The Admin Team
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Juan Torres
Executive Director
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Claudia Navarro
LMFT Clinical Director
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Imelda Vera
Programs Manager
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Patricia Gonzalez
Office Manager
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Richard Fries
Information & Technology Consultant
Juan Torres
Executive Director
Juan was born in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. At the age of seven, Juan and his family immigrated to California to work in the vineyards of Sonoma County. His previous position was with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa managing support services in Sonoma, Lake, Napa and Mendocino County.
Inspired by great leaders like Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King Jr., Juan is passionate about systemic change to help our most vulnerable reach their full potential. As the father of two young children, he sees the importance of supporting both parents and children to establish a strong foundation for their future success.
Claudia Navarro
LMFT Clinical Director
Claudia Navarro, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. Her experience has varied from private practice to the nonprofit sector. She came from Colombia 23 years ago to pursue her Graduate degree in Psychology and while pursuing this goal, she had the great opportunity to work in a nonprofit organization as a Case Manager providing intensive services to the dual diagnosed population and underserved minorities. She has also assisted nonprofits in creating Quality Control Policies and Procedures to ensure the delivery of high quality services.
Imelda Vera
Programs Manager
Imelda Vera, has been a part of Sonoma County for 10 years. Her family is from Guanajuato Mexico, Where her siblings were born. Imelda’s parents brought her and her siblings at a young age to Calistoga, where her family made the Napa Valley their home. Imelda began her education after High School, within the Santa Rosa Junior College, where she earned an Associate’s Degree. Imelda continued her education by transferring to San Francisco State University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
While beginning a career in Social Services, Imelda has had the privilege of working with Organizations such as, Santa Rosa Junior college, Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County, Child Parent Institute, Siyan Clinical Corporation, and most recently Humanidad Therapy and Education Services.
Imelda’s passion for working with the community has been an amazing journey. She has been a member of the Latino Service Providers, a Former Member for Humanidad Therapy and Education Services Board of Directors, additionally, she is a former member of On the Verge, where she became a Co-Founder of their Community Start-Up in Sonoma County, La Plaza Donde La Cultura Cura.
Imelda looks forward to continuing developing her career with Humanidad Therapy and Education Services within the leadership sector, as the Program’s Manager. Working alongside her colleagues to support Humanidad’s mission and vision of the organization, and implement culture humility and growth within its Program’s Department.
Patricia Gonzalez
Office Manager
Patricia Gonzalez is a Native-Born in Sonoma County, residing in Santa Rosa, CA. Her roots are from Michoacán, Mexico and proudly continues to be a part of the Latinx Community.
Patricia excelled and graduated from John Muir High School in Sonoma County and later attended Santa Rosa Junior College beginning her Journey into developing a career in Social Work.
Patricia is family oriented and has taken some time to raise her children, additionally her personal journey as a mother has given her the opportunity of an interest, and passionately work and advocate for Children and Parents in her community. Likewise, when the time is right Patricia will continue with her educational goals and complete her education. Patricia brings to Humanidad Therapy & Education Services over 10 year experience and a wealth of knowledge working in her community. More recently Patricia has dedicated over a year in nonprofit, working with Humanidad starting as office Administrator and excelled to now being Humanidad’s Office Manager.
Patricia has molded her interest in continuing to learn more about Social Services as she continues her Professional Career goals in Social Work, as Humanidad’s mission is to service the Latinx and bicultural Community through therapy and education services.
Richard Fries
Information & Technology Consultant
Richard is Humanidad’s technology and connectivity lifesaver! More on his bio to come…
Navigation Team
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Ariela Guerrero
Client Services Representative
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Citlaly Martinez
Community Outreach Resources Navigator
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Emeline Zarate
Community Outreach Resources Navigator
Ariela Guerrero
Client Services Representative
Ariela Guerrero is Humanidad’s Client Services Representative. She was originally introduced to the nonprofit through Maria Hess, PhD the late founder of the organization in 2015. She was inspired by the mission to serve the mental health needs of the Latinx community, and spent the next couple of years supporting the work. Being surrounded by strong, educated, and community-driven women became the catalyst for her return to the SRJC to complete her Sociology & Behavioral Science Degrees. Ultimately, she plans to finish out her bachelor’s at Sonoma State University and pursue a bilingual teaching credential to work in Sonoma County serving the K-6 population. In the meantime, she is enjoying spending quality time with her husband and son as a stay-at-home mom and working remotely as part of the Humanidad team.
Citlaly Martinez
Community Outreach Resources Navigator
Citlaly has been driven by all the amazing, strong and caring women in her life to become someone who can change lives for the better. As someone who is first generation Latina-America she has seen as well as experienced what neglecting mental health can do to an individual and those around them. As a teen parent she recognizes there are struggles and disparities within the community but has also learned to ask and accept the help and resources which she was given not only for herself but for her family’s well being. Citlaly strives to de-stigmatize and be a part of the change in underserved communities by offering resources and support. She recently graduated with her B.A in psychology at Sonoma State in Spring of 2022 and is enrolled at the USF MTF Program.
