Our Team
Brian Jacobs, LCSW
LCSW #20203, LPC #379
Clinical Director
Over the course of twenty-plus years in practice, Brian has developed a style that is compassionate, yet straightforward. His therapeutic point of view is eclectic and clearly embraces the social work model. All aspects of a client’s life – family, work, school, home, friends, interests, goals, relationships, and experiences – are, as needed, placed in the open and given value in reaching an understanding of and resolution to the client’s concerns.
He has extensive experience working with difficult family situations, high conflict divorces, teens, military, public safety officers, and all first responders. Clients often present with complex trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, ADD, parent/child difficulties and relationship concerns.
Brian received his Bachelors in Sociology from Sonoma State University and Masters in Social Work from Colorado State University. Beyond his primary license of LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), Brian is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a Substance Abuse Professional, holds a Pupil Personnel Services credential, and is a Licensed General Contractor. Brian has completed a 36 hour training to meet the qualifications of the Association of Family and Conciliations Courts (AFCC) Court Involved Therapy guidelines. Additionally, Brian is certified in TF-CBT.
Brian and his family live in west Sonoma County. Together, they enjoy traveling, gardening, working around the house and seeking out the best pastrami sandwiches.
Dana Schneider, LMFT
Clinical Consultant
MFT #M138111
Dana Schneider, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist and Lecturer Emeritus at Sonoma State University, Psychology Department.
In addition to 46 years of clinical experience working with families, she has extensive training in the field of divorcing and separating families. She has served as a special master/parent coordinator, private child custody recommending counselor, reunification therapist, and high conflict co-parent counselor.
As a Court Involved Therapist (CIT), Dana served as the Chair of the Mental Health Liaison Committee, a sub-committee of the Sonoma County Bar Association’s Family Law Section. In 2005, in collaboration with other CIT colleagues, she participated in creating the High Conflict Co-Parent Project. She has presented locally to the Sonoma County Bar Association, as well as the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) conferences.
Dana co-authored an article in the Journal of Divorce and Remarriage entitled, “Children’s Ability to Cope Post Divorce: The Effects of Kids’ Turn Intervention Program on 7–9 Year Olds.”
In 2012, Dana received the Rex Sater award for Excellence in Family Law, “given to an individual or group that has contributed to improving the practice of Family Law in Sonoma County”. In 2013, she was honored with the Pro Bono award by the Sonoma
County Bar Association. Currently, Dana consults with and trains Court Involved Therapists.
As a Board Member of Friends of the West Shore, Dana, works towards the preservation, protection, and conservation of the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. She is active in the Tahoe environmental community.
Dana lives in Sebastopol and Lake Tahoe with her husband David of 45 years. Together
they have two children, two grandchildren and one grand pup.
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Dana provides clinical consultation, mentorship, in-house training and education for the SLS team on a regular basis. Additionally, she assists in the development of programs, agency procedures and policies.
Denisse Mendoza, MFT
MFT #119021, LPCC #10727
Denisse Mendoza received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Juvenile Delinquency from California State University, Sacramento in 2006. She received her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco in 2017.
Denisse has over 15 years of experience in providing residential, school and community-based services to youth and young adults involved in the juvenile justice system, supporting youth and young adults and families cope with severe behavioral/emotional difficulties, as well as working with a variety of mental health issues. For the last 15 years, Denisse has worked in the non-profit setting as a therapist, as well as in program management.
Denisse has significant experience working with youth and young adults that struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, and at-risk behaviors. She utilizes a variety of approaches including family systems, play therapy, mindfulness, trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral, strengths based, solution-focused and narrative therapy.
Denisse is bilingual/bicultural and apart from her license in Marriage and Family Therapy, she is licensed as a Professional Clinical Counselor. Denisse is trained in Triple P, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Prevention Intervention, Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR and Mindfulness Applications. Denisse has completed a 36 hour training to meet the qualifications of the Association of Family and Conciliations Courts (AFCC) Court Involved Therapy guidelines.
Dan Bierman
Associate
AMFT #132164
Dan earned his Masters in Integral Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2021. A proud father to two young adult boys, Dan has always had a desire to work with families. To that end, he spent most of the 2022-23 school year interning at a K-8 school in San Francisco. Subsequently, he completed couples therapy training at The Couples Center. Dan is currently completing a 36-hour training to meet the qualifications of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Court-Involved Therapy guidelines.
Dan has also worked in a private practice model, using a relational approach informed by psychodynamic and family systems theory. When working with families, regardless of the setting, the number of people in the room, or the approach, Dan always keeps his focus on the best interests of the children.
A native New Yorker, Dan moved to the Bay Area to attend law school, graduating from Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco in 1992. When he's not working, he enjoys spending time with his fiancée, going to musicals, and watching his beloved – albeit frustrating – Mets and Knicks.
