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Meet The Team
Melissa Valadez is a devoted wife & mother. Her wife and daughter bring meaning and drive to her life. This drive led Melissa to pursuing her master's degree in social work, coupled with a Human Resource Management Certificate, Community Organization & Social Action Community Practice Certificate, which she received from Portland State University graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors and as a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Over the years, Melissa has worked in many social services roles, supported the neurodivergent & disability community, psychiatric facilities for youth, psychiatric hospitals, mental health foster/group homes, county mental health programs, transitional programs supporting individuals through SUD treatment and served in many leadership roles. Most recently, Melissa has been spending her time developing the non-profit, Infinite Healing Solutions and is also the proud owner of Behavior & Mental Health Consultation of Oregon (BMHC). She has written policies, obtained multiple certifications, networked extensively, conducted a community needs assessment, jumped through the bureaucracies and more, to provide central Oregon with an inclusive, respectful and open-minded mental health support and social services option. Melissa is bilingual, a biracial Hispanic/Irish human and a part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community with a neurodiverse framework and Neurological Lyme Disease. She understands firsthand the struggles of being a minority intersected with being neurodivergent. She is the first in her family to attend college, let alone to obtain a master's degree. She knows what it takes to rise out of poverty and accomplish one's dreams. Her care to share that with the world, sets her apart as a strong yet humble leader. Melissa enjoys everything about her Irish/Mexican culture where she was raised and graduated high school at the Colegio De Bachilleres in Culiacan, Sinaloa. The food, the music, the dancing and the fiestas all keep Melissa visiting her family in Mexico who support and adore her. Though she is kept very busy with her social services and social justice goals, Melissa makes time to enjoy life with her family. Cooking, teasing/being playful with her daughter, hiking & camping with her dogs or taking her wife of 20 years out to the movies are just a few ways she stays grounded.
Aubrey Valadez is a proud mother and wife (Melissa's wife!) Mother to one sweet daughter and to 3 naughty fur babies. Her wife of 20 years supports and encourages her to pursue her dreams and achieve great things. Aubrey obtained her bachelor's degree from Southern Oregon University in Early Childhood Development and has worked the last 15 years in the field of education, specializing in administration and finance. Aubrey has a passion for nature and loves spending her free time hiking and exploring the great outdoors. She is also passionate about human rights and is committed to doing her part to encourage peace, acceptance and freedom of expression, in all environments. Through speaking out for others, leading DEI teams and calling out prejudice and discriminations in the workplace, she continues to prove herself as devoted to inclusion and human happiness. She is also a strong advocate for therapy and mental health support. She speaks openly about her personal journey and encourages others to grow through self-exploration. Her goals include becoming fluent in Spanish, writing a novel and leaning into life. Aubrey is pursuing her Masters in Psychology to further expand upon her expertise.
Melissa Cabaccang is coming to Infinite Healing Solutions to work towards the continued effort for a strong community and connection to create new ways to make sure that folks are getting all opportunities to grow, including within herself. Having moved to Redmond in 2016, Melissa has had the opportunity to connect in varies ways whether that be contractors talking about blueprint plans for building taking place in Central Oregon with a local paper print company, screen printing during a pandemic with folks who were trying to keep their small businesses afloat or gaining access to knowledge at other non-profits to help people who find a direction that works best for them. Since landing, Melissa has gained a new dog to add to her animals consisting of another dog and two cats in a life shared with her wife of 6 years. She tries her best to integrate more into the multitude of spaces that she can find in Central Oregon that make her feel good internally and outwardly as a LGBTQIA+ person of color. Melissa is also involved in more of a creative aspect being a digital designer which has helped with connecting with different organizations that are also working towards a similar goal of supporting our community, however that looks.
Lexus Aguirre is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at Walden University, building on her bachelor's degree in psychology from New Mexico State University. As a Hispanic individual raised in a military family, Lexus has lived in diverse locations and embraced a variety of cultures, which has enriched her perspective and approach to social work.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Lexus worked as a Registered Behavioral Technician, providing Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy to children with autism. This experience, working with children aged four to fourteen, ignited her passion for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Since relocating to Bend, Oregon, Lexus has been employed as a Qualified Mental Health Associate at a residential facility for adults, where she provides crucial support and has connected with the community and its resources. Her background also includes experience as a Behavioral Professional working with both children and adults.
Through her internship, Lexus is eager to further develop her skills to enhance her ability to support individuals in her community and collaborate with others who are committed to making a meaningful impact. Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, she enjoys exploring new places, whether it's trying out a new restaurant or traveling to a different country. She also loves hiking, reading, and spending quality time with her friends, family, and her cat!
