Our Local Roots
Community Involvement
Great Basin Behavioral Health, founded in 2013, is determined to provide premium therapeutic services that positively impact the members of our community.
Our founders have been determined from day one to create an agency that impacts all of the residents of the Reno/Tahoe area, both directly and indirectly, one client at a time.
By Locals, For Locals
Our community is important to us, and making a big difference is goal one. Founders Rudy von Ravensberg and Chris Edwards were both born, raised and educated in Reno, Nevada. In fact, most of our staff are from the area and a majority graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno. Northern Nevada is our home and we are committed to improving the life of all members of our community.
Giving Back
We believe giving back is at the core of our mission and drives us to work hard every day to simply do good and pay it forward. Some of our more recent commitments to our community include:
- Establishing the Great Basin Behavioral Health - Jason Walenta Memorial Scholarship through the University of Nevada, Reno. This scholarship has provided financial support to graduate students preparing to work in mental health since 2015.
- Developing an agreement with the University of Nevada, Reno and other academic institutions to train student interns during their final year of study, while providing access to care for those without insurance coverage and who would otherwise be without services.
- Providing both educational and financial support to our schools, local non-profit organizations, and local athletes.
- Great Basin is a Gold Level sponsor for Swope Middle School, sponsors families in need during the holidays through the Children's Cabinet and the Childrens Cancer Foundation, sponsors local athletes through donations to Gymnastics Nevada, and has paid our staff to volunteer at Casa De Vida's House of Hope.
- Great Basin donates to the Crisis Call Center as a means to provide 24/7 crisis support for our local community.
- Great Basin's Anjie Silveira provides her time annually and at a significantly reduced cost teaching sexual health, interpersonal boundaries, and bullying prevention at Mountainview Montessori in Reno, Nevada.
Measurement and Evidence Based Care
Great Basin Behavioral takes quality care to the next level through our current partnership and involvement with the Leadership and Organizational Change for Implementation study being funded by the National Institute of Mental Health!
As part of this study, our agency leadership is being trained over an 18 month period by a collaborative team headed by Boise State University and also involving the University of California San Diego and the University of Central Florida.
Being one of only 21 agencies nationwide chosen for this study, Great Basin will be implementing and utilizing Measurement Based Care (MBC) as a means to support our use of Evidence Based Practice, such as CBT, Prolonged Exposure, and DBT. The utilization of MBC, such as the Outcomes Questionnaire Analyst (OQ-A) has been demonstrated to improve quality outcomes and reduce negative outcomes by 40%-75%!
Of course, involvement in this study is completely voluntary for our clients. Please ask us more if you are interested in learning about MBC, the OQ-A, or our involvement!
About Our Founders
Rudy von Ravensberg, PsyD, LMFT
The founder and co-owner of Great Basin Behavioral Health, Dr. Rudy von Ravensberg is a Native Nevadan and a two time graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno.
Rudy completed his PsyD at California Southern University, with a focus on the modification of lifestyle as an adjunct to CBT and uses his knowledge as a basis for interventions for agency programs, as well as his clientele.
Further, Rudy has Trained with Aaron and Judith Beck, Robert Hindeman, Amy Wenzel, and Alan Miller while completing Core 1 and 2 CBT Intensive Training, as well as training in CBT, CPT, and PE for trauma with the renowned Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Philadelphia.
Rudy is a Nevada Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, was previously a Board Certified Counselor through the NBCC (self resigned), and a health and wellness enthusiast. Additionally, Rudy has completed training as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and completed the NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist certification program.
Rudy lives in Reno with his spouse and two kids, enjoys trail running, CrossFit, camping, reading, travel, and a good book.
Chris Edwards, MSW, LCSW
The co-founder and co-owner of Great Basin Behavioral Health, Chris Edwards grew up in the Reno/Tahoe area and graduated from UNR. He completed his graduate degree in Hawaii and is published in various journals regarding Native Hawaiian youth and substance use.
In early 2015, Chris began doctoral studies at California Southern University in order to further his understanding and integration of lifestyle and behavioral health issues, with specific focus on the use of CBT to address anxiety disorders and trauma.
Chris is a Nevada Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been comprehensively trained in Prolonged Exposure Therapy by Dr. Foa at the University of Pennsylvania as well as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy by Dr. Alan Fruzzetti with the University of Nevada Reno and Harvard Medical School. Further, Chris has completed Core 2 Intensive Training in Anxiety disorders with Amy Wenzel, PhD, as well as training in CBT and Cognitive Processing Therapy with Alan Miller, PhD, from The Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Chris and his wife enjoy domestic and international travel, as well as everything outdoors for fun, especially camping in the woods while listening to a good audiobook or playing his banjo well into the evening.
