Faculty Profiles

JOHN BILORUSKY, PhD, Higher Education, UC Berkeley, 1972. MA, Sociology of Education, University of California at Berkeley, 1968. BA cum laude, General Studies and Physics, University of Colorado, 1967. John is President of WISR, was a co-founder of WISR in 1975, and has served full-time on WISR’s faculty ever since. In 1970-71, John taught senior thesis seminars in the Social Sciences Integrated Courses and Field Major, as a Teaching Associate at the University of California, Berkeley. From 1971-73, he was Assistant Professor of Urban Affairs and Senior Research Associate in the Institute for Research and Training in Higher Education, at the University of Cincinnati. There he taught the required action-research course in the College of Community Services, created and coordinated the College’s Individualized Learning Program, and served as an in-house organizational and evaluation consultant for faculty at the University. Then, from 1973-75, he was Director of Graduate Studies at University Without Walls-Berkeley. He is the author of published articles and papers on higher education and social change, adult learning, and practical, community-based and participatory research methods, including a co-authored book published by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, May 1970: The Campus Aftermath of Cambodia and Kent State (with Richard Peterson) and two books recently published by Routledge Press in 2021—Principles and Methods of Transformative Action Research, and Cases and Illustrations of Transformative Action Research. He has served as a consultant for community agencies in the area of participatory action-research, including directing a major study of needs and services for low-income elders for the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, and using participatory research in collaboration with the Bay Area Black United Fund on three occasions for their African American Health Summits. In addition, he has done collaborative consultations with dozens of Bay Area groups over the years. He has conducted evaluations of colleges and educational innovations, for such institutions as De Pauw University (Indiana), Macalester College (Minnesota), Colorado College, New College of California, and Fresno State University. He has conducted feasibility studies for such groups as the California Housing Trust Fund and Cleveland State University’s Department of Human Services. John serves on the Advisory Board of the global network of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (https://www.humiliationstudies.org/ ). For more information, go to: john.bilorusky@wisr.edu.

VICTORIA CAMPBELL, LMFT. BS in Business Management, California State University, Fresno. MA, Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy, John F. Kennedy University. Victoria, who goes by “Vic”, became licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California in 2009 and Nevada in 2019.  Dedication to serving youth and LGBTQ led to work with County Probation and Foster Care Programs where “Motivation Interview” tools were well received as ways to navigate difficult systems.  As a supervisor of bachelor-level counselors, Vic worked with young adults transitioning out of the Foster Care system while also developing an LGBTQ-friendly support system for inpatient youth.  This experience inspired expansion into legislative advocacy.  When joining the local chapter of CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists) where Vic quickly rose to the rank of local chapter President and soon after, in 2009, a Board member-at-large of CAMFT itself.

Vic brought a compassionate science-based voice to the CAMFT Board and effectively lobbied for the expansion of Medicare inclusion and Veterans’ Affairs employment by Marriage Family Therapists.  Coming from a military family, Vic was proud to serve this population and their dependents.  In 2011, Vic transitioned to a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) role at CAMFT and helped CAMFT focused on strengthening relationships with the BBS (Board of Behavioral Science.)

In 2026, Vic was installed as the President of the CAMFT Board of Directors and continues to champion the availability of appropriate treatment along the transgender journey. 

Moving from Santa Cruz, California to Nevada in 2019, Vic noticed that therapists in rural areas such as Reno struggled to find appropriate support and treatment information for transgender youth and adults. Leveraging experience in Santa Cruz where Vic led a consultation group focused on science-based treatment aligned with WAPTH standards (World Professional Association for Transgender Health), Vic co-founded a similar group in Nevada. In 2023, Vic went on to co-found the Foundation for Sexual and Gender Research and Affirmation.  This organization raises funds to provide services and training, increase accessibility, and support research in the field of Sexual and Gender and Minority (SGM).

