Our Team

Rochelle Chavis

LCSW #81507

Through my 14 years of working in the social service field, I have extensive experience providing culturally sensitive direct services in residential, home, and community settings to children, youth, adults, and their families. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Diego State University in 2008, my master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2014, and completed my LCSW in 2018.

My experience includes managing and overseeing a team of direct service staff, with varying education levels, while providing supervision and consultation. I exhibit strong leadership skills, sound clinical judgement, and promote a positive work environment.

I have experience collaborating and coordinating with community members consisting of a multidisciplinary team to advocate for individualized client needs. My passion is to advocate and empower the clients and communities I serve.

Trisha Leamon

LMFT #134641

Hi, I am Trisha Leamon, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist. I have had an interest in human behavior and personalities for as long as I can remember. I enjoy helping my clients source their strengths and achieving effective ways to navigate life’s challenges.

My professional experience has given me the opportunity to work with clients who are facing substance abuse, depression, anxiety, divorce, codependence, and grief.

I especially enjoy working with clients who are navigating difficult transitions such as divorce, relationships, work, adding to their family, retirement, and the many other journeys of life.

My personal experience of my son’s passing in 2008 was a large part of my desire to work in the counseling field. Through my own journey, I recognized how difficult past experiences can often play large roles in how we navigate current relationships.

My goal with therapy is to offer my clients a caring, attuned therapist as we find new ways to solve problems, heal old wounds, and strengthen the way you live your life.

Christina Faddoul

LMFT #122783

Christina is a licensed therapist who treats children, adolescents, adults, and couples. Both her personal life experience and professional background allow her to provide an empathic, client centered, and culturally sensitive approach in the therapy room. She prioritizes creating a safe and collaborative space to instill hope and support you in finding peace, healing, and growth. She specializes in treating anxiety and OCD, mood disorders, trauma, and relationship issues. She has specialty training in evidence-based practices including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and Gottman Method for couples therapy. She received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at the competitive San Diego State University MFT program. In her free time, Christina enjoys hiking, dancing, going to the beach, and spending quality time with her husband and dogs.

I embrace client focused/strength based theories and love the works of Brene Brown and Internal Family Systems.

Michelle Lu Vidana

LPCC #5686

Michelle is a Licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) with over 10 years of experience working in the social services field.

Her humble beginnings growing up in a low-income community as a first generation born Vietnamese American gave her first hand experience of the complex needs of vulnerable populations. Michelle’s upbringing also taught her the power of resilience, setting boundaries, believing in “comebacks,” taking ownership, rewriting narratives, asserting needs and unburdening ourselves of past hurts.

She specializes in life transition, grief and loss, management of serious mental illness, improving communication and assertiveness skills, trauma/transgenerational trauma, substance abuse, anxiety and depression, and acculturative stress/victims of violence, bullying and oppression.

Michelle is skilled in multiple evidence-based therapeutic modalities, which she utilizes to help clients change patterns of unhelpful thoughts, bring clarity and understanding, improve relationships/communication, and properly grieve and process past hurts – all while learning tangible, practical skills that can be applied each day and improve quality of life.

Michelle’s style of therapy is warm, affirming, non-judgmental, creative, and collaborative, yet also challenging at times as she believes in a gentle nudge when necessary to put the skills learned to the test through life application and practice. Michelle will be with you every step of the way and moving at a pace that makes sense and feels safe to you. Her mission is to get individuals stronger, healthier, and more confident to thrive in life.

Morgan Betterton

AMFT #132527

Hi, I am Morgan, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). I have always beenfascinated by the complex nature of family dynamics and romantic relationships and I trulybelieve that the quality of our relationships is a key factor in our overall happiness, success and life satisfaction. This is what inspired me to pursue a career in Marriage and Family Therapy.

I am extremely passionate about working with clients to overcome maladaptive patterns in relationships, while also enhancing communication and connection. I deeply resonate with John Gottman’s work and I am certified in level one and level two of The Gottman Method for Couples Therapy. I specialize in teaching couples how to effectively navigate conflict by increasing intimacy, friendship, closeness and understanding. I also use motivational interviewing, family systems, cognitive-behavioral therapy and attachment theory in my clinical work.

