Our Providers

Nicole Karst

Josh Thomas

Dr. Josh Thomas is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in substance addiction, dual diagnosis, depression, anxiety, trauma, work-related stress, intimate partner and interpersonal relationship conflicts, and chronic pain. With an emphasis in clarifying and living from personal values, his approach is highly compassionate, culturally sensitive, strengths-based, and evidenced-based. He integrates CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based interventions to help individuals with uncovering, discovering, and discarding thinking and behavioral patterns that are blocking them from living enriched and empowered lives. He also practices internal family systems (IFS) therapy to support individuals with healing from posttraumatic experiences.

Dr. Thomas has worked at all levels of care for the treatment of severe substance addictions that include acute detox, residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient. He is a former clinical director of a highly regarded dual diagnosis treatment center in San Diego. He has published research in the areas of alcohol addiction and neuropsychological functioning and CBT treatment-effectiveness for depression in late-life. He has also consulted with innovative tech companies to integrate mindfulness-based CBT, biofeedback, and telemedicine for the treatment of depression.

Dr. Thomas enjoys working with adolescents and adults and he currently sees patients via video-medicine across the State of California. In addition to his clinical practice, he provides clinical supervision services at several treatment centers in San Diego that focus on substance addiction recovery.

Alexandra Nichols

Dr. Alexandra Nichols (She/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist and uses a relational psychodynamic approach to therapy, integrating additional interventions from cognitive behavioral and other techniques to meet each client’s needs. Dr. Nichols collaborates with clients to address emotional pain, to make changes, and to develop understanding and meaning. She shapes her approach based on culture, identity, and client goals. She has experience with a wide variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, life transitions, self-esteem, and relationship issues.

Dr. Nichols enjoys working with adults of all ages in Corte Madera and via telemedicine across the state of California.

Dr. Nichols completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California Santa Cruz, and her predoctoral internship at the University of Idaho. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Akshay Naresh

Dr. Akshay Naresh (he/him) is a licensed clinical psychologist and has worked with patients across the lifespan in various contexts including community mental health clinics, hospitals, and educational facilities (secondary, community colleges, & universities). He has experience working with a wide range of mental health concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, body image issues, eating disorders, relationship issues, gender and sexual identity, and multi-cultural issues. He uses an integrative approach to create a space for meaningful life changes by helping patients develop self-compassion, self-acceptance, and self-awareness.

Dr. Naresh enjoys working with adults and currently sees patients in Orinda and San Jose, and via telemedicine across the state of California.

Dr. Naresh completed his post-doctoral fellowship at Kaiser Permanente Adult Outpatient Psychiatry and his pre-doctoral internship at Santa Clara University’s Cowell Health Center. He obtained his doctoral degree from The Wright Institute and his bachelor’s degree from UC Irvine. Outside of his clinical work, Dr. Naresh enjoys playing and watching basketball (Go Warriors!) and also plays a variety of different musical instruments.

Mandy Mount

Dr. Mandy Mount (she/they) is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in sexual trauma, PTSD, mindfulness, grief and loss, LGBTQIA issues, life transitions, holistic healing approaches and neurobiology. Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, culturally aware and trauma-informed. Through a holistic, integrative framework, she collaborates with her clients to set goals and clarify pathways to achieving wellness of mind, body, and spirit. Dr. Mount seeks to create a safe environment to explore how identity, personal strengths, experiences, and obstacles may influence responses to difficult emotions and events. She is dedicated to supporting clients on their journeys through developing customized approaches based on each person’s unique needs, values and preferences.

Dr. Mount sees individuals, couples, and families in Beverly Hills and via telemedicine across the state of California.

Dr. Mount received her doctorate at the University of Maryland and completed an APA-accredited internship at the University of California, Irvine. In 2005, Dr. Mount established a multidisciplinary center at the University of California, Irvine, dedicated to preventing interpersonal violence and creating opportunities for survivors to access care and advocacy. While acting as Director of this office over 17 years, she maintained a private practice, served as an expert consultant and trainer, and spoke frequently at local and national conferences. She continues to engage in work as a consultant, expert witness and trainer for campuses, health professionals, and organizations.

Sarah Asmussen

Dr. Asmussen is a clinical neuropsychologist offering therapy and assessment. Her focus in therapy is facilitating in-depth individual and relationship work by using an integrated approach applying Mindfulness, CBT, Psychodynamic and Couples-based treatments. Therapy interventions take place in the San Jose office and via telemedicine, across the state of California.

In addition to providing support through clinical interventions, she provides comprehensive neuropsychological and psychological evaluations across the lifespan in Palo Alto and San Jose. Diagnoses such as ADHD, ASD, Depression, Anxiety, etc. are often evaluated in the outpatient clinic.