Vic’s varied career has included work as a therapist, business consultant, Human Resources manager, and more. Vic brings a compassion-centered approach to all roles. Helping others reach their full potential is Vic’s life’s work and joy.  Vic can be reached at Vic.Campbell@wisr.edu.

AMANDA CORTEZ, MA, LMFT.  BS in Community Studies with an emphasis in Community Organization, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2009. Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling, John F. Kennedy University, 2015. Her experience ranges from serving populations struggling with mental health within the Criminal Justice System, Victims of Domestic Violence, SLE-Substance Abuse and Independent Living within SARC. In addition, her work expanded to working with high-risk populations such as providing 5150 risk assessments for minors, emergency response, consultation, seeking safety training to other clinicians in the field, along with providing management services to crisis response teams for mobile crisis response and a crisis stabilization unit.

With over 17 years dedicated to the field, she then moved towards developing a group practice and filling gaps that she felt her mental health community was missing.  As the Founder and Owner of Yes To Therapy, Amanda has cultivated a sanctuary for healing, extending her expertise to those grappling with mental health challenges. Her practice isn’t confined to traditional boundaries; as she and her dedicated team provide profound treatment to clients with all needs.  A licensed LMFT since 2018, her contributions extend beyond the therapy room—she is a public speaker, renowned for her engaging talks on mental health issues and therapist development. Notably, Amanda graced the stage at the CAMFT 60th Anniversary Conference, captivating audiences with her insights and passion.

In addition to her clinical and advocacy roles, Amanda Cortez is a catalyst for change in the therapist community. She founded the nonprofit organization Yes To You, a 501c3 dedicated to enhancing access to professional development for minority women who choose to take the path of studying mental health. Her leadership extends to the SCV-CAMFT Board of Directors, Silicon Valley, where she serves as President, actively shaping the future of mental health advocacy. In 2023, she and her team at Yes To Therapy authored Tales of The Other Side of The Couch, a transformative book anthology designed to demystify the mental health profession and inspire future generations of therapists. This initiative is aimed to provide mentorship and knowledge-sharing, ensuring that aspiring professionals are equipped with the insights and tools needed to thrive in their careers.

BRIAN GERRARD, PhD Sociology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, PhD Counseling Psychology, University of Toronto. M.A. Counseling Psychology, University of British Columbia. Brian is WISR’s Academic Dean (AcD) and Director of WISR’s Doctoral Program and the MS Program in Education and Community Leadership. He is also WISR’s Managing Editor of the Journal for Transformative Action Research (JTAR). Brian is Emeritus Associate Professor, Counseling Psychology Department, University of San Francisco. He holds teaching awards from two universities. He has extensive experience teaching a wide variety of Master’s and Doctoral level courses in counselor education. Brian developed USF’s masters MFT program and for 14 years served as MFT Coordinator. His orientation emphasizes an integration of family systems and problem-solving approaches. He is an experienced administrator and has been Chair of the Counseling Psychology Department three times. Currently, he is a member of the Board, WISR Center for Child and Family Development. The Center, co-founded by Brian, has for years managed the largest longest-running School-Based Family Counseling program of its type in the USA. Its Mission Possible Program has served more than 25,000 children and families in over 100 Bay area schools. Brian is also Chair of the Institute for School-Based Family Counseling. The Institute sponsors the International Journal for School-Based Family Counseling and the Oxford Symposium in School-Based Family Counseling. He is also Symposium Director for the Oxford Symposium in School-Based Family Counseling which is an international association with members in 22 countries and which meets at Brasenose College, Oxford University in even years and other international sites in alternate years. Brian is senior editor of the books, School-Based Family Counseling: an Interdisciplinary Practitioner’s Guide (Routledge, 2019), School-Based Family Counseling with Refugees and Immigrants (Routledge, 2022), and School-Based Family Counseling for Crisis and Disaster: Global Perspectives (in press, Routledge). He is co-author with Dr. Jacqueline Shinefield of Psychological Type Therapy: A Practitioner’s Guide to Strengthening Relationships (Routledge, 2022). Brian is Co-Facilitator of the Disastershock Global Response Team that developed 30 language translations of the book Disastershock: How to Cope with the Emotional Stress of a Major Disaster and made them available free globally during the Covid 19 pandemic. brian.gerrard@wisr.edu.

