Timothy Yen, PsyD

Hello! My name is Dr. Timothy Yen, a licensed psychologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am passionate about empowering others, helping increase clarity into difficult situations, providing practical resources and recommendations, and ultimately helping people create meaningful lives and relationships. I completed my doctorate in clinical psychology at Azusa Pacific University in 2014 with an emphasis in family psychology and consultation. Prior to college, I enlisted in the US Army as a mental health specialist for over 8 years.

My theoretical orientation is primarily family systems theory and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) but often incorporate other theories and skills (e.g., positive psychology, psychodynamic, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, etc.) for a more integrated and holistic treatment. I believe in evidenced based practices and the importance of identifying issues and treatment goals early on in the session. I offer assistance in individual, couples, and child/families therapy on a wide variety of issues to include treatment for depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, parenting skills, social skills, divorce, bereavement, and anger management. I am also trained in basic Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and Prepare-Enriched, a faith-based marriage preparation and enrichment program.

On a more personal note, I enjoy spending time with my wife and cat, playing and listening to music, looking at and maintaining aquariums, trying new ethnic foods, traveling, hiking, playing volleyball, and watching movies and animation. I look forward to meeting you and coming along side you to create a life worth living!

Laura Avila, PhD

-Hello! I am a clinical psychologist with a special interest in depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and health-related problems, such as chronic pain and insomnia.  I graduated in 2002 from Northern Illinois University with a doctorate degree in clinical psychology. I also completed an internship at Hines Veterans Administration in Illinois, providing services to veterans struggling with a range of problems including mood problems, marital conflict, and substance use.  To further my areas of specialization, I completed a year-long fellowship in Health Psychology at San Antonio Military Medical Center (formerly Brooke Army Medical Center) in San Antonio, Texas.  At SAMMC, I provided psychological services to military service members and their families in primary care, internal medicine, pulmonary, and geriatric clinics. I gained experience in behavioral health, specifically how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors contribute to our physical health and vice versa. For example, managing diabetes can be very stressful and contribute to anxiety.  Also, depression can worsen the experience of migraines. Other training at SAMMC included smoking cessation, weight management, insomnia management, and medical phobia treatment.  I use different approaches to therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapies, relaxation therapies, and faith-based counseling to understand a client’s concerns and provide treatment. Most recently, I received a master’s of science degree in psychopharmacology through Farleigh Dickinson, NJ. This allowed me to complete a practicum at SAMMC as a prescriber of psychotropic medications to my clients.   I enjoy consulting on psychiatric medications and management with clients and their physicians. 

I believe very strongly that there is always hope.  Throughout my years in practice, I have seen people in the worst seasons of their lives, experience change, healing, and a renewed purpose for life.  This has made my work fulfilling and a blessing to me in my growth.  

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and four children.  My family is very important to me. Our family stays active with community and church activities. We particularly enjoy traveling and visiting national parks, lakes, and zoos.   

Virginia A. Suarez, PsyD

Hi there! It is my privilege to get to support you through your mental health journey. As a first-generation, multiracial provider (Mexican-American with Iranian heritage), my experiences have shaped my practice, understanding, and appreciation for challenges with identity, culture, values, and intergenerational adversity.

Life certainly has a way of throwing some curveballs and it can be challenging as you navigate through those difficult moments. I look forward to cultivating a collaborative environment in sessions where we can talk about how to move you toward your goals and values. I am invested in showing you that you are seen, heard, and respected. Together, we will begin this exploration to discover how your past stressors and experiences—whether these experiences were in childhood, adulthood, or yesterday—are impacting your current perspective, self-view, worldview, and your footing in your day-to-day. In therapy, it is important that we work together to see what is possible and what is workable so that we are making meaningful progress in pursuing your best life.

Upon working with one another, you will find that I am here to support you and encourage you so that you feel empowered, willing, and capable of being a leading character in your life story. Seeking therapy is a significant first step. Congratulations and welcome! I am excited to begin with you!

Specialties:

• Trauma

• Anxiety

• Phobias

• Panic

• Depression

• OCD

• Working professionals

• Adults and Older Adults

• Diversity in Culture/Religion/Acculturation

Challenges:

• Academic stressors

• Work-related stressors

• Trauma-related stressors

• Coping and emotional regulation challenges

• Adjusting to life changes

• Relationship stressors

• Family challenges

• Grief

Treatment Approaches:

• Client-centered, individual therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Exposure Therapy

• Prolonged Exposure (PE)

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Unified Protocol (UP)

• Compassion Focused Therapy for Trauma (CFT)

