CHRISTY LIVINGSTON (she/her)
Owner, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California and Oregon), Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor
My Background and Approach
The experience I have obtained is vast, and ultimately this will directly benefit you. Beginning with inpatient services in 2003, I saw the potential to stabilize and heal through 24-7 care. As my journey progressed, I transitioned to school-based counseling services, and supported youth through groups, individual services, play therapy, parenting classes, classroom workshops, and curriculum development. I sat in on all of my client’s IEP meetings, discussing the mental health impact in a school setting, with an overall goal to assist families with requests for accommodations as necessary. Transitioning into outpatient clinical work, I began working in a local non-profit organization in Los Angeles. I served state-funded financially supported families receiving Medi-cal/CalFresh, CalWORKs, and BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ populations through Los Angeles County DMH programs. With a geographic service area of Long Beach, Compton, Wilmington, San Pedro, and surrounding areas, I provided in-home and school visits and met families in their communities. Moving to Sonoma County, I worked in various non-profit organizations as a Supervisor, and during my employment at the county I was deployed as a disaster relief worker during the October 2017 wildfires. I am grateful to now be able to support my community of Healdsburg with therapy services for children and adults.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I believe that everyone has within them the capacity to heal. I believe that children are much smarter and more observant than we realize. I believe that animals are natural healers and companions, and I feel that the unconditional love they give should be something for us all to strive for. I believe that growth is subjective, and the goals my clients make for themselves should be focused on what they want, not what I want for them as their therapist. I believe that my clients are the experts of their lives, and my role is to help them realize what their goals are and how to obtain them. I believe in healing from the past, grounding in the present, and looking to the future with hope, and I believe that all three are necessary for permanent change.
NICOLE EVANS
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
My Background and Approach
I have worked with youth and families in various mental health settings in Sonoma County for over 10 years. My passion for working with youth and families began while I was as an advocate for youth in the Foster Care system. I utilized a trauma-informed approach and worked with families to resolve attachment wounds and conflict. This led me to attending Grad School at Sonoma State University where I obtained my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. During my two-year internship at Lomi Psychotherapy Clinic, I was supervised and trained by some of the leading therapists in the area. I worked with adults, couples and families using a Somatic and Mindfulness approach. My background training as a yoga teacher also allows me to integrate meditative and breathwork into my practice with clients in grounding and mindful awareness. I found that this approach along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Therapy translated well in working with youth. Working in the schools as a School-Based Mental Health Clinician at Social Advocates for Youth provided insight into the issues children face in the school and at home. I ran multiple groups for anxiety and depression. My most recent experience as a County of Sonoma employee provided vast experience in case management for adults and their families, all while the increase in stressors from the wildfires and pandemic arose. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe space for ALL my clients to be able to explore their life around them and set goals for themselves for healing and wholeness. My style is relational, approachable, gentle, and compassionate.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I believe in being the best version of myself so that I can be fully available to my clients and to be attuned to their needs. I am committed to my own health and well-being through mindful practices of yoga, meditation, daily exercise, and spending time in nature along with my family and with my dog, Ollie. I believe everyone has their own journey in life and I am honored to witness and be an integral support along with that path with my clients.
DR. JESSICA HOBSON
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.
DR. RAQUEL HENRY (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
My Background and Approach
I am a licensed psychologist who has been living and working in the bay area for over a decade. I graduated from the California School of Professional Psychology with my doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology in 2017 and have worked with individuals in community mental health, schools, and private practice. I was trained in psychodynamic-relational psychotherapy at the Psychological Services Center and HealthRight360 in San Francisco and am trained to provide psychological assessment services to adolescents and adults struggling with learning or mood disorders. In addition to using evidence-based assessment tools, I prioritize 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, I enjoy working with folks from diverse backgrounds, including different cultures, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and immigration statuses. I am dedicated to providing a safe place where we can apply the use of assessments to better understand your experiences. I understand that it is a privilege to bear witness to your vulnerability, so I am committed to supporting you with compassion and guiding you with a strengths-based approach.
DAMION MATTHEWS
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
My Background and Approach
I came to the field of therapy through theater. While training as an actor, I became fascinated by the mystery of the human condition, and experienced first-hand the vast possibilities for growth and healing that arise when we confront our inner selves. My professional experience began with intensive inpatient treatment in San Francisco, where I worked with a diverse array of individuals struggling with addiction, homelessness, and acute psychosis, for whom I provided guidance and support, and also led skill-building, mindfulness, and art-therapy groups. Through my master’s program in drama therapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies, I had the opportunity to help individuals process their traumas and emotional wounds through the creation of original, autobiographical performance pieces, and also did drama therapy with inmates in San Quentin prison. I have also worked with adults, children, adolescents, and couples at SOS Community Counseling in Santa Rosa, providing accessible therapy services to our community. My approach weaves together elements of art, drama, and narrative therapy with practical tools drawn from cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness, all while putting the individual needs of the client and the therapeutic relationship at the center of the work.