LINDA M. HARTLING, PhD, Clinical/Community Psychology, The Union Institute Graduate School, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1995. Master’s of Music, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 1989. Bachelor’s of Music, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 1978. Dr. Hartling is the Director of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (HumanDHS) and is part of the leadership team facilitating HumanDHS projects, including the World Dignity University initiative and Dignity Press. HumanDHS is a global transdisciplinary network of scholars, practitioners, and activists collaborating to end cycles of humiliation while encouraging practices that support the dignity of people and the planet. Dr. Hartling is the past Associate Director of the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute (JBMTI), part of the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Dr. Hartling holds a doctoral degree in clinical/community psychology and has published papers on Relational-Cultural Theory, workplace practices, resilience, substance abuse prevention, and the psychological and social impact of humiliation. She is co- editor of The Complexity of Connection: Writings from the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at the Stone Center (2004) and author of the Humiliation Inventory, the first scale to assess the internal experience of humiliation. Dr. Hartling is the recipient of the 2010 Research Award presented by the Association for Creativity in Counseling, American Counseling Association. She was recently honored with the 2015 HumanDHS Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the 26th Annual Workshop on Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict, at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City. lhartling@me.com; lhartling@humiliationstudies.org; linda.hartling@wisr.edu

RONALD MAH, PhD, LMFT. BA in Psychology and Social Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, 1975. MA in Psychology, Western Institute for Social Research, 1991. Teacher’s Credential Program, University of California at Berkeley, 1976. PhD in Higher Education and Social Change, Western Institute for Social Research, 2013. Ronald is Co-Director of WISR’s MFT Program. Ronald has had a private practice since 1994 as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He is a credentialed elementary and secondary teacher, and former owner-director of a preschool and daycare center. He does consulting and training for human service organizations, teaching courses and workshops for many community agencies and educational institutions around the California and the United States. He is a visible and active writer of books and articles in the field. His areas of special concern include child development, parenting and child-rearing, multicultural education, and teacher education. He previously served three terms on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). He also has served on the Board of the California Kindergarten Association. Ronald completed his PhD at WISR, writing on multiple topics on couple’s therapy, and for a potential twenty book series, possibly e-books. For more information about Ronald’s many professional endeavors, go to www.ronaldmah.com Ronald@RonaldMah.comronald.mah@wisr.edu

AVA DENISE PHILLIPS, MS, LMFT. BS in Business Administration, Marketing, California State University Dominguez Hills. Masters in Counseling, Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, California State University Fullerton. She has been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist by the state of California since 2001. She has served her locale in the community mental health field for over 27 years. She has worked for the County of San Bernardino Behavioral Health Department, the County of Riverside Behavioral Health Department and several community agencies that support family preservation and reunification. She has always believed that the only way to truly impact the lives of children is to support their families. In addition, she recalls fondly her experiences working with the chronically mentally challenged, commenting that they are “vulnerable with a quiet strength that is endearing.” She would say, however, that her most illuminating experience was working with the domestic violence population; a complete change in basic assumptions for her! Ava is grateful for the opportunity she has been given to mentor and supervise many MFT associates (formerly called interns) to licensure. It is important to her that they are respected, protected, and well trained. She is fully committed to contributing to having quality, competent and relevant licensed clinicians in the mental health field.

