Telephone:
916 344-0900
Fax:
916 773-8097
Therapist Phone Numbers and Email Addresses
Debra Moore, Ph.D.
(916) 344-0900
drdmoore@pacbell.net
Jennifer Ballerini, Psy.D.
(916) 276-7709
Patricia Bertsch, M.A.
(916) 971-0290
Debi Hoffman, M.A.
(916) 770-5579
Peggy Holcomb, M.A.
(916) 412-3373
Rita Kirk, Psy.D.
(916) 801-6685
Julie Leavens-Hupp, B.A.
(916) 206-2514
Leslie Price, Psy.D.
(916) 308-9199
Sharon Riegel, B.A.
(916) 214-8913
Jill Shirley, M.A.
(916) 747-5017
Eva Tak, M.A.
(916) 605-6629
Jennifer Thomas, M.A.
(916) 233-5257
Brenda Vaccaro, M.A.
(916) 616-8561
Debra Moore, Ph.D.Licensed Psychologist PSY8578
Dr. Debra Moore is the Founder of Fall Creek Counseling Associates and Fall Creek Attention and Behavior Centers. She wears many hats, including those of clinical director and supervisor, psychotherapist and counselor, author, and public speaker.
After receiving her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of Toledo in 1980, Dr. Moore moved to Sacramento to begin a postdoctoral internship with the University of California Davis Medical Center. She fell in love with the community, deciding to open a private practice here upon completion of her internship. As the nature of the practice has evolved, so has it's name. Earlier known as Debra Moore, Ph.D. & Associates, her practice has been known as Fall Creek Counseling Services since the mid 1990s.
Fall Creek Counseling Associates has been approved by the California Psychology Internship Council as a site for advanced training and continues to attract the finest pre- and postdoctoral candidates from respected colleges and universities. Dr. Moore has had the honor of supervising and training dozens of graduate level therapists, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in their own practices throughout the country.
Dr. Moore has a mission to provide the highest quality psychological services. She also believes in the basics of returning calls promptly, speaking in plain English instead of professional jargon, and working with clients, parents and families as a collaborative team. In her interest in meeting various levels of needs, Dr. Moore has endeavored to provide a website of useful resources, including informative articles and book reviews, links to various services offered in the local community, and links to other websites delivering helpful information on a broad range of concerns.
Dr. Moore has a passion for reaching out to the public in her writing and community talks on a wide range of mental health issues. She also has a talent for developing innovative services that respond to unmet mental health needs in the community. Dr. Moore is a respected leader in her profession, having served several terms as President of the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association and currently acting as Community Liaison Chairperson for that association and the communities it serves.
In her spare time Dr. Moore enjoys getting away to the mountains and traveling throughout the world. Most recently, she pedaled the coast of Ireland with a group of cyclists. She also enjoys tending her garden, playing piano and staying fit.
Jennifer Ballerini, Psy.D.Psychological Assistant
Dr. Jennifer Ballerini combines her intelligence, intuition, and compassion with her wonderful sense of humor to provide therapy services to men and women, children and teens, and couples and families.
People tend to relax in Jennifer's presence and feel comfortable sharing their concerns. Clients quickly sense her professional and positive attitude, her empathy and warmth, and her genuine enthusiasm in working with them.
Jennifer is committed to creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment for all her clients, and to providing them with the encouragement and challenges they need to move forward.
Dr. Ballerini has a masters degree and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the Professional School of Psychology in Sacramento. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the relationship between American culture, narcissism, and gender. She is an associate member of the Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology.
A native of Florida, Jennifer loves traveling and exploring everything California has to offer. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, photography, staying fit, and playing her guitar and piano.
Debi Hoffman, M.A.Doctoral Candidate and Intern
Debi has a Master's degree in psychology and is now completing the last phase of her doctorate degree at the California School of Professional Psychology in Sacramento. (Her doctoral dissertation on the relationship between exercise and mood was recently published.) She has worked as a therapist providing both short and intermediate length counseling in outpatient settings.
