Who We Are

Catherine is a licensed clinical social worker. Catherine started her career in nursing, working with the geriatric population. Catherine has experience working with court-ordered clients in the foster care system, addictions, and severe mental illness, as well as intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization.

Catherine works with a person-centered approach as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

Catherine has a B.S. in psychology from Columbia College of Missouri, an M.S. in general psychology from Grand Canyon University, and a master’s in social work from the University of Southern California.

When Catherine is with clients, she is attending concerts, festivals, enjoying traveling to new unique places, and hiking with her dog.

Natalie Medina is a licensed clinical social worker with 13 years of experience working in mental health. Natalie graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a BA in psychology. Natalie started working as a case manager at a non-profit organization working with the persistently mentally ill adult population. Natalie has been working for the county since 2014. Natalie completed her first internship working with the troubled youth living in the foster system in 2014. In 2015 she did her internship working at an inpatient substance use facility. Natalie graduated from CSUSB in 2016 and quickly started working as a clinician for Temecula County and was licensed in 2019.

Natalie Medina has been involved in implementing DBT in a variety of settings and has implemented DBT into RCDMH clinical programming for six years. Natalie integrates DBT with her individual and group therapy. Natalie started working with individuals with eating disorders 4 years ago and implements dialectical behavioral therapy and family-based therapy. Natalie also has vast knowledge in cognitive behavioral therapy to assist with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, stress management, and anger management.

Timothy Irving is a licensed clinical social worker and substance use disorder certified counselor in the State of California. Timothy’s work has focused on recovery from co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, with experience in a range of outpatient and residential treatment programs. Timothy assists clients in developing coping skills and problem-solving strategies that are empowering and can lead to healthier and more satisfying lives. Treatment approaches derived from CBT, DBT, ACT, and other therapeutic models are utilized to meet the unique needs of each client.

Timothy believes that loving and supportive relationships, physical fitness, lifelong learning, and mindfulness are essential for health and well-being. When not at work, Timothy enjoys spending time at home with his spouse, Mary, reading and exploring current research, and cycling.

Jonathan Wesley, LMFT, has been a practicing psychotherapist in California since the late 1980s. His work has included community mental health agencies, hospitals, and private practice. His clients have included people receiving care in the public mental health system, as well as those who have private health insurance through their jobs and families. He has worked with many different disorders and problems in living, including work stress, mood disorders, and individuals with chronic mental illness. He has also worked as a lecturer in psychology at various colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area.

Jonathan is trained in psychodynamic theory as well as more prevalent evidence-based treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). His clinical work draws from these and other areas and seeks to accommodate the client with treatment approaches and educational resources that are a “good fit” for each person.

Hello. I am a clinical psychologist and life coach. I am available for online sessions and on-site appointments.

I help individuals, couples, and families to gain better balance, improve their mental well-being, and solve problems, and I am good at solving challenges.

I can help people understand the consequences of their actions to make changes within their lives to live a stress-free life.

I use cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals with anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties and help people to recognize their own emotions and connect with others.

It’s the ability to understand people and try to heal your mind and soul.

Welcome! It’s my pleasure to meet you! I’m Jennifer Johnson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a graduate of National University in counseling psychology, and an undergraduate in business administration from California State East Bay. I entered the mental health field to help others achieve a better quality of life, currently having about 15 years of extensive experience. My focus will be on you, and we’ll use a mixture of techniques and theories to help you achieve a better sense of self and reach your goals.

I assist adults and families that contend with anxiety, depression, relationship hurdles, and/or transitional issues to help ease the stresses of life’s challenges. I strive to help my clients reach healthy perceptions of themselves and strengthen relationships to begin to know themselves as complete, peaceful, safe, and whole.

As your therapist, my aim is to support you by uncovering and developing your evolving awareness, which I believe everyone has within. You will experience a safe, nonjudgmental space and explore an effective and collaborative therapeutic relationship. I strive to empower your connection with strengths, assist your movement toward your goals, support growth and healing into who you wish to become, and foster your connection with your authentic self. I fortify my knowledge base by frequently seeking new and unique training topics to forward and teach those skills to you.  I hope you seek an alliance within me to begin this journey together because I believe that you are brave and resilient for exploring change this far!

“The time to be happy is NOW… If not now, then when?”

