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About NCCEFTThe NCCEFT began as a project initiated by a group of San Francisco Bay Area EFT therapists who had been meeting for several years for clinical consultation and the study of EFT. In an effort to continue building and expanding the EFT community in Northern California, this group launched the first EFT Community meeting on May 3, 2007. The Community has evolved as a membership organization where all can initiate and participate with others in implementing the NCCEFT mission. Quarterly meetings promote the mission by:
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NCCEFT Board of Directors
To see their biographies, click on the directors name.
Chair Elect
Co-Program Coordinator / Co-Chair, Program Committee |
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Mark Maxwell, Psy.D., LMFT Technology Coordinator Co-Chair |
Director at Large |
NCCEFT Board Committee Members
Kelly Baker, LMFT Speaker Liaison |
CE Coordinator Co-Chair |
Kristi Hudson, LMFT CE Coordinator Co-Chair |
Program Registration Co-Chair |
Program Registration Co-Chair |
Laura McCabe, LCSW Program Committee/Hospitality |  Ashraf Khater, LCSW Program Committee/Hospitality |
Biographies
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers I am an Oakland, California native, and Licensed as a Social Worker in California, Oregon, and Washington State. I have been awarded the opportunity to work with some of the most culturally diverse people in the Bay Area. I am a Social Justice Warrior with a deep passion for helping disenfranchised and underserved populations. I started a small private practice, MOCHA Therapy Group with a friend and business partner. I completed Externship in 2021 and Core Skills in 2022. I also serve as First Vice-President of the National Association of Social Workers, California chapter. I am a mother to a 27-year old son and two fur babies. When I am not working, you can catch me at the dog park, with family, at a Jazz concert, or in Napa enjoying some of the finest wines Northern California has to offer. |
Amber Simmons was born and raised in Oakland, California. In 2006, she relocated to Fresno to attend California State University, Fresno, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 2011, along with a certificate in Serving At-Risk Youth. Mrs. Simmons felt a strong calling to further her education, particularly in the realm of art therapy. This passion led her to the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, where she graduated in 2015 with a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology, concentrating in Expressive Art Therapy.
Amber has dedicated herself to community work, employing art as a therapeutic tool to address trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief. She is a trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), helping individuals navigate various life stages to achieve their goals and dreams. Amber has also received advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
Tricia Tiutan is a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in San Mateo, CA. She has a multicultural background and is an immigrant from Asia. All of these experiences and identities have inspired and informed who she is as a therapist. Her approach is client-centered and grounded in research on attachment, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness. Her work is centered on AEDP and she is working toward certification in EFT. She is also trauma-trained in EMDR. Her prior experience includes 20 years in a corporate setting in Silicon Valley, giving her a meaningful understanding of the challenges of high-pressure careers and life transitions. Alongside her work as a therapist, she navigates life as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. These relationships continue to deepen her empathy and appreciation for the complexity of being human.
Pronouns She/her/hers,
Raquel Garcia is a LMFT from Spain, has been in San Francisco for 30 years.
She is Certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR, TISTS , KAP trained, and IFS Informed.
She has a private practice in SF, and specializes in couples and complex trauma.
Spirituality, attachment, systemis view, including internerational and transpersonal, guide her work and life.
Pronouns: He/Him
He has been a licensed clinical social worker since 2004. The first part of his professional life was spent in public health research and working in community-based organizations with multiply diagnosed individuals. He also worked in medicine, palliative care, and hospice at Kaiser and with the City of San Francisco Department of Public Health prior to focusing on his private practice with couples, individuals, and families. EFT and AEDP have been his clinical homes for over a decade now.
He is grateful to all of the teachers, trainers, and community members within NCCEFT who have so generously shared their wisdom over the years. It feels like such a privilege for him to give back to the community that has nurtured him and so many others. He is thrilled to be part of the program committee as they work to bring culturally attuned, inclusive, and stimulating trainings to the NCCEFT community.
He lives in the East Bay with his family. He loves hiking, movies, reading, music, cooking, travel, and learning all kinds of things.
Pronouns: She/Her
Julie Tapley has been a licensed marriage and family therapist since 1996. For the first part of her career, she worked in school settings, day treatment, and community mental health. Now, her work is primarily in private practice with individuals, couples, and families. Her clinical work is influenced by EFT, EFFT, and several trauma-informed approaches, including parts work and EMDR.
Julie became involved with NCCEFT in 2015 just to get a little EFT exposure, and was blown away by the depth of the model and how incredibly effective it was for couples and families. She has spent an outsized amount of time in trainings and consultation groups, which has made her appreciate NCCEFT’s long-standing efforts to make EFT accessible and culturally relevant.
Julie lives in San Francisco, is married, and is fortunate to have adult children who live nearby. She loves to get outdoors and tries to keep the vow (made during the pandemic) to never miss a chance to see live music.
