Gina Balit, LMFT, ATR
President
sfvcamftpre@gmail.com
www.TheArtofMFT.com
818.533.1897
 Gina joined SFV-CAMFT in 2015 and immediately became involved in board meetings as a guest, as well as a volunteer for many marketing and advertising duties. She created the chapter's brochures as a mental health resource, translated them into Armenian, and began assisting in email blasts to the community. In 2016, she officially joined the Board and continued her mission to brand and give the chapter a voice — she created the annual, printed member directories and gave the chapter a new logo. She served in the VP of Marketing role for 6 years and is now honored to step up and into the presidency role. She is eager to continue giving the chapter and members a voice and to giving back to the community that has helped her grow as a person, professional, and leader through the years. She also serves on the outreach committee, has served on the sponsorship committee, created the expressive arts special interest group, has been the current advertising chair for many years, and enjoys being active in our hiking group.
Gina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist. She works in a private practice setting in Woodland Hills, CA. Gina has a deep and life-long love and passion for children and art. She specializes in working with young children of divorce and abuse/domestic violence helping them heal from fear of abandonment in particular, but also trauma, anxiety, depression, and anger. She is bilingual in Armenian (western and eastern dialects) and is passionate about helping her community. She has extensive experience in school-based settings, as well as agencies, shelters, transitional homes, and group practice settings, running individual sessions as well as group sessions such as support, educational, parenting, emotional management, life skills, and art therapy groups. She has also worked with autistic children and has provided home-based Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). She has Domestic Violence and Grief and Loss certifications as well as trained in the Trauma Resiliency Model. Gina is also a graphic designer and a "techie" who is passionate about providing freelance marketing/advertising and bookkeeping services. She values being in a leadership position and supporting other chapters such as LA-CAMFT. She holds a Bachelors degree from Cal State Northridge in Child and Adolescent Development with a minor in Graphic Design and a Masters degree in Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy/Art Therapy. She is a forever coffee, blue, and Disney lover.
Nikki Carelli Gabriel, LMFT
Past President
Nikki joined SFV-CAMFT in 2012 and began volunteering to assist as needed with the organization. Nikki participated on the Bylaws Committee and the Nominating Committee before being approached in 2015 to take over the administration of the website. Nikki joined the Board of Directors in 2017 as Secretary, and after two years as secretary accepted the president position in 2019. Nikki served a second term as president in 2022. Nikki is passionate about chapter leadership and volunteering and helping others to grow and nurture their own leadership skills.
Nikki has a BA in Psychology from the University of Montana, and a MS in Counseling from California State University Northridge. Nikki had a 17 year career working in nonprofit organizations before becoming licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Nikki has a private practice and offers virtual appointments to couples, individuals and teens with special certifications in Anger Management, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Perinatal Mental Health. Nikki also serves on the nonprofit board for San Fernando Counseling Center.
Shawn LaRe' Brinkley, LMFT, Executive Clinical Director
President Elect
sfvcamftpree@gmail.com
https://livinglovedhealing.org
818.285.8037
 Shawn LaRe' practices using traditional talk therapy, as well as non-traditional modalities. She is trained to use art, music, and movement as a healing tool, as she believes healing comes through many pathways. Further training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); Narrative Therapy; Play Therapy, working with children; as well as Sandbox Therapy, working with children, adolescents, and adults. She is a certified Laughter Yoga Instructor, as it is a scientific fact that laughter has healing properties, whether real or simulated. What better way to find optimum health than by laughing your way there.
She works with adolescents, individually, in groups, and with families. In addition, Shawn LaRe' provides counseling for couples just starting out, (premarital) as well as those who have been together for years and are looking to keep the fires of friendship, romance, sexual desires burning. She also works with children, adults, and families with a variety of therapeutic and life situation-related needs.
Parshaw Barati-Marnani, LMFT
CFO
sfvcamftcfo@gmail.com
www.parshawbarati.com
818.445.0574
Parshaw attended UC Irvine, where she received a bachelors degree in both psychology and sociology. During her time at UCI and the time in between undergraduate and graduate studies, she pursued her interest in working with kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Harbor Area, starting off as the teen director and working her way toward youth development specialist and program director. It was while working at the boys and girls club that she realized her calling to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. For her graduate studies, Parshaw attended Chapman University and completed a year of traineeship at the on-site community clinic. At the Frances Smith Center for Individual & Family Therapy, Parshaw’s interest and passion for working with people with childhood abuse and domestic violence was sparked and grew.
During the 6 years Parshaw interned at the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, she worked with children, teens, families, and individual adults. The clinic allowed Parshaw the opportunity to continue working with both populations and get further training and instruction in a trauma informed model, TRM, and play therapy. In addition, she ran both an ongoing widow/widower process group and parenting groups, and worked with depression, anxiety, cultural issues, divorce, adoption, borderline personality, relationship problems, aggressive behaviors, etc. Parshaw also worked briefly with an Afghani victim of the Taliban, Bibi Aisha on issues around acclimation, social skills, coping skills, and trauma.
