Need Help Now?
If you would like to speak with a clinician for crisis support 24/7, please call 855-854-1747. You can also text or call .
All CAPS staff can be reached at 805-437-2088.
Professional Staff
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Kirsten Gabriel, Ph.D.
Director - CA License PSY23461
Dr. Kirsten Gabriel is a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and licensed to practice in California, Colorado, and Nevada. She is currently the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 海角社区 (海角社区CI). She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Georgia. She completed her internship at the University of Maine Counseling Center and postdoctoral training at the University of Nevada Las Vegas CAPS. She has been a practicing psychotherapist
since 1997 in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings, including as the Manager of the Employee Assistance Program at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) and Assistant Clinical Director at UCSB CAPS. Dr. Gabriel works with adults of all ages experiencing a range of challenges including relationships and academically-related problems, anxiety, depression, trauma, substance misuse, life transitions, care giving, and identity development. She has worked extensively with non-traditional college students, military veterans, and their families. She specializes in behavioral threat assessment and management consultation. She practices a culturally informed, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy approach to healing. Dr. Gabriel is collaborative, evidence-based, and solution-focused in her work.
kirsten.gabriel@csuci.edu -
Mayra Cortes, LCSW
Clinician - LCSW License #82241
鈥淎s a first generation, bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am committed to helping people live authentic and empowered lives. I earned my bachelor鈥檚 degree in applied psychology and sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and later pursued my graduate studies at the University of Southern California.
My approach to therapy incorporates the use of Polyvagal Theory while utilizing evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness, Crisis Intervention Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Over the course of my career, I have gained experience working with diverse, minority, and multicultural populations across various settings and age groups. I have successfully supported individuals facing mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, adjustment reactions, grief and bereavement, ADHD, pain management, and chronic illness.
Being human first and foremost, I believe that true healing occurs through the connection and trust established within the therapeutic relationship. My practice is grounded in compassion, empathy, and integrity. I strive to create a safe and nonjudgmental space for my clients, fostering an environment that enhances well-being. I am dedicated to honoring each person's unique path. As a therapist, my primary focus is not on fixing or dictating what you should do. Instead, I'm deeply invested in joining you on a journey into the unknown, valuing and acknowledging the profound wisdom that already resides within you. Together, we will create a space for exploration and curiosity, examining what is and isn't working for you. I am dedicated to helping you rediscover your forgotten strengths and empowering you to recognize that the key to your own healing lies within yourself. Through collaboration, we will seek to find ways to make difficult experiences more manageable, foster a stronger connection with your body, gain insight into your patterns, and uncover possibilities for change. It's essential to remember that you are your greatest resource, and while I may provide guidance, you ultimately lead the way.
In addition to my professional pursuits, I actively prioritize self-care. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, connecting with nature, reading, and cherishing precious moments with my family.鈥
mayra.cortes@csuci.edu -
Jen Maravola, LPCC
Clinician - LPCC License #11198
Ms. Maravola is an Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She earned her clinical mental health degree from Loyola Marymount University, LA, in 2017. Ms. Maravola is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and started her clinical journey working with Veterans who struggle with substance abuse. Additionally, she worked with Ventura County Foster Youth and their caregivers providing counseling and psychoeducation through Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trust-Based Relational Interventions, focusing on healthy attachment. Ms. Maravola has worked with 海角社区CI鈥檚 student body since 2014. Before joining the CAPS Team, she worked in the Campus Recreation Department overseeing the Channel Islands BoatingCenter, supervising student assistants, and coordinating healthy outdoor activities for students and community members. Ms. Maravola is passionate about the holistic well-being of college students and enjoys supporting them throughout their academic and personal journey at 海角社区CI.
jennifer.maravola@csuci.edu -
Alexis McKenna, LMFT, PhD
Clinical Case Manager - LMFT License #110240
Certificate in Telemental Health and Digital Ethics
Janina Fisher Certified Trauma Treatment Professional, Level 1
Undocumented Student Ally TrainedDr. McKenna is an experienced counselor and educator. For over 20 years, she has combined private practice with university instruction, and a deep commitment to a personal spiritual practice based on the Western mystical traditions. As a university professor, she has directed a research program and supervised students in the field. While in private practice, she managed a clinic, supervised community outreach programs, and worked with individuals, couples, and families. She is a Fellow of the Association of Music and Imagery (FAMI). This certification is given to those who have completed a three-year intensive training program in The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). She has been a guest speaker at both professional and community conferences, written a newspaper column, and coordinated a national speaking tour. Dr. McKenna is eager to support 海角社区CI students in accessing critical mental health services.
alexis.mckenna@csuci.edu -
Cynthia Saenz, LCSW
Clinician - LCSW License #23777
Cynthia Saenz (she/ella) is a licensed clinical social worker. She is a bilingual bicultural Latina of Mexican heritage and a first generation college graduate. She earned her undergraduate degree in 1993 in Mechanical Engineering. Her long-held interest in social work and volunteer role as an advocate for survivors of sexual assault led to her transition into social work. She earned her Master in Social Work from University of California Los Angeles in 1999.
