Clinical Staff
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Renee M. Finnicum is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who is passionate about working with children. She has been working with both typical children as well as those diagnosed with autism and developmental disabilities for more than thirteen years.
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Renee was previously the co-owner / founder of Little Spirits Bay Area from 2015-2019 which worked with children on the Autism spectrum providing ABA therapy.
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Renee has her Master's in Mental Health Counseling, and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy. She specializes in working with children who struggle with developmental disabilities in combination with mental health challenges.
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Utilizing a humanistic perspective to therapy and family education, Renee incorporates behavioral modification techniques to elicit positive behavioral changes in children, as well as the family unit as a whole. Her unique ability to take a team approach to treatments has been instrumental to the success of the child’s goals.
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Her mission is to foster each child's developmental progress in all realms and to accommodate every child no matter where he or she is developmentally.
Renee M. Finnicum
Founder
Shelly Holland
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Therapist
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Hello, I'm Shelly Holland (she/her). I earned my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University (formerly the California School of Professional Psychology).
I work with adults, teens, couples, and families navigating big life changes, anxiety, relationship issues, and much more. I provide counseling through a person-centered, trauma-informed approach, and work with clients through sociocultural and systemic lenses.
Some of my therapeutic modalities include internal family systems (IFS), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and emotion-focused therapy (EFT).
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Therapy was not my first job - I've worked for various non-profits and bygone start-ups in mental healthcare, neurotechnology, genetic engineering research, and reproductive healthcare. My professional aim is to help others explore their realities, build positive relationships, and heal from trauma - a pursuit I continue to find fulfilling. Outside of work, I enjoy surfing, beach volleyball, children's book-illustrating and other activities.
Horace Liang
Therapist Trainee
My name is Horace Liang and I am a Mental Health Trainee currently pursuing my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University. I am interested in Play Therapy, Attachment Theory, and IFS (Internal Family Systems). Having taught swim lessons to children for over 11 years, I bring transferable skills to the therapy space.
My goal in therapy is to foster a safe space for all individuals to express who they truly are and discover their life values. I approach therapy with a curious mindset and encourage others to tell me their stories. I am particularly fascinated with Attachment Theory where early relationships with caregivers can influence an individual’s development. I work with individuals of various ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, and life experiences. I provide therapy in English and Cantonese.
I am currently amidst a career change after 8 years in the biotech industry. When not working, I can be found motorcycling on mountain roads, inhaling food, and playing with my three fur babies, Creme, Brulee & Buddy.
Marcela Hagen-Aguirre
Therapist
Hi, I’m Marcela. I'm an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from San Francisco State University. I approach therapy with warmth, curiosity, and deep respect for each person’s cultural background and lived experience.
My work is grounded in cultural humility and attunement, with the understanding that healing looks different for everyone.
In my clinical work, I draw from person-centered, psychodynamic, external family systems, and emotionally focused (EFT/EFCT) approaches to create a collaborative and compassionate space where clients can explore their stories, relationships, and identities. I aim to help clients strengthen their sense of connection, to themselves and others, while navigating the complexities of growth and change.
My training includes an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy externship, as well as training in psychodynamic and family systems in graduate school. I support couples/partners and individuals as they work through relationship challenges, communication difficulties, and patterns of disconnection.
Previously, I served as a residential counselor for two years at Cielo House, Inc., a residential eating disorder treatment center, and completed clinical practicums at the Edgewood Center for Families and Children, the SFSU Psychology Clinic, and Skyline College. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the many ways identity, culture, developmental stages, and environment shape our emotional and social lives.
I have experience working with adolescents and young adults navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationship stress, and identity exploration. My areas of focus include romantic and familial relationship dynamics, eating disorders, anxiety, academic stress, and mood concerns.
As someone who identifies as bicultural and has lived within a “third cultural space,” I bring empathy and sensitivity to clients who are exploring questions of belonging, cultural identity, and self-understanding. I strive to meet each person with openness, authenticity, and care—honoring their unique path toward healing and growth.
Samantha Flores
Therapist Trainee
Hi, I’m Samantha (she/ Her). I’m a trainee therapist with a special interest in the ways we relate to others, to our families, and to ourselves. Whether you’re coming in as an individual, couple, or family, I see therapy as a space where we can slow down together and make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface.
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My style is collaborative and grounded in respect for your lived experience. I bring curiosity, care, and a belief that meaningful change happens when we feel safe enough to be honest—not just with others, but with ourselves. I value emotional honesty, compassion, and the kind of connection that supports real growth.
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As a therapist-in-training, I work under experienced supervision and bring a fresh perspective that’s always supported by ongoing learning. You don’t need to have it all figured out—that’s what we’ll explore together. My hope is that over time, this work helps you feel more connected, more empowered, and more at home in your life.
Thomas Williams
Therapist
My name is Thomas Williams and I am a Mental Health Trainee working on my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have been working with a diverse population, such as children, adolescents, adults, and families with a variety of needs; behavioral, emotional, social, relational, and psychoeducation.
My focus as a therapist is to support them with building their strengths and strategies to overcome their problems, as well as developing a new narrative or understanding of the agency they have within their circumstances. Through this solution-focused and person-center approach, I attempt to use both art, movement and experiential strategies within the therapeutic room.
Access to mental health is a right that all should be welcome to take advantage of. My mission is to provide a welcoming therapeutic environment to all that need it, especially those within marginalized communities (e.g. People of color, LGBTQ+) who tend to not feel welcome in these spaces.
Therapist
Hello, my name is Daniela Portillo and I am a Bilingual Licensed MFT with a Master’s in Counseling and a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy. I work with a diverse population including children with neurotypical and neurodiverse backgrounds, adolescents, adults, and families.
My focus as your therapist is to provide you with space to explore your inner self. Through an Expressive Arts lens, we can incorporate various modalities to support your growth. Such as utilizing literary arts, visual arts, music therapy, and movement.
Through a multicultural approach, we will incorporate mindfulness and holistic theories that will allow us to practice gratitude for the here and now. I believe in honoring your story and supporting you as you navigate what is waiting to be discovered. We will walk through your new journey together.
Daniela Portillo
Barbara Lowenstein
Therapist
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Hello, my name is Barbara Lowenstein, and I am a Peripartum and Couples therapist and a mom to two wonderful children. I'm here to be your guide and companion as we navigate the path to healing and connection.
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I specialize in Strength-based Client-centered Therapy for Fertility, Pregnancy, Postpartum Support, Women’s Health, Effective Communication for Couples, New Parents and therapy for children and families.
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My training includes being a certified Bringing Baby Home educator and a Gottman Couple and Recovery educator. I have completed Level 1 and Level 2 at the Gottman Institute to support couples and have training from the Touchstone Institute for EMDR. I earned my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University and received an MBA from Drexel University. My clinical journey took me to The Liberation Institute, where I provided client-centered therapy to kids, teens, adults, and couples. In my therapist toolkit, you'll find trauma-informed cognitive behavior therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and insights from Stanford in the Psychology of Addiction and Addiction Recovery. I'm currently honing my skills with Postpartum Support International to get that Perinatal Mental Health Certificate – because moms deserve all the support they can get.
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When we work together, expect a blend of EMDR, Solution-Focused therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness techniques. It's not just about finding solutions; it's about creating a space where you can rewrite your story and find your own internal strength.
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Curious to learn more? Dive into the details at https://www.sfrft.com/
Looking forward to embarking on this journey together.