meet our team
“Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts... We are at our best when we serve others.”
-Margaret Mead
Dr. Mona Martinez
(she/they)
PhD // CPC
Owner & Clinical Director
Background
Dr. Mona Martinez is the founder and owner of The Counseling Exchange. Her goal was to create an agency focused on supporting therapists to reduce therapist burnout, in order to promote quality client services. She obtained PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Nevada, Reno and has her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She previously worked in the Master's program at UNR as the Director of the Downing Counseling Clinic, Field Site Supervisor, and taught counseling classes to Master's students. Mona is also a board-approved clinical supervisor. She is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) trained and currently engaging in extra training to become certified.
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Views on Counseling
I believe that counseling is a process of self-growth and understanding that can be beneficial for anyone. Life can sometimes be confusing and difficult, I seek to provide support and understanding to clients during these times. I aim to provide counseling interventions that work best for each unique client. I have extensive experience in working with teens and understand that this is a unique phase of life that takes a lot of support. I also work with identity development issues, both LGBTQ+ and racial. I work diligently to provide a safe, comfortable, respectful counseling setting where clients focus on goals important to them.
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Specialty Areas
LGBTQ+, Adolescents, Self-harm/suicidality, Identity Development (cultural, LGBTQ+), EMDR (childhood trauma, religious trauma)
Julia Negrete
(she/her)
BS // Social Science
Admin and Billing Support
Background
Julia Negrete obtained her Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from the University of Maryland. She also recently obtained her Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) certificate from Northwest Career College. She assists the agency with client intakes and billing, as well as supports agency staff with administrative needs. Julia works diligently to support clients with any billing issues and concerns. Julia is an invaluable part of the agency team!​
Lindsay Funston
(she/her)
MA // CPC-Intern
Mental Health Therapist
Background
Lindsay Funston has her Bachelor's degree in Interpersonal Communication from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Nevada, Reno. Lindsay previously lived in Australia for 8 years before moving back to Reno to pursue her Master's degree. She also has a background in managing administrative responsibilities within the hospitality industry. Lindsay's long-term goal includes combining counseling with physical fitness to help individuals address both physical and mental health; she is certified as a yoga instructor and personal trainer.
Views on Counseling
I believe that counseling is an ongoing process of self-acceptance and personal growth. Counseling can be beneficial for situational challenges, mental health struggles, and personal exploration. I provide an environment free from judgment, biases, or agendas; while also cultivating a trusting environment to help clients feel supported and understood. I believe that the client and counselor work together to create client goals and change; change is best nourished when a client is given compassion, grace, and understanding. I also provide client-centered play therapy for children (ages 2 and up) to assist with processing emotions.
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Specialty Areas
Play Therapy (ages 3-10), Childhood Trauma, Adolescents, CBT, EMDR (negative core beliefs)
Cyndi Woodburn
(she/her)
MA // LMFT
Mental Health Therapist
Background
Cyndi Woodburn was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno, where she received her B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies and her M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling. She has worked extensively with adolescents in rural Nevada communities experiencing anxiety, depression, and navigating trauma. She is passionate about working with teens, as she believes it is a pivotal time for identity development. Cyndi enjoys utilizing the creative arts in her work with individuals and families. She consistently engages in education and training to further her knowledge of counseling interventions and provide quality counseling for clients.
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Views on Counseling
At times, life can be challenging and can cause us to feel stuck or lost. I believe that the counseling relationship between therapist and client allows for a partnership to help you navigate challenges you may be facing. There is power and support in finding someone to walk with you through the weeds, especially when done in a safe environment that is built on trust and understanding. I believe that everyone is equipped with the skills and tools they need to be the best version of themselves; through the use of connection and collaboration, individuals are able to reignite those skills to facilitate the change they desire.
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Specialty Areas
Military and First Responders, Adolescents, Couples, EMDR (sexual trauma, PTSD, religious trauma)
Debbie Prines
(she/her)
MA // MFT-I
Mental Health Therapist
Background
Debbie Prines is an MFT-Intern, who has been in the field of mental health since 2009. She started as receptionist at a counseling agency in Las Vegas, and worked in different domains within mental health, including case management, service coordination, psychosocial rehabilitator, and child development. She obtained her B.S. at Nevada State College in Psychology in 2014, and later her Masters in Marriage and Family therapy with a specialization in general family systems in 2019. Her goal is to help others through trials and tribulations that can come with life, and to help them heal by balancing life along with mental health.
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Views on Counseling
Therapy is a journey an individual needs to be ready to partake in, what that journey looks like is up to the person seeking it; I offer support in my clients' journeys. I always start my sessions with “Where do you want to start today?”, as I meet my clients where they are. If someone does not know where to start, then we can find where that is together. I provide a safe, understanding, non-judgmental environment, and if needed, assertive yet respectful in nature. My clients and I work on treatment goals since day one, in order to know when progress is being made in the therapy room, and we check in as needed on these goals. ​
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Specialty Areas
Spanish-speaking, Couples, Pre-teens/Adolescents, LGTBQ+, Trauma, EMDR, Suicidal Ideations, Mood Disorders (Depression, Anxiety), OCD, PTSD
Randee Hill
(she/her)
MA // LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Background
Randee Hill received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Portland State University and she is licensed as an LCSW in Nevada and California. She has worked in a wide variety of positions in California and Nevada including DCFS, the MOST team, HOPES, and several private companies offering therapy services. Her areas of experience include child welfare, foster care and adoptions, crisis intervention, previously incarcerated, military, drug and alcohol, seriously and persistently mentally ill, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, early childhood, parent and child relationships and parenting.
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Views on Counseling
Counseling is a way to discover how we can live with our past, live in the present, and face an uncertain future daily. Most of us, given the time, the right information, and possibly someone to talk with could figure out for ourselves how to manage the things that are challenging for us. Counseling is a kind of shortcut to learning how to manage our emotions and anxieties and find ways to meet daily challenges. Through counseling we can learn the skills to manage our strong emotions as well as acknowledging empathy for ourselves and others in dealing with tough life situations. It can allow us to deepen our perception of relationships and events and discover skills to help us enhance our relationships with family and others.​
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Specialty Areas
Children, Parenting, Military, Trauma, Pre-teens/Adolescents, LGBTQ+
Coming Soon...
Background
Coming Soon...
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Views on Counseling
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Specialty Areas
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Quirky ("Q")
(she/her)
Therapy-Dog-in-Training
Office Greeter
Background
Quirky was adopted from a rescue in Bakersfield, CA when she was a puppy and is now 2.5 years old with lots of energy! She is currently going through training classes to become a certified therapy dog. Quirky enjoys saying hello to clients in the office and enjoys when anyone will play fetch with her. She is often in session with Dr. Mona Martinez and is great at providing comfort and affection to clients when they need it.
Coming Soon...
Background
Coming Soon...
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Views on Counseling
Coming Soon...​
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Specialty Areas
Coming Soon...
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