Behavioral health is an encompassing term that describes the connection between behavior and the well-being of an individual’s body, mind and spirit. Given the tools to change behavior, thinking patterns and coping mechanisms, people can work toward improving their physical and mental health.
Behavioral health providers and primary care providers work closely together at the KWC medical clinics. This clinical teamwork allows KWC to provide holistic care, addressing all aspects of wellness including mind, body, and spirit.
KWC Behavioral Health Services are available to Coquille Tribal Members, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and current KWC patients.
On Friday, August 16, Chair Brenda Meade completed signing the documents to take ownership of a building at 1899 Willamette Street in Eugene. The purchase
KWC-Eugene
Carly Blemmel is the newest addition to the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center in Eugene. She comes to the clinic with over 14 years of background experience in tribal behavioral health. She holds degrees and certifications such as MSHR (Master of Science in Human Resources), LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), and DBH-C (Doctor of Behavioral Health-Candidate). Carly excels at encouraging others and has a true passion for her work.
Carly will be providing support for the Behavioral Health team in Eugene and Coos Bay. She is looking forward to providing exemplary service to the Tribal and community members alike.
Carly has lived in Oregon for three years and comes to us by way of Oklahoma. She is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation from Oklahoma and her culture is deeply important to her. In her free time, she like to play a traditional game called “Ishtaboli” which is the Choctaw word for stickball. She and her husband also have two teenage boys and four dogs.
KWC-Coos Bay
As a licensed professional counselor, Kenda M. Plate serves as your behavioral health consultant. She is skilled in reducing intrusive mental health problems and empowers clients to build coping skills.
Kenda has focused her practice on high-risk and underserved populations in rural communities. She previously worked in the Klamath Tribal Health and Family Services agency in Klamath Falls.
She is certified in mindfulness-based stress reduction and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
Kenda can help with difficult life problems, eating and activity changes for a healthy weight, behavioral changes for tobacco or alcohol use, and a variety of mental health problems.
KWC-Coos Bay
A life-long member of the community, Ashley grew up in Myrtle Point. Leaving for college, Ashley returned to bring her expertise back to the Coos Bay community. Ashley completed her entire clinical rotation at the KWC which provided her with mentorship from a peer provider. Ashley has become familiar with the Clinic and the members we serve.
An avid lover of the outdoors, Ashley and her family enjoy gardening, camping, hiking, biking, and fishing. Ashley is a self-motivated adventurist with a hidden talent as a clarinetist. She looks forward to contributing to the mental health of her patients and creating relationships with the Tribal community.
Ashley manages mental health medication for patients and provides compassionate mental health services to children ages 4 and above. Ashley also offers TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) treatments for smoking cessation and major depressive disorder.
KWC-Eugene
LeeAndria obtained her Master of Social Work from Eastern Washington University in 2017. LeeAndria has worked for multiple tribal facilities as both a mental health therapist and a behavioral health consultant. She provides comprehensive assessments, diagnosis, and treatment plans for patients and has an emphasis on addressing personal, historical, and systemic trauma.
LeeAndria is a member of the Gidutikad Band of Northern Paiutes and is a descendent of the Klamath Tribe. LeeAndria is passionate about addressing health equity issues and expanding access to care for all Tribal members.
In her spare time she enjoys the great outdoors with her two sons and baking sweet treats.
KWC-Eugene
Dr. Gabrielle Choi is a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who has joined the KWC-Eugene care team. With a Doctor of Nursing Practice and PMHNP-BC from Duke University, Dr. Choi brings a wealth of expertise in residential eating disorder treatment and outpatient adult mental health services.
Having recently relocated to Eugene from the East Coast, Dr. Choi is excited to embark on a new journey of providing compassionate and personalized mental health care to our community. Her approach focuses on client-centered care, encompassing thorough evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and effective medication management.
Dr. Choi’s commitment to understanding her patients extends beyond the clinical setting. She values building connections with individuals, staff, and the local community, drawing inspiration from the beautiful landscape of Eugene. Family plays a central role in Dr. Choi’s life and she enjoys family activities, enjoying Korean food together, and getting acquainted with Lane County.
KWC-Coos Bay
KWC-Coos Bay is excited to announce the addition of Jennie Cirincione, CSWA, to its Behavioral Health team in Community Services. With a deep-rooted commitment to serving Native populations, Jennie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role as a Clinical Social Work Associate.
Having held various positions at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) in Portland, Jennie has a proven track record of supporting the needs of Indigenous communities. Her additional experience as an Emergency Department Social Worker at Providence Hospitals provides her with a comprehensive understanding of mental health challenges in a variety of settings.
Jennie holds both a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Portland State University, specializing in Integrated Behavioral Health. She is passionate about providing mental health therapy from a Native lens, emphasizing a relational worldview.
KWC-Eugene
Amy Tipton, Licensed Professional Counselor, recently relocated to Eugene, from Kalispell, Montana, to join the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center as an Integrated Behavioral Health Therapist. She has a strong background in building rapport and therapeutic alliances with patients and peers.
Previously, Amy worked as a suicide prevention/intervention therapist with Assiniboine and Sioux youth on the Fort Peck Reservation. Following the end of a SAMHSA Garrett Lee Suicide Prevention grant, she served as the Behavioral Health Department Head at Northeast Montana Health Service, working with both Native and non-Native children and adults. Her career in Behavioral Health began in 2006 as a Targeted Case Manager, and she became a therapist in 2010, working with South Central Community Mental Health Center and the Montana Women’s Prison.
Amy’s educational background includes an AAS, a BS in Human Services/Management, and a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling. She holds certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Human Trafficking, Forensics, Sexual Offender Treatment, Equine Therapy, and more.
At Ko-Kwel Wellness Center-Eugene, Amy will provide therapy for patients referred by primary care providers, addressing issues such as smoking cessation, pain, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. She will also see long-term patients and is eager to implement evidence-based modalities and innovative techniques.
In her free time, Amy enjoys music, gardening, cooking, photography, and various outdoor activities. She lives with her significant other, Kevin, two Persian cats and poodle. They look forward to exploring Oregon and engaging in activities like crabbing, mushroom hunting, and hiking.
Coquille Indian Tribal members can also access Behavioral Health through Community Services by contacting Kim Codding at 541-888-9494, ext. 2282 or click here for more information: Community Services Behavioral Health
Coos Bay
(541) 888-9494
(800) 344-8583 toll free
(541) 888-5556 Fax
630 Miluk Drive
Coos Bay, OR 97420