Ava is the Past President of the Board of Directors of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). She also serves on the Executive Board of Parktree Community Health Center as the secretary and member of the compliance and finance committees. She has actively participated in numerous community outreach activities through her church for over 30 years, as well as having held several leadership positions within the church. She has been a member of the African American Parent Advisory Board within the Pomona Unified School District since 2017. Over many years she has attended numerous monthly collaborative meetings for mental health and community service agencies and participated in various sub-committees. Ava facilitates therapy and community connection services for people who have trouble accessing services on their own. She provides pro bono counseling for people in crisis and some not in crisis. She regularly answers the call to speak at community events on mental health issues. She has been in private practice since 2017 and is enjoying the autonomy! Her purpose is to help people connect or reconnect to their own lives, as they wish to live them. She has found that helping people understand and manage their depression and anxiety can be the cure they never saw coming. She instills hope!! She utilizes whatever it takes to make that happen. However, her go to approaches are cognitive behavioral, client-centered and solution-focused therapies. She models transparency, emotional integrity, staying present and above all speaking your truth. When appropriate and therapeutic she will utilize Christian counseling to give clients a point of reference from which to heal. She is grateful to have had the privilege of collaborating with people of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels to change and improve their lives. Last, but first, Ava is the mother of three phenomenal children and one 11-month-old perfect granddaughter! She says her family grounds her and teaches her the best lessons in life. Life Philosophy: “You must work for what you get, you must be accountable for your actions and reactions, your opinion is just that yours, and yes, God does allow U-turns.” And, for further wisdom: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”–Maya Angelou. (ava.phillips@wisr.edu)

STEVEN D. POMERANTZ, EdD in Counseling Psychology, with a minor in Organizational Leadership, in 1992 from the University of San Francisco; MA in Sociology with a minor in Counseling, in 1978 from California State University, Chico; and BS in Psychology in 1969 from Pacific University in Oregon.  Dr. Pomerantz is Co-Director of the MFT program, Chair of WISR’s Institutional Review Board, Student Services Coordinator and Disabilities Coordinator. Steve’s experience includes 10 years as a manager/supervisor in county government and nonprofit agencies, and he was the youngest County department director in the state of California in 1976.  He also has 32 years as an external organizational consultant to over 60 organizations, and trainer in private practice conducting more than 2,000 seminars to over 30,000 participants; and concurrently 34 years teaching at the university level as adjunct faculty at USF; and 23 years as Field Consultant coordinating the Masters in Counseling with an emphasis in Marital and Family Therapy for the University of San Francisco, Sacramento Campus.  He also found time during 17 of those years to have a small private practice serving more than 400 clients with marital and family problems as MFCC & LMFT first licensed in 1983 (license #18527).  Currently, Steve has been retired for the past few years and his MFT license is inactive as he plays golf 2 to 3 times per week.  He has agreed to come out of retirement to join the WISR faculty, and very much enjoys working with WISR students and faculty.  Steve has been writing a book on Leadership, which he hopes to soon complete, and plans to write two more books, one on the evolution of counseling theories, and the other on dealing with life’s challenges. steven.pomerantz@wisr.edu or to: drstevep2@gmail.com

STEVEN ROSS, PhD, Clinical Psychology, Professional School of Psychology, San Francisco, 1986. MS, Counseling Psychology, California State University, East Bay, 1979. BS, Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1972. Steven joined WISR’s faculty in 2026 and teaches in the MS in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy program. Steven is a licensed Clinical Psychologist (California Board of Psychology, since 1990) and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California Board of Behavioral Sciences, since 1980), and he holds Clinical Supervision Certification from the Professional Education Systems Institute (2025). He has maintained a private clinical practice in San Ramon, California since 1991, working with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, grief and loss, and relationship issues. For thirty-five years he served as a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at California State University, East Bay, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses including General Psychology, Stress and Coping, Psychopathology, Personality, and Psychotherapy Techniques and Counseling Skills, and mentoring undergraduate and MFT students in the development of clinical skills; in July 2025 he was awarded Emeritus status in recognition of his distinguished contributions as an instructor and mentor. Steven is a frequent guest speaker and workshop presenter for organizations including Chevron Corporation, AT&T, San Ramon Regional Medical Center, and Western Institute for Social Research, on topics such as the foundations of effective psychotherapy, building self-esteem and resilience, coping with stress, and strengthening couple and family relationships. He completed his clinical internship at The Redwood Center in Berkeley — with training and weekly supervision in Family Systems, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy — and pursues ongoing professional development in contemporary evidence-based approaches, including the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and the treatment of complex trauma. Steven can be reached at Steven.Ross@WISR.edu.

