Be happy for this moment.
This moment is your life.
~ Omar Khayyam
What we think,
We Become.
~ Buddha
The best preparation for tomorrow
is doing your best today.
~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Meet Our Staff
Erika Igarta, AMFT, APCC
Welcome to Institute of Mindful Therapy, Erika (she/her) graduated from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ and registered as an associate marriage family therapist & associate professional clinical counselor. With her warm & welcoming personality, Erika has experience working with every individual, couples, family, and adolescent/children. Erika concentrates on helping everyone regarding couples repairing their […]
Stephanie Arcayena, MPH, CHLC, AMFT
Hi there! My name is Stephanie Arcayena (she/her/they). I am a second generation, millennial, Bay Area born and raised Filipino-American. I currently occupy native Bay Miwok & Yokut lands, which is also modernly known as Contra Costa County, CA. My migration story stems from the courage & sacrifice of my parents and ancestors from the […]
Jessica Pfisterer, MFT Trainee
Jessica Pfisterer is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at IMT working with individuals and couples. She specializes in working with clients with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, trauma histories, relationship issues, and her fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community. She is committed to working collaboratively with her clients to cultivate healing, resilience, and improved relationships. […]
Lucia Campbell, ASW
Lucia earned her Master of Social Work with a focus in Health, Equity, and Wellness from the University of Denver and is a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker. She has over five years of experience as a social worker in San Francisco serving older adults and individuals with severe mental illness. Now, as part of […]
Alicia M. Persaud, MA, AMFT
Life presents various challenges for all of us, I aim to assist you in overcoming these challenges in a nonjudgmental and supportive manner. By working together, we can access your intuition to cultivate resilience, self-compassion, and authenticity. Through a holistic, person-centered approach, my goal is to treat you as a complete individual, rather than just […]
Alanna Epps, AMFT
Hello! My name is Alanna, and I’m an AMFT. I’m honored to be considered as a companion on your journey! I love working with all people, especially with adolescents and young adults. I work from a client-centered, culturally sensitive strengths based approach. I specialize in supporting clients who come with anxiety, depression, self esteem, communication, […]
Monica Martinez, AMFT, APCC
My name is Monica Martinez, and I am an associate marriage family therapist (AMFT #146625) and associate professional clinical counselor (APCC #16472). I hold a BA in English from UC Berkeley and an MA in psychology/counseling from National/JFK University. As an East Bay native, I’m committed to supporting my community. With a background in race, […]
Karina Rochnik, AMFT
Karina earned her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University Worldwide and is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She brings a warm, down-to-earth approach to therapy, and is dedicated to helping her clients not only overcome their difficulties but also gain a deeper understanding of their own values, strengths, and goals. […]
Edlynn Breslow, AMFT
Welcome to the Institute of Mindful Therapy! Edlynn (she/her/hers) earned her MA in Counseling from Saint Mary's College of California and is a registered associate marriage and family therapist and associate professional clinical counselor. With warmth and enthusiasm, Edlynn works with individuals of all ages and stages of life, from high school to hospice. Whether addressing issues of self-worth, relationship challenges, breaking generational cycles, or healing from trauma, Edlynn empowers clients to break free from the anchors that confine them to their past. She works at a pace that aligns with your comfort level, helping you achieve your goals with hope, patience, and compassion. Together, you will gain insights into your emotions and behaviors, develop effective coping strategies, and continue your search for joy and contentment as you move forward with more confidence, self-awareness, and resilience for navigating life’s transitions. When she’s not in the office, you can find Edlynn hiking with her trusty (and goofy) golden retriever sidekick, dreaming of her next international adventure, and sampling her way through the culinary delights of the Bay Area. Registered Associate Marriage Family Therapist: 128284Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor: 10367Supervised by Galina Litvin LMFT #111344
Windy Taylor, APCC
Windy is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor with an MA in Clinical Counseling. She has worked with multiple populations in the community mental health setting providing treatment through individual, group and family sessions. Windy provides care through mindfulness, narrative, humanistic, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Windy works with people who struggle with anxiety, depression, loss, pain, relationship issues, addiction, and trauma to name a few. Her approach varies and she will use evidence-based practices to help the person achieve peace. Her story is one of unconditional compassion to all and her goal is to create a safe environment where one feels supported and heard without judgement. Together in treatment her goal is to work with you to find your strengths that you already possess and use them to overcome the struggles you are dealing with regularly. Windy graduated from Aliant University with her MA in counseling but also holds an MBA and two additional BA’s working in Behavioral Health for Contra Costa County helping mental health programs sustain to provide services to much needed populations. She has been in the mental health field in different capacities for the last 25 years and has worked in hospitals, clinics, and residential centers for various levels of treatment. She is well versed in meditation, breathing techniques, and is a multi-marathon runner, and weightlifter who believes that these practices can be beneficial to not only healing but maintaining the body’s natural coping techniques that it retains within. Finally, Windy plays the piano and was classically trained at young age and practices this as her own way to stay present and grounded.
Natalie Guerra, AMFT
Do you feel lost, anxious, overcome with depressive feelings, or stuck? Do you find it challenging to cope with life stressors? Are your relationships are struggling? Do you find it hard to get through your day-to-day lately? Do you see yourself using unhealthy coping mechanisms to get by? Often when we are dealing with any […]
Kristina Holloway, AMFT
Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, and just plain not yourself? I get it and I am glad you are here. You don’t have to feel that way. Healing is possible when we can get out of our own way; when we can get out of our head and into our entire self, our whole […]
Eric Sherlock, MDiv, LMFT
Eric Sherlock, MFT Trainee, MDiv Eric is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, supervised by Galina Litvin. He is currently enrolled in a Master of Arts in Counseling program at Palo Alto University, working to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. He also holds a Master of Divinity from Boston University. Eric has over […]
Michael Keesey, LMFT
Michael is originally from the Bay Area and is focused on providing a holistic approach to psychotherapeutic care to the community in which he grew up. He is a husband, father and son who continually looks to integrate his learned experiences into his practice. Michael recently graduated from Saint Mary’s College of CA with a […]
Monica Alcantara, LMFT/Supervisor
Monica uses she/her pronouns and welcomes her clients to share their preferred pronouns. Monica is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about supporting her clients throughout the ups and downs of life. Monica earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology, from the University of California, Davis and her Master […]
Anita Bardsley, MA, LMFT
Anita received her Master of Arts in Integral Counseling Psychology from The California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, California and is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She works with adults, young adults, and adolescents who are struggling with many of life’s challenges, such as depression, anxiety, relationships, grief/loss, cancer, emotional eating, […]
Ashley Rafal, LMFT
Ashley Rafal is an experienced Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a demonstrated history of working in the individual and family services industry. Skilled in American Sign Language, Developmental Psychology, Organizational Consulting, Coaching, and Crisis Intervention. Strong community and social services professional with a Combined Masters’ of Arts (M.A.) focused in Industrial and Organizational Psychology/ […]
Galina Litvin, Co-Founder, CEO, LMFT /Supervisor
Galina Litvin is the Co-Founder and COO (Clinical Operating Officer) for Institute of Mindful Therapy. She holds an MA and is Licensed in marriage and family counseling. Galina is passionate about providing mental health support to everyone in the community and wants to help people along their journey in life. Galina brings with her years […]
Sorrenta Stuart, Co-Founder, LMFT /Supervisor
Sorrenta founded the Institute of Mindful Therapy, Inc in order to provide our community with integrative, compassionate mental health care. Her style is unique; she is not a blank slate and will sit with you in times of pain and rejoice with you in times of success. She is passionate about guiding you through life’s […]