Staff
The PSA Art Awakenings team believes in the healing power of creativity and all agree that: Art Saves Lives! A team of dedicated behavioral health professionals, the majority are also artists whose notoriety ranges from cities scattered throughout the United States to across the continents. Visit our parent site at PSA Behavioral Health Agency. 
Administrative Team
Karen D. Puthoff President Northern Region
Karen has dedicated her career to eradicating stigma related to behavioral illness. Most recently director of marketing and community relations for PSA Art Awakenings, she offers over 25 years as a senior manager in public relations, marketing, and fund raising. A graduate of Purdue University and St. Mary of the Woods College, Karen has worked with inpatient and outpatient behavioral health programs in Arizona and Indiana. She also served as chief operating officer of The Carillon Foundation for Health which restricted fund raising to support behavioral health programs, services, and scholarships. For the past year and half she has worked to promote PSA Art Awakenings artists, galleries, and services, typically representing several hundred artists at a time whose works are sold at galleries, special events and conferences. Karen is proud to be part of the PSA Art Awakenings team and feels blessed to serve such wonderfully talented individuals.
Lynne Shulman President Southern Region
Lynne, a recent addition to the PSA Art Awakenings’ team, has a Master’s degree in education and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has made her home in southern Arizona and offers over 25 years of administrative and clinical oversight experience in the region, having worked for Arizona’s Children Association, CODAC Behavioral Health, and Community Partnership of Southern Arizona. Lynne’s work includes outpatient clinics, residential treatment centers and private practice as well as working with children, families, and adults at military bases around the world. Lynne has developed her “inner expressive artist” since childhood and is delighted by the process of empowerment and recovery through creativity.
Nicole Hoffman Director of Operations
As a licensed clinical social worker, Nicole has been in administrative and senior management positions in local non-profits for over a decade. Embracing the value of working with populations with diverse backgrounds, challenges, and experiences, Nicole has managed programs serving adults, families with histories of child abuse and neglect, pregnant and parenting teens, homeless and at risk youth, and in the field of early childhood education. She has worked in Maricopa County as well as rural communities throughout southern Arizona. In addition to her recent promotion to Director of Operations, she has served as the Glendale and Phoenix Studios Administrator.
Linda Schwartz Clinical Director
A licensed professional counselor, Linda has worked as a clinical director or supervisor in outpatient behavioral health programs for youth and adults. She passionately believes that everyone should receive the opportunity to grow their personal skills in supportive environments that assist each participant in accomplishing goals. Also an accomplished nonfiction writer and former newspaper reporter, Linda enjoys artistic expression through the fabric arts of crochet, sewing and quilting.
Mariana Morales Executive Administrative Coordinator & BHPP
Mariana joined the PSA Art Awakenings Tempe staff in 2006. A firm believer in personal growth, she became a behavioral health para-professional, qualified to provide direct care services to the semi-independent living and provider affiliated housing program participants. Now she offers her skill set in support of the administrative team based in Phoenix. “I am very excited and thankful to be a part of PSA Art Awakenings and have the opportunity to grow with the company as well as to see and be a part of the growth of each individual who participates in the program.”
Lucy Zapata Marketing Assistant & Curator
“Art Awakenings has given me great opportunities to work with artists; it allows me to help others in many different ways.” Lucy has always had an interest in art. A painter, jewelry maker, and graphic artist, she loves working with others and introducing new ways to create. “Art opens up my mind in many colorful ways and offers new chances to learn and grow.”
Casa Grande Studio
Eliza Homer Program Coordinator
Eliza graduated from Central Washington University with Bachelors degree in visual arts teaching and foreign language (Spanish). She is currently working toward completing her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Expressive Art Therapy from Prescott College. Eliza’s areas of special interest include attachment-based trauma and immigration trauma.
Carol McCullough Expressive Art Therapist
Carol has been an artist all her life and loves the challenge of experimenting with new art media. Her drawings, mixed media work and paintings have been in several juried art shows nationally and she always has at least one project going at home. Carol completed her Master’s degree in Art Therapy Counseling at Marylhurst University in Oregan. She is especially interested in positive psychology and art as therapy. “I have used art for healing and growth in my own life, and want to create a space where others can express their journey toward health and well-being through art.”
Christie Urioste Administrative Assistant & BHPP
Christi is excited to be a part of the Art Awakenings team. She is happy to “assist people expand their life successes through art.” Christi offers 10 years of client relations experience that have helped her achieve the qualifications of a Behavioral Health Para Professional, “I enjoy working with our artists who are always learning for personal and professional growth.”
Parker & Quartzsite Studios
Anna Christina Moore Studio Assistant
Anna Christina (Tina) is a native of Smygehamn, Sweden and a commercial art school graduate. After moving to the United States she worked for a decade in numerous art foundries as a chaser and mold maker. Following her passion and study of wild life, Tina has created several of her own bronzes of animals. Her diverse artistic talents range from soap stone carving to teaching children art and drawing to winter visitors.
