years in community programs, skills and support groups, university clinics, and partial hospitalization and residential programs. He believes that counseling is an opportunity for people to gain understanding, flexibility, acceptance and change. He offers a safe relationship for people to explore their goals and process their lives, drawing from a relational and eclectic theoretical background. Torran has experience working with diverse issues and populations and is especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ individuals and chronic pain.

Non-therapist Torran likes to make music, tromp around the forest less often than he’d like, play video games, and coddle his cats.

• M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Antioch University Seattle (In Progress)
• B.A., Psychology | University of Colorado, Boulder

Daisy Santana, MSW

she/her

Associate Faculty Counselor
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Daisy strives to provide a holistic and welcoming space where clients can feel validated and empowered. She aims to bring awareness to mental health by offering education and support. Daisy’s experience includes individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, grief/bereavement, medical trauma, and supporting individuals who’ve experienced various forms of assault. She is also passionate about working with students who identify as Hispanic/Latinx. While working together, her goal is to support your journey while respecting you as the expert in your life. Daisy’s therapeutic style is inviting, warm, and interactive. 

In her free time, Daisy enjoys spending time with family and friends, is a fan of game nights, and loves spending time near the water.

• MSW, Clinical Social Work | University of Maryland, Baltimore 
• B.S., Psychology | University of Maryland Global Campus 
• A.A., Psychology | Copper Mountain Community College

Erica Walters, M.A.

she/her

Full-time Faculty Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

She believes counseling begins by working in partnership with the client to create a safe and caring space. By processing challenging and painful life experiences together, she looks to generate pathways for flexibility, growth, and healing. Honoring the experience of the client, Erica is committed to engaging with multicultural issues. She advocates for the discovery of resilience and empowerment within the individual.

Erica finds comfort in listening to music, reading, and cooking. She has developed several new hobbies during social distancing and enjoys watercolor painting and indoor gardening.

• M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling | Antioch University Seattle

Jamie Robbins, M.A.

she/her

Associate Faculty Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Board Certified Art Therapist

Jaime has worked in the mental health field for over 15 years, serving in community mental health, private practice, and academia. As a Board Certified Art Therapist, she is passionate about the powerful role creativity can serve in healing and the personal wisdom one can gain through art-making. Jaime approaches counseling as a collaborative process, working with clients to establish therapy goals, and often seeks ways to help increase healthy relationships and maximize community resources. Working from a cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and social justice lens, she strives to provide her clients with a warm and safe environment where personal exploration, skill building, and empowerment can thrive.

Jaime loves to play sand volleyball, make art, hike, paddle board, and be outside with her family and her big dog Ziggy.

• M.A., Psychology | Antioch University Seattle
• B.A., Human Development | University of California, San Diego

Kendra Thew, Ph.D.

she/her

Full-Time Faculty Counselor
Licensed Psychologist
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
WA. State Approved Supervisor

Kendra's counseling experience includes working with diverse individuals, couples, and groups. She focuses on creating a safe, multiculturally responsive, and inclusive space, and believes everyone deserves basic human rights, including respect and dignity. Kendra believes in the power of healthy relationships and connections with others. She is also focused on how the larger culture and systems influence the quality of relationships and health. She is interested in learning about who you are as a person; what is essential to you, what is challenging for you, identities you hold, and what you want to change in your life. She aims to provide an environment that is safe to explore uncomfortable topics, generate new solutions, and identify helpful skills. While she takes an interpersonal and emotionally focused therapy approach, she recognizes different clients are seeking different forms of treatment and adapts her approach to incorporate other theoretical orientations as needed.

Kendra enjoys walking her dog, reading, board games, crochet, and spending time with friends and family.

• Ph.D., Counseling Psychology | Washington State University
• M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy | Gonzaga University
• B.A., Psychology | Gonzaga University