CCA Leadership

Jeffrey Bornstein, MS, LPCC

Jeff is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California, New Mexico, Oregon, and Texas. From his practice based in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, he often conducts “walk and talk” therapy around Silver Lake reservoir and utilizes teletherapy.  He specializes in treating anxiety disorders using a Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) approach. He has been in private practice for 16 years.  

Jeff is a member of the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors where he served as a regional coordinator for 5 years and served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for 5 years. Jeff is also a member of the American Counseling Association and California Counseling Association. 

Prior to his career as a psychotherapist, Jeff was a Certified Public Accountant that specialized in taxation issues and management consultant with a focus in Change Management.

Sharon Bowles, MA - President/ED Emeritus

Sharon Bowles received a bachelor’s degree from Mills College in Oakland, California, majoring in mathematics and history, and received a master’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis on school counseling from the University of San Francisco. She holds a doctoral equivalency and also holds a lifetime secondary teaching credential and a lifetime pupil personnel service credential. A 34-year veteran math teacher and school counselor (retired), Sharon has been a leader in many capacities. She served as Chairperson of the Math Department for Frick Junior High School before becoming a counselor in the Department of Counseling. Transferring to high school, Sharon served as Chair of the Counseling Department for 22 of the 27 years she was a counselor in the Oakland Unified School District. During that time she served for 3 years on the Selection Committee for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and 8 years on the Grant Advisory Committee (GAC) of the California Student Aid Commission including distinction as GAC vice chair and parliamentarian. 

Sharon served on several district and school committees making valuable contributions to the establishment of programs and policies that benefited the students of the entire district. She was a contributor to the original publication of the High School Success Guide. She has continued to serve as a consultant for counselors after her retirement. For 15 years, Sharon served as co-teacher with Emma Borens as an adjunct professor in the Department of Counseling in the Master of Counseling program and in the Child and Adolescent Development Department at San Francisco State University. (Retired 8/2020).  

In 2008, Sharon was inducted into the H. B. McDaniel Hall of Fame at Stanford University for outstanding contributions to professional counseling. In 2016, she received the Professor of the Year award from the SFSU Counseling Students Association. 

Over her years of membership in the American Counseling Association (ACA), Sharon has served in many leadership positions. She is past president of the California School Counselor Association, and the California Counseling Association, member of the California Association for Multicultural Counseling;  and past chair and past treasurer of the ACA Western Region. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of the California Counseling Association, Western Regional Representative for the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, president of the California Association for Religious Values in Counseling and is the Northern Regional Representative for the California School Counselors Association. 

Among her many civic activities she counts her services on the Neighborhood Community Council, Church Trustee and Choir Director, and membership in the Oakland EastBay Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she has served as parliamentarian and scholarship committee chair. 

Sharon is the co-author/editor of the book  Teaching and Counseling Across the Lifespan With a Humanistic Perspective which was published in 2021 by Cognella Publishing Company.

Sharon’s mantra is:  Always try to make a positive difference in the lives of others and pay it forward with your good deeds.

Carrie Davidson, MA, LPC-S, NCC

Carrie S. Davidson, LPC-S, NCC, brings a wealth of experience and expertise spanning nearly two decades. With a profound commitment to nonprofit work, her responsibilities encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from Mental Health to Advocacy.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Carrie plays a pivotal role in delivering essential mental health services within the School-Based Mental Health Program and the Community . Her dedication to this role is underpinned by a diverse background that includes positions as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Detention Facility Counselor, Juvenile Probation Counselor, and Counseling Advocate.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Carrie cherishes spending quality time with her family, exploring new destinations through travel, nurturing her artistic and craft projects, and engaging in fellowship with like-minded individuals.

Carrie S. Davidson earned her credentials from esteemed institutions, holding degrees from both Louisiana State University and Southern University, A&M. Throughout her impressive career, spanning nearly two decades, Ms. Davidson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to assisting teenagers and adults facing various mental health challenges, trauma-related issues, and substance abuse concerns.

In her view, working in the field of Mental Health is not just a profession but a ministry, a calling to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals struggling with mental health and related issues.

Carrie's extensive experience extends across diverse settings, including private practice, the Juvenile Justice System, Community-Based Programs, and Integrated Health Care Programs. Her approach to care is rooted in meeting individuals where they are and providing the support and guidance they need to blossom in their unique circumstances.

Carrie S. Davidson, LPC-S, NCC, is a compassionate and dedicated professional who embodies the belief that everyone has the potential to thrive, no matter where they are rooted, and she is committed to helping them bloom.

