Team
Marisol Villagrana, LSW
Meet Marisol
Hi there! My name is Marisol Villagrana, LSW, and I am thrilled to be joining the team at Emotional & Relationship Health Counseling Associates in Reno. I am currently awaiting approval from the state Board of Examiners to commence clinical work.
Originally from the beautiful state of Oregon, I began my academic journey at the University of Oregon, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, complemented by a minor in Philosophy. Inspired by my experiences and driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, I dedicated several years to working in various mental health roles before deciding to further my education.
Motivated by my son, I took the significant step of pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Denver. During my time at the university, I provided therapy to adults in rural Oregon, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and incorporating components of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), such as mindfulness exercises and distress tolerance skills.
As a bilingual therapist in Reno, I can offer services in both English and Spanish, enhancing my ability to connect with a broader range of clients. I am currently advancing my career by pursuing licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). My therapeutic approach focuses on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where clients feel empowered to work through their challenges and achieve their goals.
Outside of my professional life, I cherish spending quality time with my family, friends, and my two playful huskies and two sassy felines. If you’re looking for compassionate and dedicated support, I am here to help. Feel free to reach out to schedule a session or to learn more about how we can work together to achieve your wellness goals. My standard session fee will be $110.
Hillary Harris, M.A.
Meet Hillary Harris
Hi, I’m Hillary Harris, a pre-licensed therapist in Reno, awaiting approval from the State Board of Examiners to begin my clinical work. Soon, I’ll join Emotional & Relationship Health Counseling Associates as a Clinical Professional Counselor Intern. You can reach out now to inquire about scheduling a session.
Research consistently shows that a strong therapeutic relationship, also called the therapeutic alliance, is vital for successful treatment. My goal is to create a supportive and collaborative environment where we can build emotional and relationship resilience. Using my specialized training, I help clients identify and disrupt negative cycles to foster lasting change. I’m passionate about working with couples, first responders, military personnel, those experiencing relationship loss, and individuals with PTSD.
My military experience gives me insight into the unique challenges of high-stress jobs with chronic exposure to intense content. Additionally, for those interested, I am also comfortable incorporating Christian faith-based principles to support the client’s personal values and belief.
At Emotional and Relationship Health Counseling Associates, our team provides attentive and personalized support. If you’re searching for a therapist in Reno, call us. We can discuss our approach and see if we’re the right fit. We offer a free consultation.
Soon, I will be accepting new clients. My standard session fee is $125. Our team is here to help you navigate your challenges and support your healing and growth. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. This is your first step towards improving your emotional and relationship health. I look forward to supporting you on the path of self-awareness, self-acceptance, joy, and meaning.
Tammy Sheehan-Franchini
Care Coordinator and Administrative Lead
Welcome to our practice specializing in EFT marriage therapy, family therapy and individual counseling in Reno! We believe the actual “therapeutic engagement” starts the moment you make contact with our office. As a result, we aim to greet you with warmth, care, respect, and confidentiality from your first call or email, right through to the end of therapy. I, or a member of my team will usually be your first point of contact. We will do a brief, non-clinical, preliminary assessment of fit for our practice and then streamline your process of seeing a therapist. I strive to ensure the administrative aspects of your therapy with us proceed without a hitch, preserving the integrity of the counseling relationship.
Helping You Start
We don’t want the process to be any more complex than it needs to be. Our practice is “paperless.” What this means is that you’ll complete all of the necessary documentation via our HIPPA compliant online portal. Here are the steps to starting: 1) my team will email each client an invitation to the online portal as soon as we have done a brief preliminary intake. You may also have arranged for a brief consultation with one of our therapists. 2) complete the online forms within 36-hours to hold your appointment. 3) attend your appointment. 4) use the online scheduling feature in the portal to select future appointments.
Call us at 775-235-2205 to learn more about EFT couple counseling and our practice in general. We’ll help get you scheduled for a brief no-cost consultation with one of our therapists.
Helen Going, LCSW
Meet Relationship Therapist in Reno
Hi, I’m Helen. I am a licensed clinical social worker and Emotionally Focused Therapist in Reno. I currently have Advanced Standing and am working towards my certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy. I received a Master of Social Work at UNR and have worked with a wide variety of clients in a variety of settings. I am a lifelong learner who brings a wealth of life experience to my counseling practice.
