Tonia Boyer – Associate Counselor

I believe each person has a unique story – a mosaic of relationships and experiences that have influenced them and created the person they are today. By closely examining who we are, we can identify the pieces of ourselves and our lives that we’d like to change. I am here as a collaborative and supportive partner in that process- someone in your corner that is there for you and desires the best for you. My years of teaching experience have given me a great deal of insight into developmental transitions and challenges, and my own journey of working through difficult childhood circumstances also lends a unique perspective. If you’re struggling with life’s challenges, I’m here to help. If my door is open, come on in and say hello! I look forward to meeting you and working together on your goals for a better future!

HOURS: Monday 10AM-5PM and Wednesday 10AM-5PM

Ki Gaines (she/her/hers), MA, LPC – Director of Counseling and Clinical Supervisor

Ki comes to Warner Pacific with a decade of dedicated experience in counseling and education. Ki was inspired by her own journey of growing up without the support and guidance she craved and recognized her calling to become a therapist. She is driven by a deep desire to provide others with the warmth and trust needed during challenging times. Ki’s clinical practice is rooted in cultural sensitivity and inclusivity and has extensive experience working with diverse populations. Ki is driven by compassion and has made it her mission to foster an environment where everyone, regardless of background, feels seen, heard, and supported and individual unique challenges and needs are acknowledged and addressed. Ki specializes in navigating trauma, the crippling effects of depression, anxiety, and stress, and utilizing various grounding practices. By incorporating trauma-informed practices into her work, she is committed to promoting healing, resilience, and empowerment. Ki is dedicated to fostering open communication and ensuring a holistic approach to support student and staff wellbeing while in her role here at Warner Pacific. Ki welcomes the opportunity to support you on your journey towards healing and well-being. Feel free to reach out for guidance or to schedule an appointment.

HOURS: Monday through Thursday 8AM-2PM

Cayden Sharp – Associate Counselor

Hello! I am Cayden, a Counselor Associate here at the WPU counseling center. I graduated with my Master’s in Counseling from Multnomah University in December 2025. I previously received my bachelor’s in social work from Greenville University in Illinois in May of 2022. I was an intern here at WPU starting in August 2024, and my plan is to become a licensed counselor once I have completed the required number of hours. I am very excited to be hired onto the team and to continue working with the students!

My passion is mental health, and I am a strong advocate for reducing stigma and providing mental health services to those in need. I am aware of how college can be a difficult and confusing time. As mental health is universally a struggle on most college campuses, I am striving to be a support and help you navigate through this time. I specialize in sports psychology/sports counseling and working with athletes. As a previous college athlete myself, I have seen firsthand how mental health crises in college athletes are at large, and I believe that there is great power in sports psychology.

I integrate theories of Person-centered therapy, Emotion-focused therapy, Cognitive-behavioral therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I believe that everyone has the capacity to become the best version of themselves, and I am excited to hear your story and work with you towards healing and wholeness.

HOURS: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10AM to 5PM

Mariko Saeki – Counseling Intern

Hello! My name is Mariko (she/her). It takes bravery to seek counseling, but having experienced the transformation myself, I want to make counseling more accessible and a normal part of life for anyone. It would be an honor to walk alongside your endeavor if our paths intersect. I take a collaborative approach to building a roadmap for therapy and I will be asking about your hopes and desires regularly. You are welcomed to bring different and complex parts of your selves to each session. Even when things seem to be going smoothly, you might still have thoughts or questions you’d like to explore with someone. At other times, you may wish to share challenging and complicated life experiences and situations that you want another person to help you process and hold space for. Therapy work often takes us to the edge of what can be put into words, or of what can be spoken. The moments where you encounter something that can’t quite be put into words but nevertheless insists and desires to be acknowledged. These are crucial moments, and I am there to listen and to be in that moment with you, as well as offer necessary tools and support in this endeavor as you continue to live out your narrative.

I am enrolled at The Seattle school of Theology and Psychology pursuing a Master’s degree in counseling and psychology. My training is in psychodynamic, and I work from Lacanian psychoanalysis and liberation psychology. My area of focus has been around human flourishing in contexts of different cultural backgrounds, especially those who hold marginalized identities. I have also spent years studying spiritual direction and theology, so if you’d like to discuss anything about faith and spirituality, please feel free to reach out.

HOURS: Tuesday 9AM-2PM and Thursday 9AM-1130AM (online only)