Kari Halko-Weekes, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, PSY 22121,
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, MFC 34551
Dr. Halko-Weekes, Director of Claremont Counseling and Support Center, is a licensed psychologist and a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in the greater Los Angeles area. In addition she supervises and trains interns in private practice, who are pursuing their Marriage & Family Therapist license in the greater Los Angeles area.
Education and Training
Dr. Halko-Weekes received her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in individual, child and family therapy from Alliant University in Alhambra, California, and is a licensed psychologist.
Dr. Halko-Weekes also has a Masters Degree from Azusa Pacific University in Marriage and Family Therapy and is also licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist in the state of California.
Professional Speaker
Dr. Halko-Weekes is a professional and inspirational speaker and has addressed such topics as: "Who am I and how does that affect my role as a manager?", The Art of Relationships, How to identify stress in your children and what to do about it, You can’t live in the cookie. (emotional eating and its consequences)
Schedule of Events
See Calendar of events
Professional Associations
American Psychological Association, California
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Member of the Chamber of Commerce
Personal Comments
Dr. Halko-Weekes is committed to personal growth and enjoys facilitating that growth in those who desire it.
Dr. Halko-Weekes conceptualizes the individual holistically, taking into consideration the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of human beings in context of their past and present relationships. She enjoys reading, mentoring, travel, physical activity, spending time with friends and family, humor, and the outdoors.
E-mail: DrHalko-Weekes@claremontcounseling.com
Marcelle Holmes, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, PSY 20189
Dr. Marcelle Holmes is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of California (PSY 20189). She works at Pomona College as Associate Dean of Students/Dean of Women and works part-time at Claremont Counseling and Support Services. Dr. Holmes works with individuals and couples, utilizing a variety of modalities to facilitate personal growth and enhanced self-understanding.
Dr. Holmes has a special interest in college students, cultural diversity issues, sexuality, and feminist psychotherapy, and she completed her post-doctoral training at the counseling center at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She also served as senior staff psychologist at the counseling center at the Claremont Colleges.
Dr. Holmes received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where her dissertation concerned issues affecting women’s sexuality. Her work has been published in the Journal of Black Psychology and in The American Journal of Psychotherapy. She has also presented at numerous conferences around the country, and has given a number of talks on topics such as yoga for depression, Black women’s mental health, college student mental health, culture and psychology, and the depiction of psychotherapy in the media.
Dr. Holmes is a member of The American Psychological Association. She enjoys reading and travel and is also a certified yoga instructor.
E-mail: DrHolmes@claremontcounseling.com
Nicole Bessire-Taylor, M.A., LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC 46572
Education and Training
Nicole has a Masters Degree in Clinical psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. Nicole obtained intern registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences in 2003. Nicole's training focused on treating individuals, couples, and families with a broad spectrum of clinical issues.
Experience
Nicole has worked in various diverse settings both during her practicum and internship. Nicole completed her early clinical experience in a psychiatric institute where she performed individual, group, and family therapy at both inpatient and outpatient levels. Nicole's internship settings have included a community counseling center, school district, and private practice.
Specialties
Nicole thinks of herself as a generalist and incorporates different theoretical orientations dependent on the needs of the client. Nicole specializes in working with teenagers, young adults, and individuals dealing with a variety of issues including grief and loss, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, and communication skills training. Nicole has a special interest in Christian therapy and working with individuals going through life transition stages.
Professional Associations
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Claremont Chamber of Commerce
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #MFC 46572
Personal Comments
Nicole is enthusiastic about her professional life as well as her personal life and is committed to her values and her faith. Nicole's interests include spending time with family, traveling, reading, and activities that contribute to her spiritual growth.
E-mail: Nicole@claremontcounseling.com
Heather Devine
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC 50532.jpg)
Heather Devine is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with Claremont Counseling and Support Center. She brings a young fresh outlook to the center, and has been educated and trained from a foundation of recent research and methods as well as a traditional framework.
