Meet the Team 

Mrs. Elliott has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with the department since 2001. She graduated with her master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Virginia State University, an HBCU, and upon graduation, returned to California and has worked for the department ever since. Mrs. Elliott's department career includes working with the Intensive Adult population in Out Patient Services and In Board in Care Services. She has also worked as a therapist with the Homeless population. Although she enjoyed working with both those adult populations, she transitioned to children's services. She was a Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) therapist and trainer for several years until she transferred to the Therapeutic Residential Assessment and Consultation Team (TRAC). She held the position of therapist and later supervisor with the TRAC unit. She collaborated with DPSS and Probation to ensure that Mental Health concerns were considered when working with youth and families. While with TRAC, she also participated in and chaired several Interagency Committees. Currently, Mrs. Elliott holds the position of Administrative Services Manager over the Workforce Education and Training (W.E.T.) unit. W.E.T. focuses on addressing the ongoing workforce development needs of the public behavioral health department.

Dorothy Cockrell earned her master’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Redlands and brings over 20 years of expertise from the private healthcare sector to her current role. Since November 2023, she has been making a significant impact at Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health as the Workforce Education and Training (WET) Staff Development Officer. Dorothy spearheads training programs, delivers technical support, and champions evidence-based practices training. She also leads the governing oversight for keyboards, including CAMFT, BRN, and CCAPP. Outside of her professional accomplishments, Dorothy energizes her community by coaching fellow riders on the Spin bike.

Cheryl Coson is a Senior Clinical Therapist with Workforce Education and Training (WET). She received her Master of Social Welfare degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her previous experience has been working in child welfare and forensic behavioral health. Cheryl joined Riverside University Health System in 2012 and has been with WET since 2021. One of her primary roles is working with pre-licensed clinicians by providing clinical supervision and supporting their preparation for the clinical licensure exam. She is the WET Coordinator for the Clinical Licensure Advancement and Support Program (CLAS Program) and the Eating Disorder Program. In addition, she is a certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NCI).

Sheri began working for Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health in 2017, where she was the Behavioral Health Services Supervisor (BHSS) for AB109 New Life, Full Service Partnership, and Day Reporting Center. In 2017 she became the BHSS for The Lehman Center Adult and Children’s Teaching Clinics. Her work focuses on developing and implementing procedures that provide and maintain an appropriate learning environment for graduate and bachelor-level students who provide clients with behavioral health services. In addition, she supervises, coaches, and provides training for RUHS-BH staff. She also provides training under the direction of the Workforce Education and Training (WET) program, including but not limited to Square Model, Concurrent Notes, GET (Genogram, Ecomap, Timeline), Solution Focus, and Narrative Therapies. 

Adrienne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who began working for Riverside County Behavioral Health after receiving her Master’s degree from San Diego State University in 2005. She is currently serving as part of the MHSA Workforce Education and Training team, where her primary focus is training the next generation of up-and-coming therapists during their internship placements and providing clinical supervision for unlicensed clinicians working throughout the department. In addition, Adrienne has experience providing intensive/FSP-level outpatient services to children and their families, including specialty services such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), and Family-Based Therapy (FBT for Eating Disorders). She also currently serves as Co-Chair of both the Riverside County Behavioral Health Clinical Supervision Workgroup and of the Southern California Regional Partnership Clinical Supervision in Public Behavioral Health Committee, which focus on the development and implementation of primary and in-depth staff training and support with regards to the provision of legal and ethical clinical supervision.

Sarah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She received her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University in 2018. Sarah has been working with Riverside University Health System (RUHS) – Behavioral Health (BH) – since April 2023. She started in Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) as a Staff Development Officer. In February 2024 she transitioned to Workforce Education and Training (WET) as a Clinical Therapist II. Sarah is a LivingWorks Registered Trainer in both Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and safeTalk. She is also a trainer for Non-violent crisis Intervention (NCI) training. Sarah is the coordinator for the mentored Internship Program (MIP) grant and the Volunteer Services program. Sarah speaks English, Arabic and German fluently. She has experience working with children, teens and their families providing intensive outpatient services as well as school-based services. Moreover, she has experience working with older adults who used to experience homelessness. Sarah likes to hike, travel, and experience new adventures. 

Sandy is the Executive Assistant I to WET Manger, Nisha Elliott. She earned her Master’s degree in Fine Arts History, became a member of MHSA in 2021, and started to work for WET in 2023. Sandy supports different programs to deliver the highest professionalism and creativity to serve our County workforce and the community. Sandy likes to paint, is a Bonsai enthusiast, and enjoys serving the community through different non-profit organizations.

Gina is an Office Assistant III working with the Workforce Education and Training Department. She has been working with the WET team since November 2023. Gina supports the Staff Development Officer with all behavioral health training. Gina has been working with the County of Riverside since 2022. Outside of work, Gina likes to listen to classic music, cook, and create jewelry designs. 

Erika is an Office Assistant III working with the Workforce Education and Training Department with Behavioral Health. She has been working with the WET team since May 2023. Erika supports the Senior Clinical Therapist and the Clinical Therapist II. She is excited to be a part of Riverside County Behavioral Health 

Claudia is an Office Assistant III who works for Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health in the Workforce Education and Training (WET) department. She supports the department with ASIST Trainings, EMDR, and the RUHS-Behavioral Health Volunteer Services Program. Claudia has been working with the County of Riverside since January 2024. Outside of work she enjoys walks on the beach, hiking, and baking cookies.   

Nico is an Office Assistant II at The Lehman Center. She has been working with the TLC team in both the Adults’ and Children’s Teaching Clinics since March 2023. Nico supports the supervisor and clinicians by assisting with updating trainings, guiding prospective clients in locating and obtaining resources, completing client intakes and closings, auditing charts, and managing records. She also monitors and provides support to student interns throughout their placement at The Lehman Center. Nico loves being a part of the WET Program and looks forward to continuing her work in the Behavioral Health department over the coming years. 

Erica is an Office Assistant III for The Lehman Center. Erica has been working closely with Senior CTs, BHSS, and intern students. She has worked with children and is transitioning to work with adults. Erica has been working with the County of Riverside since July 2023 as an OA III. During her time with the department, she has assisted with the student binder, oversees outlook scheduling, order supplies for the office, reports, and more. Erica has had the opportunity to work with elementary school children with  special needs in high school. She has taken college classes relevant to Behavioral Health such as child development and psychology and wishes to continue her career.   

Maryse is an Office Assistant III working with the Workforce Education and Training department with Behavioral Health. She has been working with the WET team since March 2024. Maryse supports the Staff Development Officer of Education with overseeing the student internships in Behavioral Health, the PASH Program, the 20/20 Program, the Textbook & Tuition Reimbursement Program, the Volunteer Service Program and some behavioral health trainings. She is excited to be part of Behavioral Health.

Lawrence Blake started with the county of Riverside in 2023 through TAP as a sanitation worker with RUHS-Behavioral Health Arlington Campus. From there he quickly promoted to staff clerk, staffing the ETS facility. Receiving another promotion, he is now a stock clerk for MHSA W.E.T Behavioral Health providing quality in customer service, setting up conference rooms, assisting W.E.T team as needed and directing clients to their reserved rooms.