The professional team at the Masonic Center for Youth and Families strives to provide the highest quality of compassionate care to all clients, leading to positive experiences and successful outcomes. We come from leading institutions, active private practices, and renowned research programs. We work as a collaborative team to provide each client with a thoughtful approach to their unique needs. We use a family-focused model of care, which puts the needs of young people and their families first. We offer a supportive, nurturing environment to ensure our clients feel welcome and respected.
Therapist
Location: Covina
Craig is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with children and families impacted by mental health challenges. His areas of expertise include complex trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse, and chronic mental illness. Craig worked at Pacific Clinics for 15 years providing team-based, intensive, individual and family therapy. Prior to that he worked as a Psychiatric Social Worker at Metropolitan State Hospital as part of a multidisciplinary team working to stabilize high risk youth. Utilizing a strengths-based perspective, he develops partnerships with clients to assist them in overcoming the adversities they face. Craig engages his clients in a healing process to instill a sense of hope and initiate positive change in their lives.
Education M.S.W., University of Southern California
B.A., Sociology with a Social Service Track, California State University, San Bernardino
License California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Therapist
Location: San Francisco
Mercy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who over seven years of experience providing mental health services to individuals, couples and families. Mercy is also a Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst with over 10 years of experience working with neurodivergent children and adults struggling with severe and complex behavioral and emotional challenges. She has worked in a variety of different settings including in-home, schools, group homes, homeless shelters, day programs and clinics. Mercy’s work is grounded in Narrative theory which utilizes a collaborative approach to center the client in a respectful non-pathologizing manner. Through the utilization of behavioral approaches coupled with Narrative practices, clients are invited to journey towards self-discovery, acceptance and healing while gaining distance from problem-saturated stories, all within a safe and culturally inclusive environment.
Education
M.A., Master of Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, Pepperdine University, CA
B.S., Psychology, University of California, Irvine
License
California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Board Certification
Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
Assessment Psychologist
Location: San Francisco
Dr. Dimitrova has 12 years of clinical experience working with children and families in community mental health settings and private practice. She specializes in psychological assessment of children’s learning, behavioral, emotional, and developmental functioning, using a therapeutic, collaborative, and individualized approach, and is experienced working with children and adolescents with a wide range of challenges, including trauma, mood disorders, ADHD, learning challenges, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She enjoys facilitating groups for children using a drama therapy model, and working closely and collaboratively with parents and colleagues in creating treatment programs. Dr. Dimitrova completed clinical training in the Ann Martin Center in Oakland and Richmond Area Multi-services in San Francisco, as well as a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral residency at the West Coast Children’s Clinic in Oakland. She has extensive experience providing long-term individual and family psychotherapy in community mental health clinics, school-based settings, and private practice.
Education
Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, California
M.A., Clinical and Organizational Psychology, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria
B.S., Psychology, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria
License
California Board of Psychology – Psychologist
Professional Affiliations
Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology
Recent Presentations
“We Are Rich Because We Have Each Other.” Long-term family therapy case presentation. Grand rounds at WestCoast Children’s Clinic, May, 2013.
“Helping Children Tolerate Frustration.” Presentation to parents at Paden Elementary School in Alameda, April, 2014.
Recent Publications
Dimitrova, B. (2011). “Feminist Therapy in Bulgaria.” Women & Therapy, 34(1-4), (178-196).
Therapist
Location: Covina
Emanuel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families. Prior to joining MCYAF, he worked in multiple settings to include school-based, intensive community-based, acute inpatient, residential, and diagnostic programs. Emanuel manages depression, anxiety, psychosis, trauma, behavioral concerns, and crisis. In addition to working as a therapist, Emanuel is an artist and enjoys implementing his artistic perspective into his therapy sessions. He uses his artistic lens in combination with Narrative Therapy, Existential Therapy, CBT, and Trauma Focused-CBT concepts to work with clients. He is dedicated to the healing process through the discovery of the client’s story, personal values, motivations, hope, and action.