Education and Training
Heather has a Masters Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University in Orange, California. She obtained her intern registration clearance with the Board of Behavioral Sciences in 2008. Heather’s training focused on treating individuals, couples, and children in all phases of life with a broad spectrum of clinical issues.
Heather completed the majority of her training under the direct supervision of Kari Halko-Weekes, Ph.D., LMFT, Director of Claremont Counseling and Support Center.
Experience
During her practicum, Heather worked in the Chapman University Community Clinic where she performed individual and couples therapy at an outpatient level.
Specialties
Heather works from an attachment conceptual framework and at the same time utilizes cognitive behavioral techniques to guide her interventions. She specializes in working with individuals dealing with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, domestic violence, and relational disorders.Heather has the skills and desire to work with the college age population as well, to address issues that are unique to this developmental phase of life. Her personable, calming presence enables her to be available and contain emotional issues that can at times seem overwhelming.
Professional Associations
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
Personal Comments
Heather loves to read, watch movies, and spend time with her husband, friends and family. She is committed to personal and spiritual growth and is always thinking deeply about life. She enjoys helping individuals identify their strengths and find value in what they have to offer.
E-mail: Heather@claremontcounseling.com
Marissa Long, MAOB, Psy.D
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
PSY24675
Dr. Long is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Director of Clinical Training for Claremont Counseling and Support Center.
Education
Dr. Long received her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Her training was completed with an emphasis in health and a focus on assessing and treating individuals, couples and groups with a wide array of clinical and life issues. Dr. Long has been trained in a variety of psychological approaches including humanistic, solution-focused, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. She tends to conceptualize clients using a biopsychosocial framework.
Dr. Long also holds a Masters degree in Organizational Behavior from the Marshall Goldsmith School of Business at Alliant International University. Her training in this field emphasized working with organizational change, cohesion/team building, training, and leadership development.
Experience
Dr. Long has worked with individuals, couples, and groups in a variety of settings including community mental health centers, diagnostic centers, major medical hospitals, private practice, outpatient mental health centers and an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Her professional and training experiences have allowed her to gain a breadth of skills and knowledge with psychotherapy, crisis intervention, psychological assessment and testing, program development, and interdisciplinary consultations. Dr. Long has experience with clients dealing with depression, insomnia, anxiety and stress, relationship issues, trauma, grief and loss, a wide range of medical health issues, life transitions, and college students of all ages.
Dr. Long has conducted community and workplace presentations on various topics including Managing Stress in the Workplace, Women’s Health and Wellness, and Work/Life Balance.
Specialties
Dr. Long enjoys all of the work she is able to do when helping others but has special interest and/or training in women’s health, couples communication and relationship building, chronic pain management, prenatal and postnatal issues, infertility and reproductive grief, surrogacy evaluation, adjustment to and management of chronic health issues, and psychological assessment.
Professional Associations
Black Women's Health Imperative
Personal Comments:
Dr. Long’s experience and training have made her sensitive to the fact that no two clients are the same and thus she approaches treatment with consideration of each client’s values, cultural identity, strengths, and life experiences. She endeavors to provide a supportive therapeutic environment in which clients may become empowered and move towards a greater quality of life.
Her interests include spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, learning and laughing.
E-mail: DrLong@claremontcounseling.com
Fertility and Reproductive Health
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Jennifer DeVall, M.S.
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern #50080
Education and Training
Jennifer became registered as a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern with the Board of Behavioral Sciences of California in January of 2006. She earned a Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Fullerton. She is under the direct supervision of Dr. Kari Halko-Weekes, Ph.D., MFT director of Claremont Counseling and Support Center.
Experience
Jennifer enjoys working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds. Her initial training as a therapist included utilizing play therapy, sand play therapy, and family systems techniques to help children, adolescents and families. She later expanded her role to include treatment of adults individually as well as couples and groups. Prior to becoming a therapist, Jennifer assisted individuals involved with the juvenile and criminal justice systems in completing probation requirements and in transitioning back into the community.
