Our Mission
The Children and Family Therapy Institute located in Oakland and Walnut Creek. We provide therapy services to people of all ages and specialize in psychotherapy, child therapy, teen and young adult therapy, family therapy, and co-parenting therapy. Overall in our work, we strive to alleviate psychological suffering and challenges faced by individuals and families in our community. We seek to promote a strong sense of self and personal growth while reducing anxiety and discomfort. Increasing our clients’ sense of meaning, purpose in life, and relieving them of any burdens is our priority.
We welcome and embrace all clients from different cultures, families, values, and beliefs. All of our therapists honor and respect the unique characteristics in all of our clients. Therapy treatment initially begins with identifying and understanding the client’s challenges and goals to determine a customized therapy plan. Our therapists have a unique approach to therapy and counseling, however, they share a common goal of providing quality, effective, and empathetic treatment that answers to all established goals and challenges. We nurture and support all of our clients and their families by having our therapists’ actions rooted in research based interventions.
In summary, at The Children and Family Therapy Institute we strive to promote the growth of each client and support each individual as they tackle any challenges they may be facing.
Meet Our Team
Amy Kelly, LMFT
Co-Founder
Amy Kelly is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in Child, Adolescent, & Reunification therapy.
Amy has spent the past decade working with children & families. She focuses on individual therapy for children & teenagers, family therapy, co-parenting therapy, & reunification therapy.
​
Amy completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at San Francisco State, Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of California at Davis & CE with the American Academy of Pediatrics
AMY KELLY, LMFT
Co-Founder
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #84567
amy@amykellymft.com
Amy Kelly (she/her) is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in Children and Adolescents.
Amy has spent the past decade working with children & families. She focuses on individual therapy for children & teenagers, family therapy, and co-parenting therapy.
​
Amy completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at San Francisco State, her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of California at Davis, and CE with the American Academy of Pediatrics
Location: Oakland, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Family/Couples, Children, Individuals
NATASA NORDMAN, LMFT
Co-Founder
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #52879
​
​
Natasa Nordman (she/her) is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in depression, anxiety, adolescent therapy, and EMDR.
She is focused on working with individuals who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, & phase of life difficulties.
​
Natasa holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from University of San Francisco and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from the University of California at Davis. She is also trained and highly skilled in evidenced-based practices such as EMDR & CBT.
​
Location: Oakland, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Trauma & Anxiety, Increase Sense of Self, EMDR
CHERYL FELDMAN, LMFT
Clinical Director
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #43294
Board Certified Art Therapist 12-008
​
cheryl@thechildrensinstitute.com
​
Cheryl (she/her) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Board-Certified Art Therapist who has two decades of working in school-based programs, community programs, and for the insurance industry.
Cheryl works with children and adolescents, and their families, who are looking for support with behavior and emotions, the education system, life transitions, substance use disorders, neurodivergence, and LGBTQ focus.
Cheryl received her Masters degree in Marital and Family Therapy with an emphasis in Art Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University and is currently completing her PhD in Art Therapy from Dominican University of CA. Additionally, she has been an adjunct professor in the Masters program for the past five years.
​
Location: Oakland, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Anxiety/Social Anxiety, Neurodiversity & Identity, Art Therapy
AMANDA PARKER TRAUTMANN, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Clinical Social Worker #70047
​
amanda@thechildrensinstitute.com
​
Amanda (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma, depression and anxiety in adolescents and adults. She is focused on working with individuals who experience anxiety, depression & trauma.
Amanda holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Health and Mental Health from California State University, Bakersfield and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the California State University, Bakersfield. She is also trained and highly skilled in evidenced-based practices such as DBT, EMDR & CBT.
​
Location: Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Trauma, EMDR, DBT
FENGMEI LI, AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #143879
​
fengmei@thechildrensinstitute.com
​
Fengmei (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who enjoys working with individual adults, children, and families. She has experience supporting survivors of intimate partner violence through talk therapy in combination with creative arts and EMDR therapy. As an immigrant to the U.S., she loves supporting individuals and families exploring cultural norms and navigating immigration-related stress.
