FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Arlene Angeline Chandra, MSW, MHP, LICSW, LCSW, SUDPt, CPP-AAPTs, is a dedicated mental health professional, first-generation American, and first-generation college graduate whose life’s work is grounded in healing, empowerment, and equity. Passionate about supporting children, youth, adolescents, and families, Arlene blends evidence-based interventions with a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach to care.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Gonzaga University (2014) and her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan (2016). Arlene has been a nationally certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (TF-CBT) since 2016 and received her Mental Health Professional (MHP) designation in 2018.

In 2020, she became a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington and earned the Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) credential. Committed to growing her leadership and service capacities, she completed a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University in 2022 and later became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Oregon.

In 2024, Arlene expanded her clinical scope by earning her Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee (SUDPt) certification. In that same year—and into 2025—she pursued additional specialized training to deepen her therapeutic expertise, earning the following credentials:

ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)

Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP)

Certified Grief-Informed Professional (CGP)

Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist (CSTS)

Most recently, she became a Certified Professional Practitioner of Animal Assisted Play Therapy® (CPP-AAPTs), allowing her to incorporate therapeutic interactions with animals—specifically bunnies—into her holistic, trauma-informed practice.

Arlene brings a rich blend of clinical expertise, cultural insight, and lived experience to both her nonprofit organization, Arlene’s Angels: Hand in Paw Healing, a 501(c)(3) founded in 2021. Her integrative approach, grounded in authenticity, compassion, and justice, makes her a powerful ally to those navigating their healing journeys.

PRESIDENT

Forthcoming.

VICE PRESIDENT

David J. Patterson is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Princeton University, where he works in the Department of History and the Davis Center for Historical Studies. In 2022, he received his PhD in History from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His research focuses on societal and cultural adaptations to climate variability in the pre-modern world, and he is currently writing a book about weather and climate in the early Middle Ages. As an environmental historian, he is enthusiastic about issues of sustainability, climate resiliency, and environmental justice. A lifelong animal lover, David is also a passionate supporter of animal-assisted therapy and the mission of Arlene’s Angels: Hand in Paw Healing.