Founders:

Dr. Ross Porter
Dr. Ross Porter, licensed Clinical Psychologist, is the founder and Executive Director of Stillpoint Resources. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology) and M.Div. (Master of Divinity) degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, where he first became interested in the integration of psychology and spirituality. His background includes work at LAC/USC Psychiatric Hospital and the VA Medical Center, Sepulveda. He has taught at the high school, college, and graduate school levels, and has extensive experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. In addition, Dr. Porter writes and presents workshops and seminars on issues dealing with psychology and spirituality.You can contact Dr. Porter at his website, DrRossPorter.com to find out more about his writing projects and speaking schedule.

In June 2009, The Daily News featured Ross Porter as an "Amazing Angeleno."
Read the article here.

Jennifer Porter, B.A.
Jennifer is the Director of Development for Stillpoint Family Resources, as well as a member of our Speakers Bureau. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her Teaching Credential from the University of California, Los Angeles. She was an English teacher for ten years, and a Retreat Leader for eight years before joining Stillpoint full-time. She enjoys speaking on issues related to effective parenting, and is the mother of four.

Alma Cornejo, B.S.
Alma is bilingual, and brings with her years of experience as a mentor and teacher for children from 1st - 12th grade. She is a graduate of Hope International University (B. S. Human Development). Alma's clinical interests include working with children, teens, adults and families. She will receive a master's degree in psychology in 2010. Alma and her husband have been married for 25 years and they have five children.

Lucy Deukmejian, M.S.
Lucy received her B.A. (Fine Arts) from California Lutheran University, and her M.S. from California State University Channel Islands. She is also Certified in Applied Behavioral Analysis. Lucy uses creative techniques to explore and heal trauma. She has an extensive background working with teens, clients struggling with addiction, couples in crisis, and those with mood disorders. Lucy is also fluent in Armenian.

Carissa Gallardo, M.A.
Carissa brings a wealth of experience working with children-at-risk and their families, with her background as a Program Specialist and Special Education teacher, and as a Marriage and Family therapy trainee in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Her areas of interest include children-at-risk, and families of special needs children. Carissa earned a Bachelor of Arts (Human Development) degree from California State University, Long Beach, and graduated with an M.A. (Clinical Psychology) from Pepperdine University..

Daniel Grimm, M.A.
Daniel Grimm received a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in 1976, a J.D. from UOP McGeorge School of Law in 1979, and a M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2006. He practiced law in northern California from 1979 to 1992, was general counsel and vice-president for development of Thomas Aquinas College from 1993-2001, and was president of ITI-US from 2001-2005. He currently directs the Thomas Aquinas College Choir, and has worked as a trainee therapist at Ventura County Juvenile Facility and Ojai Unified School District. His clinical interests include the integration of Christian spirituality with psychological healing, child-parent relationship issues, and men's issues. Dan and his wife have been married for 30 years, and have seven children and four grandchildren.

Nora Luz Emerson Hernandez, M.Ed.
Nora graduated from Franciscan University in 1997 with a BA in Spanish and a minor in Mental Health. She also earned a Masters in Education in Reading Instruction in 2005. For the past nine years she has taught various subjects to grades Kinder through 12th grade. Nora's clinical interests are working with families and children, and she loves utilizing both art therapy and play therapy. She will graduate with her MFT in 2009.

Kami Leonard, M.A.
Kami received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute. She has worked with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and life transition. Her background includes parental education, geriatric support groups and girls and women experiencing unplanned pregnancy. Kami takes special interest in working with couples, pre-marital counseling and helping those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Alicia Leyva, MA, M.F.T.
Alicia Leyva is a native of Southern California. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute. Her background includes working as an educator at the high school and college level. Bilingual skills have facilitated Alicia's strong involvement with educating the Latino community on issues of psychology and spirituality through her various speaking engagements and through her work in the Spanish speaking media.

Lynne Purkey, M.A.
Lynne is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton (B.S. Human Services) and Hope International University (M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy). Lynne seamlessly integrates psychology with Christian spirituality and her practice with teens, adults, and groups is characterized by a gentle, contemplative spirit.

Kellie Robertson, M.A.
Kellie earned a B.A. in Psychology, with an English Literature Minor, from UC Riverside. She received her M.S. in Education from the University of Southern California, and a M.A. in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute. Kellie has worked specifically with middle school-aged at-risk adolescents and their families within L.A.U.S.D. She has also held positions as an English teacher, a Dropout Prevention Specialist, School Counselor and Child, Welfare & Attendance Counselor. Her specialty areas include working with children, tweens, teens and bi-cultural issues in therapy.

David Shaffer, M.F.T., M.Div.
David earned his undergraduate degree from California State University, Northridge, his M.F.C.C. from Mount Saint Mary's, and his M.Div. from St. John's Seminary. He has an extensive background teaching and counseling at the high school level, as well as public speaking on issues related to family, sexuality, and the integration of psychology and theology. His psychotherapy practice includes working with teens, adults, and couples.

Joe Sikorra, M.S.
Joe graduated from U.C.L.A. with a B.A. in Theater Arts and a M.A. in Psychology from Antioch. He brings a wealth of experience in crisis counseling as a law enforcement officer and has a particular desire to work with teens, couples, and families of special needs children.