A positive connection to a caring adult is vital to the healthy development of every child.
A Home Within's Local Chapters offer a unique approach to the mental health needs of foster children. Through our simple formula, "One child. One therapist. For as long as it takes," we offer pro bono psychotherapy to current and former foster youth. This simple, yet very powerful guiding principle attracts clinicians who want to give to their communities in a meaningful way. Using a private practice model, children are seen in their therapist's office. Each therapist takes responsibility for collaborative work with the child or adolescent's caregivers, teachers, and social workers, as the need arises.
Senior clinicians provide pro bono consultation, and volunteer psychotherapists have access to ongoing education and training, an expanded referral base, and a network of colleagues. They also feel confident that, because of their work, vulnerable children will receive the care they deserve.
We are currently offering services in the following communities:
Natalie Compagni Portis, PsyD, MFT
Clinical Director
nportis@ahomewithin.org
Natalie has been working in community mental health and private practice for 25 years. Her work has focused on adult, children and families experiencing trauma and loss, including working with individuals and families dealing with life threatening illness, and leading support groups for mothers with cancer. She has an interest in Child Parent Psychotherapy, and has extensive experience in dyadic treatment and assessment of young children.
D. Maria Bivins, MAED, MA, Clinical Psychology
Clinical Director
mbivins@ahomewithin.org
Ms. Bivins has her Masters in Clinical Psychology and attends the Clinical Psychology Doctoral program at Argosy University, Georgia School of Professional Psychology. She also holds a Masters of Education degree from San Francisco State University. Her clinical experiences include both practicum and private practice work. She currently provides psychotherapy and psychological evaluations of disability claimants (both adults and children) in a private practice setting. Her last two practicum experiences have been primarily adult oriented. However, her first practicum case load consisted of mainly children and adolescents in the foster care system. Her practicums have included working within the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia and within community mental health settings.
JoAnn Ponder, PhD
Clinical Director
jponder@ahomewithin.org
JoAnn Ponder is a psychologist in private practice in Austin, Texas, who has had more than 30 years of experience in assessing and treating children and adults. She completed her doctoral degree in educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, and received postgraduate training in child and adult psychoanalysis, family and couples therapy, and play and sandplay therapy. She has particular expertise with issues related to trauma, abuse, sexualized behavior, loss, and adoption. In addition, she has held offices in local and national psychoanalytic organizations, and spoken at local and national psychoanalytic conferences.
Jennifer Daniels, LMHC
Clinical Director
jdaniels@ahomewithin.org
Jennifer Daniels is a licensed mental health therapist in private practice treating children, teens, and adults in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and other Southern Berkshire County areas. She also works as a clinical therapist at Berkshire Medical Center providing crisis assessments in the Emergency Department. Prior to joining the Berkshire community four years ago, she lived in Seattle, Washington, where she had a private practice treating children, teens, and adults as well as teaching Clinical Treatment of Children, Clinical Treatment of Adolescents, and Clinical Treatment of Native Americans at Antioch University of Seattle. Lastly, she spent just short of five years working as a Child, Adolescent, and Family therapist at Tulalip Indian Reservation’s tribally operated Child Indian Welfare agency.
Ruth Drasin, PhD
Clinical Director
rdrasin@ahomewithin.org
Ruth Drasin is a clinical psychologist who has been in private practice treating children, adolescents, and adults in Cambridge, Massachusetts for the past fifteen years. She received her PhD from the University of Michigan where she studied about a variety of parent losses, including parent death, divorce, and adoption. Her current interests also include contemporary families, such as single parent and same-sex parent families. Dr. Drasin is an advanced candidate at the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis and a Clinical Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Patrick Nelson, PhD
Clinical Director
pnelson@ahomewithin.org
Patrick R. Nelson, PhD is a licensed psychologist, consultant and trainer with expertise mental health, juvenile justice, child welfare, runaway and homeless youth and educational services. He is an energetic and committed advocate promoting non-coercive, compassionate and ethical evidence-based approaches to working with and empowering youth and families. Pat has over 24 years of experience, volunteer and paid, in direct service, professional, management, and consultation roles with non-profit agencies, partnerships and public systems on behalf of children, youth and families. He is experienced in program development, clinical supervision and consultation, program evaluation and performance improvement, regulatory compliance, executive management, strategic planning, and staff development. Pat maintains a part-time psychotherapy practice and is co-owner of Sugati, LLC, a small, independent company providing professional education, strategic support and consultation to agencies and organizations. He is a popular trainer who has presented numerous customized workshops and seminars for agencies, schools and systems.
