Meet the Corazón Team
Our offerings come from a place of love and justice knowing that healing only takes place when we address the whole person and their environment. Our culturally centered, trauma informed model serves as the basis of all our services offered at Corazon Counseling.
Our combined team specialties and expertise include working with Pregnant and Postpartum families, POC, Queer/Trans parents and youth, birth workers, first generation college students, couples, social justice activist/community organizers and the Spanish speaking immigrant community.
Clinicians
EMILIA ORTEGA-JARA
My holistic approach to healing addresses the whole person mind, body, heart, and spirit. I offer a safe space to grieve, feel, and heal. My therapeutic work incorporates various traditional indigenous wisdom, and eastern wellness teachings along with evidence based psychotherapy techniques such as CBT and EMDR. In addition, I bring a social justice framework into my healing practice addressing the historical trauma many have experienced due to the social, cultural, and political inequalities that to this day continue to negatively affect the mental and emotional wellness of families and communities.
PRISCILLA MENDOZA
I am a bilingual Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and ERYT (experienced registered yoga instructor) who approaches healing from a cultural rooted, cultural sensitive, trauma-sensitive, and social justice lens. I understand the important connection between body, mind and spirit and incorporate traditional indigenous healing modalities, trauma informed body-based approaches, along with western evidence-based techniques to support people on their healing.
MARU SERRICCHIO
I am a licensed marital and family therapist, board certified art therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and growing up in Mexico City, I have a diverse background and use a multi-systemic lens throughout all my professional roles. Currently I am focused on my PhD in International Psychology, with a concentration in Organization and Systems, at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. After working in various community agencies, in Los Angeles and Portland, with children, teenagers and families, in 2013 I began my art therapy private practice. I worked with couples and families experiencing loss and grief, LGBTQI+, Intimate Partner Violence and immigration issues and dynamics. I use mindfulness in my practice as a way to enhance learning, self-care and guide others to meet their full potential.
EMAIL: maruserricchio.lmft@gmail.com
PRISCILLA RODRIGUEZ
I received my MSW degree from California State University San Bernardino with my specialization being in mental health. I have previous experience working with children and adults in different settings on issues regarding mental health. Taking care of your mental health is extremely important, and I believe everyone should have access to mental health services. Sometimes we may need a little help, and that is okay! I am bilingual in Spanish and English, and offer services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals and families in the Inland Empire.
Doulas, Massage, & Yoga
VIVIAN DIAZ
I am Vivian Diaz. I am a Full Spectrum Doula, Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness & Meditation Guide, Reiki Practitioner, and Vaginal Steam Facilitator, serving individuals and families in the Inland Empire. I received a bachelor's in Psychology from Franklin & Marshall College and completed my 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training in Peru with Paramatma Yoga. I am fascinated by the human mind and body and our ability to learn, create, and evolve. The study and practice of Yoga has transformed my life physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually and continues to bring balance into my life. I believe all individuals have the right to personal autonomy, to feel safe and supported throughout their journey, one breath at a time. I feel honored and excited to have the opportunity of supporting our community in the remembrance of the power within to balance the mind, body, and spirit. I am grateful to be a part of Corazon Counseling to co-create a safe space for all to be and feel, fully supported. I love being part of this team and having the opportunity to create from the heart to share the benefits of yoga and mindfulness practices and connect with community for healing and wellness. I am honored to serve our community with compassion y con mucho amor. I am grateful for the knowledge, guidance, and support I receive from my ancestors, teachers, and community who inspire me to continue to dive deeper into this sacred work and remembrance of the power within.
JANISHA HOWARD
Hello! My name is Janisha Howard and I practice as a Life Coach, Doula, Lactation Educator Counselor, a Nutritionist and as a Perinatal Health Specialist at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. I have two beautiful children who make my heart smile everyday. For the past two years I have been running a company called Luv To Be You. My services allow me to hold space for women to receive healing, which inspires them to seek fulfillment from the inside out. Life has taught me that self-luv is the key to cultivating successful relationships.