Lilli (aka, "The Pig")
Lilli is our local Frenchie. She's got energy, a lot of attitude, and is conviced she's in charge...
About Our Clinical Team
Anjie Silveira, MA, LMFT, LCADC, NCC
Anjie Silveira is our Clinical Manager and is licensed as both an LMFT and a LCADC in the State of Nevada with years of experience working with both adolescents and adults in a variety of capacities and in numerous levels of care, including acute, residential and outpatient practices. Further, Anjie is an AAMFT approved supervisor in training and is the primary supervisor for our clinical interns at Great Basin.
Anjie completed her Masters in Counseling and Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Nevada, Reno. After graduate school, Anjie completed an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Addiction Treatment and Prevention Services at UNR.
Anjie has completed several trainings focusing on CBT, including a multi-day intensive through The Beck Institute with a focus on anxiety. Furthermore, Anjie has training in risk assessment and working with trauma, as well as in Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD and DBT through several years of supervision with Alan Fruzetti, PhD, as well as training in Cognitive Processing Therapy with the Beck Institute.
In addition to the above, Anjie is also a Certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator and has led parenting groups based on this philosophy. Anjie now continues in her quest to earn her doctorate and is near completion of her PsyD through California Southern University.
Anjie enjoys spending her time outside, is an accomplished plant lover, ultra trail-runner, skier, globe trotter and backpacker.
Janet Laxalt, MSW, LCSW
Janet completed her MSW at the University of Kansas, with a concentration in advanced clinical practice after her completion of a bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Subsequently, Janet worked in numerous environments related to mental health, including acute hospital work as a case manager, in a group home working with dual diagnosis individuals and their families, as well as a therapist in residential and outpatient environments. Further, Janet worked as the executive director for a local group home for adolescent boys.
Janet has lived in the Reno/Tahoe basin for 25+ years and could never consider leaving the Sierra Nevada mountains. Further, Janet loves her work and holds dear her family history of aiding others with life challenges, including growing up as the daughter of a prominent French psychologist, while raising a daughter who now practices therapy in Portland, Oregon.
As a Great Basin practitioner, Janet lends significant attention to lifestyle choice, spirituality, social and relational issues, while utilizing empirically proven methodology, such as CBT, CPT,and PE (intensively trained), in her work. In her free time, Janet enjoys her family, her dog Biscuit, spending time outdoors, traveling, enjoying theater and practicing the ukulele around a campfire.
Sharlene Hill, MA, LMFT
A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Sharlene works with both children, teens, and adults and has received comprehensive training by both Drs. Burns and Wenzel in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, training in PTSD treatment using CPT and PE with Dr. Miller. FuSharlene uses an integrative approach to treat all domains of a person’s life (mental, emotional, spiritual, physical health).
Sharlene is experienced in and most enjoys working with anxiety disorders, depression, women’s issues, sleep disorders, grief and loss, child and adulthood ADHD, developmental issues, difficulty with teens launching from the home, parenting issues, blended family issues, struggles with chronic pain, issues related to self-concept, body image issues, and aging issues.
In 2017, Sharlene began training through the Nutritional Therapy Association. As a Nutritional Therapy Consultant, Sharlene will have the ability to utilize nutrition in treating a variety of issues that commonly present in her office.
A Native Nevadan, Sharlene grew up in the Sierra's camping, fishing, hiking, and spending time at Lake Tahoe. Today, Sharlene enjoys these activities with her own family and her dog Nahla. Other than being outdoors, Sharlene loves cooking, gardening, reading, and being active in church. Lastly, Sharlene is passionate about supporting and bringing awareness to children in poverty through organizations, such as Compassion International, and victims of human trafficking through Rahab’s Rope.
Rachel Martinez, MSW, LCSW
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Rachel attended the University of Nevada, Reno where she received her bachelors and masters degree in Social Work. During her own teen years, Rachel recognized the importance of mental health and made it her goal to give back to others. Following graduation from UNR, Rachel continued her career focusing on direct work with children, adolescents, and their families in residential placement.
Rachel primarily utilizes Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and both CPT and PE for trauma and is always open to new learning opportunities to best support her clientele. Prior to her graduate training, Rachel advocated and worked with teens at risk of dropping out in Washoe County School District which allowed her to have a closer look and understanding of the difficulties several teens and families endure.