Education
M.A., Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA
B.A., Studio Art with an emphasis in Drawing and Painting, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA
License
California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Therapist
Location: San Francisco
Paul is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families in varying roles since 2006. Paul has provided service in multiple settings, including schools, community mental health centers, small and large group practices, county behavioral health, correctional institutions, and private practice. Most recently, Paul provided service at a mental health startup specialized in providing high quality therapy, using cutting edge measurement-based care in a teletherapeutic setting. Paul has many years of experience and is passionate about working with individuals and families impacted by autism, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges, and continues to pursue helping those with the desire to understand themselves and others, and cope with the unique challenges experienced by those with neurodevelopmental differences. Paul provides care using evidence-based modalities, such as CBT and DBT, and relies on a strong relationship, humor, warmth, and compassion to aid development of awareness of challenges and strengths, and the motivation to change.
Education
M.A., Counseling Psychology, University of San Francisco
B.A., Psychology, UCLA
License
California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Therapist
Location: San Francisco
Kevin is a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than 20 years’ experience working with youth in various therapeutic settings, including schools, residential group homes, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and day treatment programs. Most recently, he worked for five years as a Milieu Therapist at the McAuley Institute at St. Mary’s Hospital, where he conducted group therapy for adolescents and supervised the Marriage and Family Therapist Internship Program. At MCYAF, he works as a therapist with individuals and facilitates therapy groups. Kevin provides a safe and thoughtful environment to help youth feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings, and is passionate about helping them appreciate their uniqueness, improve self-esteem, and build healthy relationships with others. He strongly believes that being able to identify and express feelings, as well as connecting with others in a meaningful manner, can help youth cope with the difficulties in their lives to become more resilient and resourceful. In addition to his work in the community, Kevin has a private practice where he specializes in working with young adults and teens.
Education
M.A., Counseling Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies
B.A., Humanities, Western Kentucky University
License
California Board of Behavioral Sciences – Marriage and Family Therapist
Professional Affiliations
San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis, Community Member
Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Therapist
Location: Covina
Mayra is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience working in community mental health, as a direct service provider and supervisor. She has worked in the non-profit mental health sector for over 10 years in a variety of roles, starting from administrative coordination to clinical work. As a clinician, she has provided services in English and Spanish and utilizing different modalities, such as individual, family, and group therapy. Her focus is on ensuring that all members of the family are involved in treatment and that the family is the one leading the team. Her approach is holistic and explores all areas of life that may be impacted by the current state of the child and family. Prior to MCYAF, Mayra provided clinical supervision to clinicians in a community mental health setting.
Education
M.S., Clinical Psychology, California State University, Fullerton
B.A., Cognitive Psychology, University of California, Irvine
License
California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Family Therapist
Location: San Francisco
Yvette MacDonald MSW, has over 20 years of experience working in community mental serving youth and families dealing with issues of complex trauma, chronic mental illness, intergenerational abuse, substance abuse and community violence. She has extensive experience developing and leading programs for adolescents in both residential and outpatient settings. She approaches all her work with cultural humility and is passionate about serving youth and families from underserved communities. She believes in the resilience of youth and families and their capacity to heal.
Education
M.S.W., Master of Social Work, California State University, Sacramento
B.A., Latin American Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
License
Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Senior Therapist
Location: Union City
Dr. Steve McLaughlin is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 35 years of experience working with adults in a wide variety of treatment settings. He specializes in working with clinical problems such as anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and coping with grief and loss. Before joining MCYAF he worked as a clinical psychologist in the California prison system for 10 years, first at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Frontera, CA and then at the California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville, CA. He retired briefly from that position but found that he was not ready for retirement. He is excited to be joining the MCYAF team and working to provide mental health services to the residents of the Masonic Home.
Education
Ph.D., Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary
M.D., Master of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary
B.A., History, Stanford University
License
Clinical Psychology License from State of California
Therapist
Location: Covina
Maria is a bilingual marriage and family therapist with more than 20 years experience working with distressed children and families. She has provided therapy and supervision in a variety of clinical programs, delivering individual, group, and family therapy, as well as therapeutic behavioral services. Maria is a strong believer in interdisciplinary, team-based therapeutic approaches that draw strength from each specialist to help families heal. She seeks to provide culturally sensitive practices that reduce risk to families experiencing child abuse, neglect, depression, anxiety, and severe mental illness. Maria enjoys helping to enhance parents’ capacity to support children with severe emotional behavioral disturbances. Prior to MCYAF, she supervised a team of therapists and social workers in a community mental health setting, where she helped provide safe, high-quality services that enabled families to achieve their potential.