Personal Beliefs and Interests
As a person and as a clinician I believe in “come as you are.” There is no right way to heal, to be, or to live, apart from the way that is uniquely right for you. I believe that suffering arises when we are at odds with our inner integrity or the circumstances we find ourselves in, and that a vast wellspring of joy and strength can be unlocked when we turn toward ourselves and our lives instead of away. I believe that as human beings, we create and make sense of who we are through story, and I consider it an honor and a privilege to witness the story of each client that I work with. When it comes to struggles with relationships of any kind, I believe in developing radical vulnerability and responsibility, and in learning methods of effective communication that, unfortunately, are so rarely modeled or taught to us in our society. I believe that we can start to fall in love with our lives when we connect to what is most precious and meaningful for us, and I view therapy as a collaborative process of uncovering and cultivating that meaning.
ANGELINE KELLY
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
My Background and Approach
I grew up in Sonoma County and found my way back after being away for almost eight years. I received my Masters in Counseling Psychology from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX, focusing on Marriage and Family Therapy. Before becoming a therapist, I worked for large corporations and noticed how disconnected I felt from my work. I realized I felt the most alive when talking with others about their lives, struggles, happiness, and anything in between. It wasn’t until I was a client in therapy as a young adult that I knew in my heart that my calling was to become a therapist and to support people in ways similar to those that helped me in times of struggle. My therapy journey has been a powerful experience and is a constant reminder of what it is like to show up authentically and be vulnerable, helping me remain attuned to my client’s experiences. My professional experience includes working in both private practice and residential treatment centers. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and adults.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
Whether working with children, adolescents, or adults, I know my clients are experts in their own experiences. My approach is client-centered, and I firmly believe in meeting my clients where they are. Through my training, I have found that working with clients holistically–where elements of creativity, curiosity, mindfulness, and authenticity come together in practice–best provides a space for healing and growth that ultimately allows for an integrated self. I love hiking around beautiful Sonoma County, cooking, and reading in my free time.
ANDREA DUFFY
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
My Background and Approach
I was born and raised in Sonoma County and am so grateful for the beauty and joy that I have found in our community. With this, I have a vested interest in giving back to my community and I am glad to do so by providing support to individuals and families. Before becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist, my previous experiences included a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) by providing 1:1 behavioral support services to children with autism, as well as a 1:1 Behavioral Teaching Aide and Residential Counselor at a local non-public school and residential treatment center. I gained my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco, worked as a Mental Health Counselor for a Sebastopol School District serving elementary and middle school students and their families. I had the opportunity to provide therapy to students with neurodivergence, learning disabilities, depression, and anxiety. In addition to working directly with youth, I work with parents, caregivers, and adults as they navigate their daily lives. It is no easy task to manage the responsibility for others you love and care for and take care of your own needs also.
As a clinician, I use an integrative approach so that each client can build a tailor-made treatment. I draw from a client-centered framework, meaning that clients are the experts in their own lives and I, as a therapist, am there to observe and gently guide as they discover and work toward their personal goals.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
The human body and mind share an extremely complex relationship that can go almost unnoticed in our daily lives. Talking with a therapist and mindfulness can connect these parts of ourselves and effectively begin the healing process. I believe that the relationship between nature, animals, and our nervous systems is symbiotic and can aid in healing both mentally and physically. Creative modalities such as art, music, and play can be equally effective in expressing emotions and personal stories, and allowing space to examine individual strengths is an important part of the work I do. Although therapy is a way to process difficult emotions and experiences, it can also be a time to find joy and positivity. Examining these moments can bring to light the resiliency we all have within us. As Albus Dumbledore says, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
BREE WATSON (she/her)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
My Background and Approach
I graduated with my M.A. in Integral Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. While completing my internship at Social Advocates for Youth, I had the privilege of learning about sand tray, art therapy, and play therapy. I then began working with specialty populations including foster and adopted children, as well as those being raised by relatives at the Seneca Family of Agencies. This is where I started developing my interest in working with trauma-informed practices to support those that have experienced PTSD or have had tough things happen in their past. I continued this work at a residential program while supporting teens with dual-diagnosis and their families on a path of recovery. During this time I taught groups about coping skills, LGBTQIA+ affirmation, addiction/recovery, and mental health. I then worked with adults and children for 2 years at the Petaluma People Services Center, a community mental health clinic serving a varied population of ages, socioeconomic levels, and mental health struggles. This has developed me into an even stronger clinician with skills to help you build the essential tools to heal and feel more balanced with whatever challenges you are experiencing. I am so honored to be working with Bridges to Understanding and truly look forward to meeting you and your loved ones.
