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Meet The Team
At 18 years old, Gia is a dedicated high school student with a compassionate heart, currently engaging in meaningful work at Behavior & Mental Health Consultation of Oregon (BMHC of Oregon). Her aspirations extend beyond mere academic achievements; she seeks to cultivate invaluable skills in aiding individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Gia's genuine concern for those around her is evident in her every action, driven by a deep-rooted desire to effect positive change. Despite her commitments, she finds solace and joy in playing volleyball and cherishing moments with loved ones during her leisure time. Looking ahead, Gia envisions a future where she can amplify her impact, aspiring to pursue a major in Psychology coupled with a minor in Criminal Justice. This combination reflects her multifaceted interests and underscores her commitment to understanding human behavior while advocating for justice and equality. With her blend of empathy, determination, and ambition, Gia is poised to embark on a journey marked by profound personal growth and meaningful contributions to society. Gia's dedication to her endeavors is unwavering, characterized by her relentless work ethic and unwavering commitment to excellence. Despite the demands of her studies and her involvement with BMHC of Oregon, she never shies away from hard work. Whether it's immersing herself in complex coursework or providing compassionate care to those in need, Gia approaches every task with diligence and perseverance. Her willingness to go above and beyond underscores her determination to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. In the pursuit of her goals, she embraces challenges as opportunities for growth, viewing setbacks as mere stepping stones on her path to success. Gia's resilience in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration to those around her, demonstrating the transformative power of grit and determination. With each obstacle she overcomes, she emerges stronger and more resilient, poised to tackle the next hurdle with unwavering resolve. Gia's unwavering work ethic, coupled with her genuine compassion and dedication to service, sets her apart as a beacon of hope and inspiration in her community.
Melissa Valadez is a devoted wife and 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 as a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Over the years, Melissa has worked in many social services roles, supported the 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. 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 Hispanic, bilingual and a part of the LQBTQ+ community. She understands firsthand the struggles of being a minority. 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 Mexican culture, where she was raised and graduated highschool at the Colegio De Bachilleres.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 with her daughter, hiking with her dogs and taking her wife of 19 years out to the movies are just a few ways she stays grounded and relaxes.
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.
Aubrey Valadez is a proud mother and wife. Mother to one sweet daughter and to 3 naughty fur babies. Her wife of 17 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.
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.
Sydney Cook a senior student enrolled in the Bachelors of Social Work program at Portland State University. Originally from Bend, Oregon, she recently completed her Associate's of Science Transfer degree at Central Oregon Community College, with a strong emphasis on Addiction Studies and Human Services. Her personal encounters with issues related to substance abuse, mental health disorders, and the unfair treatment of marginalized individuals have ignited her passion for the field of Social Work. She is driven to become a catalyst for positive change and advocate for those in need in our community. Sydney plans to pursue this goal by obtaining a Master's degree in Social Work in the following year so that she can practice as an LCSW after schooling. Currently, she is gaining valuable practical experience through her internship at IHS, where she is learning firsthand about the complexities of social work and honing her skills in providing effective assistance to those in need. Outside of her academic pursuits, internship commitments, and her food serving role at Feast Food Company, you'll typically discover her immersing herself in the outdoors, enjoying quality time in nature. Sydney is an avid rock climber, mountaineer, and snowboarder and feels most fulfilled when surrounded by the beautiful landscapes and climate that Central Oregon has to offer. Her aspiration is to eventually merge these passions with her career, aiming to become an outdoor behavioral health practitioner.
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.
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