Specialties
Jennifer is trained in sand play therapy, a mode of treatment useful for children as well as adults, especially for those who prefer a nonverbal method of communicating or for those who have experienced trauma.
Professional Associations
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
- Board of Behavioral Sciences registered intern IMF 50080
Personal Comments
Jennifer utilizes an integrated approach including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and strengths-based modes of therapy. She believes in drawing on your experiences, values, and faith to help you reach therapeutic goals. Jennifer enjoys work on values-clarification, life planning, relationship issues and spiritual exploration. She provides a warm, empathic atmosphere to help you and your family navigate through challenges such as loss, depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, and changing family dynamics.
E-mail: Jennifer@claremontcounseling.com
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Karen Dunaetz, M.A.
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern #61506
Education and Training
Karen holds two masters degrees. She earned her degrees in Clinical Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University and Christian Education from Denver Seminary. She graduated at the top of her class from Azusa Pacific University and with honors from Denver Seminary. She is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern who specializes in Relationship Therapy for adults, children, adolescents, and families.
Experience
Karen has extensive experience working with individuals, couples, and families doing cross-cultural pastoral counseling for 17 years in France. In addition, she has done three years of clinical counseling at Water of Life Church in Fontana and one year of private practice clinical counseling at Chino Hills Counseling in Chino.
Karen has a passion for counseling people of all ages and backgrounds who are struggling to make it through the storms of life. She has worked closely with both men and women dealing with relational problems, stress, anxiety, and depression to help them cope with life’s difficulties and to empower them with emotional support, new skills, new hope, and a new vision for working through their problems.
She also has a passion for helping families. She has worked with many parents and their children, including teenagers and adult children, to improve their relationships and give them the skills they need for resolving conflicts in constructive, respectful, and honoring ways. She has also taught parenting classes to help struggling parents learn and practice new skills to help them in raising their children.
Karen's passion for families is clearly seen in her deep desire to help couples struggling with a variety of marital issues, such as communication and conflict resolution. This often involves helping couples to understand their respective family backgrounds and their differing expectations of one another. She enjoys helping couples learn to better understand each others' personality differences, improve communication, and find creative solutions to resolve conflict. The process is never easy, but it is worth the effort!
Specialties
Karen has a heart for helping people who are struggling with deep issues, who are asking hard questions about their pain, their lives, and their faith, and who may be angry with God. Karen welcomes working with people of all faiths and backgrounds who wish to discuss spiritual issues. She is deeply committed to being respectful of all and celebrates diversity. In addition, as a committed Christian who has a seminary degree, she is well equipped to provide biblically-based Christian counseling upon request.
Professional Associations
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Personal Comments
Karen’s personal life goal is to honor God in all she says and does. Her greatest pleasures in life come from living for Him, being a caring wife and mother, and helping others.
karen@claremontcounseling.com
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Michael Tognetti, M.A.
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern #64846
Michael Tognetti is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern with Chino Hills Counseling. He is known for his down-to-earth style and ability to easily relate to others.
Education and Training
Michael earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University and completed his undergraduate work at UC Irvine, earning a BS in Social Sciences. Specializing in relational therapy, Michael works with couples, families and individuals on a wide variety of issues.
Experience
Prior to Chino Hills Counseling, Michael worked at Chino Human Services and provided psychotherapy to individuals, families and couples. He has co-facilitated a couple’s workshop. In addition, Michael has led an adult open process group. Michael has also worked as a counselor for students at Chino High School. This experience has given Michael a unique insight into the complex challenges faced by adolescents.
Specialties
Michael has a passion to provide compassionate Christian counseling and care to individuals, families and couples who may be stuck or facing difficult challenges in their lives and relationships. His professional goal is to help his clients gain insight into their difficulties, while empowering them with the skills to overcome life’s challenges.