Kristin Dempsey, EdD, LPCC, LMFT

Kristin Dempsey is a Bay Area psychotherapist, counselor educator and trainer. Kristin has over three decades of experience working in community mental health settings and public K-12 schools providing mental health and substance use education and treatment services. She currently supports individuals and families in her San Francisco and Burlingame private practice offices as well as through telehealth. Kristin is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and she currently teaches motivational interviewing to behavioral health and other allied human services professionals. She is an adjunct professor at the Wright Institute’s Counseling Psychology Program and lecturing faculty at San Francisco State University. Kristin is the author of The Harm Reduction Workbook for Addiction (New Harbinger, 2024), co-author of Advancing Motivational Interviewing: An Experiential Skills Guide for Mental Health Professionals (PESI, April 2026), and a writer for The Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery Workbook (New Harbinger, May 2027).

Teneka Gash, PhD, PLPC, RSW

Dr. Gash is a Counselor Educator and has educated Master-Level and Doctoral students/candidates in the Counseling and Behavioral Sciences Department. She serves on Dissertation Committees and provides academic and professional mentorship to students and professionals from various geographical areas. Dr. Gash is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Social Worker who provides counseling services to individuals and families. She holds an Ancillary Certificate as a Professional School counselor (LA), certified in teletherapy, CPR/AED, and specializes in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.

Dr. Gash is dedicated to collaborating with counselors to enhance the profession with interest in providng educational trainings for multiculturalism, trauma, PTSD, cancer and suicide awareness. Core Responsibilities include Direct Clinical Services, School Partnership, Crisis Intervention & Support. Adhere to legal and compliance standards (HIPAA, FERPA, etc.) as well as the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics.

Helen Hagos, MSC

Helen Hagos, MSC received her Master’s Degree from San Francisco State University and has served on the California Counseling Association Board of Directors since 2018. Starting as a student member of the Board, Helen transitioned to full Board membership as a Director and therefore brings a wealth of knowledge and history to the association. She brings a strong commitment to community-centered service and youth advocacy with a background in social services and resource navigation. Helen is passionate about supporting programs that create meaningful impact and is honored to continue contributing to the organization’s mission.

Cara Maffini, PhD

Dr. Cara S. Maffini is a Professor in the Department of Child & Adolescent Development. She is co-founder and Director of SJSU's Healthy Development Community Clinic (HDCC) which is a pioneering model of student training through community-engagement that focuses on promoting healthy development, mental health and health equity for children, youth, and families across Santa Clara County. Her research encompasses intersections of culture, mental health, and trauma particularly among adolescents and emerging adults with a focus on underserved populations.

Grounded in her training in counseling psychology, her research and practice focus on culturally sustaining community-centered prevention programs that address mental health and health equity and healthy development for children, youth, and families.

Zachary McNeice, PhD

Dr. Zachary McNiece is an assistant professor at San José State University whose work focuses on psychological trauma, mental health disparities, and the impact of social determinants of health in underserved communities. His research examines anti-oppressive and arts-based counseling approaches and how structural factors contribute to trauma and mental health inequities. More recently, his work has focused on interprofessional education and the integration of counseling skills across helping professions.

Shyrea Minton, Ed.D., LPCC

Shyrea J. Minton, Ed.D., LPCC is a Professor and Department Chair of Educational Psychology and Counseling at California State University, Northridge. Her research explores ways to leverage community strengths and social and cultural capital as protective factors for both minoritized clinicians-in-training and P-12 student populations. She is also involved in creating a community for graduate students and faculty and staff at the university level to promote belonging.

She has a small telehealth private practice, in which she uses humanistic and strengths-based approaches, while incorporating mindfulness practice.

Anthony Rivas, EdD, LAC, LMFT, Mac, AAMFT Approved Supervisor 

Dr. Rivas currently teaches as core faculty in the master’s in counseling and as a dual appointed faculty in the Doctorate in Education programs at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS).

Prior to teaching at CSUS, he taught at the graduate level at MSU Denver, at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. At UCCS, Dr. Rivas taught within both the MS in Counseling and the Air Force Officer Commanding (AOC) Leadership program. Dr. Rivas is an approved trainer for Addiction Counseling Skills, Case Management, Principles of Addiction, and Clinical Supervision I & II for the State of Colorado. Dr. Rivas holds clinical licensure in Colorado as both a Licensed Addiction Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He holds national credentials of Master Addiction Counselor and AAMFT Approved Supervisor.

Dr. Rivas provides clinical supervision training as well as clinical supervision in Colorado and at California State University, Sacramento. His research interests focus on effective clinical supervision, equity and access to care, and bullying & incivility in higher education. Dr. Rivas has over 20 years of clinical experience, which includes providing mental health & substance abuse counseling in both private practice and within community agencies, with adolescents and adults.

In private practice Dr. Rivas worked with veterans and their spouses, first responders, medical professionals, and civilians with mood disorders, trauma, grief & loss, and SUD. In community agencies he worked with court-mandated offenders and individuals with chronic and severe mental health diagnoses.