Debi works with adults and also with teens and their parents. She also enjoys helping couples who want to resolve difficult issues, heal from painful events, or simply to improve their communication and conflict resolution skills.
When you meet Debi you can sense her positive regard for others, her sound judgment and her common sense. In addition to her "book learning", she brings the wisdom of life experiences as well as compassion and a genuine enjoyment of working with clients.
Her approach to therapy is to tailor her interventions to your specific personality and your particular goals and needs. She strives to work interactively and collaboratively with you to achieve improved quality of life, to reduce stress, depression and anxiety, and to help you think of yourself with more compassion and kindness.
Originally from Wisconsin, she loves California's climate, friendly people and communities. She enjoys hiking in the mountains, running, and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Peggy Holcomb, M.A.Educational Psychologist
Peggy is a Licensed Educational Psychologist who enjoys working with children, teens, young adults, and their families. She can help you and your child find answers to why you are struggling and discover the path to more success and enjoyment.
Peggy is experienced in both evaluations and counseling. If you need first to get some answers to exactly what is going on with your child, she can design and customize an assessment to help you better identify specific academic, emotional, social or behavioral problem areas (as well as strengths).
If your child has already had an evaluation and you are now wanting to follow this up with learning practical skills to better cope with the problem areas, she can work with your child to master new tools and learn more successful ways to meet life challenges.
Whether your child needs help at school, at home, with friendships, self control, or self esteem, she first and foremost wants him or her to find happiness and success in their life.
While Peggy is familiar with a wide range of common child and adolescent problem areas, she will see beyond any label your child has been given to the unique and precious individual. Whether given the label of ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, NVLD, Anxiety, Depression, or another term, what is really important is that your child begin to experience greater satisfaction in all areas of their life.
In her spare time, Peggy enjoys time with her family, who are currently learning about the equestrian world and spending lots of time around barns! She also enjoys scuba diving, listening to jazz, and reading.
Jennifer Thomas, M.A.
Jennifer is pursuing a Doctorate of Psychology and completing her final practicum placement with us at Fall Creek. She works with both children and adults.
Jennifer brings vitality and a spirit of adventure to her work. Clients see in her eyes and her smile a deep level of genuine caring, openness, and dedication to this field.
Prior to joining our team, Jennifer worked with men and women in a community mental health center, where she provided individual and couples counseling as well as evaluations. She has also previously worked at a women's shelter, where she trained and supervised in her position as Coordinator of Volunteer and Intern Services. She enjoys helping adults build and improve their confidence, relationship skills, and sense of worth and meaning in their lives.
In her work with children and teens, Jennifer helps both the individual and the family. She is familiar with many of the common reasons families seek our services - including adjusting to transitions, handling stress, and helping children find better ways to handle their emotions and behaviors.
She also has valuable expertise with children on the Autistic Spectrum, having worked as a Senior Therapist for four years, and having designed and implemented behavioral therapy programs and having trained and supervised other therapists.
She provides social skills group for elementary and middle school children, and is experienced serving as an advocate for children and families within the school system. She can conduct psycho-educational assessments and help you prepare for productive and successful IEP meetings.
Having moved here from Wisconsin, Jennifer and her husband appreciate our California recreational opportunities. They enjoy camping, backpacking, SCUBA diving, and sailing.
Jill Shirley, M.A.IMF 52579
Jill has a Masters degree from the Professional School of Psychology and enjoys working with a variety of clients including children, teens, couples and adults. She is experienced helping people who are facing major life transitions and decision points, as well as those wanting to lessen anxiety or depression, or to increase self confidence, discipline, or motivation.
Jill also has experience helping clients in recovery or those who want to address issues related to substance use or other unhealthy habits, patterns, or choices.
Additionally, as a former world class athlete herself, Jill has unique insight into the role that sports can play in the lives of children or teens and their families. If you want to consult with someone who understands the demands and pressures of sports, competition, or high pressure environments, Jill is a good choice for you.