Every person's experiences are unique to themselves. I am here to support you throughout your journey without judgment in a warm, safe, and loving environment. I have worked in a variety of settings, including substance abuse, incarceration, middle & high schools, and shelters. My therapeutic approach is specific to my clients needs. I specialize in trauma recovery, anger management, PTSD, parenting, and anxiety & depression. I work with all ages 6+, specializing in youth and adults.

I am passionate about mental health because I personally understand the struggles. I am a huge animal lover and dog rescuer. I am open to all types of spirituality, religion or no religion. My intention is to help provide you with a sense of peace and understanding. You are not alone, and I know how hard the first step can be, and I’m proud of you because you have already taken it. Let’s honor your story.

Morgan Smith became an associate clinical social worker in February of 2023 after receiving her master's of social work with an emphasis in clinical social work from the University of Kentucky in December of 2022.  Morgan is passionate and committed to supporting individuals on their journey to mental health healing and transformation, strongly believing in taking a collaborative approach to help clients reach their goals.  She also finds it very important to build our coping-skills toolboxes and challenge our automatic negative thoughts, behaviors, and habits so we may build healthier relationships with ourselves and others.

Prior to joining the Psych Partners team, Morgan completed her graduate internship with Alta California Regional Center in Roseville, California, and her undergraduate internship at Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Outreach Program in Baldwin Park, California.

Morgan’s knowledge and experience have called her to help teens, adults, and older adults who are struggling with anxiety, mood disorders, grief, trauma and PTSD, and personality disorders.  Morgan utilizes various evidence-based practice interventions and treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), cognitive processing (CPT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), person-centered therapy, and strength-based therapy to ensure the care she provides fits the uniqueness of her clients and their situations.

When I began studying psychology, I was fascinated by the way our closest relationships could cause us so much pain and be at the root of our worst experiences. As I’ve continued, I’ve been much more impressed by the strength, courage, and commitment I’ve seen from individuals, couples, and families as they dedicate themselves to healing. Through the communities I’ve worked with, I’ve witnessed pain and tears, as well as hope and renewal. I am constantly inspired and encouraged by the people who choose to invite me into their lives.

I am an associate marriage and family therapist with 2+ years of experience working with children, adolescents, individuals, families, and couples. In the time I’ve been working, I’ve been motivated by the fact that those in the most need of services are often those with the least access to them. This has led to my focus on working with children with trauma, with the overall goal of being able to work closely with low-income families and those in crisis. I believe that people are the experts of their life circumstances and want to work alongside them as we collaborate on the best ways to meet their goals.

Biography coming soon…

Hello, my name is Ashley, and I am an associate professional clinical counselor. I have been with Psych Partners since 2021 through my internship and associate journey! I love working with all ages and see a wide range of clients. I have experience working with adults, teens, children, and military personnel who are experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral/mood difficulties, and trauma. I have been trained in PTSD assessment and prolonged exposure therapy. Naturally, I take a humanistic and person-centered approach to therapy, focused on self-discovery, personal freedom, and personal development! I also enjoy using CBT and mindfulness to help people regain control of their lives and find balance. I feel honored to have the opportunity to assist the community on their journey through personal growth!

Welcome! I’m Marisa Parra, a dedicated and compassionate therapist committed to providing exceptional mental health care. I am a Hispanic female with a deep appreciation for the diverse backgrounds of my clients. I attended Azusa Pacific University, where I earned a master’s degree, followed by a specialist degree in school psychology and mental health. Additionally, I am an associate licensed professional clinical counselor, which allows me to integrate a broad range of therapeutic techniques to support my clients effectively.

Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals with special needs and a range of developmental and behavioral challenges. My expertise extends to children, adolescents, and families, creating a supportive environment where each family member can thrive.

In addition, I have extensive experience supporting adults facing PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. My approach is empathetic and collaborative, ensuring that my clients feel understood and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.

I incorporate a variety of evidence-based practices, tailoring my approach to meet the unique needs of each client. These practices include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, Polyvagal Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. My deep knowledge of applied behavioral analysis (ABA) further enhances my ability to address behavioral issues effectively.

I am passionate about helping individuals and families navigate their mental health challenges, fostering resilience, and promoting overall well-being. I look forward to partnering with you on your path to healing and growth.

