Faculty Bios

Ellen Balis, EdD, is a licensed psychologist with 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. In addition to her private practice in Berkeley, she teaches supervision and case conference at the Wright Institute. Her psychodynamic orientation is enriched by her training in psychodrama, EMDR, and 20 years of meditation.

Masankho Banda, MA, founder of Ubuntu PeaceBuilding, is a multi-disciplinary performing artist, educator, spiritual healer and peace builder. Using performing arts, he motivates and inspires people of all ages to work together to bring about peace, social justice and cultural understanding. Masankho was awarded the Unsung Hero of Compassion by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2001.

Bryna Barsky-Ex, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and a sex therapist with extensive experience conducting therapy with couples, individuals and groups. She is employed by 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. Specializing in work with couples and individuals struggling with issues of intimacy, sexual dysfunction and sexual enhancement, she has a private practice in Fremont.

Eric Beckman has over 20 years experience providing individuals and organizations with effective design, implementation and training in communications, risk and conflict management, skill building, and process improvement. Currently the Vice President and CFO of Barnes & Conti Associates, Inc. Eric has worked with organizations including Analog Devices, Applied Materials, Charles Schwab, and Cisco Systems.

Louise Bettner, PhD, has been a supervisor at the JFK University Community Counseling Center for over 20 years. She has a private practice in Davis where she specializes in mental health treatment of older adults and is a consultant with skilled nursing facilities.

Heather Carpenter, MMNA, has served as a nonprofit manager, consultant, speaker and trainer to nonprofit organizations in California and Illinois for over six years. Currently the Director of the Jenna Druck Foundation, she earned her Masters of Management in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University in Chicago, Illinois, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Leadership at the University of San Diego. Heather is the author of several Nonprofit Management Toolkits.

Amy Cayton, PhD, MS, is core faculty at JFK University, where she teaches Buddhist Psychology and Basic Addiction Studies. 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 nearly 10 years.

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 setting up study programs in sandplay across the United States.

Maria Ellen Chiaia, PhD, is a Jungian Analyst and a teaching member of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy, who has published extensively on sandplay. Co-author of Sandplay in Three Voices: Images, Relationship and the Numinous, she currently maintains a private practice in San Rafael and Berkeley.

Craig Clark, MA, MFT, is Assistant Professor and Core Faculty 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 trainees and interns at the Sunnyvale Counseling Center. He maintains a private practice in Santa Clara and Soquel.

Harvey Cohen, MA, MFT, has been a professor of psychology at JFK University since 1991, where he directs the expressive arts specialization and the Expressive Arts Camp. A supervisor at the JFK University Community Counseling Center in Sunnyvale and at the Teen and Family Counseling Center in Campbell, Harvey was named outstanding teacher of the year by JFK University in 2003. He maintains a private practice in Aptos.

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, Dr Cohen 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.

Catherine Debon, MFT, RDT, entered the field of counseling in 1987. For the past 10 years, she has been working as a drama therapist at Alta Bates psychiatric services, in Berkeley. Originally a dancer and a yoga practitioner for over 20 years, she also leads yoga groups with both adults and teenagers and has extensive experience working with eating disorder clients. She has a private practice in Berkeley and Oakland.

Sandy Dibbell-Hope, PhD, DTR, is a licensed psychologist and registered dance therapist with a private practice in the East Bay since 1986, where she integrates verbal and expressive arts therapy in her work with individuals, couples and families. She is adjunct faculty at California Institute of Integral Studies, JFK University, and Alliant International University; a supervisor and teacher at West Coast Children's Clinic; and teacher-in-training in the Ridhwan school of AH Almaas.

Rosalind Englander-Calo, MS, 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. She provides trainings for school personnel, therapy interns, and in public and professional conferences.

Aaron J Feldman, MFT, has specialized in work with individuals, couples, and groups for both men and women involved in abusive relationships for the past six years. He has a private practice in Pleasant Hill and in Pinole, and has facilitated Batterer Intervention Treatment Groups throughout Contra Costa County for STAND! Against Domestic Violence.

Scott Fisher, MA, MFT, received his degree in Clinical Psychology from JFK University. Since then, he has helped implement the ASAM criteria for placement & assessment and the pilot program of the Department of Drug & Alcohol Services (DADS) Client Directed Outcome Informed (CDOI) treatment at Family & Children Services (FCS) Substance Abuse Program and at Asian American Resource Center in San Jose. Scott supervises interns at FCS and the Oakgrove School District and is Advisor to the new PeerPALS program for National Association for Mental Illness in Santa Clara County. An adjunct faculty member of Bethany University, he maintains a private practice in San Jose.

