Meet Our Mothers Care Clinicians

Allison is a clinician, founder and CEO of Mothers Care. She received her Bachelor of Arts from George Mason University, her Master of Arts from Sonoma State University, and she completed post-graduate training at the Family Institute of Marin with a focus on Family Therapy. She has over 25 years of experience working in clinical settings with individuals, families and couples. She is an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Interface Master Trainer and sits on committees for the Sonoma County Mental Health Services Act and Sonoma County Nurse Family Partnership. Allison’s experience includes instructing at Sonoma State University, consulting, training, and presenting to state and local organizations on the topic of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; and co-hosting a community public radio program.

Email: allison@mothercaresupport.com

Tel: 707-776-0959

Address: 40 Fourth Street, #205, Petaluma, CA 94952

Bianca is a bilingual, bicultural, Licensed Marriage and Family therapist. She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco. Bianca provides therapy services for individual clients of all ages including adults, adolescents, and children, and also specializes in working with families going through separation and divorce.

She brings over a decade of experience in supporting mothers and families through the challenges of parenting. Being a mother herself, she understands the profound transition that comes with parenthood. Her goal is to create a safe and nurturing space where mothers can heal, grow, and thrive in their parenting journey.

Email: bavina@mothercaresupport.com

Tel: 707-661-3008

Address: 1705 Washington St. #L Calistoga CA 94515

Cailen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that is certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C) and specializes in working with prenatal and postpartum mothers. Over the past 10+ years, Cailen has worked with youth and families in a variety of settings including: hospitals, schools, non-profits, and private practice telehealth. With both clinical expertise and personal experience with postpartum depression, Cailen has combined research with non-judgmental compassion to support new moms navigate life with a little one. Cailen resides in Petaluma, where she currently provides teletherapy.

Email: cgerner@mothercaresupport.com

Tel: 707-200-3606

Website: cailengernerlcsw.com

Caitlin Steele is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, practicing in Sebastopol, CA. She primarily works in perinatal mental health, with additional training and expertise in neonatal loss and grief. As a therapist, her goal is to help clients slow down and focus on developing healthy coping strategies and fostering internal peace. This is done in a safe and nonjudgmental space. Caitlin uses an integrative approach, incorporating CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) for practical tools to combat symptoms of anxiety and depression while incorporating mindfulness or ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) to tackle letting go and accepting what is not in our control. Caitlin aims to help clients develop and practice tools to foster self-reliance and acknowledge and address feelings of psychological distress.

Email: csteele@mothercaresupport.com

Address: 874 Gravenstein Highway South, Suite 1D, Sebastopol CA 94572

Website: caitlinsteelelcsw.com

Carla is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned her master’s degree from Argosy University, and has experience working with anxiety, depression, grief, self-harm, low self-esteem, school difficulties, relationship issues and conflict resolution. She has experience working with clients both individually and in groups. After ten years of experience working with children and families, she accomplished a dream and opened a private practice. She received a certificate in maternal mental health by Postpartum Support International and 2020Mom. Her philosophy is to offer clients unconditional support to help them understand how to use their own strength to manage their challenges. Carla and her husband have two amazing children and two wonderful dogs, a Queensland Heeler and a Heeler-Border Collie. They enjoy being out in nature, where Carla pursues her hobby of photography and going on new adventures.

Email: carla@mothercaresupport.com

Tel: 707-774-5778

Address: PO Box 7023, Petaluma, CA 94955

Cecilia is a co-founder of Humanidad Therapy and Education Services, and currently serves as Humanidad’s Supervisor. She has a master’s degree from San Francisco State University, has published her joint research, and has more than a decade working as a bilingual/bicultural therapist with the Latino community to increase awareness of mental health and reduce stigma associated with seeking services. She has been an active member of Sonoma County’s mental health community and provides counseling services in a variety of settings including schools, court and community health agencies. She also enjoys having a private practice, and works with adults, couples, families and children.

Email: cperez@mothercaresupport.com

Deborah earned her master’s degree in social work from University of Southern California. She completed the University of California, Davis Napa Infant-Parent Mental Health Fellowship. After directing programs for children, youth and families for 25 years, Deborah now provides maternal, dyadic and family psychotherapy for 0-5 clients and coordinates the Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMD) program at Child Parent Institute. She has a small private practice and consults to nonprofit and educational programs. Deborah’s passion lays at the intersection reflective practice supporting maternal mental health and foundational dyadic relationships.

When she is not working, you can find Deborah in her organic garden with her cats and chickens, cooking from the garden, or on the trails out in nature.

Email: dburg-schnirman@mothercaresupport.com

Tel: 707-200-8060

Address: 1821 4th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Jill is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who helps clients find their footing in their new role as a parent – or a parent again. Jill supports her clients in finding manageable ways to feel more connected and easeful at this time when they are called to do so much. She gives her clients a balance of structure and softness that is just right for them so they are supported in this process. Jill is energized by the invisible strings of attachment between us and how parents who heal are able to pass a greater sense of security and goodness on to their kids.

She has a private practice working with children and parents in Santa Rosa CA.

Email: japplegate@mothercaresupport.com

Tel: 707-595-8951

Address: 1821 4th St., Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Judy Pasdach is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker, originally from New York State. She received her social work training at Boston University and has many years of experience working in Bay Area community hospitals and with the VA Medical Center. She provides counseling support with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and specializes in pre-term/medically complex birth. She uses mindfulness and an integrative approach in her practice along with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). She has received post-graduate training through Postpartum Support International and The Center for Creative Mindfulness. Judy has her own personal experience with pre-term birth and resulting NICU stay and is a NICU Parent Mentor with Hand-To-Hold, offering parent to parent support to others facing similar challenges. She lives in Petaluma with her husband, daughter and their dog Quincy. She finds balance and joy with yoga, walking with friends/family and experiencing live music.

Email: jpasdach@mothercaresupport.com

Tel: 415-312-1176

Website: judypasdach.com

Katie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working with adults, families and youth in navigating life's ups and downs. She specializes in working with prenatal and postpartum mothers, individuals needing parenting support and families impacted by divorce. Katie has been working in mental health for over 15 years, providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults and families. She currently has a private practice in Petaluma.

Email: kluciani@mothercaresupport.com

Tel: 707-979-0671

Address: 7 Fourth St. #31, Petaluma, CA 94952

Website: katieluciani.com

Melissa is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned her doctorate degree from Adler University in Chicago. She has spent over a decade cultivating her skills to effectively and compassionately treat trauma and anxiety. She has advanced training and certification in perinatal mental health from Postpartum Support International (PSI) and EMDR (EMDRIA), and is formally trained in the robust treatments of CPT, DBT, and CBT. As a mom of two young children, she personally understands the challenges of pregnancy and the postpartum period. She strives to create a safe, warm, nonjudgemental, and collaborative space where self-understanding, meaningful growth, and empowerment can occur. Melissa practices in Petaluma and offers both virtual and in-person appointments.

Email: mpumper@mothercaresupport.com

Tel: 707-203-2244

Website: www.drmelissapumper.com