Our Staff
Frank Evarts, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Evarts received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1975. He has practiced as a licensed psychologist since 1976. Dr. Evarts is also a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor. In 1976 he assisted in founding Nevada’s only facility for mentally and emotionally disturbed criminal offenders, Lakes Crossing Center. In 1979 he started private practice while also working for the state of Nevada’s Rural Clinics mental health program. In 1989 he co-founded, along with David Larson, CEAP, Mountain Employee Assistance Program, a pre-paid counseling service for companies and municipal agencies.
Dr. Evarts has been an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada, Reno for more than 20 years. There he has assisted in training and supervising clinical psychology graduate students. He worked closely for many years with the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living, both as a board member and as a practitioner for people with disabilities.
Over the years Dr. Evarts has studied many therapy modalities, finding Integrative Body Psychotherapy (IBP) to be the most functional, comprehensive and effective for clients. He is both a certified IBP practitioner and teacher. Dr. Evarts was deeply honored to teach, along with his wife, Barbara Kess Evarts, a five-day IBP couples workshop at Esalen Institute in 2006. He currently runs his private practice and Mountain EAP in Reno, Nevada.
Dr. Evarts has two adult sons. His interests and hobbies include bicycle riding, skiing, hiking, weather, photography, and travel.
Dr. Evarts has been an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada, Reno for more than 20 years. There he has assisted in training and supervising clinical psychology graduate students. He worked closely for many years with the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living, both as a board member and as a practitioner for people with disabilities.
Over the years Dr. Evarts has studied many therapy modalities, finding Integrative Body Psychotherapy (IBP) to be the most functional, comprehensive and effective for clients. He is both a certified IBP practitioner and teacher. Dr. Evarts was deeply honored to teach, along with his wife, Barbara Kess Evarts, a five-day IBP couples workshop at Esalen Institute in 2006. He currently runs his private practice and Mountain EAP in Reno, Nevada.
Dr. Evarts has two adult sons. His interests and hobbies include bicycle riding, skiing, hiking, weather, photography, and travel.
Barbara Kess Evarts, Ed.S., MFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Barbara holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication and an Educational Specialist degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is both a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Substance Abuse Counselor. She has also been a vocational rehabilitation counselor, teacher, graphic designer, and VISTA volunteer.
Barbara has been in the counseling field for over 20 years. She has studied body, sensory, and spiritual approaches to growth and consciousness for over 25 years. She brings a unique blend of body awareness and mindfulness approaches to her relationship counseling. She is certified as an Integrative Body Psychotherapy (IBP) Therapist and Teacher, and is also certified as an EMDR Practitioner. In her "off hours" she likes to ski, bike, exercise, paint, take photographs and garden.
Barbara has been in the counseling field for over 20 years. She has studied body, sensory, and spiritual approaches to growth and consciousness for over 25 years. She brings a unique blend of body awareness and mindfulness approaches to her relationship counseling. She is certified as an Integrative Body Psychotherapy (IBP) Therapist and Teacher, and is also certified as an EMDR Practitioner. In her "off hours" she likes to ski, bike, exercise, paint, take photographs and garden.
M. Todd Sewell, M.A., Counselor
Todd Sewell received his Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Northern Arizona in 2007, and is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Nevada, Reno. Todd has been trained in Cognitive/Behavioral Therapies and has experience treating depression, anxiety, and trauma. Todd has published articles in the areas of sexual assault, chronic pain, and sexual disorders. He currently teaches at Truckee Meadows Community College where he has received an “Excellence in Teaching” award for part time instructors. In his spare time, Todd enjoys traveling with his family, golf, camping, and tinkering in his garage.
Joanne Ray, M.A. Counseling, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
Joanne holds a Masters of Arts in Counseling and is currently completing Marriage and Family Therapy classes through the Counseling and Educational Psychology program at the University of Nevada Reno. Joanne is committed to the therapeutic process bringing a wide variety of work experience and knowledge, skills and abilities to individuals and clients served. Joanne is a certified clinical hypnotherapist and NLP Master Practitioner. Joanne enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking, as well as the arts, and participating in the community.
Nancy Lindler, M.S., LMFT
Nancy earned her Masters of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family therapy from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2001. She became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in November of 2004. Nancy has worked in a variety of clinical settings during her career as a therapist. She has facilitated clinical work as a direct service provider and a clinical services manager both in non -profit agencies and mental health clinics. Nancy enjoys working with couples and families whenever possible. She uses a therapeutic approach that works with the individuals within the context of their relationships and the dynamics they have created together. She believes that helping each client to find and follow their own inner truth is the path to healing and wellness. Nancy has experience working with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar and other mood disorders. She is a third year student in a three-year training program at the Central Institute of Integrative Body Psychotherapy in Santa Monica CA. She finds this energetic work to be effective and fulfilling for clients. Her favorite place to be is outdoors. Mountain biking, hiking and snowboarding are her favorites.
Valjean Licon, M.A., Clinical Professional Counselor, NCC, NCSC
Val LiCon earned a Masters in Counseling and Education Psychology from University Nevada, Reno. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Nationally Certified School Counselor. He has worked as an educator of adolescents for over 20 years, and has been a school counselor for the past 10. He views counseling as a relationship of trust, honesty, and respect for the individual, which can lead to personal exploration and growth for the client. Val enjoys challenging himself in a wide variety of outdoor sports and activities, and learning to play guitar.
Antonio Gomez, M.A., MFT, LADC, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Spanish Speaking
Antonio Gomez has been in the psychotherapy field for many years. He is dually licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy and Drug and Alcohol Abuse. He is 100% bilingual and bicultural (he grew up in Mexico). Currently he is conducting therapy both in English and Spanish for individuals, couples, familes and groups. He also leads educational groups in Domestic Violence, Parenting, Anger Management, and Driving Under the Influence (DUI's).