Natalie Schwartzbauer is a generalist year graduate student enrolled in the Masters of Social Work program at Portland State University. Originally from Roseburg, Oregon, she completed her Bachelors degree at Oregon State University with a strong emphasis on Public Health and Human Services. Her previous roles and experiences within the social work field include working as a treatment aide at a residential treatment facility for youth with substance abuse disorders, assistant manager at a women’s homeless shelter, psychiatric assistant at a mental health collaborative care clinic, and case manager at a residential treatment center for sexually and criminally offending youth. You may currently find her working as the Administrator and Case Services Coordinator at the Lighthouse Navigation Center in Bend, Oregon.
As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Natalie strives towards the creation of a more inclusive and welcoming social climate for marginalized communities within Central Oregon. She aims to develop advanced clinical skills within a variety of treatment modalities in order to provide the best possible therapeutic treatment to LGBTQ+ identifying youth, young adults, and families negatively affected by trauma. Natalie intends to continue advocating for the LGBTQ+ community after graduation and plans on gaining her LCSW certification and opening her own private practice within five years. Natalie hopes to develop a clinical practice that supports both mental and spiritual health through the use of ecotherapy and animal-assisted therapeutic practices.
Outside of academic and professional pursuits, you’ll likely discover Natalie at Riverbend Beach or Alpenglow Dog Park with her black lab puppy, Molly, who is training to become an AKC Certified Therapy Dog.
Anne is passionate and dedicated clinical mental health counselor with a master's degree from Oregon State University, specializing in helping individuals, families, and children navigate the complexities of life. Having grown up in the heart of Central Oregon, she brings a unique connection and understanding to the community that shaped her. Her belief is in the power of genuine connection and understanding as a foundation for relief that fuels her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those who she works with. In a world that is increasingly fast-paced and disconnected, she is driven to initiate healing by encouraging a slower, more intentional approach to life and fostering a deeper connection with the world around us. Anne was drawn to Infinite Healing Solutions because of its commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. She believes in the strength of working together with fellow counselors, facing challenges head-on, and striving towards common goals. The authenticity that is valued at Infinite Healing Solutions aligns with her own approach to counseling, as she believes that genuine connections are essential for the healing process.
Outside of work, Anne cherishes spending time with loved ones, cuddling with her cat, traveling, attending live music shows, and dancing. Anne is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the Infinite Healing Solutions team, where she can grow both personally and professionally alongside like-minded individuals. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of our clients and the community we serve.
Diane Malbon is a graduate student enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at Portland State University. She worked in the medical field for 10 years before going back to school in 2020 to finish her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Oregon State University early 2023. She was drawn to the social work field for its person-in-environment perspective. She believes it is important to view health and well-being from a holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual model.
Diane identifies as neurodivergent and has special interest in aiding those who also feel “different” for any reason. She is also interested in social justice, spiritual awakenings and other transformative experiences, chronic illness, and navigating medical diagnoses. She aims to embody compassion in everything she does while maintaining a sense of humor and fun. She considers herself a strong mental health advocate that strives to be open about her own struggles in order to bring about a sense of normalcy and reduce stigma.
Outside of her work and studies, she is an avid animal lover who enjoys music and time in nature. She is also learning Spanish and hopes to become fluent in the not-so-distant future!
Kayte Brock is a graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at Portland State University. Kayte brings many years of experience as an educator and advocate for inclusion. They have a graduate degree in teaching and are certified as a trauma informed yoga and mindfulness instructor. In their current role as a community development facilitator, Kayte enjoys helping individuals of all ages embrace their authentic selves by exploring values related to gender, sexuality, and spirituality.
Kayte's interest in clinical social work is rooted in their intersectional understanding of how systems influence well-being. During their internship, they aim to develop the skills needed to provide quality therapeutic treatment. They are particularly passionate about supporting those who identify as neurodivergent and/or LGBTQIA2S+.
In addition to their graduate training, Kayte plans to continue exploring modalities that integrate body, mind, and experiential practices. They are currently completing a somatic stress release program and learning about memory consolidation through the coherence theory framework in a peer consultation group. When Kayte isn’t studying, they enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and climbing!
Theo Valadez, a Rottweiler who is a robust working breed of great strength descended from the mastiffs of the Roman legions. Theo is a gentle playmate and protector within the family circle, who observes the outside world with a self-assured aloofness. Theos’ glistening, short black coat with smart rust markings add to the picture of imposing strength and a thickly muscled hindquarters powers the Theos’ effortless trotting gait. Theo, well-bred and properly raised, is calm, confident, courageous but not unduly aggressive. His aloof demeanor and world-class guardians present to outsiders belies the playfulness, and downright silliness—that endear Theo to his loved ones—no one told Theo he's not a toy breed, so he is liable plop onto your lap for a cuddle.
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