Our Staff
therapist interns
Neil Robinson
Neil Robinson, a native of the U.K., graduated with a B.S. in Toxicology from the University of California at Davis. He worked as an Environmental Scientist studying toxins in the environment and in people. From this experience he has seen the critical relationship between physical and mental health.
He has a love to know a deeper truth of existence through his work as a Student in the Ridhwan School learning to be more in the now and be with what arises in the body, mind, heart and soul.
His focus is to be in the room with his clients to journey together in a safe holding way. “In this relationship we can become curious and explore what arises in the moment and is getting in the way of living fully.”
His areas of special interest include anger, anxiety, depression, parenting issues and the struggles that arise with life’s transitions.
Raia Kogan
My passion for healing and spiritual growth emerged out of a long commitment to social and environmental activism. I realized that inner transformation is key to creating positive change in our communities and on the planet. I have been a yoga teacher and massage therapist for five years and have become skilled at helping people explore the connection between emotions and the body.
My work as a therapist continues my exploration of this connection. I believe that healing happens when we become aware of our thoughts and emotions in the present moment through attention to our breath and body. Through mindfullness and body-centered therapy, clients can find a greater sense of their inner selves and experience greater freedom in embodying who they truly are.
I integrate mindfulness, guided imagery, yoga-based tools, and dreamwork into my work with individuals and couples.
Natasha Nair
After an undergraduate degree in Psychology I went on to do a post-graduate diploma in Human Rights Law, and am currently a final year student in the Masters in Integral Counseling Psychology. I speak fluent English and Hindi, and welcome people from diverse backgrounds. I am also trained as a Yoga teacher by the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre.
I endeavor to bring supportive and compassionate care to facilitate insightful transformation. My hope is to offer a relational space where deep healing may occur by accessing multiple ways of knowing – body, heart, mind, soul. Therapy with each client is unique depending on what the client needs to grow and transform.
I invite you to work with what keeps you from experiencing life directly, loving deeply, and manifesting in your entirety.
Sarah Cappelli
Sarah Cappelli is a native of the Chicago area where she lived her life for 15 years in the arts as a professional pianist, music teacher, and actress.
Sarah moved to San Francisco two years ago to pursue her long-held vision of combining her artistic background with a degree in counseling. After spending her first year of graduate school in the Expressive Arts program at CIIS, Sarah discovered that her life-long experience in the arts was deeply imbedded in her intuitive nature, yet as a future therapist she yearned for more structured training in understanding the Self through integral psychology. Thus, Sarah completed her coursework through the Integral Counseling Program at CIIS and is thrilled to be at Golden Gate ICC as a therapist in training.
Sarah brings her rich background in the arts, experience as co-facilitator of a creative women’s circle, years as an apprentice in shamanic and ceremonial studies, a true appreciation for working with one’s shadow and the ‘dark night of the soul,’ and deep respect for what it means to become an authentic human being. She has trained extensively in Eugene Gendlin’s technique of Focusing and the felt sense, and continues to hone her skills as a focusing companion and facilitator. Of particular interest to Sarah is working with attachment issues, trauma, near death experience, chronic pain and illness, grief, anxiety, transition, and individuation. She has a life-long love for animals, children, and is a passionate gardener.
Veronika Gold
Veronika Gold has a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the Karel University, Czech Republic, and is a therapist in training at the Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center. Veronika offers a compassionate, supportive, and contemplative environment in which she invites her clients to explore the deepest life concerns and questions.
Her interest is in working with cross cultural issues, life transitions, loss, anxiety, and depression, healing deep core issues, and helping her clients to experience a deeper intimacy and harmony in interpersonal relationships and in relationship to oneself. Veronika is committed to helping her clients find their own truth and to live authentically from that. She invites the integration of body, mind and spirit in everyday life.
Kevin Parker
Kevin Parker works with the interface between psychology and spirituality, considering the two inseparable. A long-time Vipassana meditation practitioner, Kevin has worked with pioneers in the field of spiritual psychology such as Stan Grof, A.H. Almaas and Ram Dass, aka Richard Alpert. A professional musician, singer/songwriter for many years, he feels that creative endeavors such as art, music and writing are powerful tools that can help us find balance and connection in an often unbalanced and disconnected world. His areas of interest include spiritual emergency, trauma, attachment and stress reduction.
