Faculty Bios

Sheila Addison, PhD, MFT, is a core faculty member of the Graduate School of Professional Psychology program at JFK University who specializes in working with couples, GLBT clients, and diverse populations. Sheila's chapter on counseling minority same-sex couples will appear in the forthcoming book, Couple Therapy with Ethnic Minorities, published by SAGE.

Bryna Barsky-Ex, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and sex therapist with extensive experience conducting therapy with couples, individuals and groups. She works for Kaiser Santa Teresa as a psychologist and sex therapist in both the OB/GYN and psychiatry departments, and is an adjunct faculty member for the Continuing Education, MA and PsyD programs in psychology at JFK University. A specialist for couples and individuals struggling with issues of intimacy, sexual dysfunction and sexual enhancement, Bryna has a private practice in Fremont.

Amy Barton-Cayton, PhD, MS, is faculty at JFK University, where she teaches Buddhist Psychology and coordinates the Buddhist Psychology emphasis. In her private practice, she specializes in Buddhist psychology, addiction recovery for individuals and systems, personal transformation and development, and consults with organizations around issues of behavioral change and organizational development. She has studied and practiced Tibetan Buddhism for over a decade.

Bill Bowen, MFA, LMT, is a practicing body-psychotherapist in Portland, Oregon. For 35 years, his work has focused on the interface between the body and mind in the creative process. He has taught at colleges in both Europe and the United States. Bill is trained in Rolfing and Rolfing Movement work, Hakomi Body Centered Psychotherapy, Bodynamic Analysis, Somatic Experiencing and numerous other somatic and psychological disciplines. He has studied with Ron Kurtz, Peter Levine, Lisbeth Marcher, Pat Ogden and others preeminent members of the field. Trained in biomechanics, connective tissue work, visceral and cranial work and recently in the body therapy work of Frank Lowen, Bill was a founding member of the Northwest Coalition of Body-Psychotherapy and co-founded Hakomi Integrative Somatics with Pat Ogden. Currently, he is creator and director of the Psycho-Physical Therapy Institute.

Michael Carolla, MFT, is executive director of Touchstone Counseling Services in Pleasant Hill, CA. He has over fifteen years experience in the mental health and mediation field. He has worked closely with the courts and often receives referrals from the family court system for co-parenting mediation, post divorce parent/child mediation and individual mental health issues. He is also the director of the Domestic Violence and Anger management treatment programs. Several of his articles on counseling and mediation have been published in various professional publications.

Lucia Chambers, MFT, is a teaching member of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy and a founding member of Sandplay Therapists of America, who trained with Dora Kalff in Switzerland. With over 30 years in private practice in San Jose, Lucia has assisted in establishing study programs for sandplay across the United States.

Craig Clark, MFT, is assistant professor and a core faculty member for the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at JFK University. His interests include adoption issues, fostering children, parenting techniques with oppositional children, Asperger's Syndrome, attachment and bonding, grief and loss issues, trauma, abuse, ADHD, chemical dependency and couples and family therapy. In addition to coordinating the specialization in child and adolescent therapy, he teaches child and adolescent treatment, psychopathology and advanced treatment seminars, and supervises interns at the Sunnyvale Counseling Center. Craig maintains a private practice in Santa Clara and Soquel.

Randi Cowdery, PhD, received her doctorate from Loma Linda University's COAMFTE accredited marital and family therapy program. Her research and clinical interests focus on older adults, death, dying and bereavement, narrative approaches to grief, motherhood, and couples and gender equality. She also serves on the Board of Directors for AAMFT-CA.

Marlene Cresci Cohen, PhD, received her doctorate in child development from Stanford University and began studying the Enneagram in 1979. She taught many Enneagram courses with Helen Palmer, including Enneagram in Healthcare. Together, they developed the Cohen-Palmer Enneagram Inventory for self-typing. Currently, Marlene trains physicians in the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program in Modesto, where she is also in private practice. She is also a clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine.

Terri M. Davis, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and Associate Professor in the JFKU Psy.D Program. She served on the American Psychological Association Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance (ACCA). The committee is dedicated to investigating the occupational vulnerabilities of psychologists, creating practical literature addressing self-care issues and promoting state-level colleague assistance programs.

