About Us

Dr. Linsey Kapoor, PsyD, LMFT, LPCC

Chief Executive Director

Linsey is a dedicated therapist inspired to help others who feel stuck and need hope in difficult life areas such as, but not limited to trauma, PTSD, depression, stress management, substance abuse, family conflict, self-injurious behavior, gender issues, emotional disturbance, behavioral issues, anxiety, grief and loss. Her style is strength-based and solution focused, helping to increase insight with learning new skills necessary for positive changes. Linsey works collaboratively with her patients and any multi-disciplinary professional team to ensure optimal outcome. Her expertise is in the youth population. Linsey enjoys working with kids and adolescents. She is trained in a variety of cognitive and behavioral modalities. Linsey is experienced with providing psychological evaluations and testing services to help navigate diagnostic clarification.

Linsey’s educational background is in counseling and psychology. She graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with her Bachelors in Psychology and a nationally recognized accredited CACREP program with her Master’s Degree in Counseling at California State University, Sacramento. Linsey is a doctor in psychology graduate from California Southern University and Registered Psychological Associate through the California Board of Psychology, under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. In addition, Linsey is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

 Professional Activities and Memberships

Dr. Jennifer Crews Thom, PhD

Licensed Psychologist

Clinical Supervisor

In Jennifer’s practice, she sees each client as an expert in their own experience and she sees herself as a resource and a guide for change. Using her training in cognitive behavioral therapies and expert knowledge of applied behavioral analysis, she works closely with clients to identify goals, break down barriers, and make permanent changes that lead to more joyful, fulfilling lives and relationships. Clients who work with her benefit from her years of experience in the field and her knowledge of a wide variety of third wave behavioral modalities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-based practices for stress reduction, Exposure and Response Prevention, Prolonged Exposure, and the Gottman Method.

Dr. Amy Scott Brown, PhD

Licensed Psychologist

Clinical Supervisor

Dr. Brown welcomes the opportunity to meet clients where they are at and propel them forward so that they flourish in all aspects of their life. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and uses behavioral techniques to help clients make changes in their lives. Dr. Brown has extensive training in providing school-based services, including assessment, and uses psychological evaluations to provide diagnostic clarity, help clients access services, and gain insight into their behaviors. She values psychoeducation as a means to helping clients understand diagnoses, assessment results, and treatment options. Dr. Brown provides clinical supervision to New Beginnings registered psychological associates and registered psychologists.

Dr. Amy L. Huang, DSW, LCSW

EMDR Clinical Supervisor

Dr. Amy L. Huang is a devoted therapist, supervisor and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) consultant-in training dedicated to inspire, motivate and help others in their personal growth. She received her Doctorate degree in social work at The University of Sydney and her master’s degree at California State University, Long Beach. Amy has been working as a licensed social worker for over 5 years and has been in the mental health field for 23 yrs as her first master’s degree was in counseling psychology at Temple University in 2001. Amy is also EMDR certified. Amy has also completed trainings in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), emotional focused therapy (EFT), acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing (MI) and Gottman therapy with couples.

Amy’s experience has been working with people with severe mental illness, trauma, autism,
survivors of child abuse, and people who suffer from depression and anxiety in non-profit,
for-profit and school settings. She has also worked internationally in Australia supporting family
members that are caring for their relatives who are frail, elderly, or who have mental illness. Her
current clientele are from immigrant parents or first-generation citizens, minority groups,
cis-gender, and who are part of the LGBTQI community. She primarily works with adults and
adolescents.

Amy loves learning about new therapeutic modalities and sharing knowledge that would be
beneficial for her supervisees and consultees’s work with clients. She believes that
transparency, honesty and open communication are vital in her professional relationships.

Karina Castillo, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Supervisor

Karina is a graduate from California State University, Stanislaus with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Human Services and a Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Child Welfare. Karina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is passionate about assisting others reach their fullest potential as well as inspiring change and healing.

Karina has experience in working in a variety of settings and has been a social worker for over 25 years. For the first 13 years of her career she worked for Child Protective Services in their Family Reunification Unit. During that time, she also provided counseling services to victims and offenders of sexual abuse through Parents United. In the last 12 years she has focused her efforts in providing mental health services to children, youth, adults, couples and families in both the Outpatient and School-based settings. She has also worked as a Medical Social Worker in the Hospice field and specializes in grief and loss counseling.

Karina is trained in a variety of cognitive and therapeutic modalities but prefers to call her approach “eclectic”, combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Play & Art Therapy. She tailors her services and treatment modalities to meet the individual needs of her clients. Karina is committed to providing her clients with a nurturing environment to promote wellbeing, empowerment and guidance in their journey. Karina is a first generation Mexican American, fully bilingual in Spanish and enjoys providing services to others in their primary language. During her free time Karina enjoys spending time with family, reading, traveling and shopping.

