Alisa Jaffe Holleron, LCSW, creator of the Live Oak Center for Psychotherapy and Education, is an experienced psychotherapist. Alisa specializes in couples therapy, emotions work, parenting, co-parenting, family therapy and individual self-growth. She has been facilitating parenting groups for more than 10 years. She brought her skills and unique parenting approach to Family Connections where she co-developed the "Roots and Wings" parenting program. Alisa has had several parenting articles published on the Mothering Magazine website. She is acutely aware of, and humbled by, the complexity and challenge of being human. A lifelong learner, she has an insatiable appetite for understanding human beings and the human condition. She earned her Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Illinois in 1985, and has worked in social services her entire adult life. Her engaging, open-minded, humorous and accepting style is appreciated by her clients and group participants.

Phone: 916-933-5011

 

Brian M. Abell MSW, ASW, the first male clinician at the Live Oak Center, brings a unique perspective to the vision of Live Oak. As an intern working to become an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), he is pleased that his services will be offered at a reduced rate, as he believes that services should be available for all who are in need. Brian has a wide variety of experiences in the field of Mental Health ranging from providing Psychiatric Hospital Placement and Crisis Intervention for a variety of unique populations, to Mental Health Case Management with youth and adolescents. He currently provides therapy for children at Sierra Child and Family Services. Brian prides himself on forging significant therapeutic relationships with people from all walks of life. Brian’s wealth of experience and non-judgmental philosophy of acceptance lends a “down to Earth” perspective and insight into the needs of his clients. Brian received his BSW at the University of Rio Grande in Rio Grande, Ohio and his MSW from Sacramento State University.

Phone: 916-832-7831

 

Jenny Glaspell, LEP, is both a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP #2915) as well as a practicing School Psychologist and Program Specialist.  She received her Master of Arts Degree and Pupil Personnel Services credentials for school counseling and school psychology at California State University, Chico.  She has been working in public education providing psycho-educational evaluations and services to students for nearly ten years. Jenny has expertise in working with parents, students, and teachers to develop strategies for student success, through both informal and formal plans (e.g. IEP or 504).  She is available to work with school-age children, teens, and college-students.  Her goal is to help students identify not just areas of weakness, but strengths and affinities as well.  She also believes that students’ understanding of their own strengths and needs is vital to success in school and in life. Psycho-Educational evaluation services are provided for a variety of concerns such as: Cognitive Functioning (IQ), Academic Achievement, Learning Disabilities, Attention, Social, Emotional, and Adaptive Functioning, Transition, Processing: Visual, Auditory, Memory, Motor, and Executive Functioning.

Phone: 916-607-8857

 

Donna Hoenig-Couch, MSW, ASW, has a fulfilling career in education and public service and eagerly joins the team as an intern at Live Oak Center. With a strong dedication to the principles of ethical social work practice and a firm and lasting belief in the value and promise of every human being, Donna brings professional and personal energy, insight and experience to her work. Inspired by Buddhist practice where there is a strong emphasis on compassion, she offers to walk alongside others in the journey toward understanding that we can make choices in life to become more fully alive. Donna studied Philosophy, taught elementary school, and raised a family on the northcoast of California. She has worked in the State Legislature, and developed and directed college graduate studies. Donna earned the MSW from Sacramento State, and is currently fulfilling hours toward licensure.

Phone: 916-276-1199

 

Kim Hughes, LCSW, has been passionate in her career working with youth and their families since 1986. Connecting with youth and helping them find their way to success is the key to her work. She began this work in Massachusetts where she earned a Master’s of Social Work degree from Boston College and a Bachelor degree in Psychology from Westfield State College.  Kim has been working with youth in El Dorado County since 1993 and continues to lead the outpatient clinic at Sierra Child and Family Services, in Diamond Springs. Kim has recently joined the Live Oak Center of El Dorado Hills. The vision of Live Oak fits perfectly with her personal beliefs about life, development and getting what you want for yourself. Kim has an approach to growth and development that embraces the idea that we can and do influence what we get out of life. In her work she helps others find clarity and intention to have health and abundance in their relationships. She works with children, adolescents and adults in a safe, respectful and empowering atmosphere.

Phone: 530-409-2122

Lori Larson, LMFT, has been working in the counseling field for 15 years.  She has diverse experience with children, teens and families, including family preservation work, sexual abuse treatment, self-esteem building, assertiveness training and building family communication and support.  Lori combines her life-long love of horses and her passion for helping people, into her practice using Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, an innovative and powerful therapeutic approach using horses to help people experientially learn more about themselves.  Solution focused and goal oriented, Lori believes her job is to help clients access the solutions they already have.  A goal setter and high achiever, Lori participates in marathons, and triathlons.  This allows her to bring her passion for the mind/body connection to her work. Lori obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from CSU Sacramento, and her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from National University in 1996.  In addition to her work at Live Oak, Lori works with families in Diamond Springs, and the Placerville area, doing both office work and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. 

Phone: 530-417-5308

 

Deloy Link, LMFT, has been working in the field of counseling since 1995. She graduated form Cal State Hayward with a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology. She chose Marriage and Family Therapy and Career and Adult Development as her specialty areas of emphasis.  Her undergraduate degree is from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Deloy works with individual adults, children and families. She received her internship hours from 1995-2000. While gaining experience by working in a variety of settings, she developed a deep passion for youth. Deloy continued to work with children and families in Non Profit Agencies and Private Practice settings throughout her licensure process.  In addition to working as a Behavioral Therapist, she enjoys many outdoor sports and activities. She jogs and hikes year round, skis in the winter, and bikes in the summer. “Our family loves to travel and explore the United States. I am an avid reader and an amateur writer. I coach my daughter’s sports teams and do volunteer work in the schools and community. I love animals and currently have two dogs, a cat and a Bearded Dragon.” She has three children and has been married since 1992.

Phone: 916-806-5052

 

Donna Rixmann, MA, ERYT,  has been teaching yoga since January of 2002. Her special interest is in using yoga techniques, in a therapeutic manner, to address individual needs. Why Yoga? Yoga is a scientific system of physical and mental practices including various postures (exercises) that involve deep breathing, body movement, meditation and relaxation. The scientifically proven physical, mental and emotional benefits of yoga are numerous and increasingly well-documented. Why Donna? She teaches yoga because she believes that the lessons and techniques you learn through the practice of yoga translate well to the realities of everyday life. You will begin from where you are, building greater strength, flexibility and balance through gentle yoga practices.  Donna's considerable training and breadth of experience allows her to modify yoga practices to meet your unique needs. Donna believes that "yoga taps into the underlying calm that lies within us all." Her students describe her as compassionate, knowledgeable and a gracious and inspiring guide.

Phone: 916-712-9642