Katharine Gould, MFA, MSW
Clinical Director
kgould@ahomewithin.org
Katharine has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Chicago and a Masters of Clinical Social Work from Loyola University in Chicago. She is a faculty member of the Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training Program at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute. She is a psychotherapist, supervisor and consultant for the Rush Day School at the Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. She has a private practice in Lincoln Park, Chicago where she sees children, adolescents and adults.
Lisa Leonard, PsyD
Clinical Director
lleonard@ahomewithin.org
Lisa Leonard, PsyD has worked in both professional and volunteer capacities with/for children in the system for more than 20 years. She is currently the Clinical Supervisor at St. Joseph's Orphanage in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has been actively involved with the local CASA chapter as a board member, founding advisory council member of the Birth to Three Building Blocks program, and as a volunteer trainer teaching "Understanding Children" to all the CASA's for over 10 years. Her dissertation is a treatment program designed for families and their children, birth through five, suffering from the effects of abuse and neglect.
Kristen Ohlenforst, PhD
Clinical Director
kohlenforst@ahomewithin.org
Kristen Ohlenforst, a clinical psychologist specializing in individual and family-based treatment for children and adolescents, joined A Home Within in late 2009 as Dallas Clinical Director. Kristen received her PhD from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and subsequently completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychology at Stanford University. She has worked in private practice in San Francisco and now Dallas, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for children and adolescents. Dr. Ohlenforst’s primary areas of expertise include CBT for anxiety disorders and Parent Consultation for behavioral difficulties. She has presented to groups of parents and educators in both San Francisco and Dallas, on topics related to Childhood Stress/Anxiety, School Refusal, and "Sleep Struggles and Tantrum Troubles."
Kenya Randall, MS, LMHC
Clinical Director
krandall@ahomewithin.org
Kenya Randall is a licensed mental health counselor. She completed her masters of education and community counseling from Drake University. Kenya is a nationally accredited counselor and an accredited clinical supervisor. She has 20 years of experience providing services to families, children and adults. She opened her agency, Mosaic Family Counseling Center Inc., out of a strong commitment to serving youth, children and families, in February 2008. Kenya is also an adjunct psychology instructor at Des Moines Community College.
Annie Prescott, PhD
Clinical Director
aprescott@ahomewithin.org
Dr. Annie Prescott is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Integrative Experiential Psychotherapist with over 30 years of clinical experience. She lives in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area on a small country farm, called Oakhill Therapy Center. This is where she provides Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Animal-Assisted Therapy, and facilitates intensive Experiential Psychotherapy workshops. She has owned and operated a private practice since the early 1990’s, treating adults, adolescents and children who are coping with Mood, Anxiety, and Adjustment Disorders; Trauma and Abuse, Addictive Disorders, and Behavioral Disorders. Dr. Prescott also teaches about the Human Energy Field (HEF) and provides training in how to detect energy disturbance and promote balance and healing of the HEF. She frequently uses Energy Psychology within her psychology practice and enjoys offering holistic practice to assist in treating the Body, Mind, and Spirit. Dr. Prescott is married with one son, 3 step children, and 5 grandchildren. She enjoys meditating, doing Tai Chi and Chi Qong, working out at the gym, being in nature and the outdoors, horseback riding, traveling, and making new friends.