Fengmei holds an MA in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in drama therapy from California Institute of Integral Studies. She brings warmth, a calming presence, and touches of playfulness into the relational space of healing. She is fluent in both English and Mandarin.
​
Location: Walnut Creek, Oakland, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Trauma, EMDR, creative arts therapy
BONNIE BURSET, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #127992
​
bonnie@thechildrensinstitute.com
​
Bonnie (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Bonnie has a bachelors and masters degree in East Asian Studies. Bonnie graduated from the John F. Kennedy University with a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2016.
Bonnie works primarily with teens, adult individuals and couples on a wide range of issues from depression, anxiety and relational distress to complex trauma, self-harm, compulsion and addiction.
​
Location: Walnut Creek, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Couples, Co-Parenting, Adults
DANYELLE CARUTHERS, ACSW
Registered Associate Clinicial Social Worker #108600
supervised by Natasa Nordman, LMFT #52879
​
Danyelle (she/her) works with children, teens, and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other trauma-related symptoms. She utilizes a trauma-informed lens and integrates somatic, narrative, and relational therapeutic approaches.
Before pursuing licensure, Danyelle spent almost 20 years in the nonprofit sector, working with children, youth, and families within the Bay Area. Danyelle earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Francisco State University, a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from CSU, Long Beach, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons University, Boston.
​
Location: Walnut Creek, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Life Transitions/Self-Discovery, Anxiety and Depression, Trauma and PTSD
NICOLE FARBER, AMFT
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #11432
supervised by Natasa Nordman, LMFT #52879
​
​
Nicole (she/her) is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adults who want to find freedom, relief, and peace after experiencing trauma, significant life transitions, or who have been living with anxiety. As an IFS-informed therapist, she believes her clients already hold the wisdom they need to find meaning and fulfillment and that her role is to support the client's process of accessing it. She uses a holistic approach that brings in parts work, EMDR, mindfulness strategies, and other integrative techniques to help her clients examine and release belief systems, experiences, and traumas that impact them.
She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz and went on to work in Special Education, teaching and supporting teenagers and families who struggle with significant mental health issues. Later, she received her M.A. in Integral Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
​
Location: Walnut Creek, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Trauma from an IFS-informed approach, EMDR, Anxiety
PEARL COHEN, AMFT
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #129292
supervised by Natasa Nordman, LMFT #52879
​
​
Pearl (she/her) is a graduate of the M.A. Counseling Program at the Wright Institute, Berkeley, with an undergraduate degree in English Literature, Criticism & Theory from the University of California, Davis.
Pearl is passionate about working with individuals and couples, especially those with multicultural identities, and has spent over seven years in the Bay Area non-profit world, prior to pursuing a degree in Marriage & Family Therapy. Pearl identifies as first-generation AAPI immigrant and a Woman of Color. She weaves those intersections and values of collectivism, community care and social justice into her therapeutic style, supporting the dignity and narratives of her clients across their healing journeys.
​
Location: Oakland, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Couples Therapy, Multi-cultural Contexts, Identity and Body Image
JULIET SMALL ERNST, AMFT
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #127880
supervised by Natasa Nordman, LMFT #52879
​
juliet@thechildrensinstitute.com
Juliet (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. She received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco.
​
Juliet works with children, adults, and couples toward feeling more at home in themselves and in their lives. She has a particular interest in play therapy with children, supporting life transitions and grief in people of all ages, and in the intersection of contemplative practice with modern psychotherapy. Her style is relaxed, relational, and good-humored. She sees therapy as a dynamic, collaborative relationship and feels honored to do what she does for a living.
Outside of TCI, Juliet is part of the Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training Program at The San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis. She is always eager to learn new ways of approaching the practice of therapy. In her free hours, Juliet enjoys cooking, reading, comedy, and unscheduled time with her partner and cats.
