Support Staff

Julie Casto Koot (Executive Director of Operations) began her employment at TCTI in 1990, where her duties were assisting the pre-hire psychological testing department as well as other various duties. From 1992 until 2000, she held the position of Psychological Testing Coordinator where she set up department profiles for executive evaluations. Because of Julie’s financial planning aptitude, she was moved to a more administrative position in 2004 where she assists the Director with business decisions and supervises the administrative staff. Julie handles all of the accounting/financial details for The Counseling Team International. She has been trained and is certified in Verbal Judo and Peer Support. She also received training from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) in Stress, Trauma and Coping in Emergency Service Professions. She was instrumental in the coordination of disasters such as the Northridge Earthquakes, Hurricane Andrew, Columbine School Shooting, the Waco ATF incident, the Oklahoma City Bombing. She also ran The Counseling Team Intentional command post for the Big Bear Man Hunt Death of Detective Mackay and Officer Crain. Julie is the co-coordinator for the annual Public Safety Peer Support Association (PSPSA) conference. Contact Julie at jkoot@thecounselingteam.com.

Steve Diaz is a recently retired Battalion Chief with a 30-year career in the fire service. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service, City of Banning Fire Department, and CalFire respectively. His assignments ranged from being on an engine crew, helicopter crew, and being in the training division. He also was in planning and engineering, camp crew, and fire marshal. More recently, he was the coordinator of the Peer Support Program in the Employee Support Services section of CalFire. Steve’s passion is providing behavioral health options to public safety. Providing a safe place and coming alongside of those that have been impacted by the job. His focus includes critical incident stress management, behavioral health and wellness programs, substance abuse options and fire chaplaincy. Steve has an Associate of Science degree in fire technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He is also certified and trained by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Steve is TCTI’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Public Safety Program Manager.

Rachel Nemeth joined The Counseling Team International in 2018. She is the front desk receptionist at TCTI’s Headquarters in San Bernardino and enjoys greeting our clients. She is one of the first people that you will see upon arrival. Rachel is always available to answer your questions and prides herself on providing the highest level of customer service possible. Whether it is at the front desk greeting clients or assisting clients with questions, she always makes herself available. Rachel loves taking on new responsibilities and enjoys working with her co-workers and clients.

Melinda Pasley (Administrative Assistant) joined The Counseling Team International in 2016 to assist with a broad variety of administrative tasks for the Chief Financial Officer/Business Manager including: managing an extremely active calendar of appointments; composing and preparing correspondence that is sometimes confidential; ensures the CFO’s schedule is followed providing a “gatekeeper” and “gateway” role, creating win-win situations for direct access to the CFO’s time in the office; and compiling documents for travel-related meetings. Melinda has over 10 years of administrative experience with a strong background in health and benefits. Her job duties have been expanded to cover the managed care and network development for of our Mental Health Professionals.

Stephanie Cortes (Testing Coordinator) joined TCTI in 2021. Stephanie comes from a law enforcement background. She’s in charge of all testing involving pre-employment psychological testing. She coordinates and communicates with more than 80 departments and agencies served by TCTI. Her other duties include handling applicant appointment schedules, backgrounds, reports, and billings. She currently works in the San Bernardino office. Contact Stephanie at scortes@thecounselingteam.com