Professional Background:
Virginia Arlene Suarez, PsyD (PSB94028040) is a registered psychological associate with the California Board of Psychology, operating under the direct supervision of Dr. Tamara J. Strong-Chavez (CA PSY 34171). Arlene holds a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium. She completed her predoctoral internship at the APA-accredited Kaiser Permanente East Bay Medical Center Program as an Adult Generalist and Assessment Track in Oakland. Arlene has worked in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health clinics, Veteran Affairs facilities, hospitals, and residential settings. There she has worked with a diverse population of children, families, couples, and adults of varying ages across the lifespan. Some of her experience includes providing thorough risk assessments, brief and focused treatment, longer-term treatment, trauma treatment, neuropsychological assessments in adults, utilizing the appropriate evidence-based treatment modalities, providing patient-centered care, and providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.

Dr. Tamara Strong-Chavez

Hello! My name is Dr. Tamara Strong-Chavez and I am a Psychological Assistant under the license of Dr. Timothy Yen (PSY CA27745). I have my degree in Clinical Psychology with dual concentrations in Integrated Health and Neuropsychology from John F. Kennedy University.  I recently completed post-doctoral residency at Kaiser Permanente and fulfilled all my clinical hours in the process of taking my licensure exams.

Some of my experiences include treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, managing stress, complex behavioral problems in children, ASD with anxiety and/or trauma, ADHD, and divorce.  My academic focus was on cultural context in clinical psychology including working consciously with individual and contextual differences within intersecting systems as well as contextually sensitive working relationships.  I value and practice evidence based treatment (CBT, trauma focused CBT, narrative therapy, ACT, play therapy, and so forth) for treatment with Children, Families, and Adults with a holistic approach.  Moreover, my passion for this field of service is genuine as I feel blessed to be part of individuals and families journey of healing.

On a more personal note, I enjoy spending time with my children and family from daily living to exploring the marvelous sights of California.  We also spend many hours volunteering at community events, watching movies or sports, and enjoying the little moments of life!

Matt McKeithan, PsyD

Hello, my name is Dr. Matthew McKeithan and I am a registered Psychological Assistant (PSB94024745), under the supervision of Dr. David N. Day (Psy 7972). I have a Doctorate and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University, as well as a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. I have completed all of my required clinical hours and am currently scheduled to take my licensing exam.

My areas of clinical focus and experience include: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Personality Disorders, Bi-Polar Disorders, Anxiety and Depression, Life Coaching, and Christian Counseling.

I incorporate a multitude of therapeutic modalities into treatment, to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and I am a certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapy practitioner.

I developed a passion for helping people suffering from mental health because of my own personal struggles with PTSD. I suffered from PTSD and depression due to my service in the military. While serving in the Navy, I experienced multiple traumas and suffered a traumatic brain injury, which required lots of therapeutic care for several years after the military. I personally saw the benefits of good therapy, and decided that I could use that experience to help others. Along my journey through the suffering, I dedicated my life to Jesus, and see faith as an integral part of healing.

On a more personal note, I am happily married, have four wonderful children, and enjoy hiking, playing music, dating my wife, playing with my children, hosting game nights with friends, practicing jiu jitsu, cooking, and doing triathlons.

I'd love to apply my experience, training, and faith to help others untangle the mental debris of their past, and take charge of what's currently within their control, to help them achieve a more fulfilling and Christ-centered life.

Dr. Selina Johnson, EdD

Selina Johnson, EdD (PSB 94026317) is a registered psychological associate with the California Board of Psychology under direct supervision of Dr. Timothy Yen (PSY 27745). She completed her Doctorate of Education Counseling Psychology at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. Her experience in graduate school included practicum hours at an elementary, middle, and high school providing special education services such as testing for learning disabilities and counseling services in Stockton and Castro Valley, CA.  Her experience in clinical training allowed her to provide counseling services to adults and children through the school and clinical settings. 

Certifications and Other Training:

• Pupil Personnel Services 

• Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS)

Joyce Perry, LMFT

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I earned my master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary in Los Gatos, CA. I have worked at Kaiser since 2010 and have had a private practice in Pleasanton since 2009 through which I primarily see individual adults and couples. Prior to opening my practice I worked for Children's Bureau, a non-profit mental health agency in Los Angeles County where I provided individual, group and family therapy for children and adolescents in clinic, home and school-based settings. My areas of focus include couples counseling, anxiety, depression, codependency and trauma.

I work primarily from a Cognitive Behavioral orientation but I tailor treatment for each client incorporating other orientations and interventions as appropriate. I am certified in Prepare-Enrich, a faith-based program for couples seeking pre-marital counseling or marriage enrichment. I am trained in EMDR through Laurel Parnell. I have also received training in identity formation through Dr. David Eckman. I am passionate about helping clients access the unique strengths God has given them, encouraging them in those strengths, equipping them with life-healing truth and empowering them with renewed hope.   