Sandy Dibbell-Hope, PhD, DTR, is a licensed psychologist and registered dance therapist who has been in private practice in the East Bay since 1986. In her clinical work with individuals and couples and in her consultation with licensed therapists, she uses a mind/body/spirit approach which integrates verbal and expressive arts therapy. Over the past twenty years, Sandy has taught at the California Institute of Integral Studies, JFK University and Alliant International University, and she has been a member of the Ridhwan School of Spiritual Unfoldment, directed by AH Almaas.

Rosalind Englander-Calo, MFT, is a therapist specializing in cognitive play therapy with children. Currently in private practice, she also has extensive experience working in community agencies, school counseling programs and with a large HMO. Rosalind provides training for school personnel, therapy interns, and in public and professional conferences.

Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and a certified Professional Geriatric Care Manager. In 1989, Linda envisioned and started Eldercare Services, a full service professional care management, care-giving and family education business. Her organization serves the entire SF Bay Area with offices in Walnut Creek, San Francisco and Marin through the contributions of 20 professionals and over 200 caregivers. Linda has been honored with various awards, including the John F. Kennedy University, Laureate Award, 2007, for outstanding service to her community. Linda is currently the President Elect of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

Lori Goldrich, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and registered expressive arts therapist in private practice in San Francisco. She is also a music therapist and teacher of authentic movement with over 25 years of clinical experience with individuals, couples and groups. Lori has taught at the California Institute of Integral Studies, UC Berkeley Extension and at JFK University and has offered workshops and presented at conferences nationally. She is an advanced candidate in the Analytic Training Program at the CG Jung Institute in San Francisco.

Lois Gradwell, MFT, trained with Dora Kalff in Switzerland and is a teaching member of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy. She has developed and conducted sandplay seminars and conferences throughout the United States, and has maintained a private practice in Walnut Creek for over 25 years

Barbara Griswold, MFT, is the author of Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working with Insurance — And Whether You Should (www.navigatingtheinsurancemaze.com). In private practice in San Jose, Barbara provides insurance consultations to therapists and serves on the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists' (CAMFT) Ethics Committee.

Ellyn Herb, PhD, CEDS, is a licensed psychologist, certified eating disorder specialist and an adjunct faculty member at JFK University. She has maintained a private practice in South San Jose since 1983, specializing in eating disorders and women's issues. A frequent presenter at national conferences such as the International Association of Eating Disorders Specialists and the Academy for Eating Disorders, Ellyn also offers consultation to professionals and trainings at local agencies.

Jackie Holmes, MEd, MFT,, is the founder and director of Casa Serena, an intensive outpatient eating disorders program in Concord. A respected speaker on issues related to eating disorders for the last 22 years, Jackie has worked in a variety of treatment settings and has developed a practical hands-on approach to working with the clients of eating disorders and their families. She is currently writing a book on spirituality and recovery issues with the eating disordered population.

Marie Hopper, MFT, has practiced Zen Buddhism for over 10 years. She teaches meditation and uses a mindfulness-based approach in her psychotherapy practice with adults, teens and families in Lafayette, California.

Bret Johnson, PhD, has been a licensed psychologist since 1988, where he works with a diverse population of individuals, couples, youth and families as a therapist, evaluator and mediator in private practice in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara. Dr Johnson currently serves as a contracted evaluator and mediator for the Santa Cruz County Superior Court with high conflict custody families. An adjunct faculty member for the Graduate School of Professional Psychology and Continuing Education at JFK University since 1991, he has also worked extensively with HIV and AIDS clients in the public and private sector and is the author of Coming Out Every Day: A Gay, Bisexual and Questioning Man's Guide (New Harbinger, 1997).

Gretchen Lindner, PhD, currently works at the Palo Alto VA Health Care System (PAVA) with the PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) treating veterans with war-related stress reactions. Her approach to treatment incorporates cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and family systems perspectives, and she provides individual, group, and family therapy. Dr. Lindner completed her doctoral training at Georgia State University and her internship at the PAVA. In addition, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the San Francisco VA's PCT, specializing in the treatment of recently deployed veterans.

Brian Lippincott, PhD, is a psychologist with a private practice in Hollister. He is the clinical director for the counseling center at California State University - Monterey Bay, and adjunct faculty at JFK University in Campbell.

Philip Manfield, PhD, has been a psychotherapist in private practice in the Bay Area for over 30 years and has taught EMDR in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In 2001, he was featured in the book 3 Minute Consultations with America's Greatest Psychotherapists. The author of Split Self/Split Object and editor of EMDR Casebook and Extending EMDR: A Casebook of Innovative Applications, he is currently Northern California Regional Coordinator of the EMDR International Association.

