Wen Chi Chien, M.A. LPC, Founder & CEO
Wen Chi received a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Eastern Michigan University in 1998. She is a licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), trained in DBT (Dialectical Behavior, Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction. Wen Chi is also a presenter of workshops at University of Arizona, Arizona State University (ASU) and Organizations in the Tucson area.
With more than seventeen years of experience providing psychotherapy at both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, Wen Chi developed her own Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in 2007 offering a unique combination of eastern and western treatment philosophies. She was met with great success, attracting clients from across the country. Soon it became more work than she could handle alone and Zen Institute was born.
In her leisure time, Wen Chi enjoys doing art projects, sculpting, painting, photography, playing with her cats and spending quality time with her husband and friends.
Wen Chi received a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Eastern Michigan University in 1998. She is a licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), trained in DBT (Dialectical Behavior, Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction. Wen Chi is also a presenter of workshops at University of Arizona, Arizona State University (ASU) and Organizations in the Tucson area.
With more than seventeen years of experience providing psychotherapy at both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, Wen Chi developed her own Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in 2007 offering a unique combination of eastern and western treatment philosophies. She was met with great success, attracting clients from across the country. Soon it became more work than she could handle alone and Zen Institute was born.
In her leisure time, Wen Chi enjoys doing art projects, sculpting, painting, photography, playing with her cats and spending quality time with her husband and friends.
Brad Peters, Co-Founder & CFO
Brad has been in the business and finance world for over 25 yrs. He holds degrees in business finance and accounting and sees his role as handling the business, finance, and compliance matters so the clinical staff 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 is a company that is financially secure and profitable. Brad was nominated for Tucson CFO of the Year in 2014. Brad also serves on the board of directors for the Tucson chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.
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, Brad enjoys spending time with his family, photography, boating, fishing, and motorcycle riding.
Brad has been in the business and finance world for over 25 yrs. He holds degrees in business finance and accounting and sees his role as handling the business, finance, and compliance matters so the clinical staff 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 is a company that is financially secure and profitable. Brad was nominated for Tucson CFO of the Year in 2014. Brad also serves on the board of directors for the Tucson chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.
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, Brad enjoys spending time with his family, photography, boating, fishing, and motorcycle riding.
Pallavi Gupta, MA, LPC, LISAC
Staff Therapist
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 certified advance 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 Doctor of Behavioral Health 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".
Staff Therapist
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 certified advance 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 Doctor of Behavioral Health 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".
Erin Nelson, MPC, LAC
Staff Therapist
Erin has a master’s degree in professional counseling with experience helping clients of all ages work through anxiety, depression, and trauma. She has experience in both individual, couples, family and group settings including IOP, Life on Life’s Terms, DBT, Love and Logic Parenting, and Women's Domestic Violence. Erin has worked with individual clients in a range of general mental health areas, focusing on CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and boundaries and communication among other modalities.
Erin is also passionate about health and fitness. As an accredited exercise physiologist, she has helped individuals with a range of chronic health conditions and athletes alike to accomplish their goals. She continues to teach fitness classes in the community as a balance to her work.
In her spare time, Erin enjoys family time, hiking, learning, gardening, volunteering and enjoying the family’s animals, which include goats, chickens, geese and a much loved family dog.
Erin is passionate about helping others and she is looking forward to working with clients at Zen Institute.
Staff Therapist
Erin has a master’s degree in professional counseling with experience helping clients of all ages work through anxiety, depression, and trauma. She has experience in both individual, couples, family and group settings including IOP, Life on Life’s Terms, DBT, Love and Logic Parenting, and Women's Domestic Violence. Erin has worked with individual clients in a range of general mental health areas, focusing on CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and boundaries and communication among other modalities.
Erin is also passionate about health and fitness. As an accredited exercise physiologist, she has helped individuals with a range of chronic health conditions and athletes alike to accomplish their goals. She continues to teach fitness classes in the community as a balance to her work.
In her spare time, Erin enjoys family time, hiking, learning, gardening, volunteering and enjoying the family’s animals, which include goats, chickens, geese and a much loved family dog.
Erin is passionate about helping others and she is looking forward to working with clients at Zen Institute.
Joyce McQueen
Administrative Specialist
Joyce is the newest member of the Zen Institute team. She comes to us with twenty plus years of experience in the administrative field.
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 two cats.
Administrative Specialist
Joyce is the newest member of the Zen Institute team. She comes to us with twenty plus years of experience in the administrative field.
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 two cats.
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 currently works as a full professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Hilton teaches 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 currently works as a full professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Hilton teaches 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.