Sunny Freeman
In my work as a therapist, I hold a deep reverence for the complexity of human experience. There is so much living in each of us, and it is my intention to provide a space where we can explore this together in a way that is safe and honoring. I bring a combination of curiosity and compassion into my work, as well as a heartfelt desire to inquire into what it means to be alive in the world. I draw from psychospiritual and relational perspectives in my practice, and my work as a massage therapist has informed my experience, giving me insight into how the body can be used as a resource in the therapeutic process. I am continually awed by the inherent courage and resilience within all of us, and I believe that by tapping into this innate wisdom, we can begin to live our truth.
Lexi Frank
Lexi did her undergraduate studies at a Liberal Arts college in upstate New York where she integrated Psychology, Sociology and Studio Art into a dynamic and fulfilling curriculum. She continued her studies in Psychology and Eastern Philosophy with the aim of becoming a counselor well versed in both traditional psychoanalytic theory and spiritual practice. She moved to San Francisco two years ago from New York City, to attend the California Institute of Integral Studies. Lexi’s areas of special interest are depression and trauma, relationships and communication, addiction, as well as life transitions and existential issues.
Lexi is planning to facilitate a group for young adults in transition. She is also a pre-natal and vinyasa yoga teacher in San Francisco.
Robyn LeMaire
In addition to the rigorous training I’ve received as a Masters level student at CIIS, a primary influence in the way that I practice therapy has been Vipassana meditation. The idea that awareness alleviates suffering is present in both psychology and Vipassana. In the therapy room this means that, together, we will explore how core beliefs about yourself and others impact your everyday life and relationships. I bring a sense of curiosity, compassion, and honesty to each session and look forward to working together.
Jennifer Edlin
My approach to psychotherapy is interactive, non-judgmental and draws upon the body, mind and spirit, often incorporating visualizations, role plays, dream work, meditation and relaxation tools into therapy sessions. I work collaboratively and with a deep respect for each client¹s individual story and process to help clients increasingly live from a place of deep personal integrity.
Prior to beginning work as a therapist, I spent many years as a lawyer and hold both a JD and an MBA. My personal experience with career and life transitions, as well as being a mother of young children, informs my work as a therapist. My specialties include life-transitions, relationship issues, general dissatisfaction, depression and anxiety. In addition to individual therapy, I facilitate groups for lawyers and law students interested in exploring their legal identity in connection with larger life issues.
Together with colleagues, I have also developed an interactive stress management workshop based in mindfulness which has been well received in a wide number of venues and has helped many to better understand and manage stress in their lives.
Bob Cowart
My deepest passion lies in the intersection of psychology and spirituality. In trying to understand psychological difficulties it’s easy to overlook possible underlying worries about how to make meaning of one’s life. In a safe and non-judgmental way, we can explore such feelings, using a variety of approaches such as Self psychology, psychodynamics, dreamwork, nondual practice, mindfulness, and various anxiety management approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Most importantly, we can frame this all in the larger context of life’s meaning from a spiritual perspective.
My undergraduate degree was in psychology at Temple University, followed by 5 years of teaching Transcendental Meditation in Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco. This included working with the high-security prison population at San Quentin. For 27 years I have been a technical book author and teacher. Over the past 15 years I have taught and lectured about gender identity issues and I feel comfortable with clients who are exploring gender identity and sex-partner choices. In addition, I specialize in helping people cope with chronic illness, depression, loss, and anxiety.
Laura Hannibal, MFTI
Laura has a Masters in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American and Latino Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and prior to coming to Golden Gate ICC worked for over five years in the non-profit sector, in both the U.S. and Mexico, teaching cooking and nutrition classes at the community level.
Laura has a strong yoga and meditation practice that informs her work as a therapist. She is drawn to the Jungian approach and weaves mindfulness and working with the body into her work with clients. Laura works in a supportive, non-judgmental way, creating a safe space for her clients to understand and know themselves better. She believes strongly in the inner wisdom within each of us and holds the work of psychological healing within a larger spiritual context. Laura works with couples as well as individuals and views intimate relationships as a profound area for growth and self-awareness. She has experience working with diverse client populations, including LGBTQ. Laura is passionate about gardening, cooking and being in nature.
Dara Salcman, MFTI
Dara received her M.A. in Integral Counseling Psychology from theCalifornia Institute of Integral Studies.She sees couples and individuals for weekly therapy sessions.