Self care, physical, mental, and emotional health are huge priorities for Rachel and she continues to practice these daily. In her free time, Rachel enjoys weightlifting, yoga, crafting, baking, walking and playing with her dog, spending time outdoors, traveling, and of course Netflix.
Haley Joy McSweeney, MA, LMFT
Haley is originally from Southern California, but most recently spent time living and working on the Redwood coast of Humboldt County. Haley Joy earned her BA in Psychology and her MA in Counseling Psychology at Humboldt State University.
Haley is a Licensed Marriage& Family Therapist in both Nevada and California, and has been working in public mental and behavioral health since 2012. She initially worked as a behavioral therapist with individuals who have autism and children who have severe/high behavioral and emotional needs. As a counselor, Haley Joy has worked with a diverse population of clients, including at-risk youth and families, individuals who have experienced trauma, LGBTQ, college students, and blended families and co-parents.
Haley therapeutic approach is integrative, intersectional, and primarily CBT/Behavioral, however, she also has been trained in the use of CBT, CPT, and PE for trauma by the Beck Institute. Though Haley has a strong work history with kids and teens, she also works with adults of all ages. She sees great value in educating clients and providing them with tools to improve and maintain their mental, social, and behavioral health. Haley is passionate about supporting her clients in achieving sustainable lifestyle changes, especially related to anxiety, depression and mood disorders, self-care, and family dynamics.
A climber of over 10 years, Haley came to Reno/Tahoe chasing sunshine and all the hiking, backpacking, climbing, and fishing the area has to offer. When enjoying the great indoors, Haley enjoys making hand-crafted soap, crocheting, baking, and all things creative.
Diane Schroder, MA, LCPC-Intern, LCADC-Intern, LSC
Diane completed her clinical internship with Great Basin Behavioral while enrolled as a Masters in Counseling student at UNR with a dual emphasis in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Diane is currently completing her post graduate internship with our agency and works with children, teens and adults under the direct supervision of our Clinical Manager, Anjie Silveira and other clinical leadership at Great Basin. Further, Diane is a fully licensed Nevada School Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor Intern.
Prior to starting her graduate training, Diane held a variety of roles in Human Resources and Organizational Development. She finds it rewarding to work with both children and adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief & loss and has attended comprehensive training in CBT, Prolonged Exposure, and Cognitive Processing Therapy with the Beck Institute. With her extensive Human Resources experience, she also enjoys working with clients in need of career counseling.
As a long-term resident of the Reno/Tahoe area, Diane loves camping, hiking, and spending time with her extended family. Diane loves to travel with her husband, enjoys walks with her dog Toby, and exploring her creativity.
Lisa Oliveto, EdS, LMFT-Intern
Lisa enjoys working with families, couples and individuals and uses an eclectic blend of theories to help people with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, adolescent behavioral problems and communication and family difficulties. Further, Lisa has been intensively trained in both CBT and DBT and has significant experience working with at risk adolescents in outpatient settings, as well as juvenile detention system and residential treatment. Further, Lisa has been trained in CPT and PE for trauma by the Beck Institutes's Alan Miller, PhD.
Spending much of her life living in the Reno/Tahoe area, Lisa received both her Masters and Educational Specialist Degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her Professional paper and research addressed the issues of at risk adolescent females with a program to help with restorative justice for a community.
In addition to her work with Great Basin, Lisa enjoys golf, boating and water sports with her husband. Her loves of her life include her two grandchildren and two dogs!
Shanley Melody, MA, LMFT-Intern
Shanley was born and raised in Reno, Nevada to parents who were both coaches and teachers in Washoe County. This created a love for health and wellness and an eagerness to play several different sports to stay active, eventually leading her toward becoming a gymnastics coach for 6 years while privately coaching autistic children. This experience sparked interest in the world of psychology for Shanley and shaped her career decisions to come.
Shanley earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and minored in theater at the University of Nevada, Reno. Shortly thereafter, Shanley returned to school and completed her graduate degree in clinical psychology while living in the bay area. While working toward her Master's degree, Shanley nannied 3 girls who had intellectual and emotional disabilities, further exposing her to her career interests and solidifying her determination to work with children in addition to adults.
Prior to graduation, Shanley was exposed to several treatment settings, including the Marin Treatment Center (a methadone clinic), and at the Downing Clinic at UNR. After receiving her Master's degree, Shanley worked at West Hills Hospital for 6 years then continued her journey within crisis to Mobile Crisis Response Team and worked at Wooster High School through the Peace Grant as a Safe School Professional. Further, Shanley worked as a member of clinical management at a local mental health agency, which led to additional training and experience trauma, depression, anxiety, psychosis, and mood disorders. Particular areas of interest for Shanley include work grief, as well as client's who struggle with chronic or acute medical issues.