Sylvia Fisher, MA, MFT, RPT/S, is an adjunct faculty member at JFK University, where she teaches Child Therapy and Play Therapy courses, and has worked with children in a variety of settings using techniques of play therapy and sandplay. The author of articles in two Play Therapy texts, Sylvia trained with Dora Kalff in Switzerland. She maintains a private practice in Pleasant Hill.

Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, is a pioneer in Professional Geriatric Care Management. She has shared her expertise nationally and internationally in this field with those interested in Care Management and Aging Issues. Linda started Eldercare Services in 1989, which currently has offices in Walnut Creek and San Francisco with over 250 employees. She serves on the National GCM board and is President of the Western Chapter.

Steven Freemire, MA, MFT, is director of the Contra Costa Men's Center and has a private psychotherapy and coaching practice in Walnut Creek and Berkeley, where he applies Coherence Therapy in his work with individual men and women, teens, couples and families. Steven is also an adjunct faculty member at JFK University.

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, and has been a consultant, supervisor and teacher at several Bay Area institutions. A candidate in the Analytic Training Program at the C. G. Jung Institute in San Francisco, Lori helped form the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and has 25 years of experience working in the field of Expressive Arts Therapy.

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 maintains a private practice in Walnut Creek.

Robert Grant, PhD, has worked with US Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Canadian Armed Service personnel on issues of combat stress and trauma for 13 years. The author of many books including A Comprehensive Approach to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Trauma: A Working Manual for Therapists, Living and Working in Environments of Violence: A Resource Manual for Humanitarian Workers, and Vicarious Trauma: A Handbook for Professionals Working with Victims of Trauma, he has coordinated psychological, medical and spiritual care for thousands of US Marines Veterans coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Robert recently developed a 360 Wrap-Around-Support Program that is now being adopted by leaders in the Marine Corps and the Navy.

Paula Green, MA, MFT, has been a licensed MFT since 1985 and has worked in the domestic violence field for 26 years. She is a former supervisor and intern program coordinator at Battered Women's Alternatives (which is now STAND!). As an expert in the field of abuse, Paula has made presentations to many organizations and has served as an expert witness in court. A founding partner in the Domestic Violence Prevention Training Institute, she is a supervisor at the JFK University Counseling Center in Pleasant Hill and has a private practice in Walnut Creek.

Scott Hassler, PhD, is Director of Grants & Research and Manager of Advancement Services at JFK University. The author of many successful grants for capital campaigns, academic programs, scholarships, and scientific research, he teaches grant writing at JFK University.

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.

Marsha Hiller, MFT, has a private practice in Berkeley where she works with children, individuals and couples. A CAMFT-certified supervisor who has taught group psychotherapy, expressive movement and case seminar at JFK University, Marsha has a passion for diversity and social justice issues.

Jerris Hogue, MA, received his degree in Holistic Health Education from JFK University, with a concentration in holistic nutrition. He has a private practice as a wellness coach and nutrition consultant in Benicia. Jerris developed a six week program on Integrative Sexual Expansion which offers an integrative and empowering approach to addressing erectile dysfunction to men and their partners. He has studied the use of medicinal herbs for health for seven years and owned a small herbal business named Madrone Herbs.

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.

Bret Johnson, PhD, works with diverse abusive families, spouses, and partners as an evaluator and mediator for the Santa Cruz County Superior Court and with HIV and AIDS clients in the public and private sector. The author of Coming Out Every Day: A Gay, Bisexual and Questioning Man's Guide, he has a private practice in Santa Cruz, where he specializes in work with gay men and their families.

Joscelyn Jones Torru, Esq. is a licensed attorney with extensive experience in criminal defense, juvenile dependency, probate and mental health cases. Self-employed as an adjunct judicial officer, she presides over certification review and medication capacity hearings in psychiatric facilities. Joscelyn serves as a Temporary Judge throughout the Contra Costa County Superior Court judicial branches and teaches criminal law at JFK University School of Law. She maintains a private practice in Hercules.

Joel Kreisberg, DC, MA, is the founder and executive director of the Teleosis Institute. Currently an adjunct faculty member in the School of Holistic Studies at JFK University, he completed his Doctor of Chiropractic at New York Chiropractic College and received his MA in Integral Ecology at Prescott College. Joel is the author of several books on homeopathy and has been teaching for over twenty years.

