Meet Our Team
Lauren C. Taveras, Psy.D.
Bilingual Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Owner & Founder
Dr. Taveras is a Dominican American, Bilingual Clinical Psychologist who is licensed in Arizona. Dr. Taveras is the owner and founder of Coral Valley Psychological Services, PLLC, a private practice dedicated to addressing the psychosocial concerns of individuals, couples, and families throughout the Valley, with a special emphasis upon the Latino/a/x immigrant community. Given her background and expertise, honoring the culturally diverse identities and experiences of all clients drives Coral Valley's clinical mission.
Prior to founding Coral Valley, Dr. Taveras held a staff psychologist position on the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT) with the Phoenix VA Health Care System, where she also completed an APA-approved Clinical Internship with rotations in PTSD, General Mental Health, and Health Psychology. Before relocating to Phoenix, Dr. Taveras was an adjunct instructor at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Long Island University, where she taught psychology theory and assessment courses. Dr. Taveras graduated with a Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University Post, and has also received Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees from Teachers College of Columbia University in Counseling Psychology. Dr. Taveras previously worked as a bilingual (English and Spanish) educator in public and charter school settings in New York City before pursuing a career in mental health, having received a Master of Science degree in Teaching from Pace University in NYC.
Dr. Taveras has worked with survivors of trauma since 2006 in a variety of settings, and has trained community members and mental health professionals in a range of mental health matters, including psychological safety in the workplace; burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious traumatization; mindfulness and meditation strategies for stress reduction; microaggressions in the therapeutic relationship; and psychologically-sound parenting skills. She has also conducted diagnostic interviews, planned treatment, and provided psychotherapy for individuals across all ages with learning differences. Dr. Taveras provides psychological evaluations for various immigration-related matters, and also provides psychoeducational evaluations for the diagnosis of learning differences (giftedness and disabilities), psychiatric concerns, or personality challenges for individuals of all ages, in both English and Spanish.
Genaro R. Huerta, Psy.D.
Bilingual Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Huerta is a Mexican-American, Bilingual Clinical Psychologist who is licensed in Arizona. Dr. Huerta was born in Mexico City, Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. at a young age. Dr. Huerta completed his doctorate from an APA accredited program at the Arizona School of Professional Psychology-Argosy in 2018. Dr. Huerta also holds master’s degrees in clinical psychology (M.A.), counseling psychology (M.S.), administration (M.H.A), and a bachelor’s degree in Biology (B.S.).
In addition to working for Coral Valley Psychological Services, Dr. Huerta currently holds a psychologist position at Arizona State University, providing counseling support to college students from undergraduate and graduate programs. Dr. Huerta has been practicing in the mental health field since 2011. Dr. Huerta has worked with a diverse population in a variety of settings including, community health, residential treatment centers, domestic violence shelter, assisted living facilities, counseling center, and multiple outpatient clinics. Dr. Huerta specializes in the adult population with an emphasis on Latino/a/x population, ethnic minorities, culturally diverse identities, and underserved populations. Dr. Huerta uses a strength-based and relational therapy approach that centers on building a strong therapeutic relationship with his clients.
Dr. Huerta’s expertise consists of issues related to domestic violence, mood disorders, relationship issues, self-esteem, spirituality, stress, life transitions, acculturation, grief, trauma, and others. In addition to psychotherapy, Dr. Huerta was an adjunct faculty for Grand Canyon University from 2018-2023. Dr. Huerta is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and received certification for the College & University Suicide Prevention Specialist Certification by the American Association of Suicidology in 2022.
Roxanna Francies, LPC, NCC
Bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor
Roxanna is a Licensed Professional Counselor offering counseling services in both Spanish and English. She grew up in the bordering towns of Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora. Roxanna earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The University of Arizona and went on to obtain her Master of Counseling degree from Arizona State University. Currently, she holds a position on the Intensive Care Team at the ASU Counseling Services. Before joining Coral Valley, Roxanna gained valuable experience working in various community settings providing counseling services to Hispanic/Latino families.
Drawing on her multicultural background, Roxanna specializes in assisting individuals who are navigating life transitions, coping with grief and loss, and managing day-to-day anxiety and stress. She has extensive experience in supporting survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and intergenerational trauma. Roxanna is also skilled in fostering healthy relationships, guiding individuals through conflicting cultural influences, and facilitating the development of emotional intelligence. She works with couples from a variety of backgrounds and orientations, emphasizing skill-building for effective communication and mutual understanding.
Utilizing a therapeutic approach rooted in humanistic values, Roxanna draws inspiration from modalities such as Somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Positive Psychology. By creating a compassionate and client-centered space, she provides clients with the opportunity to heal, transform, and cultivate a sense of self aligned with their personal values.