Suzanne Doctor, MS LPC
Clinical Director
sdoctor@ahomewithin.org
Suzanne Doctor is a licensed counselor specializing in addictions and adolescent development in Illinois. She currently practices at Humboldt Community Christian School in Chicago, where she counsels students, families, and school staff members. Suzanne has authored two children's books, serves as co-chair of the Children's Sunday School Program of the Milwaukee Bible Students, tutors and teaches ACT/SAT preparation, works with adopted, Romanian adolescents, and directs the youth program for the annual convention of the Milwaukee Bible Students.
Mark Matthews, PhD
Clinical Director
mmatthews@ahomewithin.org
Mark Matthews was born and raised in Dallas and has been a licensed clinical psychologist in Texas for nine years. He earned his PhD from Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University in La Mirada, California. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, with rotations in forensic evaluations and substance abuse treatment. His postdoctoral residency was completed at Deer Oaks Mental Health Associates focusing on neuropsychological assessment and geriatrics. After leaving Deer Oaks, he opened a private practice and joined the faculty at the fledgling Dallas campus of Argosy University. Before taking a full-time academic post, he was Argosy’s first director of clinical training for nearly four years. In this role he developed the training department, created practicum sites, and coordinated the APPIC internship placement process. Furthermore, Mark has supervised postdoctoral fellows, pre-doctoral interns, and practicum students. Finally, his research interests include integrating Christian faith with psychodynamic psychotherapy; the interplay of neuropsychology and psychoanalysis; relational psychoanalysis; and personality disorders.
Carol Bline, PhD
Clinical Director
cbline@ahomewithin.org
Dr. Carol Bline is a clinical-developmental psychologist who has worked with children, adolescents, and adults for over ten years. She has specialized in children with the most significant emotional and behavioral needs in individual, family, and group settings. She has a team of individuals that work with her to provide in-home and office-based services.
Megan Shea, LCSW
Clinical Director
mshea@ahomewithin.org
Megan holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a mental health concentration from the University of Hawaii. She has worked in the field of substance abuse treatment with an emphasis on women in recovery and relationships with their children. Currently, she works part-time for EPIC 'Ohana Conferencing, an organization that gathers families involved in the child welfare system with their social worker, extended family, friends and service providers to make the best decisions for the future of their children. She has grown both personally and professionally by becoming a mother, losing her father and caring for her mother who has early onset-Alzheimer’s disease.
Hal Chorney, PhD
Clinical Director
hchorney@ahomewithin.org
Hal has been a practicing psychoanalyst and training analyst in private practice in New York City for many years. As part of a move to the country and finding a new set of professional responsibilities, Hal started the first Local Chapter of A Home Within in a rural setting.
Kris Topaz, MA, LMFT
Clinical Director
ktopaz@ahomewithin.org
Kris is on the faculty of Phoenix University in the Pasadena area. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including marriage and family therapy, and supervises practicum students. She is in private practice in the Pasadena area where she sees adults, adolescents, and children. Kris is bilingual in Spanish and for 14 years worked as a foster care social worker. Her interest in working as a Clinical Director stems from her intimate knowledge of the daily lives of children growing up in foster care. Kris studied at Pacific Oaks College and has worked as a clinician in public clinics as well as community agencies.
Dawn Smith, PhD
Co-Clinical Director
dsmith@ahomewithin.org
Dawn graduated from the California School of Professional Psychology in Alameda, California with a PhD in Psychology in 1994. She was the Chief Intern at McAuley Neuropsychiatric Institute and has been working psychodynamically with children and adolescents in a variety of both inpatient and outpatient settings. Dawn has extensive teaching and supervisory experience and was one of the first clinicians to join A Home Within.
Amy Wilner, MA
Co-Clinical Director
awilner@ahomewithin.org
Amy has been in private practice in San Francisco for more than ten years. She works with adults and adolescents, with a special focus on adolescents engaged in high-risk behaviors. Before training as a clinician, Amy was a professional editor in the fields of psychology and psychoanalysis. She has taught at the Professional School of Psychology in Sacramento, and provided in-service presentations at various training sites in the Bay Area.
