Meet our Team
Montrice Billingsley, LPC-S | Owner
Montrice holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from Longwood University, Farmville, VA (2004), and a Masters of Arts Degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University, Washington D.C. (2014). Following graduation she moved to Idaho to continue her work in Community Mental Health. Montrice has worked in the field of behavioral health since 2005 and has many years of diverse experience in practice. Over the past several years that she has been in mental health, she has gained extensive experience in a little bit of everything, from working exclusively with the developmental population for 10 years to moving more clinically to working with clients with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and substance use. Montrice has worked in various leadership roles to include Mental Health Program Director, Substance Use Disorder Director, Interim CBRS/CM Program Director as well as Clinical Supervisor for Master Level Practicum/Intern Students and a Peer Support Program. Her passion is being able to work with individuals to help them identify and meet their goals with an understanding that change takes time. When working with clients, she utilizes a variety of techniques, including Cognitive-Behavioral, Mindfulness, Solution Focused techniques, and weaves them into a supportive, person-centered counseling approach. Treatment is always focused on elevating change to achieve a greater sense of self, both physically and emotionally.
Shelley Ingles, LPC | SUD Director
Shelley has held several different types of leadership positions such as Team Lead, SUDS Case Manager, SUDS Director, and Program Director. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Human Services from the University of Phoenix. She received her master’s degree in professional counseling from the Grand Canyon University. Shelley has been in the mental health field for over 12 years. Before becoming a counselor, she worked in a secured residential treatment facility for felons and severe mental illness, helped individuals with severe and persistent mental illness secure employment, CBRS/CM, and SUDS Case Management. Shelley utilizes an integrative approach to counseling. She incorporates person-centered, CBT, and Solution Focused therapy along with mindfulness. Shelley enjoys working with individuals with co-occurring disorders, substance abuse, mental health, and those in the legal system. She enjoys working with ages 12 and up and has facilitated many groups such as anger management, CBT, Healthy Thinking, Early Recovery, Relapse Prevention and DUI education classes. Her past position consisted of providing mental health counseling. She looks forward to helping you reach your goals and support you in any way she possibly can.
We look forward to hearing from you and reserving your spot today.
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Andrea Pikes, LPC | SUD Facilitator
Andrea received her Bachelors degree from the University of Idaho with a double major in Psychology and Sociology-Criminology and her Masters Degree in Counseling from Boise University. She has been in the field of Mental Health since 2018. She has past experience working in Juvenile Corrections and a Psychiatric Hospital. Andrea believes if we take what the game of life gives us, and we can cope and adapt at whatever is thrown our way, we will have made it to our highest and truest potential. Her goal is to help foster a no-judgement, therapeutic relationship with you to help you gain connection with your identity, source of power, and inner strength and resiliency that she knows you have and help guide you into a position that is freeing, validating and empowering. Andrea is EMDR trained, incorporates art therapy and a person centered approach into her work and believes that you can overcome any obstacle, any trauma and any life event (big or small) that comes our way. Counseling is her passion, and she says she will bring the resources if you bring the will power!
Andrea is accepting Optum Medicaid/ UHC, Blue Cross and Regence).
We look forward to hearing from you and reserving your spot today!
Diego Miranda M. in Clinical Counseling Intern
Diego received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from Boise State University and is currently in the Clinical Counseling Masters Program at Idaho State University. Diego enjoys working with people and has found that being able to play a supportive role in someone’s therapeutic journey is what continues to drive his passion in psychology and learning therapeutic intervention. Diego has 2 years of CBRS/CM experience and is excited about the new adventure that will come with changing to working in a counseling setting. Diego is still finding his unique lens to work through but finds using person centered and cognitive behavioral theories and techniques fit well with his approach. Diego is welcoming to all individuals, ages 13+ and hopes to provide a safe space for them to share openly. The populations that Diego works with predominantly are those with ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Codependency, self-esteem, LGBTQ+, self harm, trauma, and Avoidant Tendencies.
We look forward to hearing from you and reserving your spot today!
Adriana Amador M. in Clinical Counseling Intern
Adriana received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology from Boise State University. While completing her Masters of Science in Sport Leadership and Management with a sport psychology focus at Miami University Adriana realized her desire to work with individuals beyond those in just a performance based setting. Adriana is currently working on her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Idaho State University. She is looking forward to working with all individuals fourteen and up. Adriana believes a strong therapeutic alliance is vital to the counseling process and hopes to create a space where all people can feel welcome. Adriana predominantly works with individuals who are struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, past and current traumas, the LGBTQIA+ community, ADHD, and those struggling with self-esteem and body image issues. While Adriana is still finding the theoretical orientation, she practices through she enjoys working from existential counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy frameworks.
We look forward to hearing from you and reserving your spot today!
Crystal Arteaga-Juarez, MSW Intern | SUD Facilitator & DUI Educator
When you join one of our SUDS groups, you will be greeted by our wonderful staff Crystal. Crystal has three Bachelor's degrees in Political Science, Spanish, and International Studies from Utah State University, where she graduated with honors. Crystal has been able to work with the individuals’ labor rights in the Dominican Republic and serve individuals experiencing homelessness in our Treasure Valley. These experiences led her to pursue a Master of Social Work at Northwest Nazarene University. She has a passion for working with clients by providing them with educational, emotional, and physical resources to assist them with their journey. Crystal is very passionate about working with this population and teaching skills with compassion and understanding.
Melissa Ramirez | Bilingual Translator
Melissa comes to Ascensions as our on call translator specific for translating DUI/SUD Evaluations and GAINS in Spanish for clients.
Ascensions is accepting new clients, no current waitlist and sliding scale options so let’s get you scheduled! Give us a call or email today.
(208) 244-5197 or hello@ascensioncounselingservices.org