Our Team
We are a collective of health professionals, artists, researchers, and consultants working at the intersection of feminism, anti-racism, and trauma-responsiveness. Collaborating with others, we strive to dismantle white-supremacist, heteropatriarchal, cisnormative, mono-normative, and colonial practices within education, healthcare, research, and the broader community. Inspired by BIPOC scholars, feminists, freedom fighters, community organizers, and abolitionists, we are dedicated to supporting transformative and healing justice efforts.
Health & Healing Team
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Dr. Maria J. Alvarez (she/her/ella) completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies at the University of California Los Angeles and holds a combined doctoral degree in counseling psychology and school psychology from the University of California Santa Barbara. Dr. Alvarez' previous experience includes: Behavioral Health Director for Alliance Medical Center (Clinica Alianza), psychologist at Santa Rosa Community Health Clinics, Alexander Valley Healthcare, St John’s Family Development Center, UCLA Child and Family Studies, and working as a member of the management team at the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health.
She has worked as a school psychologist for Windsor Unified and Ukiah Unified, taught undergraduate courses in Chicano Studies and graduate seminars in the Teacher Education Program at UC Santa Barbara, and taught within the dual language immersion programs for Los Angeles Unified and San Francisco Unified schools. She is a bilingual, bicultural, first generation, queer Chicana, whose professional roles include mentoring, teaching, supervision, and providing multi-modal psychotherapy grounded in a deep respect for the humanity of the client that manifests as compassionate listening, unconditional positive regard, and an authentic relational presence grounded in a anti-oppression philosophies and holistic (mind/body/spirit) approaches to healing.
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Anaid is a bilingual Chicana, with family from Oaxaca, Mexico, where she spent her early years. She has been living in Sonoma County for most of her life. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State University and her Master’s in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco and is currently an Associate working toward licensure. Previously, she served as a Diversity and Equity Specialist, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by addressing systemic inequities and collaborating to improve culturally responsive access to services. Her work is rooted in belonging and reconnecting with her ancestral roots. As a mother of two young children, partner, friend, and community member, she brings care and understanding to the healing process, cultivating safe spaces for everyone to be seen, supported, and guided on their path. Anaid enjoys practicing wellness, spending time at the beach, writing poetry, and spending time with her loved ones.
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Bianca Pulido is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. Her parents immigrated from Michoacan, Mexico and she was born in Santa Rosa.
Bianca holds a B.A. in Psychology from Sonoma State University and a M.S. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco. Having a core foundation in Sonoma County, Bianca is committed to addressing mental health concerns in her community. She has involved herself in working with marginalized populations, including youth, individuals with developmental disabilities, first-generation college students, and older adults. Previously, she spent time working at a few nonprofits in Sonoma County using her bilingual/ bicultural skills to support Latinx families impacted by trauma. Bianca is deeply devoted to disrupting intergenerational cycles and the systems of oppression that leave individuals feeling stuck, isolated, self-doubting, or solely misaligned.
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Colette is the CEO of Horn Optimal Wellness Services located in the Bay Area. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and credentialed as a Pupil Services Credentialed Counselor in the state of California.
She is a Black Caribbean from New York City and glad to call the Bay Area home. For the past twenty years she has specialized in counseling and therapeutic services to individuals, groups and families – specifically children and young adults for over twenty years. She is a certified trainer in parenting education and facilitation. She invests her time learning about various contexts that will assist in building the lives of youth, children, and families. Colette currently is Adjunct Faculty at the University of San Francisco, Clinical Supervisor and Practitioner in Oakland, California, and Chief Program Officer, Co-Owner for Horn Development Consulting, LLC. Colette looks forward to writing more and co-creating books with her beloved that reflect the narratives of the Black/African American diaspora. She has currently co-authored two children’s books and has been a contributing author to The Beauty of R.A.M.
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Hello! My name is Darnell Nash Beyer. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-CA) with over 8+ years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families on the East and West coast. I am also a 3rd year PsyD student at the University of San Francisco. My approaches to working with clients involve developing a therapeutic relationship that feels safe and free of judgment and tailoring my client's treatment to meet their needs. I look to empower clients by highlighting their strengths, processing difficult emotions, problem-solving, and incorporating their culture, values, and beliefs to help them reach their goals.
