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Virtual Team Meeting

MEET OUR TEAM
 

Business Meeting
Hands

ADMINISTRATIVE 
STAFF

Therapy Session
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Tennille Parish, AMFT
Executive Director 

 

Tennille has dedicated over two decades to serving vulnerable communities within Los Angeles and Orange Counites and providing mental health support. With 18 years of experience working with at-risk youth, She has been instrumental in developing and implementing programs that foster resilience and growth in young individuals facing challenging circumstances.

Additionally, She has spent 2 years addressing the needs of the homeless population, ensuring access to essential services and support. As a mental health clinician for 8 years, Tennille has offered professional guidance, counseling, and therapeutic interventions to enhance the well-being of community members.


Currently serving as the Executive Director of FACES, she oversees day-to-day operations, manage staff, and provide strategic direction to ensure the organization’s mission and goals are met. Tennille’s commitment to excellence and compassionate leadership continues to inspire positive change and promote mental health and stability within the community.

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​"We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated".
~ Maya Angelou

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Sina Maa-Kapesi
Administration & Accounting

 

Sina began her remarkable journey with FACES in 2011 as a dedicated volunteer. Driven by her passion for helping others and her commitment to the organization’s mission, she quickly became an invaluable member of the team.

Her exceptional care for clients and attention to detail did not go unnoticed, leading to her promotion to Office Manager. In this role, Sina ensures the smooth operation of the office, manages administrative tasks, and supports the team in delivering high-quality services to the community.

Her compassionate approach and unwavering dedication to client welfare have made her a beloved figure at FACES, where she continues to make a positive impact every day.

Rudy Gomez, LMFT
Clinical Supervisor
El Modena & Anaheim FRC

 

 

Rudy holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and received his Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University in 2010, and became a licensed clinician in July 2013.


Rudy has extensive experience working with children and families and has been trained in evidence-based treatments, such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and Parent-Child Interaction Treatment (PCIT). Rudy’s experience includes working with children and adolescents and providing therapy to multicultural clients, primarily Spanish speaking.
 

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Mercedes Samudio, DSW & LCSW
Clinical Supervisor

 

 

Mercedes Samudio, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist, bestselling author, international speaker, and visionary entrepreneur. She works with parents worldwide to develop a healthy identity with her revolutionary Parental Identity Development Model - incorporating her Shame-Proof Parenting framework to help reduce the shame parents experience as they raise healthy children.

 

Mercedes is also trained in trauma-informed modalities, which she uses in her work with parents to help them heal the past traumas that can influence how they interact with themselves and their children.

 

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Jenny Valenzuela, AMFT
Therapist & HR Administrator

 

Jenny joined FACES as an Intern in 2020. One year later she earned her master's degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University. Bilingual in Spanish, Jenny brings a unique and valuable skill set to her role, allowing her to effectively communicate and connect with a diverse range of clients.

Jenny is passionate about helping others and is known for her calming voice, which provides comfort to clients throughout their therapeutic journeys. Her dedication to their well-being and her compassionate approach has made her an integral part of the FACES team.

In addition to her professional work, Jenny enjoys learning new things, continually seeking to expand her knowledge and skills to better serve her clients and community.

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"We are more alike, my friends, then unalike."

~Maya Angelou

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Jennifer Keryakeous, MFTI
Therapist 

 

Jennifer is a dedicated intern at FACES, bringing a unique perspective and empathy to the team. Bilingual in Arabic, she is committed to helping clients navigate life's challenges by providing a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.

With a knack for assisting others, Jennifer works tirelessly to ensure that each client feels heard, understood, and empowered.

 

Her ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and provide compassionate care makes Jennifer an asset to FACES.

Gloria Reyes, MFTI
Therapist 

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Gloria  is happily married and mother of two little boys. She grew up in Mexico and moved to California a little more than ten years ago. She is bilingual Spanish.

 

Gloria went to Santiago Canyon College and then to California State University of Fullerton where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Human Services. She currently working towards a master’s degree as a Marriage and Family Therapist at Touro University Worldwide.

 

Gloria’s goal is to work with couples and provide mental health services and education and support to families.

 

“It is my passion to work with families and children. I do believe that working with families is very rewarding and a great experience.”

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Savannah Buttery, MFTI
Therapist 

 

Savannah is a FACES intern, holding dual degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Currently pursuing a degree in Forensic Psychology, Savannah combines her academic background with a passion for understanding the complexities of human behavior and the justice system.

Savannah is dedicated to bringing patience, teamwork, and positivity to the therapeutic environment. Her zealous desire to share her knowledge and experiences with the community drives her commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of those she serves.

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Andrea Penaloza, MFTI
Therapist 

 

Andrea supports individuals, couples, and families through life's challenges.

 

Andrea is pursuing a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Palo Alto.

 

Andrea brings a culturally sensitive, holistic approach to therapy, and is bilingual in Spanish.

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We are happily awaiting our next Team member.

Mother and Son

COMMON GROUND PROGRAM

Supervised Visitations

Father and Son
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Esther Gallado
Lead Monitor

 

Esther was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and moved to California 40 years ago.

Esther has been a Social Worker and core trainer for Training and Career Development with the Social Services Department of Orange County for 30 years.

 

Esther has been with Family Assessment, Counseling, and Educational Services (FACES) since May 2000. Esther is our Lead Professional Monitor of Supervised Visitations.

Esther is known for her gentle and kind approach, especially when it comes to preserving and strengthening family dynamics. Her compassionate nature ensures that every family she works with feels supported and understood.
 

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Alexandria Custer
Monitor

 

Alexandria holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of California, San Diego.

 

Alexandria began volunteering at FACES in 2018 to gain clinical experience in her passion to improve the quality of people’s lives through mental health services.

 

Alexandria’s evident dedication to improving health in the community, empathetic compassion, and non-judgmental acceptance facilitated her quick promotion to the parent educator position helping clients.

 

Since 2019, Alexandria exemplified professionalism as a monitor of supervised visitation, client liaison, and court advocate.

 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Alexandria’s flexibility, ingenuity, and adaptability allowed her to pioneer virtual supervised visitation services and construct FACES protocol to ensure safety.

 

As Alexandria pursues her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at California State University, Fullerton we are honored to consider her a member of the FACES Inc.

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Leticia Nedeau
Monitor

Leticia has been a dedicated Monitor at FACES for the past 14 years. Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of her clients.

Leticia's extensive experience working at, Social Services makes her an invaluable member of the FACES team. Leticia consistently ensures a secure and supportive environment, reflecting her deep care and professionalism in every aspect of her work.

Leticia's long-standing service and strong commitment to client safety highlight her as a cornerstone of FACES, continually fostering trust and reliability within the community.

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