Our Therapists
Clinical Staff
Alicia Bunch Vargas, LCSW, RPT, Clinical Director & Bilingual Therapist (she/her/hers)
Alicia has been with SAC since 2014. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in Nashville and her Bachelors in Family and Human Services from John Brown University. She is trained in Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Level 1 and 2 trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Level 1 certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Alicia has local experience working as an advocate for survivors of human trafficking in Nashville and working with offenders at the John School in Nashville. Alicia sees children, adolescents and adults in her practice, including Spanish-speaking clients. Alicia also provides counseling at the Hispanic Family Foundation on Thursdays.
Stefanie Golper, LPC-MHSP, Clinical Coordinator & Therapist (she/her/hers)
Stefanie joined SAC in January 2022. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University in Political Science, a Juris Doctorate from Indiana University School of Law -- Indianapolis, and a Master of Science in Lipscomb University in Professional Counseling. Stefanie has been volunteering in the rape crisis arena for over twenty years. She has varied clinical experiences including intensive outpatient treatment for addiction disorders and co-occuring mental health issues, intensive in-home child and family therapy, school-based counseling in two elementary schools, and providing treatment to juveniles in a residental facility. Stefanie has training in: Somatic and Attachment-Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (SAFE EMDR); Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Treatment Model; Psychological First Aid; Play Therapy (both directive and non-directive); and Expressive Arts Therapy. In her practice, Stefanie also utlizes: Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); mindfulness practices; and varied somatic techniques. She sees adults, non-offending caregeivers, adolescents, and children at SAC. Stefanie is dedicated to providing individualized, holistic treatment to underserved populations, particularly children and adolescents who have experienced complex trauma. She is currently in the process of obtaining her license as a professional counselor -- a mental health service provider -- in Tennessee.
Yadira Gonzalez, LPC-MHSP, NCC, Clinical Coordinator & Bilingual Clinical and First Response Therapist (she/her/hers)
Yadira joined SAC in January 2022. She is a Clinical Cooridnator, First Response Therapist and Bilingual Clinical Therapist at SAC. She received her Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology from Ashford University, and her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health from Lipscomb University. Yadira has experience in community mental health, crisis, immigrant/refugee, child sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, and other complex trauma. Yadira has received specialized training in trauma-informed, attachment-based modalities including Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Theraplay, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Internal Family System (IFS), Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Circle of Security (COSP) and Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Yadira also uses mindfulness and energy healing techniques in her practices. Yadira is originally from Puerto Rico and is bilingual in Spanish. She primarily sees Spanish-Speaking children, adolescents, and non-offending caregivers. She is also part of the Hispanic Client Services team at SAC and is passionate about serving and bringing awareness on the impact of sexual violence in the Latinx/Hispanic community.
Miranda Buell, M.S., Clinical Coordinator & Therapist, Thistle on the Inside (she/her/hers)
Miranda has been with SAC since September of 2022. A Nashville native, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Creative writing from Belmont University and her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Play Therapy Specialization from Lipscomb University. She is trained in Somatic and Attachment-Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (S.A.F.E. EMDR); Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); and Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC). Miranda has received additional training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), and often uses play and art therapy techniques with clients of all ages. In her practice, Miranda works with adolescents, young adults, and adults. An integral part of her role is working with Thistle Farms to provide group and individual counseling services to incarcerated individuals who are a part of the Thistle on the Inside program at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center (formerly the Tennessee Prison for Women). Miranda utilizes a primarily client-centered and relational approach and is passionate about creating safety in the counselor-client relationship and allowing clients the space to heal at their own pace.
Clinical Therapists
Eric S. Fogle, LPC-MHSP, Senior Clinical Therapist (he/him/his)
Eric has been with SAC since 1993. He received his undergraduate degree from Lipscomb University and his graduate degree from Tennessee State. His previous experience has been with rural mental health, family counseling focused on teenage issues, and with children in foster care. Eric has received specialized training in Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and is Level 1 trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Eric sees children, adolescents, adults, partners, non-offending caregivers in his practice.