Emeline Zarate
Community Outreach Resources Navigator
Emeline was born and raised in Windsor, CA. Their roots are from Michoacán, Mexico. They earned their Associates Degree in Social and Behavioral Science, and Sociology. They have been working in nonprofit specializing in the youth community for over 7 years. They are looking forward to continuing working with the latinx/bi-cultural community with Humanidad.
Supervisors
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Cecilia Perez
Lead Clinical Supervisor
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Maxine Hall
CAMFT Certified Supervisor
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Heather Harshbarger
LMFT
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Christina Zapata
LCSW, CDEP Supervisor
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Gilda Estevez
LMFT Clinical Counselor
Cecilia Perez
Lead Clinical Supervisor
LMFT 80322
I am the Clinical Director of Humanidad Therapy and Education Services where I provide clinical supervision to our trainees and associates who are gaining hours towards becoming therapists like myself. I also work with adults, couples, families and children doing therapy that is both bilingual and bicultural. Having migrant parents, I have experienced the challenges, complexities and opportunities that come with being a first generation Latina and living in and bridging two cultures. I am also a licensed MFT therapist and have been an active member of Sonoma County’s mental health community, providing psychotherapy in community mental health agencies, schools and court-affiliated services and as well as in my own bilingual private practice. I received an Associates of Art from Santa Rosa Junior College, Bachelors of Science in both Psychology and Spanish from Sonoma State University and then completed a Masters of Science in Counseling Marriage and Family at San Francisco State University. It was during that time in working as an intern to become licensed MFT that I became inspired by my mentor Dr. Maria Hess and her work as a Humanistic depth-oriented therapist and teacher. In collaboration with Dr. Hess, Claudia Cendejas, MA, and I, we co-founded Humanidad Therapy and Education Services. The first non-profit mental health counseling agency in Sonoma County that primarily serves the Latinx community, offering bilingual and bicultural sensitive services to hard to reach communities. Dr. Maria Hess lead the way for me in my interest of expanding multicultural awareness and delving deeper into issues that impact diverse populations. We developed the therapeutic program of Convivencia that is currently being assessed to train future therapists and social workers into the field of mental health on a culturally based practice that supports the needs of the Latinx immigrant community. I am dedicated to serving the most vulnerable populations and helping to bring awareness to the barriers that limit access and the stigma of mental health services.
I am the Clinical Director of Humanidad Therapy and Education Services where I provide clinical supervision to our trainees and associates who are gaining hours towards becoming therapists like myself. I also work with adults, couples, families and children doing therapy that is both bilingual and bicultural. Having migrant parents, I have experienced the challenges, complexities and opportunities that come with being a first generation Latina and living in and bridging two cultures. I am also a licensed MFT therapist and have been an active member of Sonoma County’s mental health community, providing psychotherapy in community mental health agencies, schools and court-affiliated services and as well as in my own bilingual private practice. I received an Associates of Art from Santa Rosa Junior College, Bachelors of Science in both Psychology and Spanish from Sonoma State University and then completed a Masters of Science in Counseling Marriage and Family at San Francisco State University. It was during that time in working as an intern to become licensed MFT that I became inspired by my mentor Dr. Maria Hess and her work as a Humanistic depth-oriented therapist and teacher. In collaboration with Dr. Hess, Claudia Cendejas, MA, and I, we co-founded Humanidad Therapy and Education Services. The first non-profit mental health counseling agency in Sonoma County that primarily serves the Latinx community, offering bilingual and bicultural sensitive services to hard to reach communities. Dr. Maria Hess lead the way for me in my interest of expanding multicultural awareness and delving deeper into issues that impact diverse populations. We developed the therapeutic program of Convivencia that is currently being assessed to train future therapists and social workers into the field of mental health on a culturally based practice that supports the needs of the Latinx immigrant community. I am dedicated to serving the most vulnerable populations and helping to bring awareness to the barriers that limit access and the stigma of mental health services.
Maxine Hall
CAMFT Certified Supervisor
Maxine Hall, MFT has been a Marriage and Family Therapist in Private Practice since 1999. She began supervising Trainees and Interns in 2006 and became a CAMFT Certified Supervisor in 2011. It is with great pleasure that she is involved and supervises Trainees and Associates at Humanidad.
Heather Harshbarger
LMFT
Heather Harshbarger is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, bilingual in English and Spanish, with over a decade of experience working with children, families, and adults. Heather is originally from the east coast, but moved to California after completing graduate school to start her career in mental health. Heather also carries a specialization in Early Childhood Mental Health and is pursuing endorsement with the state of California as an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. Outside of work, Heather is a busy parent alongside her partner to their toddler daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family in their garden and out in nature.