Abigail Parkhurst Expressive Art Therapist
Abigail studied art, Spanish, and psychology as a undergraduate student in western Washington State at Grays Harbor College, The Evergreen State College, and Saint Martin’s college. She later joined the Peace Corps and served as a volunteer for two years in Jamaica where she taught art while providing community service. She continued her studies in Pensacola, Florida at Troy State University where she earned her Master of Science degree in counseling and human development while continuing to study art. Abigail has a strong faith in the healing power of the creative process, and is inspired to help others find the joy that making art can uncover.
Phoenix & NW Phoenix Studios
Cindy Baysdorfer Studio Administrator
Cindy is a Nationally Certified and Licensed Professional Counsleor. She has a history of teaching Art in the Colorado public schools and graphic design for an in-house agency. Cindy has a passion for making fused glass jewelry and beleives, “Art Awakenings is the perfect place to blend my counseling and art backgrounds.”
Ingrid Davis Expressive Art Therapist
Ingrid is a licensed counselor in Arizona and national board certified art therapist. She has extensive counseling experience with children and families and adults with psychiatric disabilities. Her special areas of expertise are in energy healing and spiritual growth. She is also a certified graduate of the Energy Mastery School, Sedona, Arizona.
Tiffany Ducey Expressive Art Therapist
Tiffany was born in Staten Island, New York, and grew up in Scranton Pennsylvania where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Scranton. New to Phoenix, Tiffany plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work, and loves being in a creative environment.
Kristen Leahy Receptionist
Kristen is pleases to be a recent staff addition. She has worked with Art Awakenings as an artists since 2005, and enjoys her additional role as the Downtown Phoenix Gallery receptionist. “I loved PSA [Art Awakenings] from the moment I came on board; I couldn’t think of a better job or place to work.”
Maria Cristina Martinez Office Manager & BHPP
Maria Cristina has been with Art Awakenings for two years and grown to love it. “I do my best to support artists and staff in creating a healing environment. I love to see creative people at work.”
Christopher Taylor Expressive Art Therapist
Christopher is a board certified music therapist and recent graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in music therapy. He believes that “Art is the vision of a person, and music is their voice and pulse.”
Christina Velazquez Expressive Art Therapist
“Tina” joined PSA Art Awakenings from her native Southern California. She completed a master of Arts degree in marital and family therapy with a specialization in clinical art therapy from Loyola Marymount university in Los Angeles, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in fine art from the University of Southern California. As a painter and muralist, Tina has exhibited in Los Angeles and Riverside, California, and Florence, Italy.”
Carrie Watson Expressive Art Therapist
Carrie earned a Master of Counseling degree from Arizona State University. She has enjoyed working in schools and non-profit agencies to assist children and families in “finding their definition of success and happiness.” A favorite quote of Carrie’s is that of Anais Nin’s, “It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before, to test your limits, to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
Christine Zwicky Expressive Art Therapist
Christine earned a Master’s degree in Somatic Psychology, Dance/Movement Therapy, from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. An expressive art therapist with over 20 years in the behavioral health field, Christine has supervised residential programs and worked with a variety of populations using art, music, movement, play, and creative modalities. She specializes in workshops on body image issues and has written a manual focused on women reclaiming their bodies.
Tempe Studio
Socorro Dominguez Coordinator & Expressive Art Therapist
“Sukey” has a life long appreciation for the arts and is passionate about the universal potential of creativity to enhance, improve and sustain lives. Originally from El Paso, Texas, she is a twice graduate of Arizona State University and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with expertise in behavioral health.
Erin Curtright Expressive Art Therapist
Erin, a California native, earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida State University. With 14 years experience in the behavioral health field she has worked as a therapist in a variety of settings including school for juvenile justice systems, teen mom, substance abuse, and domestic violence shelter programs. Erin is a certified trainer for FAST Inc. (Families and Schools Together) and is currently working with the University of Wisconsin on a four year research project to increase social capital and empower parents to be primary protective factors for their children. Erin is, “Very excited to be a part of Art Awakenings!”
Desiree Guthrie Administrative Assistant
Desiree has worked in the behavioral health field for nine years; previously with youth and now as both an adult case manager and in administration. She combines her experience and knowledge with a passion for helping others and creating positive change. Desiree enjoys working hard, loves being a team player, and being the first person people meet when they arrive at the Tempe location..
Tucson Studio
Tanya Alvarez Expressive Art Therapist
Tanya is a bilingual professional artists and community muralist with over 15 years experience in the behavioral health field and in working with at-risk youth and families through community arts projects. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with emphasis on multicultural diversity and creative arts including music, and a bachelor’s degree in studio arts from U of A. Tanya believes in servant leadership through the arts because of its potential to save lives, offer hope, inspiration & opportunities. She has won numerous awards and continues to showcase her artwork nationwide.
Jovanna Gomez Administrative Assistant
Jovanna describes herself as a daughter, sister, mother, and wife; a perfectly imperfect individual who yearns to succeed in life and is passionate about helping others. She has experience working with people of all ages and walks of life, and is extremely excited to be part of the PSA Art Awakenings family.
