Our Team

Hello! I joined the University of Alaska Anchorage’s psychology faculty in 2021 as a Term Assistant Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Psychological Services Center (PSC) after working in community mental health and integrated behavioral healthcare settings in both clinical and administrative positions. Outside of the university, I serve as the Ethics Committee Chair and Early Career Psychologist for the Alaska Psychological Association where I work with our mental health providers to support a community of ethical practice, advocate for psychology in Alaska, and offer ethics consultations. As a faculty member, I get to focus on clinical training and clinical supervision for our graduate students.  In my role as a clinical supervisor, I support each student exploring their emerging professional identity as a behavioral health provider.  Using primarily a competency development model, we work together to develop foundational clinical and professional skills.  I earned my Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Alaska Pacific University and Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology and Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. In my work as an educator, psychologist, supervisor, and director my areas of interest include health equity, interprofessional and multidisciplinary practice, trauma informed care, program development and evaluation, and working with vulnerable and underserved populations. 

Hi my name is Brianna Chonos and I am currently a student clinician at the psychological services center, as well as a student in the MS clinical psychology program at UAA. Prior to enrolling in the MS program I obtained my BA in psychology and a minor in criminology from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa California. Although I have a specific interest in criminal justice and working with people that struggle with substance abuse, my ultimate goal is to serve community needs.

My name is Emily (she/her/hers), and I am a student clinician in the PSC, supervised by Dr. Kevin Tarlow. I am currently a 2^nd-year student in the Clinical-Community Psychology Ph.D. program at UAA and have completed my Master of Social Work degree at UAA, as well. Previously, I have focused on individual, group, and family therapy for children and their caregivers at an outpatient community mental health center here in Alaska. In my work with clients, I use a client-centered approach, where pursuing the client’s goals and what makes life meaningful for them is what drives the therapy. I also use a strengths-based approach, where clients’ strengths and resources are highlighted, instead of only focusing on what isn’t working. The therapeutic relationship is of the utmost importance to me, as the best changes can be made when the client has a good connection and feels safe with their therapist; creating a welcoming and affirming therapeutic environment for clients of all cultural backgrounds is the foundation of my work. I look forward to the honor of collaborating with you on your treatment goals!

Hello there! My name is Isaac and my pronouns are he/him/his.  I am a student clinician at the Psychological Services Center at UAA supervised by Dr. Hannah Ekstrom. I am in my final year in the MS Clinical Psychology program at the University of Anchorage Alaska. I aspire to serve my community in Alaska once I graduate, specifically working with grief and trauma. When I am not busy with academics, I enjoy training for marathons and cooking for my friends and family.

Hello, my name is Janna (she/her/hers). I am a student clinician at the Psychological Services Center under the supervision of Dr. Ekstrom. I was born and raised here in Alaska. I grew up in the remote community of Little Tutka, and later moved to Homer, and then Anchorage as I advanced my education. Experiencing cultural and community adjustments in my transition from rural to urban spaces has given me insight into the importance of connection, community, and self-identity, all of which had led me to pursuing psychology. I am currently a 2nd year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Alaska Anchorage. My clinical interests include anxiety, depression, and interpersonal relationships. Within my approach, I like to highlight mindfulness, skill building and psychoeducation, but overarchingly my focus is to support each client’s individual needs and goals during our work together. Prior to my enrollment in the Master’s program, I have worked in the Anchorage School District, with early learning programs, and within the University of Alaska Anchorage. Currently I am also supporting the Psychological Services Center as Clinic Coordinator. Through my previous education, I hold Bachelor degrees in Cultural Linguistics, Cultural Anthropology, and Psychology.

Hello, I am Melinda (She/Her), and I am a mental health clinician trainee. I was born and raised locally in Eagle River, Alaska, where I have lived my entire life. I graduated high school in 2007. Following high school, I enrolled in the University of Alaska Anchorage for a bachelor of arts (BA) in Psychology. I graduated in the winter of 2020. In 2021 I was accepted into the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program at the University of Alaska Anchorage and am currently attending the program full-time. After graduating from the program, I will work towards obtaining an LPC from the State of Alaska.

I am currently in my first semester of working with clients. I offer mental health services to individuals through telehealth and in-person psychotherapeutic sessions. A few areas of clinical interest are anxiety, substance misuse, trauma, and depression. The types of therapy I am interested in include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing (MI). After graduating from the M.S. program, I plan to stay in Alaska and work in a community setting. My populations of interest are adolescents, young adults, and adults.

My name is Sofia, and I use she/her pronouns. I am a doctoral student in the Clinical-Community Psychology program at UAA and am a student clinician in the Psychological Services Center supervised by Dr. Kevin Tarlow. I identify as queer and strive to create a therapeutic environment that is welcome and accepting for individuals of all genders and sexual identities. I enjoy working with teenagers and young adults, providing support to individuals as they transition into adulthood. With training in both clinical and community psychology, I aim to take a systems approach to understanding an individual's problems and potential solutions, considering how an individual interacts with their friends and family and broader community and culture. This includes the marginalization and oppression that an individual may experience due to the identities they hold. As a doctoral student, I am currently engaged in community-based research with the gender and sexual minority community in Anchorage and sexual health research with Alaskan teens.

My name is Carter, and I am a second semester graduate student in the Clinical Psychology master’s program at UAA. At the Psychological Services Center I work under the program director, Dr. Ekstrom providing administrative support to the clinic. My professional interests include C-PTSD, trauma-informed care, somatic intervention, and more. I was born and raised in Seattle, where I eventually received my bachelors in psychology from Washington State University, in Pullman Washington. Most of my professional mental health experience is with rural adolescent and adult populations in Western Montana.