Ann Margulies, MFT, has a private practice in Menlo Park, where she works with adults and couples. A consultant for individuals and groups, she has presented trainings throughout the Bay Area on couple therapy and attachment theory.

Maria Mattioli, MFT, teaches psychology for the undergraduate and graduate counseling programs at JFK University and for San Jose City College. She has a private practice in Santa Cruz, where she specializes in experiential couple therapy and provides instruction on process painting, a method that helps connect clients to their innate creativity.

Rachel Michaelsen, LCSW, is the training consultant at Asian Pacific Psychological Services in Oakland, where she has supervised graduate students, doctoral students, ACSWs and MFTIs since 1998. A CAMFT-certified supervisor who received a certificate in Advanced Clinical Supervision from Smith College School for Social Work, she has taught courses in clinical supervision at JFK University, Alliant International University and NASW. Rachel maintains a private practice in Oakland.

Giovanna Morelli, LCSW, is a clinical social worker who has specialized in addictions for the past 20 years and currently works with families in crisis. She has developed prevention and early intervention programs for children and adolescents in schools, hospitals, county agencies and non-profit organizations. Giovanna received her training in pharmacology from Johnson Institute and UC San Diego Medical School, and currently teaches psychopharmacology at JFK University, UC Santa Cruz and CSU Hayward.

Cazeaux Nordstrum, MFT, is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Walnut Creek and San Rafael, with 25 years as a specialist in the area of aging as well as acute, chronic and life-threatening illnesses. She teaches courses on the assessment and treatment of mental illness in older adults for JFK University Continuing Education and at UC Berkeley extension. For the last 10 years has designed and taught cross-cultural educational programs on the topics of aging, dementia, care-giving, depression, anxiety and mental health issues. Cazeaux has also served as support for staff and families in the areas of death, dying and grief in Japan.

Carol Odsess, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Albany. Her work emphasizes EMDR and the energy psychology method, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Carol is both an EMDRIA approved consultant in EMDR and an EMDRIA certified clinician. She is also an advanced practitioner and trainer of EFT.

Rena Palloff, PhD, as been a consultant to Trinity Treatment Group, developing and managing inpatient and outpatient chemical dependency treatment programs. She has taught courses in addiction treatment at JFK University, California State University-Hayward, and Capella University. Currently a managing partner of Crossroads Consulting Group, working with institutions, organizations and corporations interested in the development of online distance learning and training programs, Rena has consulted extensively in healthcare, academic settings, and addiction treatment for over 20 years. A faculty member at Fielding Graduate Institute and at Capella University, she co-authored the 1999 Frandson Award-winning book Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace: Effective Strategies for the Online Classroom; Lessons from the Cyberspace Classroom; The Virtual Student; and Collaborating Online: Learning Together in Community.

Helen Palmer, MA, is an internationally recognized teacher and best-selling author of The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself & Others in Your Life and The Enneagram in Love & Work: Understanding Your Intimate & Business Relationships. Cofounder of The Enneagram Professional Training Program and founding director of the International Enneagram Association, Helen teaches the first Enneagram course approved for psychologists online through JFK University.

Tony Paulson, PhD, received his masters degree in social work in 1990 from Sacramento State University. He continued his education at the Saybrook Institute where he earned a doctorate degree in psychology in 1999. During his doctoral training, he received the Charles Thuss Award for exceptional writing and research based on his work in eating disorders. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Sacramento State University and Alliant University. Dr. Paulson has been treating people with eating disorders for nearly 17 years. He currently works as the Executive Director of Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program. Throughout his career he has developed and implemented treatment programs for people with eating disorders, given professional presentations on state and national levels, and frequently lectures to community groups throughout California.

Douglas Polcin, EdD, MFT, is a research scientist at the Alcohol Research Group in Berkeley and an instructor in both the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies Program at UC Berkeley Extension and the Counseling Psychology Program at JFK University. His current research focuses on the use of coercion to facilitate entry into treatment, peer helping, motivational enhancement therapy and implementing research findings in community treatment programs. Douglas has worked as a clinician, supervisor and administrator in substance abuse treatment for 23 years.

