Karina Tamayo, LMFT

PCIT Therapist

Director of Clinical Services

"Growing up with a sister with special needs and now working with many of these children has taught me that the simple pleasures and moments in life are experienced by slowing down, and seeing the world through a different lens.  I am grateful  every day for the opportunity to work with the special needs community because their unique perspectives, approaches, and outlooks make our schools, community, and world a better place." 

Karina, a co-founder of Talk-a-While, is responsible for the direct clinical management and oversight of our services and programs provided to our families.  She received her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.  She was born and raised in East Los Angeles in a large and loving Mexican family, and graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Art’s degree in Psychology.  Her passion for working with young children, adolescents, and their families stems from her upbringing in an inner-city community and from her awareness as a young child of the positive impact early intervention services, strong mentorship, and mental health support can have for families.  Her treatment approach is rooted in mutual respect, collaboration, and understanding her patient and family’s respective ethnic and family cultural background.  She strongly believes in the importance of establishing a strong therapeutic alliance, using evidence-based practices, and a strength-based approach in treatment.  She is often described as a natural with young children, is approachable, and easily connects with children of all ages who have been diagnosed with special needs.   

Ashley Stokke, PsyD

Director of Psychological Assessment

"I value and thoroughly enjoy working with children and their families.  Each family deserves to have a safe place to go that offers support, education, advocacy and a wide array of therapeutic services.  I truly believe in helping children develop their voice as they reach successes and overcome challenges, and look forward to supporting families in their unique journeys."

Ashley is a Licensed Psychologist who received her PsyD and Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University.  She attended the University of Minnesota where she received her Bachelor of Art's degree in Psychology and a Minor in Sociology.  She has extensive experience providing evidence-based therapy for families, children, teens, parents, and the elderly.   

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She has a wide-breadth of knowledge treating issues such as anxiety/depression, phase-of-life transitions, end-of-life, neurocognitive impairments and dementia, and substance abuse.  Her most recent work includes conducting psychological and psychoeducational assessments, and developing treatment plans to address various diagnosis including learning and behavioral issues, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, mood and personality disorders, anxiety, ODD, PTSD, gender dysphoria and psychotic disorders.  She enjoys co-leading group work with parents, social skills groups for young children, and support groups for families during life-transition stages.

Amelia Glogowski, MSSA, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

"I believe that we thrive most when we are supported as unique individuals within our social context—i.e. within our families, friendships, and communities. That's why I love working not only with children and teens but also with caregivers, couples, and families. It is a privilege to work at an organization that honors both the individual and their social community, and to get to walk alongside families as they grow. "

Amelia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master's of Social Science Administration (MSW equivalent) from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.  She also attended the University of Chicago where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Comparative Human Development.  Prior to Talk-a-While, Amelia worked with children, teens, caregivers, and families in their own homes to help solve problems related to chronic disease management, the parent-child relationship, depression, anxiety, problematic sexual behavior, oppositional defiance, school avoidance, substance use, and more.  She also has experience working with couples.  Amelia sees the therapeutic relationship as the cornerstone of good therapy.  She is passionate about evidence-based practices but is flexible and attentive to what works for specific individuals.  She believes that all individuals and families have strengths that can be utilized in treatment.  Likewise, she believes that being neurodivergent comes with both strengths and challenges, and that neither one cancels out the other.

Ann K. Suzuki, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

"Having grown up a shy and anxious girl, I have learned to appreciate the value and importance of having a voice.  This is why I have a passion for empowering children, adolescents, parents (and adults) to effectively use their voice.  This voice is essential to developing healthy relationships and self-assuredness and, thus, a happy and fulfilling life."

Ann received her Master's degree in Social Work from San Jose State University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  Prior to her social work degree, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from U.C. Santa Barbara.  She has over 30 years of clinical experience providing therapy to various age groups including children, adolescents, and adults. She has extensive experience working with adolescents and the challenges of their stage such as anxiety and stress, mood management, eating disorders, depression, peer relationships when transitioning from middle school to high school, and high school to college.  She enjoys working with parents through individual therapy and providing support group work for parents to better understand the family dynamics and external stressors that affect their children and teenagers.

