Meet the Tidwell Team

Boise's International Trauma Treatment Center

Kathy Tidwell, LCSW

President of the Board of Directors
Internship & Training Director

Kathy founded Tidwell Social Work in 2000 as a mental health clinic specializing in refugee trauma. She has a deep commitment to welcoming refugees and creating places where they feel welcome, safe and free to heal and build a new life. The clinic transitioned to a not-for-profit organization in November of 2014 and she has chaired the Board of Directors since that time. She has been cutting back on her role at the clinic and currently works part-time. Her focus is primarily providing leadership input, clinical supervision for new clinicians and training, particularly around cross-cultural practice and trauma. She has over thirty years of post-graduate mental health and child welfare experience in Idaho. Over the course of her career she has worked as a clinical social worker, clinical supervisor, manager, business owner and consultant.

Rama Deen, LCSW

Executive Director
Therapist / Counselor

Rama Deen, LCSW is the Executive Director and a Clinical Social Worker at Tidwell Social Work Services & Consulting, Inc. Born and raised in the small African nation of The Gambia, Rama is multilingual in West African dialects. Through advocacy and humanitarian efforts over the past 22 years, she has supported the rehabilitation of vulnerable and indigent populations both in the United States and abroad. Rama specializes in supporting the healing of individuals/families as they navigate the psychosocial complexities of post-traumatic growth. She has developed substantial experience regarding cross-cultural practice and continues to aid community capacity building efforts to ensure public services are equitable, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and linguistically accessible.

Melissa Young, LCSW

Chief Clinical Supervisor
Therapist / Counselor

Melissa has been a Mental Health Professional for 30+ years having the opportunity to serve in a variety of mental health settings, with diverse client populations, working in various roles. As a Clinical Social Worker she has had the opportunity to work with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence; as an Outpatient Psychotherapist within a Community Mental Health Center; a Peace Corps Volunteer in Asuncion Paraguay; Hospice Social Worker; Employee Assistance Counselor and Supervisor with Saint Alphonsus Medical Center; and currently, as Clinical Supervisor with Tidwell Social Work Services and Consulting Inc. She employs an eclectic approach to her work with clients, believing that a trusting and supportive relationship is key to any therapeutic success. In addition to her professional life, she is a mother of three teenage boys, wife of 18 years, proud dog and horse owner.

Matt Hallowell LMSW

Matt Hallowell, LCSW

Therapist / Counselor

Matt Hallowell is a licensed Master of Social Work from Edinboro University with a professional background in supportive services for people with refugee status. Since 2011, he has worked as a case manager in the mental health and medical settings with this population. He is passionate about social justice and seeks avenues to promote equality for all. When he isn’t working, he stays active with Crossfit.

Amanda Reedy, LCSW

Therapist / Counselor

Amanda earned her Master of Social Work degree from Boise State University in 2017. She has a background in cross-cultural work, hospital social work and hospice care. Her passion in counseling is to create a relationship built on safety, trust and hope, where people feel accepted and able to grow in meaningful ways. Amanda uses a variety of therapeutic techniques including psychoeducation, Adlerian Theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy, various trauma and body-based therapies, mindfulness, and DBT. Amanda believes no one should have to walk through their pain and hardships alone.

Casey Sullivan, LMSW

Therapist / Counselor

Casey earned her Master of Social Work Degree from Boise State University. She utilizes a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach in order to meet clients where they are at in their journey. Casey believes there is no “one size fits all” approach to healing and uses a variety of therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and person-centered techniques in order to provide individuals with a safe space to feel validated and valued. She has a background in cross-cultural work and SUD treatment. Casey feels that it is an honor to accompany clients as they work towards self-acceptance and self-love.

Annaliese Jacobsson LMSW

Kelly Parker

Fiscal Manager

Kelly has a Bachelors degree in Accounting and a Masters degree in Taxation from National University in California. She has worked for other non profits, local government, and retail establishments in accounting for the last 14 years. She has experience with payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants, capital projects, reconciliations, annual closing, budgeting, and financial statement preparation. She enjoys working for nonprofits and helping them fulfill their mission and specializes in Fund accounting.