Therapist
Location: Covina
David is an experienced social worker with a diverse background supporting clients of all ages. He has worked with children and adolescents living in level-14 group homes, foster family agencies, public child welfare, field-based community mental health, and crisis intervention. He has extensive experience working with children who experience psychosis, schizophrenia, and substance-induced psychosis. He is dedicated to demonstrating positive role modeling, a positive mental attitude, and maintaining cultural sensitivity to help children and families overcome life challenges. Prior to joining MCYAF, David provided intensive field-based therapeutic services to children with severe mental health challenges and their families at Pacific Clinics.
Education M.S.W., University of Southern California, Los Angeles B.A., Sociology with a Social Service Track, California State University, San Bernardino License California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Therapist
Location: Covina
Candice is a Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience working with victims of trauma. Candice strives to exercise a strong foundation of cultural competence by providing bilingual (English and Spanish) crisis support services for children, adults, and elderly clients. Prior to joining MCYAF, Candice worked at CDLF Counseling, providing individual, family, and couples therapy. Additionally, she facilitated support groups, collaborated with agencies; including police departments, school districts, and the Mexican Consulate to strengthen services for the community and increase access and utilization of mental health services for children and their families. Candice utilizes a cognitive behavioral and holistic approach and is passionate about supporting clients through their healing process.
Education M.S.W., Master of Social Work, California State University, Long Beach
B.A., Psychology, California State University, Fullerton
Assessment Psychologist
Location: San Francisco
Christina has been providing neuropsychological evaluations to children, adolescents and young adults since 2009. Areas of expertise include learning differences, ADHD, language disorders, autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders and anxiety, as well as medical conditions including epilepsy, brain tumors, cerebral palsy, perinatal stroke, concussion and traumatic brain injury. She is passionate about equipping youth and their families with strategic, individualized intervention plans that capitalize on areas of strength and enhance areas of growth.
Education
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology
B.A., Journalism, Biola University
License
California Board of Psychology – Licensed Psychologist
Director of Educational Programs
Location: San Francisco
Karen has worked as an educational therapist in the Bay Area for the past 15 years with students from kindergarten through grade 12. She uses educational therapy to demystify students’ learning challenges, helping them to identify and apply their areas of strength for better outcomes. Through a variety of approaches, Karen helps students build resiliency in addition to their academic skill set. Karen has blended her experience in business and education to develop learning support programs for a variety of schools. She has served as a learning specialist for a variety of private schools in the Marin County, San Francisco, and Berkeley areas, as well as maintaining a private practice. She has also served on the Board of the Association of Educational Therapist (AET) and was a past AET Bay Area representative.
Education
M.Ed., Educational Therapy, Holy Names University, California
B.S., Business Management and Administration, University of Phoenix, California
Specialized Trainings
Wilson Reading System
Fundations Wilson Language Basics
Wilson Just Words
Lindamood-Bell: LiPS, Visualizing/Verbalizing, Seeing Stars
Making Math Real
Brain Gym
Handwriting Without Tears
Great Leaps Reading Fluency
Read Naturally Reading Fluency
Davis Dyslexia Correction Center
Professional Affiliations
Association of Educational Therapists
International Dyslexia Association
Presentations
“Educational Therapy Defined, All Kinds of Minds,” Ross Valley Parent Association
“The Role of an Educational Therapist,” Dominican University Occupational Therapy Graduate Program
“Learning Differences Defined,” Marin Montessori School Faculty
“Learning Differences Defined” and “Multiple Intelligences,” San Domenico School Faculty
“Learning Differences Defined,” Stuart Hall for Boys Faculty
“Creating Summer Support for Students with Learning Differences,” Stuart Hall for Boys Parent Education Group
Publications
“What is the Difference Between a Psycho-Educational and Neuropsychological Evaluation?” Tier One Study Smart Blog (September 2015)
“Interview Questions to Ask Private Evaluators,” Tier One Study Smart Blog (August 2015)
“Speech and Language Evaluation,” Tier One Study Smart Blog (September 2015)
“Occupational Therapy Evaluation” Tier One Study Smart Blog (September 2015)
Access Coordinator
Location: Covina
Kevin is a caring and thoughtful person who enjoys creating a welcoming atmosphere for MCYAF clients. His professional experiences in customer service-related industries has allowed him the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds and ages, which Kevin very much enjoys. As MCYAF’s administrative coordinator, he ensures that MCYAF clients receive the best possible care while visiting the center.