In her free time, Parshaw enjoys hiking, traveling, spending time with friends and family, reading, and sometimes Netflix bingeing.
Jennifer Calderon, LMFT, LPCC
VP Programs
sfvcamftpro@gmail.com
818.639.2213
 Jennifer joined SFV-CAMFT in 2022 and began volunteering to assist the chapter as the Vice President of Programs in 2023. She has a BS in Psychology from Cameron University (1999), an MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis on Marriage & Family Therapy from Pepperdine University (2001), a specialization certificate in Play Therapy from the University of California - San Diego (2010), and is a CAMFT Certified Supervisor (2013) and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor in Training (2022). Jennifer has worked in nonprofit community mental health organizations for the past 23 years, is currently the Assistant Director for Transition Age Youth & Family Support Services at San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, Inc., and maintains a private practice in Agoura Hills. Currently, Jennifer is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Nevada, and Oregon, and is also licensed as a Professional Clinical Counselor in California.
In addition to serving on the SFV-CAMFT Board, Jennifer has supported the State-level CAMFT organization as a member of the Continuing Education Provider Approval Committee since 2017, and as a member of the CAMFT Certified Supervisor Program Committee since 2019. Since 2020, she has served on the board of Allied Cultures, a nonprofit organization that champions cross-cultural humanitarian initiatives centered around education, hygiene, & direct aid. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, and participating in self-care activities including horticulture, photography, traveling, and attending live music concerts.
Shari Manculich, LMFT
VP of Membership
sfvcamftmembership@gmail.com
818.694.3936
 Shari Manculich holds a B.S. in Business, Marketing, from California State University, Northridge, and an M.S. in Counseling, Marriage and Family Child Therapy, from the University of Phoenix. Shari has a business background in Consumer Packaged Goods where she previously worked for a large Fortune 500 Corporation. Shari is currently a School Based Therapist with William S. Hart Union High School District working with K — 6 Special Education students.
Additionally, Shari has a private practice with Association of Behavioral Health Specialists where she works with Victims of Crime and Kaiser mental health referrals. Additionally, Shari works as a Staff Clinician and Supervisor to an Associate at Early Life Child Psychology and Education Center. Shari's modalities are primarily Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy. In her spare time, Shari enjoys running, Zumba dance fitness, and has recently started practicing Yoga. Shari resides in Porter Ranch with her husband Mark, daughter Sierra, son Montana, their Golden Doodles Shadow and Zuko and their domestic, short-haired tabby cat, Shiloh.
Daniel Hermosillo, M.A. LMFT
VP Marketing & Communication
sfvcamftmar@gmail.com
818.744.9551
 I specialize in providing psychotherapy to teenagers, men and veterans experiencing male issues, relational problems, trauma and depression. Women are also supported by having reparative experiences with a male therapist to overcome anxiety, depression. and trauma. The goal of therapy with me is to instill in you confidence, responsibility, autonomy, and empowerment to assist you in improving your quality of life and confronting the challenges life throws at you. Individual, couples and family therapy is provided through in-person or telehealth sessions in Encino, CA & Pasadena CA.
Stephanie Gonzalez, AMFT
Secretary
sfv.camft@gmail.com 626.373.0871
 Stephanie Gonzalez graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Cal State LA and obtained her Masters in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Stephanie has worked with various populations including individuals, families and couples. She has facilitated multiple clinical and nonclinical support groups ranging from topics like parenting to domestic violence. Her most recent role was an ERP coach working with individuals with OCD. Stephanie is passionate about giving back to her community and has fulfilled multiple mentorship roles throughout her time as a student at Pepperdine. Becoming a therapist consists of numerous obstacles, Stephanie understands the importance of having a support team. Stephanie is committed to providing support and allyship to those on the pre-licensed journey.
Savannah Okada
Pre-Licensed Rep
sfvcamftprl@gmail.com
424.226.2651
 Savannah Okada holds a B.A. in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and a M.A. in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She is passionate about providing support and resources to those, who are on their way to becoming a therapist.
Savannah currently works in a group practice setting with individuals and couples, who are seeking support to move into more helpful life patterns. She pulls from CBT and mindfulness in order to help her clients.
David Eshleman, LMFT
Member at Large
dave@davideshleman.com
www.davideshleman.com
310.906.0030
 David is our volunteer hiking special interest group chair and somewhat new Member at Large. He became an active member of SFV-CAMFT in late 2017, drawn in by the amazing and supportive 3000 club, as well as the monthly hiking group. When David was offered the chance to become the new hiking leader, he was grateful to accept. David has continued to lead our members in monthly hikes, as well as offer unofficial hikes during the summer. As a member at large with a passion for nature, David is looking forward to exploring ways of getting the chapter outdoors more.