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Melissa Andrade (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, born and raised in Santa Rosa. She has a BA in English from San Francisco State and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from San Francisco University.
Before starting her journey as a mental health practitioner, Melissa spent most of her professional life working with under-resourced youth; in after-school and summer programs, art camps, and in classrooms. Having deep roots in Sonoma County, Melissa is passionate about supporting her community— both in mental health and building connections. Her approach to therapy is through a decolonial lens, leaning into the spiritual and cultural lineages of healing.
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Hola! I am Aarón Solorio, and I’m a first-generation graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of San Francisco. I was born and raised in Sonoma County, by migrant parents from Michoacán, Mexico. I went through the high school system in Rohnert Park and later returned to pursue higher education at Santa Rosa Junior College. From there, I transferred to UC Berkeley, where I earned my B.A. in Sociology. My professional experience has primarily been in higher education and has focused on creating spaces of belonging and support for historically marginalized students. My decision to enter the counseling field grew out of witnessing the resilience of these communities while also recognizing the systemic barriers they face in accessing mental health support. As an emerging therapist, I strive to offer therapy that is culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and rooted in trust and collaboration, with the goal of supporting clients as they navigate their mental health journey.
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Hi, I’m Leslee Dominguez, a proud first-generation Chicana raised in Colorado, with deep family roots in Chihuahua, Mexico. I hold dual degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice,along with a minor in Chican@/Latiné Studies from the University of Northern Colorado. I’m currently in my third year as a Clinical Trainee at the University of San Francisco, where I continue to grow as a culturally responsive mental health practitioner. My work is grounded in building meaningful, trusting relationships with clients. I strive to create a therapeutic space that is inclusive, non-judgmental, and responsive to each person’s unique lived experience.
I believe in meeting clients where they are, tailoring treatment to reflect their goals, identities, and personal narratives. My approach integrates emotional exploration, empowerment, and problem solving, with a strong emphasis on honoring each client’s cultural background, values, and strengths. I practice from a strengths-based and affirming lens, grounded in the belief that healing happens when people feel seen, valued, and supported. I am deeply committed to uplifting voices that have been historically marginalized and to fostering a sense of belonging and resilience. Through my work, I aim to contribute to a more just and compassionate world, one founded on dignity, cultural pride, and collective growth.
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Danika (she/her/hers, ela/ella) was born in southern California and raised by her mother who immigrated to the U.S. from Brasil. Danika ran her own business in Oakland before completing her B.A. in Biopsychology at Mills College; then doubled down on her love of the healing arts by completing her Master's in Counseling Psychology with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Francisco.
Danika’s early experiences growing up in an international community of friends and family from a dozen countries across three continents, as well as her privilege as a member of a multiracial family, gave her a varied perspective on life and nurtured an ever growing commitment to justice.
Danika is dedicated to supporting and centering oppressed communities by providing culturally dynamic psychotherapy that is trauma-responsive and rooted in carinho. She believes deeply in the ripple effect of radical self love and is committed to all who seek healing.
Danika speaks Portuguese fluently and is conversational in Spanglish/ Portunhol.
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I am the daughter of Salvadoran parents and grew up in both New Jersey and El Salvador. For the past 15 years, I have resided in California. I hold a Master’s Degree in East-West Psychology, with a particular emphasis on eco-therapy and indigenous knowledge systems. Throughout my career, I have advocated for low-income and marginalized communities of color by offering a range of mental health services in shelters, schools, and family centers.
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Christina Zapata (she, her, ella) has twenty two years of experience as a professional social worker. The past eight years of experience have been in psychotherapy and clinical social work. As a social worker, her pursuits were in social justice, specifically labor organizing and lobbying for policy change. She also has experience in organizational development and case management.