Alex Damiano, LPC-MHSP, NCC, MT-BC, Clinical Therapist & Sex Positive Outreach (she/they)
Alex has been with SAC since 2017. They received their Masters of Education in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and their Bachelors of Music in Music Therapy from Ohio University. Alex is trained in Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Level 1 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and they practice from an anti-oppressive and harm-reductionist framework. In addition to their work in the anti-sexual violence field, Alex’s experience also includes serving clients in hospice agencies, acute psychiatric care facilities, public schools, and teaching soon-to-be counselors in the university setting. At SAC, Alex serves adult and adolescent clients – with a specialty in gender-affirming, sex-positive care.
Bianca Younan, LPC-MHSP, Bilingual Clinical Therapist & Hispanic Client Services Outreach (she/her/hers)
Bianca has been with SAC since 2017. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and her Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from California State University, Fullerton. She has experience in community mental health, rape crisis, and domestic violence work. She utilizes evidence-based interventions including; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Art/Play Therapy, and utilizes mindfulness techniques as well. Bianca is multicultural and bilingual in Spanish. She has joined the team as a bilingual clinical therapist at SAC’s main office and at Hispanic Family Foundation. Bianca primarily sees Spanish-speaking adolescents and adults in her practice. She is also part of the Hispanic Client Services team at SAC and is passionate about serving and bringing awareness on the impact of sexual violence in the Latinx/Hispanic community.
Julia Melton, LPC-MHSP, Clinical Therapist (she/her/hers)
Julia started at SAC as an intern and has been an official member of the team since 2018. She received her master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and non-offending caregivers. She is certified in Hypnotherapy and has received training in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), ARC (attachment, self-regulation, and competency), and child-centered play therapy. She strives to be an ally for all identities and is very passionate about sex positivity and empowering people to reclaim their sexuality after assault.
Ana Arévalo Quirk, TLMFT, Bilingual Clinical Therapist (she/her/hers)
Ana has been with SAC since 2021. She has a Bachelors in Psychology from Universidad Iberoamericana and received her Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree from Lipscomb University with a concentration in Play Therapy. She is multicultural and bilingual in English and Spanish, she does most of her therapeutic work with Latinx survivors and non-offending caregivers, and she leads the Spanish group Tu Cuerpo, Tu Hogar for teen & adult Latina-identifying survivors. She utilizes an evidence-based approach that includes Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and other mindfulness-based interventions, and she is trained as a yoga teacher (RYT-200). Ana is part of the Hispanic Client Services at SAC and on Thursdays she sees clients at the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC). She is passionate about the mind-body connection and the way trauma impacts our bodies, and she strives to bring awareness on sexual violence in the Hispanic community. Ana is currently in the process of getting licensed as a LMFT and is under the supervision of a AAMFT approved supervisor.
Karishma Katrak, LPC-MHSP (Temp), NCC, Clinical Therapist (she/her/hers)
Karishma has been with SAC since 2021. She received her Master of Education in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) and has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (Psychology) from Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (Pune, India). Karishma is passionate about working with those affected by trauma, specifically sexual violence, and works with clients from a holistic, client-centered, strengths-based, and multicultural approach. Karishma works with children, adolescents, adults, and non-offending caregivers in her practice. She has training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Somatic and Attachment-Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (S.A.F.E. EMDR). Additionally, she also utilizes skills and techniques from play therapy, mindfulness, and somatic work in her work with clients. Karishma is originally from India and is bilingual in English and Hindi.
Lan White, LMSW, Clinical Therapist (she/they)
Lan began working at SAC in August 2022. Lan received her Master of Social Work and M.Ed. in Human Sexuality from Widener University and Bachelor of Science in Sociology with minors in Women and Gender Studies and African American Studies from Austin Peay State University. Lan engaged in interpersonal violence awareness and prevention during their undergraduate years. They utilize Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Treatment Model, and use a person focused lens to empower survivors. Lan sees youth aged 13 to 17, adults, and non-offending caregivers. She particularly enjoys working with LGBT/questioning persons and providing gender-affirming, sex-positive care.
