Dr. J’Aime MacPherson, LCPC: Chair
Dr. J’Aime MacPherson, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor specializing in perinatal mental health, life transitions, and parenting. She earned her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in medical therapy from National University.
Early in her career, Dr. MacPherson worked in a different area of counseling. However, after the birth of her second child, she experienced postpartum depression for the first time. This personal experience opened her eyes to the widespread lack of awareness surrounding perinatal mental health. Determined to make a difference, she shifted her professional focus to psychoeducation and advocacy, aiming to normalize conversations about perinatal mental health.
For nearly a decade, Dr. MacPherson has owned and operated Mending Mac Counseling, a private practice in Las Vegas, NV. Her PhD research emphasizes the critical need for consistent perinatal mental health screenings. With these findings, her next career goal is to integrate mental health support into maternity wards, working alongside healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care for perinatal patients—both physically and mentally. She also seeks to collaborate with OBGYNs, pediatricians, and general practitioners to implement standardized perinatal mental health screenings across various healthcare settings.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. MacPherson is a wife to her high school sweetheart and a mother of four. She is deeply committed to advancing the field of perinatal mental health. Serving as Vice President of the Nevada State Chapter of Postpartum Support International marks a significant step toward realizing her vision of widespread perinatal mental health awareness and support.
Frances Young, LCSW, PMHC: Liaison 
Frances Young is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and is certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C). Frances is also a lecturer at the UNLV School of Social Work. She is also the program coordinator of the Integrated Behavioral Health Stipend Program at UNLV, that teaches future clinicians the importance of holistic treatment from an interprofessional approach.
When in the private practice setting, she specializes in assisting clients with maternal and paternal mental health stressors as well as working with the family as a whole.
Since 2015, she has worked with children, teens and adults in a variety of settings ranging from medical hospitals, behavioral health hospitals, the Clark County School District (CCSD) and in private practice.
Frances is experienced in trauma, crisis management, anxiety and depression for both individuals and families. Frances makes a priority to present a non-judgmental atmosphere to help build and maintain a strong rapport for clients to be as successful as possible, when accomplishing their treatment goals.
Ann Edgington, LCSW, PMH-C: Treasurer 
Ann Edgington, LCSW, PMH-C, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and mom of three, with over a decade of experience providing case management and clinical services across diverse systems including family services, infant and early childhood mental health, K–12 education, child protective services, and community health care. Originally from Chicago, Ann’s early work centered on trauma informed, developmentally sensitive, and culturally responsive care. She earned both her Bachelor’s (2011) and Master’s (2012) degrees in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, with graduate specializations in gender studies and public health.
In 2019, Ann and her husband relocated from Chicago to Reno, where she now provides outpatient mental health services to individuals and families in her private practice, Limina Counseling. Her clinical focus includes perinatal mental health and early childhood development. She is certified in the treatment of perinatal mental health disorders (PMHDs) and holds a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. She is nationally rostered in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)—the only evidence-based therapeutic modality for children under six—and brings extensive experience supporting early relational health. Alongside her clinical work, Ann offers community-based trainings in perinatal mental health through the Nevada Association for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (NVAIECMH) and provides reflective supervision to students and interns.
Ann is passionate about helping clients connect to a felt sense of safety within themselves and their relationships, and she advocates for authenticity and justice both within the therapeutic relationship and in the broader systems shaping clients’ lives. Becoming a parent shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she experienced firsthand the profound social and emotional shifts that accompany new parenthood during a global crisis. This deeply reshaped her understanding of mental health, support systems, and the essential role of community, which continues to inform her compassionate, relational approach to care.
Andrea Thompson, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, PMH-C: Secretary
Andrea Thompson is a dual certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in reproductive and perinatal psychiatry. She began her healthcare career with a strong commitment to improving access to care for underserved and underinsured populations.
Andrea completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington, where she focused on public health and participated in international studies in Kenya. She later earned her Master of Nursing degree from Seattle University and practiced as a Family Nurse Practitioner in rural and underserved communities.
After several years in primary care, Andrea completed a post master’s certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2019, she developed and implemented Northern Nevada’s first integrated behavioral health program within a women’s health practice, embedding psychiatric services directly into obstetric and gynecologic care. Since that time, she has continued to advance the field of reproductive and perinatal psychiatry through clinical practice, education, advocacy, and program development. In addition to her clinical and academic roles, Andrea is completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Andrea is certified in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International and completed a Fellowship in Integrative and Reproductive Psychiatry. Her clinical interests include perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, reproductive transitions, trauma informed care, collaborative models of behavioral healthcare, and improving access to mental health services for women and families.
In addition to her clinical work, Andrea serves as faculty at the University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate nursing students. She is passionate about preparing the next generation of nurses and advanced practice providers and brings her expertise in reproductive psychiatry and integrated behavioral healthcare into the classroom.
Andrea and her husband relocated to Northern Nevada from Seattle, Washington, where they chose to build their home and raise their family. Together they have four children who continue to inspire both her professional work and personal growth, bringing equal measures of joy, perspective, and adventure to their lives.
Susan Rush Michael, DNSc, RN, CDE: Advocacy Lead: Advocacy Lead 
In my early nursing career, I served in the Public Health Service at an Indian Hospital in Oklahoma as a postpartum and newborn nursery nurse. From there I worked in Rhode Island at Salve Regina College teaching obstetrical nursing and pediatric nursing. During the past 41 years I have been in Las Vegas and have taught nursing at UNLV, was the nursing director at Touro University for a short time, worked at two different local hospitals as a diabetes educator and now for the last six years I have had the pleasure of volunteering as a Postpartum Support Navigator with Postpartum Support International. I have had the opportunity to present at National Meetings on numerous topics including Spirituality in Diabetes Education, Photography as a Tool in Assessment and Rapport Development in Clients with Diabetes, and most recently Women with Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression. I have also published over 30 articles, served on The Diabetes Educator Editorial Board, and served as a reviewer for that journal. Most recently I was highlighted as a support navigator in the Postpartum International’s Support Newsletter. I love what I do. There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of serving moms and moms-to-be in such a meaningful way.
