MS, Couple and Family Therapy Students
Adriana Munoz (she/her) was born and raised in Modesto, California. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Classics and a minor in Applied Psychology. During her time at UCSB, Adriana worked as a research assistant for the S.H.E Lab where she focused on studying barriers to healthcare for sexual minority women. She also worked as a Mental Health Coordinator for UCSB Associated Students to organize campus events focused on mental well being. After graduating, Adriana took on a position as a Behavior Technician for a year working with autistic children and their families. Most recently, Adriana worked as a Social Work Assistant with Welbe Health in Long Beach for two years where she gained experience working with older adults facing financial and socio-emotional hardship. Through her career, Adriana has had experience working with diverse clients, particularly Spanish speaking and immigrant populations. Adriana is passionate about continuing to work with low income immigrant families and Latine individuals to understand the impact of acculturation on familial dynamics and 2nd generation children’s relationships. In her free time, Adriana enjoys exploring museums and nature, trying different restaurants, going thrift shopping, and doing any and all things creative.
Arina Borodkina (she/her) was born in Meleuz, Russia and moved to the United States at the age of 6, where she was raised in Portland, Oregon. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Portland State University in 2024 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. Her research interests include the effects of legislative decisions on community mental health, culturally-specific methods of addressing intimate partner violence, and the family systems of Post-Soviet populations. Due to her own complex immigration experiences, Arina embodies a lived understanding of the challenges immigrant families face with acclimating to new environments, social, political, and economic challenges, and in raising children amidst times of high stress.
Arina prides herself on being an advocate for breaking painful intergenerational cycles and bridging communication barriers that arise in diverse multigenerational families.
As an undergraduate, Arina held a variety of jobs which furthered her knowledge of clinical mental health. She worked in a medical setting during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a Research Assistant in the PSU Department of Gerontology, and as a Program Aid to an official Youth Advisory Body. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Arina helped develop a mutual-aid project to provide fresh food and supplies to homeless individuals in Portland as response to insufficient city aid. In her free time, Arina enjoys cooking for her loved ones, exploring new neighborhoods, curating thematic playlists, and reading 3 books at a time.
Emily Schonemann (she/her) is from Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from the University of Missouri Columbia in May 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Philosophy. While in undergrad, she studied abroad in Lancaster, England at Lancaster University where she volunteered with the Crisis Line as a phone operator for the students of the university in thrice monthly overnight shifts. Following completing her undergraduate studies Emily moved to London, England where she studied a MSc in Mental Health and Psychological Therapies at Queen Mary University of London. During her post-graduate education Emily completed clinical hours with MIND Mental Health charity in the London Borough of Camden supporting individuals with severe mental health conditions with accessing government benefits and personal goals. In addition to individual support, she led therapeutic groups for anxiety and depression as well as specialized groups for individuals who hear voices or experience hallucinations. Following graduation Emily gained employment in the National Health Service (NHS) in the South London Borough of Croydon with a community mental health clinic supporting patients with severe mental health conditions including psychosis. During her employment Emily held a caseload average of 25 patients supporting them with guided support plans to achieve individual patient recovery goals. Some patient recovery goals included finding suitable housing following hospital discharge, engaging in community activities, and coleading family therapy sessions. Outside of her normal employment Emily interned in a Systemic Family Therapy Clinic in the London Borough of Westminster where she worked supervised with a licensed Family Therapist and reflecting team to conduct family therapy sessions. During her training in the family therapy clinic Emily completed the Post-Graduate Certificate in Peer Supported Open Dialogue and Family Therapy at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University and London Southbank University. In her free time Emily enjoys being active through running, swimming, and long walks in green spaces. Emily also values traveling and exploring other cultures and speaks intermediate Spanish. She also likes being creative with her favorite outlets being painting, embroidery, and knitting. Emily also has two cats, Lewis and Isla Jane, who she likes to spend time with at home, reading and watching movies and shows.
