Compassionate and professional psychotherapist, Cassia Bloom provides individualized treatments for clients. Believing every person has the strength inside for change and healing, her role is to help people identify personal styles that will bring clarity to issues and keys to future progress. Dually Licensed by California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences to practice marriage, family therapy and professional clinical counseling, Cassia holds a M.A. from John F. Kennedy University in Counseling Psychology and a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz in Psychology. Cassia utilizes theoretical approaches including; existential/humanistic, solution focused, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Additionally, Cassia has advanced training in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), used to treat post-traumatic stress, painful memories, and phobias.
As a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Cassia focus for more than 11 years has been helping people struggling with anxiety, post traumatic stress, substance abuse, self-esteem, depression, relationship issues, and much more.
Working with groups and community-based organizations, such as the Women’s Crisis Center, and public health programs at the County of Santa Clara, she has helped improve the lives of hundreds of people.
Shawn Smith, CADCII, MFT, LPC
Clinical Director
Shawn began his career working in the Santa Clara County public health sector working with individuals, families and groups using CBT, Solution Focused, and Existential/humanistic approaches to assist in the reduction or elimination of life distress associated with family challenges, mental health and addiction issues.
Wanting to broaden his scope of practice Shawn returned to school to continue his education in pursuit of licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Since then, he has had the opportunity to continue working with children, adolescents, adults and families addressing a wide range of issues such as ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Conduct Disorder, Parenting, Co-parent counseling, Marital problems, Criminal Behavior, adult and adolescent Bi-polar Disorder, Special Education, PTSD, Eating Disorders, and the effects of trauma, neglect, and abuse.
Shawn has worked in both the public and private sector and he is comfortable working with families and individuals, adults and adolescents. He believes in matching the therapeutic approach to the individual who presents for therapy so that they get the most out of their time together. He is influenced by CBT, humanistic/ existential and Solution Focused approaches most commonly.
Charles Wilkens, LMFT
Charles Wilkins, MFT has been successfully treating teens, families, and couples for over 20 years in Santa Cruz County. He has trained dozens of therapists to effectively administer mental health and substance abuse treatment in school, community, and home settings. Charley holds an MA from San Francisco State University in Counseling/Psychology and a BA from Brown University in International Relations.
Specialty areas with formal training and expertise: DBT and CBT-focused programs to treat depression and anxiety. Emotional literacy, especially anger management and learning to work effectively with fear, sadness, shame, and anger. Working through grief, loss, death, and dying. Trauma work, including recovery from sexual abuse, through processing and experiential methods. Motivational interviewing for substance abuse and a range of addictions. Working with self harm.
Experience with, but not formally trained or specialties: Eating disorders. Management of phobias, psychotic episodes, panic attacks and rage. LGBTQ+ issues.
Amy Marlo, LCSW
Amy is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who has worked as a therapist and a supervisor for more than 15 years. She received a master’s degree in social work from the University of California, Berkeley. She has experience and training with grief, loss, anxiety, trauma, and developmental challenges in childhood and adolescence. She integrates a range of perspectives, including play therapy, attachment theory, and cognitive behavioral therapies. Prior to joining the Collaborative Counseling Center, she worked with grief and loss in children, teens, and parents.
Meredith Frank, LMFT
I believe all of us face different challenges throughout life. My role as a therapist is to provide a safe and non-judgmental place where you can express and explore your true feelings, and learn more about yourself. Having a safe place to be supported during times of confusion or despair can often be the first step towards healing and growth. I can help you to resolve past and current pain with hope to promote insight and healing, work toward life goals, and/or learn new coping skills and ways to resolve conflict and improve communication skills. In an environment of warmth and genuineness, I will help you recognize and affirm your strengths and challenge you to use them.
I have experience working with adult and adolescent clients struggling through anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, OCD, difficult relationships, and overwhelming emotions. I can work with you to promote awareness, insight and change in order to help you reach your own unique goals. I believe in collaborating with clients and honoring goals that meet individual needs and desired outcomes. I use an integrated approach and provide a nurturing and healing space using trauma informed techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
