Meet Our Staff and Therapists
De Anza College Psychological Services is staffed by therapists from Bay Area Clinical Psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs. These practicum interns are supervised by William Firmender, Ph.D.
Suzanna Ramirez, Administrative Assistant (she/her)
Available: | Monday - Thursday 8:30am- 5:30pm | Friday 8:30am-2pm|
Suzanna is the administrative assistant of Psychological Services at De Anza College. She is a proud alumni of De Anza College.
She has her Associates in Liberal Arts - Social & behavioral Science Emphasis, as
well as an Associates in Communication studies for transfer. Suzanna looks forward
to continuing her education to receive a Bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She is passionate about helping her community
and providing support to students in need. Her dedication started in 2012 helping
low income students within after school programs creating a safe space for them. Suzanna
started working a temp position for Psychological Services at De Anza in 2019, which
led her to a full time position. Her devotion is making resources available to her
team and students about mental health. She is a proud fur mom to a maltipoo named
Mela, who she adores and spoils. Suzanna is an outstanding employee who is compassionate
and empathetic to her students and staff.
William Firmender, Ph.D. (he/him)
Available: |Monday - Thursday 8am-5:30pm|
Dr. Firmender is a licensed psychologist and the Director of Psychological Services
at De Anza College. He moved to California after spending his childhood, adolescence,
and early adult years in South Carolina, Washington, D.C., and New York City. His
clinical and research interests include diversity and community mental health, public
policy, program development and evaluation, and therapeutic sports interventions.
He has a great deal of experience helping clients deal with stressful life transitions.
Using a combination of humanistic, behavioral, and attachment approaches to psychotherapy,
he aims to help clients feel comfortable with themselves, feel less self-critical,
and feel capable of making and maintaining meaningful life changes. Such changes
are based on substantive collaboration with clients to create tangible, realistic,
and attainable goals.
Derrick E Felton, MSW, MPA, MBA (he/him)
Available:|Tuesday & Thursday 12pm to 5pm|
Mr. Felton is an Army Veteran and originally hails from Mississippi. Previously, he
has worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Services.
He is currently a part-time faculty member with the Social Sciences & Humanities Division,
teaching Psychology Classes, as well as being the Veteran Liaison Social Worker with Vitas Healthcare. Mr. Felton has experience in trauma, depression, and anxiety. He has run several men’s
groups, covering numerous relevant topics, and offers a mindful approach to coping
strategies. Mr. Felton recently joined the Psychological Service department in Spring 2020.
Brian Lippincott, Ph.D. (he/him)
Available: |Wednesday 9am-2pm|Thursday 12pm-2pm|Friday 10am-12pm|
Brian Lippincott Ph.D is a Psychologist and Supervisor for Psych Services at De Anza College.
Dr. Lippincott earned his Bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s College of California
in 1978 in the Integral Curriculum of the Liberal Arts which is a Great Books program.
He immediately went on to John F Kennedy University to earn his Master’s degree in
Psychology in 1981 and eventually matriculated to Pacifica Graduate Institute where
he earned his doctorate degree in 1992 with a specialization in depth psychology.
Dr. Lippincott is both a licensed marriage family therapist and licensed clinical
psychologist in the state of California. He has had a private practice since 1985.
Dr. Lippincott returned to John F Kennedy University in 1992 and has been a faculty
since then teaching every quarter in either the masters in psychology program for
MFT, LPCC program or in the PsyD program.Dr. Lippincott has taught a wide variety
of classes ranging from clinical case seminar, group process and other clinical classes
to research and advanced research. Dr. Lippincott spent 20 years working in community
mental health where he was the supervisor of the transition age youth program for
Monterey County which dealt with first episode psychosis. In 2013 Dr. Lippincott founded
the Center for Humanistic Development, a training center in Aptos, Watsonville and
Salinas California, which trains practicum students and interns in Humanistic psychology
and Creative Depth Psychology (CDP.) CDP embraces the ideas of Jung and others regarding
the depth of the human spirit and has a holistic approach. It also involves depth
perception in the outer world and is a community-based psychology aligned with the
work of Michael White and David Epston in Narrative therapy.
Kimberly "Kim" Lee, Psy.D. (she/her)
Available: |Monday - Thursday 9am- 4:30pm|Friday 9am-12pm|
Dr. Lee is a recent graduate from the Doctor of Clinical Psychology program at NU's
JFK School of Psychology. She received her B.S. in psychology from Saint Mary’s College
of California and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology during her graduate program. Dr.