Howard Liebgold, MD, is a board-certified specialist in rehabilitation and has taught a large mix of anxiety classes and workshops on a local and national level over the past 20 years. The 1991 California Physician of the Year, he served as head of Phobease adult and children's classes at Kaiser Vallejo. His unique cognitive behavioral approach has helped over 15,000 clients overcome their phobias and obsessive and compulsive disorders. He is author of Curing Anxiety, Phobias, Shyness and OCD and Freedom from Fear - Overcoming Anxiety, Panic and Phobias.

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.

Mary McCloy, RN, MFT, is a certified eating disorders therapist and a masters-prepared psychiatric nurse who has been working in the field of eating disorders for over 10 years. She has taught psychopharmacology at San Jose City College and numerous workshops on eating disorders and addictions. A founding member of Connection Counseling Associates, she has a private practice in San Jose specializing in eating disorders.

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. She maintains a private practice in Oakland.

Haydee Montenegro, PhD, PsyD, is a Professor and Director of Training in the Doctorate Program in Psychology at JFK University. With interests in Human Rights, Social Justice and Diversity Issues, she has served as an ECOSOC-accredited representative of World Federation for Mental Health to the United Nations for 15 years. Haydee has served on the Executive Committee of the NGO Committee on Narcotics and Substance Abuse, has been a member of Alliance on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and a frequent speaker for Mental Health and Human Rights in national and international venues.

Deirdre Moriarty, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and a certified eating disorder professional who has been an adjunct professor at both United States International University and National University. Experienced with inpatient, day treatment and outpatient settings in the treatment of eating disorders, she has a private practice in Concord.

M. Ephimia Morphew-Lu, MS, CN, is a Certified Nutritionist specializing in the area of Nutritional Psychology. A former NASA Senior Research Psychologist, she is the founder & former Editor-in-Chief of the international, peer-reviewed journal The Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments. Ephimia maintains a private practice in Santa Clara.

Elise Nawrocki, MPM, MEd, has taught a variety of eCommerce, MIS, and Business/Management courses online at JFK University's School of Management, and has worked the last eight years as a researcher at a Top 20 United State's university. Her areas of specialty are eCommerce, Management Information Systems and Security.

Rhoda Olkin, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and a Distinguished Professor of clinical psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, San Francisco. She received her doctorate from UC Santa Barbara and her BA in psychology from Stanford University. Author of the well-received What Psychotherapists Should Know About Disability and the video Disability-Affirmative Therapy: A Beginner's Guide, Rhoda has been teaching and training therapists in CBT for over 20 years. She maintains a private practice in Walnut Creek and also does expert witness work.

Rena Palloff, PhD, was previously 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, Dr Palloff has consulted extensively in health care, academic settings, and addiction treatment for over 20 years. Faculty 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 the forthcoming 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. Co-founder of The Enneagram Professional Training Program and Founding Director of the International Enneagram Association, she has embarked on a new online venture with JFK University's CE Department to present the first-ever American Psychological Association (APA) approved online Enneagram course.

Diana Poulson, MFT, is the Immediate Past President of the Redwood Empire Chapter of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and the co-founder of the Sebastopol Area Business Net, a small business networking group. She offers individual coaching, networking groups and Success Teams for therapists and other entrepreneurs, and specializes in Career, Small Business, and Life Coaching. Committed to helping clients create meaningful work for meaningful lives, Diana has a private practice in Sebastopol.

Gilbert Reyes, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and an Associate Dean at Fielding Graduate University. He has responded to a variety of major disasters, teaches nationally and internationally on disaster mental health, and consults with the Terrorism and Disaster Center (TDC) of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

Sam Roberts, MA, is an organizational consultant and associate at Barnes & Conti Associates, Inc. For the past five years, Sam has consulted extensively within the alternative fuels industry, in addition to helping create Yokayo Biofuels, the Bay Area's first biodiesel plant making fuel from entirely recycled sources. He is renowned for his integrated training method which incorporates principles of Aikido and the martial arts into organizational development.

Janne Rochlin is Vice-President and Chief Learning Officer at Barnes & Conti Associates, Inc. focusing on organizational development, training and consulting. With over 18 years experience designing, developing and delivering training in the areas of influence, negotiations, oral and written communication, coaching, team skills and innovation, Janne has worked with organizations including Eli Lilly, CitiGroup, Cisco Systems, Kaiser Permanente, and Agilent Technologies.

Kate Rome, MA, MFT, has worked extensively with children and families in school settings and specializes in child abuse cases. She also has been involved in the California Association for Play Therapy (CALAPT) since 2003, serving as Chapter President and on the Executive Board. In addition, she has been in different teaching capacities at JFK University for the past four years, including teaching the Clinical Orientation class at the JFK University Counseling Center.