My therapeutic style is highly person-centered, as I think there is great healing power in an authentic, non-judgmental and empathetic therapeutic relationship. I endorse a collaborative, personalized, strengths-based approach to therapy that allows clients to find their own answers within the context of a nurturing therapeutic environment. I encourage humor, lightheartedness and warmth to create a welcoming space for exploration and growth. Additionally, my background in clinical hypnotherapy, yoga and health coaching helps me to incorporate holistic modalities that are tailored to each client’s unique needs. My goal is to make therapy accessible and approachable for those who are interested in embarking on this journey.

I look forward to meeting you and working alongside you!

Sabina Hernandez

AMFT #127241

Hello and Welcome! I am Sabina, a bilingual (English/Spanish) Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), who works with Individuals, families, couples, and children. I know Finding support can often be difficult and intimidating, as we often feel shame, guilt, and fear to reach out to others, but you are here seeking it in the right place.

Life can be extremely hard and overwhelming at times, but also amazing and beautiful. My goal is to provide a space where you feel safe and supported to share your story and be vulnerable. Together, we can work towards a path of healing and well-being for ourselves and our relationships.

I practice from a client-centered approach as I believe you are the expert of your own life, and use an eclectic approach to therapy to meet your individual needs. I will work collaboratively with you to meet you where you are in your journey of healing and finding transformation. I use evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), play therapy, mindfulness, and family systems.

I have experience working with anxiety, depression, self-esteem/identity, life-transitions, grief, trauma, and relationships. I would be honored to be a part of your healing journey and look forward to working with you.

Paulita Susana Sese Porter

AMFT #121654

Growing up in the Philippines and having been raised by a loving/caring family, my belief system made it so crystal clear to me that “Life is what you make it,” that “Life is a gift given us by our Maker” and that we belong to a one big family composed of fellow human beings and each one has a responsibility of helping/caring for a needy brother.

When my sons were growing up, their friends and playmates were welcome to stay in our house and partake of the food we had. It was during this time that I witnessed firsthand child abuse, that a few of my sons’ friends were experiencing from their own mothers and families. I resolved then to myself that someday I will do something to help these abused children receive better treatment from their parents, and make their life a bit more pleasant and nurturing for their growth and development.

My first job here in the US was being a caregiver in a small residential facility, and the next one after that was as an Assistant Administrator in a Retirement Plaza in Barstow, CA. In both places, seniors asked me to counsel them regarding problems/issues they have about themselves, their families, or anything that was bothering them, and robbing them their peace of mind and the joy of living/being alive. So, I will find the time to be alone with these senior residents and do some counseling/advising with the prayer that the words I’ve shared with them will ease up some pain and bring comfort/solutions to their afflictions. It was during these times that I officially found it necessary to get an education and training in counseling so that I can truly help everyone asking for it.

Fast forward to December 2019, I graduated/ finished a Masters’ Program in Counseling Psychology with a major in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University San Diego. Even before graduation, I had the experience of doing my practicum with a lot of Children and Teen clients, and it was so fulfilling/rewarding knowing that I was a force used to improve the life of these clients, and for them to change their belief and stance on life, that life is wonderful and is given to us to make us better for each other, and for all the needy persons we will encounter in our life’s journey.

I also did counseling for different populations such as the young adults, senior adults, couples, families, LBTQs. I was surprised to find out that each and every-one of these population turned out to be my favorite! At this point, I declare myself to be a therapist/counselor for all.

I am about to begin a new journey as an AMFT with New Horizon Counseling Center. I’m so excited and in awe about it! I made a solemn promise to myself and to our Maker about this new beginning: I will always give my very best, 100 percent (and beyond) of myself to all my prospective clients, fellow clinicians, co-workers, to all in New Horizon CC.

I look forward to meeting everyone, to embark on this new life changing journey in counseling at New Horizon Counseling Center.

