christy livingston
she/her
OWNER
LICENSED MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST (CA+OR) REGISTERED PLAY THERAPIST - SUPERVISOR
Christy Livingston is a helper and a healer, and consultant certified at the highest level possible in play therapy credentialing, to serve and support her community with more than 20 years of experience supporting adults, children, and families.
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and the owner of Bridges to Understanding®, a large and thriving group therapy practice. A lifelong California resident and mother to her own incredible little human, Christy believes in the power of curiosity, human connection, and mindful presence to change each other and our communities.
DAMION MATTHEWS
he/him
LICENSED MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST
Damion Matthews is a therapist with many years of experience serving children, adults, and couples at Bridges to Understanding®. Before joining the practice, he worked for two years in San Francisco in a short-term, acute residential program with adults navigating severe mental illness, homelessness, and addiction. He also completed a traineeship with SOS Community Counseling, where he worked with adults, adolescents, and couples.
He brings a diverse background of training to support the unique needs and goals of each client, including Child-Centered Play Therapy, expressive arts therapies, and evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. His approach is rooted in creating a therapeutic relationship grounded in reflection and non-judgment. Damion believes in bearing witness to his clients’ stories, drawing out their innate wisdom, and teaching mindful, relational principles that bring greater joy, clarity, and connectedness to their lives.
ANDREA DUFFY
she/her
ASSOCIATE MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST
Andrea Duffy is a therapist who has been working with children, teens, and adults at Bridges to Understanding® for many years. She draws on compassion, curiosity, and connection to create meaningful therapeutic relationships and is dedicated to offering a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel supported and empowered in their growth.
Her background includes play therapy, school-based mental health, trauma-informed care, and supporting neurodiverse populations. Andrea values flexibility, humor, and meeting clients exactly where they are. Born and raised in Sonoma County and a proud dog parent to Mabel Mae Duffy, she brings warmth and authenticity to her work, believing that human connection is one of the most powerful tools for healing.
lauren rutledge
she/her
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER (CA+MS)
Lauren Rutledge is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, clinical supervisor for Bridges to Understanding®, and a certified yoga instructor with additional training in trauma-informed yoga through Y12SR. She brings specialized experience in drug and alcohol addiction recovery and a lifelong commitment to learning and growth.
Her practice integrates the mind-body-spirit connection with evidence-based approaches, always grounded in presence and compassionate witnessing. Lauren believes in walking alongside children, teens, and adults as they navigate life’s challenges, drawing on warmth, empathy, and authentic connection to support healing and growth.
mojo tchudi
he/they
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELOR
Mojo Tchudi is a counselor and guide with more than 15 years of experience exploring diverse healing modalities, supporting individuals, couples, and families across school, residential, and clinic settings.They are an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor with postgraduate training in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Saybrook University, and also hold a Master of Arts from Dharma Realm Buddhist University. Their work is grounded in a unique integration of Eastern and Western approaches to mental health and well-being, enriched by years of study in meditation, holistic health, and intentional community living.
Mojo’s therapeutic style is rooted in queer and neurodivergent identity affirmation, feminist principles, and multicultural awareness. A lifelong student of self-reflection and authentic living, Mojo believes in the inherent wisdom within each person and the power of safe, affirming spaces to unlock that wisdom.
alayna gomes
she/her
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELOR
Alayna Gomes is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with extensive experience using Child-Centered Play Therapy with children. She believes that every person, including children, holds the capacity for growth and healing within themselves.
Guided by the mantra “the best way out is always through,” Alayna supports clients with unconditional positive regard, empathetic understanding, and evidence-based interventions that help them access their inner wisdom and strength. She brings warmth and authenticity to her work, and outside of the therapy room finds her own healing in relationships, daily movement and mindfulness, birdwatching with her husband, and arranging flowers.
daisy garnica
she/her
ASSOCIATE MARRIAGE + FAMILY THERAPIST
Daisy Garnica is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with experience supporting children, teens, and adults in their personal growth. She has worked closely with survivors of sexual assault to help them access vital resources, and has supported individuals with disabilities in finding the services they need. She has worked in our local school systems, helping children in both school-related struggles, as well as navigation in finding supports in a daunting system.
Daisy is drawn to this field by her passion for helping people achieve their goals, and she is especially inspired in her work with children, teens, and young adults. Clients describe her as a warm and insightful presence whose empathetic approach fosters safety, clarity, and a deep sense of being understood.
stephani jacobson
she/her
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR, INTAKE COORDINATOR
Stephani Jacobson is the welcoming first point of contact at Bridges to Understanding®, where she brings warmth, organization, and care to every client and family. After nearly 15 years as a stay-at-home mom and moving across six states while her husband served in the military, she and her family found their permanent home in Sonoma County—where California quickly became her favorite place to be.
Known as the “backbone” of the practice, Stephani greets new clients, navigates insurance questions, and ensures the office runs smoothly. She is passionate about community service and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. With her calm presence and genuine smile, she helps clients feel comfortable and cared for from the very beginning of their journey.
Outside of work, Stephani enjoys exploring her town with her husband and two children, gardening, and baking cheesecakes.
dr. raquel henry
she/her
LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Dr. Henry is a licensed psychologist who has been living and working in the bay area for over a decade. She graduated from the California School of Professional Psychology, and has worked with individuals in community mental health, schools, and private practice. She has been trained in psychodynamic-relational psychotherapy at the Psychological Services Center and HealthRight360 in San Francisco and is trained to provide psychological assessment services to adolescents and adults struggling with learning or mood disorders. In addition to using evidence-based assessment tools, she prioritizes understanding the person as a whole to better acknowledge their needs and challenges and to provide direction on how to move forward. As a queer woman of color, she enjoys working with folks from diverse backgrounds, including different cultures, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and immigration statuses. She is dedicated to providing a safe place where you can apply the use of assessments to better understand your experiences.
dr. jessica hobson
she/her
LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Dr. Hobson is a Sonoma State University Lecturer and Clinical Director, experienced in research and clinical interests of joint attention, symbolic play, and parent-child interaction with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and early typical development, as well as a focus on identification of twice exceptional (2e) youth. Her understanding of the intersection of sensory needs, mental health, and neurodiversity make her an ideal Psychologist for children and adults with curiosity in exploring Autism Spectrum (ASD) testing, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD) testing, as well as cognitive and processing testing. She is a trainer and supervisor for Psychologists conducting evaluations, and has published academic papers on diverse topics such as sensory processing differences, social anxiety, and neurocognitive profiles.
As a Senior Research Fellow in London’s Neuropsychology Center, a grant writer, and a Lecturer in studies such as lifespan development, infant and toddler mental health, and even philosophy, she brings to Bridges to Understanding® her clinical expertise and approximately 30 years of experience in education, research, and testing. Her keen eye for detail, paired with thoroughness in testing, will elicit answers to complex questions and concerns. Dr. Hobson offers independent evaluations for Psychological Testing services.
SKYE ASHLEY
she/her
CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Skye graduated from Dominican University of California’s Counseling Psychology program and earned a master’s degree with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy, where she now teaches future therapists full time. Historically, she also served students, faculty and staff as a clinician, has worked at a rape and crisis agency with their 24/7 crisis line for victims of sexual assault as well as facilitated support groups, worked in Sonoma County's Behavioral Health program serving our most vulnerable community members as well as served our community during the 2017 fires in disaster relief, and has worked in Kaiser's Intensive Outpatient Program. In addition to teaching full time, Skye also supervises trainees and associates enrolled in the counseling psychology program, and supervises our team at Bridges to Understanding®. Skye is in her happy place when she spends time in the forests and the ocean, connecting with awe-inspiring nature.