My personal approach to therapy is a combination of integral, relational, and Humanistic theories. In sessions I utilize mindfulness techniques, psychoeducation, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Gestalt, non-directive play therapy, sand tray, and art therapy. Some of my main influences are Peter Levine, Dr. Bruce Perry, Janina Fisher, Gabor Mate, Carl Rogers, and Francis Weller.
Personal Beliefs & Interests
My goal is to meet every client exactly where they are and do my best to understand their world. It is an honor to sit with clients and support them in creating a life of balance, peace, and joy. I am committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in my clinical work. It is very important to me to create a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and I take pride in being a part of this community myself. My partner and I know how important it is to live in a secure, welcoming, loving, and supportive environment. This is something that I strive to create for both my clients and their families.
I love music – listening to it, playing it, dancing to it, and talking about it. I spent my post-BA years living and working on organic farms and traveling by bicycle to explore the USA. Sports is another passion of mine… surfing, skateboarding, tennis, softball, basketball, and LaCrosse. On the weekends you’ll likely find me enjoying time at the beach, hiking, kayaking, camping, going to live music, and spending time with friends.
LAUREN RUTLEDGE
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (California and Mississippi)
My Background and Experience
I graduated with my masters in social work from the University of Mississippi and began working in the field of addiction treatment. I have been able to work with adolescents, young adults, and adults struggling with mental health, eating disorders, addictions to drugs and alcohol, and varying degrees of trauma. For the past five years I have developed a holistic approach to healing. I believe in prioritizing a mind, body, and spirit connection. I have worked in residential and outpatient settings, navigated inpatient group and individual therapy during COVID-19, obtained a 200-hour yoga certification along with a certification for the Yoga of 12-Step Recovery, and I have worked with a team to develop an outpatient program specialized for veterans with addiction and PTSD. My experiences have led me to believe in the healing power of relationships and connection. My specialities are in using Dialectical Behavior Therapy, motivational interviewing, and attachment theory along with the techniques of narrative therapy, Internal Family Systems, and AEDP. You’ll find me often turning to mindfulness and somatic approaches when working through difficult emotions. I also enjoy using journaling and art to help clients process their experiences when words aren’t enough.
Personal Beliefs and Interests
I like working with clients in ways that motivate them, and I believe that we all have what we need within us to achieve a life worth living or to overcome any pain we may be experiencing. I have found the benefits in healthy routines, the outdoors, humor, and relationships to be the foundation for my personal well-being and I like to work with clients as they discover their own building blocks for wholehearted living.
My favorite thing in the world is cooking for the people I love. Rain or shine, I can be found in the kitchen making an old family recipe or something new that I’ve never tried before. When I’m not in the kitchen, I’m often out running a road or a trail with my husband. This is our favorite hobby to do together, and it’s where I personally feel the most empowered and embodied. Yoga, reading a good memoir, and walking my big Labrador Gryffin (yes, that’s a Harry Potter reference) are my other loves.
BETHANY BULLARD
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
My Background and Experience
My experience includes ten years in utilization of neurodiverse-affirming care for clients of all ages, as both as a Teacher’s Aide and a Direct Support Professional. I received my Master’s degree from Sonoma State University, and completed my traineeship at Providence Sonoma County Hospice. Within my work through hospice, I was honored to support grieving families as well as bereaved community members. At Providence I worked with all ages of clients, and appreciated being a small piece of a client’s grief journey. The death and dying phase of life is one of the most vulnerable times in a human’s life, and with this specialty of grief and loss, I feel honored to support our community ongoing.
Providing a safe and nonjudgemental environment, while upholding respect and compassion, is my main goal in the counseling room and in life. Clinically, I incorporate a person-centered approach, which means that my clinical care follows the cues and the pace that my clients feel comfortable with. I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is a form of therapy that educates the client in coping strategies, as well as focuses on how thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect feelings and actions.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I enjoy meeting the client where they are, and I believe the client is the expert in their life. I am here to learn about, witness, and support the client. I am an active participant and advocate in self-care. My personal hobbies include baking, socializing with friends, or even watching a movie. When I am outside of work, you will find me tending to myself with a kind, gentle act of self-care. It is in this routine and ritual that I find rejuvenation to continue the positive work I do in caring for others in their journeys in life.
STEPHANI JACOBSON
Office Administrator, Intake Coordinator
Stephani joined Bridges to Understanding after having been a stay-at-home mom for almost 15 years. Passions include being active in her community, including sitting on the PTA board and frequently volunteering with her favorite organization, Habitat for Humanity. She had spent 15 years moving around the country while her husband was in the military, and was happy to find her permanent home in Sonoma County. She lived in six different states during that time, but California almost immediately became her favorite. Bridges to Understanding is grateful for the support of Stephani, and she is your first point of contact when you call our practice. With a calm presence and a genuinely happy smile, she helps clients find comfort when they arrive.
In Stephani’s free time, she loves exploring her new city with her husband and two children, gardening and cheesecake baking.