Leslie has been actively involved in recovery for over 30 years. She received her master's degree from National University with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy. She is a licensed MFT currently working at Psych Partners and also worked at Casa Palmera, a detox and recovery facility. She also has a private practice in Carlsbad where she sees patients interested in recovery from substance abuse, family of origin issues, depression, anxiety, as well as relationship issues.

Leslie also worked at RIOA (a detox and rehab facility) counseling recovering heroin addicts. She worked at Cognitive Health Sciences counseling low-functioning Medicaid patients. She also worked in the Oceanside school district counseling children 6-10 years of age. Leslie is a therapist who specializes in substance abuse, sexual abuse, trauma, and women’s issues.

Yvette is a bilingual licensed clinical social worker/therapist with 10 years of experience in the mental health field.

She has experience working with children, youth, and their families from diverse backgrounds on a range of psychological conditions and life circumstances. She has extensive experience in working with children/youth in foster care, emancipated youth, teen mothers, youth involved in the legal system, transitional youth, and their families with childhood traumas, ADHD, anxiety, anger management issues, depression, and psychosis.

She has a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine, and has her Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach.

Hello and welcome!

I look forward to meeting you, to discovering who you are and how we can work together to help you reach your goals for a more joyful and satisfying life experience. So, thank you for reaching out for support.

I am a California-licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). I received my master's in psychology from Chapman University, Palm Desert, CA, in 2011. I initially began working in the mental health field in a crisis center on a walk-in basis in 2010. From there, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, in inpatient/outpatient, individual or group. I’ve worked with children/youth and adults seeking support for a wide range of diagnoses: anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar, domestic violence, anger management issues, grief/loss, substance use, trauma and abuse, and self-image and self-esteem issues.

I would describe my approach as collaborative, empathetic, client-centered, and goal-oriented. I feel that creating a safe space where clients can feel free to share their unique story, experiences, struggles, and challenges takes a lot of courage and resolve. The treatment modalities I use include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, client-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and emotional-focused therapy.

I believe that tailoring the best treatment modality (or a combination of) will come from you sharing your unique story, the challenges you face, and how we can best work together to achieve your goals.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with 12 years of experience working with adults and families. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Cal State Los Angeles in 2010 and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Cal State San Bernardino in 2012. I specialize in the following concerns: anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, grief/loss, adjustments to life stages, and postpartum emotional care.

I use holistic, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, solution-focused, and strength-based approaches that integrate the mind-body connection within a person-centered framework. I have a firm belief that everyone is capable of change when ready, and I am honored to be part of the process. I aim to create a safe, warm, and trusting therapeutic space to help facilitate growth and healing. I offer bilingual counseling in English/Spanish and strive toward providing services through a culturally sensitive lens.

The client/therapist relationship is an integral piece of the healing process, second only to an individual’s desire to be an active participant in their own transformation. I appreciate the impact trauma can have on an individual, the biological and/or foster family unit, and the community as a whole. It is my mission to support individuals in sharing, processing, and exploring challenges to adjust and adapt. I specialize in the treatment of children, adolescents, adults, and families. As the daughter and spouse of military veterans, I take pride in working with our military community.

With a background supporting foster youth and families, I specialize in the treatment of children, adolescents, adults, and families through the use of a variety of techniques/modalities. Come into the judgement-free zone and learn how to confront old patterns, explore challenging events, and create solutions. 

Start where you are, and I am here to walk beside you.

I strive to join with my clients by meeting them at whatever point the journey begins. Relief from trauma impact, anxiety, depression, anger, stagnancy, and grief is within reach; not through forgetting but through resolution and self-acceptance. 

“There is no greater agony than bearing the untold story inside you.” - Maya Angelou

Brandon is an associate marriage and family therapist with years of clinical experience in the mental health field. Brandon has worked with varying populations that include couples, veterans, teenagers, adults, caregivers, and families. He has worked in various settings, including community mental health, outpatient, and residential facilities. As a former U.S. Navy veteran, he has real-world experience with the complex issues that servicemembers and their families face. Brandon is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Gottman and family systems therapy. He has extensive experience in working with posttraumatic stress disorder. (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and relationship problems.

