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Our Counselors

Who We Are

Luke Matteucci

LPC, MAC, NCC, MS, MA

Helping people heal has been Luke’s passion for over twenty years. He recognizes the close relationships between our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. He holds a Master of Science, Human Health and Performance, from the University of Montana, and a Master of Arts, Counseling, from Western Seminary in Portland, OR. He is a licensed counselor with the State of Oregon (LPC), and certified nationally (NCC). He credits his own counselor as a teenager with inspiring him to help others through a counseling role. He understands first hand the challenges of chronic illness, mental health issues, addiction, and painful circumstances. And, he also understands how to powerfully utilize tools and strategies to come through healthier, humbler, and wiser. Luke brilliantly helps clients bring clarity to their own goals, clearly see their strengths, and find the courage and resources to move forward. Luke is strength-based, and trauma-informed. He utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavioral strategies. He says about his work at Foothills Counseling, “This isn’t just a job for me. It’s a calling.”

Luke is a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), which is the highest level of addiction certification nationally.

When Luke’s not serving others he’s being a super fun dad to three boys and a caring husband! They all enjoy exploring outside, playing strategy board games, mountain biking, and if they could do anything in the world they would…read great books!

Dawna Flanagan

LPC, CADCI

Dawna is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). She holds an MS in Counseling from Prescott College in Prescott, AZ with a Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her history is in the Grande Ronde Valley, as she has lived and worked here most of her life. For the past five years Dawna has served a wide population as a therapist, and she enjoys helping people who make the choice to ask for support and guidance as they navigate through times of distress.

We all need a safe space to explore whatever issues are holding us back in our goals, whether it's life's usual stressors or something extraordinary that shows up out of the blue. Perhaps you've had a difficult past, and it feels like something is holding you back from moving forward to what is important. Sometimes it’s necessary to have someone there to talk to, with unconditional positive regard and an objective point of view. When you work with Dawna, you will feel heard and validated without judgment as you explore the path you are on in your journey through life.

Dawna has an eclectic approach that is organic and holistic, where she integrates therapies that work for you. Her therapy approaches include mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy through EMDR HAP. You will work together to integrate your strengths with the approach that best fits your unique needs.

Eileen Salsig

MA, Professional Counselor Associate

Eileen Salsig is an Associate Professional Counselor. She earned a masters in counseling from Western Seminary in Portland in 2012 after teaching middle school for twenty-five years both in the United States and abroad. After earning her counseling degree, she worked as a volunteer counselor for Good Samaritan Ministries in Beaverton, Oregon, and then as a Qualified Mental Heath Professional for young men in the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) in Troutdale and Tillamook. She moved to La Grande in 2017 to provide mental health services for the youth at the OYA Camp Riverbend facility in Hilgard. Eileen counsels part-time so that she
can continue to foster OYA youth who are learning independent living skills while living in her home.

Eileen has experience helping individuals successfully work through everyday problems as well as depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other mental health problems. She listens without judgement and provides caring support for individuals going through difficult times and struggling with mental illness. Her approach to therapy incorporates a Christian worldview with cognitive methods (exploring one’s thoughts and beliefs) and an object relations theoretical orientation (exploring links between current and past relationships of significance to clients.) While Christian values are an inherent aspect of her therapy, out of care and respect, she will not impose her beliefs on her clients.

Eileen views counseling as a collaborative effort between counselor and client. Her goal as therapist is to help clients identify personal needs, understand conflicts, discover new options, and make informed choices. Regardless of past or present circumstances, clients can be assured that Eileen will treat them with kindness and respect.

Hailey Thompson

MS, Professional Counselor Associate

Hailey Thompson is an Associate Professional Counselor. She attended Eastern Oregon University and received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She continued her graduate education through Capella University, receiving her master's degree in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy.

She recognizes that sometimes life can be hard to navigate on your own and believes that everyone at some point may need help dealing with or working through tough emotions, or hard situations. She sees herself as being a tool to help guide clients in these times to realize their own innate strengths, as well as helps teach them practical tools they can use to help cope.

She has been working with adolescents and their families in the school-based population in Eastern Oregon for the past 10 years. She uses an array of clinical modalities including mindfulness practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, experiential therapies, solution focused strength-based therapies, among other clinical interventions when working with children and their families.

Hailey prides herself on always listening with a non-judgmental ear to allow others to share while holding space for them in an empathetic and confidential manner. She strongly believes that every person and their journey is uniquely their own, and that the client is the master of their own path. Hailey helps others to hone their authentic self by building a trusting therapeutic relationship and utilizing strength-based approaches to help clients attain inner healing and realize their own unique strengths.

In her free time, you will find her in the kitchen cooking new meals, spending time with her family and friends, and enjoying time in the saddle with her two horses. She also enjoys traveling and exploring new places and cultures whenever she gets the chance.

Administrative Team

Jamie Matteucci

Co - Founder

Jamie co-founded Foothills Counseling with her husband, Luke, and currently manages the business. She holds a Sociology degree from George Fox University. She sees Foothills as a platform where the mental health needs of the community can be met by excellent providers. It is her privilege to facilitate clinicians finding satisfaction in providing excellent care, while clients are served well and lives are changed. Jamie oversees the general flow of the practice. She takes care of the marketing, insurance contracting and billing, and business administration tasks.

Jamie grew up in La Grande, and was happy to return to raise their family and serve the community. She loves northeastern Oregon! She keeps busy homeschooling her three sons and living life as one big learning adventure! She enjoys getting outside and exploring, camping, and gardening.

Hello! My name is Becca and I currently do customer service and scheduling at Foothills Counseling. I have a Bachelors Degree in psychology from Washington State University and am a wife and mother of two kids. I have been an elementary teacher the last 7 years and plan to eventually earn my Masters Degree in counseling. I enjoy the outdoors, traveling, good coffee, and spending time with family. I look forward to serving and getting to know you!