Helen Romero (she/her) is from Silver Spring, MD. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Currently and throughout her years pursuing her undergraduate degree, she has worked as a Certified Trainer at Chipotle where her goal is to provide a welcoming and warm atmosphere to incoming hires while maintaining company standards. She is passionate about strengthening and mending familial relationships, especially through the processes of divorce and separation and understanding the emotional impacts behind these changes. Helen enjoys getting involved in her church community, running, exploring new places, trying new foods, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Jalan Walker (she/her) was born in San Diego, California, and raised in Waldorf, Maryland. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park and received her Bachelor's in Psychology. During her undergraduate career, Jalan found her passion for working with underrepresented communities while working in the Growth and Resilience Across Development (GARD) lab at the University of Maryland. She also worked as a lab coordinator in the Maryland Psychology Clinic and Research Lab (MPCRL) in which she worked very closely with Dr. Clara Hill the creator of the Helping Skills 3-stage model which is used across the world to help therapists facilitate exploration, insight, and action with clients. One day, Jalan hopes to open up a community center that focuses on teaching underrepresented individuals and families the importance of mental and physical health. Jalan's interests include children and divorce, the stigma surrounding mental health, and Black families. In her free time, Jalan loves cooking and baking new recipes, hiking new trails with her partner and dog, and traveling.
Maddie Fan (she/her) is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies, and a minor in Studio Art in May of 2024. During her time at UNC she gained research experience by being a research assistant in two different labs focusing on positive emotions within romantic partners, and the effects of war and displacement on Syrian refugee mothers and their children, respectively. Maddie was also able to intern at the Southeast Institute of Marriage and Family Therapy where she was able to sit in on supervision sessions and certification training programs, allowing her to gain insight on how therapists collaborate to provide optimal treatment for their clients. Lastly, throughout college, Maddie served as a crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line where she learned how to support texters struggling with various crises or mental health challenges. Maddie's research interests involve topics surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and the intersection of multiple minority identities on mental health. During her free time, Maddie loves being outside, doing yoga or dance, having quality time with friends, and eating good food!
Mika Graviet (she/her) was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Nursing and Minor in Theatre. For the past 3 years, she has lived in Baltimore and worked as a nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. Mika's experience with patients and families navigating debilitating illness and grief inspired her to pursue her Master's in therapy. During her undergraduate years, Mika interned as a research resident for the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders at Penn and as a nurse intern on an inpatient Psychiatric & Addiction Rehabilitation unit where she supported patients and families battling addiction. In both her current role as a nurse and future work as a therapist, Mika is passionate about prioritizing cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed care. Outside of work, Mika likes to play volleyball, host game nights with friends, and explore new bubble tea cafes.
Victoria Francois (she/her) was born in Nyack, New York and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is a graduate of Howard University and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, summa cum laude, with a minor in Swahili. She had the opportunity to travel to Kenya for an eight-week study abroad program where she immersed herself in the culture, people, food, and traditions, underwent intensive daily Swahili language instruction, and aided in teaching math and English to elementary school students. After completing her education at Howard University, Victoria began working at a clinic for children who have Autism and other related disorders as a Registered Behavior Technician. In this clinical setting, she learned how to utilize Applied Behavior Analysis strategies with her clients while maintaining a fun and playful learning environment.
Victoria is also of Haitian descent and was born to immigrant parents. Her interests include connecting with other first-generation individuals who have similar experiences, making therapy more accessible in underprivileged communities, and providing the necessary tools and support for other young adults, especially those experiencing financial burdens, peer pressure, social media hardships, uncertainty, and much more.
In her downtime, she takes pleasure in painting, exercising, listening to music, and traveling with her family and friends.