Beatriz Behrens, LCSW
LCSW #12322
Beatriz received her Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Sacramento in 2012. She has over 10 years of experience working with families, children, youth, and adults in mental health in community, residential and school settings. She has worked with families and youth in the juvenile justice system as well as with families and children in the child welfare system. Beatriz has worked with children with learning and/or intellectual disabilities, including youth receiving regional services and Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
A passion of Beatriz’s is working with monolingual families, as well as offering culturally appropriate services that can serve and empower families and individuals to overcome barriers and challenges as we work through various systems. As appropriate, Beatriz incorporates “cultura cura” into her work.
Beatriz’s other areas of interest and focus have been anxiety and depression, PTSD, trauma, mood disorders, ADHD, family therapy, high conflict cases such as divorce, co-parenting, domestic violence, abuse, and environmental crises. Beatriz has been trained in Motivational Interviewing (MI), Depression Treatment Quality Inventory (DTQI), Triple-P Level 3, Somatic/Mindfulness Techniques; and she uses a client-center approach throughout the working relationship. Beatriz believes and values transparency, respect, and honesty as part of the therapeutic-working relationship to support her clients; she utilizes strength-based, solution focused, Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TB-CBT), play therapy and narrative (psycho-therapy) in practice as she has an eclectic therapeutic point of view which embraces the social work model. Beatriz has completed a 36 hour training to meet the qualifications of the Association of Family and Conciliations Courts (AFCC) Court Involved Therapy guidelines.
During her time off, Beatriz enjoys outdoors activities such as gardening, hiking, as well as arts, and crafts, spending time with her family and traveling.
Lauren Gamble
Associate
ACSW #120708
Supervised by Brian Jacobs, LCSW #20203
Lauren Gamble is an Associate Clinical Social Worker whose early studies in child development
and sociology sparked her passion for working with children. After earning a Bachelor's degree
in Sociology in 2021, she deepened her interest in social work policy and completed a Master's
in Social Work at Arizona State University in 2023.
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With over two years of experience in residential treatment settings and non-public schools,
Lauren has honed her skills across diverse environments. At the non-public school, she provided
school counseling and developed Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). In the residential
setting, she conducted individual therapy, using innovative techniques such as incorporating
video games to engage clients resistant to traditional methods.
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In addition to her work with Sonoma Life Solutions, Lauren has expanded her practice by joining
the County of Sonoma's Mobile Support Team (MST), where she delivers crisis intervention
services to individuals of all ages and needs across the county. Her approach is rooted in client-
centered practices, play therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing,
crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care. Lauren's adaptability and creativity make her a
compassionate and effective social worker in various settings. Lauren is currently completing a
36 hour training to meet the qualifications of the Association of Family and Conciliations Courts
(AFCC) Court Involved Therapy guidelines.
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Outside of work, Lauren enjoys activities that keep her balanced and inspired. She finds
creativity in drawing, relaxation in hiking and yoga, and both fun and professional inspiration in
playing video games. These interests reflect her well-rounded personality and her ability to find
joy in both creative and physical pursuits.
Trista Samole, APCC
APCC #10615
Supervised by Brian Jacobs, LCSW #20203
Associate
Trista Samole received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Colorado in 2009. She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in 2021.
Trista has experience in a broad range of mental health treatment settings including residential treatment programs, inpatient psychiatric care, and school and community-based programs. She has experience with individual and group treatment modalities for anxiety, depression, trauma, and at-risk behaviors. Trista is a culturally competent therapist who has skills working with severe and significant mental health issues.
Ms. Samole is an existentially informed counselor who utilizes a variety of approaches including family systems, play therapy, mindfulness, trauma informed care interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy and narrative therapy. She is trained in Level 3 Triple P, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Prevention Intervention, Seeking Safety, EMDR and is always expanding her clinical toolbox. Trista has complted a 36 hour training to meet the qualifications of the Association of Family and Conciliations Courts (AFCC) Court Involved Therapy guidelines.
Trista is experienced in working with children, teens, adults, veterans, families, couples, and persons with significant mental health diagnoses.
Her adventurous spirit has carried her to Colorado, Hawai’i and California.
Kathrine Cooper, MFT
MFT #150995
Before switching to a career as a counselor, Katherine spent over twenty years in corporate leadership and marketing. The combination of her business and counseling training provides a unique, solutions-oriented approach to working with families, teens, and individuals.
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Katherine completed three years of training and client work at community health focused Liberation Institute in San Francisco’s Mission District. While there she worked with a diverse population including blended families, same sex couples, tweens/teens and families, couples. Issues commonly addressed were addiction, trauma, and the complexities which depression and anxiety can create in one’s daily life.
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Katherine earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She holds two Master’s Degrees – in Mythology / Depth Psychology and in Counseling Psychology, both from the Pacifica Graduate Institute. She has completed Court Involved Therapist Training through the Center for Understanding in Conflict.