Alameda County Resource Page

Meridian Brady is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist. She received her MA at Meridian University in 2012 and has been with Wellness Together since December 2021. Before her time at Wellness Together, she offered both individual and group therapy to adults and children in a multitude of settings including private practice, residential rehab, hospital, and children’s camp. As an east coast transplant living in the Bay Area for nearly two decades, her therapeutic approach is a blend of both coasts: directive with compassion and curiosity. She tailors her sessions to what works best for the student which may include CBT, strength-based and solutions-focused work, mindfulness, guided imagery, parts work, and expressive arts. In her free time, you’ll find Meridian adventuring out in nature, listening or dancing to music, taking photos, or exploring new cultures through travel.

Madison is from Minneapolis, Minnesota and has been living in the Bay Area for 10 years. She received her Masters in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2022. She focuses on Internal Family Systems (aka “Parts Work”) and body-based modalities in her therapy with adults and children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the Oakland hills.

Gladis Rivas is from the Bay Area, originally born and raised in San Francisco, and lives in Oakland. Gladis received their Bachelors from Holy Names University with a B.A. in Criminology and a minor in Psychology. Gladis received her M.A. at Holy Names University in Marriage and Family Counseling. She has worked as a behavioral therapist with children who have autism for about 3 years and has worked with adults as well as children and adolescents in a school setting both through Telehealth and in person for about a year and a half. She enjoys going on hikes and spending time at home watching old kid shows. Gladis fluently speaks Spanish and English.

Greg is from Los Angeles and is a Mental Health Specialist. He received his B.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from California State University, East Bay. Greg is working toward his M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Golden Gate University. For the past year, Greg has worked with youth at a nonprofit organization helping young adults complete their High School Diplomas as well as serving as a Behavior Technician. He enjoys videogames and sports!

Faith is from the Sierra Foothills and received a dual Bachelor's degree in both Psychology and Women’s Studies at Sacramento State University. She has also earned a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at William Jessup University. Her educational background allows opportunities for increased cultural and intersectional awareness when connecting with students. Over the course of the last four years, she has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including group homes, a short-term psychiatric facility, and a university resource center. Additionally, she has gained clinical experience working at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in her time with Wellness Together. She adores the simplicities of day-to-day life and often finds herself favoring a slow cup of coffee in the mornings and playing with her hyperactive pup.

Lyra is from the Bay Area and is a WT Mental Health Specialist. She received her Bachelors with a B.S. in Psychology and Brain Sciences with a minor in Applied Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She is currently working on completing her graduate degree from California State University, East Bay in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has experience volunteering at the Crisis Text Line and has also counseled elementary school students. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and all things arts-and-crafts related!

Phoenix Mandel (they/them) lives in the Bay Area and is a Mental Health Specialist. They received their B.A. in Peace Studies with an emphasis in Sociology and an English and Comparative Literature minor from Chapman University. Phoenix then earned their Multisubject Teaching Credential from California State University Northridge. Later, they received their AASECT Sexuality Educator Certification from study with the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment. Currently, they are earning their M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy with California State University East Bay. Phoenix specializes in LGBTQIA+, disability/ health/ access concerns, and relational skill-building. Phoenix has worked in and with schools for nearly 20 years, both as an educator and in a mental health capacity, and in-person as well as telehealth. Their time teaching kindergarten and their time guest lecturing at universities were both special experiences that have them excited to return to a school setting. When not at work, Phoenix loves exploring nature/ outdoor adventure, as well as being somewhere cozy to drink tea and read a novel.

Antonio is Registered Marriage and Family Therapist from Oakland, CA and is a Bilingual Mental Health Specialist. Antonio's pronouns are he/him and he received his Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts from Holy Names University. In his downtime, Antonio enjoys playing video games, watching anime, and enjoys practicing Mixed Martial Arts. He also is bilingual and speaks Spanish and English.

Katherine Winters is from South Hayward, CA. She is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her B.A in Psychology from California State University East Bay (CSUEB) abd her Masters in marriage and Family Therapy at CSUEB as well. She is currently persuing her education further, working towards her doctorate. Previously, Katherine worked in hospitality and as an In-Home Care Provider for children on the Autism spectrum and youth who can benefit from additional support in the household. When she is not in class or on campus,  you will find her shopping for plants and playing with her fur-baby, Kacie-Sno, who is an albino Siberian Husky and loves the outdoors and chasing squirrels. 

Reenah is from the Bay Area and is a Mental Health Specialist and a Student Support Counselor. She received her B.A. in psychology from Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Holy Names University in Oakland, California. Reenah has worked in the mental health field for about two years, gaining experience in a school-based setting serving children and adolescents and in a community-based center serving children, adolescents, and adults. Reenah enjoys traveling and cooking.

