Meet Our Team

Our team is made up of passionate therapists dedicated to helping their clients through any struggle or area of growth. We’re excited to work with you!

Joelle Rabow Maletis (She/Her)

MAEd MA LMFT, CEO & Clinical Supervisor (CA MFC51094) (TX MFT203810) (MT LMFT49316)

Joelle Rabow Maletis (She/Her)

MAEd MA LMFT, CEO & Clinical Supervisor (CA MFC51094) (TX MFT203810) (MT LMFT49316)

Get to know Joelle!

Degree:

Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Philosophy , Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, MAEd- master’s in education, Master of Fine Arts in Dance, and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.

If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?

Emily Dickinson who bucked the patriarchy and wrote poetry anyway and Misty Copeland, the first black prima ballerina for the American Ballet Theater in NY who redefined ballerinas’ bodies, showing the world that dancers are athletes, not stick figures! I would also like to meet Emmiline Pankhurst who started the suffragettes in the UK during WWI, helping women get the right to vote shortly after the war.

What does therapy mean to you?

I believe therapy is a process: helping people find meaning and movement in their lives – opening the door for growth and understanding thus allowing for change to occur.

Why did you decide to start JRM&A?

I started as a ballet dancer and was in the dance world for over 20 years. I had a career-ending injury and thought therapy would be an interesting profession. I always found therapy to be helpful during different times in my life and thought why not? I fell in love with psychology: it helped me understand my internal world better and guided me to make life-long changes necessary to thrive- not just survive. When my children were very young, I went back to graduate school for the third time. I understood trauma personally as well as professionally. I found that this became my calling: working with broad spectrum eating disorders, trauma and eventually military psychology. Being a  psychotherapist  became  as much of  a love as being a dancer.  JRM&A was started  to help others discover their hopes, dreams and abilities to thrive through adversity. This led me to mentoring as well as  teaching students, interns and associates  to do the same; finding their passion through doing the work be it as a client or as a therapist. My ongoing goal is to teach thriving through adversity!

Learn more about Joelle

Joelle’s passion is helping clients develop through self discovery and Post Trauma Growth. As a well-known psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor and CEO, Joelle Rabow Maletis uses reflective listening, strategic inquiry, and encouragement to provide feedback and interaction that allows clients to make informed, healthy, and compassionate decisions. Her goal is to partner with clients to provide them with the resources and skills needed to live a full life! Her passion is to help those seeking empowerment by developing their most true and successful selves. Knowing what she does now, she would tell her 18 year old self that who you are right now is not who you will be forever. Make mistakes, stay open minded and willing to try new experiences. Even if you fail, that’s okay; growth comes from failure!

With her clients and staff, Joelle is proactive, dynamic, and compassionate while addressing their individual needs. By offering a safe space, Joelle works with a diverse clientele that includes C-suite executives, active and retired military personnel, first responders, and those experiencing trauma, PTSD and complex-PTSD. Through her clinical work she finds fulfillment in being of service to others while using her educational background and real-life experience. As the Clinical Supervisor and CEO of her own therapy practice, Joelle partners closely with her clients to work through their interpersonal struggles, build self-awareness, and effectively address personal challenges that are holding them back from leading their optimal lives.

Joelle’s career highlights include a feature on TED Top 10 Mental Health Videos for authoring a TED-Ed’s PTSD video, executive Coach for Apple, Google, Netflix, Zoom and other Silicon Valley executives. Joelle is a psychology professor at major universities, a guest speaker on ABC’s 60 Minutes: Beyond the Headlines, and Associate Producer to award-winning short film “Repressive Fire” about post 9/11 PTSD. She has also been on numerous podcasts, highlights include Bi-Polar Girl, Switch Research Therapy Talk, Mental Health Break, Patenting 2Go, Transforming Anxiety and  Fertility Forward. In addition, Joelle is the host of Switch Research YouTube Live Miniseries, guest host for BiPolar Girl Podcast, a published author, appeared on multiple webinars for The World Congress of Traumatic Stress, TalkSpace, The Lasting App, San Jose Police Department, San Francisco Police Department, Veteran Administration (VA) panels for best practices for PTSD treatment, and has received several Outstanding Achievement Awards for Top Female Executive.

Joelle holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology specializing in Trauma, a Master of Fine Arts in Dance, a Master of Arts in Education, a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. She is a native Californian and adores spending time with her family – partner, two children and pets, Cleo and Madeira. Outside of the office, she enjoys all adventures, especially being an avid skier! When not working, Joelle loves traveling, sports, cooking, baking, running, biking, hiking, reading, writing and watching women’s soccer!

 

Licensed Clinicians

Nick Watkins (He/Him)

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT134516)

Nick Watkins (He/Him)

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT134516)

Get to know Nick!

Degree:

Associate of Applied Science in Communication Application Technology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (shout out to the Community College of the Air Force), and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.

Favorite movie:

Mystery Science Theater, 3000 The Movie!

What does therapy mean to you?               

Therapy to me is having that safe space to talk about anything you want and also learning to adapt and change how you react to things that you want to change.

Why did you decide to join JRM&A?              

I joined the company because they work with veterans and active duty outside of the VA and the military system. It gives vets and service members a little more breathing room when it comes to worrying about what gets back to their leadership or the VA.