Eunice M. Jeremiah

AMFT #311644

Eunice M. Jeremiah is a trilingual clinician, fluent in English, Swahili, and Kikamba. She is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Her clinical

experience includes helping individuals with depression, anxiety, phobia, bereavement, trauma history, relationship problems, communication problems, and more.

Eunice has a unique blend of experience working with traumatized immigrants from war tone countries since 2008. She uses EMDR with individuals to create a future of healing from past trauma and the Prepare and Enrich to help couples learn how to thrive in their relationship.

As a Christian therapist, she is spiritually aware, culturally sensitive, and trauma informed to compassionately listen to a person’s counseling need and tailor therapeutic goals to meet their specific situation. She approaches therapy with a biblical worldview, providing counseling to couples, adults, and children with diverse cultural backgrounds.

In her practice, she is committed to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space which allows individuals to openly engage in treatment and experience healing.

Veronica Gibson

AMFT #106253

She received her Master’s in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from The University of Phoenix in 2018. Veronica has extensive experience working as a parent educator, as well as working with youth and families, many of whom are involved in the juvenile justice system. She wholeheartedly believes in a trauma-informed approach and has been certified in Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Aggression Replacement Treatment. She has a passion for working with families, especially youth, and improving their relationships with each other through communication. Veronica specializes in abuse, family work, substance abuse, trauma, working with adolescents and children, and is also a fluent Spanish speaker.

Karolina Redondo

Graduate Trainee

Hello, my name is Karolina Redondo, but I like to go by Karo. I am bilingual and currently live in Salinas Ca. I was born in Brawley Ca. and raised by the border in Imperial Valley. I completed high school in El. Centro, May 2011. I relocated to Monterey County to attend California State University Monterey Bay where I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a Minor Emphasis in Human Development on May 2015. I have had opportunities to work with different populations such as adults, incarcerated inmates, probationers, foster youth, and dual diagnosed teenage girls with mental issues and substance abuse. I implemented psycho-educational groups, support, and self-help groups as a counselor at Door to Hope in Salinas Ca. Currently, I am beginning my second year as a graduate student attending USC with a plan to receive a Master of Social Work in August 2023. I plan on certifying in Trauma Trauma-Informed Practices in Education Setting in Fall 2022. I am a new Intern with New Horizon beginning August 2022 and am excited to be part of the team!

Sasha Wallace

Intern

My name is Sasha, and although I wasn’t born here, I’ve lived in North, East, South, and West County San Diego for more than ten years. My favorite things to do in the city are go to the beach and the Del Mar fair when it’s open and enjoy the nice weather all year long. I’m currently a student at Southwestern College studying communications and journalism, and my favorite classes are psychology and sociology. In the name of the internship department’s collaboration with the New Horizon counseling center, I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the team.To a wide range of individuals as well as our team. When you contact the facility, my goal is to offer support that promotes friendly and enjoyable dialogue and an ongoing interpersonal interaction in order to bring about serenity and healing.

To be able to respond to a question such as ‘’Say something about yourself’’. It took years of self-discovery and trial-and-error for me to figure out how to communicate my emotions, both positive and negative, and how I viewed and valued my personal relationships. Through evidence-based experience, I was able to understand who I truly was, which is resilient, empathetic, smart, kind, and hard-working by learning therapeutic methods of healing through cognitive, physical, and emotional exercises in high maintenance situations. My objective is to put my sympathetic, uplifting, and professional work methods into practice to develop my community through informal and attainable goals. I was able to make healthier commitments sooner. I’ll properly specialize in fervent mental health advocacy.

About New Horizon Counseling Center

At New Horizon Counseling Center, our priority is our client’s mental well-being. We have licensed Therapists and Associates here to guide you through life’s most complex and difficult matters. New Horizon Counseling Center truly cares about our patients’ well-being and offers services catered to their needs.

Our therapists have provided a number of specialized therapeutic services to those dealing with challenging life experiences. Patient well-being is our number one priority, and we go above and beyond to help them through their obstacles.

Call New Horizon Counseling Center at (619) 225-9332 to get started on your new path today!