Our Team
Our staff consists of personnel ranging from licensed social workers, marriage and family therapists, interns from graduate and undergraduate programs, peer support specialists, case managers and office support personnel. All of our staff members are fluent in English and Spanish.
Karla Arroyo, LCSW - Founder / Clinical Director
Karla Arroyo was born and raised in Mexico City where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana (UAM). Karla moved to Provo, Utah in June of 1999 and earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah in 2006. Her clinical practice has focused on trauma survivors, specifically, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking victims. Karla enjoys working with children and their families.
Berta Rodriguez, CMHC - Therapist
Berta was born in the city of Concepcion in southern Chile, where she grew up and began her studies at the San Sebastian University to later move to Santiago de Chile to finish her Master's Degree in Psychology at the Bolivarian University in April, 2002, mainly motivated to follow this career, since her mother was one of the first university social workers in Chile, which was her great example of service. After 10 years of experience in her country, and for personal and professional reasons to increase her knowledge, she decides to travel to the United States in 2012 with her two children and husband.
Joanna Onorato, CSW - Rural Services Supervisor
Joanna is from Alaska, but after living in Montana, Argentina, Oregon, and Ecuador has found her home in Utah's desert and the small community of Moab. Before becoming a therapist, Joanna graduated from Montana State University majoring in philosophy, political science, and Spanish. She then served the community as a certified medical interpreter and advocate. In 2020, Joanna earned a Master of Social Work degree from USU-Moab and began working at the Multicultural Counseling Center. When she’s not working, you can find her in nature: mountain biking, snowboarding, or spending time with her dogs.
As a therapist, Joanna is guided by approaches that are trauma-informed, client-centered, strengths-based, and empowerment-focused. Joanna utilizes a generalized practice model influenced by techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness.
Gina Toledo, LCSW - Therapist
Letter to a Hero: I met a beautiful, graceful woman at the age of three that I began to call grandma. I recall her sweet voice calling my name to come to supper or to put my coat on to go to the park. Gently she stroked my hair and cared for me. She taught me to pray and read the scriptures and constantly reminded me that my heavenly father was there to teach me and carry me on thru life. She walked me to school and helped me learn my time's tables by sitting by me and teaching me a song to help with retention because it was difficult for me to remember. The peaceful sound of her voice always kept me company in the hardest times. She became the stepping-stone in my life that kept me from being led astray. Memories pour into my heart remembering her teachings and I laugh and cry as I recall anecdotes that we shared. She was my protective factor the one that pulled me together when she was not there. When I looked in the mirror and saw the bruises and pale color on my face since then I learned that even though my present was bleak I could change my future, then I knew, I was called to serve and help others like me these are my deep ties to social work. Since then, now grown women I have kept her example close to my heart by doing what I do today as an MSW graduate and CSW I have stamped my path to help others that share similar experiences I lived. Grateful for all that I have been given and for all the mentors and supporters I have and had along the way. To do what you love and have passion for, it takes courage and dedication, to see beyond what is in front of you. Thank you to my loved ones and my guardian angel for their support on this journey.
Chelsea Montoya, AMHC - Therapist
I am from Las Vegas, Nevada and I got my Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Studies at Weber State University. I got my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During my internship experience in graduate school, I interned at site for two years where I worked primarily with the Latin X population who were uninsured and undocumented. This is a population that I am truly passionate about because I have seen firsthand the challenges and obstacles that this population faces when it comes to mental health services. I also think that this population is underserved when it comes to the mental health field and I would love to make positive difference in this community. During my free time I enjoy being in the outdoors spending time with my 5-year-old son and family. During winter I enjoy skiing and snowboarding, and during the summer I like being at the lake and hiking.
Grizel Williams, CSW - Therapist
Grizel was born and raised in Miami, FL by her Dominican/Cuban family. After her mother remarried, Grizel traveled and lived in various locations that had one main community--access to Nature. After completing her bachelor's in science, majoring in Biology and psychology, as well as receiving her Masters in Science and Counseling at Milligan University in 2015, Grizel briefly practiced as a therapist in TN before realizing there were a few unchecked dreams that she craved to complete. Over the last 4 years, Grizel has worked in social media marketing to amplify mental health issues in the outdoor industry, as well as destigmatize mental health illnesses in hopes that more and more people will get the resources they need to live their life without fear or shame. Her favorite activities include creating music, mountain biking, exploring the desert with her husband and 3 dogs, and dancing in the kitchen while cooking maduros. As a therapist, Grizel utilizes a Client-Centered and Trauma-informed approach, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindful-awareness methods for both Spanish and english speakers.
Fanny Egan - Skills Counselor
Fanny loves to garden, go bike riding, and spending time with family and friends
Jeannette Villalta - Community Liaison
Jeannette was born in Guatemala and have been living in Salt Lake City for 20 years now. She has worked as a Community Wellness Coach for the Hispanic Healthcare Task force and Cancer Program Coordinator for Alliance Community Services. She studied Business Administration in Guatemala City, Certified as a Case Manager, Peer Support Specialist and Health Coach by the University of Utah. Certified as a Victim Assistance Advocate by the Office of Victims of Crime. Certified as Sexual Assault Advocate by Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Graduated from Humanities course Westminster College, Humanities in Focus Filming, and Westside Leadership. She is an active member of the Community working as a Community Health Worker for over 18 years and constantly learning new things for the sake of being able to teach the people around her and for that effort she was a recipient of the Trailblazer Award by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Utah.
Claudia Gonzalez - Social Services Coordinator
Claudia Gonzalez is originally from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. She has lived in the USA for 29 years. She is married to Ciro Jimenez and has two handsome and talented kids Dani 16 and Jose 25 years old. Claudia came to Utah 20 years ago, arriving to Midvale City where she remains to be a loyal resident.
