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 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.

Jessica (she/her) is an associate clinical social worker with a master’s in social work with an emphasis in mental health and substance misuse. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in recreation from San Jose State University.

At LiveMoves in San Jose, CA, Jessica provided personalized therapy to adults experiencing homelessness. While working at the LGBTQ+ shelter, she provided affirmative and culturally competent therapy to members of the LGBTQ+ community. As a 988 Volunteer Crisis Counselor with Santa Clara County, she has gained over 700 hours providing care for those in need.

Before her therapy career, she worked in parks and recreation. As a Park Ranger she developed her skills in working with a diverse array of people across various cultures, backgrounds, and ages. She provided a wide range of services, including medical care, educational programs, law enforcement, and conflict resolution. This role enhanced her ability to engage effectively and empathetically with people from all walks of life. Jessica ignited curiosity as a Science Educator at The Youth Science Institute, making science an adventure for kids aged 4-13.

Outside of her professional life, Jessica is a dedicated mom to a fun and active son. She has a deep interest in animals and loves sharing fascinating animal facts. When she’s not working, you might find her hiking with her son and dog and looking for birds and bugs.

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.

Cynthia received her B.A. in Psychology from Northern Arizona University and an M.A in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy and trauma from Santa Clara University. Early in her career, she worked as a teacher’s assistant in a Montessori School teaching children ages two to six years old, focusing on self-directed educational exploration. She was also a nanny for four children ages three, five, nine and ten. Cynthia spent several years working in higher education at Santa Clara University where she assisted the Director of Gifts and Records. Once Cynthia graduated from Santa Clara University, she began her career as a counselor working with individuals in a private setting providing an experience of acceptance and understanding. She worked with individuals who experienced depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, and difficult family relationships. Cynthia also worked in an Intensive Outpatient Program where she had experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. Her passion for working with children has brought her back to children serving them in a therapeutic setting. It is important to Cynthia to provide a supportive environment of unconditional positive regard, a space to grow and learn, and a place to be authentically real without worry of judgement.

Cassandra holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of settings, including an elementary school, a bereavement center, private practices, and an Intensive Outpatient Program. These experiences have given her a well-rounded perspective on the diverse challenges individuals face throughout different life stages.

Cassandra’s approach to therapy is integrative and client-centered, blending techniques such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Person-Centered Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Using EMDR, she helps clients process past trauma, allowing them to heal, release emotional pain, and move forward with clarity and strength. Each session is tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of her clients, creating a safe, compassionate space for growth.

Cassandra works with clients from all walks of life, supporting those facing challenges like depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, self-esteem struggles, life transitions, and neurodiversity diagnoses such as ADHD and Autism. With a focus on respect and empathy, she empowers clients to explore their emotions, develop greater self-awareness, and build lasting resilience as they navigate life’s complexities.

Gabriel is a San Jose native who received his B.A. in Psychology at San Jose State University and M.A in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Francisco. Early in his career, he worked as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist supporting children and adolescence diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD). After graduate school, he immediately worked with populations with severe mental illness and criminal justice history within the capacity of Full Service Partnership and Intensive Outpatient Programs in Santa Clara County. His experience covers a wide variety of clientele throughout the lifespan including clinical topics such as: mood disorders, trauma, substance use, relational/couples work, parenting skills, psychosis, high risk behaviors, suicidality, and crisis intervention. Gabriel primarily utilizes a person-centered/humanistic approach along with an eclectic background of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)/Trauma-Focused-CBT/CBT for psychosis, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused, and Gottman Method in creating a connection with his clients and families.

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 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.

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, 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.