Pronouns: She/Her
Anna Keeffe is an LMFT, practicing in the city of Oakland, CA. She is a California native, but started the process to become a therapist in 2012 in Oregon after graduating with a Masters degree in Counseling from Portland State University. For the next decade plus, she spent her career in Oakland and Contra Costa County, working with adolescents and families in community mental health clinics across a broad range of issues, including substance abuse counseling and early intervention in psychosis. The plan was to always become a couples therapist, but she grew a passion for the communities and families she worked with and became passionate about social justice as it relates to therapy practices and the mental health of her clients. In 2019 she started seeing couples and individuals in private practice, and began training in Emotion Focused Therapy for couples in 2021. She has completed the Externship and Core Skills, and is currently working with a Supervisor to collect additional experience towards EFT certification. In addition to being a therapist, Anna is also a mom to three active and delightful kids. In her spare time she loves to travel and walk aimlessly around new places, read books before bed, and enjoy belly laughs with family and friends.
Jennifer Brizuela, LCSW
Jennifer Brizuela is an ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Couple Therapist, EFT Supervisor-in-Training, and Membership Co-Chair for NCCEFT. A Los Angeles native now establishing roots in the East Bay, she is the daughter of immigrants from El Salvador. Jennifer owns a virtual private practice serving individuals and couples throughout California, integrating Emotionally Focused Therapy, EMDR, and attachment-based approaches through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens. She is also completing advanced training in sex therapy and sexuality education through the University of Michigan.
Jennifer has been a member of NCCEFT since 2022 after being selected as a DEI Mentorship recipient. Since joining the DEI Committee in 2023, she has remained passionate about fostering an inclusive, welcoming community where members feel connected, supported, and encouraged throughout their professional growth. As Membership Co-Chair, she looks forward to creating meaningful opportunities for connection, building relationships, strengthening community, and deepening members' engagement with EFT.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys traveling, attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and spending time with loved ones.
Alex has been dedicated to clinical practice since 2014, bringing a decade of experience from the tech world into his work as a therapist. As an immigrant from Taiwan who speaks fluent Mandarin, he understands the unique challenges immigrants face, particularly within Asian communities. Deeply aligned with LGBTQ+ communities, he is also passionate about helping minorities navigate life’s complexities.
In early 2024, Alex became a Certified EFT Therapist and is now advancing his qualifications as a Supervisor Candidate. Through his private practice, he works with individuals, couples, and families to enhance their quality of life, while also supervising associates and trainees for a local nonprofit to support the next generation in the community.
Mark Maxwell, Psy.D., LMFT
Dr. Mark Maxwell is the Executive Director of Conexa, a non-profit focused on community transformation through mental and relational health. He also is the director of Pacifica Group Counseling and Wellness with offices in San Diego, Sacramento and the Bay Area. Mark has also served as an adjunct at multiple university graduate and doctoral programs. He lives and operates primarily out of Sacramento, California. Mark started in the film and television industry, getting his BA in Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University (Go Lions!) which led him to psychology and human dynamics in order to write good characters. He eventually heeded the call to therapy when he moved to Louisiana to study mental health counseling at LSU (Geaux Tigers!). But he could not resist the call of systems theory and relationships, eventually returning home to California to get his doctorate in couple and family therapy at Alliant International University (Go…?). It was here he discovered the two game changers that influence his work today: Attachment theory and Liberation Psychology. Attachment theory led him to training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, working under Dr. Lisa Palmer Olsen. Liberation Psychology was gifted to him through an Immersion program to Mexico City with Dr. Jason Platt. Mark is an integrationalist at heart, exploring the intersections of these theories along with spirituality, theology, and the science of interpersonal neurobiology to inform his work and desire to bring healing and thriving to people in community is his primary focus today.
Carlota Azpiazu, AMFT Carlota Azpiazu is a graduate student in the Master of Science in Counseling program at San Francisco State University, pursuing a dual concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling (MFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC). Originally from Spain, Carlota brings a multicultural perspective to her clinical work, shaped by training and practice across Europe, East Africa, and the United States. She has worked with individuals, couples, and families in diverse settings and is currently completing her internship at a Bay Area nonprofit. Her approach integrates Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and trauma-informed care, with a strong focus on intergenerational healing and cultural connection. Early in her career, she brings deep curiosity and a commitment to learning from others; one of the reasons she moved to the U.S. to train. She is also increasingly interested in sports psychology and the link between mental health and athletic performance. Outside of therapy, Carlota finds joy in spending quality time with her family, staying active through sports, traveling, and connecting with nature. Her strong Catholic faith is a central part of her life, offering meaning, guidance, and purpose both personally and professionally. |
Kelly Baker, LMFT
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Kelly, Licensed Marriage, and Family Therapist (she, her, hers) is the owner and founder of Onyx Trauma Healing Center, in a small group private practice in Hanford, California, the Executive Director of ExpreseArte Cultural Wellness Collective and adjunct faculty at Fresno Pacific University. She spent the first twenty-five years of her career in public service, first in child welfare, 15 years in probation and parole, subsequently ending her career as Deputy Director of Kings County Behavioral Health. In March 2020, during the pandemic, Kelly transitioned into full-time private practice. Kelly is passionate about the physical and emotional benefits of mindful movement and creates opportunities for her clients to use their bodies to heal, grow and transform their chaos into clarity, confidence, and peace. Kelly’s practice approach is attachment-based, trauma-focused, and rooted in decolonizing mental health and wellness practices with a social justice framework. Kelly began studying and practicing EFT during her Externship with Dr. Silvina Irwin, studied EFIT with Laurie Brubacher and EFT consultation with Dr. Yamonte Cooper. Kelly is currently in Core Skills with Dr. Paul Guillory. She is learning so much from Core Skills including how to work with Black couples. In addition to EFT, Kelly is also trained in Brainspotting, Flash and is a certified yoga instructor. Kelly is the mother of 4 adult children and when she is not working, she loves to camp and travel throughout the United States in her RV. She is really excited to have an opportunity to serve the board and to become a more active member of the NCCEFT community.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Robert Jackson is a Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist who works virtually with individuals and couples throughout California, Washington, Idaho, and Virginia. He has a particular interest in couples navigating ADHD, helping partners understand how attachment needs and neurodivergent differences intersect in their cycle. He also has experience with betrayal and infidelity recovery, and a niche specialty with male couples. He specializes in treating attachment injuries based on the Broken Bonds Model as taught by Drs. Jim Furrow and Lisa Palmer-Olson.