Mindie Jo Snyder Expressive Art Therapist / Regional Program Coordinator
An award winning artist, Mindie Jo is also an illustrator, author, designer, dancer, actor & poet with a passion for inspiring people and creating collaborations between expressive arts, spiritual care and medicine. Pioneering expressive arts programming across the lifespan for over 20 years, Mindie Jo is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Europe.
Warehouse 1005 Studio
Charlotte Webb Executive Director
As the former recovery services coordinator for PSA Behavioral Health Agency, Charlotte remains a strong proponent of recovery and community integration. She sees the Next Step Studio as an exciting opportunity for artists to continue their endeavors to be empowered as equal partners in the Phoenix art arena. As the first staff member of the Next Step Studio, she strongly believes in personal growth and development through creativity. She wants to continue to bring together artists from all walks of life in a cooperative plan for artistic as well as personal achievement.
Jeremy DeJong Art Manager
Jeremy graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work and has enjoyed working in the field for 13 years. He also has a minor in photography and art from Mesa Community College. Jeremy recently re-joined staff to provide services at the Phoenix Studio about which he said, “Working at Art Awakenings has allowed me to merge my two passions [art and social work], which I am very excited about!”
Bill Mick Co-op Coordinator
As Co-op Coordinator of The Next Step Studio’s Pieces Gallery, Bill offers a diverse skill set to PSA Art Awakenings and the people he serves. He has over forty years of combined experience and education in clinical psychology, behavioral health, and various creative mediums including art, theatre, dance, directing, set design, stand-up comedy, female impersonation, and interior design. For the past 13 years, Bill has worked in both clinical and recovery models of treatment. Also as one who has received services for a serious mental illness, he exhibits compassion and empathy for others facing similar challenges related to behavioral health. In recent years Bill has become an accomplished artist receiving several awards in sculpture and mixed media.
Yuma Studio
Evelyn Reddick Site Administrator
Evelyn has worked in the adult outpatient behavioral health field of Arizona for 17 years in clinical supervision and recovery centers, outpatient day programs and vocational rehabilitation services. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in education and is a certified Behavioral Health Technician and Peer Employment Training Facilitator. A staunch advocate for recovery through the expressive arts, recovery training, and community integration, Evelyn is a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) member and past president for the Arizona state affiliate. An ardent supporter of the arts, she uses painting, poetry, quilting and various crafts as personal artistic expression.
Anita Mealey-Haddock Expressive Art Therapist
Anita, a Southern California native, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Northern Arizona University. She believes in giving back to the community and volunteers on two boards in Yuma working with teens and survivors of crime. She specializes in making shadow boxes and was Drama Director at her home church in So. California. She enjoys working in the behavioral health field, “helping others help themselves and what better way than to incorporate art into self-empowerment!”
Patricia Quiroz Administrative Assistant & BHT
Patricia has over six years in the behavioral health field, most recently as a Behavioral Health Technician and intensive case manager for the EXCEL Group in Yuma. She enjoys working and helping people, “I get inspiration from watching people grow and better themselves; I’ve always been a great fan of the arts, I believe music and art are very important in peoples’ lives.” Patricia is “thrilled” to be part of the PSA Art Awakenings Team!
Las Artes De Maricopa Studios
Martin Moreno Art Director
Notable artist Martin Moreno has been creating sculptures, murals, paintings and mosaics for over 30 years with a mission to enlighten the public by depicting the beauty of mankind as well as those areas that are frequently hidden away. “I don’t always do pretty art, I believe it is the artist’s right, even duty, to point fingers and depict the seamier side of humanity when needed.”
Some murals he creates appear beautiful and carefree, but often, when looked at with a closer eye, are full of images that make up some realities of the 21st century: images of young people impacted by drugs, alcohol, and other abuses. Martin states he will continue to produce both types of art, but his favorite by far are those pieces that make people think, wonder about past decisions, and hope for a better future. To see more of his work visit his Cuervo Studio & Gallery at www.latinoartproject.com.
Diana Calderon Arts Coordinator
As an AmeriCorps National Service Alum, Diana dedicated 1800 hours of community service to at-risk youth. She describes her work at Las Artes as finding her dream job of offering service and fine art to students. A Mexican born, American artist, Diana has earned art scholarships and awards since high school, followed by a Bachelor’s degree from ASU’s Herberger College of Fine Art. “With concepts of personal and spiritual growth, my intent is to inspire faith and hope and demonstrate personal growth and healing.”
Evening Reporting Center Studio
Antonio Pasos Behavioral Health Technician & Master Artist
Antonio has exhibited and traveled throughout the world, and was educated overseas as well as in the United States and Mexico. A master artist, his work has been widely exhibited throughout Asia, Europe, and the Latin and North Americas. Antonio, who has always thought that the arts are of paramount importance for people in recovery, began working in the behavioral health field eight years ago. In addition to working with young men at the ERC Maryvale location, he also instructs adult artists in a variety of creative processes at the Phoenix Studios.