Bita Ashouri Rivas, Ed.D, LPCC, LMFT, LPC, LAC, NCC, ACS, MAC

Dr. Ashouri Rivas is an Associate Professor at CSU Sacramento in the MS in Counseling program, specializing in marriage, couple, and family counseling; clinical mental health counseling, and addiction counseling. She joined the Sacramento State Counselor Education program in 2018. She is currently serving as the Program Coordinator for Counselor Education. Dr. Ashouri Rivas has been a Counselor Educator since 2013. Prior to joining CSUS, Dr. Ashouri Rivas held faculty positions at Western Connecticut State University and University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Having worked in mental health since 2008, she has experience with inpatient residential treatment working with adolescents providing individual, family, and group counseling; as well as community mental health providing group counseling for court mandated clients. She owns and operates a private practice, Alchemy of Healing Counseling, working with individuals, couples, and families in addition to providing supervision for individuals seeking licensure in Colorado. She holds three licenses in Colorado, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC); and in California she holds her Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licenses. She also holds her credentials as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Master Addiction Counselor (MAC). Dr. Ashouri Rivas served on the Board of Directors, as a Counselor Education member, for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for a five year term from 2020-2025.

Dr. Ashouri Rivas currently serves as a consultant to universities and programs seeking initial accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation.

David Paul, PhD, NCC, LPC

Dr. David Paul is the MACC Program System-wide Director and Associate Professor in the Clinical Counseling program at Alliant International University. Dr. Paul has a PhD. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Barry University (CACREP accredited). Dr. Paul was admitted to memberships in Delta Epsilon Iota, Academic & Leadership Honor Society, and Chi Sigma Iota, Academic & Professional Honor Society International. Dr. Paul has 30 years of administrative, supervision, research, counseling, teaching, and student affairs experience in higher education and community settings.

Since being recruited at an ACA conference in 2017, Dr. Paul was hired as an Assistant fulltime core faculty member based at the Fresno Campus . In 2018 Dr. Paul was promoted to Program Director and then again to Systemwide Director of the MACC Program in 2019. Dr. Paul was again promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in 2020. Dr. Paul has taught at the Fresno Campus, the San Francisco Campus, and on-line classes.

In 2012 Dr. Paul was awarded by CSI, Counseling Honors Society International an Outstanding Contributions Award, for a series of CPCE Exam Prep Sessions. Dr. Paul’s research projects have been selected for presentations at the following peer reviewed juried conferences; ACA, NCDA, CCDA, CALPCC, and NACES. He is also an active member of ACA, WACES, NBCC, CCDA and NCDA. Dr. Paul has been appointed to the Board of Directors of CCDA, CALPCC, and Care Resources, Inc.

Prior to relocating to Fresno California, Dr. Paul held the following positions; Program and Clinical Director and Assistant Professor in the Counseling and Student Affairs program in the Graduate School of Education and Human Services at Minnesota State University Moorhead, Clinical Services Manager in the Adrian Dominican School of Education, Counseling Department at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, Academic Dean and Chairperson for the Health Sciences & Related Studies Department at the Medical Center Campus of Miami Dade College. Additional positions at MDC included Dean of Administrative Services & Student Services, Director of the Biotechnology Program, and Director of ACCESS & Career Services.

Brenda Stephens, MS, LPCC

Brenda Stephens, MS, LPCC, is a trauma informed counselor, speaker, educator, and owner of a group practice. Her clinical work focuses on complex trauma, relational trauma, and recovery from narcissistic abuse, and she is known for supporting survivors through counseling, psychoeducation, and support groups. Brenda integrates approaches including EMDR, somatic work, CBT, DBT, and is IFSI trained. She is passionate about advancing the counseling profession, supporting clinicians, and expanding access to ethical, high quality mental health care.

Kiai Kim, LPCC, NCC

Kiai (pronounced "key-eye") became a clinical counselor in midlife following a lifelong interest in psychology and a full recovery from PTSD sustained the night of 9/11. Her recovery has motivated research in a process she calls somatic quieting. She brings half a life of experience in presentation design within banking, advertising, media, and publishing industries, and in tech. Kiai co-founded Care Association, a nonprofit that began in tech and is currently working on the affordable housing problem.

Aubrey Uresti, Ph.D., LPCC, PPS-SC

Dr. Aubrey Uresti is an Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator of Counselor Education in the Lurie College of Education at San José State University. A California credentialed K-12 school counselor and a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), Dr. Uresti has experience in all levels of K-12 education as a teacher, school counselor, therapist, supervisor, and consultant. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her research focuses on the individual, family, and extended family-level experiences of adolescents who have a parent in jail or prison, as well as adolescents’ meaning-making processes regarding parental incarceration. Dr. Uresti’s experience working with K-12 students, undergraduates, graduate students, and adult learners also informs her exploration of urban education and school counseling, school-based support, grief and loss, peer victimization, child and adolescent development issues, and lifelong learning for counselors through qualitative interview, image-based research, critical discourse analysis, and ethnography. She was recognized in 2025 as the Counselor Educator of the Year by the California Association of School Counselors.