Merry Ross, MA, MFT, is a trained Drama Therapist with extensive experience working with children & adolescents. Co-founder of The Living Arts Counseling Center in Oakland, she supervises the internship program there.

Luana Rowland, MFT, is a teaching member of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy who studied with Dora Kalff and has been a practicing Sandplay Therapist for nearly 20 years. Co-founder of the Sandplay Therapy and Training Institute, she currently lives and practices in Hawaii.

Bev Scott, MA, MHRD, is core faculty in the Organizational Psychology Program at JFK University. She co-developed the "Third Act" in response to her own exploration of what is next in her life. Bev has over 30 years experience as an organizational consultant and served for fifteen years as the Director of Organization and Management Development for McKesson Corporation. Her most recent book is Consulting on the Inside: An Internal Consultant's Guide to Living and Working Inside Organizations.

Sean Stannard-Stockton, CFA, CAP, is director of Tactical Philanthropy at Ensemble Capital Management in Burlingame, which provides families traditional investment management and a specialized approach to advancing their philanthropic interests. The creator of Ensemble Capital's Philanthropic Optimization Process®, Sean writes the column On Philanthropy for the Financial Times and is author of the chapter "The Evolution of the Tactical Philanthropist" in the anthology Mapping the New World of American Philanthropy. Sean appears weekly on NPR's radio show Fundraising Success. He holds a degree in economics from UC Davis.

Michael Stephens, MFT, CMT, has worked in the field of grief and loss at a number of hospice and healthcare agencies for the last five years, including Kaiser Hospice, Hospice of Contra Costa County, Mercy Hospice, and The Wellness Community. He has made several presentations on issues around grief and loss, and has taught classes on the subject at UC Berkeley Extension, JFK University and Samuel Merritt. Michael has published articles on loss and developed a bereavement manual that is currently being used in grief groups run by Kaiser Hospice and Hospice of Contra Costa County. He currently has a private practice in Walnut Creek.

Paula Szloboda, RN, MA, NI, received her MA in Holistic Health Education from JFK University, with a specialization in Holistic Nutrition, and is certified through Bauman College as a Nutrition Instructor and a whole foods chef. Paula maintains a private practice as a health and wellness consultant and coach.

Daniel Taube, JD, PhD, has been providing continuing education to licensed mental health professionals for almost ten 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. The Program Director and a professor in the Doctor of Psychology program at Alliant International University's California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco, Dr Taube is a member of both the Child/Family Track and the Forensic Family Child Track, which he founded. His interests include the legal and ethical issues in mental health practice, child protection, addictions, and disability and parenting.

Allan Tobias, MD, JD, is a licensed physician and attorney who specializes in Healthcare Law. Formerly Chief of Surgery at Mt. Diablo Hospital and Chief of Urology at both Mt. Diablo and John Muir Hospitals, he has been a member of the Bar Association since graduating from JFK University School of Law in 1991. Dr. Tobias is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the California Healthcare Attorneys and the Contra Costa Bar. He has taught Healthcare Law in the Masters programs at the University of San Francisco, St. Mary's, the University of Phoenix and JFK University's School of Law.

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 post-doctoral training in rehabilitation neuropsychology. Dr VanOot maintains a consultation- and assessment-based neuropsychology private practice in Oakland and also 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).

Pete Walker, MFT, is director of the Lafayette Counseling Center and has been working as a teacher and mental health professional for almost 30 years. The author of The Tao of Fully Feeling: Harvesting Forgiveness Out of Blame, he has presented on the treatment of trauma at the 41st Annual CAMFT Conference and at several EBCAMFT chapter meetings.

Kimberly Weichel, MS, is a social pioneer, educator, and specialist in global communications and conflict resolution, assisting individuals and organizations to realize their potential. She has directed international projects over the past 25 years in Africa, Europe, the former Soviet Union, the United States and with the United Nations, particularly with women. Kim is co-founder of Ubuntu PeaceBuilding, providing courses, training, mentoring and consulting in peace leadership, and is author of several books, including Healing the Heart of the World.

Daniel Wile, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with 30 years experience as a couple therapist. He received his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley, where he is an Assistant Clinical Professor. A Diplomate in Clinical Psychology of the American Board of Professional Psychology, Dr Wile has published on psychotherapeutic theory as well as couples therapy, teaches in several graduate programs in the San Francisco Bay Area, gives professional workshops on couples therapy throughout the United States, and is author of Couples Therapy: A Nontraditional Approach; After the Honeymoon, How Conflict Can Improve Your Relationship; and After the Fight: Using Your Disagreements to Build a Stronger Relationship.