Brad Peters, Co-Founder & CEO
Brad has been in the business world for over 25 years, serving in leadership, executive, and consulting roles. He sees his role at Zen Institute as handling the business, finance, and compliance matters so our clinical team can focus all of their time and energy serving clients. He also serves as a financial advocate for clients, and has been known to go to great lengths to get insurance benefit coverage for much needed services.
Established in 2012, Zen Institute is considered a relatively new business. Not only has Brad kept Zen Institute a debt free company from day one, he has also proven that Zen Institute can be financially secure and profitable while taking great care of our team and keeping treatment costs as affordable as possible for our clients. Brad was previously nominated for Tucson CFO of the Year and he finds great joy in serving our community.
Brad’s philosophy on business and life can be summed up simply: Live in the present, express gratitude freely, laugh often, and do the right thing. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, photography, boating, fishing, and motorcycle riding.
Brad has been in the business world for over 25 years, serving in leadership, executive, and consulting roles. He sees his role at Zen Institute as handling the business, finance, and compliance matters so our clinical team can focus all of their time and energy serving clients. He also serves as a financial advocate for clients, and has been known to go to great lengths to get insurance benefit coverage for much needed services.
Established in 2012, Zen Institute is considered a relatively new business. Not only has Brad kept Zen Institute a debt free company from day one, he has also proven that Zen Institute can be financially secure and profitable while taking great care of our team and keeping treatment costs as affordable as possible for our clients. Brad was previously nominated for Tucson CFO of the Year and he finds great joy in serving our community.
Brad’s philosophy on business and life can be summed up simply: Live in the present, express gratitude freely, laugh often, and do the right thing. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, photography, boating, fishing, and motorcycle riding.
Pallavi Gupta, MA, LPC, LISAC
Clinical Director
Pallavi has more than 20 years of experience as a mental health professional working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She holds a Masters degree in Counseling from Chapman University and Bachelors degrees in Business and Family Studies.
Pallavi is Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC) and she has extensive training in EMDR and trauma treatment. She is a certified advanced practitioner of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy under direct supervision from trauma experts Pat Ogden and Kekuni Minton. She specializes in treating people with severe anxiety, depression, addiction, attachment injury and relationship trauma.
She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Behavioral Health degree from Arizona State University.
As a trauma survivor herself, Pallavi has always been an advocate for the defenseless and she continues to help the "voiceless find their voice".
Clinical Director
Pallavi has more than 20 years of experience as a mental health professional working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She holds a Masters degree in Counseling from Chapman University and Bachelors degrees in Business and Family Studies.
Pallavi is Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC) and she has extensive training in EMDR and trauma treatment. She is a certified advanced practitioner of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy under direct supervision from trauma experts Pat Ogden and Kekuni Minton. She specializes in treating people with severe anxiety, depression, addiction, attachment injury and relationship trauma.
She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Behavioral Health degree from Arizona State University.
As a trauma survivor herself, Pallavi has always been an advocate for the defenseless and she continues to help the "voiceless find their voice".
Mary Kay Irving, LCSW, CNTP
Primary Therapist
Mary Kay Irving, LCSW CNTP is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDR therapist and Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner who is passionate about helping people achieve lifestyle balance to create their best life. Mary Kay completed her undergraduate training in psychology and obtained her Master of Social Work degree in 1993 from Marywood University. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings for over 25 years including residential treatment for addiction recovery, outpatient specialized sexual abuse treatment, private practice and most recently, co-facilitating the Intensive outpatient (IOP) DBT program at Boulder Community Health in Colorado.
Mary Kay enjoys working at the intersection of physical, mental and spiritual health where she integrates her extensive professional training with the intuition developed from her own personal challenges and recovery. Mary Kay is excited to be joining the professional team at Zen Institute in their mission to serve and prioritize the needs of their clients. “It feels like an honor to witness the courage and growth of clients during a very vulnerable time in their lives. I am deeply grateful to be able to contribute my gifts to help and guide them on their healing journey.”
Mary Kay is a recent transplant to Arizona from Colorado to be closer to family. She is looking forward to the warmer weather to enjoy favorite pastimes of hiking and cycling. She also enjoys salsa dancing, cooking and performing in community theater.
Primary Therapist
Mary Kay Irving, LCSW CNTP is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDR therapist and Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner who is passionate about helping people achieve lifestyle balance to create their best life. Mary Kay completed her undergraduate training in psychology and obtained her Master of Social Work degree in 1993 from Marywood University. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings for over 25 years including residential treatment for addiction recovery, outpatient specialized sexual abuse treatment, private practice and most recently, co-facilitating the Intensive outpatient (IOP) DBT program at Boulder Community Health in Colorado.
Mary Kay enjoys working at the intersection of physical, mental and spiritual health where she integrates her extensive professional training with the intuition developed from her own personal challenges and recovery. Mary Kay is excited to be joining the professional team at Zen Institute in their mission to serve and prioritize the needs of their clients. “It feels like an honor to witness the courage and growth of clients during a very vulnerable time in their lives. I am deeply grateful to be able to contribute my gifts to help and guide them on their healing journey.”
Mary Kay is a recent transplant to Arizona from Colorado to be closer to family. She is looking forward to the warmer weather to enjoy favorite pastimes of hiking and cycling. She also enjoys salsa dancing, cooking and performing in community theater.
Jenna Jarrold, MS, LAC, NCC
Primary Therapist
Jenna received her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Jenna has worked in the mental health field for over ten years, in both residential and outpatient settings. She has worked with individuals struggling with a range of concerns (depression, anxiety, relationship issues, gender identity concerns, PTSD, trauma, eating disorders) and has experience with individual, group, couples, and family work.