Education
B.S., Business Management, California State University, Northridge
Business Manager
Location: San Francisco
Olivia is passionate about supporting the work of those who help children to become happy, healthy, and successful in life. Her professional experiences have included working with youth in diverse populations, including those with learning, emotional, and physical disabilities and disadvantaged children in Zambia. As MCYAF’s business access coordinator, she ensures the effective functioning of the financial and administrative aspects of MCYAF and provides a welcoming experience to children and their families.
Education
M.A., Education and Counseling, San Jose State University
B.A., Sociology and Organizational Studies, University of California, Davis
B.A., Communication, University of California, Davis
Clinic Manager
Location: Covina
Brenda is the first point of contact for MCYAF, providing a warm and compassionate welcome to clients and families. She is experienced in working with diverse clientele; her previous experience includes teaching and tutoring English as a second language; providing case management for CalWORKS families in Santa Barbara County; and numerous administrative and public relations roles. Prior to MCYAF, Brenda worked in community mental health in Los Angeles County, providing administrative support to children’s programs.
Education
B.A., Latin American and Iberian Studies, Minor in Spanish, University of California, Santa Barbara
Intake Coordinator
Location: Covina
As the Access Coordinator of MCYAF Covina , Jennifer is committed in making our families’ experience at our center a positive one. Her past work experience includes providing behavioral support to autistic and cognitive-disabled children at a non-profit organization, Easter Seals. Prior to MCYAF, she worked as a Full Service Partnership (FSP) Mental Health Worker in Los Angeles County, working with children and adults. Her personal and work experiences have given her a deep appreciation for families in need and taught her the importance of compassion.
Education
B.A., Sociology, University of California, Riverside
Executive Director
Location: San Francisco
Kimberly is a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than 20 years of experience treating children, youth, and their families. She specializes in pediatric anxiety, depression, and family therapy, and has 18 years’ experience developing clinical and graduate training programs. Kimberly has extensive experience acquiring and managing public and private funding. As a nonprofit executive, she has raised more than 20 million dollars in support of therapeutic programs for children, youth, and their families. She is passionately dedicated to creating services that help parents raise happy, healthy, and productive youth and believes that by supporting and healing families, communities are able to become stronger and thrive.
Education
M.S., Counseling Psychology, California State University, Hayward
B.A., Psychology and Sociology, Cabrini College, Pennsylvania
License
California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Marriage and Family Therapist
Professional Affiliations
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Director of Operations
Location: San Francisco
Stephanie received her Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco and comes to MCYAF with years of experience in administrating community-based mental health organizations. She brings expertise in putting systems in place to give clients and their families the best possible experience at both sites. Her passion for the community started at a very young age, beginning with volunteer work for international organizations and leading to a career in nonprofit management.
Education
MA, Nonprofit Administration, University of San Francisco
BA Political Science, UCLA
Senior Director
Location: Covina
Lisa is a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience providing direct practice and program management in nonprofit organizations serving children, adolescents, and families. She has been a director with MCYAF since 2016, when she was hired to help launch and oversee the Covina MCYAF clinic. Her professional calling is to help distressed children and families lead lives of dignity and improved health. Lisa’s specialties include family preservation, maternal and child health, and children’s intensive community services to emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children. At Pacific Clinics, where she served 11 years as program director, she delivered innovative leadership supporting the provision of effective, evidence-based treatment for families impacted by trauma. Her experience includes serving as an instructor and leadership consultant at Pacific Clinics Training Institute and has served five years on the National Alliance on Mental Illness Board of Directors.
Education
M.S.W., Social Work, University of Washington, Washington
B.A., Social Work, Bethel University, Minnesota
License
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Professional Affiliations
National Association of Social Workers
Programs Manager
Location: San Francisco
Jodi received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2016 and has worked in the mental health field for over ten years. Her work history includes working as a Program Manager to support individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness; hospice and bereavement grief support; transitional service coordinator for older adults, and as an elementary school counselor. Prior to joining the team at MCYAF, Jodi worked as a social worker for Masonic Assistance, where she worked collaboratively to serve Masons and their families throughout California.
Jodi combines her passion to be of service to others in order to offer extensive experience supporting growth programs, social services and non-profits.
