Community

Below you will find a listing of health practitioners who practice out of the WCTC office.

Board of Directors

Sue Shrinkle-Emmons, MS LMFT

Sue is the founder of WCTC, A Licensed Marriage & Family Therapy Corporation. She serves as the President and Director of the Board.

Kristy Malone, MS LMFT

Kristy is a Board Member and Founding Member of WCTC, A Licensed Marriage & Family Therapy Corporation. She is also in private practice in Encinitas.

Sue Shrinkle-Emmons, MS LMFT

President

I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist and a Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner with training in EMDR and the Safe & Sound Protocol. I have provided therapy for a wide variety of populations since starting my career in 2010, but find myself drawn to working with female-identifying adults, the LGBTQ+ population and ex-evangelicals wanting to deconstruct their faith. The focus of my work in the last three years has been understanding the bidirectional impact of our mental and physical health and how to help my clients maximize their daily functioning. I love the work I do and feel honored to be able to walk alongside people as they find healing.

I work from a holistic-feminist perspective, focused on creating meaning while helping you to manage emotional distress and relationship issues. We will focus on your whole person, including a wellness approach to mental health. I help you optimize your overall health by addressing any functional limitations from an integrative medicine for mental health perspective.

I truly believe the relationship you and I will develop is the most important catalyst for change, so I make sure to foster connection and create safety in the therapy room. I trust that you are an expert on your life - you are the one living it after all. I want to hear from you what is going to benefit you, and we will work together to develop solutions that promote healing and growth in your life.

When I’m not doing therapy, I’m spending time with my husband and our animals, hiking or out in nature, enjoying a good meal with friends, creating something with my hands or resting to practice what I preach.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Lic # 86786

Kristy Malone, MS LMFT, NTP

Founding member

As a practitioner trained in both mental health and functional nutrition, I take a holistic approach to mental health that addresses biological, psychological, and psychosocial factors. Using EMDR and other modalities I help clients heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, navigate life transitions, and cope effectively with stress.

People often seek therapy when they are feeling less confident in themselves or their ability to cope. I take a strengths-based approach to help my clients better understand and utilize their own unique strengths and build resilience for future obstacles. It is my goal that therapy will leave you feeling more confident in yourself and with new tools to use.

I am trained in EMDR therapy and have successfully treated clients for traumatic events, attachment injuries and adverse childhood experiences, anxiety disorders, and a variety of other issues. 

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Lic #115688 

Kristen Goodell, MA LMFT

I graduated with a BA from the University of San Diego and an MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. While in school I worked in Human Resources, office administration and recruiting. I always had a passion for working with people! After graduating with my Masters I started working at a non-profit Mental Health Systems Center helping adults struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges. I then went to work at a non-profit residential facility for children / adolescents struggling with trauma and emotional and behavioral disorders. Here is where I grew to love working with teens! I currently have worked in private practice since 2016 helping children, teens and adults treating a broad range of mental health disorders and interpersonal issues.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Lic #98258

Keina Lazare, MA LMFT

I invite you to a safe haven for self-discovery and the opportunity to address the issues that have been hindering you. I provide a warm, welcoming and supportive environment for clients. I enjoy working collaboratively with individuals and their families. Whatever your journey, I can provide the support you need to ensure your success.

I specialize in working with individuals, families, adolescents and veterans, helping clients with life transitions, disorders, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, parenting and relationship issues. I utilize a variety of techniques best suited to meet the client's needs. I aim to help you reach your goals and improve your well-being.

I understand that making a decision to begin making changes is hard. I am here to support and guide towards reaching your goals. Please feel free to call/email me so we can discuss how I can best help. I hope to hear from you so we can start on your journey together.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Lic #122232

Mandy S. Chuey, LCSW

I'm Mandy, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to guiding you on your journey toward healing and personal growth. Originally from Northern California, I bring extensive experience working in diverse settings, including mental health agencies, schools, nonprofits, and the juvenile court system. My approach to therapy is rooted in empathy, openness, and a deep commitment to collaboration, ensuring that you are an active participant in your healing process. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or relationship issues, I’m here to offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you can feel supported and understood.

I specialize in EMDR therapy and am an EMDRIA-certified EMDR Therapist. Additionally, the Parnell Institute trained me in attachment-focused practices. I’m passionate about using these techniques to facilitate deep healing from distressing events and past traumas, and I’ve seen firsthand the remarkable transformations they can bring about.