Christina Zapata
LCSW, CDEP Supervisor
Christina (LCSW, CDEP) is a licensed social worker carrying out program and clinical duties at Humanidad. She is EMDR certified, a therapeutic intervention used to relieve psychological stress and is the program manager for the Community Convivencia & Group Convivencia research project. Christina’s experience prior to clinical training includes organized labor, migrant education, and advocacy for policy change.
Gilda Estevez
LMFT Clinical Counselor
Gilda Estevez, LMFT #108094 obtained her MS degree in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University in 2016. She completed her clinical hours working with bilingual/bicultural Latinx youth and families, and has worked as a Therapist and Clinical Supervisor in various nonprofit clinics and community-based wraparound programs throughout Sonoma County. She is a trauma therapist by specialty and her clinical approach is client-centered, trauma informed, and integrative- generally weaving various fundamentals of liberation psychology, psychodynamic/attachment-based, cognitive behavioral, family systems, feminist, narrative, and solution-focused theories into her clinical practice. As a supervisor, she’s passionate about supporting developing clinicians show up as authentic, vulnerable, and whole humans in their clinical relationships. She believes strongly that well rounded clinicians carefully consider the impact of intersecting systems of oppression on the mental health functioning of their clients.
Counselors
Practitioners
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Bianca Aviña
LMFT Licensed Therapist
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Dee Edwinson
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
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Cody Westfall
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
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Nancy Herrera
Associate Social Worker
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Noemi Degante
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
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Valerie Pacheco
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
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Jordan Morrison
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
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Heidy Umali
Associate Clinical Social Worker Therapist
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Nicole Havener
Trainee
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Karina Peña
Associate MFT
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Stephanie Malagon
Associate MFT
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We Want Your Name Here
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Bianca Aviña
LMFT Licensed Therapist
LMFT 124362
Bianca Avina is a bilingual, bicultural, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She is a first-generation college student to obtain her Master’s in counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco. Bianca works with individual clients of all ages including adults, adolescents, and children. Bianca is also a facilitator for our Convivencias, facilitates youth groups, and conducts mental health lectures in the community.
Bianca Avina is a bilingual, bicultural, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She is a first-generation college student to obtain her Master’s in counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco. Bianca works with individual clients of all ages including adults, adolescents, and children. Bianca is also a facilitator for our Convivencias, facilitates youth groups, and conducts mental health lectures in the community.
Dee Edwinson
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
Dolores “Dee” Edwinson immigrated to the United States from El Salvador at the
age of five. After graduating from high school, she continued her studies,
married, and had three daughters. She eventually earned a Bachelor’s degree in
Liberal Studies, with an emphasis in Multicultural Studies and then earned a
Bilingual Teaching Credential from Sonoma State University and taught
elementary school for 17 years. She earned a Master’s degree in Psychology from
California Southern University in 2015, and joined Humanidad in 2016. As an
Associate Marriage Therapist (AMFT), she enjoys working with couples,
individuals, families, children, and adolescents. Dee enjoys reading, chorus
singing, taking long walks, and visiting her three grown daughters who live in
Sacramento, El Dorado, and Sonoma Counties. She lives with her husband in
Sonoma County. (AMFT #132971)
Cody Westfall
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
AMFT 106245
Cody has been with Humanidad as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist for over three years. She works with clients of all ages, and has a particular focus on multicultural competency in her training that supports her work with all intersecting identities. She is committed to helping others transcend their experiences of pain and loss in order to have, be, and do more with their lives than they may have thought they could. She holds undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Social and Behavioral Science, with a Masters in Community Mental Health from Sonoma State University. As a member of the Humanidad lecture team, she lectures and provides trainings at the Santa Rosa Junior College, Lawrence Cook Middle School, and many community locations. *Her clients report feeling seen, valued, and validated in their work with her, and as a result of their dedication to their healing, have achieved their goals and gone on to find fulfillment and self love. She sees it as a privilege to be asked to join her clients in the therapeutic process, and looks forward to doing this work for many years to come.
Cody has been with Humanidad as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist for over three years. She works with clients of all ages, and has a particular focus on multicultural competency in her training that supports her work with all intersecting identities. She is committed to helping others transcend their experiences of pain and loss in order to have, be, and do more with their lives than they may have thought they could. She holds undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Social and Behavioral Science, with a Masters in Community Mental Health from Sonoma State University. As a member of the Humanidad lecture team, she lectures and provides trainings at the Santa Rosa Junior College, Lawrence Cook Middle School, and many community locations. *Her clients report feeling seen, valued, and validated in their work with her, and as a result of their dedication to their healing, have achieved their goals and gone on to find fulfillment and self love. She sees it as a privilege to be asked to join her clients in the therapeutic process, and looks forward to doing this work for many years to come.