CHRISTINE L. TIPPETT, MSW, LCSW, LMFT, is the Clinical Director of the Western Institute for Social Research-Center for Child and Family Development.  MSW, Social Work (Mental Health Concentration), California State University, Sacramento 1977. BA, Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara 1974. Christine has extensive experience teaching a wide variety of Master’s-level courses in counselor education. With the support of WISR’s current Academic Dean, Brian Gerrard, she created and administered a private practice model of the Mission Possible Program in school-based family counseling, which operated for 16 years, served over 3000 youth and families, helped more than 70 graduate students obtain practicum experience, and earned the 2020 Award for Best Practice in School-Based Family Counseling from the Oxford Symposium of School Based Family Counseling. In addition, she presented at the symposium several times, contributed a chapter to School Based Family Counseling: Transforming Family- School Relations [Chapter 48], by Gerrard and Soriano (2013), and to the International Journal for School-Based Family Counseling, Vol VII (2016). She was thereby made a fellow of the Oxford Symposium of School-Based Family Counseling.

Her interest in community mental health has included work with a variety of vulnerable populations deserving respectful justice:

• Youth needing coordinated care following passage of AB 3632 (now written into code as EC26), so that payment and responsibility for delivery of services flows through the department of primary duty (e.g., education, mental health, juvenile justice, care and custody)
• Mental health clients in need regardless of ability to pay, following the passage of: Lanterman/Petris/Short Act, Mental Health Act, Prop. 63
• Clients requesting information prior to making “informed decisions” regarding birth control both before and after Roe v Wade
• Veterans in higher education responding to “Move Up” preparation for college courses and “About Face” advocacy for (re)instatement of VA benefits
• Advocacy with colleagues, administrators and, (eventually) families who are expanding their nucleus through adoption.

In therapy practice and in clinical supervision, Christine uses a humanistic systems approach to inform her perspective with regard to the person in situation. For more information, contact christine.tippett@wisr.edu.

MELISSA SPEIGHT VAUGHN, PhD, brings a rich interdisciplinary background and a profound commitment to community-engaged scholarship to her role at WISR. With a PhD and MS in Education Policy Studies from Georgia State University and a BS in Psychology/Chemistry from Howard University, Dr. Speight Vaughn bridges educational theory and practical application seamlessly. She holds certifications in qualitative research, DNA barcoding applications, and Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation, reflecting her diverse academic and professional pursuits.

Dr. Speight Vaughn’s teaching experience spans traditional academic settings and innovative, community-based learning environments. She has developed and taught courses like HeKA Youth Human Subjects Africana/Black Studies Ethical Research Training Module and Qualitative Research Methods in Education and developed faculty on Indigenous Knowledge Research Ethics. Her teaching philosophy integrates Afrocentric and Indigenous frameworks and culturally affirming practices, aligning with WISR’s mission.

Her research delves into socio-cultural, economic, and geographic complexities of citizenship with historically marginalized communities globally. She has contributed significantly to community-based research, focusing on cultural assets and educational justice. Her international perspective is evident in her publications, such as “Collaborating with Black youth and families in the United States and Brazil: Africana heritage and community partnership for educational justice,” which highlights her dedication to transformative scholarship.

Dr. Speight Vaughn has held pivotal roles in numerous research and community projects, including serving as Program Director for the Guardians of Heritage International Youth Civic Leadership Collaborative Project and Director of Transnational Research & Programming at the African Research Collaborative. Her community involvement includes leadership positions with the Chattahoochee Brick Company Descendants Coalition, advocating for corporate reparations and historical justice and Project Director for the Researchers Investigating Sociocultural Equity and Race Fellowship at Boston University.

