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Meet Our Therapists
Yvonne Georgina Puig
Clinician
After a decade of teaching writing at USC in Los Angeles, I moved to Santa Barbara, where I am now immersed in pursuing my master's degree in counseling psychology and my Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist licensure at Pacifica Graduate Institute. As a writer and novelist, I believe in the healing power of story, metaphor, and image. I am passionate about companioning others in the therapeutic space as they seek meaning, grow as individuals, and tune into the voice of soul. I am interested in working with women in transition, women experiencing infertility, young adults in transition, and couples.
Chloe Johnson
Clinician
Originally from the desert of Arizona, I ventured to Santa Barbara to attend Pacifica Graduate Institute, where I am acquiring a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and a license in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am passionate about the process of self-discovery, or better yet, self-creation, and joining people along that journey. I have found that a deeply caring therapeutic relationship defined by trust, respect, and unconditional acceptance offers the space for personal growth and is something I strive to provide. I work with children, adolescents and young adults going through life transitions, as well as support groups. I enjoy helping people explore their deepest wishes, find meaning, and create a fulfilling life.
Matthew O'Brien
Clinician
I grew up in Chicago and spent 15 years as a product manager in the tech industry, mostly focused on mental health and artificial intelligence. Prior to that, as an undergraduate and in graduate school I studied philosophy and explored the nature of truth, value, and human flourishing. I'm currently training as a therapist at Pacifica Graduate Institute. In my role as counselor, I'm concerned with the entire spectrum of human well-being, from suffering to thriving. I'm interested in existential and ontological questions, and I find great value in Depth psychological approaches including Internal Family Systems. I believe that change is available to those who want it, and I'm here for anyone who's called to do the work.
Teri Malinowski
Clinician
A transformative decision in life unfolded when I packed my Karmann Ghia with essential belongings and headed to Southern California where I embraced the rich cultural and natural environment that would nourish my well-being and life trajectory. My academic studies in Clinical Psychology at UCSB and Antioch University Santa Barbara have cultivated the deep motivation for personal growth and the desire to foster resilience and self-efficacy in others.
As a clinician at JCCS, I facilitate the exploration of thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns. I assist you in uncovering insights and coping strategies that reside within you, but need some prompting. When we can engage in dialogue around emotional experiences, values, and the relationships that are most important to us, we begin the very important journey towards integration and healing.
Natalie Simons, AMFT
Registered Marriage & Family Therapist, #144527
I believe life is a journey of choices, and sometimes those choices can lead us down paths that don't feel like our own. Past experiences can cloud our judgement and make it difficult to live in the moment authentically.
My passion lies in helping individuals, couples and families. I believe that true healing and growth come from understanding where you have been, where you are now, and where you want to be.Through a collaborative and supportive approach, we will embark on your journey of self-discovery--together. We will explore your unique experiences, identify your strengths and challenges, and develop strategies to build self-awareness, self-confidence, and ultimately healthier relationships.
Whether you are seeking individual support, navigating relationship challenges, or working on family dynamics, together we can create a path towards positive change and a more fulfilling life.
Lanea Pearson
Clinician
As a Santa Barbara native, I am deeply committed to serving my community and am passionate about collaborating with individuals who have a desire to look inwards. After leaving Santa Barbara to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, I returned to earn a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. My undergraduate background in existential philosophy influences my therapeutic approach, particularly in addressing the complex and often challenging aspects of the human experience.
I hold a deep respect for the outdoors and its role in personal development, which inspired me to work as a Field Guide in Wilderness Therapy programs in Oregon and Utah. This experience laid the foundation for my capacity to sit with suffering and support personal transformation. Similarly to life, the backcountry can be brutal if you do not have resources, skills, and someone to talk to — I aim to offer my clients all three when joining them on their journey through life.
Kristen Smith
Clinician
It is my belief that we all possess an innate capacity for healing and inner transformation. I am passionate about creating a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space to explore the inner callings of your soul. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA, and working towards a license in Marriage and Family Therapy.
I am passionate about supporting adolescents and young adults as they find their way in the world and explore who they wish to become. I view therapy as a highly relational and collaborative process as we embark on a journey back to discovering your whole Self.