STAFF
Rawna Romero, LMFT
Executive Director/Director of Clinical Services and Programs
Rawna has been practicing as a licensed psychotherapist since 2005. In addition to her work as a clinician, she has been supervising trainees and associates since 2007, including through the auspices of the California Institute for Integral Studies. In 2014, Rawna completed The Psychotherapy Institute’s Supervision Study Program, further developing her capacity to support clinicians in training and one year later was hired by Grateful Heart to succeed Mary Owens, Grateful Heart’s founding Clinical Director. In addition to her experience as a clinician, supervisor and consultant, Rawna has worked as an Executive Director, Director of Program Development, Director of Development and staff member for numerous social service and non-profit organizations including Hospitality House, The Arc, The Women’s Building, The TalkLine/San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center, TODCO, McAuley Neuropsychiatric Institute and Stage Door Conservatory. She loves her work at Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center, considering it a beautiful integration of her managerial, programmatic and clinical experience. She especially enjoys her roles as a supervisor and mentor, and the opportunities these roles provide for supporting our clinicians in their development.
Stephanie Francis-Ecoffey, MA, AMFT
Internship and Operations Coordinator
Stephanie began with Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in October 2019 and continues in this capacity, currently working with individuals and couples in Oakland. Prior to practicing with Grateful Heart, she studied at the California Institute for Integral Studies and trained at the Center for Somatic Psychotherapy in San Francisco. Prior to graduate school, she worked for many years in a varied human resources, recruiting, and administrative roles, including in corporate and start-up settings. Stephanie enjoys her roles as the Internship and Operations Coordinator because it offers her the opportunity to share both her administrative and operational expertise with her passion for psychotherapy. She shares ….”It feels great to be supporting current and future colleagues wherever they may be in their journeys towards private practice.”
Angie Green
Financial Coordinator
Angie joined Grateful Heart in October 2016 as Financial Coordinator and is tasked with overseeing most of the financial activities for the associates at Grateful Heart. With more than 30+ years of marketing, business development, and customer service expertise, Angie is excited working in the background supporting our assocaites as they work towards full licensure certification.
Paul LeBars, MA, AMFT
Intake Coordinator
Paul brings a passion for service and community to his position as Intake Coordinator. Paul completed his Masters of Arts degree at John F. Kennedy University in 2013, focusing on the study of Transpersonal Psychology. He continues his life’s work at Grateful Heart both as a clinician and member of our staff, bringing his passion for healing to his work.
Becca Levy, MA, AMFT
Records Coordinator
Biography forthcoming
Jen Herrington
Administrative Assistant of Operations
Biography forthcoming
Melissa Gericke, MA, APCC
Administrative Assistant of Communications
Melissa recently moved to the Bay Area from New York. In New York, she worked as Mental Health Counselor at a drug and alcohol outpatient program. During her time there she helped develop curriculum for the program’s psychoeducation and groups, while also maintaining an active caseload of clients. In October, 2019, Melissa began as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center and is currently providing psychotherapy to individuals in Berkeley. As the Administrative Assistant of Communications, Melissa support our community in a variety of ways, especially in the areas of communication, program development and organization. She enjoys working at Grateful Heart because it allows her to contribute to both our associates and our development as an agency. When Melissa is not working, she enjoys art-making and exploring the Bay Area.
Laura Gardner, MA, LMFT
Marketing Coach
Laura is a holistic psychotherapist in private practice in Emeryville, California. She works with women, men, and couples, including interracial couples. She has a special interest in supporting individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or struggling with repetitive patterns of behavior. As a graduate of John F. Kennedy University, she was mentored by Marsha Hiller, MFT, in Berkeley, and spent her final 8 months as an intern at Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jessica Laughlin
President of the Board
Jessica holds a M.B.A. from Santa Clara University and is currently employed as a Senior Manager of Vendor Management at Lam Research. She was sought as a member of the Board of Directors for her experience in operational planning, budgeting and forecasting, contracts management, team building, leadership development, strategic planning and project management, as well as her involvement in community and philanthropic organizations.
Larisa Blum, MA, JD, LMFT
Board Member
Larissa joined Grateful Heart upon graduating from JFK University with a degree in somatic psychology. She became licensed in 2015 and has continued on with Grateful Heart participating in the pilot Bridge Program which seeks to provide continued training for licensed clinicians, supporting their development as supervisors and building a multi-generational therapist community.
Sunny Hill
Chief Financial Officer, Board Treasurer
Sunny founded Sunny Books and offers bookkeeping and systems design for entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations in the United States and Canada, working remotely throughout North America. Her experience in fiscal management, bookkeeping, human resources and non profit management have been an invaluable contribution to our agency and Board. In addition to her work in finances, Sunny is an devoted ceramicist and artist.
Mary Owen, LMFT
Founder & Board Member 2006-2014
Mary Owen founded Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center in 2006, following several years as an adjunct professor and a clinical supervisor for MFT interns and Master’s students in San Francisco. She acted as the clinical director from founding until 2014, and she continues to consult and supervise at Grateful Heart.
Interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors of Grateful Heart? If so, please email us for more information at admin@gratefulhearttherapy.org.