Meet Our Team
Gemma Bernes, ASW
Gemma Bernes, ASW
Bio to come.
Mariana Bordas, LMFT
Mariana Bordas, LMFT
Mariana started out as a therapist in the residential program and then became an Intake Coordinator, and now is the Intake and Outreach Manager. Mariana worked for many years as a social worker with children and adolescents in a psychiatric hospital setting. She has also worked in private practice and community clinics. Mariana enjoys staying connected to her Mexican heritage through traveling to see family and providing services in her native tongue of Spanish to families seeking services at SDCC. Mariana is kept very busy with two young children at home.
Kristen Corkum, LPCC
Kristen Corkum, LPCC
Kristen is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and a Nationally Certified, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral (TF-CBT) therapist. She holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from the Boston University School of Medicine since 2012. Prior to joining the San Diego Center for Children, Kristen was the Assistant Clinical Director at an intensive, residential treatment facility offering individual, family, and group therapies to youth and providing supervision and training to residential staff. She also served as a Clinical Supervisor and Trauma Studies Professor at Boston University School of Medicine for graduate medical students. In April 2020, Kristen was a guest speaker at the Association of Children’s Residential Centers (ACRC) 64th National Conference where she co-facilitated a presentation on recognizing and preventing the exploitation of youth in congregate care; highlighting the underrepresented needs and strengths of youth in residential systems and enhancing how families are supported.
As the Supervisor of Training at SDCC, Kristen has a passion for delivering trauma-informed, evidenced-based care and providing staff with empowering tools to enhance youth-centered, family-driven treatment. She believes that compassion, trust, and collaboration in treatment are essential components to healing and reminding youth that their voice and choice matters.
Sarah Heller, AMFT
Sarah Heller, AMFT
Sarah Heller was born and raised in San Diego and is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Art Therapist. At 18, Sarah left for foggy San Francisco State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Art and later worked at San Francisco Suicide Prevention, first as a Volunteer Hotline Counselor, and then as the Volunteer Coordinator. Sarah then moved back down to sunny SoCal where she received her master’s degree at Loyola Marymount University in Marital and Family Therapy with Specialized Training in Art Therapy. Sarah’s experience includes crisis prevention work, providing therapy to youth in school settings, and holding art therapy process and stress management groups for adults. Sarah utilizes skills from treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Art Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. At SDCC, Sarah is passionate about helping youth find their voice and providing support to increase safety and well-being within the family system. In her free time, Sarah enjoys being in nature and painting.
Michelle Ho, AMFT
Michelle Ho, AMFT
Bio to come.
Kimara Houseman, LMFT
Kimara Houseman, LMFT
Bio to come.
Marissa Jones, LCSW
Marissa Jones, LCSW
Marissa Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree from California State University of San Marcos, and a bachelor's degree in Child and Family Development from San Diego State University. Marissa has worked with children, adolescents, and families at SDCC's residential setting since 2016 and has gained clinical experience in a variety of roles, including Intake Coordinator, Program Therapist, Lead Therapist, and Clinical Program Manager. Marissa enjoys providing direct care services, in addition to supporting Clinical and Management teams to promote the wellbeing and success of youth and families.
Gabby Kligis, ASW
Gabby Kligis, ASW
Gabby Kligis holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Portland State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She has worked with children, adolescents and their families in hospitals, outpatient, and residential settings with substance use and mental health diagnoses for the past 12 years. In her work, Gabby utilizes a variety of evidenced based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness techniques. Gabby is passionate about working with individuals and their families to improve relationships, increase self-esteem, and promote overall wellbeing.
Keely Lopes, ASW
Keely Lopes, ASW
Bio to come
Tina Poyser
Tina Poyser
Tina is a vital part of our Intake Team. Tina’s role is to help families understand and navigate services and their benefits. Tina comes to the Center with extensive experience working in the juvenile justice system by providing case management to youth on probation. Tina enjoys spending time with her family, working out, hiking, and playing Play Station.
Mayra Rodriguez, APCC
Mayra Rodriguez, APCC
Prior to becoming an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, Mayra Rodriguez held different positions during her time at SDCC. Mayra first started her journey with SDCC as a Residential Counselor in 2016. She later became a Recreation Assistant, Medication Technician, and after finishing her graduate degree, Mayra became a Residential Therapist. Mayra holds a master’s degree from San Diego State University in Community Based Counseling and Social Justice Education, and a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies with a double minor in Chicano/a Latino/a Arts and Humanities and Critical Gender Studies from the University of California San Diego.
As a daughter of Mexican Migrants, Mayra places value on culture, personal and family background, and stories in her therapeutic interventions. Mayra’s goal is to create a space of safety, self-determination, and the ability to “come as you are.” Mayra is fortunate to have been passed down the gift of being Bilingual and is able to provide services in both Spanish and English. Outside of being a therapist, Mayra enjoys spending time with her pup “Kenobi,” riding her bike, and is involved in community organizing developing a self-sustained independent school for high-school aged working-class youth in Barrio Logan, with the focus of developing political and cultural consciousness and commitment to social Justice.
Ervey Salinas, LMFT
Ervey Salinas, LMFT
Ervey Salinas has been the Senior Director of Residential Programs since 2018. Before taking on that title, Ervey worked in a variety of positions at SDCC, including Clinical Supervisor, Intake Coordinator, and Program Manager of both Children and Adolescent Residential programs. Ervey holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University, a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and a Bachelor of Arts with a Field of Emphasis in Business and Leadership Studies. Prior to joining the team at SDCC, Ervey worked in inpatient psychiatric treatment, residential programs, and private practice.
What Ervey loves most about SDCC’s Residential Program is helping make a difference in the lives of children and families. “It’s an honor being part of a team that has such a passion for the well-being of youth and families.”
In his spare time, Ervey enjoys traveling and spending time with his two rescue dogs.
Kim Serna, ASW
Kim Serna, ASW
Bio to come.
Emily Swietanski, APCC
Emily Swietanski, APCC
Emily is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor who holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Diego State University.
She has worked with children and adults in outpatient settings with trauma and mental health diagnoses. In her work, Emily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness skills. She loves being a part of a child or teen’s growth, no matter how small the impact is. In her free time, she loves to be anywhere outdoors with her dog, Kya.
Stephanie Weronik, ASW
Stephanie Weronik, ASW
Stephanie holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Florida and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Central Florida. Stephanie’s prior experience includes working as a clinical case manager and mental health clinician, as well as volunteering as a CASA through the Guardian Ad Litem program and as a Child Advocate through Kids House. She also has experience working with adolescents and adults in outpatient settings including mental health, justice-system involved and substance use. She has been utilizing skills from treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Stephanie believes that therapy should be personalized and collaborative, and she is passionate about providing care through an empathetic, creative, and authentic approach. In her personal time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and going to the beach.
Yasmin Williams, LMFT
Yasmin Williams, LMFT
Yasmin Williams is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a master’s degree from San Diego State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, also from San Diego State University. She has been working in the mental health field for several years in a variety of settings such as home-based, school based, and currently in our Residential setting. She has worked with a vastly diverse population of youth and their families. Yasmin started as a Residential Therapist at SDCC and is now the Residential Clinical Manager. She has a passion for supporting youth, families, and the Residential team in promoting the overall success in the youth and families served.