Creating an inclusive and supportive environment is not just a goal but a commitment to me. I offer a BIPOC & LGBTQ+ Safe Space, a place where you can feel secure and accepted, and provide in-person and online sessions to accommodate your needs. I’m excited to connect with you and support you in achieving peace, balance, and fulfillment.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Lic # 28681

Rhonda E. Allen, LCSW

Rhonda is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in California (#99318) with 15 years of mental health experience in various settings, including community mental health agencies and substance use treatment centers. Rhonda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, and in 2015 she obtained her master's degree in behavioral and mental health social work from the University of Southern California. While at USC, Rhonda completed a rigorous clinical internship with the USC telehealth clinic, providing adult and adolescent outpatient behavioral health services using video technology and evidenced-based care. Since that time, Rhonda has provided therapeutic counseling to older adults with serious mental illness and, for the past five years, to women experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Rhonda takes a client-centered, strengths-based, holistic approach to help women achieve freedom from controlling mental health conditions and live as the best version of themselves. She is enthusiastic about assisting women in developing self-compassion and resiliency, which are necessary to endure and overcome future challenges. Rhonda is exceptional in establishing a trusting, caring, and respectful counseling relationship, vital to therapeutic success. Her clients share, explore, and challenge emotional, situational, and relationship issues in a safe, non-judgmental, empathetic space.

 Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Lic # 99318

Jennifer marino-kibbee, lcsw

Jennifer Marino-Kibbee, LCSW is a psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience specializing in family counseling. She earned her Masters of Social Work with a Certification in Family Therapy from Boston University School of Social Work and has been licensed at an independent level since 2009.  Jennifer was trained by some of the preeminent leaders in the field of clinical work in diverse and vibrant urban settings.  This has shaped her clinical interests and experience.  Jennifer specializes in Family Therapy, specifically providing family therapy to members of the LGBTQ+ community.  

Jennifer approaches her clients from a biopsychosocial perspective, meaning she considers the importance of the whole person in providing effective treatment.  She draws on a variety of treatment approaches, such as family systems, cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, narrative, solution-focused, play therapy, and mindfulness. She has worked in a variety of treatment settings, including diagnostic and assessment treatment, residential treatment, home-based treatment, outpatient clinics, and school settings.

Jennifer is a first-generation Italian American female.  She lives in North County San Diego with her spouse and young child.  She enjoys going on long hikes in her town with her dog Marley, who may or may not show up in a virtual therapy session!

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Lic #28512

Jennie Abito-Carlestav, LMFT

Jennie Abito-Carlestav is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA License. LMFT51055). She is an EMDR Certified Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Certified Brainspotting Therapist. Jennie specializes in providing a cutting-edge combination of EMDR therapy & Brainspotting treatment to support the mental health of athletes and the prevention of sports performance problems, such as mental blocks, performance slumps and the yips, which is common with athletes who have experienced a painful life event both sport and non-sport related. Jennie also specializes in mental Peak Performance enhancements to “install” positive programming for future challenges and high stakes competitions. She is a member of the Pacific Northwest group of providers for Paralympic & Olympic Team USA and works with athletes of all ages. Jennie was recently interviewed on the EMDR International Association podcast for the work she does with Athletes. To listen to the full interview, check out her website.

Having been a competitive athlete in her youth, Jennie understands the intense pressure to perform and the challenges of a sport injury, recovery and re-entry back into the sport. Because of this, Jennie is a genuine advocate for athlete mental health. Her treatment system is designed to uniquely support athletes using biofeedback technology to reset the nervous system during treatment. This modern approach creates an advantage in performance that is reflected immediately on the field. Jennie was a co- presenter in a full-day training with past EMDRIA President and other experts across the country to talk about EMDR Peak Performance with Athletes and Performers. This training is now available as an On-Demand Course.

In addition, Jennie is a Certified EMDR Child specialist which she achieved under direct training from Internationally known EMDRIA Trainer and Child Specialist, Ana Gomez. Under her tutelage, Jennie studied techniques which break down all eight phases of EMDR into a child friendly approach. Her knowledge, creativity and skill set has set her aside in providing child and adolescent trauma treatment both on-line and in-person.

As an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Jennie is a facilitator and consultant for EMDR Basic Training. She helps her consultees get to a point in which they are able to feel secure and comfortable in their use of EMDR so that they are able to effortlessly dance with the protocol. For consultees that are interested in specializing in the treatment of Athlete mental health or Child & Adolescent trauma treatment, Jennie guides her consultees to weave basic training protocol to this population.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Lic # 51055