Who We Are

Dr. Gonzalez earned her PhD and Master’s degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In 2014 she moved to Seattle to become a faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Dr. Gonzalez is a faculty member in the master’s and doctoral programs at Antioch University Seattle, Chair of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program at AUS, and Co-Founder and Director of the Latinx Mental Health & Social Justice Institute. She currently serves as the president of the American Counseling Association (ACA) of Washington, assistant chair of the American Counseling Association International Committee, and board member for the Western Association for Counselor Education (WACES) and Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision (JTCES). She co-edited, Experiential Activities for Teaching Social Justice and Advocacy Competence in Counseling, and is currently working on her next book.

Dr. Santos Dietz obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education at North Carolina State University and her M.Ed. in School Counseling from the State University of New York at Buffalo as a Fulbright scholar. She worked as a professor and program coordinator in her home country Honduras, at the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán, and as an assistant professor in counselor education at East Carolina University. Dr. Santos Dietz is currently an associate professor, Interim Associate Chair for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department at Antioch University New England, and Co-Founder/Director of the Latinx Mental Health & Social Justice Institute. She is a National Certified Counselor, and a Licensed School Counselor in the state of North Carolina. Her research, service, and teaching focus on cultural competence development, diversity, and social justice. She is particularly interested in examining how counselor educators support cultural competence development through local and global initiatives, and how the counseling profession serves historically marginalized populations, particularly Latinx communities. Dr. Santos Dietz serves as an editorial board member for the Professional Counselor Journal of School-based Counseling Policy and Evaluation.

Douglas is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate and earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University Seattle with certificates in Sex Therapy and Multicultural Counseling. He also earned a Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine from National University of Health Sciences in Chicago. Douglas also completed certificates in Curanderismo from The University of New Mexico focusing on Global influences on traditional healing. Currently, he is owner and chief clinician at Curativo Health in Seattle working with individuals and people in relationships experiencing challenges related to intimacy. He is also working on his first book. Douglas serves as Coordinator of the Latinx Mental Health & Social Justice Institute. He is a member of National Latinx Psychological Association (NPLA), American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), and Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WMHCA).

Cathy is a seasoned counselor, educator and leader in the study and practice of trauma, wellness, and resilience. She has been a clinical mental health counselor for 25 years working with both children and adults, specializing in those who have experienced trauma. Currently, Cathy serves as an Associate Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program and past Chair of the Applied Psychology Department at Antioch University New England. She founded Antioch’s Institute on Wellness, providing consultation and training nationally on the mitigation of secondary traumatic stress. Cathy serves as Advisor of the Latinx Mental Health & Social Justice Institute.

Dr. Swazo has served as a school counselor in private and public schools, college counselor, and as a mental health consultant for private practice and non-profit organizations. He is a full professor at the school and mental health counseling program at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), Cedar Falls, and has served as Program Director at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida, Roosevelt University (RU) in Chicago, and University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. He currently holds a Professional Service License (PSL, K-12) in the state of Iowa. Dr. Swazo is a frequent speaker at professional conferences and conducts workshops throughout the United States and abroad on multicultural issues and psycho-bilingual training (teaching basic Spanish interventions) for schools and mental health agencies. He has been keynote speaker in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Russia, Spain, Romania, Czech Republic, and Italy. He also teaches frequently as an invited professor at the Universidad del Valle in Guatemala in the school and mental health programs. He is a former Fulbright Scholar at the University of Palermo, Italy where he lived for a period of time. Dr. Swazo is a dual citizen from the European Union (Spain) and the USA. He has a co-authored book with Routledge focusing on Narrative Therapy interventions with Spanish-speaking clients to be published in September 2022. 

Mariela is a Queer, Latinx therapist and Teaching Faculty and Latinx Mental Health Specialist at Antioch University Santa Barbara. Additionally, they serve as Executive Director at the Community Counseling and Education Center (CCEC) with over 15 years of experience in the field of mental health. They find their many roles help them fulfill the mandate of caring for the community and they are deeply committed to the well-being of their students and clients. Mariela believes in the power of culture, connection, nature and community to heal and strives to support others on their journeys in ways that resonate and empower while also honoring ancestors and supporting future generations

Maya is a doctoral student in the couple and family therapy PhD program at Antioch University New England, currently working on their dissertation. Maya’s main focus has been on Latinx/Hispanic populations and Native American tribes, and the need to create evidenced based practices for these populations. They obtained their master’s degree in counseling from Saint Martin’s University on individual therapy, and marriage and family therapy. For the past 20 years Maya has studied anti-oppression in various settings and has put to practice their knowledge of how dehumanizing systems are to everyone by embracing a stance of recursive accountability that is rooted in restorative justice and a commitment to aspire to do better. Maya has experience working with teens, college students, and families struggling with a range of life issues that include trauma, relationship difficulties, and substance abuse. Maya is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington state and a licensed marriage and family therapist in New Hampshire.

Gladys is a clinician at NAS Lemoore, she works for Fleet and Family Support Center providing counseling services for Navy service members and their families. Previously, Gladys worked as a Mental Health Clinician for several agencies in California. She graduated from CSU Stanislaus with an MA in Counselor Education and is currently a PHD student in the Counseling Education and Supervision program at Antioch University, Seattle. Along with her studies Gladys is also focusing on completing the requirements to become a registered play therapist. Gladys research interest focuses on the Latinx population, with special emphasis on children and women. 

Laura studied Biology and obtained her M.Sc. in Natural Resources Management and Conservation at Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo in her home country México. She gained 25 years of experience working as zoo professional, environmental educator, and professor at Universidad Vasco de Quiroga. Her professional career has been in the field of herpetology, conservation biology, capacity building, and conservation education projects with urban and rural communities. She moved to the United States in 2018 and is currently a doctoral student in the Environment Studies Program at Antioch University New England with particular interest in Conservation Psychology. Laura is proud of her heritage and collaborates with the Latinx Mental Health & Social Justice Institute, through a work-study position.

Lizbeth is a first-generation Mexican-American immigrant who is currently a second year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Antioch University New England. Previously, she earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. Lizbeth is interested in supporting the health, well-being, and success of the Latinx community and has held various leadership positions in nonprofit organizations which serve the community. Through her future work as a psychologist, Lizbeth hopes to help advance social justice in the mental health space, and beyond, for underrepresented communities.