Dr. Asmussen’s experience spans nearly two decades. Prior to joining The Clinic, she worked in private practice, as a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Senior Scientific Director at the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, and in both inpatient and outpatient facilities (e.g., concussion clinic, memory clinic, poly-trauma unit, acute rehabilitation, burn unit, VA Palo Alto Hospice, epilepsy monitoring unit).

Dr. Asmussen completed her two-year residency at Barrow Neurological Institute-St. Joseph’s Hospital specializing in Clinical Neuropsychology. She completed Internship at James A. Haley VA. She graduated with a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University, a Stanford affiliate, and was awarded a certification in Neuropsychology.

Stephanie Porras

Dr. Porras is a licensed clinical psychologist with a doctorate degree from Pacific University, Oregon in clinical psychology with an emphasis on health psychology. She enjoys working with adolescent and adult clients on a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, complex trauma, ADHD, interpersonal relationships, and eating disorders. She is passionate about addressing issues such as binge eating, emotional eating, and body image from a body inclusive, Health At Every Size informed approach. Because of her health psychology background, she is highly attentive to the complexities of the mind-body connection, such as the impact of stress on physical health or the impact of ongoing medical conditions on emotional well-being. She primarily practices from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework, bringing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and somatic techniques as needed to provide truly individualized treatment. Dr. Porras’ approach is based on creating an authentic therapeutic relationship in which individuals feel the safety they need to fully show up as themselves and to cultivate the kind of self-awareness, radical acceptance, and self-compassion that leads to true change.

Hilit Kletter

Dr. Hilit Kletter is an expert in child and adolescent psychology with over 15 years of experience in treating a wide range of traumas as well as providing supervision in trauma informed interventions to trainees of all levels. Prior to joining The Clinic, Dr. Kletter was a Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford where she directed the Stress and Resilience Clinic. She has worked in a variety of settings such as community mental health, day-treatment programs, schools, a domestic violence shelter, and outpatient clinics. She was part of the development team for Cue-Centered Therapy (CCT), an intervention for youth with complex trauma.

Dr. Kletter designed the CCT training program and was the CCT training program director. She continues to be a master trainer and lead consultant in the program. She provides teaching and training both nationally and internationally. Dr. Kletter received her BA in anthropology from the University of Washington and was a Koret Foundation Fellow while completing her PhD studies at Pacific Graduate School of Psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Child and Family Guidance Center in Northridge, CA and her post-doctoral fellowship at Kaiser Permanente Child Psychiatry in Milpitas, CA.

Jeanette Chong

Michaela Moss

Dr. Michaela Moss (she/her) is a licensed psychologist with experience providing therapy to individuals and couples from a wide range of backgrounds and clinical presentations. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, and life stressors through a culturally sensitive, values-based approach.

Dr. Moss aims to create a supportive space for healing that incorporates techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based interventions to meet the needs of each client. With couples, she utilizes Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to foster secure attachment bonds and shift how couples navigate conflict. She is committed to walking alongside her clients as they move through the therapeutic process and gain greater insight into themselves. Dr. Moss works with adults and couples in-person in San Francisco and across the state of California via telehealth.

Dr. Moss received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Public Health from UC Berkeley. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the San Francisco VA Health Care System.

Valesia Ho

Dr. Valesia Ho (she/her/hers) is a licensed clinical psychologist with a clinical focus in behavioral medicine. She enjoys working with individuals and couples coping with concerns related to sleep and sexual health, in addition to a wide rage of other mental health conditions. Her approach values and affirms the inherent uniqueness of each person and couple by taking into account biological, psychological and cultural factors that impact emotional and physical health. Dr. Ho emphasizes an active, collaborative and strengths-based approach while building rapport through curiosity, humor and authenticity.

Dr. Ho has conducted research in the areas of transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral treatment of depression, anxiety, stress and personality disorders, and has researched suicide risk in inpatient psychiatric populations.

Dr. Ho works with adults and couples in the San Francisco, the East Bay, and via telemedicine across the state of California. She is also an adjunct faculty member at The Wright Institute teaching courses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and is a licensed clinical supervisor at Bay Area Trauma Recovery. Dr. Ho completed her pre-doctoral internship at California Department of State Hospitals, Napa. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley and her Masters degree in Social Work from California State University, East Bay. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of San Francisco.

Benjamin Towns

Dr. Benjamin Towns is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with patients experiencing chronic pain, depression, anxiety, ADHD, interpersonal conflicts, school stress, work stress, substance use disorder and addiction. His therapeutic approach is client-centered, compassionate, culturally sensitive, and evidenced-based. He utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-based interventions to promote recovery, wellness, and improve quality of life. Dr. Towns has worked with diverse patient populations in treatment settings that include acute crisis, inpatient/outpatient drug rehabilitation, workers compensation, and outpatient (nonprofit & university) counseling centers. He has published research in the areas of chronic pain, peer victimization, and the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- based interventions in the treatment of late-life depression. In addition to his clinical practice, he is the Senior Coordinator and Counselor in the Disability Support Services department at California State University, San Marcos.