Suzanne LeSure, PhD
Clinical Director
slesure@ahomewithin.org
Dr. Suzanne LeSure is a psychologist with over 25 years of experience with children, adolescents, adults and families. She received her BA from Ohio Wesleyan University, her MA in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University and her PhD in Psychology from Syracuse University. She completed an internship in Pediatric and Child Clinical Psychology at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital, Medical College of Wisconsin and received post-doctoral training in Community Mental Health at Community Mental Health Services of Medina. Her professional career has included experience in community mental health, in hospital based practice, in private practice and in teaching other professionals.
Yolanda Sanchez, PhD
Clinical Director
ysanchez@ahomewithin.org
Yolanda graduated from Florida State University with a PhD in Psychology and Yale University School of Art with a Masters in Fine Arts. She is a well established artist, arts management expert, and founder and director of major arts and cultural establishments. Yolanda was the Director of Clinical Training and Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale and has been a licensed therapist for over 30 years. She has also been an Assistant Professor and Clinical Psychologist at the University of Miami Counseling Center. She is involved with Voices for Children and the Guardian Ad Litem program in Miami. She has organized exhibitions of foster children’s work at the Miami International Airport where she is the Director of Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Amy Dickson, PsyD
Clinical Director
adixon@ahomewithin.org
Dr. Amy Dickson is a clinical psychologist who has been practicing in the state of Louisiana for over a decade. She specializes in infant mental health and treating victims of trauma. Dr. Dickson is an Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University’s School of Medicine where she is the Child Coordinator of the APPIC accredited Psychology Predoctoral Internship training program, is the Deputy Chief of the Psychology Section, is the Coordinator of the Harris Infant Mental Health Training program, the Director of the Victims Assistance Program, and is the director of the Orleans Parish Infant Team which treats children ages 0-5 years in the foster care system along with their caregivers. Dr. Dickson has published journal articles and has a chapter in progress on issues pertaining to violence, infant mental health, and reflective supervision. Her work at the medical school encompasses teaching and supervising mental health clinicians and medical students, treating and evaluating clients, sitting on advisory boards in the community, and consulting to local agencies about the welfare of children and those exposed to trauma.
Sage Jordan, MA, MFT
Clinical Director
sjordan@ahomewithin.org
Sage Jordan is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been providing Psychotherapy to children, families, and individuals in the Okanogan County for the past three years. Over the course of the past two years she has been working with Colville Tribes Children and Family Services, providing psychodynamic intervention to traumatized children and their families within the CPS/CFS system in place with the tribe. Prior to coming to Washington State in 2006, she worked extensively within the many residential systems in place in California with displaced children and their families, and is currently participating with a small group of individuals in the formation of a non-profit organization whose aim is to provide therapeutic housing and support to tribal children within the CFS system with nowhere to go due to disruptions in placement as a result of traumatic experiences leading to difficult behaviors.
Mary Ann Greene-Walsh, CSW, MS
Clinical Director
mgreene-walsh@ahomewithin.org
Mary Ann Greene-Walsh, a licensed mental health practitioner and president of Family Strategies, P.C. brings 40 years of experience in working with children and their families to A Home Within. She has worked in a variety of settings from public agencies to private agencies assisting children in out-of-home placements. She has also taught in diverse levels of education from elementary schools through postgraduate medical school training. She is a co-founder of the area’s only children’s grief center and has helped train volunteer grief facilitators. She has presented locally, nationally and internationally on a variety of topics pertinent to assisting families in becoming more successful. She is a trained facilitator in both 40 Assets and Love & Logic Parenting which she finds very helpful in providing practical tips and strategies for raising healthy kids in today’s hectic world. Her passion and focus has remained children in out-of-home placements and the many barriers they must overcome to be successful. Most importantly, she has survived (almost) raising three teens and is most grateful to them for the many lessons they have taught her and her husband throughout their lives.