Professional Associations
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Personal Comments
Michael considers the love and support of his family his greatest blessing. Michael’s faith and spirituality have been a lifelong source of comfort and strength. When not working, Michael enjoys sports, family outings, travel and humor.
michael@claremontcounseling.com
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David Rosen, LMFT.
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, MFC 47455
Education and Training
David Rosen is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. David earned his Master’s of Science in psychology from Cal Poly Pomona in 2006. He has recently returned to the staff of Claremont Counseling and Support after working the previous five years in a public school setting serving the special education needs of emotionally disturbed students and their families. David has extensive experience in individual, family and couple therapy.
Experience/Specialties
In addition to his clinical work, he is also a trainer with Triple P America instructing therapists, social workers, doctors, nurses and teachers in a parenting program designed to increase the positive interactions between parents and their children.
In addition to working with individuals and families, David will supervise and train interns working towards their licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists.
Personal Comments
David uses an eclectic approach to therapy incorporating techniques from such diverse competencies as solution focus therapy, psychodynamic and narrative approaches. He is committed to working with clients and helping them have the fulfilling personal relationships they desire.
david@claremontcounseling.com
Allycin Powell-Hicks, M.A.
Psychological Assistant, PSB #36450
Education and Training
Allycin received her Masters in Psychology from Loma Linda University where she is currently a Ph.D. candidate with an emphasis in Health. Her training is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Play Therapy (non-directive) and Group Therapy. She is a psychology assistant under the direct supervision of Dr. Kari Halko-Weekes, Ph.D., MFT director of Claremont Counseling and Support Center.
Experience
Allycin comes to us from Cedars Sinai Medical Center where she treated clients with depression, anxiety, traumas, body image disturbances, and major medical diagnosis. She treats a diverse client populations including: children, adolescents, adults and seniors and conceptualizes clients through a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework. Allycin's research has centered on heath, quality of life, women's issues and surgery; adding to her proficiency in behavioral health and women's health. She also has particular interest in treating clients adjusting to new life situations, recovering from trauma, managing emotional instability, those with metabolic syndromes, and weight loss and dietary concerns. She also has experience administering, interpreting and writing psychological assessments for the purpose of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning.
Professional Associations
APA Division 38: Health (Student Affiliate)
APA Division 35: Psychology of Women (Student Affiliate)
APA Division 35: Section on Black Women (Student Affiliate)
American Psychological Association for Graduate Students (APAGS)
Personal Comments
Allycin views individuals as unique and multifaceted; a collection of past experiences, social interactions, genetic predispositions, intrinsic coping skills, and spirituality. As a therapist, she strives to integrate these many aspects of self, decrease dissonance, and help people find balance.
Allycin enjoys spending time with friends and family, photography, traveling, sports, and fashion.
E-Mail: Allycin@claremontcounseling.com
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Mary Christine Rivas,
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, IMF 66955 
Mary Christine is a Registered Marriage and Family Intern with the State of California who is bilingual in Spanish. She is under the direct supervision of David Rosen, LMFT MFC47455
Education & Training
Mary earned her Masters Degree in Marriage and family therapy with an emphasis working with high risk teens and their families through the University of Phoenix and use of Play Therapy through the University of San Diego.
Experience and Training
Mary has trained with high risk teens in court ordered residential care offering teen group therapy, individual and family therapy. She has facilitated groups on drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and post abortion syndrome with a local Christian agency,. as well as a High School Ministry Coordinator, Elementary, and Jr. High, and Adult religious Educator for approximately 18 years serving both the English and Spanish speaking community. She has attended Catechist training, Confirmation Coordinator Training, Master Catechist Training and attended seminars on Christian Human Sexuality classes.
Mary honors and respects all who face the many challenges of life. Her professional goal is to help her clients overcome the difficulties and challenges they face helping them to grow, learn while gaining insight.