Xu “Heidi” Huang (she/her) was born in Beijing and received her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Fudan University in Shanghai. Before joining the CFT program, Heidi obtained a PhD degree from the department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Cornell University in 2024. Her interests began to shift towards interpersonal dynamics and family therapy during the pandemic and grew through her volunteer experiences with the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services and Open the Lid, where she answered Warmline calls and workshopped soft skills with clients with I/DD, respectively. After taking a developmental psychology class and giving a presentation about how early adversities are studied in neuroscience labs at the Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York, Heidi was inspired to explore innovative ways to bring the worlds of neuroscience and therapy together. Outside of work, Heidi enjoys hanging out and doing silly things with her friends and her cat Osci, as well as trying out new hobbies and experiences.
Zahra Javaid (she/her) is from Laurel, Maryland. She graduated in 2022 from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a Bachelor of Science in Family Science. After graduating, Zahra worked at an OMHC in Bowie, Maryland, as their Communications Coordinator and On-Site Clinical Manager. In this role, Zahra gained valuable experience in the administrative and operational aspects of a therapy clinic, overseeing the daily workings of 30+ clinicians. The opportunity to work closely with clinicians deepened her admiration for mental health services and patient care.
Passionate about helping others, Zahra is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy, with a focus on providing culturally competent care. She aims to bridge the gap in mental health services for the Muslim and South Asian communities, particularly for those who face cultural stigma when seeking therapy. Her cultural upbringing and bilingual skills enable her to connect deeply with these communities, providing the support and resources they need to address their concerns. Through her work, Zahra hopes to create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals and couples to explore their challenges and find meaningful solutions. Her journey reflects a blend of professional expertise and personal passion, making her a compassionate and effective advocate for mental wellness.
Chloé Guenette (she/her) grew up in Blacksburg, a small town in southwest Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Science and a minor in Disability Studies. During her time in undergrad she was a part of two research labs. The first ASPIRE Lab, conducted translational, community-engaged research on intervention and prevention strategies for youth suicide and associated mental health concerns. And the other CAATS lab focused on how intervention and experience may shape the development of executive function processes throughout the life course. Additionally Chloé completed an internship at a Marriage and Family Therapy clinic and volunteered at a local crisis hotline. All of these experiences instilled the importance of mental health care, and ignited a passion for systemic therapy. Chloé’s research interests include supporting LGBTQ+ communities and mental health, and looking at the intersection of movement and exercise for the benefit of mental well being. In her free time Chloe loves to cook, run, read, and is also a novice bodybuilder.
Genevieve McCall (she/her) is an Oakland, California native and lifelong learner, following her second career path. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts and Speech Communication from Dillard University of New Orleans, Louisiana and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing (Playwriting concentration) from Boston University. Her extensive background in theatre performance and playwriting serve as a springboard for her interest and commitment to exploring human behavior, relationships and healing through the field of mental health. Her diverse work history includes the non-profit and educational sectors, highlighting her passion for community. Select work experiences include her time as Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Director of the Center for Independent Living, a disability rights and advocacy organization in Berkeley, California. Select volunteer work includes mentoring in San Francisco's juvenile justice system through Each One Reach One, an organization that teaches playwriting and produces performances by detained youth. She is currently a volunteer with Silver Spring Village, an organization that supports independent, engaged aging. She is an enthusiastic new resident of Maryland, where she lives with her wife, daughter and son.
Hannah Sheehy (she/her) is originally from Cincinnati, OH and has made Washington, DC her home for the past 14 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Michigan and her Master of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. She worked for several years in sexual and reproductive health, most recently designing an interactive training to help parents, teachers, and other caregivers gain confidence in talking about sexual health with the adolescents in their lives. A second-career student, she is eager to bring the sum of her personal and professional experiences to clinical work with couples and families. In her free time, Hannah enjoys one-bag travel, live music, and her book club. She lives in DC with her partner and two children, who constantly instill in her the importance of patience and deep listening.