Sara Tsuboi, MA, LMFT
Clinical Director
stsuboi@ahomewithin.org
Sara Tsuboi is a psychotherapist in Palo Alto, California. Her practice includes working with children, adolescents, and adults. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has a MA in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. She is a certified mediator through the California Community Dispute Resolution Act. In addition to A Home Within, her community service work has included serving on the Board of Directors and as a mentor for Friends for Youth, which provides mentoring services for at-risk youth, and volunteering for Furry Friends pet assisted therapy services. Her background also includes a Juris Doctor and practicing law.
James Gibson, LCSW
Clinical Director
jgibson@ahomewithin.org
James W. Gibson III, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has over fifteen years of experience as a therapist primarily working with children and adolescents. He has received both his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Social Work. James graduated from Tulane University in December 1993. James works with many diverse and ethnic populations, primarily with children and adolescents. He comes to A Home Within with extensive experience working with "at-risk" youth in Residential settings. He is a Certified Trainer for the "Parent Project" which is a nationally recognized parenting class that helps parents improve parenting skills with their "Strong Willed" child. James incorporates highly-effective Cognitive-Behavior and Solution Focused Therapy techniques into his therapy. In an effort to help the family, he assists each family member identify his/her role in the family unit and holding individuals accountable for one’s own behavior.
Joseph Schaller, PsyD
Clinical Director
jschaller@ahomewithin.org
Joseph Schaller has been in clinical practice in the Philadelphia area for over twenty years as both a clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist. He currently maintains a private practice of adults, adolescents and children, with specialization in play therapy and sand tray therapy. He has worked extensively with local child and family services agencies with special attention to issues related to temporary placement, foster care and adoption. He is also experienced in working with children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Schaller is recently past-president of the Philadelphia Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology and continues in a leadership position within Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of the American Psychological Association. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology at Widener University, and is a candidate in the Institute for Relational Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia.
Deanna Koch, LPC
Clinical Director
dkoch@ahomewithin.org
Deanna is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Masters of Arts in Professional Counseling from Argosy University, Chicago, Illinois. Deanna has worked with foster youth for over 10 years. This is her third year with A Home Within as the Clinical Director of the Pittsburgh Chapter. Deanna has worked over the past three years to establish an A Home Within chapter in the Pittsburgh Area. Deanna currently has a private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she utilizes play therapy, art therapy, and sand tray techniques. She works to integrate these approaches while strengthening families and helping children grow. Deanna has extensive training and practice in working with children and families who have experienced abuse (sexual, physical, emotional) and/or neglect.
Christine L. Patterson
Co-Clinical Director
cpatterson@ahomewithin.org
Christine has worked with at-risk youth for 10 years, first, as an emotional support teacher, and then as a crisis intervention specialist for families involved with child protective services. She received her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Messiah College. Christine is currently a training coordinator at a local non-profit whose mission is to prevent and treat child abuse. She is also a program evaluation and strategic planning consultant for Pittsburgh non-profit organizations.
Jonathan Hopps, M.Ed
Clinical Director
jhopps@ahomewithin.org
Jonathan Hopps is currently a graduate student at the University of Southern Maine’s school of Social Work; prior to that he spent 18 years in non-profit management. He worked in higher education, religious conservation, and hospitals as a senior development officer. For the previous ten years he produced videos in broadcast and non-broadcast production companies. As an independent consultant for Turning Point Consulting philanthropy and non-profit management firm, Jonathan co-authored two professional papers, From Grantmaker to Leader: Emerging Strategies for the Twenty-First Century Foundations, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., November 2002 and, Splendid Legacy: the Guide to Starting your Family Foundation, Values First, National Center for Family Philanthropy, December 2001. Jonathan holds a BA in Mass Communications from the University of Vermont and an M.Ed in education from Cambridge College.
Louise Gordon, LPC
Co-Clinical Director
lgordon@ahomewithin.org
Louise is a therapist in private practice who has specialized in the treatment of adults and adolescents with PTSD and addictions. She is adjunct faculty at Lewis and Clark College where she teaches and supervises practicum students who work with adolescents in a high school setting.