Claudia has always had the spirit of serving her Hispanic community and Midvale City gave her that opportunity by becoming not just a proactive volunteer but a strong advocate in different issues that effected her community.
Jocelyne Lopez - Forensic Coordinator
Jocelyne Lopez was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, but her family originates from Guanajuato, Mexico. In 2020, Jocelyne received a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Ethnic Studies from the University of Utah. Jocelyne's own personal struggles with mental health and the stigma seen within her community influenced her to pursue a career in the mental health field. Jocelyne is passionate about breaking barriers between education and resources within the Latinx community. Her career goal is to become a bilingual psychologist who specializes in helping minority and underrepresented communities. Jocelyne decided to pursue this goal due to the lack of representation within the mental health field. Jocelyne was recently admitted into Westminster's Clinical Mental Health Counseling masters program, where she will begin in Fall 2022.
As the Forensics Coordinator, Jocelyne is responsible for coordinating services for clients seeking psychological evaluations for their immigration cases and connecting clients with resources. Jocelyne is additionally responsible for conducting interviews for the biopsychosocial portion of the assessments.
Jocelyne enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, listening to music and drinking coffee.
Ivonne Quiroz - Family Support Specialist
Ivonne was born in salt lake city. She is half Guatemalan and half Venezuelan. She is 20 years old and has a little baby that's just a few months old. She loves to help others and go out.
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Mario Vazquez - Family Support Specialist
Mario is bilingual in English/Spanish with strong communication skills. He is highly motivated and disciplined person. Good character, integrity, easy going. Always willing to give a helping hand and reach out to others. He loves to listen and counsel according to the assessed needs of the individual and possesses qualities to teach and share knowledge with others
Amy Damian-Ramirez - Family Support Specialist Lead
Amy was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah by parents who immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico. Amy began volunteering at a young age which sparked her interest in helping others. Amy has volunteered for Comunidades Unidas, Neighborhood House, The Children's center, and other organizations through her sorority, Kappa Delta Chi. Amy graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work (BSW) with a minor in Sociology from the University of Utah in 2020. During her undergrad Amy was a mentor and a co-coordinator for Mesitzo's Arts and Activism (MAA), a team leader for TRIO's Upward Bound summer program, and a Student Navigator for TRIO's Student Support Services program. All of these experiences has led Amy where she is today, helping others by sharing her experiences. On her free time, Amy likes to listen to Bad Bunny and Bruno Mars; dance banda, cumbia and norteñas; spend time with family and friends; and eating lots of food!
Pricilia Rios - Family Support Specialist
Pricilia Rios was born and raised in Agua Prieta Sonora Mexico with her parents, where she studied high school and two years of computer programming. At 18 years old, she arrived loaded with dreams and goals to Salt Lake City, where she has lived since then, which she most enjoyed about her. nature is the greatness of mountains outdoor activities, music, animals, encounters with family and friends ... it was in a life training and self-improvement at the US action institute where I discovered my vocation to support my community and the human being and serving as a volunteer for casa del pueblo, community voices and community services of the alliance, working as a health promoter for the Obama care program I came to this great multicultural counseling center where I can give my experience away from life and surviving life's difficulties to motivate and support other people.
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Illiana Toledo - Behavioral Services Program Manager
As a BSW graduate, I have always had the passion to help people live healthy lifestyles and enforce the importance of mental health in diverse communities. I started my professional journey at the Multicultural Counseling Center in April 2020, as a BSW intern where I learned how to do my current role as a skills counselor. As a skills counselor, I work with families and youth to reinforce the therapy that they receive from our amazing therapist, by teaching them skills that aid in their mental health like, mindfulness, healthy copping skills, practice interventions, education on healthy lifestyle, communication skills, psychoeducation etc. In my free time, I love to spend time with my loved ones, be in nature, travel, try new food, hike, ride my bike (spring and fall) and practice yoga.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” - Mahatma Gandhi
Patricia Aguayo - Skills Counselor
Patricia was born and raised in Ventura, California. At young age, she moved to Utah with her family, who is originally from a small town in Jalisco, Mexico. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Patricia quickly gained a passion in social work and helping and giving back to the Latinx community. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Utah Valley University in 2017. Since then, Patricia has gained experience working with young children and teenagers in a school setting through an internship at Alpine School District in Utah County. Patricia has also worked as a case manager for Wasatch Mental Health where she works with individuals who suffer from severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. She is certified as an Adult Case Manager by the Utah State Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. Patricia graduated with her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Boise State University in December 2020 and has begun working at MCC as a full-time therapist since then. Patricia finds pleasure in helping others, giving back to the community, and is a strong advocate for women’s rights. She enjoys music, hiking, reading, and traveling.
Andrea Ochoa - MSWI Intern
Andrea was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She immigrated to San Francisco, CA at the age of five with her family. Growing up in the Bay Area she gained a love for working with children from low-income neighborhoods and volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club as well as worked in many Summer Programs in the area. Andrea then moved to Utah with her family and recently Graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Social Work and a minor in Criminology. She is now in the MSW program and hopes to finish her degree and attend law school in the future. Her goal is to help immigrant families and all other minorities receive the resources and access to mental health services they need.
Maria Morris - MSWI Intern
Maria Morris was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. She moved to Utah as a teen and fell in love with the mountains. She enjoys reading, watching movies, and cross-stitching. She lives with her husband and multiple pets. Her passion for helping others and curiosity about the human brain and its workings led her to get a B.S in psychology from the University of Utah. Currently, she is in graduate school, working on her MSW. She hopes to help the Latinx population in their language and bring mental health resources to our community
Mariana Aguilar - Agent/Receptionist
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Thania Vesalco - Customer Service
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