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.
Chronic Pain
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.
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.
Courageous Living Skills Class
If you are a WOMAN who has experienced more than your fair share of pain, this group is for you.
Do you find that you must show up everyday and be BRAVE just to make it through?
Press the PAUSE button on shame spirals, panic attacks, isolation, confusion and all sorts of unpleasant experiences that have taken your JOY, POWER and SELF-CONFIDENCE.
The COURAGEOUS LIVING SKILLS CLASS is a space where you can LEARN to:
– land in the present moment
– breathe with greater ease
– create community with women who ‘get it’
– use skills and techniques that make living easier
When awful things happen, it is human nature that we close ourselves to experiences that could lead to more hurt. What many people don’t learn, though, is how to unlock the pain and grief that is held within.
We’ve got you.
Within the Courageous Living Skills Class, we welcome you and all parts of you. For 1 hour per week, you are invited to learn simple tools and practice simple skills that will magnify clarity and calm in your life.
We are focused on removing the blocks that are keeping you from living an empowered life as well as keeping a focus on where you want to go and building habits that will get you there.
You will never be pressed to share more than you want. Your privacy is important. Everything you do talk about in the group is just for us to know and work through together.
Understand more about what happens to people when they encounter overwhelming experiences, get to know your individual strengths, the strengths of your community and positively transform your life and the life of those around you.
NEXT Step?
Call or email our office to schedule an intake chat. This gives Wendy and Marissa an opportunity to get to know you better, to answer any questions you have about the group and will also serve as an opportunity to support you with preparing for the learning and growing experience ahead.
Relational Growth Group for Bodies of Culture
For adults who are ready to go from internal turmoil and suffering as the result of old wounds to thriving with internal safety and social confidence!
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to better understand your inner world and how to:
– slow down or completely stop being triggered & high jacked
– quiet the inner critic or inner perfectionist that sabotages your greatest efforts
– release yourself from the grip of stuck, stale and painful relationship patterns
This group uses Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a foundation for teaching about parts of your personality and exploring how they interact with each other. Group members will learn to recognize and identify those emotions, thoughts and reactions that create internal and external challenges throughout life. Sessions will include getting to know those parts of ourselves, and learning how to access the core qualities of a Self that is present within all of us.
With others, you will have an opportunity to:
– Work through discomfort and anxiety so that you can achieve the level of closeness and intimacy you desire
– Courageously connect with vulnerability and anger rather than engaging in avoidance and repression
– Experiment with expression of Self which will help you to increase assertiveness, self-confidence and calm
– Practice welcoming all of your parts while increasing presence, awareness and mindfulness
IFS is a powerful tool that can help you achieve greater well-being and balance by not only becoming more aware of these internal patterns, but by going toward them with curiosity and compassion to better understand and heal them.
Get to know your Self better, understand why you act the way you do, and develop a toolkit you can use to empower your sense of courage and creativity.
NEXT Step? Email our office to schedule a brief phone chat with leaders Karla. We would be delighted to answer any questions you have about the group and support you with preparing for the learning and growing experience ahead.
All Identity Adult Relational Growth Group
For accomplished adults who are ready to go from internal turmoil and suffering as the result of old wounds to thriving with internal safety and social confidence!
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to better understand your inner world and how to:
– slow down or completely stop being triggered & high jacked
– quiet the inner critic or inner perfectionist that sabotages your greatest efforts
– release yourself from the grip of stuck, stale and painful relationship patterns
This group uses Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a foundation for teaching about parts of your personality and exploring how they interact with each other. Group members will learn to recognize and identify those emotions, thoughts and reactions that create internal and external challenges throughout life. Sessions will include getting to know those parts of ourselves, and learning how to access the core qualities of a Self that is present within all of us.
With others, you will have an opportunity to:
– Work through discomfort and anxiety so that you can achieve the level of closeness and intimacy you desire
– Courageously connect with vulnerability and anger rather than engaging in avoidance and repression
– Experiment with expression of Self which will help you to increase assertiveness, self-confidence and calm
– Practice welcoming all of your parts while increasing presence, awareness and mindfulness
IFS is a powerful tool that can help you achieve greater well-being and balance by not only becoming more aware of these internal patterns, but by going toward them with curiosity and compassion to better understand and heal them.
Get to know your Self better, understand why you act the way you do, and develop a toolkit you can use to empower your sense of courage and creativity.
NEXT Step? Email our office to schedule a brief phone chat with Karla. We would be delighted to answer any questions you have about the group and support you with preparing for the learning and growing experience ahead.
Leticia Vaca
Leticia Vaca, MSW, LCSW is the CEO of Urban Health Group LLC and Bay Area Native. It turns out that, like a growing number of families across the United States, she has personal experience with family confronting the challenges of mental illness, substance abuse and physical aliments. Leticia has 15 years experience in field of health, human services, and mental health. In addition to private practice, she works as a medical social worker and has been a hospital discharge planner in the healthcare industry throughout the East Bay and San Francisco areas.
She graduated from University of California, Riverside with a B.A. in Psychology, where she also received a Proclamation of Service from Mayor Ronald Loveridge of Riverside for involvement within the local community. Of equal experiential value is her work as a case manager for community based programs where she confronted the practical issues that often complicate the delivery of services to those in need. She earned a Masters in Social Work from California State University, East Bay with an Emphasis in Community Mental Health. Leticia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California (LCSW#77386).
She is a strengths-based, solution-focused practitioner, who believes in the internal strengths of people and communities. She enjoys running, weekend hikes, dancing to live music, cooking, and laughing with friends and family.
Living Well with Illness and Pain Group
Designed for adults struggling to cope with an illness, injury or pain. Medical problems, new or ongoing, can flip your world upside down. Get support around addressing the emotional impact of living with pain/illness like anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship challenges.
Learn coping skills and discover new ways to enjoy a meaningful life.