Bergen Filgas – MS, LMFT

Clinical Supervisor

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 28 years of experience working with children, adults, and families across a variety of clinical settings. I earned my Master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from California State University, Fresno, and have dedicated my career to helping individuals and families heal, grow, and thrive.

For 24 years, I worked in Child Protective Services, supporting high-risk and vulnerable populations facing trauma, abuse, neglect, and systemic challenges. Over the past 7 years, I have provided school based individual therapy and coordinated the Riverbank Unified School District mental health services, ensuring access to care for students and their families. In addition to my clinical work, I have served as a clinical supervisor for over 15 years, guiding and mentoring new therapists in ethical, effective, and compassionate care.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and rooted in evidence-based practices—particularly Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I help clients build skills for emotional regulation, improve interpersonal relationships, and cultivate greater self-awareness and resilience.

Leanne Louis, PCLC, PP

Leanne is a Professional Certified Life Coach (PCLC) through the International Coach Federation and uses mindset techniques that can help motivate clients to get on track, stay focused and achieve their dreams. As a life coach, Leanne’s desire is to listen, empower and motivate others to help them reach their goals. Leanne will serve as a source of motivation and inspiration that push clients to their true potential.

Leanne has been working in the mental health field for many years but as Parent Partner (PP) in a Children’s Mental Health Clinic for the last four years. Leanne’s experience before her role as a Parent Partner was working in schools with children identified with mild to moderate adjustment difficulties as a child aide with the Primary Intervention Program, Second Step social skills program and developed her own classroom social skills curriculum for students ages 5-12. Through that program, Leanne incorporated social skills, etiquette, manners, cooperation, inclusion, resolving conflicts, problem-solving, put ups\not put-downs, mutual respect and how to value diversity.

Leanne implemented the Parent Partner program with training from San Joaquin County Mental Health and is still employed with Valley Community Counseling. Leanne as Parent Partner meets with parents, caregivers, guardians, foster parents and grandparents who are struggling with their child who has a mental health diagnosis. As a Parent Partner, she has learned how to engage and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and is willing to use her own lived experience to provide hope and support. As Parent Partner Leanne is friendly, helpful, flexible and family-focused as her services are family-driven in order to directly engage and support our families at New Beginnings.

Josephina Rodriguez, MS, LMFT

Josephina has had the privilege of working as a Mental Health Practitioner for over 20 years with adults, families, children, and adolescents and have been a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist for 13 years.  Her experience has included working in county contracted outpatient mental health clinics, family resource centers, non-profit agencies, juvenile justice diversion programs, residential facilities, emotionally disturbed school-based programs, and sexual assault/domestic violence centers.  She have received additional training in crisis response/de-escalation strategies, trauma informed care, mindfulness, and best practices for treatment.   

Her therapeutic approach borrows from a variety of theories but is built on a foundation of cognitive behavioral and solution focused techniques, existential and family systems, and strength based models. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, women’s issues, eating disorders, gender identity issues, and family difficulties, to name a few.  Josephina is bi-cultural, speaks Spanish fluently, and seeks to incorporate cultural practices into treatment that facilitate an individual’s growth.  She looks forward to providing a warm, non-judgmental, safe place to work through the issues that individuals are ready to face.

Lani Westervelt, MS, LMFT

Lani’s background is in counseling and psychology. She graduated from California State
Stanislaus with her bachelor’s in psychology with her master’s degree in Counseling at California State University Hayward. She holds a California state license as a Marriage and Family Therapist through the Board of Behavioral Sciences, State of California. License number 38654. Lani has been licensed since March 2020 and has worked in various agencies and is now associated with New Beginnings. After college she began providing therapy in 1996 giving her 24 years of experience. She has is a dedicated experienced therapist inspired to help others who feel overwhelmed and need hope in difficult life transitions such as, but not limited to trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, stress, family conflict, self-injurious behavior, gender issues, emotional disturbance, behavioral issues, anxiety, grief and loss. She works with children and adolescents in conjunction with their families, families, individual adults, and couples. She enjoys working with foster and adoptive youth. Her style is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. There is a focus on what we think, how we feel and how we behave as we face day-tolife experience and relationship problems. In addition, Experiential Humanistic Therapy, which looks at families as systems with its rules and roles, feelings related to others, self-esteem, communication, and growth. In addition, balancing increasing insight with learning new skills necessary for positive changes.

Holly Gilton, MS, LMFT, PPS

Holly is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has spent 26 years in the mental health field, and has vast experience working with trauma, family systems, at risk youth, children with disabilities, and victims of domestic violence.