Brandon’s goal is to help his clients achieve success and personal growth. His style is highlighted by a passionate, welcoming, and supportive attitude for all his clients. Brandon believes that the best therapeutic relationship comes from collaboration. This means that each client receives a treatment plan that is specifically catered to their goals, needs, and personal strengths.

About Gretel Mendoza, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC

Dr. Gretel Mendoza is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) who obtained her doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) from the University of South Alabama. She is passionate about providing evidence-based, compassionate, and holistic mental health care to individuals. Having been a PMHNP since 2015 and a registered nurse since 2009, she has worked in various treatment settings, including outpatient, inpatient, crisis stabilization, residential, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs.

She specializes in psychiatric medication management and has extensive experience in assessing and treating adults with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, psychosis, and co-occurring substance use disorders. Prior to working with Psych Partners, she managed other nurse practitioners in crisis. Stabilization units provided psychiatric medication management in a crisis residential and adult residential program and served as a member of the medical leadership council. When she is not seeing clients, Dr. Mendoza enjoys reading and spending time with family.

Felista A. Anugom has a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) from Missouri State University and currently holds two nursing certifications: psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and family health nurse practitioner (FNP-BC). She attended fellowship training in primary care psychiatry at the University of California, Davis. Felista has many years of experience as an FNP and PMHNP treating clients with various mental health disorders. She also has extensive experience in addiction medicine and pain management. During her free time, she enjoys traveling and reading.

Many people need help adjusting to changes, managing stress, and coping with trauma. Most people want to understand themselves better. This journey can be challenging, confusing, and uncomfortable at times. My approach is supportive, direct, and solution-focused, aimed at helping others gain self-awareness, clarity, and effective strategies for navigating life’s ups and downs.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with 8+ years’ experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. I provide a compassionate, safe, judgment-free environment, welcoming motivated clients to explore their experiences and emotions, process traumatic events, challenge themselves, replace unhealthy patterns, build important skills, meet identified goals, and start down the path towards a more meaningful, fulfilling, and healthy life.

I use an integrative approach to therapy, applying various modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), to meet the unique individual needs of each client. I have experience treating individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting issues, interpersonal conflict, behavioral problems, and life transitions.

Currently accepting new clients in person.

My name is Zenaida (Zen) McNally, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I have extensive background in family systems and how our development is affected by the people and experiences throughout our lives. As an EMDR-certified therapist, I have specialized training in both trauma, including intimate partner violence, and addictions. I have spent my years as a therapist working with the Native American population as well as various other races and cultures in underserved areas. I have focused on populations who have high incidents of historical and complex trauma.

I tend to look at my becoming a therapist as a calling. I, like many people, was plagued by the effects that trauma and addiction had on my life. Through my recovery from trauma and addiction, I began to see the connections between trauma and our actions, our perceptions, and our responses to the experiences and people we encounter. I underwent the long journey of individual therapy to find a new way to live. I found my life changed by EMDR therapy, and I had a burning desire to help others find a new way to live as well.

I now dedicate myself to helping people walk through and process their trauma so that they can see the world in a different way. If you are ready, you can contact me to start your journey towards recovery. Even the smallest changes can have a profound impact.

Jessie Garcia-Talamantes, M.S., AMFT

Jessie is an associate marriage and family therapist and a United States Marine Corps combat veteran. He is currently enrolled in the Play Therapy Certification Program at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He enjoys working with adults, teens, and children. He has experience working with clients with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more. He also enjoys working with LGBTQ+ clients to include trans clients.

He has experience in group settings but prefers individual therapy. He uses a client-guided approach in his therapy sessions and sees himself as a guide or mentor along the way. He believes in the clients willingness to make a positive change in their daily life routine.

Jessie likes to use humor and magic tricks for children and be authentic and genuine in the therapy process, which parents have said they appreciate.

Welcome to Psych Partners! In a lifetime, individuals experience difficulties on the road of life as well as emotional burdens that at times can feel overwhelming. Life can be challenging enough, and to face things alone can make it even more challenging. I have always enjoyed being a source of support and encouragement while helping others through these trying times. My goal is to help individuals replace maladaptive coping mechanisms and provide them with new tools and techniques that will leave one feeling empowered and vested in maintaining a healthier mindset.

