Providers

The Behavioral Health Director oversees and is responsible for the provision of Behavioral Health (BH) services at NACA, ensuring they are in accordance with Arizona licensure requirements, nationally recognized standards of care, and various grant funding agencies. The BH Department provides substance abuse programming, suicide prevention education, behavioral/mental health counseling services, and the Pathways Youth Program. The BH Director clinically supervises the BH staff for both clinical stewardship, and meeting licensure standards.

Curtis Randolph, PhD, LPC, received his Bachelor of Science from Juniata College, and his Master of Education, Master of Arts, and his Doctorate of Philosophy from Northern Arizona University. Curtis is also a licensed professional counselor.

Curtis has vast experience as a Behavioral Health Director, Child and Family Therapist, Mental Health Consultant, School Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Group Counselor for DUI offenders. He has also been a Youth Advocate since 1995.

Curtis was born in Ganado, Arizona, and spent most of his youth in Keams Canyon, Arizona, where he developed a passion for serving Native peoples. Curtis loves traveling with his family, and fly fishing.

Cheryl Carstens, MSN, FNP, PMHNP has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in various locations throughout northern Arizona for the past 20 years. She recently completed a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program through Frontier Nursing University. Cheryl realizes the importance of the mind – body – spirit connection and that caring for one’s mental health is so important in achieving and maintaining a state of healthy well-being. Cheryl is excited to join NACA’s Behavioral Health Department and is hopeful her presence will be a welcome compliment to this already outstanding team.

Cheryl enjoys gardening, camping, and spending time outdoors. She and her husband are empty nesters with a yellow Labrador, Windsor, who goes everywhere with them. She also has 4 grandchildren who keep her life interesting.

Verda Denetsosie, BA, LISAC, received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northern Arizona University, and is also a licensed independent Substance Abuse Counselor in the state of Arizona. Verda has been serving the communities of Northern Arizona since 1992, and specializes in conducting assessments for court ordered referrals, facilitating group therapy, Motor Vehicle Division license reinstatements, and facilitating DUI education courses.

Verda has personal experience witnessing how recovery works, and believes she can reach the Native peoples of Northern Arizona with a message of the hope they can have through the process of recovery.

Verda loves to read mystery novels and watch movies, and calls it “candy for the mind.” She is learning traditional weaving, and enjoys walking and spending time with friends and family.

Teri Navakuku, MSW, LMSW, received her Master of Social Work from Arizona State University and is a member of Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work. Teri is currently working towards obtaining her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license for the State of Arizona. Teri specializes in crisis interventions and providing support for mental health concerns. Mental health concerns include psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and more. Teri also assists individuals in crisis situations, including but not limited to, suicidal/homicidal ideations, and substance abuse issues. Teri hopes to get certified in Play Therapy primarily geared toward youth. Play therapy encourages a child to explore life events that may influence current environments through play (clay, sand tray, etc.).

Teri is a member of the Hopi and Navajo tribes, and was born and raised in Kayenta, Arizona. Coming from the reservation communities, Teri saw a need to work with youth, and hopes to be the light to one’s personal growth. Teri enjoys spending time with her family and puppy. She also enjoys hiking, being culturally active, traveling, going to metal concerts, and staying physically active.

Jonathan Yellowhair, MS, LAC, NCC, received his Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University, and is a United States Marine Corps Veteran, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. As a member of the Navajo Nation, Jonathan finds it imperative to implement cultural teachings from his family in Chilchinbeto, Arizona, directly into his work in Flagstaff. He conducts assessments, and is passionate about facilitating groups for clients mandated from the courts, and individuals navigating substance use disorders. His focus areas also include adolescents, trauma, domestic violence, cultural identity, depression, and social anxiety.

Jonathan emphatically advocates for people in recovery/sobriety and believes that everyone has the innate ability to heal themselves by embracing the right process. His work is grounded in helping his Navajo community, but he has also been fortunate to have learned and worked in marginalized African American and Hispanic/Latinx communities in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jonathan loves his pitbulls, Mowgli and Baloo, and enjoys taking them for long walks on trails. He is passionate about spending time with his family, and advocating for his tribe and for Indigenous people in his community.

Hannah Bennett, LMSW, received her Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. Currently, Hannah is working toward obtaining her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensures for the state of Arizona. Hannah is also the co-author of “Tribal Leadership and Care Services: ‘Overcoming These Divisions That Keep Us Apart,'” which was published in the Health and Social Work journal in August 2020.

Hannah specializes in substance use and co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Hannah has experience using CBT, DBT, and Matrix Model treatment with her clients.

Hannah enjoys biking, ice skating, and yoga, as well as visiting her family, and traveling.