Why I Do Emotionally Focused Therapy
For me, there is nothing more wonderful than seeing a couple see each other in a brand-new way, with them each understanding the struggles of the other in a way that is manageable and creative. I love empowering people to connect joyfully and effectively with themselves and their loved ones.
Emotionally Focused Therapy, EFT, has been an ideal fit for me. I have had training in several different treatment modalities, but EFT is the model that has become the foundation of my work. It fits what drove me to this work. Additionally, it’s totally in line with my goal of providing a completely safe space for clients to experience themselves and their loved ones in new and different ways. EFT works. It is gentle. This way of working does not assign blame or pathology to partners but rather gets to the root of the disconnections within relationships. The attachment framework of EFT allows people move far beyond the set of “tips and tricks” that are not good therapy. Instead of saying the right things at the right time, etc., the work I do equips clients to identify and reframe the destructive patterns that underlie their relationship problems.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions people have about therapy with me.
Call 775-235-2205 and I’ll be happy to touch base with you to further discuss what’s happening for you and how I can be of help. The session rate for therapy with Helen is $165 per 55-minutes.
Nevada License: #10250-C
Amanda Stewart, LCSW
Clinical Lead and EFT Therapist
Relationship Therapist in Reno
Hello, I’m Amanda Stewart, a relationship therapist in Reno. I work with couples, individuals and families. I was born and raised in Florida. However, after moving out west following graduation from college, I fell in love with this area and have made Reno my home ever since. I have been licensed as a clinical social worker and practicing therapy since 2002. I am ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and supervisor for clinical social work interns. My undergraduate work was completed in 1995 at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.
I am passionate about my work with children and their families, couples, and individuals. Emotionally Focused Therapy, EFT, has been an ideal way to bring Attachment Theory to my work with all of these clients. EFT has also been a very natural fit for me as a person. It lends to compassion, openness, non-judgment, and meaningful change. It also fits our practice mission of providing a caring and effective therapy. Finally, I love having the EFT roadmap that lets me communicate clearly with my clients about where we are in the change process.
Here is a link to some of the most common questions about therapy with me.
Call 775-235-2205 to arrange a brief phone consult with me. Amanda’s session rate is $185 per 55-minutes.
Nevada License Number: 4260-C
Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW
Director and Therapist
Counseling with Reno Therapist Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW
About me as a therapist:
For over 20 years, I have worked with couples and individuals, recognizing the critical importance of a secure, connected, and hopeful relationship. Consequently, I specialize in attachment-based, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for marriages, couples, families, and individuals in the Reno area and hold certification as an Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor. Furthermore, I apply EFT in my practice with couples, individuals, and families, valuing its effectiveness, research-based approach and solid theoretical foundation. Several years ago, I established Emotional and Relationship Health Counseling Associates in Reno, NV, and currently serve as its director.
Attachment theory’s empathy, curiosity, and non-judgmental stance align with my natural style. Although I bring expertise in therapy, you are the expert on your life and goals. Thus, I commit to approaching our work together with humility and curiosity.
About me as a person:
I really don’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t intensely curious about people. We are all so complex, with so much happening beneath the surface. This complexity fascinates me, and I feel fortunate that my fascination has led me to a profession I’m passionate about. Moreover, it motivates me to stay current with changes in the field.
My wife Tammy and I live with our fur family. We have three adult children. Born in San Francisco, I have lived in a few different places, but Reno has always been my home base. Witnessing Reno’s population triple and diversify has given me an evolving perspective about the relationship counseling needs of our community.
Learn more about therapy in Reno with Cornelius
You can inquire about counseling in Reno with Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW and our team of highly-trained EFT therapists here. Call us at 775-235-2205 and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can help. Sessions with Cornelius range from $185 to $210 for 55-min and $275 for 90-minutes. Two day weekend intensive sessions may be available (call for details).
Cornelius is invested in Reno and Nevada:
Since 1974, I have resided in Reno, deeply committed to this community. I attended Reno High School and UNR. I actively participate in various advisory roles for Reno and the State of Nevada. Additionally, I founded Relationship Health Counseling Associates to enhance services for clients in this area and provide highest quality professional development for therapist interns in Reno.
Cornelius specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT for couples, individuals and families). He supervisors clinical interns and candidates for EFT Certification. He is the Founder / Director of rceft.org, the Reno/Tahoe Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy. You can learn more about EFT at rceft.org and iceeft.com. ICEEFT is the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Nevada License Number: 5605-C
I recently had the privilege of meeting and discussing a clinical perspective of mental health in relation to loneliness with Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States.