Everyone has different issues they may be facing, whether it is anxiety, depression, disappointment, and/or guilt and shame. Nonetheless, here are a variety of techniques that can assist you in achieving your goal(s). I have experience working with children, adolescents, couples, and families. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is my preferred method of therapy; however, I utilize a variety of therapies, including but not limited to interpersonal therapy, exposure therapy, solution-focused therapy, family therapy, group therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and play therapy.

I graduated from DePaul University in 2014 with a B.A. in psychology and later obtained an M.S. degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of Phoenix. I have future aspirations to further my career in clinical psychology. When I am not practicing therapy, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, hiking, kayaking, and traveling.

¡Hablo Español! Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read my profile. My name is Roxana, and I’m a first-generation Mexican-American, born and raised in Southern California. I proudly served in the Marine Corps and have been working in mental health since 2012, providing case management to individuals facing homelessness and severe mental illness. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in diverse settings throughout Riverside County, including Domestic Violence and Forensic Mental Health, where I worked closely with men in the Criminal Justice System. During my practicum, I provided individual counseling to military members, veterans, and first responders, helping them address relationship conflicts, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

My therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as well as the Gottman Relationship Method (Level 1). However, I believe that effective therapy begins with a genuine, person-to-person connection—one that builds trust, fosters open communication, and creates a sense of safety and mutual respect. My goal is to create a space where clients feel truly seen and valued, and I occasionally use humor to support meaningful therapeutic work that fosters long-lasting growth and change.

Thank you again for visiting my profile—it would be an honor to work with you!

Biography coming soon…

Jamila Banks is a California-licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with over 13 years of experience working in the mental health field. She graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a BA in political science and psychology and received her master's in psychology and marriage & family therapy from the University of LaVerne in 2011.

Jamila initially began working in the mental health field in an addiction & treatment crisis center in 2010, working with adults battling various addictions and mental health disorders. From there, she has worked in a variety of settings, including group homes, mental health hospitals, and inpatient/out-patient centers, providing therapy in both individual and group services. Concurrently in 2010, as a case manager for a California regional center, she worked closely with both children and adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities such as autism and mental health disorders such as anxiety. She has experience working with a multidisciplinary team of parents, teachers, social workers, and other practitioners in developing a collaborative plan of care.

Throughout the years, Jamila has worked with children/youth from the age of 5 and with adults in their 80s, seeking support for a wide range of diagnoses including but not limited to personality disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, bipolar, domestic violence, anger management issues, grief/loss, substance use, trauma and abuse, self-image and self-esteem issues, PTSD, work stress, mood disorders, and individuals with chronic mental illness.

Jamila takes a collaborative approach in her work, treating the holistic needs of clients with an empathetic, client-centered, goal-oriented, solution-focused approach. The treatment modalities she works from include but are not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy, client-centered therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and emotional-focused therapy.

Jamila feels that creating a safe space where clients can feel open and free to share their unique story, experiences, struggles, and challenges takes a lot of courage and resilience and is critical to cultivating lifelong, lasting change and growth. It is her belief that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment modality when working with the mind, and her goal is to create the best treatment plan (or a combination of) around the unique needs of each individual client that she works with.

Jamila is a wife, mother of 4, and lives her life in service through multiple vehicles of community advocacy, impact, and philanthropy. Outside of her community work, Jamila enjoys traveling, learning, making memories, exercising (gym, yoga, hiking), reading, meditating, crystal healing work, trying out new foods, and spending quality time with friends and family. 

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). I have over 10 years of providing mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, and families in a variety of settings such as outpatient, residential treatment, and community-based services. I did most of my internship working with foster youth and with the homeless population, providing crisis interventions, substance use treatment, case management, group therapy, family therapy, and individual therapy. Most recently, I managed an intensive outpatient clinic overseeing treatment for individuals who suffer from severe mental illness, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

I specialize in working with individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, and complex trauma. My additional areas of expertise include anger management, emotional regulation, behavioral issues, self-esteem, relaxation training, stress management, and grief/loss. I have participated in trainings in the areas of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), solution-focused therapy, addiction, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). I am an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist and received my training through the EMDR Institute. I want all my patients to feel better about their lives and themselves.  I work collaboratively with each person to assist them along their healing journey.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 10 years of experience providing mental health therapy to people of different races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and circumstances. In addition, I’ve completed PhD education in performance psychology, which means personal vision and goals are of importance. I truly love and enjoy being a part of finding solutions in people's lives. When the risk of staying in the same circumstances starts to become painful, it’s time to take a risk towards growth.