Harpreet (she/they) was raised in Modesto, California and is a Mental Health Specialist. They have received their B.S. in Business Management, with an option in Accounting from Cal State East Bay. They have recently returned to CSU East Bay to receive her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy. For the past few years, Harpreet has enjoyed working with women, the queer community, and other marginalized populations. Outside of work, she is very passionate about traveling, reading, and is currently working hard to become better at gardening! Harpreet's first language is Punjabi and she is able to understand and speak Hindi at a beginner's level.

Jonell is from the Bay Area and is a Mental Health Specialist. He received his B.A. in Psychology at Cal State East Bay. He is currently working on his M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy degree. He worked with kids as an ABA therapist for a year before he joined Wellness Together. He enjoys music and games/board games and being a member of a choir in his k-12 years.

Wajma Nasir was born in Afghanistan, but moved to many countries including Pakistan and Canada before landing in Newark, California. She is a Mental Health Clinician with Wellness Together and  a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor. She recieved her AA in Early Childhood Education from Seneca College in Toronto, Canada and completed her BA in Psychology in Toronto, Canada from York University. She completed her MA in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Fransisco.She hsas been with Wellness Together serving elementary school students since February 2022. She also serve as a Domestic Violence Advocate with North American Islamic Shelter for the Abused: NISA. Wajma love to cook and spend time with her family.

Neal is from Colorado and is a Mental Health Specialist. He received his Bachelors from University of California, Davis with a B.S. in Psychology. Neal is currently working on completing his M.S. in Counseling Psychology at California State University, East Bay. Neal enjoys all things sports-related and he loves to cook as well.

Samantha is from Southern California and is a Mental Health Specialist with Wellness Together. She received her Bachelor's from The University of Oregon with a B.S. in Psychology and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University. In her free time, Samantha enjoys creative writing and spending time outdoors.

Hsin-Yi Wang is from Taiwan and is a Mental Health Specialist (MHS). They currently attend the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Drama Therapy. Their specializations are Immigration/Acculturation, QTBIPOC, LGBTQ, Gender Identity, and Drama Therapy. They worked at a K-8 school with Hispanic and Black students in San Fransisco. Hsin-Yi enjoys playing volleyball and improv acting. Hsin-Yi fluently speaks Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English.

Michaella Dean (she/her) is originally from Sweden. She is currently working towards her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is fluent in Swedish and Dutch. Michaella enjoys being outdoors and going hiking. She also loves playing basketball and just being active in general.

Hello everyone, my name is Hin Lay, and I go by Nicky. I am an intern at Wellness Together as a Mental Health Specialist. I'm approaching my last year at Golden Gate University. I am very thrilled and super excited. Sounds abnormal but I practice calculus in my free time.. I am bilingual, Vietnamese speaking. 

Stacy is a Mental Health Specialist who resides in the East Bay. She received her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. She is passionate about helping young people and for the last two years has been providing premarital counseling to young couples. She enjoys spending time with her three children, cooking, and exercising. Stacy grew up in China and she speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.

Dan Chung is from San Francisco and is a Mental Health Specialist. He currently attends Fuller Theological Seminary for an M.S. in MFT and received his Bachelor's from San Francisco State University with a B.S. in Marketing. He has worked for many years with adolescents brought a non-profit youth organization and as a substitute teacher. Dan enjoys surfing and watching soccer. He fluently speaks Korean.

Val is from Northern California and is a Mental Health Specialist for Wellness Together. They received their B.A. in Environmental Studies from San Francisco State University. Val is currently working on earning their M.A. in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute. For the past year, they have served LGBTQIA+ individuals by taking calls for a crisis hotline. Val enjoys horror movies and their two dogs.

Spencer Wilkinson is a Mental Health Specialist with Wellness Together from Marin County, California. He received his Bachelors in Literature from University of California, Santa Cruz, and is currently attending Palo Alto University in pursuit of a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Spencer conducted individual therapy with elementary students during the 2022-2023 school year. He enjoys creative writing and playing tabletop games.

Anna Cox hails from Vacaville, California, and currently resides in Fairfield with her many pets. She has an Associate of Arts in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Media and Technology, and currently is completing her Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy at the University of Phoenix Sacramento. Anna's upbringing focused on serving others and especially serving the youth in her community. Anna has experience mentoring and tutoring adolescents, tutoring elementary school-aged children in reading programs. Outside of academia and work, she is an avid gardener who loves animals, reading, and gaming. She has always wanted to work in a school as a therapist and feels so honored to be given the privilege to do so. She has a real passion for adolescents and is looking forward to the challenges and growth ahead of us all this year!