Holly graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a B.S. in Communicative Disorders/ Speech and Language Pathology in 1996, and an M.S. in Counseling/Marriage and Family Therapy in 1999. She also holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential and she is a certified Diplomat Child Forensic Interviewer with the National Association of Certified Child Forensic Interviewers.

Holly provides an empathic and non-judgmental environment in which exploration and insight into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are fostered. Through this supportive working relationship, you will be able to identify behavioral patterns, coping styles, and their effects on your daily life. Through the utilization of a Dialectical Behavioral framework you will learn tools that will enable you to adopt new strategies that can lead you to an improved life and stronger sense of self.

Miriam Yessnia Castellon, MSW, LCSW

Miriam received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from CSU Stanislaus and her Master’s in Social Work from San Francisco State, University.  Miriam is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. During the past 20 years, Miriam has been privileged to work with children between the ages of 5-14 and teenagers aged 14-18. She started her career working with children with autism, then transitioned into working with children in the foster care system. Recently, Miriam worked with immigrant teenagers and adults from Latin America who were separated from their families at the US/Mexico border. Being a 1^st generation Mexican American has allowed Miriam to help guide her Latine clients with cultural sensitivity and humility, and is able to provide sessions in Spanish.

Miriam is an advocate for meeting her clients where they’re at and not where “they’re supposed to be.” Using a variety of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Crisis Intervention, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Play Therapy, and with a healthy dose of humor, Miriam is honored to work side by side with you and help you echarle ganas (give it your all!).

Eman Morad, MSW, ACSW

Roxanne Mitchell, MS, AMFT

Roxanne Mitchell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy.  She earned her degree from the University of Phoenix.  Her former career was spent supporting children and youth as an early childhood educator and paraprofessional for over 25 years.  Roxanne has served as a Foster Care Worker, Home Study Writer, and Foster Parent Instructor.  Roxanne has experience counseling transitional youth, supporting them as they navigate past trauma and work toward emotional healing.  Her passion for community advocacy drives her work in supporting individuals and families facing challenges such as financial hardship, mental health issues, and substance abuse.  She emphasizes holistic healing; addressing the whole person physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Roxanne is also a marriage assessor, offering guidance to couples who are considering marriage, currently engaged, or newly married.  She enjoys spending time with her family and believes family relationships are the cornerstone of shaping an individual’s wellbeing and success while contributing to the stability of society.  Roxanne believes families are a sanctuary of trust, love, and mutual support.

Kiana Diniz, MA, AMFT

Kiana received her B.A. in Psychology at San Francisco State University and soon after obtained her M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy at University of San Francisco and is currently collecting her hours towards licensure as a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist.

Kiana began her experience in supporting youth with Autism, then transitioned into community-based mental health by providing therapeutic behavioral services to youth in the child welfare system, and then built upon her experience with youth by providing school-based social and emotional learning support short-term intervention, and volunteered to provide counseling in a community clinic. Kiana’s most recent experience consisted of supporting youth and their families through providing school-based mental health services.

Kiana comes into the therapeutic space with a person-centered, humanistic, and eclectic approach allowing for her to tailor interventions, skills, and techniques to the needs of her clients. Kiana strives to serve her community by supporting children/youth, families, couples, and individuals navigate hardship through offering an empathetic and non-judgmental space that empowers them to see their potential and achieve their goals.

Alejandra Cabrera, MS, AMFT

As a compassionate and culturally-sensitive therapist, I am dedicated to providing a safe, nonjudgmental space for individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and life challenges.  With fluency in both English and Spanish, I am proud to offer therapy services to diverse communitites.

I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Therapies.  Through these evidence-based approaches, I work with clients to develop healthier thought patterns, build emotional resilience, and gain practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

I believe in meeting each client where they are and tailoring our work to their unique needs and values.  I take a nonjudgmental approach to therapy, emphasizing collaboration, self-compassion, and growth.  My goal is to hellp clients not only address current challenges but also empower them to thrive in all areas of life.

Whether you’re seeking to build emotional skills, navigate a specific life transition, or simply feel more connected to yourself, I am here to support you every step of the way.

Tatiana Kline, MA, APCC

Tatiana (she/her) is a therapist who believes that healing happens in relationship, with ourselves, with others, and within the systems we move through.  Her work is grounded in deep empathy, respect for lived experience, and a committment to walking alongside clients in a way that honors their resilience and voice.  Tatiana’s background includes a degree in Nursing and a masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Palo Alto University.  She has experience working with youth, adults, and families in both outpatient and residential settings, supporting clients navigating trauma, substance use, and emotional challenges.  She is trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which invites us to meet all parts of ourselves with compassion and curiosity – even the parts we struggle with.