Johanna Cohen
Bilingual Doctoral Student Clinician
Johanna Cohen is a bilingual doctoral candidate (2026) pursuing her Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) degree at Northern Arizona University (NAU). She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2021.
Johanna is a first-generation, Argentinean-Mexican American. She was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada to a family of immigrants. Johanna’s interests include immigrant, minority, LGBTQ+, and veteran populations in addition to trauma-related disorders, generational trauma, and mood disorders. Upon completion of her Psy.D., Johanna aims to continue advocacy of mental health and to serve diverse populations for therapeutic treatment and assessments.
Prior to joining Coral Valley’s team, Johanna conducted neuropsychological assessments for adult and geriatric populations in English and Spanish. She has prior experience as a therapeutic interpreter for a non-profit bilingual psychological clinic at UNR. Before her time at NAU, Johanna conducted treatment accessibility research for veterans and Latinx individuals.
Johanna is actively involved nationally and locally within the mental health community. She is the NAU Neuro-Forensic Club Vice President and founder of the NAU Psy.D. Latinx Organization. Johanna holds memberships within the American Psychological Association, Arizona Psychological Association, and the National Latinx Psychological Association.
Naomy Lopez Felix
Bilingual Doctoral Student Clinician
Naomy Lopez Felix is a Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) Doctoral Student at Northern Arizona University. She received her bachelor's degree (B.S) in Psychological Sciences with a Disability Studies minor from Northern Arizona University in 2022.
Naomy was a research assistant for the Institute of Human Development, where she contributed to the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC). She is a member of the Neuro-Forensic club and Latinx club at Northern Arizona University, and is a student member of the Arizona Psychological Association (AzPA).
Naomy’s parents immigrated from Mexico to Phoenix, where she was born and raised. Naomy spoke Spanish as a child and learned English when she started school. She is passionate about providing psychological services to Spanish-speaking populations and making mental health services accessible.
Amanda Acevedo, M.A., Ed.S.
Bilingual Psychometrist
Amanda Acevedo, M.A., Ed.S., is a Psy.D. candidate (2025) in the Northern Arizona’s Clinical Psychology Psy.D program. Mrs. Acevedo was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida (1998) and her master’s and education specialist’s degree in Educational Psychology from Argosy University (2016, 2019).
At NAU, Mrs. Acevedo serves as the Outreach Coordinator (CPSB) and the student liaison between CPSB and the Neuro-Forensic Club. Mrs. Acevedo is an active member of different psychology organizations both at the state (AzPA, AASP) and national level (APA, NLPA). For the 2022 year, Mrs. Acevedo is the AzPA Graduate Student Representative, the APA Division 15 Graduate Student Ambassador, and one of the new board members of the Arizona Psychological Foundation (AFPF).
Her major interest includes promoting mental health awareness in children and adolescents who live in rural communities and belong to underserved populations. As a bilingual (Spanish/English) and bicultural Hispanic woman, Ms. Acevedo’s research interest focuses on addressing and curtailing substance use among minority populations, diversity and inclusion, generational trauma, and psychopharmacology. Upon graduation, Ms. Acevedo would like to work within community-based programs with culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Lydia Tesfay, M.S.
Psychometrist
Lydia Tesfay is a Doctoral Student at Northern Arizona University pursuing her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.). She previously earned a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University in 2018 and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology from Northern Arizona University in 2012.
Lydia has worked in the mental health sector for over ten years serving children, adolescents, and adults. Prior to enrolling in NAU's Psy.D. program, she was an inpatient therapist assisting adolescents and adults in psychiatric units suffering from mental illnesses and substance abuse. She has prior experience assisting children and adolescents who display severe behavioral issues at home and school. Currently, she is involved in nonprofit work providing mental health awareness for immigrant families in the Valley.
Lydia is Eritrean American. She is from a family of refugees who were relocated to Arizona through refugee placement services. Her passion is to provide psychological services to the immigrant and refugee population.
Lydia is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Arizona Psychological Association (AzPA), & Black Doctoral Network (BDN).
Erandi Hernandez
Bilingual Administrative Assistant
Erandi Hernandez is a 4th year undergraduate student at Arizona State University majoring in Forensic Psychology and minoring in Youth Services Leadership. She was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and her parents are from Morelia, Michoacán, México.
Her future plans are to pursue a clinical degree in Psychology and work with adolescents who have experienced trauma, especially those in the juvenile justice system. In addition to working for Coral Valley as a Bilingual Administrative Assistant, she also works with ASU GearUp providing high school seniors with tutoring services in English and Spanish.