With years of experience in both academic and community settings, Dr. Speight Vaughn embodies WISR’s commitment to uniting intellectual rigor with professional and community concerns. Her international and interdisciplinary expertise and passion for culturally responsive education make her an invaluable resource for WISR’s diverse and adult student population. For more information, contact Melissa.SpeightVaughn@wisr.edu.

KAREN WALL, EdD, RN-BC, OFS, LMFT. Dr. Wall is WISR’s Associate Student Services Coordinator, Associate Disabilities Coordinator, and the Associate Chair of the IRB. AA, Pre-Medicine, New Mexico Military Institute, 1982; BS, Biology, Texas Tech University, 1985; MA (PD), Secondary Science Education with Teaching Credential, University of Hawaii-Manoa, 1987; BS, Nursing, York College of Pennsylvania, 1992; MA, Counseling Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy, Argosy University-Inland Empire, 2011; EdD, Counseling Psychology, Argosy University-San Francisco Bay, 2015. In her dissertation, Karen surveyed practicing therapists about their views on the inclusion of religion and spirituality in their work with their clients based on how competent and confident they felt from their graduate training. Her survey revealed a need for more intensive coverage of these topics in the curriculum at the graduate level. She has developed a course which she hopes to pilot in the future and integrates elements of her research into her current teaching of MFT students. Her publications include a book chapter on the use of technology in behavioral health, specifically with veterans: “Chapter 7: Technology use in behavioral medicine health” and articles in the areas of social robotics: “Use of Robotic Animals in VA Long-Term Care: An Example of Person-Centered Care”; technology use in behavioral health: “The Interactive Mobile App Review Toolkit (IMART): A Clinical Practice-Oriented System”; “ An interprofessional framework for telebehavioral health competencies”; “Telebehavioral health, telemental health, e-therapy and e- health competencies: The need for an interprofessional framework”; psychopharmacology: “The Efficacy Of Prazosin To Treat Nightmares Related To Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”; and employee wellness and resiliency: “B.R.E.A.T.H.E. Staff Resilience Training”. Karen taught nursing at the University of Southern California as a clinical instructor for the undergraduate psychiatric nursing rotations. Karen is currently the Director for Global Education with Global Human Development, Inc, working with Stefan Deutsch developing a mental health mobile app to teach people about Self-Love. She is also a Consultant on the Advisory Board for the All of Us Research Program at the NIH.

She is active in her Catholic faith and is a Professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order, a lay religious fraternity. Karen is very passionate about animals and animal assisted therapy, especially with Veterans living with dementia and with PTSD. During her nursing practice as the Dementia Care Coordinator for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Karen volunteered with Paws For Purple Hearts service dog training program at Menlo Park VA as a puppy sitter and worked with a facility dog for the Community Living Center, providing AAT for the older Veteran residents. Karen retired (her second-the first being from the Army) from the VA in June 2019, and now lives in Albuquerque, NM, where she enjoys her much-welcomed free time to do volunteer work with service dogs and animals with Paws and Stripes and Animal Humane of NM. She is a long-time volunteer with the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in UT and spends time there during the year helping care for the animals living there. Karen is a volunteer mental health and dementia expert with the Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico. Partly due to being a “military brat” and being in the military herself, Karen loves to travel and learn about every culture she can experience, including learning languages. She was raised in Hawai’i in a military family, and served 23 years in the US Army, in logistics and then as a psychiatric nurse, including a deployment to Saudi Arabia in 1991 during the Gulf War. Karen has a private practice as an LMFT and uses technology and online teletherapy in addition to traditional models to see her clients. For more information about some of Karen’s many professional endeavors, go to: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/karen-m-wall-albuquerque-nm/463400 |  karen.wall@wisr.edu |  logos68540@gmail.com |  karenlmft97283@gmail.com | (909) 583-1545.