Dr. Towns enjoys working with adults and he currently sees patients in La Jolla and via video-medicine across the state of California.

Dr. Towns received his doctorate in Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Psychology from the University of Texas in Arlington.

Karin Voelker

Dr. Karin Voelker (she/her/hers) is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine. Along with bringing a multicultural perspective to therapy, she utilizes a client-centered, strength-based, integrative approach drawing from evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and mindfulness. She has extensive experience working with individuals who are experiencing insomnia, anxiety, burnout, stress, acculturation difficulties, infertility, divorce, and single parenthood issues. She tailors each session to her clients’ unique goals and is passionate about helping to improve their wellbeing through an empowering and collaborative relationship.

Dr. Voelker enjoys working with adults of all ages in Palo Alto as well as via telehealth across the state of California.

Dr. Voelker completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine and her predoctoral internship at San Jose State University’s Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, her master’s from San Francisco State University, and her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley.

Melinda Wong

Dr. Melinda Wong (she/her) is a licensed psychologist offering couples and sex therapy as well as individual treatment for mood disorders. She integrates aspects from a wide range of evidence-based therapy approaches to suit each individual’s treatment needs. She has worked in diverse clinical settings in the Bay Area, including community mental health, college counseling, and multidisciplinary hospital systems, and has experience working with a variety of presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, relational issues, perinatal mood disorders, and LGBTQ+ related issues.

Dr. Wong works with individual adults and couples in San Jose, as well as via telehealth across the state of California. Her approach emphasizes client collaboration and building rapport through authenticity, humor, and some degree of irreverence.

Dr. Wong completed her predoctoral internship in Adult Behavioral Medicine at Kaiser Oakland and received her doctoral degree from the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium at Palo Alto University. Her dissertation developed a trauma-focused CBT manual to prevent symptoms of posttraumatic stress in couples who receive a prenatal diagnosis. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Xiao Ting (Kitty) Wang

Dr. Xiao Ting (Kitty) Wang (she/her) is a postdoctoral fellow offering individual therapy for adults in Beverly Hills and across California via telehealth. She has clinical interests in depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, phase-of-life transitions, trauma, grief and loss, disordered eating, and career counseling. Dr. Wang has extensive experience working in diverse clinical settings, including college counseling centers, community mental health clinics, group private practices, and VA systems. She also enjoys working with LGBTQ+ identified clients, international students, and has experience providing therapy in Mandarin Chinese.

Dr. Wang uses an integrative and multiculturally sensitive approach to therapy, drawing from psychodynamic, client-centered, cognitive behavioral (CBT), and dialectical behavioral (DBT) therapies. She blends insight-oriented work, skill-building, and emotional support to help clients better understand themselves and navigate challenges. By examining past experiences, she helps clients identify patterns that may be influencing their present, empowering them to make meaningful changes and move forward. She values collaboration and strives to create a trusting and supportive therapeutic space. In addition to addressing diagnoses, Dr. Wang believes therapy can be a valuable space for exploring and managing life’s everyday stressors, offering clients a chance to grow and build resilience.

Dr. Wang completed her predoctoral internship at the University of California, Los Angeles’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). She earned her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from the University at Albany, State University of New York and received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behaviors from the University of California, Irvine.

Erica Kornblith

Erica Kornblith, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and clinical neuropsychologist and a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UCSF School of Medicine. She is trained in the assessment of individuals across the lifespan and works with adolescents and adults with a variety of neurological and other health conditions including concussion, acquired brain injury, ADHD, PTSD/complex trauma, other psychiatric diagnoses, and neurodegenerative conditions. She has a special interest in working with seniors with a history of head injury to promote healthy cognitive aging. Her assessment approach is collaborative and strengths-based and tailored to the needs of the individual patient/family. She also provides individual and group cognitive rehabilitation services for adults and older adults.

Dr. Kornblith received her PhD from California School of Professional Psychology, and completed internship training at VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System and postdoctoral clinical and research training at San Francisco VA Medical Center and UCSF, including fellowship training in Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Neuropsychology and advanced training in epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical research design. She has co-authored dozens of peer reviewed publications and conference abstracts and maintains an active research program at UCSF focused on traumatic brain injury and cognitive aging, supported by funding from the US Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the National Institute on Aging.

She sees patients in person at the Orinda office for assessment, and in person and via telehealth for cognitive rehabilitation.

Gaurie Mittal