Lee has experience working at a variety of settings providing individual, dyadic,
and group therapy across most life developmental stages using strength-based and trauma-focused
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She has also treated a variety of clinical issues
including but not limited to various types of trauma (e.g., PTSD, complex trauma),
mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression), the spectrum of psychotic disorders, self-esteem
issues, acculturation difficulties, cultural discrimination, multigenerational differences/individuation,
family and relationship stress, as well as complex grief.Anita Vazifdar, MMFT, LMFT #110606 (she/her)
Available: |Monday & Tuesday 5pm-6pm|
Anita is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She holds a Masters of Marriage
and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Arts
in International Studies from University of Wisconsin – Madison. Anita is passionate
about empowering young adults to find their authentic selves, increase self-esteem,
and build coping skills to overcome life’s difficulties. As a bi-cultural individual,
she understands the significance of cultural identity, & works from a client-centered
approach to create a strong and compassionate alliance with her clients. She works
with individuals to develop their unique cultural identities and make sense of the
world and society around them.
Much of her experience has focused on working with young adults transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. She fosters a supportive environment for young adults to explore the difficulties that surface during this challenging phase of life. In her own life she has seen the significant impact of a mindfulness practice and utilizes this approach in her work to promote emotional regulation and emphasize the importance of living more fervently in the present moment. Anita is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which is an evidence-based practice that incorporates mindfulness techniques with other coping skills to ease emotional distress, increase interpersonal effectiveness, and increase emotional well-being. Specialties: Individual and group psychotherapy; creating coping skills for anxiety, depression, and trauma; working with college-age young adults to overcome life-transition obstacles; women’s empowerment; and supporting individuals with disabilities.
Genavae Dixon, LMFT #102988 (she/her)
Available: |Wednesday - Friday 4:30- 6:30pm|
Genavae Pierre Dixon is a licensed marriage and family therapist, who is currently
the mental health and wellness coordinator at Gunn High School and has been for that
past 4 years. She is also now eligible to be a clinical supervisor for associate marriage
and family therapists. She received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology, with an
emphasis in marriage and family therapy from University of San Francisco and completed
her BA at the University of California, Riverside in Psychology. Genavae specializes
in trauma-focused CBT practices, client centered care, and motivational interviewing,
having worked in community mental health settings since 2015. Her previous placements
were Bill Wilson Center, Community Solutions, Unity Care, and CASSY (counseling and
support services for youth), where she gained experience working with children, adolescents,
families, couples, and adults. Genavae’s greatest goal is to reduce mental health
stigma, increase access to care, and better the lives of children and families in
her community!
Jacob Cameron, M.S. (he/him/his)
Available:|Wednesday - Friday 9am-2pm|
Jacob Cameron is a doctoral candidate at Palo Alto University where he is pursuing
his PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in LGBTQ+ Psychology. He obtained
his BA in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento and his MS in Clinical
Psychology at Palo Alto University. His previous training includes college counseling,
community mental health, and a federal school program where he gained experience conducting
psychotherapy from cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and narrative modalities.
Jacob utilizes feminist theory as a strength-based approach to meet clients where
they are at. He considers himself a generalist who to date has experience with a wide
variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, grief, motivation,
relationships, ADHD, substance use, trauma, suicidality, gender and sexual identity
questioning/concerns, and leading a balanced life. Jacob has worked with individuals
and groups ranging in age from youth to older adults. He has a passion for social
justice, young adult development, and working with diverse individuals within their
sociocultural context. Jacob has volunteered his time in community organizing and
improving education/access to mental and physical health services for those in marginalized
communities.
Karen Firestone, M.A. (she/her/hers)
Available: |Wednesday & Thursday 10am-4pm|
Karen is a fourth-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at the Wright Institute
in Berkeley, CA. She received her B.A. in psychology from the University of California
Berkeley and her M.A. in clinical psychology from the Wright Institute. She has experience
working with adolescents in a school-based setting and adults in a community mental
health setting. She has training in psychodynamic psychotherapy and treating youth
who have experienced complex trauma. She particularly enjoys working with young adults
who are coping with life transitions, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.
Her approach to therapy is collaborative, explorative and strengths based. This is
her second year at De Anza Psych Services and she is excited to continue serving De
Anza’s students. She is very passionate about decreasing mental health stigma and
making mental health care accessible to all students.
