Kevin Garrett started as a faculty member in the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program at Oregon Tech in the fall of 2017. He enjoys and is passionate about teaching. Since starting at Oregon Tech, he has developed and taught courses in Integrated Behavioral Healthcare and Medical Family Therapy, helped to oversee the development of community practicum placements in the community, and has enjoyed working in various capacities at the university- and community levels. He has enjoyed getting to know colleagues and community members, and appreciates the opportunity to be involved with the Klamath County Symposiums each summer.
Kevin completed his Ph.D. in Human Ecology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy at Kansas State University in 2014, graduated with a M.Ed. in the Marriage and Family Therapy specialization from the University of Oregon in 2006, and received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Utah State University in 2003. Prior to teaching at Oregon Tech, Kevin taught for three years in southwestern Oklahoma at Cameron University in the Department of Psychology. He served as one of the clinical faculty in the Psychology Department and as a Practicum Supervisor while at Cameron University. He worked full-time in community mental health working with individuals, couples, and families as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Wyoming for five years before teaching at Cameron University. He completed a Medical Family Therapy-focused doctoral internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska in 2009, and earned a post-degree certificate in Medical Family Therapy while completing his doctoral internship.
Kevin holds the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor designation and is an OBLPCT Approved Clinical Supervisor in Oregon. He enjoys supervising registered interns working to become fully licensed. He is passionate about the topics of self-care, compassion satisfaction, and integrated behavioral healthcare and medical family therapy.
In his free time, Kevin enjoys hiking with his wife and children; fly fishing and being outdoors; and associating with friends and community members. He is excited to once again be back in his home state and to enjoy all the beauty that Oregon offers.
Adjunct Faculty
Marena Hughes, M.S., LMFT is an adjunct professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Oregon Tech and a proud alumna of the same program. She brings a wealth of clinical expertise and academic insight, with her professional focus on both clinical practice and research. Marena is the owner of a thriving private practice where she works with individuals, couples, and families to address a wide range of issues, including infidelity, grief, trauma, medical challenges, and parenting concerns.
Marena’s clinical approach integrates the foundational principles of Family Systems Theory and Attachment Theory. She is passionate about helping students navigate the complexities of human relationships, believing strongly that both problems and solutions are rooted in relational dynamics. In the therapy room and the classroom, Marena strives to create a supportive and empathetic space where participants feel empowered to actively engage.
In addition to her private practice, Marena is dedicated to advancing the field of Marriage and Family Therapy through research. Her research interests include the intersections of family dynamics, trauma recovery, and mental health in underserved populations. As an advocate for these communities, Marena has focused much of her clinical work and outreach on increasing access to quality mental health care for marginalized groups, ensuring that mental health services are both inclusive and equitable.
Her credentials include certifications in Integrated Behavioral Healthcare & Medical Family Therapy, Brainspotting, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), which enhance her expertise in addressing both the psychological and physiological aspects of mental health. In the classroom, Marena is committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity, critical thinking, and professional development for future therapists.
Patrick "Paki" Story, LMFT, MAC, Adjunct Faculty
Patrick “Paki” is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Director of Behavioral Health and Case Management at Cascade Comprehensive Care, Inc. Paki holds a Masters of Addiction Counseling (MAC) national certification, and the Oregon Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC) III certificate. He received his Master of Arts degree in Counseling from John F Kennedy University, in San Jose CA. He has been in the helping profession for over 30 years. His clinical experience includes providing individual and group therapy, clinical supervision, staff training and program development. Paki also has many years’ experience directing Early Intervention (child development) programs. Much of Paki’s experience was obtained working with and for the homeless populations, often with innovative programs. He has experience as an Executive Director for a Hawaiian non-profit with a staff of nearly 200 employees, as well as holding several other executive management positions. Paki is an Adjunct Professor at Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), in the Masters of Science Marriage and Family Therapist Program. In addition, Paki is a Certified Facilitator for True Colors International. Paki’s professional interest include understanding team development and dynamics and leading clinical teams to achieve their highest potential.
Email: patrick.story@oit.edu