Christina gained foundational training in clinical practice from working with youth, children, and their families while the youth and children were in the care of foster families. She also gained key training in psychodynamic therapy while undergoing clinical social work training at a non profit mental health clinic. Christina works within the BIPOC community and is experienced in trauma treatment and areas that may impact BIPOC such as acculturative stress and racism. She has experience working with individuals who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence and HIV.
Christina is an Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) practitioner. She is also a Convivencia practitioner. Convivencia is a group therapy model for Latine mental health. Convivencia is a research study for the California Reducing Disparities Project. Christina has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Michigan State University and holds a Master of Social Work degree from San Francisco State University. For the last three years, she has been training on grief tending with a private practice practitioner in Sonoma County.
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Gabriel “Gabo” Machabanski [he/him/él] is a third culture kid who grew up in an Argentine immigrant family in Chicago. He is pursuing his PsyD in clinical psychology at the Wright Institute.Gabo has fought for social change over the years alongside low wage and immigrant workers for fair wages and safety protections on the job, for health and education equity, and dignified housing. Gabo believes in a world where all people have access to quality culturally-affirming mental health care and everyone has their basic needs met and the opportunity to heal, grow and thrive wherever they call home. His clinical practice is rooted in a non-judgmental, strengths-based, and compassionate approach.
He strives to work with clients to tenderly embrace all parts of themselves while recognizing that we are all in a lifelong process of developing insight and evolving.
Community Consultants
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Roz Katonah (They/Them) is a QTBIPOC Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Coach and Ecotherapist who helps clients by providing a space where they can remember their intrinsic connection to self, others and the earth. With a focus on Internal Family Systems, Ecotherapy and gender affirming care, Roz serves queer, transgender, GNC and POC adults and teens in Sonoma County and throughout California. Their approach is grounded in a deep respect for the natural world, somatics, abolition, anti-racism, anti-oppression, healing justice, decolonization and the interconnectedness of all living beings through mother earth.
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Genevieve is an interdisciplinary scholar of education and immigration, and serves as Professor of Education at the University of San Francisco. She has her B.A. in Ethnic Studies and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Social and Cultural Studies in Education, all from UC Berkeley. She has been teaching at the university level for 20 years and has been mentoring students, first as a Student Affairs professional and then as an educator for 23 years. Genevieve was a first-generation college student and grew up on the U.S.-Mexico border and her expertise is in supporting BIPOC students, undocumented young people, young professionals and early career academics. She has published 3 books, including "We Are Not Dreamers: Undocumented Scholars Theorize Undocumented Life in the United States" (co-edited with Leisy Abrego) and "The Latinx Guide to Graduate School" (co-authored with Magdalena Barrera).
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Marianne Marar (she/her) is Professor Emerita of Global Studies from Menlo College. Dr. Marar taught Diversity in the Workplace, Sex & Culture, Human Rights Education, and Global Studies. She earned her doctorate and Outstanding Dissertation Award at the University of San Francisco in International & Multicultural Education with an emphasis in Second Language Acquisition. She is an expert in the intersectionality of racial/ethnic/gendered identities and human rights activism. Her research interests include refugee human rights education, transnational citizenship, genocide recognition, social movements/revolution, and the sociopolitical underpinnings of critical global education. During her tenure, Dr. Marar founded, developed, and led the Equity and Justice Studies minor, the first minor at Menlo College.
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I am Javi Cabrera-Rosales, a dedicated community builder and mentor with a passion for coaching and supporting others with humility. Over the past six years, I have nurtured collaborations in Sonoma County as the Project Director of La Plaza: Nuestra Cultura Cura, fostering spaces for healing and empowering communities. Prior to this, I served as the Director of Positive Images, a grassroots nonprofit striving to create a safer environment for the LGBTQ+ community. With a background in Psychology from Sonoma State University and a deep appreciation for my ancestral roots discovered during my time traveling, I have learned the profound value of interconnectedness and the reciprocity of giving and receiving. My journey has been shaped by the contributions of my family and community, instilling in me a thriving heart and a humble approach to my work in this world.
