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Shawn LaRé Brinkley, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, License #: 102664
CEO / President / Executive Clinical Director
Associates
Stephanie McGhee
Associate Clinical Social Worker
License Number #136930
I am a Associate Clinical Social Work committed to creating a compassionate, supportive space where individuals feel seen, heard, and empowered. My clinical experience spans work with children, adolescents, adults, and families across outpatient, intensive outpatient, and community-based settings. I also have experience as an ABA therapist supporting neurodivergent children, as well as a background in case management and trauma-informed care.
My therapeutic approach is client-centered, strengths-based, and grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect. I believe each person’s experiences, strengths, and goals are unique, and I strive to meet clients where they are while helping them develop meaningful tools to navigate life’s challenges. I am passionate about helping clients build self-awareness, resilience, and confidence while creating meaningful and sustainable change.
I am committed to walking alongside each client with compassion and curiosity, fostering a therapeutic relationship that provides space for healing, growth, and greater overall well-being.
Clinical Interns
Alexandria Cano
Masters of Social Work Intern
I am a Master of Social Work intern at National University, currently on the path to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). With a foundation in case management and experience working with families and children through DCFS, I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals and families facing various challenges. My work centers around helping clients find balance, manage mental health concerns, and build resilience in their relationships with themselves and others.
I am knowledgeable about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and other forms of therapeutic interventions address a wide range of issues, including ADHD, anxiety, and other emotional struggles. I believe that therapy should meet clients where they are, which is why I incorporate creative and evidence-based approaches to foster insight and self-expression.
My approach in therapy is grounded in the belief that healing and growth are possible when individuals have the tools to understand themselves and their circumstances better. Goals of mine include being able to be a guide for a more connected, authentic, and fulfilling life, as well as creating a judge free zone.
Nadav Fleisher
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
I am a therapist intern currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Palo Alto University, with the goal of becoming both a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
I believe we are all striving to become the best versions of ourselves while navigating life experiences, relationships, and circumstances that can sometimes create barriers between where we are and where we hope to be. My goal is to create a supportive and collaborative therapeutic space where clients feel heard, understood, validated, and empowered as they work toward healing and personal growth.
My developing clinical approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which offers practical, evidence-based strategies for understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I am also drawn to humanistic and existential approaches because I believe each person is more than their challenges, thoughts, or behaviors. Our individual experiences, relationships, identities, values, and sense of meaning all contribute to who we are.
I approach each client with curiosity, compassion, and respect for their unique lived experience. Rather than viewing therapy as simply “fixing” what is wrong, I hope to help clients recognize their existing strengths, deepen their self-understanding, and build upon the resilience they already possess as they move toward the life they want to create.
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Japera Padilla
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
I am a trainee therapist currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC). I am deeply passionate about offering support that is both compassionate and growth-oriented, meeting clients where they are while helping them move toward meaningful and lasting change.
I am especially committed to creating a safe, affirming space for healing for individuals, couples, and families from diverse cultural and relational backgrounds. I believe that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported as they navigate life’s challenges, relationships, and transitions.
My clinical approach is integrative and collaborative, drawing from evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and intergenerational approaches, including Bowen Family Systems theory. I also incorporate a person-centered, humanistic framework that emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and the client’s inherent capacity for growth and resilience. Together, we work to explore patterns, strengthen emotional awareness, and develop healthier ways of relating to self and others.
As a trainee therapist, I value curiosity, humility, and ongoing learning, and I am honored to walk alongside clients in their healing and growth journeys.
Natalie Bergara
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
I am therapist intern currently pursuing my master’s degree in psychology at California Baptist University. I was drawn to this work by a deep appreciation for the courage it takes to heal and grow. As a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at the William J. Brinkley Center for Cultural Affirmation, I support individuals, couples, and families in exploring their experiences with openness and care. Each session reinforces my respect for the resilience people carry and continues to shape a therapeutic approach rooted in authenticity and connection.
I believe our well-being is deeply influenced by the relationships and cultural contexts that surround us. Healing happens when we feel seen, understood, and supported, and I strive to create a space where clients can reflect on the patterns that shape their lives while reconnecting with their strengths.
I use a gentle CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) approach to help clients identify patterns and build practical tools. I also like to incorporate Narrative Therapy to help clients separate from limiting stories and build new empowering ones. I can also integrate a Christian faith perspective when it’s meaningful for the client. My approach is collaborative and grounded in empathy, curiosity, and cultural humility. I draw from systemic and relational frameworks, along with mindfulness and narrative perspectives, to help clients make sense of their emotional worlds and re-author their stories. Ultimately, my goal is to help clients build lives that feel more aligned, connected, and empowered. By offering an affirming, compassionate and safe therapeutic space, I hope to support lasting growth, healing, and meaningful change.
