Dr. Krista Armenta-Belen

Dr. Armenta-Belen, a Chumash descendant who grew up on the Santa Ynez reservation, has been the Behavioral Health Director since January 2014. She began working at the clinic in March 2011 after completing her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University. Krista went on to complete her Doctorate in Behavioral Health from Arizona State University and shares that her pursuit of higher education has been driven by her passion to do what she can to cultivate high quality behavioral health programs and services within her tribal community. Dr. Armenta-Belen is a practicing Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and heads community-based suicide prevention and wellness programs at SYTHC that focus on resiliency building through connectedness with community, culture, and self.

Dr. Armenta-Belen is actively involved in traditional singing and dancing within the Chumash community and in her time off you will likely find her on wacky adventures with her boys or reading.