Location: Oakland, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Play Therapy, Relationship Struggles, Anxiety
JESSICA LIBBEY, AMFT
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #134287
supervised by Cheryl Feldman, LMFT #43294
​
jessica@thechildrensinstitute.com
​
Jessica (she/her) is a registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist who works with children, teens and adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, life transitions, relationship issues and family discord. Jessica comes from a non-judgmental, client-centered, trauma-informed perspective and integrates psychodynamic, somatic, mindfulness, relational, narrative and CBT approaches. She believes in people's innate capacity to heal.
Jessica received her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sonoma State University and her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
​
Location: Oakland, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Emotional dysregulation, Self-esteem, Play therapy, Children, Parent Coaching, Individual adults
KATRINA BRASHARES, AMFT
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #134035
supervised by Cheryl Feldman, LMFT #43294
Katrina@thechildrensinstitute.com
​
Katrina is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who works with children, teens, adults, and families on issues such as anxiety, depression, and those related to family discord, neurodiversity, and learning differences.
She uses a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to meet her clients where they are. Katrina's therapeutic style is warm, non-judgmental, and client-centered. Katrina received her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Dominican University of California.
When she's not working with clients, Katrina loves to garden, make art, and hang out with her three kids.
​
Location: Oakland, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Play therapy, Children and Teens, Parenting Coaching
SONIA KAKKAR, ACSW
Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker #95978
supervised by Cheryl Feldman, LMFT #43294
Sonia@thechildrensinstitute.com
​
Sonia (she/her) is an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) who graduated with a Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver. She is passionate about working with adolescents, teens and young adults who are experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD and other trauma related symptoms. Sonia has an extensive background in working with youth who are navigating symptoms of complex trauma.
She utilizes an integrative and holistic approach in her therapeutic practices, which include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), strengths based, motivational interviewing and talk therapy.
​
Location: Walnut Creek, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Adolescents and Young Adults
RACHEL MILNER, AMFT
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #143761
supervised by Cheryl Feldman, LMFT #43294
Rachel@thechildrensinstitute.com
Rachel (they/them) is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. They are a graduate of the California Institute of Integral Studies M.A. Counseling Program, specializing in Drama Therapy. Their clinical training was at the California Pacific Medical Center providing expressive arts therapy in a hospital setting.
Prior to becoming a therapist, Rachel had been working as a mathematics educator and teaching artist with young people ranging in ages 5 up to 24. Rachel also has a background in circus arts and clowning, which very much impacts their therapeutic lens and process. They are passionate about the power of embodiment, art, and play. Rachel works relationally and through a trauma informed practice to provide a brave, creative, and healing therapy space, for young people and families.
​
Location: Oakland, Walnut Creek, Telehealth
Areas of Interest: Supporting queer and trans youth, teens, families, anxiety/depression, play therapy, and drama therapy
TALI BIALE, AMFT
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #143340
supervised by Cheryl Feldman, LMFT #43294
Tali@thechildrensinstitute.com
​
Tali (she/her) is a registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, working with kids, teens, and families who are navigating life transitions, depression, anxiety, communication challenges, grief and loss. Tali also works with individuals and couples who are grappling with the decision of whether or not to have children, those experiencing difficulty in postpartum, and parents who are trying to understand their shifting identities.
Tali brings warmth, humor, and compassion to her work with clients. She is grounded in a psychodynamic, attachment-based framework with particular interest in family systems and exploring intergenerational patterns. Tali completed her Bachelor's at Wesleyan University and her Master's at The Wright Institute.
​
Location: Walnut Creek
Areas of Interest: Children & Teens, Postpartum Depression/Anxiety, Parenting Concerns, Identity & Family Transitions
Pearl Penumaka is a graduate of the M.A. Counseling Program at the Wright Institute, Berkeley, with an undergraduate degree in English Literature, Criticism & Theory from the University of California, Davis.
Pearl is passionate about working with individuals and couples, especially those with multicultural identities, and has spent over seven years in the Bay Area non-profit world, prior to pursuing a degree in Marriage & Family Therapy. Pearl identifies as first-generation AAPI immigrant and a Woman of Color, and weaves those intersections and values of collectivism, community care and social justice into her therapeutic style, supporting the dignity and narratives of her clients across their healing journeys.