Dara listens intently and is passionate abouthelping you achieve whatever it is you want most for yourself, for your community, & world. Consciousness practices, such as attention, mindfulness, meditation, and creative visualization,influenceher work. She says: "Onthe path to creatingthe life and livelihood you want, psychotherapy can be an excellent stop along the way."
Sara Swan, MFTI
I hold a B.A in philosophy and religion and a Master's degree in counseling psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. My studies have facilitated a deep inquiry of fundamental questions such as: "Why am I here? What is the meaning and purpose of my life? What do I wish for?" These questions and the way(s) in which we engage in them form the foundation of my approach to the work of psychotherapy. I am informed by both Jungian and psychodynamic theories as well as my own spiritual practice. I work with individuals and couples and am inspired by the way intimate relationships challenge and support our deepest longings.
Associate
Associate: Payton Tontz
Payton Tontz, MA, MFTI graduated from the Integral Counseling Psychology program at CIIS in 2003 and is currently working an associate intern therapist at the Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center. Payton has several years of experience practicing psychotherapy with individuals and couples as a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. Her work is informed largely by Jungian, psychodynamic, and non-dual theory. Payton is also a PhD candidate for doctoral degree in East-West Psychology at CIIS, and is in the process of writing her dissertation on “The Psychology of Spiritual Awakening in Advaita Vedanta”. Supervised by Joy Farina, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist MFC 37699, voicemail: 415-255-3295
training & administration
Clinical Director
Jessica Wallace, MA, MFT is a graduate of the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology Program at Naropa University in Boulder, CO. Her graduate studies in psychology followed a career in the corporate world and a rich personal psychotherapeutic journey and spiritual quest. Her current work as Director of Golden Gate ICC and as a private practice psychotherapist is an expression of love and compassion in action. Her dedication to assisting those on their own journeys and those assisting others on their journeys, emerges from a heartfelt desire for all to awaken to the effulgent experience of fully living life.
She is committed to providing an environment conducive to building excellent clinical skills within the context of the expanding field of Transpersonal Psychology. In addition to her work as Director at Golden Gate ICC and as a psychotherapist, she has been a long time member of the Ridhwan School and a dedicated yoga & meditation practitioner.
Manager
Payton Tontz, MA, MFTI graduated from the Integral Counseling Psychology Program in 2003 and served as the Academic Program Coordinator for the ICP program for five years prior to her involvement with the Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center. She is passionate about the vision of this center and sees a real potential for Golden Gate ICC to help forward the emerging fields of Integral and Transpersonal Psychotherapy as a training site for therapists. Payton is involved on many levels with the ongoing development of the counseling center and its daily operations. In addition to being the Manager, she is a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern and has a clinical practice at the counseling center as an associate therapist.
Alumni
Alan Bowers
I had a 25 year career in business and economics working for both the World Bank and private companies in overseas assignments in Europe, South America and Asia. This included an M.A. in Economics and an M.B.A. in International Finance. A difficult mid-life transition led me to vipassana meditation and allowed me an opportunity to complete many months of meditation retreats. I started working in the Laguna Honda Hospital Hospice through Zen Hospice Project, and pursued my studies in psychology. I specialize in issues around illness, physical pain and incapacity, aging, death and dying, grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions and couples work.
Difficult stretches in life, as painful as they are, are also opportunities for great insight and change. I have learned to appreciate each individual’s journey as uniquely his or her own unfolding. Enlisting all of our spiritual resources, together we will work in a safe and non-judgmental environment with psychotherapy, body work, dreams and art to discover and appreciate your truths.
I have a great interest in dreams and together with a colleague have conducted a Dream Group. With colleagues I have also developed an interactive stress management workshop based on mindfulness which has been well received in a wide number of venues and has helped many to better understand and manage stress in their lives.
Margaret Petersen
From curious explorations of how our fears can keep us from being happy, to investigating the deepest aspects of the Self, I utilize methods from all four schools of psychology (Transpersonal, Humanistic, Behavioral, and Psychoanalytic) with an approach that emphasizes consciousness and ongoing solid, personable support.
My work today is influenced by 15 years of working with clients from a neuropsychological perspective, this past year of solid clinical training at Golden Gate ICC that included inquiry into the role of spirituality in psychotherapeutic practice, and a longstanding dedication to a daily spiritual practice. This, coupled with a deep respect for the psyche’s innate wisdom grounds my belief that with support people are capable of discovering within themselves their own authentic source of meaning and happiness.