Now, I am honored to cultivate a partnership with Corazon Counseling. We both have the same vision; to facilitate healing for the families in our community. I am pleased to offer Luv To Be You Life Coaching Sessions and master classes to help women recover from toxic relationships. I am also excited to offer Postpartum Doula Services, nutrition education and services, and lactation counseling, because I believe serving a woman and her family in this way will save lives and eradicate destructive family pathologies. I can’t wait to meet you, serve you, and watch you transform… as you learn to Luv To Be You. If you're ready to begin your journey to towards healing, please visit my website luvtobeyou.com or email me at Janisha@luvtobeyou.com.
PRISCILLA MENDOZA
I am a birth and postpartum doula serving the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley. I recently completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training and am excited to hold prenatal/postnatal and Mama&Me classes at Corazón Counseling. I strive to create a safe space for all women, especially women of color from the local community, to practice yoga during and after pregnancy and to use yoga as a tool to create a closer bond with their child(ren).” My code of ethics states, "As a yoga teacher I vow to honor myself and others by building my business on integrity, professionalism, and love for all, by having the courage to speak and live my truth, by being dedicated to not only my teaching but my very own practice as well, and by welcoming people of all backgrounds, shapes, sizes, colors with the understanding that we are all divinely connected."
YASMIN PINEDA
I am a Xicana/Persian birth and postpartum doula, certified through CAPPA. Just recently completed my lactation educator counselor certification, and I am passionate about all things birth and mothering. At corazón counseling I will be providing holistic massage therapy and guiding my clients to a better understanding of the mind body connection. I also serve the community through postpartum doula services, providing mothers/birthing persons with emotional and physical support. Being part of the Corazón Counseling team has brought me great joy knowing I am building with women of color to better our community.
My goal as a certified massage therapist is helping people heal mind, body, and spirit. My training as a therapeutic bodyworker at IPSB life energy institute in Culver City, CA has enabled me to use touch and energy consciously in my healing process.
EVELYN DIAZ
Hello, I am a Full Spectrum Doula and Certified Lactation Educator offering my services to Inland Empire families. My journey began with the birth of my first daughter. After an empowering home birth, the reality of postpartum and motherhood became very difficult to handle. Not knowing where to look for community and support, I joined her local breastfeeding support group. Listening to so many similar stories from mothers who needed the support like I did, I felt the call to become a birth worker. From my own experience, I became passionate about healing and support during the postpartum period. I received additional training with Panquetzani from Indigemama in her course “A Cerrar Las Caderas” and have taken in person workshops using the traditional rebozo as a healing tool. I am passionate about returning to my roots and using traditional Mesoamerican medicine to offer a safe space for the new mother to heal. As a Lactation Educator I hope to build support groups and provide breast/chest feeding classes with updated and evidence based information. I will be offering traditional postpartum care through Corazon Counseling to share this medicine with our community.
Facilitators & Educators
DEIDRE COUTSOUMPOS
Deidre Coutsoumpos, amongst many things, is a training facilitator for Birthing From Within (BFW). Over the last 13 years, Deidre's passion and drive has expanded from supporting birthing families to mentoring novice doulas and seasoned birth workers, alike, especially, in light of the ongoing crisis with birth inequities. When she isn't teaching prenatal classes or running postpartum support groups, Deidre is exploring nature with her three kiddos, finding mental, emotional and physical flexibility on her yoga mat, or editing or recording her podcast, "The Queen Team". In addition to being a trained birth, postpartum and breastfeeding professional, Deidre holds a bachelor's degree in communication and Spanish studies.
KATHIE NEFF
It is a great privilege to join the efforts Corazon Counseling on behalf of birthing parents in the Inland Empire! I am honored to offer childbirth classes, breastfeeding classes, Birth Story Listening, and a variety of Birthing From Within inspired opportunities at the Tibbets location, new home for Birthing From Within, Inland Empire.
BRENDA MONTAÑO
Hello family! I am a Xicana native from California. My ancestors come from what is today Southern California and Jalisco, Mexico. I was raised in the Inland Empire but have deep roots in the Bay Area and Northern California. I am a mama, birth worker, DIY media maker, educator & community organizer. My work is grounded in Xicanisma, environmentalism and grassroots organizing. Feel free to check out my work on Facebook and/or Instagram.