Meet the Mental Health Team
Dr. Teresa Serrano, LMFT, Clinical Supervisor 116203
Dr. Teresa Serrano, DSW, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides bilingual counseling to individuals and families. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, and a Doctorate in Social Work—each earned from California Baptist University in California, where she also became a published author with her research titled “What Social Supports Significantly Impact Educational Attainment for Parenting Teens?”
With over ten years of clinical experience, Teresa has worked with clients across the lifespan in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her expertise includes clinical assessment, diagnosis, and the treatment of a wide range of psychological conditions. Through her work, she integrates professional knowledge with the wisdom gained from her own lived experiences, empowering others as they navigate their mental health journeys.
Teresa is dedicated to creating a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment where clients feel supported, understood, and equipped to grow.
As the first in her family to earn a Doctorate in Social Work, Teresa is especially proud of her role as a leader and mentor. She pursued her doctoral studies to strengthen her leadership skills and to empower other women to find their voice, build resilience, and pursue emotional wellness with confidence.
Norma Jasso, AMFT 138505 Supervised by Dr. Teresa Serrano, LMFT
Norma is a bilingual counseling provider who has completed her 3,000 hours. She is dedicated to establishing a secure, nonjudgmental environment in which clients feel acknowledged, comprehended, and empowered to develop. Her experience includes guiding clients in achieving life balance, acquiring skills to handle anxiety disorders, healing from trauma, bereavement, and depression, stabilizing symptoms through crisis intervention, and providing support for anger management and domestic violence issues. As a licensed therapist, her objective is to enhance people's relationships and emotional well-being by encouraging open communication, refining conflict resolution skills, and cultivating healthy interaction patterns. Her vision is to foster a nurturing atmosphere for emotional exploration, overcoming obstacles, and providing clients with pragmatic resources for sustained development and resilience within her mental health services.
Mary Carrillo, APCC 12370 Supervised by Dr. Teresa Serrano, LMFT
Mary Carrillo has always sought to comprehend emotions, conduct, and the human psyche, perpetually motivated to address concerns that begin with 'why.' As a proponent of empowerment, Mary provides individuals with the appropriate tools and information through her mental health services, enabling them to understand their 'Why.' She finds joy in dedicating time to assist individuals in navigating their circumstances and managing daily tensions or conflicts they encounter. Mary collaborates with clients to deliver the most effective therapy possible. With experience working with all age groups ranging from 12 to 65 years, she is a licensed therapist trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Her therapeutic approach primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while also incorporating other interventions tailored to those with complex symptoms. As a bilingual counseling practitioner, she is proficient in both English and Spanish. Mary specializes in helping individuals navigate life changes, as well as those dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, and loss. She also has extensive expertise in supporting veterans with complex traumas.
'I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in finding your purpose and providing the proper tools to support your goals!'
Yesenia Gonzalez, APCC 20191 Supervised by Dr. Teresa Serrano, LMFT
Yesenia Gonzalez is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) passionate about providing bilingual counseling to help individuals navigate life’s challenges, particularly when mental health is impacted by systemic barriers such as racism, discrimination, and immigration policies. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she received training in trauma-informed care and explored how culture shapes mental health. Her clinical experience includes supporting individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and family stressors, with a special interest in working with first- and second-generation immigrant and mixed-status families, as well as first-generation college and graduate students. Yesenia’s approach is rooted in compassion and cultural humility, tailoring mental health services to each person’s unique story and creating a safe, supportive space. Outside of therapy, she is deeply committed to community and advocacy, recognizing that mental health is never separate from our histories, families, and communities.
Melisa Santiago, ACSW 113330 Supervised by Dr. Teresa Serrano, LMFT
Melisa Santiago is a dedicated social worker, working towards licensure, with a strong background in child and family well-being, crisis intervention, and community-based support services. She holds a Master of Social Work from California State University, Long Beach, with a concentration in Child and Family Well-being, where she was also a Cal-SWEC recipient. Throughout her career, Melisa has demonstrated a commitment to serving diverse populations through trauma-informed, strength-based practices. Her work spans a variety of roles, from supporting youth diverted through teen court programs to delivering school-based suicide prevention education and crisis intervention services for at-risk students. Passionate about equity and advocacy, Melisa has been actively involved with organizations such as the Latino Students of Social Work Network and Parents, Educators, Students in Action, where she collaborated on community outreach, youth empowerment, and resource expansion initiatives. With a blend of clinical expertise, cultural competence, and a collaborative approach, Melisa Santiago continues to advance her mission of supporting children, youth, and families in achieving safety, stability, and well-being.