Robert is also a Level 2 AEDP Therapist and brings this attachment-based, experiential approach into his individual work, including with clients processing trauma alongside couple therapy. Prior to private practice, he worked in community mental health settings and at The San Francisco Marriage and Couples Center. Before becoming a therapist, he spent two decades at Canal Alliance supporting the Latino community in Marin County. When not seeing clients on Zoom, he enjoys hitting the trail with his dog Luna, cycling on Mt.Tam, and searching for the best bowl of ramen. Learn more at https://www.robertjacksontherapy.com
Kristi Hudson, LMFT Pronouns (she/her) Kristi began training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy in 2015 and has enjoyed working with couples and individuals both online and in person in her North Bay private practice since becoming licensed in 2017. She is an individual supervisor and trainer at Community Institute for Psychotherapy, where she supports associate therapists from an attachment focused lense and she also offers consultation services in the broader community. As a lifelong learner, Kristi participates in trainings and case consultation and works individually with a certified supervisor as she moves toward certification in EFCT. Whether serving as a clinician, supervisor, trainer, or consultant, her approach is warm, curious, and respectful of diverse identities and backgrounds. Outside of her professional roles, Kristi enjoys yoga, cycling, gardening, and spending time with her husband and young adult daughters. Johnny Simmons is a seasoned mental health clinician with over a decade of experience in providing therapy. For the past five years, he has owned and operated a thriving private practice, specializing in trauma, anxiety, and depression. Johnny received his Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from CSU Fresno, where he developed a strong foundation in understanding and treating relational dynamics within the context of mental health. Johnny is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), modalities he integrates into his practice to help individuals and couples heal and strengthen their relationships and address trauma-related issues. His expertise in EFT reflects his commitment to evidence-based practices and his dedication to achieving positive outcomes for his clients. In addition to his clinical work, Johnny is passionate about mental health advocacy and community education. He actively participates in workshops and speaking engagements to promote awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Outside of his professional endeavors, Johnny finds joy in gardening, fishing, and hunting, activities that allow him to recharge and connect with nature. His commitment to his clients' well-being, combined with his personal interests and dedication to advancing the field of mental health, highlights his leadership in therapeutic care and advocacy. I believe the most important source of resilience comes from within ourselves and from our close relationships. It is from this belief that I join my clients in their journey toward healing and wholeness. I am a Certified Emotion Focused Couples and Attachment Focused EMDR Therapist. I am also trained in and informed by Internal Family Systems, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. These modalities allow me to help my clients address, heal and make sense of pain in the past in order to have more clarity and compassion in their present lives. This lends to an increase in clients’ own internal sense of self and capacity. It further strengthens relationships because clients are more in touch with their longings and needs and can communicate more clearly. In addition to providing individual and couples therapy, I work as a clinical supervisor and program developer serving under-resourced communities in San Francisco. I am committed to a lifestyle of diversity personally and professionally and strive to provide a culturally responsive therapeutic space that honors culture, race, gender identity, sexual orientation and all abilities. I enjoy spending time with my partner and friends and exploring the beauty of the Bay Area. Before I was a therapist, I was a certified Olympic Weightlifting Coach and Yoga Instructor. |
Ashraf Khater, LCSW Ashraf Khater is a Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist practicing in Oakland. Ashraf has been using EFT since 2018, and loves being part of the NCCEFT community. Outside of his professional role, Ashraf partakes in permaculture gardening, soccer, and civic engagement. |
In association with the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy | NCCEFT is a professional association of therapists practicing Emotionally Focused Therapy in Northern California. Serving communities of the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, including San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont, San Jose, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, and beyond; we have members throughout California and throughout the United States. |