Throughout my career, I have been able to work with a variety of populations, including prenatal behavioral health (0-5 age group), youth, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and geriatrics. I have intentionally positioned myself in the mental health field to help support others succeed and have been happy with the progress. From PTSD, addiction, traumas and abuse, ADHD, depression, anxiety, anger, and many other challenges, success is possible. It has been a tremendous blessing to have witnessed so many people succeed towards their personal goals and towards a more accomplished future.

My professional experience and overall genuine sense of service have equipped me with a unique set of skills, insight, and clinical expertise necessary for assisting others in improving and establishing sustainable well-being.

Though I am a professional, I am also very much human. It is said, “To be a good helper, one must truly know the feeling of needing help.” My approach to therapy is “I’m human. I’m here to listen and use my skills to help.”

I cannot wait to meet you and look forward to hearing from you!

Yvette is a licensed clinical social worker who has a diverse background working with transitional-age youth, adults, older adults, homeless families, and children with autism spectrum disorder. She is deeply passionate about helping individuals and families, improving lives in the community, and supporting those coping with difficult life situations.

She has a bachelor’s in psychology from Vanguard University and has her master’s in social work from California State University of Fullerton.

Yvette utilizes an eclectic approach, including the following treatment modalities: person-centered, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy, and enjoys incorporating mindfulness.

When she’s not helping others, Yvette enjoys adventures with her family, hunting for antiques and a good workout.

Hello, my name is Barbara Sanders, and I have been a licensed clinical social worker for over twenty-five years. I have worked in a variety of settings, including a crisis residential mental health treatment program, a hospice, an inpatient psychiatric facility, and a nonprofit social services agency. I have had the honor of working with Psych Partners for three years. It has been a privilege to have clients from diverse ethnic backgrounds and cultural heritages. Having grown up in a military family, I recognize the challenges service members and their families face. My therapeutic style is eclectic, utilizing cognitive behavioral strategies, a person-centered approach, problem-solving techniques, visualization, mindfulness, and a focus on an individual’s strengths.

My name is Gail, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I am passionate about providing psychotherapy for those seeking to create a healthier, happier, and more meaningful life. I received my degree in psychology from Chapman University in 2004.

My specialties include treatment for depression, anxiety, self-esteem, adjustment issues, and children with ADHD issues. For individuals and couples, therapy offers a unique experience for self-development and increased understanding of recurring patterns in your life.

I utilize a solution-focused and strength-based approach to help the unit reach goals that have been created collaboratively. I incorporate cognitive behavioral techniques, as they can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to manage stressful life situations.

I listen actively and will offer feedback, suggestions, and tools to help you cope and improve the quality of your life. Working together, we will find the best solutions by building on your strengths. I offer a safe environment to allow you to express yourself through neutrality and non-judgement.

Andi Slusser received her master's of social work from the University of Kentucky in December 2022. She is an associate clinical social worker and a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Andi has knowledge and experience in working with individuals of varying ages and backgrounds who suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, grief, and loss. Before joining the team at Psych Partners, she completed her undergrad internship in both inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities in North Carolina. Prior to studying social work, Andi served 4 years in the United States Army, where she saw the true depth of need in her own community for mental health services. Andi is passionate about forming strong therapeutic alliances with patients and working collaboratively to find interventions that make a difference. She utilizes a variety of treatment modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

8 years of experience

Darien is a licensed marriage and family therapist with experience with youth and their families through school-based therapeutic programs, supporting adults living with chronic pain in overcoming their unique struggles, as well as a unique and empowering feminist perspective. She is a United States Air Force veteran and has a special interest in helping female military and veterans in their distinct trials.

Darien works from a person-centered, collaborative approach, striving to create a warm and inviting environment where clients can feel safe as they grow, learn, and heal, regardless of what has brought them to counseling. She believes in finding balance in each of our lives and in constant growth throughout our lives. Darien has a creative and fresh outlook, understanding that counseling is as unique as each person.

When she isn’t with clients, she enjoys going to amusement parks with friends and family, traveling, painting, exploring local coffee shops with friends, and hanging out with her dogs at home.