Ashley Moore, M.MFT, Clinical Therapist & Clinical Internship Coordinator (she/her/hers)
Ashley has been with SAC since 2021. Ashley received a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Trevecca Nazarene University and shortly after completed a master's degree from Trevecca Nazarene University in Marriage and Family Therapy. Ashley is passionate about practicing a holistic approach to therapy, focusing on the way that the communities we are a part of are impactful. She adjusts her approach to the needs of whoever she is seeing and meets clients where they are at in their healing journey. Ashley is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Attachment (TF-CBT), Self-Regulation and Competency (ARC), and Somatic and Attachement-Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (S.A.F.E. EMDR). Ashley utilizes skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, somatic work, mindfulness, and an Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach. Ashley primarily works with people of all ages, including children, adolecents, young adults, and adults. Ashley also works with the Cherished Hearts Court as one of the clinicians.
Marissa Stone, LMSW, Clinical Therapist (she/her/hers)
Marissa has been with SAC since June of 2022. Marissa received her master's in Social Work and completed an MSSW Trauma Certificate Program through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and received her bachelor's in Social Work from Belmont University. Marissa began her time at SAC as an intern and now works both as a Clinical Therapist for SAC's long-term Therapy Program and as a First Response Therapist for SAC's First Response Program. Marissa is trained in Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Somatic and Attachment-Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (S.A.F.E. EMDR). She practices from a relational and anti-oppressive framework and is passionate about meeting clients where they are at. Marissa sees teens, adults, and non-offending caregivers in her practice.
Laura Willis, LPC-MHSP (Temp), NCC, Clinical Therapist (she/her/hers)
Laura received her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is trained in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR (S.A.F.E. EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC), and sandtray therapy. Laura has experience working in partial and inpatient hospital settings, private practive, and community mental health. Attachment and attunement are at the foundation of Laura's trauma-informed approach with all clients throughout the lifespan. She believes that the healing process looks different for each client and will flow according to their individual strengths and needs. With children up to twelve years old, she takes an evidence-based, developmentally appropriate approach by utilizing play therapy which faciliates healing and change through play, non-judgemental acceptance, and self-expression. With teenagers and adults, her approach is flexible and integrative, pulling from person-centered, psychodynamic, and attachment-based theories. She also enjoys integrating mindfulness-based practices to strengthen mind-body awareness/regulation as well as creative interventions like art expression and sand-tray therapy.
Jessie Soeters, M.S, Clinical Therapist (she/her/hers)
Jessie has been with SAC since September of 2023. After receiving a BS in Psychology from Liberty University, she went on to complete her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lipscomb University with a specialization in Child Centered Play Therapy and Expressive Arts. Jessie has experience working with diverse populations and ages and enjoys being able to provide a therapeutic space for all. She primarily utilizes Person-Centered Therapy to develop a relationship with her clients that is rooted in unconditional positive regard, authenticity, and empathy. This relationship creates a safe space for the client to be fully accepted as they are so the client can heal at their own pace. Jessie is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC). She is receiving additional training and certification in Somatic and Attachment Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (S.A.F.E EMDR).
Karen Kessler, M.A., CA, NCC, Clinical & First Response Therapist (she/her/hers)
Karen joined SAC in October of 2023. She holds a master's degree in mental health counseling from Northwestern University and a master's degree in forensic psychology from New York University. She also maintains board certification as a counselor, credentials as a victim advocate, and is currently working toward her licensure as a professional counselor-mental health service provider (LPC-MHSP). Karen's clinical experience includes crisis intervention, trauma counseling, eating disorder treatment, and work with survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence. She has received training in Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency Treatment (ARC); Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); and Psychological First Aid; and is currently being trained in level 1 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She integrates techniques from psychodynamic, experiential, expressive arts, and acceptance and commitment (ACT) therapy modalities into her practice as well. At SAC, Karen sees adults, older teens, non-offending caregivers, and first response clients Leading with compassion, honestly, and gentle challenging, she is dedicated to providing a warm and non-judgmental therapeutic space for her clients to process trauma, (re)discover themselves, and make meaning of their experiences.