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.
​
Paulina Sullivan
Bilingual Doctoral Student Clinician
​
Paulina Sullivan is currently a Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) doctoral student at Northern Arizona University (NAU). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Pre-law and a Master's in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University (ASU).
​
Paulina has extensive experience working as an occupational therapist for children with autism, where she developed a deep passion for providing therapeutic support to underserved populations. Born in Tempe, Arizona, and raised in Hermosillo for seven years, Paulina's bilingualism and cross-cultural insights enhance her ability to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds.
​
Her prior experience includes conducting individual therapy and group therapy sessions for clients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), which allowed her to develop a nuanced understanding of complex mental health issues and the importance of tailored therapeutic approaches. In addition to her work with children, Paulina has facilitated group therapy for clients with severe mental health challenges, further broadening her clinical expertise.
​
Paulina's commitment to mental health accessibility and her background in forensic psychology drive her to advocate for inclusive and effective psychological services. She is particularly interested in family and couples therapy, along with forensic assessments, aiming to support and strengthen relationships through her therapeutic work.
​
Paulina's dedication to her field is reflected in her continual pursuit of knowledge and her proactive approach to clinical practice. Her goal is to contribute to the advancement of mental health care by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have access to compassionate and competent psychological support.
Erandi Hernandez
Bilingual Administrative Assistant
Erandi Hernandez was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, but her parents are from Morelia, Michoacán, México. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Youth Services Leadership from Arizona State University, where her academic excellence was recognized with the Moeur Award.
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 worked with ASU GearUp providing high school students with tutoring services in English and Spanish.