Ms. Saenz has worked in various settings including Ventura County children鈥檚 mental health and related juvenile justice services, public school, medical and integrated health, and community-based non-profit counseling centers. She has experience supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, and trauma. She is familiar with the needs of under-resourced communities in Ventura County and has worked primarily with Latinx immigrant communities.
Most recently, Ms. Saenz has been working with caregivers and resource families with dependent children in the county foster care system. She also has experience as a member of a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion task force for a community based organization.
She has experience in trauma-informed attachment focused interventions and cognitive behavioral therapy. She is strength-based in her work with clients while identifying and exploring challenges, unmet needs, and coping/self-care strategies. Her intention is to provide the client with a safe space that is nonjudgmental, validating, and empowering so that they can work towards healing and improved well-being.
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Stacy Udolph, LCSW
Senior Clinician, Training & Outreach Coordinator
LCSW License #18586Ms. Udolph is a Licensed Clinician who earned her Bachelor鈥檚 Degree at UC Irvine and her Master鈥檚 in Social Work from USC. Her professional interests include treatment for anxiety and depression with focus on self-esteem and self-worth, relationships, grief and loss, and issues specific to first generation learners. Her counseling orientation is cognitive behavioral, solution focused with special emphasis on mindfulness. Ms. Udolph enjoys working with community members to promote strong partnerships for aftercare planning, presenting on various topics related to wellness and prevention, and conducting groups. She also supervises social work trainees.
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Janet Lee-Coomes, MD, MS
Psychiatry Resident
Dr. Janet Lee-Coomes grew up in Ventura County before moving to Northern California to complete her bachelor鈥檚 degree in Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley. After interning with a surgery center in Ireland, Dr. Lee-Coomes became interested in medicine and global health. Inspired by her experience and her many travels, Dr. Lee-Coomes completed a Master of Science degree in Global Medicine at USC Keck School of Medicine, where she focused on narrative medicine, cultural diversity in medicine, and international healthcare. She then went on to attend medical school at California Northstate University, where she discovered a passion for psychiatry. During her time as a medical student, Dr. Lee-Coomes was co-chair on the Wellness Committee and a crisis hotline volunteer for the Trevor Project. Her interests include cultural psychiatry, global mental health, AAPI , Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ mental health, and psychotherapy. In her spare time, she enjoys DIY crafting, cosplay, exploring local food spots, and reading fantasy fiction novels.
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Justin Nguyen, DO, MPH
Psychiatry Resident
Dr. Justin Nguyen is a psychiatry resident at Community Memorial Health System in Ventura, California. He provides psychiatric care for students at CAPS at 海角社区CI under the supervision of his program director Dr. Joseph Vlaskovits. Dr. Nguyen attended high school locally at Adolfo Camarillo High School and earned his bachelor's degree in psychobiology at UCLA, where he engaged in student activism and recruitment of students of color into higher education as part of the Vietnamese Student Union and the Community Programs Office. He then completed both his medical degree and master鈥檚 in public health at Touro University California. After graduating from medical school, he completed a transitional year residency in Ocala, Florida before returning to California for his psychiatry residency. Outside of his role as a resident, Dr. Nguyen is also involved with various advocacy organizations including the California Physicians Alliance, American Psychiatric Association, and the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association. In his free time, he enjoys watching anime, playing video games, and going to breweries and wineries.
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Mike McGuire
Administrative Support Staff
Mike McGuire is a fifth generation San Franciscan and a Veteran of the Marine Corps. After leaving the Marine Corps, I started working for the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) as a technician in the Information Technology Department, eventually being promoted to the position of Manager overseeing all computer hardware in the UCSF Medical Center.
In 2009, I received the Chancellors Award for the Advancement of Women, which was one of the highest awards a staff member could earn. After 12 years at UCSF, I was recruited by the University of California Berkeley (UCB) where I oversaw all of the microcomputer facilities on campus. I transitioned from UCB after two years and worked as a Management Consultant in the private sector for five years. I was then recruited back to the University of California and worked the rest of my career in Medical Office Management at the San Francisco and San Diego Medical Centers.
I am a cyclist, runner, former triathlete and marathoner and married to an old high school sweetheart (first met as Freshman!). My wife and I have four children and six grandchildren. I look forward to supporting 海角社区CI students and the campus community by providing easy access to mental health services in CAPS. I am here to help!
michael.mcguire@csuci.edu
Confidential Campus Advocate
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Ana Tougas, Registered AMFT
海角社区 Channel Islands Confidential Campus Advocate - Associate MFT License #142712
鈥淚t takes more than one person to bring about peace- it takes all of us.鈥 - Rosa Parks
Ms. Tougas is an Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). She earned her clinical mental health degree from California Lutheran University (CLU) in 2017. Ms. Tougas started her clinical journey working within the CLU Community Counseling Services Center working with individuals, families and children who struggle with trauma, posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and self-confidence. Additionally, she worked with Lakeside Family Counseling and Intervention Services in Ventura, providing community counseling and psychoeducation through Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and is certified in the Trauma Resource Model, Level I.