Nancy Herrera
Associate Social Worker
Nancy Herrera is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Ms. Herrera received he bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Judson University in Elgin, Illinois and a Master’s in Social Work from Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois. Growing up in an agrarian community among farmworkers in the central valley of California, Ms. Herrera developed a passion for helping vulnerable people. Ms. Herrera has worked in the social work field in various capacities, such as hospice, grief, homelessness, domestic violence, school counselor, and co-facilitator of NAMI’s Family-to-Family group. Ms. Herrera also served on an advisory board to implement a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Judson University. Ms. Herrera looks forward to serving, adolescents and adults in the Latinx community at Humanidad Therapy and Education Services.
Noemi Degante
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
Noemi Degante Blancas AMFT128554 is a bilingual, bicultural, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). She graduated with a masters in counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco.
Noemi works with individual clients of all ages including adults, adolescents, and children; and is currently working specifically with middle school students at Cesar Chavez Language Academy. Noemi has facilitated youth groups, Convivencias and has given presentations in the community on mental health.
Valerie Pacheco
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
ID num: 2170
Valerie Pacheco is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Ms. Pacheco received her BA in Psychology and Spanish, and an MA in Counseling with an emphasis in community mental health from Loyola Marymount University. Ms. Pacheco continues to embody her alma mater’s mission of the education of the whole person, service of faith, and the promotion of justice by assisting the LatinX community. Ms. Pacheco has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in a variety of settings including schools, community based organizations, and in private practice. Since coming to Sonoma county, Ms. Pacheco continues to work with various settings by providing support to bilingual and monolingual families and individuals through Sonoma County Behavioral Health, Child Protective Services, and Redwood Children’s Clinic. Ms. Pacheco is now part of the Humanidad family and is pursuing more training in Trauma Focus work.
Valerie Pacheco is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Ms. Pacheco received her BA in Psychology and Spanish, and an MA in Counseling with an emphasis in community mental health from Loyola Marymount University. Ms. Pacheco continues to embody her alma mater’s mission of the education of the whole person, service of faith, and the promotion of justice by assisting the LatinX community. Ms. Pacheco has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in a variety of settings including schools, community based organizations, and in private practice. Since coming to Sonoma county, Ms. Pacheco continues to work with various settings by providing support to bilingual and monolingual families and individuals through Sonoma County Behavioral Health, Child Protective Services, and Redwood Children’s Clinic. Ms. Pacheco is now part of the Humanidad family and is pursuing more training in Trauma Focus work.
Jordan Morrison
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
LMFT 133351
Jordan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He works with individuals, couples and families.
Jordan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He works with individuals, couples and families.
Heidy Umali
Associate Clinical Social Worker Therapist
Heidy Umali is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who earned her Bachelor of Social Work from La Sierra University, and graduated from a one year advanced standing program at Loma Linda University earning both her Masters of Social Work and Master of Science in Criminal Justice degrees. Heidy is passionate about trauma informed care, child advocacy and social justice. Some of her specialities include working with children, adolescents and adults who have been impacted by adverse childhood experiences and complex trauma. Heidy believes that healing and achieving wholeness is unique to each individual and their intimate lived experiences. Nonetheless, a journey that our clients don’t have to process alone.
Nicole Havener
Trainee
I currently live in Napa County. I grew up primarily in Napa County, moving back and forth between Napa and Yountville. I went to Vintage High school in Napa and graduated in 2013. After high school, I went to Napa Junior College and transferred to UC Davis as a Junior. I graduated from UC Davis in 2018 with my Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. I am currently completing a Master’s program in MFT at USF, the Santa Rosa site. In my spare time, I enjoy reading fiction, watching movies/TV shows, and photography. I am also a proud and passionate Cat Mama to two boy cats, one all black and the other is a tuxedo. A small hobby I have is trying to learn new languages from foreign movies and shows that I watch. I currently work with kiddos on the Autism Spectrum, as a Behavior Technician. I recently started with Humanidad in August of 2022. I really love how supportive my co-workers are at Humanidad, everyone always lets me know that they are available to help me at any time with any issue or concern I have.
Karina Peña
Associate MFT
Karina Peña comes to us from USF where she is finalizing her clinical counseling studies with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy and Pupil Services. Karina is bicultural and bilingual and has worked in the social service field for over 15 years in Sonoma County. She has a background in program coordination, program management, case management and health education. In addition, Karina is a certified parent educator and Triple P facilitator.
Stephanie Malagon
Associate MFT
Stephanie Malagon is a master’s student pursuing a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has 4+ years of experience working with children with Autism providing ABA therapy. Stephanie is excited to work with diverse populations and be a resource for her community.
We Want Your Name Here
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We’re hiring! …for fore information go here: https://srosahtes.org/careers/