Dr. Dena Galinato, PsyD. - Clinical Psychologist, License Number PSY32221

I have extensive experience in working with a diverse population of individuals, including those struggling with substance abuse, dual diagnoses, codependency, trauma, and other mental health issues. I consider myself to be an assertive and direct psychologist who prioritizes effective communication, healthy boundaries, and self-care. My ultimate goal is to help people gain the insight and coping skills necessary to live meaningful lives filled with a positive sense of self and healthy relationships.

I consider myself to be a culturally sensitive psychologist who treats each client as a unique individual. I am an action-oriented psychologist that listens with empathy while helping the client gain insight into patterns of thoughts and behaviors that can be used to make healthy and meaningful changes in their lives.

If you are an individual who is motivated for positive change and self-growth, then I encourage you to reach out to me, as I would be honored to be a part of your journey. I believe that therapy is a collaborative approach in which the end goal is always in your best interest.

Dr. Jonathan Won, PhD. - Psychological Associate, Registration Number PSB94025372

As a Chinese Filipino American, Jonathan grew up in a culture where mental health was taboo. Over time, he came to recognize the importance of mental health, which helped him train to become a psychologist. Jonathan has experience working with multiple therapeutic modalities, including CBT and DBT, and is motivated by creating social change and helping every client in some way or form. To anyone nervous about starting therapy, Jonathan says: “Nervousness is a sign of being uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable is the foundation of creating change.”

In his free time, Jonathan enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and reading.

Dr. Sabina Brown, PsyD. - Psychological Associate, Registration Number 94028166

Sabina Brown is a psychological associate and a postdoctoral fellow with UCSF. She earned her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from Meridian University in Petaluma, California. Her training at Meridian was grounded in psychodynamic and imaginal approaches and integrated holistic elements including somatic practices, relational depth work, and personal inquiry. She holds a master’s degree in psychology from Harvard University, where she developed a mindfulness-based program designed to reduce toxic stress in essential workers providing in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Brown received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with an emphasis in developmental psychology.

 Dr. Brown has worked in a range of clinical settings, including both inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment programs, as well as outpatient eating disorder recovery programs. She is a licensed Psychological Associate and has also worked in private practice, offering individual therapy to adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and life transitions. She is trained in a variety of evidence-based modalities including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and contemporary psychodynamic therapy. She has led psychoeducational groups focused on relapse prevention, shame and integrity, and self-compassion, and she integrates both structured and imaginal approaches to support clients navigating trauma, identity transitions, grief, and relational challenges.

 Her therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and depth-oriented. She blends structured clinical tools with sensitivity to each client’s inner world, history, and evolving self-understanding. Dr. Brown is passionate about creating a safe and compassionate space where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered in their process of healing and transformation.

 In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Brown is an avid traveler and writer. Her interests include contemplative psychology, equine-assisted therapy, and exploring myth, aesthetics, and meaning in everyday life.

Tiffany Thompson, MSW - LCSW & Psychological Associate, Registration Number PSB 94028872

Tiffany Thompson works primarily with adolescents, young adults, and families. Tiffany Thompson provides person centered and cognitive behavioral interventions. Her concentration focuses on cultural competency, systems perspective, and environmental influences. She has certifications as an Anger Management Specialist and is a Certified Master Addictions Counselor. 

 Tiffany Thompson earned her B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Child Development from the California State University, Fullerton. She earned her MSW from Clark Atlanta University. She went on to get her M.S. in Psychology from Walden University and has finished requirements for her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Walden University and is currently working on clinical hours as an intern.  

Rumicko Kellenberger, M.S. - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, License Number 22176

Rumicko is a therapist who believes meaningful change happens when clients feel both supported and gently challenged. Her approach is collaborative and grounded in the belief that people are not the problem—the problem is the problem. Rumicko works alongside clients as they re-author their stories in ways that align with their true and preferred selves, especially during times of transition, uncertainty, or emotional distress.

Rumicko holds two graduate degrees and specialize in Narrative Therapy, while integrating evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her work focuses on helping clients build insight, strengthen emotional regulation, clarify values, and develop practical tools that support lasting change.

Outside of her clinical work, Rumicko enjoys cycling and spending time outdoors with her family, which helps her stay grounded and connected to the values she brings into the therapy space.