YANYI WENG, MSW, LICSW, earned a “Double Eagle” (two degrees) from Boston College with a master’s degree from the School of Social Work (BCSSW ‘19) with a concentration in Health and Mental Health, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Lynch School of Education (LSOE ’15), majoring in Human Behavior and Applied Psychology and minoring in Special Education. Yanyi is the Founder and Clinical Director of Dear Therapy Inc., a multilingual mental health clinic serving mostly BIPOC, AAPI, and immigrant communities in Massachusetts.

Growing up in Boston’s Chinatown, Yanyi has strong ties to community organizations such as the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC). She ran the Boston Marathon in 2013 and 2014, raising campaign funds to give back to BCNC and raising awareness of resource allocation and the importance of community centers in youth development. Yanyi was awarded BC’s The Reverend Charles F. Donovan, S.J. Award in 2015, honored as the recipient of BCNC’s 50th Year Anniversary Inspiration Award in 2019, and recognized as one of the 20 Meeting This Moment Young Leaders in Boston in 2020. All of these serve as a representation of her innovative leadership style and unwavering commitment to immigrant communities. In 2023, Yanyi and her partner traveled to 29 countries in an immersive trip of a lifetime to learn more about the culture, history, food, and, most importantly, the local people.

Yanyi’s research interests include education equality in immigrant communities and special needs populations; the exploration of interracial injustice through the historical lens of systemic racism and restorative justice; and the mental health of older adults in hospice settings. Some past research project topics include the exploration of racial dynamics in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the impact of the restavek system in Haiti, academic contributions on zero tolerance policy, restorative justice, and the school-to-prison pipeline, and the exploration of parenting styles in Chinese immigrant households. These local and international experiences contribute to her commitment to give back to diverse immigrant communities at the clinical, meso, and macro levels. As a community activist, lifelong learner, educator, and multilingual mental health provider with experience working in local non-profit and state-level organizations, Yanyi seeks to offer a refreshing and innovative perspective to research studies in the social sciences field. Her research mission is to bridge the knowledge gap and humanize theories to benefit individuals and communities in need.

Yanyi values dialogue and looks forward to connecting at yanyi.weng@wisr.edu, yanyi@deartherapy.com, or www.deartherapy.com.

JO ZARATE-SANDERLIN, MA, LMFT, (they/them) attended St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens, and studied English, Philosophy, and Education as an undergraduate and English in graduate studies. Their MA Thesis explored the relationship between oral and written literature using the novel Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams by William Godwin. Using Orality and Literacy by Walter Ong, they explored the idea of developing an internal narration when consuming literature that is affected by experience, particularly between subsequent readings or hearings of works.

Jo attended Pacifica Graduate Institute (PGI) in Montecito, California, where they received training in the work of C.G. Jung and Depth Psychology as part of their LMFT program. Their MA thesis, Collective Soul, explored the idea that in intense relationships, a separate entity, the collective soul, is created between or among the people involved that is more than the sum of its parts.

Since gaining licensure in 2013, Jo’s practice has focused on gender, orientation, non-traditional relationships, and sexuality and they have worked with many individuals, couples, and more than couples in private practice and Employee Assistance Programs. Since 2018, they have taught Human Sexuality, Therapeutic Communication and Counseling Skills, Couple and Family Therapy, Cross Cultural Aspects of Therapy, and Practicum at Golden Gate University (GGU).

Jo has presented on Non-binary Clients and Therapy at the 2020 California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) Annual Conference, and they have appeared on a number of podcasts including American Sex, Planet Midori, Rebel Therapist, Sexology, and Shibari Study addressing topics such as fetishes, consent, and gender identity. They also recorded presentations on Gender Inclusive Language and Empathic Communication for GGU as well as trainings for the Sexual Health Alliance. These topics continue to be passions of their work. In 2024, they were appointed to the CAMFT Annual Conference 2025 Planning Committee. For more information, contact: joe.zaratesanderlin@wisr.edu, or visit: www.jzsmft.com.