INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Jennifer Penney, Psy.D.
Chief Integration Officer
Dr. Penney is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Axis’s Chief Integration Officer. She attended the California School of Professional Psychology/Alliant International University and obtained both her Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Penney has a warm and interactive approach and works with individuals dealing with a large range of struggles, including depression, anxiety, self-harm, and family conflict. She is also a certified eating disorder specialist. She utilizes a variety of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and solution focused techniques.
Natalie Kiff, LCSW
Clinical Director of IBH
Natalie Kiff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Axis’s Integrated Behavioral Health Clinic Director, specializing in individual and family therapy. She graduated from the University of Michigan with her MSW in 2003 and became licensed in 2006. Natalie works from a strength based perspective, firmly believing every client has the will and motivation to make the changes they need to lead a balanced life. Treating both children and adults, she primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches. She treats a wide range of diagnoses including major depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, with an emphasis in treating women and children who have endured traumatic experiences.
Alvin Gregorio, LCSW
Director of Intern & School Programs
Alvin became a therapist to help remove the stigma of mental illness. He explains, “I want to provide the emotional support that helps people know they are not alone in their struggles.” Alvin helps his clients reconnect with the part of themselves that provides emotional strength and well-being even through difficult circumstances. Alvin enjoys being a part of Axis because staff care deeply about their patients’ wellness.
Theresa Rizzo, Psy.D.
Administrative Director of IBH
Dr. Rizzo is Licensed Psychologist and Axis’s Administrative Director of Integrated Behavioral Health. She believes that building a good relationship with her patients is essential, and aims to provide a welcoming, safe space where they can work through their experiences. “I want to help my patients find their strengths,” she says, “so they can be their best selves.” She received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. In her work with adults and teens, Dr. Rizzo takes a strengths-based approach and aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals to work through their experiences and develop skills to help them achieve their goals. Common issues that she treats in her practice include PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use, and life transitions. Dr. Rizzo draws on a variety of techniques including EMDR, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Solution-Focused interventions. She enjoys teamwork and appreciates the integrated approach to whole person care at Axis.
Jennifer Sanchez, PhD
Director of IBH
Dr. Sanchez works collaboratively with patients to help them identify their strengths, and define goals. When she meets a patient for the first time, she “wants to really build a connection.” Her therapeutic style is strengths-based and rooted in mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques. She received her PhD. from Palo Alto University in 2013. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive experience working with adults, including seniors.
Bently Anderson
Bently became interested in Psychology while attending Sonoma State University, where he received his Bachelor’s in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology. Bently’s passion for helping others led him to get his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from Santa Clara University. “Seeing people in my life go through some really tough things opened my eyes to how much mental health support is really needed,” he shares, “Axis is a step above other organizations I’ve worked with because if a patient goes to a medical visit and expresses a mental health need, they can immediately see a behavioral health professional.” Bently hopes to help his patients overcome any difficulties they are struggling with and to give them the tools they need to improve their quality of life.
Asia Billings, LMFT
Growing up in the Tri-Valley, Asia had always known there was a lack of mental health resources in the area. When she became a Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist, she wanted to be part of a system that could give those who truly needed help, the tools to live a meaningful life. In her role at Axis, she is a therapist for the Bridge program and part of the IBH team. With empathy and encouragement, her goal for her patients is to connect them with resources that will fit their short-term and long-term mental health needs.
Heather Floyd, LMFT
Heather is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Axis. She explains, “I knew from a very young age that I had a passion for helping others and I believe in the work that we do at Axis.” Heather graduated with a BS in Human Services and a Master’s Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy. She works with patients of all ages with a range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, life transitions, relational conflicts, and substance use disorders. Heather uses cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused techniques to help individuals and families have stronger relationships, achieve their goals, and lead better lives.
Anne DeJesus, LMFT
Anne, a licensed marriage and family therapist, attended San Francisco State University, where she graduated with a BS in Psychology, then a Master’s in Counseling at Argosy University. Anne works with patients of all ages, helping them find ways to manage anxiety, everyday stress, and life changes. Her approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She believes in empowering clients by helping them set goals and finding the resources to achieve them.
