Staff
Randall Smith – Executive Director
Randall is a licensed marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) who strongly believes in helping individuals and/or families learn to deal with life in a more positive and meaningful way. He has worked for many years with couples, families, children, and adolescents. He has experience in dealing with anxiety, depression, anger, family issues, dual diagnosis, and addiction issues, parenting and relationship counseling and coaching. Randall has a B.A. degree in Religious Studies with a minor in Psychology. Randall has also completed a M.A. degree in Psychology and is licensed by the state as a Marriage and Family therapist. His approach is positive and encouraging, and offers hope and guidance as he works with individuals and families. Randall will assist you to better understand yourself and how to communicate your feelings and emotions. He utilizes a variety of approaches including reality-based, solution- focused therapy to help solve issues and resolve problems.
randy@testimonylife.com
Jennifer Wood – Director of Case Management
Jennifer serves as Assistant Director for a women’s shelter in San Juan Capistrano. She offers referrals to local agencies that provide food, shelter, and legal/medical aid to the public. In addition to referrals Jennifer provides a brief overview of county services that are available to the community and how to use them. Jennifer is certified in domestic violence and anger management counseling.
jenniferw@testimonylife.com
Dan Russell – Counselor
Primarily a marriage counselor, Dan’s desire is to see every marriage become stronger. Teaching both premarital and marriage education classes, Dan’s education approach teaches couples the information and skills they need to communicate clearly and resolve conflict. It also provides a roadmap for normal expected challenges and the necessary tools to make adjustments that will build strong marriages and help couples keep their love alive.
danr@testimonylife.com
Karen Russell – Counselor
Helping people connect with who and what they were made to be is Karen’s passion. She helps people in healing from the wounds in their past, integrating their broken heartedness, identifying core struggles, destructive beliefs and patterns, in order to establish the groundwork of forgiveness and growth. Engaging spiritual wisdom, Karen walks with an individual toward fullness of life.
karenr@testimonylife.com
Dylan Bender – Counselor
Dylan served as a Marine for eight years in the infantry/recon, and is now being trained to be a Marriage and Family Therapist. Dylan Specializes in Combat Operational Stress and the disorders that are related to it. After his time in the Marines, Dylan earned a B.A. in Bible and Theology, and is currently being equipped with a M.A. in Clinical Psychology. Dylan’s desire is to help military personnel navigate the treacherous waters of military life including deployment cycles, combat trauma, marriage success at a distance, and spiritual health.
dylanb@testimonylife.com
Aristeo (Adi) Cabada Jr. – Therapeutic Wellness Coach
Adi’s training and desire to help others began through his own struggles as a child. Getting involved with the Boys Club to receive mentoring, Adi eventually became a mentor. Over the last decade, he has worked in treatment facilities and group home settings at many levels, ranging from direct care staff to facility supervisor. He has put his experiences together becoming a certified Therapeutic Behavioral Specialist. Combined with his knowledge of nutrition and personal training, Adi is equipped to help individuals and families as an overall life and wellness coach.
adic@testimonylife.com
Dr. Dina Zayat, Psy.D – Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Zayat has extensive experience in the psychology field ranging from adolescents to adults. Though she enjoys working with all ages, Dr. Zayat has discovered a strong desire to work with children and teens along with their families. Besides direct care, she has developed and conducted many psychological testing batteries, as well as investing in others as a psychology intern supervisor.
dinaz@testimonylife.com
Tessa Denham – Counselor; MFT Intern
Tessa learned from a young age that her calling is to serve others in need by bringing about comfort, guidance, insight, healing and counsel. She has her M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy. Tessa has worked with substance abuse, couples and family relational struggles, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Overall, Tessa works with those wishing to explore themselves and reach deeper levels of understanding and transformation. She comes from a cognitive behavioral therapeutic background combined with a humanistic therapy approach.
Megan Ressel – Counselor; MFT Intern
Megan has always had a love and concern for others who need help. She received her M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University and is currently a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. Megan has experience in dealing specifically with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, relational problems, family conflict, spirituality and self esteem issues. She has worked with individuals, families, adolescents and children. She desires greatly to help people learn to love and accept themselves through counseling so that they might allow others to do the same. She utilizes a Psychodynamic approach with some Cognitive-Behavioral therapy to allow for greater insight and provide clients with tools to begin the path towards healing. Megan would like to help those who want to gain a deeper understanding about themselves and work through intense issues that they might be dealing with.
Jose` Franco Jr.- Substance Abuse Counselor; Intern
Jose is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. He is currently attending Coastland University working towards a Biblical Counseling degree. Jose brings an unbiased approach to substance abuse counseling due to his victories with addiction. He has over three years of freedom from Drugs and Alcohol. Jose is an upstanding member if his church and believes in a spiritual approach to recovery. He also has a working knowledge of 12 Step Recovery programs. Jose believes God has called him to help others experience the joy of freedom from chemical addiction. Jose is aware of the personal struggles and challenges people face who are trapped by the bondage of addiction, and offers a helping hand to anyone wanting help out of that lifestyle.
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