Michael Magarinos- Executive Producer
Michael has been in the mental health field for decades in multiple roles. A marriage and family counselor by training, he started counseling families and couples in the early years, worked in different roles with the seriously mentally ill population in Arizona, and then shifted into data analysis, collection, and reporting. Michael is passionate about finding ways to improve treatment outcomes using innovative approaches and methods.
Jessica Carter- Podcast Host
Jess is a somewhat quirky, Type-A, socially awkward person who enjoys a good balance of game nights with friends and curling up with a book and a cup of tea. She learned a lot about mental health and wellness through her own journey with mental illness. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who started her behavioral health career as a Crisis Interventionist with the Fire Department and continues to be actively involved in working with patients in the community in this capacity. A restless spirit, she has wandered into many different positions in the mental health field. Her work history includes providing outpatient therapy, completing psychological assessments for patients in emergency and hospital settings, assisting in providing mental health education and training to first responders, blogging about mental health and wellness, and teaching trauma yoga classes to the public.
Laura Kofman- Cohost and Contributor
Laura is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) who joined CPR in 2001 as a Crisis Interventionist and supervisor. After several years in the crisis field and developing additional clinical interests, she returned to the community and worked in a counseling capacity both in behavioral health hospitals and private practice. In 2014 she returned to CPR and currently serves as Director of Clinical Development for the Crisis Department, focusing on helping new Crisis Clinicians to provide effective, impactful, and thorough behavioral health interventions on behalf of patients in medical hospitals throughout Maricopa and Pinal counties. She continues to work with clients privately and, when not working, can be found hiking throughout Arizona, cooking and baking for family and friends, writing a book (aspiring author!), and listening to live music of all genres around town. (She sings aloud in the car, it's not exactly pretty, but at least she tries...)
Rob Wilson- Audio Content Director, Co-host
Rob is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He has enjoyed several therapeutic roles over the decades including SMI Evaluator for 13 years, 6 of those with CPR. After a whimsical detour or sabbatical, he is back with CPR as an Outpatient Therapist and SMI evaluator. Rob is a music legend in his own mind. He adequately plays guitar and other instruments. He enjoys performing and creating his own idiosyncratic blend of what he considers music. He is also one of the hosts of CPR Unplugged.
Tamara LaMontagne- Contributor and expert commentary
Tamara is currently working as a Transitional Care Coach at Crisis Preparation and Recovery and previously spent 10 years completing Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) evaluations. She has also functioned as a counselor at the Arizona State Hospital providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and addiction related services. Tamara recently finished her Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology and her Master's education is in Behavior Modification and Counseling. Her research interests include domestic terrorism, lone extremism behavior, positive psychology, abnormal psychology, and the role of the mind-body connection in overall health.