Ms. Tougas previously worked with 海角社区CI鈥檚 student body from 2015 through 2020, serving in the Wellness and Athletics and the Wellness Promotion and Education departments while administratively supporting staff, faculty, graduate students, student assistants/students, including interacting with Ventura County community members.
Rejoining the CAPS Team as a Clinician in November of 2021, Ms. Tougas counseled 海角社区CI students and embraced training opportunities with CAPS Clinicians through the S semesters of 2024.
Ms. Tougas is a compassionate and resilience-focused therapist who aspires to safely assist, motivate, and support individuals through their academic and personal journeys. She is honored to serve in her new role as the 海角社区 Channel Islands Confidential Campus Advocate, an extension of the Ventura County non-profit organization, to support University staff, faculty, and students to transcend and to flourish.
Mental Health Peers
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Andrea Anya
Administrative Support Coordinator"Hello! My name is AndreaAnayaI am a first-gen psychology student in my senior year who also is a double minor in Chicano studies and Spanish. A little about me is that I enjoy listening to music, writing poetry, going to cafes for a sweet treat and also shopping for cute accessories. One of my main goals for the future is to be accepted into a masters program for school counseling as I鈥檓 interested in going into an educational setting for my career. For this semester I hope to connect with my fellow peers, help students gain a sense of belonging here on campus and promote information about mental health!"
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Rosalinda Arias
Social Media CoordinatorHello! My name is Rosalinda Arias. I鈥檓 a fourth-year psychology major with a love for concerts, creative activities, research, and traveling. I am currently gearing up to apply for a Master of Social Work program this year. I enjoy spending time studying in any courtyard here on campus鈥攂eing surrounded by nature makes studying a lot more peaceful and enjoyable!
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Viviana Cardenas
Individual Coaching Sessions Coordinator"Hi I'm Viviana, and it鈥檚 my senior year before getting my bachelors in psychology from 海角社区CI. My ultimate goal is to become a clinical psychologist, and my main interest is to give therapy in order to support others in finding meaning in life despite its challenges and difficulties. Apart from my courses at CI, I enjoy taking additional training and certifications in topics such as grief, losses, death, and logotherapy.
Exercise has become an essential aspect in my life, it has help me grow as a person by developing many habits and discipline which have also been extremely helpful with my academic goals and personal life. Going for walks and being surrounded by nature is a great way to relax and enjoy the present moment, that is why I feel grateful for being part of such a beautiful campus.
My favorite place to study or work on my assignments is the John Spoor Library, reading is one of my favorite things to do and being surrounded by books provides me a magical feeling, it is very inspirational for me. I also like to do crafts since it helps expand my creativity and it鈥檚 also a way to relax."
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Valerie Delgado
Campus Advocaste Outreach Coordinator"Hi I'm Valerie and I have always had a passion for psychology. Studying the human mind and brain has fascinated me since I was a child. I took a long break from school, but I'm so happy to be back. One thing I enjoy for my mental health is going on solo hikes; wonderful for both physical and mental well-being. The same goes for traveling internationally alone, and I highly encourage everyone to experience it. It allows you to grow in so many ways. My future goal is to enter an MFT program in 2025 so I can pursue my dream of becoming an LMFT."
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Marshall Mee
Outreach Coordinator of Student OrganizationsHi, my name is Marshall Mee! I鈥檝e been interested in psychology since high school, and I鈥檓 now a third year here at CI. My educational goals are now leading me towards med school, so I keep myself quite involved in academics. A big part of my activities on campus are student research, so I spend a lot of time reading research and interacting with professors. Outside of school, I love spending my time doing photography and reading. I live and work on campus, so you鈥檒l probably see me around pretty often.I鈥檓 looking forward to meeting more students and connecting more with my community!"
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Sara Prescott
Administrative Support Coordinator"Hi! My name is Sara Prescott, and I am a 4th year Psychology major at CI. I love the beach, nature, music, reading, gym, boba, and matcha. My future goal is to become a Marriage and Family Therapist, and my favorite spot on campus is the picnic table on top of the hill near the well!"
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Fionna Saenz
Outreach Coordinator of Student Organizations"My name is Fionna Saenz and I am a senior psychology student here at 海角社区CI. My interests include playing soccer, rugby and hiking, as I am passionate about challenging myself both physically and mentally. My favorite color is dark green, and the best time of the year in my opinion is the Spring because I love seeing nature come back to life after a long winter. My future goal is to get accepted into a masters in clinical psychology program in 2025. As for my career, I'd like to become a high school career counselor or a sports psychologist. My favorite spot to study on campus is any grassy area with shade."
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Mahali Sanchez
Social Media CoordinatorHi! My name is Mahali Sanchez, I am a first-generation student and currently a 4th year Psychology major at CI with a Spanish Minor. I am also being certified as a healthcare interpreter. Some of my interests are photography, going to the beach, and I love going to new coffee shops. I am currently planning and hoping to go to grad school for either a Marriage and Family Therapist Program or a Master's in Social Work. I enjoy being on campus, finding new places to study, and spending time surrounded by nature. I am hoping to also connect to the students here at CI and help them grow, get a sense of belonging, and learn more about mental health.