Misa is from the Bay Area and is a Mental Health Specialist at Wellness Together. She received her Bachelor degree from Dominican University of California and currently attends Pepperdine University as part of the Clinical Psychology Masters Program on the LPCC track. Misa has a special interest in child and adolescent populations from a trauma and culturally informed lens. In her free time, Misa enjoys all things creative and spends her time DIYing and learning photography.

Meet Ashley, a Mental Health Specialist at Wellness Together. She holds a bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University and is currently pursuing her masters in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University, specializing in working with children of all ages. Ashley's professional background includes a Behavior and Climate Coordinator role with the San Francisco Unified School District. In this position, she played a vital role in creating a wellness-centered and trauma-informed environment for elementary school students, focusing on behavior goals, social-emotional skills, and academic strategies. Ashley is a San Francisco resident originally from Orange County, CA, and enjoys traveling between both places and cherishes quality time with friends and family.

Joelle is originally from the Bay Area and is a School-based Health Specialist. She received her B.A. in Psychology from California State University East Bay. Joelle is currently pursuing her M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University. For the past 8 months, Joelle has served as a school-based clinical intern for middle-school-aged youth in person. She enjoys exercising, journaling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Sara is from Southern California and is a Mental Health Specialist. She received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Law, Justice, and Social Control from Chapman University. She is currently at California State University, East Bay getting her Master’s of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. Sara has worked in residential settings for teens with substance use and mental health, and this is what sparked her passion for therapy and wellness. She enjoys all things crafting and creating the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Swami is from the Bay Area and is a Mental Health Specialist. He graduated from Cal State Northridge with a BA in Communication. Swami is getting his MA in Counseling Psychology at Golden Gate University. Swami has been teaching mindfulness to the youth for the past decade and has been meditating himself for 17 years.

Hi, I'm Nathalie (she/her/ella)! I'm Master’s student enrolled in the Counseling Psychology Program at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. Prior to this, I studied Psychology at Arizona State University and worked within the Staffing organization at Google. During undergrad, I worked as a program facilitator in the Social Impact department at Girl Scouts in Phoenix, Arizona. I enjoy connecting with youth, learning about their story and offering guidance to empower them in their journey. In my free time, I loooove trying new restaurants in my community and watching a really good drama or funny reality tv (there's no in between)!

Michael Thornton serves as a Mental Health Specialist II for Wellness Together. He grew up on the Oregon Coast, and has enjoyed living in Placer County since 2016. Michael received his B.A. from Life Pacific University, in Ministry and Leadership; and his M.A. from William Jessup University, in Counseling Psychology. He is currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) and progressing toward licensure by the CA Board of Behavioral Science (BBS). When he isn’t working, Michael enjoys getting outside and doing just about anything. However, he also appreciates time curling up with a good book (self-help, adventure, and even some sci-fi and financial advice).

Evan Keeler-Wolf is from Oakland California. He received his Bachelor's from Oberlin College in Environmental Studies and Psychology. He then earned a Special Education teaching credential from San Francisco State while working as a 5th-grade teacher in Oakland public schools. After teaching, he worked as a coach, mentor, and therapeutic aide specializing in working with children, young adults, and their families. Evan is currently pursuing his Master's degree in counseling at CSU East Bay and become a Marriage and Family Therapist. Evan finds balance and inspiration outside of work by regularly communing with nature as a landscape photographer. He is deeply involved in the Bay Area hip-hop community as an active and long-time beat-maker and producer.

Shibo is from Newbury Park, California and his pronouns are he and him. He graduated from UC Riverside with his Bachelor in Psychology, Law and Society. He got his masters in Psychology from CSU Chico in 2020, with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy. He is fluent in Mandarin. In Shibo's spare time, he likes to shred on the guitar and go on adventures with his pet Chihuahua, Pedro.

Crystal Vasquez is originally from Southern California and is a Mental Health Specialist. Crystal (she/her/hers) received her bachelor's degree from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Psychology, and she currently attends Cal State East Bay working towards a Counseling, M.S. degree, Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration. Crystal has previously served youth by volunteering in school-based settings and at Children’s Treatment Services, a county mental health clinic. She enjoys all things related to nail art and reading.

Annie lives in Cherryland, CA and is currently an MHS. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Houston and is currently working toward her masters as a MFT at CSU East Bay. Annie has previously done a great deal of somato-emotional release work, during her prior job as a massage therapist. This is her first traineeship and she will begin a second one in the fall.