Katie Karimian, M.A. (she/her)
Available: |Monday & Wednesday 9am-4:30pm| Friday 9am-12pm|
Katie is a third-year student at the University of San Francisco. She has a passion
with working with young adults who are experiencing life transitions, relationship
difficulties and anxiety. Katie works from a strength-based model and believes that
is where all of the growth starts. Katie received her Bachelor's in Communication
Studies at Chapman University and her Master's in Arts in Psychology from Pepperdine
University. She integrates the two to ensure transparency in communication while understanding
the psyche. She has experience working at an outpatient substance abuse facility and
the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, working with individuals and families with
critically ill children. Katie teaches pilates during her free time and believes that
overall health is a mix of the mind, body, and soul.
Mariel Alano, M.A. (she/her)
Available: |Monday 9am-3:30pm|Thursday 9am- 4:30pm |Friday 9am-12pm|
Mariel is a third-year student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Palo Alto
University. She received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Human Development
from the University of California, Davis and completed her M.A. in Developmental Psychology
from Teachers College, Columbia University. She recently completed clinical training
at the Gronowski Center’s Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic (SGIC) where she was
trained in feminist therapy and worked with individuals identifying as LGBTQ+. She
is passionate about working with historically marginalized populations particularly
racial and cultural minorities, sexual and gender minorities, and immigrant communities.
Elizabeth Holden B.A. (she/her/hers)
Available: |Monday 9am-2:30pm|Wednesday 9am-5pm| Friday 9-12pm|
Elizabeth is a third-year student of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) at the University
of San Francisco. She studied History at the University of CA, Santa Barbara which
allowed her to follow her passion of studying people and their stories and in this
way, finds the study of psychology to be history’s natural partner. Elizabeth finds
her theoretical home primarily through a humanistic, person-centered approach and
has worked in community mental health and crisis support. Elizabeth has been trained
in crisis intervention and suicide prevention and she has been trained under an interpersonal/relational
framework (Family Systems Theory). Elizabeth believes deeply in the value and power
of human connection. She considers every individual as the expert of their own journey
and comes from a place of honor, respect, and gratitude to be invited on that journey.
Jakob Hopper,B.A. (he/him)
Available:|Tues. 9am-11am & 1-3pm|Wed. 9am-3pm| Thur and Fri: 9am-12pm|
Jakob graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology
and is currently a third-year Ph.D. student at Palo Alto University. He has experience
practicing as a student therapist at a specialty clinic that offered affordable and
affirming psychological services for LGBTQ+ individuals. He is pursuing a career focused
broadly on community mental health, with a particular emphasis on work with LGBTQ+
folks and people struggling with various forms of trauma. However, he has past experience
working with a variety of people and is more than happy to work with individuals outside
of these specific areas. Beyond that, when not in the therapy room, he can often be
found working on a research project for a neuropsychology lab or potentially playing
video games to scratch his gamer itch.
Madi Marcus, B.A. (she/her)
Available: |Monday & Wednesday 9am-5pm|Friday 9am-12|
Madi is a 4th year student in the University of San Francisco Clinical Psychology
PsyD program. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology from Scripps College,
where she first became interested in the provision of culturally-responsive therapeutic
services to college students.
Alan Palmer, M.S. (He/Him/His)
Available: Tuesday 9am-5pm|Wednesday 9am-1pm|Thursday 9am-4:30pm|Friday 10am-12pm
Alan Palmer is a fourth year Ph.D. Candidate at Palo Alto University (PAU). Originally
from Pasadena, California, Alan received his A.A degree in Psychology at Pasadena
City College, then, he transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara,
where he earned his B.A. in Psychology. During the pursuit of his doctoral degree
at PAU, Alan has obtained his M.S. in Clinical Psychology while conducting and contributing
to research studies addressing mental health disparities presented in marginalized
communities. Also, he has delivered psychological services to young adult populations
utilizing a variety of therapeutic approaches to resolve clinical issues and has facilitated
group discussions in the area of Diversity and Community Mental Health. As a mental
health professional, Alan’s mission is to expand his cultural humility and promote
a state of well-being for clients in hopes they can build on their own abilities to
overcome adversity.
Sredha Shine, B.A. (she/her)
Available:|Tuesday & Thursday 9am-5pm| Friday 10am-12pm|
Sredha is a second-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at the Wright Institute
in Berkeley, CA. She received her B.A in Anthropology from University of Southern
California. Her identities as an immigrant and South Indian woman drive her passion
to provide culturally competent, trauma informed care to BIPOC individuals and make
mental health more accessible to marginalized populations. Sredha works from a relational,
social justice, and feminist perspective. She has experience working with families
and systems. She also has experience in crisis intervention and working with those
who have experienced trauma. Sredha is excited to be a part of De Anza’s psych services
and support college students through a critical time of development and transition.
In her free time, Sredha enjoys lifting weights and spending time with her family
and friends.