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Yetunde Daniels Rubinstein is a highly skilled counselor, educator, and empathetic facilitator passionate about guiding individuals and groups toward meaningful growth and transformation. She enjoys creating inclusive and engaging spaces where dialogue flourishes and insights are gained. As a SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) facilitator, she adeptly navigates complex topics, fostering open communication and facilitating constructive exchanges that promote understanding and collaboration.
Leadership Circle
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Dr. Daniela Domínguez is an Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco and the Founder at On the Margins. She is a licensed psychologist and professional clinical counselor with a special interest in liberation psychology, anti-racism, migrant justice, and gender and sexuality matters.
Her program of research has focused on understanding how Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) cope with stress and use specific strategies to draw upon resiliencies to achieve positive health. In 2020, the Society of Counseling Psychologists honored her with the “Early Career Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Counseling Psychology.” In 2021, the Society of Counseling Psychologists honored her with the “Social Justice Award” for her demonstrated evidence of achieving community change that supports disenfranchised or oppressed groups.
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Cindy Berríos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with almost 20 years’ experience in the social services, non-profit sector. She has extensive experience providing therapy services, as well as program creation and implementation, budget management, and staff development. Her areas of interest and study are trauma, intimate partner, family and community violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse. She believes that healing from trauma happens in the community and through collective care. She is trained in Levell II EMDR and is a graduate of the Center for Mind Body Medicine. She also completed a post graduate certificate program and fellowship at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and Political Science from Gettysburg College and a Master of Social Work with a specialization in cross cultural children, youth, and families from Temple University. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty for the University of San Francisco’s Counseling Psychology Department.
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Gricelda Correa Martinez is the oldest of six children, a first generation immigrant born in Michoacán Mexico and raised in Sonoma County for the majority of her life. She has spent her life in the public school system, graduated from Elsie Allen High School, received three associate degrees from SRJC before deciding to transfer to obtain her BA from SSU School of Hutchins with a minor in Women’s Health.
She has many interests, some of which have been shaped by her life experiences and others that are driven by her advocacy for the people she loves and cares about. She considers herself to be a life-long learner open to explore different perspectives, keeping an open mind and diving into her curiosity. She is especially interested in reproductive justice. She became more involved in reproductive health and justice through her work at Santa Rosa Community Health when she started volunteering as a peer educator. She later became a sexual health educator, co-chair for the Teen Health Advocacy Coalition, and chair for the Reproductive Educator Sub-Committee.
She is also a trained facilitator in Mind-Body techniques through the Center for Mind Body Medicine and the Sonoma Community Resilience Collaborative. She is interested in learning to heal from generational, personal and community trauma through techniques that have been passed down by our ancestors.
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Nicole Herrera-Moro Hernandez is dedicated to empowering Latine, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC communities through educational initiatives, social emotional learning spaces, and mental health advocacy. Born in Ciudad de Mexico and raised in Napa, CA, Nicole continues to center and advocate for spaces where mental health, wellness, cultural and trauma informed practices are supported and prioritized.
Having earned a B.A. in Latin American Latino Studies and a B.A. in Spanish Studies at UC Santa Cruz, Nicole has worked to implement youth development programs catered to violence prevention, substance use prevention, youth empowerment, social emotional learning, and cultural event programming. Nicole's previous roles as a student program coordinator, program assistant, and mentor with El Centro Chicanx Latinx Resource Center and the Mariposa Program of the Napa County Office of Education, has motivated her to continue to center community care and become a part of the support system in these spaces.
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Andres Correa has many years of experience working in public health and is committed to improving health outcomes for underserved communities. He holds a Business Administration: Management degree from Sonoma State University and specializes in viral infection disease programs, where he has played a key role in grant applications, reporting, and budgeting.
Throughout his career, Andres has worked with diverse populations, including children, young adults, incarcerated individuals, and the unsheltered. As a Health Educator, he facilitated community outreach events, implemented evidence-based curricula, and led a youth group. In his role as an HIV Coordinator, Andres provided PrEP navigation, case management, and education, effectively connecting patients to care and conducting HIV/Hepatitis C testing across Sonoma County.