Our Mission

When we live purposefully and love fully, we grow a compassionate, understanding, and equal world. This is our journey. Grow with us.

The Family Guidance & Therapy Center is a group of caring professionals who believe treatment should be a collaboration that includes your values, the latest research and our expertise. We are committed to helping you and your family members make lasting change in your lives.

Our Story

Serving San Diego, Temecula and Petaluma 

At the Family Guidance & Therapy Center, our story began with a vision to redefine mental health care by blending compassion, innovation, and inclusivity. Founded by a team of passionate clinicians, we set out to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals, couples, and families could explore their challenges and discover paths to growth and healing.

Over the years, we have expanded our services to meet the diverse needs of our community, incorporating cutting-edge research and evidence-based practices into our work. 

As lifelong learners, we continuously evolve—challenging stigmas, embracing diversity, and fostering meaningful connections. Today, Family Guidance & Therapy remains dedicated to empowering individuals and families to live with purpose, love deeply, and grow together.

Our Values

By prioritizing core values, such as empathy, inclusivity, and integrity, therapists create a safe and authentic space where clients feel respected and supported in their journey toward healing.

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Push good into this world in everyday moments.

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Love Wins. Love yourself, love your people, love this life.

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Live your why. Find it, live it everyday.

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Ask for help; nobody goes it alone.

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Everybody belongs here.

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Empathy and compassion are a daily practice; a choice. We choose to practice both.

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Feed your soul; she deserves your love and attention.

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Show up every day as your imperfect self.

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Have faith in the unknown.

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There is purpose in your struggle. Growth does not happen without it. Trust your process.

Our Team

Licensed & Pre-Licensed Clinicians 

At the Family Guidance & Therapy Center, our team comprises both licensed and pre-licensed clinicians dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized mental health care. Licensed clinicians have completed advanced degrees, accumulated extensive supervised clinical experience, and obtained full licensure, ensuring they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their practice. Pre-licensed clinicians, on the other hand, have fulfilled their graduate educational requirements and are in the process of accruing the supervised experience necessary for full licensure. They work under the close supervision of seasoned professionals, allowing them to deliver high-quality care while continually honing their skills.

Engaging with pre-licensed therapists offers several benefits, including lower costs and greater schedule flexibility. Pre-licensed therapists often have more open spaces available in their schedules, which can be convenient for clients seeking timely appointments. Additionally, their services are typically offered at reduced rates compared to fully licensed therapists, making therapy more accessible. It's important to note that not all insurance plans reimburse for services provided by pre-licensed therapists, so discussing this with our administrative staff can help determine the best fit for your needs.

Dr. Jenny Palmiotto, Psy.D.

Dr. Jenny Palmiotto, Psy.D.

CEO and Clinical Director, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, RDI® Certified Consultant

Kim Prevost

Kim Prevost

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist /Associate Professional Clinical Counselor

Angelina Waterman

Angelina Waterman

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Sarah Straus

Sarah Straus

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Alan Penaloza

Alan Penaloza

BCBA

Jessica Hobson, PhD.

Jessica Hobson, PhD.

Clinical Director of FGTC Petaluma, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, RDI® Certified Consultant

Erin Daley

Erin Daley

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor

Melissa Munoz

Melissa Munoz

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Jazalyn Nunez

Jazalyn Nunez

Registered Psychological Associate, Petaluma

Janel Cullen

Janel Cullen

Practicum Student

Douglas Burton

Douglas Burton

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Meghan Murphy, MA

Meghan Murphy, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, RDI® Certified Consultant

Kasey Connors, MA

Kasey Connors, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified RDI® Consultant

Sarah Kelly

Sarah Kelly

Practicum Student

Auti Scolman

Auti Scolman

Practicum Student

Stephanie Keider

Stephanie Keider

Practicum Student

Jamie Miller

Jamie Miller

Registered Psychological Associate, Petaluma

Staff & Development Therapists

Our support staff is an integral part of ensuring that your experience is seamless and stress-free. They assist with scheduling appointments, matching clients with the right therapist based on their specific needs, and verifying insurance coverage. Whether you’re a new client navigating the intake process or a returning client adjusting your schedule, our support team is here to make the journey smooth and efficient. Additionally, they manage billing and payment processes, providing clarity and support every step of the way. Their dedication ensures that administrative details never become a barrier to accessing the care you deserve.

Our team also includes skilled developmental therapists who specialize in Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) services. These therapists work closely with families to support individuals with developmental challenges, helping them build meaningful connections and navigate social and emotional growth. RDI focuses on empowering families with tools and strategies to foster resilience, adaptability, and independence in their loved ones. With a compassionate and tailored approach, our developmental therapists guide clients and their families toward achieving their personal and developmental goals, creating lasting positive change.

Carol Le Clair

Carol Le Clair

Administrative Assistant/Client Coordinator

Jacqueline Lowe

Jacqueline Lowe

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Laura Johnson

Laura Johnson

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Clark Williams

Clark Williams

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Nicholi Rosencrans

Nicholi Rosencrans

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Nikki (Glenda) Casey

Nikki (Glenda) Casey

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Lauren Swain

Lauren Swain

Developmental Therapist, Petaluma

Jamie Howlett

Jamie Howlett

Developmental Therapist, Petaluma

Daniel Baker

Daniel Baker

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Sophie Schwartz

Sophie Schwartz

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Dale Rawson

Dale Rawson

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Miguel Elias

Miguel Elias

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Jasmine Chatterton

Jasmine Chatterton

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Angela Salcido

Angela Salcido

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Kevin Lopez

Kevin Lopez

Billing

Alex Garcia

Alex Garcia

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

William Turner

William Turner

Developmental Therapist, Petaluma

Emma Bury

Emma Bury

Developmental Therapist, Petaluma

Osvaldo Leguizamo

Osvaldo Leguizamo

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Cameron Boquet

Cameron Boquet

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Sara Shiraish

Sara Shiraish

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

About Sara

Michael Navarro

Michael Navarro

Developmental Therapist, Petaluma

Raeanne Johnson

Raeanne Johnson

Developmental Therapist, Petaluma

Melinda Schlegel

Melinda Schlegel

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Ruby Haynes

Ruby Haynes

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Alejandra Castellanos

Alejandra Castellanos

Developmental Therapist, San Diego

Services

Mental Health Services

Individual Therapy

Personalized, one-on-one sessions to address mental health challenges, build resilience, and achieve personal goals.

Children & Teen Therapy

Strength-based support for children and teens navigating growth and developmental challenges.

 

Adult Assessment & Reassessment

We offer full psychological testing to guide diagnosis, treatment planning, and help you better understand your strengths and opportunities.

Couples Therapy

Focused support for partners to strengthen communication, resolve conflicts, and deepen emotional intimacy.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

Evidence-based treatments to address the lasting effects of traumatic experiences and foster healing.

Child Assessment & Reassessment

Our child-specific psychological testing is comprehensive and can guide diagnosis. We offer autism testing and testing for ADHD, dyslexia, and more.

Family Therapy

A collaborative approach to improve family dynamics, communication, and relationships.

Autism Spectrum Services

Tailored support and guidance for individuals on the spectrum and their families to promote understanding and growth.

Teen Assessment & Reassesment

We offer evidence-based psychological testing for teends to evaluate for autism. ADHD, dyslexia, and more.

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