Saha Jamshed, LCSW
Saha, an IBH Staff Therapist, received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. From a young age, she wanted to help those in underserved communities find relief from suffering, fight for justice, as well as improve the quality of life for those in her community. In her role at Axis, she hopes to help patients stabilize their symptoms to improve their overall sense of well-being. Saha is a firm believer in Axis’s integrated behavioral health approach. She says, “I absolutely love the amount of teamwork that goes into helping our patients. I also appreciate that Axis mental health services are an option for all Axis patients.”
Ghazala Khan, LMFT
Ghazala, a licensed marriage and family therapist, received her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University.” I became a therapist to help people improve their quality of life and to provide them with a support system.” A true advocate for her patients, her goals are to help them build coping skills and to use different strategies to achieve their goals such as: Cognitive behavioral Therapy, Dialetctical behavioral therapy, EMDR, play therapy, and solution-based therapy. She works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She treats anxiety, depression, life transitions, and substance use disorders. She speaks Pashto fluently and Urdu/HIndi. Ghazala is passionate about working at Axis due to its’ integrated system and supportive, professional, and friendly environment where she can help her parents thrive and attain their goals.
Erika Klara, LMFT
Erika is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 10 years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked with youth and families, and with people from all walks of life in a variety of settings, such as schools, outpatient services, and residential facilities. Erika explains, “I work with my patients in unique ways to address a range of issues they may face. I specialize in anxieties and trauma, but have experience with all types of conditions.” Erika uses the latest research to help patients understand the complexities of their condition so they can move forward with their lives.
Aileen Klein, LCSW
Aileen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida with a major in Psychology and minor in Sociology and a focus in Behavioral Forensics. She earned her master’s degree in Social Work at California State University, Chico. Aileen has worked with people of all ages and backgrounds. Some of the settings she has worked in are: Inpatient psychiatric facilities (Adolescent, children, adult, and detox), homeless outreach, folks that have been incarcerated, older adults, Child Protective Services, divorce/blended family workshops, and outpatient mental health. She has a passion working with people navigating difficult times in their lives no matter how big or small! Aileen is a big believer of no matter who you are, you deserve to have someone listen to you compassionately and without judgement. Her main priority is client-centered work while providing tailored treatment to each individual.
Priscilla Mathews, LCSW
Bio coming soon!
Melissa Martinez, LCSW
Melissa is a licensed clinical social worker who attended Sacramento State University where she acquired her B.A. in Psychology. She also attended New York University where she obtained her postgraduate degree in Clinical Social Work. Melissa has experience working with adolescents and children and enjoys collaborative and dyadic work to help support family systems. She works from a trauma-informed lens and strength-based approach highlighting a client’s strengths and resilient qualities to inform the clinical work. After acquiring her license in cosmetology, she decided she wanted to go into therapeutic work after taking note of clients’ abilities to be open and vulnerable to share their life experiences. Melissa believes that all people deserve mental health support. Her goal for all her clients is to empower them to use and acquire strengths to combat negative thoughts and feelings and to learn to unpack past traumas in a way that gives them hope, power, and control over the life they choose to live.
Alaina Moreno-Koehler, LCSW
Even at a young age, Alaina knew she wanted to help people. Her background in advocacy, outreach, and sexual assault prevention led her to a career in social work. She enjoys working in community health because it allows her to serve a more diverse population. Her goals are to help patients grow their internal voice, to build therapeutic alliances with patients, and to develop trust and connection. She also works with community youth to support and encourage them.
Greg Kraft, Ed.D.
Dr. Greg Kraft has been a licensed psychologist for over 30 years, earning his doctoral degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He has worked in a variety of clinical settings providing compassionate, focused, client-centered holistic care for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. Dr. Kraft works with both adults and adolescents, supporting their autonomy and strengths. He enjoys helping others to realize more of their potential for growth and development. He believes that the power to change resides within the client. His approach to care is integrative and he utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches to support the client’s goals including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy life skills.