For more information about Nick, click here!

Associate Clinicians

Roland Gomez (He/Him)

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT125404)

Roland Gomez (He/Him)

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT125404)

Get to know Roland!

Degree

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Favorite food

Italian!

What does therapy mean to you? 

Going to therapy is an act of self-love and self-acceptance. It’s facing your past experiences and recognizing how far you have come through all of the struggles. Going to therapy is looking in the mirror and learning to love and value that person the way they deserve.

Why did you decide to join JRM&A?

After graduation, I was seeking out a private practice that held similar values to myself. I turned down multiple offers from practices that felt very impersonal and did not value the client the way I did. JRM&A was the first interview I had where I felt genuine care about our clients and how we work with them. I felt instantly connected to Joelle’s mission and feel the practice advocates for clients the way they deserve. Trauma work is not easy, but this practice is so capable of helping clients through it that I knew I needed to be a part of it.

For more information about Roland, click here!

Tianna Herrera (She/Her)

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT132674) & Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC11100)

Tianna Herrera (She/Her)

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT132674) & Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC11100)

Get to know Tianna!

Degree:

Masters in Mental Health Counseling.

Favorite food:

I love Thai food! A lot of flavor and spice.

What does therapy mean to you?

Therapy is a way for people to discuss and explore ways to enhance their lives and find resources/techniques/skills to improve their quality of life.

Why did you decide to join JRM&A? 

I decided to join JRM&A because they work with the populations that I want to work with the most: First responders, the military, and their family members. Previously, I thought that the only way I could work with military members–veterans and those currently serving–was to work at the VA hospital or find a position as a DPH (Director of Psychological Health) on a military installation. I got lucky because I get to work with those populations now. Additionally, the staff is awesome, we mesh well, and learn from each other. It is a good fit!

For more information about Tianna, click here!

Darien Hom (She/Her)

Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW112919)

Darien Hom (She/Her)

Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW112919)

Get to know Darien!

Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Master of Social Work with a specialization in Children, Youth, & Families

Favorite Singer

Morgan Wallen

What does therapy mean to you?

To me, therapy is an opportunity to be truly heard. It provides a space to feel validated and understood. Therapy is allowing yourself to let your guard down and be vulnerable, in effort to experience meaningful growth and change in your life.

Why did you decide to join JRM&A?

I joined JRM&A because I really aligned with the values and mission of the practice: to provide trauma-informed care for military, law enforcement, first responders, and their families. I value the level of personalized care JRM&A provides. I was able to tell from the first interview that my colleagues are genuine, passionate about what they do, and uphold an environment where we can all grow and be supportive of each other.

For more information about Darien, click here!

Staff

Sarah Lucha (She/Her)

Clinical Director & AMFT Trainee

Sarah Lucha (She/Her)

Clinical Director & AMFT Trainee

Get to know Sarah!

Degree:

Double major in Behavioral Science and Psychology. Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.

Favorite singer:

Tina Turner!

What does therapy mean to you?

Therapy is a safe space where you can get out your stress, anxiety, or whatever negative emotions you are experiencing.

Why did you decide to join JRM&A?

I joined JRM&A because I believe in the mission that mental health for our first responders and military should be a priority.  Joelle is a leading expert in Trauma, and I wanted to learn from her.

For more information about Sarah, click here!

Jenny Ernest (She/Her)

Marketing Coordinator

Jenny Ernest (She/Her)

Marketing Coordinator

Get to know Jenny!

Degree:

Bachelor of Science in Communication Technology, Cultural Studies, and Multimedia Authoring.

Favorite restaurant:

Subway (eat fresh!)

What does therapy mean to you?

To me, therapy means being able to express yourself and your thoughts without fear of judgement. It is a freeing experience that allows you to feel lighter, get a new perspective on your life, and learn more about yourself as well as the relationships you have with other people.

Why did you decide to join JRM&A?

I wanted to work for an organization that was making a difference and doing work that I could feel passionate about. Coming from a family full of generations of Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps service members, I knew that working for JRM&A would allow me to do work that I can feel passionate about and look forward to doing every day.

For more information about Jenny, click here!

Alyssa Bombacino (She/Her)

Office Management and Client Support

Alyssa Bombacino (She/Her)

Office Management and Client Support

Get to know Alyssa!

Degree: Bachelor of Arts In Psychology & currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Favorite book:

“The Deepest Well: Healing The Long Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity” by Dr. Nadine Harris!

What does therapy mean to you?

Therapy means giving clients the tools they need to create positive change within their lives, and supporting them on their journey.

Why did you decide to join JRM&A?

I am passionate about helping others and spreading mental health awareness. I wanted to work at a clinic where I would be able to get real life experience in supporting clients and creating/writing empirically based content. Since I am in the process of becoming a therapist myself,  I really wanted to work with this team of highly skilled trauma therapists. I think meeting with them daily and working at the clinic will help me grow my clinical skills and give me a strong basis for graduate school and my future as a future therapist. This job gives me the opportunity to make a real difference in others’ lives whether it’s through mental health awareness, research, or client support, and this is something that I’m incredibly grateful for.

For more information about Alyssa, click here!