Professional Associations
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
- San Gabriel Regional Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
- Association for Play Therapy
- Los Angeles County Chicano Association
Personal Comments
Mary is known for her love, respect, and acceptance of the varied relationships with connect us to others. She has been. Married for over 30 years, is the mother of four adult children and 14 grandchildren, Mary knows the challenges of family life and is blessed to have been given the opportunity to help others. Mary enjoys spending time with family, reading, and crochets for relaxation.
Biográfica de Mary Christine Rivas, IMF 66955
Mary Christine esta Registrada por el Estado de California in la position de of Matrimonio and Familia Terapista Intern. Mary es bilingüe en español.
Educación
Mary grado con su Masters Degree in of Matrimonio and Familia Terapista con atención in trabajando con jóvenes y sus familias. Mary grado de la Universidad de Phoenix y atiende la Universidad de San Diego donde esta de terminar su estudio con niños en Play Terapia.
Mary ha entrenado y ha trabajado asistiendo jóvenes encarcelado y sus familias en cuido por la corte juvenil. A ofrecido grupos para jóvenes, terapia individual, terapia par familias. Ha asestado en grupos de violencia domestica, grupos de droga y alcoholismo, y grupos para mujeres que han vivido un aborto. Ha trabajado de Casticista, Coordinadora de Confirmación, Religión de jóvenes y adultos. Mary ha trabajado con la comunidad de Ingles y Español por más de 18 anos. Mary ha atendió clases de Catecismo, Coordinadora de Confirmación y clases de Sexual Humana.
Mary conoce que la familia de hoy se afrenta con muchos diferentes problemas. Su desello profesional es de ayudar sus clientes pasar por los dificultades que se afrentan día-por-día, y asistir en progreso personal, ayudar les tomar control de su problemas.
Asociaciones Profesionales- California Asociación de Matrimonio and Familia Terapista
- San Gabriel Regional Asociación of Matrimonio and Familia Terapista
- Asociación para Play Terapia
- Los Ángeles County Chicano Asociación
Comento Personal
Mary es conocida por su amor, respecto, y aceptación de todos tipos de relaciones que nos conecta uno a otro. Mary has sido casada pro más de 30 anos, tiene cuatro hijos adultos, y 14 nietos. Mary entiende las dificultades que pasen las familias hoy y da gracias por la oportunidad de ayudar sus clientes. Le gusta tomar tiempo con su familia, leer, tejer y conectar con familia en otros estados y pises vía la network social.
E-Mail: mary@claremontcounseling.com
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Mark Loesch, Ph.D.
Registered Psychological Assistant
PSB 36444
In more than 30 years of working in mental health, Dr. Loesch has helped clients with many topics. Each person is different and Dr. Loesch tailors his approach to each individual. In particular, he tries to assist each person in setting and reaching goals that make sense to him or her.
EDUCATION
Dr. Loesch received both his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in
EXPERIENCE
Dr. Loesch has worked with adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families. He has seen individuals and worked extensively with groups. Dr. Loesch’s specialties include working with depression, anxiety, family, marital/couple and other relationship problems, stress reduction and management, self-esteem and self-image issues, loss and grief, life transitions, parenting issues, alcohol and drug abuse, ADHD, school behavior problems, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, obsessive-compulsive patterns, and personality problems. Dr. Loesch has also worked with many individuals with eating disorders, Asperger’s Disorder, and major mental illnesses.
Dr. Loesch has worked in private practice, community mental health clinics, several psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units in medical/surgical hospitals, Partial Hospitalization Programs, and group homes for severely troubled youth.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Psychological Association
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
PERSONAL COMMENTS
Dr. Loesch especially focuses on building a strong rapport with the individuals who see him. He works closely with them to facilitate the process of them finding, having, and living a life that is more satisfying, enjoyable, and meaningful.
E-mail: DrLoesch@claremontcounseling.com