our staff
We came out to The River because of the shortage of mental health services here. Our staff is composed of Family Therapists, Psychologists, Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and post-graduate interns in those professions.
staff members
Emily Bernard, Psy.D.
Emily Bernard is a registered psychological associate with a Bachelors in Psychology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, a Masters Degree in Health Psychology from Touro University and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Cal Southern University. She has been working with families, new mothers, divorced/separated parents as a lactation consultant and parenting/coparenting educator for almost twenty years. She has supported numerous families through their birthing and parenting adventures, including domestic violence survivors. She has facilitated coparenting for court ordered families which helped her learn the importance of communication in relationships and how conflict can cause long-term trauma. She values the attachment and bond between families from the prenatal period and beyond and works to help each individual feel secure in their relationships. Her past work brought her to deepen her studies and practice of psychology. She focuses on attachment therapy as well as using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to understand thoughts and work towards a solution to change personal behaviors. She is well-versed in postpartum needs for mothers and fathers and the importance of early and supportive treatment. She conducts virtual visits and assessments for Russian River Counselors.
When not seeing clients, she stays busy by teaching psychology for a community college, supporting public health programs in their maternal-child health improvements, and being active with her family. She enjoys the outdoors and the value of nutrition to the overall mental and physical health of an individual so is often found cooking for herself and her family or friends.
When not seeing clients, she stays busy by teaching psychology for a community college, supporting public health programs in their maternal-child health improvements, and being active with her family. She enjoys the outdoors and the value of nutrition to the overall mental and physical health of an individual so is often found cooking for herself and her family or friends.
Carl Combs, Ph.D.
Carl has been a counselor for over 30 years. He integrates low energy neurofeedback, EMDR, and trauma-informed psychotherapy.
Carl's Neurofeedback Work
Carl's Neurofeedback Work
Steve Frankel, Ph.D., JD
Steve Frankel is a retired Board Certified Clinical Forensic Psychologist and an Attorney at Law who practiced both professions in San Francisco's East Bay and North Bay. A past Director of Clinical Training and current Clinical Professor of Psychology at USC, he began recognizing childhood trauma in his adult patient case-load in 1980 and has specialized in working with that population ever since. He joined the International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation in the 1990s and was the consultant to the Trauma Program at Del Amo Hospital from 1993 to 2001. He was President of the ISSTD in 2002 and has been active in developing and teaching courses in trauma treatment as well as publishing chapters in books and professional journals in the trauma field.
As an attorney, he represented health professionals involved in licensing board actions and consults with mental health colleagues facing a variety of legal challenges. He developed Practice Legacy Program, LLC, for transitioning practices of colleagues upon retirement, death or disability, and has spearheaded an effort to protect health care professionals who suffer from degenerative neuro-cognitive disorders from ending their careers with licensing board actions.
He is now a consultant to counselors who work with DID patients.
As an attorney, he represented health professionals involved in licensing board actions and consults with mental health colleagues facing a variety of legal challenges. He developed Practice Legacy Program, LLC, for transitioning practices of colleagues upon retirement, death or disability, and has spearheaded an effort to protect health care professionals who suffer from degenerative neuro-cognitive disorders from ending their careers with licensing board actions.
He is now a consultant to counselors who work with DID patients.
Maz Karandish, Psy.D.
Maz Karandish is interested in all modalities of healing. Psychotherapy, however, has become a central focus on his path. Maz successfully completed his PsyD (Doctor of Psychology Degree) at Antioch University in Santa Barbara in 2019. His approach is flexible, client-centered, and utilizes mindfulness-based interventions at every point of the journey towards healing. In addition, Maz is an active musician and performer who tours nationally and internationally.
The ultimate vision is to create a center for healing where individuals can engage with courses in mindfulness, meditation, music, and body-based practice in addition to individual and group psychotherapy services. There also lies a deep desire to travel, lecture, and present on relevant clinical topics in all four corners of the world.
The ultimate vision is to create a center for healing where individuals can engage with courses in mindfulness, meditation, music, and body-based practice in addition to individual and group psychotherapy services. There also lies a deep desire to travel, lecture, and present on relevant clinical topics in all four corners of the world.