Jun Lee (he/him) was born in South Korea and raised in California. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a B.A. in Psychology. After graduating, he worked as a Social Worker Assistant before joining the Asian Pacific Counseling Treatment Center in Los Angeles as a Case Manager for the Adult Full Service Partnership (FSP) program. In this role, Jun worked with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health symptoms and needs, providing case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, emotional support, and community resources. He also gained second-hand experience working alongside field-based therapists, observing their approaches with clients facing diverse mental health diagnoses and challenges. Working closely with clinicians gave him valuable insight into professional boundaries, clinical systems, supervision structures, and various therapeutic approaches. His passion for relational, couples, and marriage therapy has been long-standing, driven by a desire to help partners strengthen communication and deepen emotional connection. In his free time, Jun enjoys playing and watching soccer, as well as following other sports like baseball, basketball, and his recent favorite, pickleball. He also loves exploring new coffee shops and spending time outdoors, especially relaxing at the beach or walking among trees.
Katherine Lopez is from Columbia, MD. She graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Marriage and Family Studies and a minor in Psychology. During her time as an undergraduate, she dedicated her time to learning about family and marital dynamics, community resources available to families, and advocacy efforts to support familial issues on a larger scale. Katherine is passionate about motherlessness and fatherlessness, educating others on familial issues, and increasing mental health resources in the Hispanic community. She was also an intern at the Family Crisis Center in Rexburg, ID where she educated herself more on topics including domestic violence, stalking, dating violence, and how to grow public awareness of these topics. She spent time with advocates in the center and was able to attend court hearings, counseling sessions with survivors, and provided bilingual support to Spanish-speaking survivors. During her free time, Katherine enjoys listening to and discovering new music, cooking with her grandmother, reading, and soaking up as much family time as she can.
Kira Oh (she/her) is from Columbia, MD. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.S. in Psychology. During her undergraduate studies, Kira studied the psychology of interpersonal relationships, adolescents’ close relationships, and basic helping skills, which sparked her interest in relational dynamics and communication skills. She worked as a research assistant for the Interpersonal Relationships Lab, where she observed couples and collected data on relational dynamics regarding how beliefs about the world influence perceived social support and workplace behavior. She also interned at the Howard County Circuit Court Office of Court Administration, which solidified her desire to pursue a career helping others.
Kira is passionate about understanding how relationships affect mental and physical health and reducing the cultural stigma surrounding therapy in the Asian American community through culturally competent practices.
Outside of school, Kira enjoys weight lifting, walking through nature, doing puzzles, and photography.
Leah Dumaine (she/her) was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from Elon University in 2024 with degrees in both Psychology and Music. While at Elon, Leah was very involved in the music program, leading the orchestra and participating in chamber groups. She volunteered in the local community, teaching music lessons to children who didn’t have access to the arts in school, and loved watching their confidence grow throughout the experience. Leah has always been interested in psychology, and during her undergraduate studies, she focused on her desire to help others, which led her to pursue a career in counseling. She is especially drawn to couple and family dynamics, particularly the effects of early life stressors and trauma on communication patterns in adult relationships. Leah is passionate about wellness and enjoys spending time outdoors – going for long walks, running, or reading. While at Elon, she conducted a study on the positive effects of daily time spent outdoors on work vigor. In general, she enjoys learning about ways to improve overall mental and physical wellness. In her career, she aspires to create a calm and safe space for her clients where they can explore new ways of connecting to themselves and each other.
Moniest Cardell was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She graduated summa cum laude from Howard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in English. During her undergraduate career, she studied abroad in Kyoto, Japan, gaining cross-cultural perspectives on mental health and human behavior. She also completed a behavioral health internship with Synergy Family Services, where she created and implemented her own psychiatric rehabilitation program while working closely with children and LSW mentors to support healthy homes, habits, and headspaces.
Her passion lies in providing culturally competent and accessible care, especially for children and families from underserved communities, and she hopes to contribute to creating environments that nurture both mental and emotional wellness with her own practice. Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, she loves hiking through scenic trails, getting lost in a good book, and spending quality time with her cat.
