Our Staff

Candace Walters

I have worked as clinical supervisor in mental health for nearly a decade, honing my skills and the skills of other therapists and mental health professionals. As a result, I have development some beliefs that guide my work with clients.

I believe that we all experience difficulties throughout our life, and that these difficulties impact each of us in a unique way. These events influence our behavior and thinking, in many different ways- sometimes inside of our awareness, and sometimes not. Therapy is a place to find new approaches to these difficulties, to create new awarenesses.

“Trying harder” is rarely an answer. Trying “different” can make all the difference. And, if you already knew what to do, it is likely you would have already done it.

At times, we watch ourselves acting in ways we don't like, or responding in a manner that is out of proportion to the situation, but feel powerless over our feelings. I hope to help you change this with the right intervention at the right time.

I have extensive experience in working with individuals of all ages who struggle with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma and addiction- and with couples who are impacted relationally by these things. I utilize EMDR and cognitive restructuring as well as DBT techniques to address symptoms. These techniques in combination can produce permanent resolution to many mental health conditions, so that long term “coping” is no longer a necessary strategy.

Angie Neill

Introducing Angie Neill, a compassionate and dedicated substance abuse counselor on a mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of her clients. Angie holds a CADC 1 certification and is currently completing her degree in substance abuse, demonstrating her commitment to ongoing learning and professional development in the field.

With a genuine passion for helping others, Angie goes above and beyond to provide comprehensive support and guidance to her clients on their journey to recovery. Her empathetic approach and deep understanding of the challenges individuals face in overcoming substance abuse make her a trusted ally in the recovery process.

Angie's dedication to her clients is evident in her personalized approach to counseling, where she tailors treatment plans to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. She creates a safe and non-judgmental space where clients feel comfortable exploring their struggles and working towards positive change.

Beyond her professional qualifications, Angie's innate compassion and unwavering commitment to her clients set her apart as a counselor who truly cares about their well-being.  Angie is a long-standing member of the La Grande community, proudly residing in La Grande since 1970. She has been married 39 years to her high school sweetheart, and is a loving mother to two grown sons, and grandmother two grandchildren.

Mark Cumpton

Mark Cumpton, CADC-R,  joins our team, offering practical skills and diverse life experiences to help future clients be successful to create and maintain a better quality of life. 

Mark relates to the song by Johnny Cash, “I’ve been Everywhere, Man,” and feels it best describes his upbringing and history. Living in remote and expansive places like Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nebraska, California and Oregon, he understands the importance of perseverance, even in the midst of bleak circumstances. 

Due to Mark’s mother’s work as a drug and alcohol counselor with the Native American tribes in Cortez, Colorado, he remembers spending time as a boy at The Recovery Center (TRC) after school, waiting for his mother to finish her shift. Her passion as a drug and alcohol counselor inspired Mark at an early age to help others in their journey to recovery. 

Mark’s years of working in the ranching industry has cultivated strong values of trustworthiness, respect and the importance to be consistent making healthy choices. Watching his own family members struggle with addictions, he knew it was time to help by taking these valuable tools and transition to the path of an addictions counselor. 

Mark has two adult children and three grandchildren with his previous wife of 36 years. After the unexpected death of his wife, Mark relocated to the La Grande area in northeast Oregon and remarried. He and his new wife have a passion to support others by using several different custom approaches, giving clients an opportunity to rebuild a strong foundation where they can truly thrive.