Jenna has a zeal for helping others. Using an integrative and holistic approach, she helps each client build upon their unique and individualized strengths, rather than solely focusing on the presenting problem. Jenna considers herself and advocate for her clients, and approaches each person with openness, acceptance, and honesty.
In her free time, Jenna explores her passions for travel, art, animals, reading, and writing.
Primary Therapist
Jenna received her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Jenna has worked in the mental health field for over ten years, in both residential and outpatient settings. She has worked with individuals struggling with a range of concerns (depression, anxiety, relationship issues, gender identity concerns, PTSD, trauma, eating disorders) and has experience with individual, group, couples, and family work.
Jenna has a zeal for helping others. Using an integrative and holistic approach, she helps each client build upon their unique and individualized strengths, rather than solely focusing on the presenting problem. Jenna considers herself and advocate for her clients, and approaches each person with openness, acceptance, and honesty.
In her free time, Jenna explores her passions for travel, art, animals, reading, and writing.
Maureen O’Connor-Strout, MC, NCC, LPC
Primary Therapist
Maureen C O’Connor-Strout, MC, NCC, LPC, has more than 20 years of experience with EMDR therapy, treating trauma with an attachment, ego state & somatic focus at Sierra Tucson, where she worked with developmental & relational trauma, adult & childhood trauma & abuse, First Responders, Eating Disorders, mood disorders, grief & loss, addictions & co-occurring disorders, and chronic pain.
A graduate of the College of New Rochelle (1974: BFA Fine Arts & Graphic Design) and the University of Phoenix (1995: Masters in Counseling), Maureen also has a background in publishing and graphic arts, was a volunteer & volunteer trainer in a Level One Trauma Unit in the Emergency Department of a community hospital, and served in adult & pediatric hospice settings as a grief counselor, where she also facilitated community grief & loss support groups for patients & survivors.
Maureen’s focus celebrates resiliency, the power of supportive presence, and the individual’s innate desire to heal.
Primary Therapist
Maureen C O’Connor-Strout, MC, NCC, LPC, has more than 20 years of experience with EMDR therapy, treating trauma with an attachment, ego state & somatic focus at Sierra Tucson, where she worked with developmental & relational trauma, adult & childhood trauma & abuse, First Responders, Eating Disorders, mood disorders, grief & loss, addictions & co-occurring disorders, and chronic pain.
A graduate of the College of New Rochelle (1974: BFA Fine Arts & Graphic Design) and the University of Phoenix (1995: Masters in Counseling), Maureen also has a background in publishing and graphic arts, was a volunteer & volunteer trainer in a Level One Trauma Unit in the Emergency Department of a community hospital, and served in adult & pediatric hospice settings as a grief counselor, where she also facilitated community grief & loss support groups for patients & survivors.
Maureen’s focus celebrates resiliency, the power of supportive presence, and the individual’s innate desire to heal.
Joyce McQueen
Office Manager & Intake Director
Joyce is our Ambassador of Amazingness! She has twenty plus years of experience in the administrative field and she is the wizard behind the curtain that makes us all look good. Joyce takes delight in making sure each person who walks through our door feels supported, loved, and welcome at Zen Institute.
Over the last few years, Joyce has become interested in meditation, yoga and holistic practices due to everyday stress and personal experiences. She truly enjoys helping others and is a firm believer in nurturing your mind, body and soul.
In her spare time, Joyce enjoys spending time with her family and pets.
Office Manager & Intake Director
Joyce is our Ambassador of Amazingness! She has twenty plus years of experience in the administrative field and she is the wizard behind the curtain that makes us all look good. Joyce takes delight in making sure each person who walks through our door feels supported, loved, and welcome at Zen Institute.
Over the last few years, Joyce has become interested in meditation, yoga and holistic practices due to everyday stress and personal experiences. She truly enjoys helping others and is a firm believer in nurturing your mind, body and soul.
In her spare time, Joyce enjoys spending time with her family and pets.
Sarah Reimer Dawson, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Consultant
Sarah holds a Master's degree from the ASU School of Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is EMDR certified and DBT trained.
Sarah believes everyone can heal from trauma and be their best self through therapy and skill building, and that this makes the world a better place for everyone. She has extensive experience and training in treating mood disorders, trauma and addiction, dual diagnosis, family and relationship issues, and LGBT/identity concerns.
"I love working at Zen Institute because we share this mission and because it is a peaceful, joyful place that helps me put my principles and skills into practice in my own life."
In her free time, Sarah enjoys reading, eating, and yoga.
Clinical Consultant
Sarah holds a Master's degree from the ASU School of Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is EMDR certified and DBT trained.
Sarah believes everyone can heal from trauma and be their best self through therapy and skill building, and that this makes the world a better place for everyone. She has extensive experience and training in treating mood disorders, trauma and addiction, dual diagnosis, family and relationship issues, and LGBT/identity concerns.
"I love working at Zen Institute because we share this mission and because it is a peaceful, joyful place that helps me put my principles and skills into practice in my own life."
In her free time, Sarah enjoys reading, eating, and yoga.
Jeanne Hilton, Ph.D.
Clinical Consultant
Jeanne received her Ph.D. in Family Economics from Oregon State University in 1985. She recently retired as a full professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Hilton taught courses on family resource management, individual and family resilience, contemporary family issues, and theory and research methods. She also has published numerous articles in academic journals on topics related to divorce and single parenting, child development, balancing work and family, and successful aging.
Clinical Consultant
Jeanne received her Ph.D. in Family Economics from Oregon State University in 1985. She recently retired as a full professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Hilton taught courses on family resource management, individual and family resilience, contemporary family issues, and theory and research methods. She also has published numerous articles in academic journals on topics related to divorce and single parenting, child development, balancing work and family, and successful aging.