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband exploring the outdoors, finding new escape rooms and traveling to new destinations here and abroad.  

Timothy J. Nguyen, LCSW, PsyD

Hello! I am grateful to have you here. I’m Tim. I am a licensed clinical social worker and registered psychological associate (PSB94026870) with the California Board of Psychology under the direct supervision of Dr. Timothy Yen (PSY 27745). I have earned my Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree with a concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from California Southern University located in Costa Mesa, CA.

If you are anything like the many people I have worked with in the past, you are seeking counseling because you are looking for a therapist who you can trust, who won’t be judgmental, who you can connect with, who you can learn with, and ultimately, who can help you become a better version of you when life starts to feel too much to handle on your own.

Going through internal struggles is hard enough as it is, but then you now have the difficult task of figuring out which one of the thousands of therapists out there you should choose. One of the most frequent questions I receive from people is, ‘What is it like working with you?’

Using a flexible and integrative approach while creating a safe, warm, validating, supportive, and non-judgmental environment is my specialty. Working with me means that your trust, feedback, personal growth, and well-being will be prioritized throughout the therapy process. Together we will collaborate on creating goals and work towards achieving them. Our sessions will be uniquely tailored to fit your unique needs and goals.

Dr. Shawn L. Frugé

Blessings! My name is Dr. Shawn Frugé and I’m a licensed clinical psychologist who has been providing customized, evidence-based counseling services to youth and adults in the Bay Area for over twenty years. I earned my doctorate degree from California School of Professional Psychology in 2000. Several years later, I was deemed an expert witness in child, family, educational, criminal, and occupational courts throughout California along with Certified Medical Examiner through the State of California, Division of Industrial Relations.

It gives me great pleasure to help you overcome challenges and realize your fullest potential. I really enjoy working with people from various backgrounds, as I consider differences a source of learning and strength. I am well trained and highly experienced in using traditional, modern, and postmodern counseling models (e.g., psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, narrative, solution focused, acceptance and commitment, etc.) informed by biblical principles to help the Christian community.

In addition to being astutely observant of cultural dynamics, I have recognized, studied, and gleaned invaluable insights from real world societal trends that impact the mental health of people. I carefully consider these factors when conceptualizing your unique challenge, and formulating interventions to help. A sample of difficulties I have supported clients in overcoming or managing include trauma, anxiety, depression, grief or loss, low motivation, anger/aggression, and asynchronous development.

The truth of the matter is that we live in a high pressure, complicated time where most, if not all people will need extra support at some point. After establishing a relationship founded on respect, trust, compassion, and authenticity, I’ll support you in exploring and making sense of hardships in a way that propels you to move forward in life.

In a safe, secure, and non-judgmental environment, my task is to help you process difficulties, develop skills, cultivate personal and interpersonal insight, and/or build mental wellness literacy to become unstuck and live the life you want. We’ll also uncover and leverage your personal strengths to help in these efforts. You’re a valuable person who is worthy of joy, love, and success! You’ll always be heard, accepted, and acknowledged in my presence. Let’s work together to live a life filled with the fruits of the spirit.

Dr. Ryan Yam

Hello, My name is Dr. Ryan Yam and I’m a registered psychological associate who is committed to providing compassionate mental health support to diverse youth and families. With a Doctorate of Psychology in Educational Psychology from Alliant International University, I bring expertise in multicultural therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, addiction counseling, and career counseling.

Having personally experienced the challenges of immigrating to the United States from Hong Kong during my adolescence, I understand the unique obstacles individuals from diverse backgrounds face in their journey of personal growth and well-being. Through the lens of the Christian faith, I believe that God's love and grace can bring strength and resilience to overcome life's challenges.

In therapy sessions, I integrate evidence-based approaches tailored to your specific needs, fostering a therapeutic environment that promotes connection, comfort, and positive changes. Together, we can explore how your cultural background and beliefs, including your Christian faith, influence your experiences and perspectives. As a father of three children, I have firsthand knowledge of communication difficulties and guiding them through their educational and career paths. I am also well aware of the growing concern of gadget addiction among children today. Drawing from my professional background as a school psychologist and my faith, I can provide valuable support in developing effective strategies to address these challenges.

When working with me, you can expect a professional and supportive approach that places your needs at the forefront. I am dedicated to assisting you on your journey toward healing, personal growth, and improved well-being while embracing the principles of Christian compassion and the guidance of God's love. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please don't hesitate to reach out. I look forward to accompanying you on this transformative journey with faith as our guiding light.