Nevaeh Brown (she/her) is from Louisville, Kentucky. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Midway University in May 2024, where she was a six-time All-American in pole vault. Her athletic achievements helped support her education and fueled her academic motivation.
During her undergraduate studies, Nevaeh completed a practicum at the Recovery Café, working with individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Inspired by her capstone project, she began conducting research on sexuality and the experiences of underrepresented groups, sparking a deep interest in relationship dynamics and couples’ therapy.
Following the loss of her father to a drug overdose in 2022, Nevaeh committed herself to serving her community. In 2025, she completed her Master’s in Healthcare Administration, focusing on ethics, patient advocacy, and systems of care. While pursuing her degree, she worked as an office manager at a sober living facility, where she supported individuals with addiction and co-occurring disorders. She also had the opportunity to co-facilitate group therapy sessions alongside a licensed therapist, gaining valuable clinical experience.
Nevaeh is passionate about creating inclusive spaces for marginalized communities and advocating for survivors of domestic violence. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her family.
Sunniva Harnisch (she/her) grew up in Berlin, Germany and graduated from Hampshire College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Queer Studies and a Five College Certificate in Queer, Trans, and Sexuality Studies. Her Bachelor’s thesis explored play as a tool for emotional resilience and political resistance through encouraging vulnerability, improving relationships, and challenging social norms. After she graduated, Sunniva volunteered in a mental health care facility for individuals with severe psychiatric diagnoses and varying abilities (e.g., BPD, DID, ASD, PTSD, Schizophrenia). To strengthen client confidence and independence, she provided informal counseling, instructed workshops, and accompanied her clients during everyday tasks. She also took on administrative work, such as documenting conversations and crises, as well as conceptualizing cases. Sunniva has since nannied two young children, through which she has gained intimate insight into family dynamics and different parenting approaches.
Sunniva’s studies and experiences have invariably affirmed her faith in relational healing and her path toward a career in Couple and Family Therapy. Her areas of academic interest and research include gender identity, sexuality, shame, non-normative relationship and family structures, intergenerational trauma, and multi-cultural identity and belonging. With the conviction that every human deserves to be understood, loved, and cared for in ways that align with their identities and experiences, Sunniva aims to take an intersectional and client-centered approach to create gender-affirming, sex-positive, and social justice-centered spaces that feel encouraging, kind, and safe. Beyond her work, Sunniva finds joy in journaling, reading LGBTQIA+ fiction, taking nature walks, knitting, cooking new recipes, laughing with friends, and spending time with cats.
Tatiana Brofft (she/her) spent the past fifteen years of her professional career advancing human rights through foreign and migration policy. She responded to consular protection petitions, supported people affected by immigration enforcement, visited immigration detention centers, monitored the needs of people traveling in caravans from Central America to the US and crossing the Darien Gap, and developed programs to facilitate migrant integration and empowerment. The testimonials she heard convinced her of the urgent need for state-of-the-art, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive mental health services for migrant families and those who serve them. Tatiana seeks to specialize in addressing the stressors and traumas associated with displacement and cultural transitions, as well as the vicarious trauma and burnout among advocates and humanitarian workers. She wants to create a practice grounded in unlocking resilience, healthy and meaningful relationships, and vitality. Her policy background has given her skills and knowledge to incorporate political, economic, sociocultural, and environmental factors into her practice. Tatiana holds a BA in International Relations from El Colegio de México, an MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies from Oxford, and a Certificate in Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery from Harvard.
Tatiana is an immigrant herself. She was born and raised in Mexico City and currently lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and their two pets. She is passionate about dance. She also enjoys creative writing, peeping into Little Libraries, visiting parks, spicy candy, and swimming. Tatiana’s heart is warmed by a good story, a good conversation, and having a glimpse into people’s everyday joys.