Breeze Holloway, MFT
Diana AKA "Breeze" Holloway is an LMFT who has been at Russian River Counselors since joining the staff in 2008 as a trainee. She completed her trainee-ship and internship and was licensed in 2012. She has training in hypnotherapy, EMDR, neurobiology, mindfulness, attachment, parenting and relationship work. She works with children, families, adolescents, adults, and couples. She is a certified Domestic Violence counselor and facilitates anger management groups. She has also facilitated parenting support groups and worked with parents, adoptive or natural, of children who have suffered trauma and/or neglect resulting in attachment difficulties. She can provide Mother-Infant Bonding Therapy via hypnosis or EMDR. Her work includes using EMDR and hypnotherapy to address early trauma and repair developmental injuries with adults.
Her personal history includes living in France as a child and learning to speak French, raising a family that included five children, enjoying cooking, baking, and preserving the produce from her son's farm, as well as long-term interest in and study of Native American arts and culture. Her most recent hobby is enjoying (long-awaited) grandchildren.
Her personal history includes living in France as a child and learning to speak French, raising a family that included five children, enjoying cooking, baking, and preserving the produce from her son's farm, as well as long-term interest in and study of Native American arts and culture. Her most recent hobby is enjoying (long-awaited) grandchildren.
Denise Horner, MFT
"I am the Director of Program at Russian River Counselors, clinical supervisor, board member and Marriage and Family Therapist. I graduated from USF in the early 2000’s with a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and received my under graduate degree from Sonoma State University in 1998. I received my license to practice from the state of California in
2009. I work with a variety of clients and ages. I work with people who experience anxiety, depression, relational and/or family issues, grief and difficult transitions. I have been with RRC for over 25 years. I have a love and passion for the river area and feel blessed to be able to give back to the community which I love so much."
2009. I work with a variety of clients and ages. I work with people who experience anxiety, depression, relational and/or family issues, grief and difficult transitions. I have been with RRC for over 25 years. I have a love and passion for the river area and feel blessed to be able to give back to the community which I love so much."
Merci Hoskins, M.A.
Merci is a psychological associate with a master’s degree from Meridian University. She is currently working to complete her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University. Merci has been coaching healthy living through mindful movement for over 30 years. During her years as a physical health coach, Merci became aware of the important connection between the mind, body, and spirit. This practice is what brought her to the study and practice of psychology in 2016. She believes that one is not independent of the other and that finding the place of balance is an essential step in an individual’s path to healing.
Dan Krang, Psy.D.
Dan is a licensed, board-certified psychologist. As an intern, he worked in Hospice Care assisting clients with grief, trauma, and life changes. He was also able to help clients work through anxiety, depression, and stress. Dan provided personalized help for each specific hurdle his clients faced, such as loss of job or relationship, life transitions, and end-of-life concerns for self or others.
Dan received his Doctor of Psychology from California Southern University and his Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Maryland. His focus in therapy is based on both Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Existential Therapy. In Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dan is able to help the client understand what thoughts are present and how to work through those thoughts to change behavior. An additional option for clients, if they desire, is Existential Therapy; with this optional approach, Dan helps the client to focus on larger questions involving purpose in life, drives and passions, the meaning of life and also death, and other topics.
While some of Dan’s interests include helping clients who struggle with spiritual concerns and members of the LGBT+ community, Dan is prepared to help each and every person that he can. His experience in working with people from all walks of life and diverse age groups aids Dan’s flexibility and aptitude for helping many different people seeking help.
Dan received his Doctor of Psychology from California Southern University and his Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Maryland. His focus in therapy is based on both Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Existential Therapy. In Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dan is able to help the client understand what thoughts are present and how to work through those thoughts to change behavior. An additional option for clients, if they desire, is Existential Therapy; with this optional approach, Dan helps the client to focus on larger questions involving purpose in life, drives and passions, the meaning of life and also death, and other topics.
While some of Dan’s interests include helping clients who struggle with spiritual concerns and members of the LGBT+ community, Dan is prepared to help each and every person that he can. His experience in working with people from all walks of life and diverse age groups aids Dan’s flexibility and aptitude for helping many different people seeking help.
Kathleen Kunster, Psy.D.
Kathleen is a psychologist with a doctorate from The California Institute of Integral Studies. She has a Master's degree in Divinity from Berkeley's Graduate Theological Union. She was a CPA before becoming a psychologist. She does hypnosis, EMDR, and treatment for trauma survivors, including Dissociative Identity Disorders. She also practices in Sebastopol.
Tony Madrid
Tony has been working at Russian River Counselors for 20 years. Before that he was at the Erickson Institute in Santa Rosa, Pocket Ranch in Geyserville, and Sonoma County Mental Health. He was on the state's licensing board and was an instructor at the University of San Francisco. His specialties are clinical hypnosis, EMDR, dissociative disorders, and Maternal Infant Bonding (www.mibsonoma.weebly.com).
