Submitted by Mason Health
Whether you are facing life transitions, relationship issues or grief, or are experiencing depression, anxiety or a substance use disorder, Mason Health’s growing number of Behavioral Health providers will work with you to enable you to find an effective treatment. Behavioral Health providers work in tandem with Primary Care providers to fulfill the District’s Vision of offering the best patient-centered care in the Pacific Northwest. This fall, Mason Health welcomed two new Behavioral Health providers, while another provider completed additional requirements to work deeper in the field. A new peer navigator will also join the Behavioral Health team, all of which is now overseen by Dr. Amber Carlson, DSW, LICSW, Director of Behavioral Health Services.
Christy Ross, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, joined Mason Health in October 2021. Ross started working as a therapist intern at a local community mental health agency in 2010 and graduated in 2011 from the University of Washington-Tacoma, where she also later obtained her master’s degree in Social Work in 2013. Ross received her license as an Independent Clinical Social Worker in April 2018.
Ross has worked in a local hospital system as a case manager on medical surgical floors, critical care units, and most recently as a complex case manager helping individuals with chronic biopsychosocial issues. She believes that “meeting people where they are” begins the therapeutic relationship in a nonjudgmental holistic approach. She provides education surrounding coping mechanisms and distress intolerance skills from a framework utilized in dialectical behavioral therapy.
Ross enjoys spending time with her family traveling, camping, hiking, kayaking, motorcycle riding, and dog walking. She is an avid exercise enthusiast and believes in having a healthy mind and body.
New provider Martha Svoboda, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, started at Mason Health in September 2021. Svoboda has experience providing mental health services to adults and adolescents in the forensic and rural community health setting.
Svoboda utilizes a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) approach in working with individuals facing life transitions, relationship issues, mood disorders, personality disorders, depression, anxiety, and those struggling with work/school stress.
She has experience treating individuals with co-occurring disorders and recently completed her post-graduate substance use disorder certification because she is passionate about whole-person care.
Svoboda was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.
Susan Poznyansky joined Mason Health in July of 2019 as a medical and psychiatric social worker. In the fall of 2021, she completed requirements to become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social worker.
Poznyansky received her master’s degree at Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City. She utilizes a trauma-informed, strengths-based perspective to provide client-oriented, evidence-based therapy and case management.
Poznyansky started her career as the founder and director of an early childhood program in Portland, Ore., focusing on social-emotional learning. She then realized her passion for social work in Seattle working with mothers in recovery from substance use disorders.
After graduate school, Poznyansky worked as a clinical counselor in a residential substance use recovery program in Manhattan, and then as a psychotherapist at a Brooklyn community mental health clinic serving individuals and their families with managing severe mental health diagnoses, suicide risk, life-stage transitions, grief and other life stressors.
Poznyansky enjoys swimming, fishing, hiking, kayaking, Tai Chi, foraging and gardening. She also likes Marvel movies.
In November, the Behavioral Health team will also welcome a new peer navigator, Katariena Tulk. Tulk will be helping clients who are in active addiction, and helping those who are in recovery, working closely with Mason County Public Health to connect patients with resources and treatment.
Svoboda, Ross and Poznyansky join Mason Health’s other esteemed Behavioral Health providers – Nicole Giron, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, who works with pediatric patients; Erin Martinache, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who also offers her services to Hoodsport patients; and board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Katie Aldrich, Vanessa Cray and Kirsten Garza, as well as Jess Calohan, who works remotely.
All providers also offer telehealth services. To be seen by a Behavioral Health provider, schedule an appointment with a primary care provider, who will then refer out to a behavioral health provider. Appointments can be scheduled at Mason Clinic at 360.426.2653.
Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County, is certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit the Mason Health website.