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Danna Torres, LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

"Therapy is an open and inviting space where families and individuals can explore their worries, fears, goals, motivations and lack thereof.  In today's hardworking society it can be a challenge to give ourselves the space to express ourselves and process experiences without feeling like it's a weakness.  Having worked with a wide range of clients, I would love to be part of your journey to personal growth and family connectedness."

Danna was born and raised in the Los Angeles Area.  She attended Mount St Mary’s University in Los Angeles where she graduated with a M.S in Counseling Psychology and an Enlaces certification. ¡Enlaces! is a certificate program that is embedded into the Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) program where clinicians are trained to apply and practice specific cultural frameworks and psychological terminology to support populations within the Spanish-speaking community.  Danna found her passion for behavioral work when she worked as an ABA interventionist, working in home and school-based settings with children diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, ODD and Conduct disorder.  Her clinical work has included supporting clients struggling with executive functioning, ADHD, anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationships and ASD.  She uses a combination of CBT and a person-centered approach when working with clients, meeting them where they are in the therapeutic process.  This creates a safe and trusting environment for work and progress to take place.

Abby Weiner, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

"I believe the therapeutic process can be a sacred space where change and growth can develop. It takes courage to address the aspects of life that may be challenging and even painful for us.  The wonderful thing is that we do not need to do this alone! With support and genuine care, we can be curious, explore, and make meaningful changes that align with our values and goals for ourselves and our families.”

Abby was born and raised in the Bay Area, California.  She ventured to college at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2009.  She returned to California and got her Master’s degree in Social Work at San Jose State University in 2014 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2018.  She truly enjoys the interplay between psychology and sociology, exploring how people think and behave individually, but also within their social contexts.  She has obtained a wide range of experience, working with children, teenagers, and adults with depression, anxiety, OCD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and more.  Her interest in working in the mental health field stems from her upbringing with two parents in the medical field and her older brother who is diagnosed with Autism.  Her older sister is also a therapist in the area and is passionate about Social Emotional Learning in Education.  As the youngest child, she did not have any younger siblings, so she has always loved looking after younger children and engaging in play and fun with them!  She spent several years as a nanny and loved this role.  She feels privileged to have the opportunity to connect with youth of all ages and their families as they navigate their world.  She believes it is important to personalize care to everyone’s unique needs and feels honored to be in a position to support children, adults, and families in this way.

Zoila Wichmann, LMFT

Gottman Institute Bringing Baby Home Program, Certified Educator

 Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

"All family members should have a space that is safe and nonjudgmental to better understand hurts and recognize positive and negative family cycles.  With time and support, parents and children can develop positive communications for a healthy family system where there is appropriate boundaries with empathy and compassion for all."

Zoila received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Prior to her therapy education, she received her Master's degree in Education from U.C. Berkeley and worked as a teacher where she learned that many students were unable to be present and focus within classrooms because of environmental stressors, past trauma, undiagnosed socio-emotional issues or learning disorders.  She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and families within a school-based setting, and worked with families who have children with special needs.  She enjoys couples and co-parenting work to create constructive and healthy communications, and develop realistic goals and expectations.  She works from a strength-based model, highlighting positive skills that each individual family member brings, while encouraging the development of new skills for individual and family growth.  She uses various therapy modalities with children, such as play and bibliotherapy, to foster connections and allow for expression and growth.

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Maritza Tamayo-Sarver, JD

Gottman Institute Bringing Baby Home Program, Certified Educator

Director of Business Operations & Parent Coach

"Listening to our families and developing our services to ultimately strengthen each and every family that comes to our Center is important for me.  I am so fortunate to be part of this professional team who believes that healthy relationships make us stronger, and to be surrounded by inspiring families that make our community much brighter ."

Maritza, a co-founder of Talk-a-While, oversees the day to day operations of our Center to ensure the implementation of our vision, including employee/client relations, billing, payroll and general operational reporting.  She is also responsible for the hiring and management of administrative staff, policy/process implementation, and will assist with clinical recruitment.  In addition, she engages in promoting and developing partnerships and business relations with local organizations to better serve our families.