Ellie Miller Hall, MSc
Ellie Miller Hall is a current Master’s Student in Clinical Psychology through Pepperdine University’s Online Program. Ellie’s experience includes studies in diagnostics, group and family counseling, ethics, techniques, and behavioral principles. Ellie is passionate about supporting individuals at all developmental stages to find solutions to their most complex challenges through respect, validation, and instilling hope.
Ellie’s background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Urban Policy from the College of the Holy Cross and also a Master’s in Public Policy & Administration from the London School of Economics. Her commitment to community service defines Ellie’s career. Her resume is scattered with experiences in both local and state government. She was the liaison between the Governor’s Office in Massachusetts and the victims and families of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. Her commitment to emergency management and trauma work includes a Certificate in Psychological First Aid from Johns Hopkins University. Ellie also has personal experiences in sobriety and twelve-step programs and has a Certificate in Psychology of Addiction & Recovery from Stanford University.
Originally from San Francisco, Ellie currently lives in St. Helena, Napa County. She is very proud to be part of the experienced, supportive staff of the Russian River Counselors. Ellie believes in holistic healing which includes support for all aspects of health including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual.
Ellie’s background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Urban Policy from the College of the Holy Cross and also a Master’s in Public Policy & Administration from the London School of Economics. Her commitment to community service defines Ellie’s career. Her resume is scattered with experiences in both local and state government. She was the liaison between the Governor’s Office in Massachusetts and the victims and families of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. Her commitment to emergency management and trauma work includes a Certificate in Psychological First Aid from Johns Hopkins University. Ellie also has personal experiences in sobriety and twelve-step programs and has a Certificate in Psychology of Addiction & Recovery from Stanford University.
Originally from San Francisco, Ellie currently lives in St. Helena, Napa County. She is very proud to be part of the experienced, supportive staff of the Russian River Counselors. Ellie believes in holistic healing which includes support for all aspects of health including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual.
Greer Straatsma, AMFT
Greer holds two Masters degrees: One in Fine Arts and a second in Holistic Psychotherapy with a focus in Somatics (body focused approaches to healing mental health challenges). This last graduate degree is from John F. Kennedy University. She is a psychological associate en route to becoming a licensed psychotherapist and is a
creative thinker who views the world with sensitive awareness. She held prior careers as an elementary school art teacher and a provider of therapeutic touch for animals and people. Personally, she has grown using meditation as a foundation towards finding wholeness. She has found her growing use of hypnosis and guided visualization to be helpful in shifting the subconscious mind to open the heart center, the deepest core of one’s essence. Learning to listen to one’s heart center is a path that will move humanity forward.
creative thinker who views the world with sensitive awareness. She held prior careers as an elementary school art teacher and a provider of therapeutic touch for animals and people. Personally, she has grown using meditation as a foundation towards finding wholeness. She has found her growing use of hypnosis and guided visualization to be helpful in shifting the subconscious mind to open the heart center, the deepest core of one’s essence. Learning to listen to one’s heart center is a path that will move humanity forward.
David Westwood, Psy.D.
David works with a variety of folks, young and old, individuals and couples, most anyone who feels they are stuck and not sure what to do next… He encourages people to develop and trust their own wants and needs, and to feel safer with others.
"Drawing on a Person-Centered approach to therapy, I include developmental and attachment models, affect theory, trauma awareness, and learning theories as they seem relevant, and I try to use common sense.
I have worked at Russian River Counselors as a licensed psychologist for 5 years and for 5 years before that as an intern.
I completed my doctoral studies in 2011 with a dissertation on co-occurring grief and meth. addiction, and I later published an article on principles of twelve-step recovery in The Person Centered Journal.
With 30 years’ personal experience in twelve-step programs, I find that change in adulthood can be easier with the support of like-minded folks — a family of choice.
"Drawing on a Person-Centered approach to therapy, I include developmental and attachment models, affect theory, trauma awareness, and learning theories as they seem relevant, and I try to use common sense.
I have worked at Russian River Counselors as a licensed psychologist for 5 years and for 5 years before that as an intern.
I completed my doctoral studies in 2011 with a dissertation on co-occurring grief and meth. addiction, and I later published an article on principles of twelve-step recovery in The Person Centered Journal.
With 30 years’ personal experience in twelve-step programs, I find that change in adulthood can be easier with the support of like-minded folks — a family of choice.