Education
Master’s in Counseling Psychology – Palo Alto University
Director of Family Services
Location: San Francisco
Ethan has extensive experience working with families, couples, and youth in a variety of settings. He provides consultation and training to social service agencies administering services to families from underserved communities. He has presented at the American Family Therapy Academy and Child Welfare League of America’s national conferences, and believes passionately in families’ inherent capacity for growth and change.
Education
M.S.W., New York University
B.A., Politics, Whitman College, Washington
License
California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Professional Affiliations
Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, University of California, San Francisco – Director of Family Therapy Training
Minuchin Center for the Family, New Jersey – Faculty Member
Recent Presentations
“It’s All in the Family: The Role of Family Dynamics in Supporting Attention and Learning Challenges,” Ethan Ornstein, L.C.S.W.; Jack Fahy, Ph.D.; and Andrea Samuels, Ph.D.
Medical Director
Location: San Francisco
Dr. Iwaoka-Scott is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. She has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago and a doctor of medicine degree from the University of California, San Francisco. She has 20 years of experience working in health and human services, ranging from clinical work with adults and children to program development and policy. She has interests in community psychiatry, social psychology, interpersonal neurobiology, attachment, trauma, psychotherapy, family systems, schools, integrative medicine, and the intersection between healing and the arts.
Education
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, University of California, San Francisco General Psychiatry Residency, San Mateo Behavioral Health and Recovery Services M.D., University of California, San Francisco
A.M., Social Work, University of Chicago
B.A., Psychology, Yale University
License
Medical License, Physician & Surgeon, Medical Board of California
Certification in General Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Certification in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Professional Affiliations
San Francisco Department of Public Health
Assistant Clinical Professor – Volunteer, University of California, San Francisco
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
National Association of Social Workers
Recent Presentations
Iwaoka-Scott AY. “Creating a Space for the Father and Child.” Presented at the 20th Anniversary of the Child Trauma Research Program. Attachment and Trauma in Early Childhood: Embracing the Family in Clinical Practice, Research, and Public Policy. UCSF Department of Psychiatry, January 2016.
Maitra B (presenter), Williams S (discussant), and Iwaoka-Scott AY (discussant). “Considering Culture: Widening the Search for Therapeutic Meanings and Solutions.” Presented at C.G Jung Institute of San Francisco, November 2015.
Scheid, JM (chair), Rowe JK (discussant), Krive K, Keller K, Iwaoka-Scott AY (co-presenter), Gleason MM, and Goodenough A. “Balancing on the Highwire: Individual and Systems Issues in Young Children Exposed to Maltreatment.” Presented at American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 62nd Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, October 2015.
Executive Vice President, Masonic Homes of California
Location: San Francisco
Gary Charland has more than 20 years of experience in innovative and strategic health care leadership.
Prior to joining the Masonic Homes, Charland served in various positions with the Washington Hospital Health Care System. He was instrumental in the formation and growth of the Washington Township Medical Foundation, served as chief of physician development and as executive director of the Washington Outpatient Surgery Center. He was the former chief operating officer of East Bay Medical Network/Bay Physicians Medical Group. Prior to his appointment as executive vice president, he served as a trustee of the Masonic Homes for six years.
A community leader in the greater Union City area for more than 15 years, Charland has served as chairman of the Board of the Newark Chamber of Commerce and as chairman of the Grants Committee for the Niles Rotary. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Masonic Communities and Services Association, The Alameda Health System, and the Washington Township Healthcare Foundation, as well as the Advisory Board for the New Haven Schools Foundation.
An active member of the Masons of California, Charland belongs to four California lodges: Acalanes Fellowship Lodge No. 480 in Lafayette, Destiny Lodge No. 856 in Covina, and Siminoff Daylight Lodge No.850 in Union City. He is also a member of the Oakland Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Aahmes Shrine.
Education
J.D., Quinnipiac University School of Law, New Haven, Connecticut
B.S., Communications/Journalism & Psychology, University of Bridgeport, Connecticut
Professional Affiliations
Alameda Health System – Trustee
Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation, Fremont, California – Trustee
New Haven Schools Foundation, Fremont, California – Advisory Board Member
Masonic Communities and Services Association – Board Member
Newark, California Chamber of Commerce – Past Chairman of the Board
San Francisco: 6 Funston Ave., San Francisco, CA 94129 | (877) 488-6293 • Covina: 1650 E. Old Badillo St. #B3, Covina, CA 91724 | (626) 251-2300
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