Justin Azevedo MFT Trainee
Phone: (408) 689 8104
Justin Azevedo is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Notre Dame De Namur University. Justin is currently studying marriage and family therapy- trauma studies at Pacific Oaks College in San Jose. He also works as a paraeducator in the special day class at a Sunnyvale elementary school. Previous to this employment, Justin taught Taekwondo to children, adolescents and adults.
Laura Buskirk MFT Trainee
Phone: (408) 689 8104 ext. 12
Laura is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southwest Baptist University and is currently studying Counseling with an emphasis in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Laura has over 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings within the mental health and substance abuse fields. She has an interest in scapegoating and trauma both of which have been an ongoing focus in her work.
Kenneth Chargois Jr. PCC Trainee
Phone: (408) 689 8104 ext. 8
Growing up in the Bay Area, I was considered “at-risk” of repeating cycles of poverty, violence, substance abuse and mental illness due to my environment growing up. Thanks to various adults in my life (friends of the family, teachers/counselors and community leaders), I was able to develop resilience in my circumstances and became the first person in my family to graduate from college with a Bachelors Degree. For this reason, I consider myself an embodiment of what Tupac Shakur called, “A rose that grew from the concrete”. I received my Bachelors in Human Development with an option in Childhood Development from CSU East Bay in 2013.
Over the past year, I have worked as a School Counselor in training with middle-school aged youth in San Jose, CA. As a result of working with families, administration and the community, client’s experienced positive changes in their behaviors and attitudes. I am both grateful and humbled to be able to work with today’s youth and be for them, the adult I needed as a youth.
My approach to working with youth, is to let them narrate their own stories and provide accurate mirroring and attunement, so that they may develop an increased awareness of sense of self and improve their understanding and expression of feelings. I also utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to interrupt negative thinking and create honorable journeys out of their seemingly gratuitous pain.
“I’m not saying that I’m going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” -Tupac Shakur
Khadija Comans MFT Trainee
Phone: (408) 689 8104 ext. 7
Khadija Comans is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee working on her M.A in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Francisco, San Jose Branch Campus. She has obtained her B.A in Psychology from California State University, East Bay in 2016. Since 2012, she has worked with the special needs population; mainly children effected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Khadija currently continues to work with the special needs population and with children and adolescents with other Neurodevelopmental Disorders, such as: Conduct Disorder, Emotional Dysregulation, Depression/Anxiety Disorder and an array of physical disabilities. She provides educational goals, suicide assessments and counseling to this population. She strives to continue this work while focusing on adolescents with Substance Abuse Disorders and the challenges they face while working towards harm reduction and sobriety.
Daniel Davis Consulting Supervisor
I create an environment where clients experience significance, empowerment, and acceptance. I collaborate with clients to identify solutions to their current crises. I enable clients to recognize their ability to consciously develop their unique potential.
Since 1994, I have used EMDR to assist clients in resolving interpersonal problems related to trauma. Since 1996, I have done play therapy, art therapy and sandtray therapy with children. I’ve studied Jungian dream analysis since 1986.
From 1995 to 2001, working with the publisher of the MBTI, I assisted psychiatrists, psychologists, and corporate trainers worldwide with career development and organizational development issues. I’ve facilitated team building and leadership development with religious organizations, educational institutions, and major corporations such as Wells Fargo Bank and Hewlett-Packard.
From 2007 to 2009, I served on the Board of Directors of the Guild for Psychological Studies. I have been serving on the Board of Directors for Four Springs Retreat Center since 2012. Since 2013, I have been a Consulting Supervisor with Peace It Together, a non-profit dedication to a peaceful community.
Chelsea Hall PCC Trainee
Phone: (408) 689 8104 ext. 11
Chelsea is a Professional Clinical Counselor trainee and is currently earning her master’s degree at Santa Clara University in Clinical Counseling. She graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and Social Action from Palo Alto University where she found an interest in working with at risk youth and underserved populations. Chelsea has 4 years experience in behavioral therapy working with children and is passionate about gaining more clinical experience with adolescents.
Chelsea has a desire to help youth develop healthy skills and tools in order to face life’s struggles and achieve their goals.
