ACT for Mental Health

Originally from Vietnam, Anna came to the United States as a teenager. She was working as a research and development engineer for 20 years and decided to leave the tech industry to find her new passion in cultivating understanding, kindness, and compassion toward those who are affected by mental illness. Anna has been working at ACT for Mental health since 2017 and resonates with the agency’s mission and value which is to support the community by providing quality mental health services. She feels fortunate to work with a team of dedicated and caring therapists who share the same passion of serving low-income clients and those who are caught in the court system. She holds a PsyD, M.A. in Pastoral Ministry, and M.S. in Computer Science. “We [as clients and therapists] are challenged to take from what came before, regardless of the source, synthesize what seems useful, and move on to the new realms” Karen Horney.

I grew up in the northeast U.S. and Los Angeles, and got my B.A. in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara. I received my MSW (Masters in Social Work) from UC Berkeley in 1968 and, after obtaining my LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) certificate in 1982 and working in community mental health for Santa Clara county until 1995, I came to ACT for Mental Health a couple of years later, where I’ve been the Clinical Director since about 2010. Since 1982, I supervised interns for their field work experience in counseling, social work and psychology. In my clinical practice, I make use of elements of psychoanalytic, developmental and existential theory, often as reflected in cultural expressions of TV and film to help clients with the challenges of modern life.

Ken Parker is the Program Manager at ACT and began with the agency in April 2017. He is a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. He earned his Master’s & Doctorate degrees from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. Major area of study was Clinical Psychology with a minor in Community Psychology. Career highlights include Coordinator of The Adolescents & Families Project, a 5-yr treatment research study at UCSF as funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Primary professional activities have included program development, management, and evaluation. He has had grant proposals funded at all governmental levels as well as foundations and corporations. Clinical approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) within a family/community systems perspective. Duties at ACT have included contract development/management, clinical supervision, and therapy. He was responsible for a major Project as funded by the El Camino Hospital Foundation. Project aimed to identify, obtain referrals, and provide counseling for Latinx clients who were unable to access behavioral health services due to lack of health care coverage. Results of pre/post analyses found significant reduction in stress as reported by counseling-participants. At ACT he provides counseling for individuals, couples & families. Lastly, he still loves dinosaurs, SF Giants, and PB&J.

Asminda A. Sousa has been working at ACT since 2007 as MHRC. She has over 35 years of experience in clinical psychology working with the Spanish speaking community, victims of domestic violence, court cases, co-parenting classes, parenting classes, anger management for children, working with children, adolescents, adults, and LGBT community as victims of homophobia.

Anjana started her journey with ACT in 2015 when she volunteered with the Fireside Friendship Club, and with reunification therapy. She has a Masters in Psychological Counseling from Bangalore University (India) and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Psychology, Education and Community from Northeastern University (Boston, MA). She completed her MSW from Simmons University in 2020 and has been an Associate clinical Social Worker with the agency since April 2020. Having grown up in India, Anjana is interested in understanding cultural diversity and the role that it plays in therapy. Anjana has worked with different populations in India and the US ranging from children as young as 4 to adults. She takes on an eclectic approach drawing on multiple techniques and approaches as fits the client and situation. She believes in "meeting the client where they are"; and has a strengths based supportive orientation.

After working in the tech industry for over 20 years as an advertising creative and raising three kids, Dave wanted to shift his life to focus on making a collaborative impact for others through mental health and social justice. Dave has been working with ACT since 2021 as an intern while attending University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work and was hired on after graduation with an MSW as a credentialed Associate Clinical Social Worker. Dave has an eclectic therapeutic approach to best meet clients where they are at with a particular attention to trauma informed modalities within a harm reduction framework. His training includes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing in working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, recovery and complex mental health issues in group settings and through individual therapy. “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.” – Brené Brown

I am an associate clinical social worker native to the Bay Area. My clinical background includes supporting survivors of intimate partner violence, individuals with complex mental health needs and co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities and their systems of support, and general crisis work. I am passionate about a holistic approach to well-being and therapy and believe that with increased insight and the right building blocks, people can take healing into their own hands and reclaim parts of themselves while navigating the complexities of their inner and outer worlds. Modalities I enjoy drawing on include Jungian, Internal Family Systems, and process-oriented therapy.

Tien is a native Vietnamese who came to the United States as a teenager. He was involved in church settings for nearly 20 years. He has lived and worked in Southeast Asia and Pacific for 6 years. Tien has been working at ACT for Mental Health since December 2018. He is grateful to work with other therapists at ACT and to serve low-income clients. Tien holds a PsyD, MTh, MDiv, MA in Theology, Spirituality, and Pastoral Ministry.

Hamed Zarghoon grew up in Afghanistan. In 2006, after working with the US Military for four years, he moved to the United States. His academic journey led him to a degree in political science and international studies at Denver University, with a later focus on conflict analysis and post-conflict development at Yale University. Yet, his realization that profound change must begin within each individual set him on a transformative path of self-discovery, meditation, and contemplative practices of the East. HIs experiences included serving as a Senior Advisor to US Military, and the Afghan President's Office. In 2021, he returned to the U.S. to pursue a Master's Degree in Social Work, and today, he works as an intern-therapist at ACT for Mental Health where he guides clients through a transformative journey by utilizing a therapeutic approach grounded in meditation, self-inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving, and psycho-education.

Erik (he/him) is currently in his second year at the San Jose State University School of Social Work. As a certified trauma-informed yoga instructor and trainer (E-RYT500 & YACEP), he focuses on fostering compassionate and supportive spaces for healing and personal growth, viewing kindness as a true superpower. Deeply committed to inclusivity, diversity, and social justice, Erik is passionate about advocating for and supporting the LGBT+ community in all aspects of his work. Fatherhood has brought him meaningful lessons in patience and resilience, which continue to shape his approach to both life and his practice.

Madhur is a second year counseling master's student at Palo Alto University with a great interest in holistic mental health. I have experience with teaching yoga, mindfulness, and breathing as well. I am hoping to bring that into sessions if those kinds of activities match client interests and needs, and I am very open to exploring new techniques and activities to help regulate the nervous system as well. I am eager to build relationships with and learn from my clients, as I believe that therapy is a working relationship where all people involved hold inherent value and have genuine experiences to share and learn from.

Vanessa is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work, at San Jose State University. Vanessa's commitment to supporting clients and finding the best approach to help meet their utmost well-being truly comes from the heart. Her work experience involves serving her community, providing valuable resources, and advocating for the importance of living a physically and mentally healthy life, reflecting her deep empathy and understanding for others. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys cooking new recipes with her husband, going on walks with her dogs, and spending time with her family and friends. Vanessa is eager to intern with ACT and gain the knowledge to provide the best for her clients.