Hello! I’m Yvonne O’Brien, a trauma informed psychotherapist based in Santa Cruz, CA. My experience includes providing grief support for bereaved adults and children in a hospice environment; psychiatric social worker/case manager for adults and geriatric populations with acute mental disorders in a county mental health setting; and, group facilitator and therapist for teens and their families facing issues due to domestic violence and teen dating violence with Peace It Together Counseling Agency.Currently, Yvonne has a private practice in Santa Cruz, Life In Motion Therapy, and is also providing group supervision for interns working with Peace It Together.

Did you know that therapy can be fun!? Throughout my 7 years in the mental health field, I have offered a fun and relatable type of therapy for teens, young adults, and those who are young at heart. I love working with Autistic teens and adults, helping them navigate a world that doesn’t always fit them. Everyone deserves to be seen, understood, and cared about in this life.

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Martina Bakilana is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has over 15 years of work experience working with clients from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds in culturally diverse settings both in nonprofit sectors, and government agencies. Her modalities include, but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution focused, client centered and Gestalt. Martina Bakilana is a mother of two boys, she was born in Tanzania, and grew up in Botswana. She lives in the Bay Area with her partner and 2 children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and experiencing the beauty of our natural world.

With over 10 years of experience in community mental health, Norma Covarrubias is a seasoned bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a compassionate approach to helping individuals and families navigate adversity. Her private practice since 2021 has focused on supporting those struggling with anxiety, depression, and childhood traumas, leveraging her extensive knowledge to facilitate healing and growth. As a first-generation Latinx therapist, Norma brings a unique perspective and understanding to your work, allowing you to create a safe and non-judgmental space for BIPOC individuals to share their stories and process emotions. Norma’s commitment to cultural competence is a vital part of the healing process, and making sure clients feel seen, heard, and validated in their experiences under her care. In addition to her private practice, she is also committed to providing clinical supervision and support to trainees and interns here at PIT, offering guidance to assist in developing their skills and confidence.

Sarah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides supervision to our associate therapists and interns. She earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Griffith University in Australia. She has been working in acute inpatient mental health settings, and outpatient substance abuse programs for over 25 years. She has experience with treating depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, anger issues, substance abuse, and relationship issues in adults and adolescents. She has utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-focused therapy, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. She currently has the AAMFT Supervisor designation and is working toward EMDR certification.

Monique Robertson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in attachment and trauma with teens and adults. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Cultural Studies from Mount St. Mary's University, and obtained her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. Her experience includes various roles in community mental health agencies, substance abuse recovery centers, and private practice settings. She is currently pursuing the CAMFT Certified Supervisor certification and EMDR certification.

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Deborah Hennessee is a Licensed MFT and Licensed 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 is an integrationist, and applies evidence-based treatments using a trauma-informed, positive psychology-framed, and strengths-based approach. Deborah works with those experiencing life challenges in a manner that empowers them to increase their well-being and life satisfaction. She has over six years of experience serving as a crisis counselor in the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department. Deborah is a member of both the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals, couples, families, and the community in which we live.

Daniell Bellow is a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Trainee. She is currently earning her Masters in Counseling at Palo Alto University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz where she was part of a team that studied children’s cognitive and language development in the context of social interactions and focused on family conversations about science topics in museum settings. Daniell has a strong connection to counseling and is interested in working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Daniell was born and raised in San Jose, California. Outside of work and school, she enjoys raising her two rambunctious toddlers, reading, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Her goal for therapy is to create a safe, comfortable place where individuals, couples, and families can get the mental support they need.

Lisa is a student at CIIS (California Institute of Integral Studies) earning her masters degree in Integral Counseling Psychology. She will be pursuing her MFT and LPCC licensing. Lisa has many years of experience in tech work in silicon valley but has long been interested in changing careers to psychotherapy. She also has over 20 years of experience as a volunteer counselor on the Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Service (SACS) hotline. Also, Lisa has been fully trained in the Hakomi method. Lisa’s undergraduate degree was in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia (her hometown). Lisa is also a single mother whose daughter is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology. Lisa has also been playing pool in a local league for a few years and is an accomplished private pilot.