Chynna is Caribbean American and a Womanist in every way. Her mother’s Trinidadian roots and her father’s Puerto Rican heritage are integral to who she is, how she loves herself and how she loves others. In different counseling iterations over the years, first as a substance abuse counselor and later as a case manager, she watched patients wrestle with their pain while knowing there was a better way but lacking the skills and knowledge. For her it is not about solving issues for her patients, but rather introducing more light for them, so that they are able to see their own path to liberation from pain. Over time, Chynna learned the deep power of curiosity and the roaring strength of silence. She learned to love the non-linear healing and wholeness that inevitably reveals itself to patients. She believes in each patient, and that the goals for change they set out for themselves are attainable. It is imperative to her that it is the patient’s goals, not her own, that are primary. The value she adds to the lives of her patients is that she approaches her work from a strengths-based perspective. In assessment, she spends time identifying her patient’s strengths, because these can often be overlooked. Drawing upon these strengths, Chynna helps patients see their own resources for change and growth. Unlearning long held patterns is important work that requires patience. Having patience as a guide to help patients learn to replace unhelpful patterns is key to developing healthier ways of seeing themselves, others and the world. Chynna knows wellness is achievable so she continues to offer hope and possibility as patients grow towards their goals. Her practice is unique in the way she infuses humor throughout her work. Chynna hopes that patients graduate from working with her feeling confident in their abilities to recognize and meet their needs with deeper knowledge and commitment to their own healing journey.
Addiction
Maria Thompson
Maria is a first-generation Mexican-American woman who has worked in the mental health field and with the geriatric population for over 10 years. She has provided grief counseling, transitional support through life changes with couples, families and groups of unrelated persons. We are all individuals who require different interventions for navigating our personal goals and challenges/changes in life. The process of creating individual plans based on a patient’s strengths and resources is a creative process that helps Maria find joy and excitement in the work that she does. She loves that her work allows patients to build their tool box for managing phases in their lives. In addition to being a psychotherapist, Maria is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Counselor (SUDRC) and Zumba Instructor.
Giselle Facemire
Giselle is an Afro-Latina, Army Veteran, survivor, and overcomer. She is also fluent in Spanish. She has always known her calling was to become a therapist in order to help others overcome. After serving in the military, Giselle felt she needed to get into the field to better support and serve those who are struggling and need guidance toward the light out of darkness. She enjoys working with patients who are brave enough to reach out for help and willing to work towards reaching their goals. She walks alongside her patients, helps them process, and teaches them tools and skills to their goals. Giselle adds value to her patients’ lives by giving them her full attention, showing them she is invested in their wellbeing, and by being there for them every step of the way. Giselle most enjoys the therapeutic relationship and seeing progress in the work she does. She uses her own life experiences and curiosity to empathize and validate her patients. She wishes for her patients to graduate from therapy feeling like they no longer need it because they’ve learned the tools and skills they need to make it and to also feel secure knowing that if they ever need help they can reach out anytime.
Anum Rathor
Anum is a first-generation South Asian American. As a first-generation American, she sees the value in breaking down the stigma surrounding seeking help and the importance of eliminating the negative connotations or assumptions that are attached to therapy. She wishes to be a voice for those that have not found theirs yet. She speaks Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi fluently and is currently learning Arabic. She enjoys working with adolescents, adults, and couples. Anum believes therapy is about creating a safe space for the patient to open up about what they want to address with no judgment. She is driven to make sure her patients feel comfortable, respected, and validated. Through the use of various evidence-based practices, Anum enjoys working with patients to cater to their emotional needs through the use of. She has experience working with people who have experienced trauma, anxiety, and depression as well as with people who engage in substance use and risk behaviors. She feels lucky to have worked with individuals from various sexual orientations, religious, and cultural backgrounds. She wishes for her patients to graduate from therapy feeling liberated and empowered to take on the world and to be able to process their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a healthy way.
LaToya Washington
LaToya is an African American woman who provides comprehensive counseling and crisis intervention services. Working as a counselor is not only a job but rather a passion. LaToya views her role as a facilitator who helps to guide her patients to and beyond the goals they have set for themselves. She believes it is important to help her patients find their own answers.
One way she adds value to the lives of her patients is by offering space with the opportunity to restore or heal one’s relationships with self and others. LaToya enjoys collaborating with patients to identify and discover their core values and how they can apply them to their current lifestyles.
Geovana Marquez
Geovana is a child of immigrants (First-generation Chicana) and understands the experience of adjusting to both the family’s culture and American culture. She is a feminist who advocates for mental health, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ issues that need to be heard. Her therapeutic work experience includes working with young adults with various mental health concerns. Geovana hopes that sessions are a safe space for her patients to share and grow. She hopes to add value into the lives of her patients by instilling confidence in knowing they have grown within their time together.
Online Mindfulness Group for Teens
The Online Mindfulness Group for Teens will be an 8-week online skills-based group for high-school-aged teens targeted toward those with an interest in developing mindfulness skills. We’ll cover a number of topics, including:
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introductory mindfulness skills
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skills for navigating intense emotions
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befriending boredom
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understanding defenses
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managing social media, substance and alcohol use
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self-acceptance, self-compassion
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relationships
This group welcomes clients across gender, sexuality and neurodiversity spectrums. The facilitators are committed to the continual pursuit of culturally responsive care.
This group is run by Jeremy Prillwitz LAADC and Darcy Dittrich AMFT.
Virtual Ongoing Harm Reduction Therapy Support Groups
These groups are designed to provide additional support for clients who have completed the 8-Week Harm Reduction Psycho-educational Group or have had previous experience with harm reduction therapy.
In this support group, we will go into a more in- depth exploration of substance use strategies, check-ins and goals. Everyone is encouraged to share their experiences with moderation of or abstinence from substance use.
On Wednesdays, group one from 5:30 to 7pm and group two from 7:10 to 8:30pm.
Psycho-educational Harm Reduction Therapy Group
The 8 week Introductory psycho-educational Harm Reduction Therapy group is for those who are new to Harm Reduction.
Group members will learn about the philosophy of harm reduction and help identify effective harm reduction techniques that work for them. They will also work to identify and help navigate the feelings are associated with alcohol and other drug use. CBT, DBT, self-compassion and mindfulness are used to teach coping skills. This group will implement modest goal setting and exploration around the ability to adhere to set goals.
Assessments are being scheduled now for the upcoming group.
Wendy Taylor
Trauma, like most things, exists on a spectrum. The key to overcoming it is to identify where you are on that spectrum and identify your individual challenges to happiness. That’s where I come in.
In my time as an integrative hospital therapist, I learned just how essential a holistic response is to facilitating proper healing. My practice takes into account the specific details of your personhood, and will progress at the pace that works best for you – one step, one breath at a time.
In therapy, my hope is to help turn judgement into curiosity, and to convert one’s inner critic into one’s most nurturing confidant. Together we can develop strategies to face anxiety and depression with self-assurance.
Take the first step. Call or email to schedule a consultation.