Shanley offers a spiritual approach in session upon request. She loves all things nature, animals, nutrition, working out and connecting with the mind, body and soul.
Carolyn De Leon, MA, DM, CPC-Intern
Carolyn is originally from San Jose, Ca where she was born and raised. She relocated to Northern Nevada in 2016 to be near family. Carolyn obtained a Master’s degree in 2015 in counseling psychology from Sofia University in Palo Alto, California. Within her counseling psychology program she studied expressive arts therapy as an augmentative approach to counseling.
Carolyn worked for almost 20 years as an executive leader in both human resources and operations both in the corporate and non-profit arenas. She holds a Doctor of Management and Organizational Leadership from University of Phoenix. She also holds a Certificate of Professional and Executive Coaching from the University of Texas Dallas, a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Communication sciences and Disorders from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Theology from Advantage College in Sacramento, California.
Carolyn’s approach to therapy is a holistic approach integrating mind, body, and spirit to achieve ultimate health and wellness. She utilizes the expressive arts in various modalities to enhance the therapeutic process. She enjoys counseling with both children and adults.
Carolyn’s sees a variety of clients, though focuses more on Christian Counseling for church leaders, grief and Loss, depression, anxiety, and traumatic experiences, career counseling, workplace counseling for those experiencing challenges in their place of employment, executive and professional counseling and coaching.
For fun and self-care she enjoys the outdoors, gardening, fishing, road bike riding, walking her dogs Abby and Marcus, playing co-ed softball and attending sporting events. She is an avid reader and enjoys arts and crafts. On her bucket list is to learn cross country skiing and kayaking.
Senida Muratovic, MA, LMFT-Intern
Born in Bosnia and raised all over the world in locations such as Frankfurt, Germany and Houston, Texas, Senida brings a unique perspective on life, love, and happiness to her work. Senida graduated from UNR with a BA in psychology and a minor in addictions counseling. As a means of pursuing licensure, Senida completed her MA at Northcentral University and was a graduate student intern with Great Basin Behavioral Health prior to beginning her post graduate internship with our agency.
Senida's work in mental health has been both outpatient and inpatient, as well as case management and psychosocial rehabilitation. She now focuses on individual and group therapy with a variety of populations at Great Basin, however, her favorite population to work with has been teen clients struggling with addiction and co-occuring disorders. Senida has completed training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Theory, and Prolonged exposure with The Beck Institute.
For downtime, Senida's favorite people to unwind with are her kids and her partner, preferably over some pizza and playing family games. Senida spends her summers at Tahoe, the shoulders season hiking around the Sierrra's, and her winter watching WAY to many kids movies!
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Our Part Time Clinical Team
Tina Faker, MA, LCPC Intern, LCADC Intern
Tina was born in Germany and grew up all over due to her father being in the United States Army, but primarily in Sacramento, CA. She later decided to further her education and change careers. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree at the University Nevada, Reno, Tina finished her Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling at Liberty University and continues toward internship completion for licensure at Great Basin Behavioral Health.
Tina believes in using a holistic approach to counseling and believes that a healthy diet and regular exercise can make a huge impact on one’s own mental health. Further, Tina has been intensively trained in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by The Beck Institute and uses this approach often with her clientele.
Tina's husband is a teacher at Spanish Springs High School. Together they have three children of varying ages. Tina's family is often referred to as a "soccer family," which often takes up weekends. To stay emotionally healthy, Tina frequenlty goes to the gym, goes for walks, plays with her kids and husband, attends and devotes time to her church.
Rebecca Arvans, PhD, BCBA-D
Information/Bio coming soon!
Dr. Arvans has limited availability, though is able to complete psychological testing and evaluation services for children, teens, and adults.
Our Graduate Student Interns
Forest Firestone, Graduate Student Intern
Forest Firestone was born and raised in a small town north of San Francisco, California. She and her family have recently moved to Reno and have loved the community, the art and all the amazing access to beautiful nature. Currently, Forest is completing her last year in a Masters in Integral Counseling from the California Institute of Integral Studies and is thrilled to be doing her training with Great Basin Behavioral Health.
Forest has years of experience working with youth, teens, and adults. She has a deep passion for both the wilderness therapy work as well as the LGBTQIA community work she has been doing with teens and adults for the last 10 years. She feels honored to have the opportunity to work clinical with a wide range of individuals and experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as working through life transitions, trauma, attachment wounding, parenting skills, and LGBTQIA issues, to name a few.