Rae Lynn Johnson, M.S. - Licensed Processional Clinical Counselor, License Number 22985

If you're here, chances are life feels a little overwhelming right now—or maybe you're simply ready to understand yourself better. Whatever brought you here, I'm glad you've taken this first step.

I recently became a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor after spending the past three years working as an associate counselor. My graduate training emphasized Narrative Therapy, which is based on the belief that the stories we carry about ourselves matter. Sometimes those stories are shaped by pain, loss, relationships, or experiences that leave us feeling stuck. Together, we can explore those stories, recognize your strengths, and begin creating a narrative that reflects hope, resilience, and the person you want to become.

My work is also informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and, above all, a person-centered approach. I believe therapy isn't about someone telling you what's wrong with you—it's about creating a safe space where you can feel seen, understood, and supported as you discover what is already within you.

I'm passionate about helping people reconnect with both their minds and their bodies. We live in a world that encourages us to stay busy, push through discomfort, and ignore what our bodies are trying to tell us. I believe healing happens when we begin paying attention to the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and physical experiences. Our minds and bodies were created to work together, and that connection can become a powerful source of insight and healing.

I also believe we are more than our accomplishments. So often we measure our worth by what we do, how much we achieve, or how well we meet others' expectations. But those things don't define who we are, especially during seasons of change, grief, or personal struggle. My hope is to help you discover who you are underneath the pressure to perform and create space for you to live more authentically.

My goal is simple: to offer a place where you can take off the mask, be fully yourself, and know you don't have to navigate life's challenges alone. It would be a privilege to walk alongside you as you grow, heal, and become the person you were created to be.

Deshina Nanthakumar, M.S. - Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, Registration Number 12067

Deshina is a Registered Associate Professional Counselor in the state of California. She graduated with a bachelors in psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara before obtaining a masters in school and clinical counseling from California State University, San Bernardino. Deshina is a Narrative trained therapist who specializes in connecting your stories of the past with your unique definition of a life “well-lived,” in order to promote healing and happiness. She has worked in community mental health with children for 2 years serving San Bernardino County of Schools. Currently her areas of specialty in working with adults and couples are sex, relationships, LGBTQQIIA+, neurodivergence, disabilities, and creative professionals. In her downtime Deshina’s hobbies include travel, singing, hiking, cooking, interior design, and painting greeting cards to send to friends & family abroad.

Professional:

Acceptance. Boundaries. Clarity. As a dedicated couples therapist, Deshina specializes in helping partners navigate difficulties to help support your needs in your relationship. We will focus on improved communication with your partner, attachment security, acceptance and trust. Helping is what she does best. If you find yourselves having the same arguments, feeling hopeless, or unable to express yourself, Shina will help you both identify, address and change these patterns.

Personal:

Deshina loves to sing, dance, hike, play with her two cats Pumpkin and Diesel, travel and try new things with her partner, go to music festivals, concerts and shows, break a sweat in the gym lifting weights, interior design and decorate, film the world and her place in it to create transformative art on YouTube, cook Vegan meals, embrace all the seasons and cultural traditions and celebrations, support local business, and create community.

Melanie Wells, M.S. - Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker, Registration Number 125971

Melanie brings over ten years of experience in mental health support, particularly in the addiction field, and is also trained in EMDR therapy. Melanie’s approach centers on uncovering and harnessing your inner strengths to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and clarity. Together, we’ll explore patterns that may be holding you back and develop skills to manage overwhelming emotions. Melanie is passionate about guiding clients to live true to their highest self, believing that everyone has the potential to achieve their goals and build fulfilling, authentic connections. Sometimes, we all need a bit of support in our journey of self-discovery—and Melanie is here to help you become your best self.

Meet the Holistic Instructors

Riana Youngken - Yoga & Sound Baths

Riana Jane Youngken is an SFSU alumna and registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) who has been teaching since 2023. Drawing from her background in Environmental Studies and her yoga training, she creates classes where students feel supported, empowered, and safe to learn at their own pace. Riana teaches at several local gyms and the GrapeSeed Spa, blending mindful movement with her passion for holistic health, community building, and sound healing. When she’s not teaching or practicing yoga, you can find her baking and exploring creative ways to nurture wellness in everyday life.