Ben Wenetzky, LCSW

Therapist / Counselor

Ben takes a client directed and trauma informed approach to therapy, identifying strengths and building self-awareness related to how the client interacts with the world and others in it. Ben strives to support clients on their journey to make meaning from previous life experiences, develop self-acceptance, and achieve the larger changes they want for their life. Ben enjoys working with individuals, families, and couples seeking counseling for a variety of reasons, and focuses on building safety and curiosity in the therapeutic environment. Ben’s passion for working towards social justice for all individuals and communities, impacts all aspects of his personal and professional life.   

Kali Cusimano

Kali Cusimano, BA

Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)

Kali graduated with honors from American Military University in History. She grew up in Boise, but spent close to ten years away from home while her husband was serving in the US Army. From early elementary, Kali volunteered with a local refugee program in the Treasure Valley. More recently she has worked with seniors and younger elementary students. Kali’s free time is typically spent with her husband, two children, and their rescue dog, Bernie. She enjoys reading historical fiction novels, working on puzzles, and watching a variety of television shows. Kali is excited to be able to share her lived experiences and offer support in discovering one’s voice, setting and reaching goals, and finding joy.

Samuel Clemens, LMSW, CPSS

Therapist / Counselor

Samuel Clemens, LMSW, graduated from Northwest Nazarene University with a Master’s degree in social work, and is now a licensed social worker working at Tidwell as a counselor. Sam has been at Tidwell for 7 years. In addition to English, Sam is fluent in Portuguese. Sam is an active member of the Music Theatre of Idaho and has performed in dozens of productions throughout the state. Sam loves performing in theatre and incorporating drama therapy into session with his clients. Outside the theater and work, Sam is a published writer, loves downhill mountain biking, and is a great friend.

Aeyanna Juste, MA, CPRP, CPSS

Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)

Aeyanna has a Master’s degree from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Aeyanna has worked in the mental health and human services field for over 15 years. She has lived and worked with individuals in cross-cultural settings, is passionate about working with refugees, and has previous experience working with people with disabilities, the elderly, women, and vulnerable populations. She is a life-long artist who integrates her artistic sensitivity, life experience, and formal education to assist and serve others in their own self-healing and self-empowerment through a transpersonal lens.

Bahar Faizi, BA, CPSS

Certified Targeted Care Coordination (TCC)
Community Based Rehabilitation Provider (CBRS)
Case Manager (CM) 

Bahar received her Bachelor’s degree in Business and IT and a minor in Marketing at Boise State University in 2019. She was Born in Afghanistan and raised in Russia. She moved to Boise,Idaho in 2010. She is multilingual and can read, write and speak fluently in Farsi/Dari, Russian, Turkish and Uzbeki. Bahar is passionate about helping refugees achieve their goals and learn new coping skills. She works from a collaborative, strengths-based approach assisting and supporting clients to be the author of their own lives. She works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviors and trauma. She has been working as a community service provider for over two years and really enjoys helping people.

Courtney Morgan LCSW

Courtney Morgan, LCSW

Youth Program Supervisor

Courtney Morgan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in child development and trauma recovery. She began her career as a teacher in New York City public schools and became passionate about helping children and families navigate challenging life circumstances and complicated social service systems. As a therapist, Courtney has worked with families experiencing homelessness, individuals seeking asylum, and youth on probation and parole. In her clinical work, Courtney draws on training in Structural Family Systems, Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, Child Focused CBT, EMDR, and Play Therapy. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and holds an MSW from Columbia University and an M.S.Ed from Bank Street College of Education.

Tony Social Work

Alfredo Mejia, LMSW

Therapist / Counselor

Alfredo earned his Master of Social Work degree from Boise State University. He is bilingual in Spanish and English. He was born in El Salvador and emigrated to the US as a young child. Alfredo is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He finds it rewarding working with children and adolescents. He is passionate about increasing the availability of counseling services for students at their schools. He believes that healing and growth can start at any age. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, as well as reading and writing poetry.
Claire Milan LMSW

Claire Milan, LMSW

Therapist / Counselor

Claire is French American and speaks both French and English. She has lived in several countries and loves to grow and learn with the individuals she meets. Her background is in Social Work and Human Rights, and Claire believes every human being needs and deserves to belong, to feel connected and safe. Claire holds a special spot in her heart for the topics of perinatal and postpartum care as well as Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs), but her interests are diverse.  She is curious about the way human brains and nervous systems develop, how the human body is transformed by trauma and how individuals’ functioning can be affected as a result. She loves to work with psychoeducation, body-based techniques and mindfulness as powerful tools to normalize clients’ experiences, help cope and heal. Using client-centered care, she is passionate about supporting clients nurture self-love and compassion, as well as the hope they can build the life they aspire to live. She is excited to join the Tidwell team where she originally interned, and she is honored to be working with the rich population Tidwell serves. During spare time, you will find her with her friends and family, or spending time in nature where she feels whole. She is the proud mother of an adorable 2-year-old.