Deborah Hennessee Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, IMF 101455Associate Professional Clinical Counselor IPC 14574
Phone: (408) 689 8104 ext. 3
Deborah Hennessee is an Associate MFT and Associate PCC who completed her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University. She has also finished an M.A. in Experimental and Research Psychology from San Jose State University. Her thesis topic concerned life stress, problem-focused coping, and positive affect. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Communication Studies, from San Jose State University. Deborah is a lifetime member of several academic organizations and honors societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, and Psi Chi – the International Honor Society in Psychology.
Deborah’s clinical areas of focus include life stress, life transitions, traumatic stress, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, problem-focused coping, positive reappraisals, positive affect, empowerment, and resilience. She has over 8 years of experience serving as a crisis counselor in the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department. Deborah is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals so that there may be a cumulative effect, proceeding to families and the community.
Kelli Clark MFT Trainee
Phone: (408) 689 8104 ext. 2
Kelli Clark is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, studying Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University. She also received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Santa Clara University. She moved to the Bay Area from overseas and loved it so much that she’s decided to make it her home. Kelli has worked closely with children and teenagers for most of her high school and college experience, and previously worked as an Intervention Specialist for teenagers with autism. She is a volunteer coach for an inclusive soccer program and believes deeply in teaching and learning how to value all others for exactly who they are. Kelli has also developed a passion for Correctional Psychology and is hoping to be an advocate for those who have wounds to heal and stories to share.
Anna Livingston MFT Trainee
Phone: (408) 689 8104 ext. 10
Anna was raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and has been living in the Bay Area for over 5 years now. She is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee earning her Master’s in Counseling from Palo Alto University. Anna got her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage and is a Certified Suicide and Crisis Counselor. Anna wants to help others identify and develop their personal strengths and resources, so they may navigate the challenges of life with healthy habits and positive relationships. Anna joined Peace-It-Together Counseling Agency in January.
Adam Moreno Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Phone: (408) 689 8104 ext. 6
Adam Moreno is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. He graduated from San Jose State with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. Since 2001, he has worked in the community with a passion to help others realize their strengths and potential to succeed. He has worked with the Transitional Age Youth, families, veterans and the homeless population. He has been on the committee for the Gilroy gang task force and City of San Jose project homeless connect.
He is in his final year of graduate school at JFK University studying Holistic Counseling Psychology, MFT track, and will be graduating in the summer of 2016. At Peace-It-Together, Adam can continue to help youth realize their strengths and potentials that can lead a successful and productive life. He is bilingual, which makes him a great addition to an already strong and supportive team.
Mary Prolo Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Mary brings to the table experience partnering with a broad range of clients presenting multiple issues. Working in various venues such as Santa Clara County (Substance Use Treatment Services), Bill Wilson Center (Residential), EMQ (currently Uplift) (Wrap Services) and Santa Clara Unified, Mary over the past 13 years has facilitated exploration with clients utilizing a variety of interventions appropriate to presenting issues to help client base define and obtain therapeutic goals.
Mary received her BA, cum laude, (emphasis on Psychology and Education) from Villanova University. In addition, Mary received her MA in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco.
Mary’s volunteer experience has included: Rape Crisis Center; Center for Living with Dying; Village House (working with homeless).
Volunteers
Kristin Smith Outreach Presenter
My name is Kristin Smith and I am truly grateful and proud to hold the position of Outreach Coordinator for Peace-It-Together. Since April of 2013 I have been devoted to educating the youth in our community on teen dating violence via the classroom and youth organizations. I have worked hard to reflect the compassion,
professionalism and goals that our organization is recognized for as well as aim for the growth of our outreach program.
I completed my undergraduate degree with honors at San Jose State where I majored in Psychology. I am a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to foster youth at Child Advocates of Silicon Valley and enjoy doing activities with my foster youth and for the organization in my spare time. I am a mother of 2 daughters with whom a lot of my time is committed in raising them healthy, happy and educated.
I have overcome a past full of adversity which is where my deep passion for psychology derives from. Dating violence is a very relevant part of my past and I am dedicated to spreading awareness on such a widespread issue occurring in our society today. I strive to support human services with the objective to provide a better quality of life for individuals and families throughout the community. I believe learning is a lifelong process and hope to continue my education to obtain my graduate degree soon.