Hilde Price-Levine, LCSW
Co-Clinical Director
hpricelevine@ahomewithin.org
Hilde received her BA from UC-Berkeley and her masters in social work from UCLA. Hilde has a postgraduate certificate from Portland State University in Therapy with Adopted children and families. Hilde's five-year supervisory experience for an early childhood Psychiatric Day Treatment Program developed her passion for helping children in foster care, and hence her strong attraction to A Home Within. Hilde has been in private practice full time since 2000, specializing in foster care and adoption for children and families. Her professional work has been in Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Portland. Prior to private practice she worked in community agencies as a Clinical Social Worker for twenty years, specializing in youth, adolescents and families.
Emily A. McDougall, LMFT
Clinical Director
emcdougall@ahomewithin.org
Emily is a therapist in private practice, specializing in art and play therapy with primarily children and adolescents. Emily is also a faculty member at the University of Phoenix, where she teaches child development and other courses within the behavioral science and psychology fields. Emily obtained her Undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of California, Davis, and her Masters in Counseling from the University of San Francisco.
Victor Nelson, LCSW
Clinical Director
vnelson@ahomewithin.org
Victor Nelson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years experience working in social service organizations that serve children, youth and families. He served as Clinical Director at San Diego Center for Children, a nonprofit that provides foster care, day treatment, residential treatment and educational programs for children experiencing severe emotional and behavioral difficulties. During his 12 years at the Center for Children, Victor provided clinical leadership, developed new programs, supervised therapists and provided direct clinical social work services. Since 2005, Victor has been the Executive Director of the Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation where he is responsible for day-to-day management of the Foundation and helping design, develop and sustain its programs.
Debora Fletcher, PhD
Clinical Director
dfletcher@ahomewithin.org
Debora trained at UCSF Mt. Zion and has been a therapist with A Home Within from its beginning almost fifteen years ago. She has been director of the San Francisco Family Service Agency out-patient children’s clinic and has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. She has been in private practice in San Francisco for the past 15 years, specializing in psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Gloria Saltzman, MFT
Clinical Director
gsaltzman@ahomewithin.org
Gloria Saltzman is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. She has been working with adult individuals and couples for more than 25 years. She has taught and supervised graduate students in San Francisco. Gloria worked as a volunteer therapist with the Aids Health Project for twelve years. Several of her essays pertaining to the practice of psychotherapy have been published in the SFCAMFT newsletter. She has been working as a volunteer clinician for A Home Within for the past several years.
Ling Lam, MA, MFT
Clinical Director
llam@ahomewithin.org
Ling Lam is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice in San Jose and Palo Alto, specializing in relationships, stress and anxiety, and personal growth. Besides his private practice and volunteer work with the San Jose chapter of A Home Within, Ling has helped facilitate a class on interpersonal dynamics at the Stanford Business School and a support group for kids who have lost a parent. Ling has dual Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering and Counseling Psychology, and has worked as a HDTV chip designer before he hit his quarter-life crisis, volunteered at an orphanage in Russia, and started the journey to become a therapist.
Kate Viret, MBA, MA
Clinical Director
kviret@ahomewithin.org
Kate has an MA in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University, an MBA from Cornell University, and an AB from Smith College. Kate works in private practice, providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in using play therapy with young children and in counseling adults on divorce and parenting issues. Kate recently spent four years at The Center for Healthy Development in Santa Clara where she worked with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and child abuse. Much of this work was done with foster youth.
Frances Strayer, MSW, LICSW
Clinical Director
fstrayer@ahomewithin.org
Frances received her MSW from the University of Connecticut and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Hampshire. She has worked in public schools and has had a small private practice for children and adolescents for over twenty years. She has been a member of various state and community boards and organizations that provide support for children, youth and families. She is an adjunct professor in the Social Work Department at Plymouth State University and is on the Advisory Board of the Social Work Department. Frances values the role of the environment and outdoor activity as a way to foster resiliency in people of all ages.