Richard Takahashi - Body/Mind Practitioner & Taiji Qigong

Born and raised in Hawaii, parents of Hawaiian / Japanese descent, swimming, diving, playing with the pigs at his grandfather’s farm or eating sugarcane & pineapple that was freshly picked was all-natural part of growing up in islands. When it came to Martial arts training at 12 years old that too was natural.

From his past martial art masters who also were healers, inspired him to pursue studies in Holistic Health. He was ordained as a “Sohei” warrior Buddhist monk in 2008 of the Chen Yen Shingon school. Eastern healing and religious traditions taught, mind & body are one and humans are part of nature. Going against the laws of nature and thinking body & mind are separate, caused humans to experience physical & mental suffering. He has passed down these experiences & teachings (energy healing, meditation, body/mind movements) to various body / mind schools, YMCA’S and SDSU.

When he’s not teaching, he spends his time practicing White Crane martial arts, reading, lap swimming in the pool or just laying around with his black cat name Vajra.

Chanelle Neilson - Yoga, Meditation, Breath Work, & Visualization

Chanelle Neilson has been teaching fitness since 1996 and yoga since 2005. Her yoga journey began in a senior women’s class, where she was inspired by how strong, mobile, and calm these women were. Seeing the benefits of yoga in action made her decide she wanted it to be part of her life forever.

Chanelle loves creating classes that feel good in the body and leave students feeling better than when they arrived. Her focus is on awareness, ease, and enjoying the experience rather than pushing or perfecting poses. She teaches yoga, meditation, breathwork, and visualization, offering a well-rounded, accessible practice for all levels.

A Southern California native and mom of five, Chanelle brings warmth, authenticity, and real-life balance into every class.

Hannah Rios - Dance Therapy

Hannah is a Therapeutic Dance Instructor. Her connection to dance started early and was shaped by her family and culture, from dancing in the kitchen to old-school R&B with her mom, to grooving together at family gatherings to Colombian Cumbia.

Over the years, Hannah explored hip-hop, contemporary, Latin, and more experimental movement styles. Along the way, she discovered dance was not only about choreography or looking nice, but was an incredibly powerful way to express emotion, heal, and come home to oneself. It seemed to be something that could help everyone, not only "dancers". Hannah is especially drawn to creative spaces that value freedom, curiosity, and authenticity, where movement doesn’t have to look a certain way to be meaningful.

For Hannah, therapeutic dance is about learning how to feel by paying attention to what’s happening in the body, building awareness, and finding healthy ways to express what’s there. It is truly one of her favorite things to encourage and create safety for others as they discover their own rhythm, flow, and expression through movement. It is a way to learn how to feel safe with yourself, honor your body, and connect to yourself and others with liberation. Hannah is deeply honored to be able to share and act as a guide through this art and expression!

Jordan Thomas - Yoga & Yoga Nidra

Jordan first found yoga over a decade ago, and fell in love with the mind-body-spirit connection instantly. Watching how her life evolved for the better, she continued to practice and seek more knowledge beyond the asana (physical) practice. She traveled to Bali, Indonesia to complete her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training certification, where she studied Hatha, Vinyasa and Restorative yoga, along with pranayama, meditation, and yogic philosophy. She enjoys to teach these forms of yoga, as well as Yoga Nidra and gentle, mobility-based yoga, offering classes that support nervous system regulation, mindful movement, and deep rest.

With additional certifications in Reiki I & II, Jordan is passionate about exploring natural, holistic pathways to healing and well-being. Her teaching integrates breath, movement, and energetic awareness to create a safe, nurturing space where students can reconnect with themselves and support their own healing journey. She may also be known to offer a few tips in Ayurvedic health, delicious seasonal recipes, and inspiring authors to read!

Jimmie Herron - EFT Tapping

Jimmie Herron is an EFT Master Practitioner specializing in the clinical application of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) as a structured, regulation-based intervention. His work is grounded in a regulation-first model, emphasizing stabilization of the nervous system prior to behavioral change to improve consistency and outcomes.

Drawing on the science of EFT, Jimmie delivers practical, measurable, and repeatable tapping protocols designed to reduce distress, improve emotional regulation, and support functional decision-making. His approach translates EFT into clear, skills-based methods that can be applied across recovery, stress management, and overall wellness.

Certified EFT Master Practitioner, Homeopathic practitioner,His integrative model combines evidence-based strategies with energy psychology to support sustainable regulation and long-term behavioral change.