Holly Bukky, BA, CPSS

Peer Support Program Manager
Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)

Holly is a lifelong resident of Idaho who graduated from Boise State University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Minor in Philosophy.  She enjoys spending her free time with her kids, being crafty, and continuing her education towards a Master’s degree.  Holly is passionate about helping people reach their goals, learn new skills to better themselves, and improve their overall health and happiness.

Anthony Garabai, BS

CM/CBRS Program Manager
Community Based Rehabilitation Provider (CBRS)
Case Manager (CM) 

Anthony received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University. Prior to his education he worked as a mental health aide in California; treating a wide range of diagnoses, including psychotic disorders, mood disorders, addictive disorders and personality disorders. Post education, Anthony worked as a house manager and intake specialist serving formerly incarcerated citizens and helping them transition back into society for two years in New Mexico. He has been working at Tidwell since 2013 and has collaborated with various community resources to assist those in need. He has been involved in the human service field for 15 years. He also owns a sports entertainment company that has worked with over 25 different non-profit organizations for the past 5 years. He is always about giving back and does not plan to slow down.

Russell Hutchins, BA, CPSS

Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)

Russell is a Peer Support Specialist.  He earned a degree in Psychology from the College of Idaho.  He is active in many mental health support groups as both a participant and facilitator.  He spends his spare time playing board games.

David Summers FSS

David Summers, FSS

Family Support Program Manager

David has extensive experience in his personal and professional life working with children, families, and individuals with mental health diagnoses. David brings a unique perspective of lived experience from raising a child with cognitive and behavioral health concerns, and working many years in behavioral health services. David has a strong passion for helping others, and brings a perspective of strength and resiliency focused treatment. He has always found joy in bringing families together, teaching self-advocacy and bringing hope and understanding to youth who struggle with their behavioral health.

Issa Ntakarutimana

Issa Ntakarutimana, LMSW

Therapist / Counselor

Issa earned his Master of Social Work degree from Boise State University. He was born in Burundi, raised in Tanzania, and moved to the U.S. as a teenager. He speaks multiple African languages. Issa acknowledges the need for mental health services in all communities, especially those that are disadvantaged. He has experience working with individuals, families, and couples, utilizing different treatment modalities. He understands that a therapeutic relationship is fundamental to the healing process. He believes that individuals can heal from their traumatic experiences when given the right tools and supports. With years of experience in civil rights work, he’s also passionate about fighting injustices. His hobbies include listening to podcasts, audiobooks, and being in the gym. He also enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and trying different foods.

Fatuma

Fatuma Mnongerwa, BSW

Community Based Rehabilitation Provider (CBRS)
Case Manager (CM)

My name is Fatuma Mnongerwa. I have a bachelor’s degree in social work from Boise State University. I am a former refugee and have lived in the Treasure Valley for 16 years. I have been an employee at Tidwell for less than five months. I am one of the coordinators for the New American Voters Campaign and a volunteer for Jesse Tree. My hobbies are hanging out with my family and volunteering for ethical and beneficial organizations that assist marginalized communities. In the next few years I plan to attend Boise State to obtain a masters degree in social work.

Ricardo Ayllon, CM/CBRS

Ricardo Ayllon, BS

Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)
Community Based Rehabilitation Provider (CBRS)
Case Manager (CM)

My name is Ricardo Ayllon. After living in Los Angeles, CA for 15 years, I moved to Idaho on December 1999. I graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering in Fall 2009.

I started working in the field of human services since 2010 and I find it very satisfying and rewarding helping refugees and others in need. I am bilingual in Spanish and English.

On my free time, I play electric guitar and drums. I also collect coins, records, old art books and bank notes from many countries.

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