Thomas Saunders, MSW, LICSW
Clinical Director
tsaunders@ahomewithin.org
Thomas is a Clinical Social Worker, trained psychoanalytic psychotherapist. He has extensive training in psychoanalytic theory, first at Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco, then at Seattle Institute of Psychoanalysis and the Center for Object Relations (where he was on the faculty) in Seattle. He practices analytic psychotherapy with mother-infant, child, adolescents and adults as well as supervising and teaching.
Meg Clark Soriano MA, LPC
Clinical Director
msoriano@ahomewithin.org
Meg is in private practice in Marlton, NJ and directs the Center for Counseling. She received her Master’s in Counseling with a specialization in Family Therapy from the University of Iowa in 1985. After working with adults and families for many years, she became a registered play therapy supervisor and currently is President of the NJ Association for Play Therapy. Her background includes extensive training in Attachment Theory, Gestalt Therapy, Psychodrama, EMDR, Theraplay, and contextual and structural Family Therapy. Her specialties include helping children with trauma and attachment issues. This work has motivated her to bring A Home Within to South New Jersey. She is also an adjunct professor at Monmouth University where she teaches postgraduate courses in play therapy.
Mary Michail, MA, LPC
Clinical Director
mmichail@ahomewithin.org
Mary Michail has been in the mental health field for the last 20 years. She has worked with disadvantaged children, truant teens, foster children and their families, and many others. She currently works in her own practice in Clawson and Troy Michigan, serving children, adolescents and adults. Mary also provides mental health seminars in her community where topics range from ADHD and child discipline, as well as Depression, Anxiety and Grief & Loss. Her passion for the foster care field inspired her to accept a fellowship with A Home Within where the concept of service and treatment come together for the better good. She is looking forward to continued growth within the Troy Community to help connect those impacted by foster care with knowledgeable and dedicated clinicians.
Richard Ruth, PhD
Clinical Director
rruth@ahomewithin.org
Richard is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst. He is in private practice in Wheaton, Maryland (near Washington, DC) and on the clinical faculty of the Center for Professional Psychology at the George Washington University and a member of the steering committee, faculty and supervisor with the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Program at the Washington School of Psychiatry. Dr. Ruth is bilingual in Spanish and is bicultural. He has particular interests in cross-cultural issues, trauma, and disability.
Elizabeth Saft, PhD
Co-Clinical Director
esaft@ahomewithin.org
Elizabeth Saft is a clinical psychologist currently in private practice in Davis, California. She was formerly Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Virginia in the Clinical Psychology program, as well as in private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. Since she entered the mental health field in 1986, she has worked in therapeutic nurseries, child and adult in-patient facilities, family homeless shelters, and public schools from preschool through high school. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Philadelphia Child Guidance Center, where she concentrated on in-patient, high risk adolescents and their families. Her research and publications focused on adult and infant attachment.
Cindy Garcia, MFTi
Co-Clinical Director
cgarcia@ahomewithin.org
Cindy Garcia is a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern who is currently in private practice counseling children, teenagers, adults and families in Davis, CA and Woodland, CA. She has completed her hours and will be testing for licensure in the spring of 2010. She interned with Yolo County Mental Health/Juvenile Probation Department, the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center, Unified Family Court Program and counseled in private practice under the supervision of Dr. Donald Siggins, LMFT, Ed.D, FSICPP and Teena Hosey, LCSW. Cindy is also currently an Infant/Parent Mental Health Fellow in the University of Massachusetts, Boston/Napa Certification Program. Cindy has been advocating for children in foster care for 17 years. She began as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (C.A.S.A.) in Dallas, Texas in 1993 and shortly after became a CASA Supervisor in Dallas, Texas. She also Supervised CASA volunteers for four years in Yolo County. She has advocated for children on a statewide level while working as an office manager with the California Partnership for Children, California Children’s Lobby and Children’s Research Center located in Sacramento, CA.
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