Mary Reyna, Psy.D.
Dr. Reyna is a bicultural/bilingual Community Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about working with diverse children, adults, and families. She has worked in various community settings such as outpatient community clinics, school-based clinic services, and home-based mental health services. Her experience ranges from providing infant-child mental health services through dyad therapy, play therapy, providing parent support, and being an advocate for children and families. She received in-depth training in Psychodynamic Therapy and incorporates this, Attachment theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, strength-based strategies, and culturally sensitive practices when supporting children, adults, and families. Dr. Reyna holds a Master’s in Community Counseling and Clinical Psychology, a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and speaks Spanish.
Emily Schramm, LMFT
(she/her)
Emily, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2015, received her Bachelors’ Degrees in Sociology and Psychology, and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Emily strives to support her patients in deepening their understanding of themselves, healing from pain, building connections with others, and cultivating and engaging in meaningful and enjoyable lives. She believes this is done through therapeutic trust and centering patients as the expert in their lives, and by offering a range of clinical interventions, including ACT, DBT, CBT, trauma-processing, solution-focused therapy, and EMDR, and always integrating a trauma-responsive lens. She has vast experience working with those who have been effected by mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, substance use and recovery, grief and loss, psychosis, neurodivergence, LGBTQ+ issues, and the foster care system. Emily enjoys working at Axis because of the collaborative and holistic approach to care.
Ciara Skye, AMFT
(she/her)
Growing up Ciara loved helping others. As a teenager she began to see the high need for mental health services, but unfortunately there was not easy access to obtaining it and there was a stigma towards mental health needs/services. “I enjoy working in community health for a number of reasons, but the first and foremost is being able to get my clients the help and resources’ they need all within one community”, she expresses. Ciara’s goal is to help her clients establish a great support system, build social skills, ease anxiety symptoms, learn healthy ways to communicate and identify their emotions. She also wants to help families feel connected to their child and community.
Amanda Winters, MA
One of the reasons Amanda became a therapist was to help individuals and families break generational cycles of trauma. She received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University and is currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. As a therapist, her main goal is to help patients fully embrace their authentic selves and heal from any trauma that may keep them from reaching their true potential. She loves the support she receives from her team at Axis.
Melissa Thompson, LCSW
Melissa has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2006. She works to help patients of all ages find healthy ways to manage anxiety, depression, past trauma, and other difficult life changes. She strives to create a safe space where clients feel accepted, and uses different approaches depending on each client’s unique needs: play therapy for children, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Therapy for adolescents and adults. Melissa graduated from CSU Long Beach in 1999 with a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work.
Michael Wood, PhD
Dr. Wood has been a licensed psychologist since 2015 and a staff member at Axis IBH since 2016. He attended Fuller Graduate School of Psychology where he earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He uses a friendly, nonjudgmental, and authentic style and enjoys working with adult clients with a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, life transitions, grief and loss, and caregiving challenges. He also has expertise in LGBTQ+ issues and issues of faith/spirituality. His work is trauma-informed and incorporates a variety of evidence-based models (including EMDR, Internal Family Systems, DBT, and CBT) to assist patients in their healing process. He is passionate about helping clients meet their personal goals on their journey toward growth.
LOCATIONS
5925 West Las Positas Blvd, Suite 100
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(Map Link)
4361 Railroad Avenue
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(Map Link)
3311 Pacific Avenue
Livermore, CA 94550
(Map Link)
If you have an urgent behavioral health need when our office is closed, dial Emergency Assistance at 911, Suicide & Crisis Line at 988, or the Alameda County Crisis Link at (800) 309-2131.
“I have been seeing counselors at Axis Community Health for 8 months now on a weekly basis. The concern and kindness they show, even just asking, “how was your day?” really means a lot when you don’t hear those words often. The best thing is that they want to see you succeed and they are willing to do everything they can to help you through even your worst ordeals.”
– An Axis Patient
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
24-Hour Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255
24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
California Youth Crisis Line
Call or Text 1-800-843-5200