Robbin Rasbury, PsyD, currently serves as the program director of the Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Program at Alternative Family Services, where she works with high-risk teenagers. An adjunct professor at Antioch University, LA and at JFK University, she has extensive experience in hospitals and in community mental health settings, providing therapy to children, adolescents and families. Dr Rasbury has been a consultant and trainer for both UCLA TIES for Adoption Program and for PACT: An Adoption Alliance Program, where she facilitates workshops on foster care and adoption, trans-racial adoption, parenting strategies, and working with children and families of color.

Mark Rosenthal, LCSW, has been a clinical social worker at the Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute Partial Hospitalization Program since 2000 and has a private practice in San Francisco, where his primary focus has been working with patients with borderline personality disorder. With extensive experience providing individual and group therapy using dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) techniques, he also provides training to psychiatric residents and other staff on DBT.

Linda Satchell, MFT, specializes in expressive arts therapy and facilitates art therapy groups in a variety of settings, including specialized children's groups, drug and alcohol treatment centers and residential mental health facilities. An adjunct faculty member at JFK University, Linda also serves as clinical supervisor at Kinship Center in Salinas and has a private practice in Pacific Grove.

Ethan Schwartz, PhD, has conducted outcome studies on therapy treatments, served as a participant in outcome research, and been trained as a psychologist to utilize specific tools and therapeutic techniques designed to demonstrate positive outcomes. He has worked in community mental health clinics, Kaiser Permanente's HMO system and university counseling centers, and has presented at national conventions. Ethan maintains a private practice in Oakland, where he employs a collaborative, solution-focused approach.

Vivian Silva, MSW, is a gerontologist, educator, consultant, care manager, group facilitator and documentary filmmaker who works with families, elders and their advocates by providing care plans, referrals and personalized attention to elderly clients with bio/psycho/social/economic/spiritual needs. Specializing in women's issues, she co-founded Windows to a New World divorce groups and workshops for those 50 and older and designed Lady Guinevere's Round Table discussion groups, which provides older women a social network of support. Vivian currently serves as a care manager at the Sunnyvale Senior Center and as an instructor in the gerontology program at San Jose State University and at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont. Her documentary, Call My Name: Elgia Mae Gary Booker follows the story of a 5-generation family of females 8 to 103 years of age.

Ariana Spiegler, MBA, is a partner at Nonprofit Suite, an organization which provides financial management, accounting and human resource services to nonprofit organizations throughout the Bay Area. A certified management accountant, Ariana received her master's degree with concentrations in finance and accounting from UC Davis.

Rev. Alan Senauke is an authorized Soto Zen Buddhist priest and vice abbot of Berkeley Zen Center, where he lives with his family, For 20 years, Alan has taught mindfulness meditation and Zen in schools, prisons and international settings with people in distress. He has written extensively of his experiences.

Daniel Taube, JD, PhD, has been providing continuing education to licensed mental health professionals for almost 10 years. He received his JD from Villanova University and his PhD in clinical psychology from Hahnemann University, as a member of the Hahnemann/Villanova Joint Psychology and Law Graduate Program. A professor in the doctor of psychology program at Alliant International University's California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco, Dan is a member of both the child/family track and the forensic family child track, which he founded. His interests include legal and ethical issues in mental health practice, child protection, addiction, and disability and parenting.

Peter VanOot, PhD, has an MA in physiological psychology and his doctorate in clinical psychology. He worked at SUNY Buffalo in psychopharmacological research in the medical school and has pre- and postdoctoral training in rehabilitation neuropsychology. Peter maintains a consultation- and assessment-based neuropsychology private practice in Oakland and consults on pharmacology. He is a licensed psychologist and a member of APA's Division 40 and 38, as well as the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) and the Northern California Neuropsychology Forum (NCNF).

Heather Wassarman, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco. She has over ten years of experience providing cognitive-behavioral therapy to adults and has served as Adjunct Faculty at both JFKU and UCSF. She specializes in CBT, mindfulness-based approaches and health psychology.

Phillip Ziegler, PhD, began his private practice in 1975. He now presents trainings around the United States and in Europe and provides consultation in the Bay Area. He has taught continuing education courses at the University of Santa Clara and at JFK University, and has written numerous articles in professional journals and chapters in edited books in the field of Solution Focused Therapy. Phillip is co-author, along with his wife Tobey Hiller, of Recreating Partnership: A Solution-Oriented, Collaborative Approach to Couples Therapy.