Tawanda Romo: Communications Chair
Tawanda Romo is an author, baker, mother of two, and bonus mom to 3, as well as a PSI Coordinator for Dignity Health. Tawanda has been a resident of Las Vegas Valley for the last 19 years with her four dogs and one cat.
She has had a passion for families since she was a youth and to this day still strive to meet them where they are at. Working for Dignity Health has allowed her to engage in her passion by assisting families through exciting and difficult times for the last 17 1/2 years. From a Teen Parent Coordinator to PMADS Coordinator, she has been doing heartwork for the community. Tawanda is looking forward to more engagement with families, along with other heartworks in the community.
Caitlyn Wallace, LCSW, PMH-C: Membership Chair 
Caitlyn Wallace, LCSW, PMH-C is a dedicated mental health professional with a strong commitment to supporting perinatal mental health, eco-grief, and trauma. Born and raised in Nevada, Caitlyn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) in 2003 and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2009.
She is the founder and owner of Desert Bloom Wellness NV in Reno, where she specializes in perinatal mental health care. Caitlyn also serves as the Volunteer Support Coordinator for Postpartum Support International (PSI) in Northern Nevada and is an active member of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. Additionally, she is a proud member of the Postpartum Support International Nevada Chapter.
As a survivor of postpartum anxiety, Caitlyn has a personal understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in the perinatal period. She is passionate about PSI-Nevada’s mission to empower individuals and families to take proactive steps toward mental health care. Through fostering community partnerships and addressing the inequities in healthcare and behavioral health services across Nevada, Caitlyn strives to increase awareness and support for perinatal mental health in the state.
Anne Heppenstall, LCSW, PMH-C: Scholarship Chair
Anne Heppenstall, LCSW, PMH-C (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Henderson, Nevada. She is originally from Southern California but has lived in Nevada for 20 years. Anne has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from University of Redlands, California and then completed her masters’ degree in Social Work from University of California Los Angeles.
Her professional experience includes working in a variety of settings such as inpatient pediatric and maternal health hospital settings, including NICU and maternal-child units and outpatient pediatric mental health clinics. She served in hospital leadership positions where she supervised social workers and nurses, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as community mental health. Most recently, she entered private practice treating the perinatal population.
Anne is a survivor of postpartum anxiety and depression and, after a series of life-changing experiences with pregnancy, miscarriage and parenting, she shifted her practice focus to reproductive care. She has specialized knowledge in the areas of maternal mental health, reproductive grief and loss, and parenting. In her free time, Anne enjoys cooking, hiking and traveling with her husband and daughter.
Carly Kramer, LMFT: Climb Co-Chair 
Carly Kramer, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has a passion for working with perinatal women and their families.
As a student intern, Carly worked with several young mothers where she began to uncover the desire to specialize in this population. After the birth of her daughter and her own experience with postpartum anxiety, she knew she needed to do more to support moms at every stage of their motherhood journey.
Carly went on to create a private practice where women and their families can receive the support they need during the perinatal period. Carly has since grown the Maternal Minds Counseling team and expanded the focus to include treatment for the whole family. As a center for learning, Carly supervises University Students and State Licensed Interns on their path to licensure, while offering low-cost counseling to the community. Carly and her team are committed to providing specialized treatment to those facing challenges related to life transitions, relational challenges, trauma, pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, infertility, reproductive losses and the early years of parenting.
Aisha Fanning: Fundraising Chair
As a certified doula, Aisha Fanning instills strength and reduces fear surrounding labor, childbirth, postpartum, and newborn care in families. This passion started in 2011 when Aisha recognized a lack of education and support in her community. Pregnancy and postpartum can be a lonely and overwhelming time in general. The need was even more evident in the transient city of Las Vegas, with many families transplanted away from their support systems. Beginning as a solo entrepreneur, Aisha’s business grew and gradually expanded into a full-service agency with independent contractors providing unbiased, non-judgemental, personalized support for new and expectant families seeking educational, physical, and emotional support.
Aisha Fanning is a Certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula and a Certified Labor Doula. She trains doulas as a Certified Doula Trainer with ProDoula. She is a ProDoula Certified Infant Feeding Specialist and Educator and a Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC) through the University of San Diego. Aisha has been a Child Passenger Safety Technician since 2015 and a Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor (CPST-I) since 2019. Aisha is an avid community volunteer and leader. Aisha consistently serves as a board member for various organizations.
Aisha is a mother of four and is the CEO of Vegas Family Doulas. When not in business mode, Aisha enjoys creating, crafting, and watching movies in the theater. Her passion for creating better birth and postpartum experiences for childbearing individuals has built a foundation in the Las Vegas community for the past 13 years and counting.
Tori Diego: Alliance Rep
Tori Diego is a Program Manager with Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican in the Community Outreach Centers. She manages the Nevada Statewide Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Coalition, in addition to the West WomensCare and Outreach Center, Caregiver Support program, and Fall Prevention program. She’s been with Dignity Health for 5 years and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Family Studies. She’s a Community Health Worker, trained in SafeTALK, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and a facilitator for Powerful Tools for Caregivers and Stepping On: Fall Prevention. She’s passionate about helping our community across the lifespan.