Forest's approach is client-centered with a value held on building the relationship and trust between the client and herself. She has seen the importance of working to connect our mind, body, and soul as an essential aspect of someone's healing journey towards living a more whole, alive and joyful life.
When not working to support her clients Forest loves to spend time with her wife and 6 year old son. As a family they love to spend time in nature, swimming in the river, hiking, ride bikes, backpacking and play many many games of Uno.
Stephani Halladay, Graduate Student Intern
Stephani grew up in rural Nevada and eventually settled down in Douglas County after a couple of years in Las Vegas. Stephani graduated from Western Nevada College in 2012 with her Associates of Arts in Deaf Studies and graduated in 2014 from University of Nevada Reno with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Further, Stephani will graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2020 with her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as, an advanced certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling.
Stephani has worked with foster children in rural communities for the last 4 years. Working with these children and families, allowed Stephani to gain a vast amount of knowledge about trauma, neglect, abuse, and loss. Stephani worked closely with multiple community and state agencies in order to ensure the children’s best interest.
In addition to being passionate about rural communities, Stephani is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the Deaf community. Stephani wants to use her knowledge of American Sign Language to offer more direct access to counseling services to deaf individuals.
Stephani has a very person-centered approach to therapy and believes all individuals are capable of change and growth. Stephani believes her role in the therapeutic process is to hold space for clients to explore the things in their lives that are of importance to them. Stephani is interested in becoming more familiar and comfortable using CBT, DBT, and Narrative approaches to therapy.
When Stephani is not at Great Basin or the University of Nevada, Reno, she can be found hanging out with her kids and husband. Stephani loves reading, snowboarding, camping, fishing, golfing, and just about anything outdoors.
Our Admin Team
Carrie von Ravensberg, CPA - Finance/Office Manager
Carrie has lived in the Reno area since 1999 after relocating to Northern Nevada to study accounting at the University of Nevada, Reno. Upon graduation, Carrie worked in public accounting and has spent a majority of her career working in health care finance at several major local hospitals as a CPA.
In 2017, Carrie left her career in the corporate accounting world to join the team at Great Basin and take the lead on managing day to day office and finance management of the company.
In her free time, Carrie enjoys spending time outdoors camping, hiking and backpacking, as well as amateur aerial silks and, above most anything else, getting lost in a good book. Despite growing up in Montana, Carrie is very committed to our local community and finds it difficult to imagine leaving the beautiful Sierra Nevada region.
Mary Hernandez
Born and raised in Reno, Nevada (Home means Nevada!), Mary graduated with advanced standing from Galena High School and is only a short stint away from finishing her BA at the University of Nevada, Reno. Upon completion of her BA, Mary intends to enroll in grad school to become Great Basin's next therapist, planning to specialize in work with children and teens.
Beginning at the young age of 12, Mary has spent her life devoted to helping others, especially children and adolescents. In fact, Mary has volunteered thousands of hours at a local preschool, implementing a program teaching native Spanish speaking students struggling with behavior problems English.
Work is great, but fun is just as important. To unwind, Mary enjoys spending time with her husband and family, curling up at home for a good read, going for a short run while jamming to Coldplay, hiking in the Sierra Nevada mountains around Tahoe during a crisp fall or winter morning, and amateur photography.
Jen Baumgartel
Jen grew up in Northern California and relocated to the area in 2005 after finishing school and in order to follow her passion in working with animals as a licensed vet tech. As life would have it, Jen's passion changed and she decided she wanted to shift her focus toward working in healthcare with the intention on returning to school to become a therapist.
While Jen finishes her education at the University of Nevada, Reno, she assists at Great Basin and works diligently every day as the lead scheduler.
For fun, Jen spends time with her fur babies Mohawk and Link, as well as her longterm boyfriend and son. Spending time outdoors is very important to Jen and she regularly spends time hiking, as well as weight training, yoga, cooking, and having fun as often as possible..
Sadie Kolbet
Sadie was born and raised in Northern California but came to Nevada when she was a child when her family came to the growing area. After serving in the U.S. Army/National Guard, Sadie went to school to become a medical assistant in 2008, successfully completing her program and continues to maintain her certification as a Medical (Administrative) Assistant. More recently, Sadie continued her education in Medical Financial Management through Truckee Meadows Community College and DeVry University.
For fun, Sadie likes to spend time with her family on the beach and read as many books as possible. She also likes to take her children and puppy, Lola, to the lake for some boating and fishing as often as possible.