She enjoys working with teenagers, women, Latino communities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.  Tatiana sees therapy as a space to feel safe, respected, and empowered, not just to work through challenges, but to explore who you are and what matters most to you.

Originally from Costa Rica, Tatiana immigrated to California in 2019 – an experience that deepened her appreciation for community, belonging, and her love of Mexican food.  She is bilingual and offers therapy in both English and Spanish.  Outside of work, Tatiana is passionate about coffee, nature, and spending time with her dog and husband.

Melissa Jones, MS, APCC

Clinical Counselor who brings heartfelt care and clinical expertise to her work with individuals, couples, and families. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University, earned in May 2023, Melissa has experience supporting clients across the lifespan—children, teens, adults, and families—from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of emotional and psychological needs.

Melissa specializes in trauma-focused work, as well as in the treatment of personality disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, substance use, grief and loss. She is particularly passionate about helping clients heal from past pain, build stronger relationships, and discover their inner resilience. Her work with couples and families is rooted in a deep belief in the power of connection, communication, and mutual understanding.

Melissa draws from an integrative approach, utilizing a variety of evidence-based interventions that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client or family. By blending strategies from cognitive, behavioral, relational, and creative frameworks, she is able to provide flexible, personalized care that supports growth and healing in meaningful ways.

At the heart of Melissa’s work is her unwavering compassion and genuine desire to make a difference. She approaches each client with empathy, respect, and a collaborative spirit, creating a safe and supportive environment where healing and transformation can take place. Whether working with a child navigating anxiety, a couple rebuilding trust, or an individual healing from trauma, Melissa is honored to walk alongside her clients on their journey toward wellness and wholeness.

Rachel Olide, MA

Registered Psychological Associate

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Biology from the University of California, Davis. Following her undergraduate studies, Rachel was accepted into a four-year doctorate program in Counseling Psychology at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. During this time, Rachel also earned my Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Counseling Psychology. Rachel is currently completing the second half of her doctoral training while simultaneously accruing supervised clinical hours toward licensure as a Registered Psychological Associate.

Rachel’s journey in the mental health field began as a behavioral technician, where she provided in-home behavioral services to youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This hands-on experience helped her realize a deep interest for direct client care and inspired her to pursue more dynamic roles in the field. Rachel later transitioned into a school-based position where she offered short-term social-emotional interventions and connected students and their families to community resources. She expanded her clinical work by volunteering at a community mental health clinic, where she provided individual, family, and couples counseling for adults. Most recently, Rachel’s work has focused on supporting youth and their families through school-based mental health services, where Rachel had the opportunity to address a wide range of emotional and behavioral needs.

Rachel’s therapeutic approach is grounded in a person-centered philosophy, informed by psychodynamic theory, and supported by an eclectic use of techniques tailored to each client’s unique experiences. As a proud Latina therapist, Rachel is passionate about providing Spanish-speaking psychological services and contributing to the ongoing efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in Latino/a communities. Rachel is committed to not only helping individuals heal and grow but also creating a safe, supportive, and empowering space where individuals can thrive.

Rocio Castillo

Executive Administrative Assistant 

Rocio is a graduate from California State University of Stanislaus with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a concentration in Human Services. She is a person who is committed, outgoing and polite. She is very caring and passionate about helping others in our community.

Rocio knows the importance of Mental Health. She understands that seeking mental health services can be a huge step for individuals. Rocio wants to make sure your process for initiating therapy goes as smoothly as possible. She would be more than happy to answer any questions you may encounter on the way. In her spare time, she likes to go shopping, exercise and explore new places. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

Arlett Castillo, Administrative Assistant 

Arlett, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University of Stanislaus, is characterized by her dedication, reliability, and friendly behavior. She possesses a deep understanding of the importance of mental health and is committed to offering valuable assistance in the mental health process. With her compassionate approach and knowledge in psychology, Arlett strives to be a supportive resource for individuals seeking to improve their mental well-being. During her free time, she likes to try new things such as dining out at different restaurants, enjoying outdoor activities, and going shopping. She also values spending time with her loved ones.

Yuliana Lupian, Administrative Assistant 

I was born in México and grew up in the Bay Area. My family and I Moved to the Central Valley 2 years ago. Currently, I am finishing my certification on Medical billing and hoping to continue my education to pursue a degree focused on social work. I enjoy helping people and showing them that it always gets better and they are not alone. On my free time I love spending time with my family and friends. Love camping and walks on the beach.

Judy Dumlao, Administrative Assistant

Dedicated Admin with over 6 years experience in customer service within healthcare settings. Committed to delivering exceptional patient care and support, ensuring that every patient feels valued and understood.

During my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and two dogs, being in my garden, trying different foods and exploring new places.