David Eshleman, MA., LMFT holds a Masters of Art in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University and is currently in private practice in Sherman Oaks. David has a level one training in Individual Emotion Focused Therapy as well as a keen interest in Jungian and Archetypal psychology. He is also a student of philosophy, spirituality and mindfulness, integrating eastern and western perspectives in his therapeutic work. He focuses on helping his clients gain deeper awareness to reduce their anxiety and suffering, grow in relationship with themselves and others, explore values, meaning and purpose and, ultimately, to “Find Balance” in their lives.
Jose "Manny" Serenil
Member at Large
jserenil@po.pacificoaks.edu
818.430.7202
 Manny Serenil has been a member of SFV-CAMFT since 2021 and currently serves as a Member at Large. Manny is a Graduate Student at Pacific Oaks College completing his degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, with a trauma specialization, and has B.S Degree in Criminal Justice from Cal State Long Beach. Manny is completing his practicum hours at Family Service Agency of Burbank, and also facilitates two Domestic Violence Batterers Intervention groups at North Valley Anger Management Consultants.
Manny is military Veteran and continues to serve in the U.S Army Reserve where he holds the rank of Sergeant Major. He has deployed overseas in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom (Kuwait) and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and understands the need for mental wellness programs for veterans in our community.
Virginia "Ginny" W. Lincoln, LMFT
Member at Large
sfvcamftadm@gmail.com
818.383.2727
 Virginia joined SFV-CAMFT in 2005. After attending workshops and trainings for many years and being the web administrator since the fall of 2018, she decided to joined the Board as a Member at Large in 2022.
Virginia holds a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management System Analysis. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business while working full time for Litton Industries / Northrup-Grumann as a Software Engineer.
However, my sojourn in software didn’t start with Litton. When I was the ripe old age of 19, I secured a full-time position with Rocketdyne as a ‘Data Reduction Clerk’; that is of course, after passing ‘the’ rigorous math test (at the time I didn’t know it was suppose to be a difficult test to pass). I ended up being part of the organization (at Rocketdyne) that would develop, test and deliver the Rocket engines that would ‘land Man on the Moon’.
At first, when ‘data’ was collected, we would perform All ‘the’ calculations by ‘hand’ to report ‘the’ engine(s) performance. Then, in the mid 1960’s (Rocketdyne) acquired the second IBM 7094 to be produced and I was asked if I could ‘learn’ what a computer was and program it in ‘the’ language (assembly) of the computer. Again, I didn’t know I couldn’t learn ‘the’ machine and programmed many (as compared to today’s computers) computers — developing computer code and logic in the infancy of computers.
When I left Rocketdyne in the late 1960’s, I found employment with Litton Industries as a Programmer (that’s what Software Engineer’s were call at the time). I stayed with Litton / Northrup-Grumann until my retirement in 2006. I worked on many projects while at Litton / Northrup-Grumann. Some of the projects even took me to foreign countries. I worked on a N.A.T.O. project which took me to Brussels, Belgium in 1989 and in 1999 I moved to Huntsville, Alabama (yes, I considered this a foreign country, too) working on a Missile defense contract. I returned to southern California in 2002 and worked on a project that took me to Egypt (yes, and visited the King Tut exhibit while I was there). Interesting note: while doing work on the military base in Egypt, I was ‘the only’ women that had ever breeched the All male environment of their military base.
In 2006, the thought occurred to me, . . . “what am I going to do for the rest of my life?” I decided to return to school and earned an M.A. in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute, where I did some my traineeship and intern hours. Virginia also, completed some of her trainee and intern hours with the Valley Trauma Center (now called Strength United) and San Fernando Valley Counseling Center. While at the Valley Trauma Center, I specialized in caring for clients that had suffered Sexual Assault.
After graduating from Phillips, I decided to continue my education and enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Pacifica Graduate Institute. I completed 2 years of their program and started my work on a Dissertation called “Born Soul Mates” — a project ‘looking at and analyzing’ what it means to be a ‘fraternal (dizygotic) twin’.
Virginia is currently in private practice in Granada Hills / Mission Hills specializing in recovery from Sexual Assault (of a women, children and men), any aspect of twining — being raised by someone who is a twin, being a twin themselves or struggling with raising twins and lastly, elder counseling (either the senior themselves and / or the children — very much bewildered by what to do with their senior and sometimes ailing parents). For elder counseling, I make house calls (that means going to the seniors home, convalescent care or rehabilitation facility.
Virginia’s other volunteer duties:
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Senior Outreach Counselor for Providence Hospital.
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V.I.T.A (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) / T.C.E. (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) — Tax preparation, etc. for AARP Foundation.
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V.I.T.A. / T.C.E. — teacher, administrator and preparer at Pierce College.
Virginia looks forward to seeing her 2 grown children and any or All of her 6 Grand-children (1 — 20-year-old, 1 — 19-year-old, 3 — 17-years-old (yes, one set of fraternal twins) and 1 — 15-year-old).
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