Counseling and Mental Health

As the fall season progresses, students are settling more into their new classes, and LCSNW’s investment in ongoing staff development continues. This October, the LCSNW Tri-Cities team is excited to welcome our 2026-27 cohort of mental health interns as they begin their educational and professional journey while helping strengthen mental health services in our community. 

Meet the 2026-27 Tri-Cities intern cohort: 

• Kathryn Hollenberg, pursuing a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Montana State University Billings 
• Bailee Lane, pursuing a Master of Social Work at Eastern Washington State University 
• Keila Rivera, pursuing a Master in Mental Health Counseling at Heritage University 
• Genene Smith, pursuing a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at University of Western Alabama 
• Derek Soto, pursuing a Master of Mental Health Counseling at Heritage University 
• David Stewart, pursuing a Master of Social Work at Walla Walla University 
• Morgan Taylor, pursuing a Master of Social Work at Boise State University 

Pictured above: 2026-27 Tri-Cities intern cohort (left to right): Genene Smith, Morgan Taylor, Kate Hollenberg, Keila Rivera, Bailee Lane, David Stewart, and Derek Soto

The LCSNW Tri-Cities internship program is part of the agency’s commitment to developing the next generation of mental health professionals. Each year, graduate-level students gain valuable hands-on experience while working alongside experienced clinicians serving youth, adults, and families enrolled in LCSNW’s mental and behavioral health programs. 

Clinical Manager Ana Perez and Staff Development Manager Kyle Hulvey, who oversee the internship program at LCSNW Tri-Cities, say they look forward to watching the cohort build confidence, embrace challenges, and continue evolving into skilled clinicians. 

“We are committed to fostering a supportive learning environment where interns can learn, grow, make mistakes, and develop their clinical skills,” Ana says. “Thanks to the guidance of dedicated preceptors, clinical supervisors, and program leaders, we provide multiple layers of support to encourage learning, reflection, and professional growth.” 

Several members of this year’s cohort already serve in important roles within our organization. Keila Rivera, Kathryn Hollenberg, and Derek Soto joined LCSNW as full-time Mental Health Associate II staff during the summer. Bailee Lane has been with the organization since 2022 and currently serves as a Program Supervisor for the WISe program. Offering staff the opportunity for dual roles as both employees and interns reflects the agency’s dedication to supporting professional growth and career advancement from within. 

Intern Morgan Taylor shared that her journey to improve her own mental health and the barriers she faced finding a therapist set her path to choosing a career in mental health. 

“I realized I wasn’t the only one trying to navigate complicated and frustrating systems of care,” Morgan says. “Then when my daughter also needed support, it felt even harder. I want to be the therapist that we couldn’t find for others and be part of destigmatizing mental illness and help-seeking behavior.”