Subsequent to my work at Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center I will be making the transition to a private practice internship in the East Bay with an ongoing inquiry into the interface of consciousness and psychotherapeutic support.
Pauline Goh
Pauline currently works as Behavioral Health Counselor at PAES Counseling & Pre-Vocational Services, part of the RAMS' community mental health network. Her responsibilities include providing culturally competent services including counseling/therapy and case management services to adults as well as conducting intakes and comprehensive initial risk assessments of clients. Pauline worked as a trainee at Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center from January through December 2007. Her work with clients incorporate a variety of therapeutic approaches such as psychodynamic, contemporary psychoanalytic, relational and transpersonal orientations. She resonates with processes which employ the body's intelligence in the healing process. Having lived in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Canada, with fourteen years of corporate and international work experience, Pauline brings to her clients a unique and experiential understanding of cross-cultural issues, career stress, and life transitions.
Tamara T. Thebert, MFTI, CHT
I believe the deepest and most enriching healing happens at the soul level and affects all spheres of one’s being: mental, emotional, and physical. My intention is to provide a space that embraces and honors your entire being – your relationship with yourself, other beings, and the divine-cosmos.
Approach: Engagement and acceptance in the present moment informed by, but not limited to, ancient wisdom traditions, archetypal astrology, contemplative, existential-humanistic, feminist, multicultural, mindfulness, philosophical, self-psychology, Jungian, and integral models. Certified in hypnotherapy, special emphasis on spiritual counseling.
Explorations: transitions, meaning, life purpose, creativity, grief, bereavement, anxiety, depression, sexuality, identity, trauma, self-acceptance.
Niche: artists, LGBTQ, mixed heritage, students, spiritual seekers, women.
Professional Memberships: Association for Transpersonal Psychology, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Foundation of the Sacred Stream
By earning an M.A. in Integral Counseling Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), I was able to engage in a unique program that integrates spiritual perspective and psychotherapy, and acknowledges the relationship between the mind, body, and spirit in the healing process. I was also proud to serve as one of the founding editors and Editorial Directors for OCHRE Journal of Women's Spirituality at CIIS. Before joining Golden Gate ICC, I saw clients using depth hypnosis®, shamanic counseling, and energy medicine as main approaches. These experiences continue to provide a foundation and inspiration for the journey that is therapy.
I am in deep gratitude to Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) for Her loving support and guidance.
Gianna Volpe
Gianna Volpe is a native of Philadelphia and a professional artist with a BFA from The University of the Arts and a MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Her work focuses on creating sanctuary spaces and mixed media objects that symbolize or refer to the body. As a community artist she founded and directed an art program for oncology patients and their families at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center for eight years. The program’s mission sought to offer compassionate support and knowledge that would enrich and empower the human spirit through the process of making art.
Gianna strongly believes that her background in art complements and deepens her connection to her work as a therapist. She offers clients the option to explore issues using guided imagery, dreamwork, expressive art mediums, and mindfulness practice. Her areas of special interest and experience include anxiety, depression, grief, chronic illness, menopause, and life transitions.
Gemma Harris
Gemma Harris has a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of California at Berkeley. Gemma’s spiritual path is based on earth religions and the natural world, informed by both indigenous philosophy and ecopsychology. She works from a psychospiritual, existential, and relational perspective. Gemma brings life experience to her practice of psychotherapy, and with this, a depth of understanding concerning relationships, couples, and marriage. She brings maturity to her practice and understands issues of life transition, aging, and the search for meaning in one’s life. She also has many years of experience with issues of substance abuse and addiction, both in individuals and in families.
Nidia Martinez
Before training as a therapist I worked with children and adolescents with special needs and providing education and support for parent’s of children with special needs. My approach with clients comes from the perspective that the body and mind are deeply connected. Through my longtime yoga practice and study of health and nutrition, I have gained a sturdy foundation of understanding this connection.
My belief and practice of prayer aides and supports me as a person and therapist. This allows me to be open to spiritual issues that may arise in therapy. I also have an interest in working with dreams. I use methods of art, drama, and narrative work to engage with the material of dreams as well as other issues, according to the interest and comfort level of the client.
I hold two certifications for Hospice care which trained me to help people in the loss and grieving process. I am bi-lingual in Spanish/English and have a special interest in working with cultural immersion issues, self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety and trauma. Finally, I am open and ready to support the LGBTQ community.
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