Alicia Canizales went to Cal State San Marcos for an undergraduate degree in Psychology and graduated with a master’s from University of Hawai’i in 2018. She has worked with Hina Mauka Rehabilitation for Substance Use Disorders in Hawai’i, San Diego Center for Children WRAP services, and is currently working at Rady Children’s Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry. Alicia has been at Rady Children’s for 3 years working with children and families and is also Parent Children Interaction Therapy (PCIT) certified.

Beatriz Palmer has a master’s degree in Sociology. She studied Human Development and Arts at Azusa Pacific University. Beatriz worked from 2006 to date at MiraCosta College, she currently serves as Director of Community Engagement at True Care. Beatriz is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Palmer received the NAACP Women of Color Recognition Award for her efforts helping others as a volunteer and service leader supporting the community. Her community service includes many volunteer hours with Operation HOPE Vista. Beatriz was also named a Community Champion by Molina Health Care.

Brayan Hernandez is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from San Diego State University. He has experience in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), functional family therapy (FFT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Brayan is also fluent in Spanish and is committed to providing culturally sensitive care to clients from diverse backgrounds. Brayan is currently employed at Rady Children's Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry North Inland, where he works with children, adolescents, and families in a clinical setting. He previously served as a family therapist at Lifeline Community Services, where he provided therapeutic services to youth on probation, supporting them and their families through challenging circumstances. During his training, Brayan completed internships at both The Center for Counseling and Engagement, where he provided low-cost therapy to individuals and families in the community, and at Rady Children’s Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry North Inland, where he gained additional experience working with youth and families facing mental health challenges.

Jessica Tadesse, M.A., OTR/L is a mental health occupational therapist and training specialist for Interfaith Community Services. She brings extensive experience working with clients presenting across the full spectrum of mental health needs - from mild to acute symptoms. Her work has spanned community-based environments such as clients' homes, schools, and places of employment, giving her a practical and grounded approach to client care, and the delivery of trainings for a wide range of audiences.

Born and raised in South Africa, the extensive travels of Josh Roberts include ventures deep into the state of mind known as bipolar type 1. Josh combines his lived experience in the mental health system with his education in psychology (BA from the University of South Africa) and theology (MA from Fuller Theological Seminary). His passion is to create a synergy between the inner and outer worlds through optimizing mental health. He works with several prominent mental health providers in San Diego County including NAMI, Mental Health Systems, and Interfaith in supporting many of those who are most affected by mental health struggles. He is an avid surfer and currently calls San Marcos home, living an American lucid dream with his wife and two young daughters.

Joyce Bruggeman, a graduate of UC Irvine, Former Executive Director of SOSL (Survivors of Suicide Loss). Her professional experience includes years in both the private and public sectors. She worked as the Director of Life Groups at the Church at Rancho Bernardo. She worked over 11 years at CSU San Marcos, in the Division of Student Affairs and lastly as the Executive Assistant to the President. A survivor of suicide loss, Joyce speaks at various events throughout California to bring awareness to mental health issues, especially within faith-based communities. Certifications and training include: QPR trainer, Trauma Incident Reduction Facilitator, Mental Health Coach, and Mental Health support group facilitator. All her professional, volunteer, and personal experiences have combined with her passion to further efforts to educate and equip those living with mental health issues. Joyce works within and outside the faith community to bring new understanding to the importance of healing the body, mind and spirit to restore lives.

Nidya Ramirez Ibarra for many years she has been part of the organization in North County for the rights, respect, and dignity of undocumented immigrants. Currently Nidia works in MiraCosta College as Associate Faculty Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She worked in the mobile crisis respond team as a Behavioral Health Coordinator at Exodus Recovery, INC; also, at a local non-profit in San Diego County as a bilingual psychotherapist. In her work Nidya consults with families, individuals, and children who have suffered intimate partner violence or sexual abuse. She is also a member of Creciendo Fuerte, a group through the North County Immigration Taskforce made up of mental health providers interested in contributing to the empowerment and wellbeing of community members. Nidya received her bachelor’s degree in Feminist Studies with an emphasis in law, politics, and social change from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from San Diego State University.

holds a master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern California Seminary. Romelia is a California State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 106554). She has extensive experience in individual counseling and groups working with adults, children, high-risk adolescents, families, couples, and facilitating domestic violence groups. She strives to help people make the most of the resources offered to help them succeed independently, even after services have ended. Romelia is experienced in offering faith-based Crisis Intervention and faith-based therapy based on the client's preference. During the session, Romelia takes into consideration the person's strength, cultural background, belief system, and potential trauma the person might experience.

was born and raised in Tijuana, Baja California, México. She has a BS in Psychology and MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. Veronica provides consultation as a clinical supervisor for seven clinics/programs under Mental Health Systems, and she is a certified bilingual facilitator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Also, Veronica has a private practice where she

provides counseling for individuals, couples, and families toward strengthening and healing their relationships. “My spiritual life and my family are my greatest passions”, Veronica affirms. Her professional goals are to help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to contribute to bridging the gap between mental illness and spirituality. Veronica is author of Stories of Hope for Cristian Women, for sale in Amazon.