When you meet Jill, you will immediately sense how down to earth she is, and how easy it is to talk openly with her. You will also enjoy her gentle sense of humor and her ability to help you smile and find peace even in the midst of pain. She makes others feel accepted, comfortable, and safe.
Jill is a Sacramento native. She has been involved in environmental advocacy and local non-profits and in her spare time enjoys reading, cooking, hiking and swimming.
Eva Tak, M.A.IMFT 54854
Eva is a therapist who radiates strength, sensitivity and wisdom. She combines her diverse life journey and maturity with her professional training to provide skillful counseling to clients of all ages.
She is comfortable helping adults or teens working on a wide range of issues, from concerns about life transitions, relationship challenges, and self esteem struggles, to severe anxiety, depression, compulsions, grief, or trauma.
She is also experienced providing evaluations and counseling to children aged five and up. She has worked both individually and in group settings with children who need some extra help. She can help your child cope with loss or trauma, emotional upset, anxiety, problems in the classroom, or social or friendship issues.
Eva has a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco. Prior to her career in counseling, she was a law enforcement professional with experience as a hostage and crisis negotiator. She continues her service to this field as a consultant and counselor to officers and their families. She has further expertise in elder care and aging issues, grief and bereavement, couples therapy, and coping with and recovering from trauma.
Eva has a love of people that extends to her community. She enjoys facilitating groups and speaking to individuals and organizations. She is able to establish comfortable rapport even with folks who are not entirely sure about coming to see a therapist!
In her spare time, Eva enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family. For fun she likes to ski, go flying with her husband, play golf, and have adventures with her grandchildren. Most of all, she gives thanks for the simple graces of each day.
Leslie Price, Psy.D.Psychological Assistant
Dr. Leslie Price brings a wealth of experience to our practice. She worked as a Medical Social Worker for many years prior to obtaining a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology.
Leslie enjoys working with a wide variety of clients including children, teens, couples, and adults. She especially enjoys helping clients navigate and handle life's transitions, and welcomes men and women who want to work on building self esteem and confidence, or on making better choices and decisions in life.
Her background in health issues is also particularly appreciated by clients who are facing illness or loss. She has completed specific training as an Advanced Bereavment Facilitator.
Dr. Price has also worked with both children and adults facing academic or learning challenges. She has consulted with parents, written school IEPs, conducted intellectual evaluations, and made recommendations for students with learning issues.
If you are nervous about seeing a counselor, chances are excellent that you will quickly feel comfortable working with Leslie. She has a quiet strength and passion about her that immediately makes others feel safe and cared about.
Patricia Bertsch, M.A.Psychological Assistant PSB32063
Patricia has experience working with all ages. She brings compassion, an ability to be comfortable with a wide range of issues and concerns, and a practical, seasoned approach to helping her clients find new approaches and solutions to life challenges.
Patricia has a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from The Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara. She began her professional journey in 1985 as a R.N. and later aquired specialty certification in mental health nursing. In 1996 she became a registered Psychological Assistant and began providing counseling in a private practice setting as well as other outpatient psychotherapy settings.
Patricia can help you with life changes, anxiety, depression, relationship or work issues. Her approach will give you concrete tools to navigate these challenges.
She is also an experienced therapist in the area of ADD assessment and treatment - both with children and adults. She can help you or your child learn practical skills to manage life and be better organized, less frustrated, and more productive.
Patricia is also quite experienced working with eating disorders. She can help you and your teen with the serious issues involved when eating behaviors or weight issues spiral out of control.
Patricia has a background that keeps her highly aware of the connection between our minds and our bodies. She can help you learn ways to monitor and master your bodily stress so that your mind stays clear, focused, and calm. She is trained in providing biofeedback and can add this tool to your treatment if you so desire.
If you are working with another therapist at Fall Creek, she can also work with you just on the biofeedback as you continue your other work with your primary therapist.
Patricia is a strong, caring, and creative therapist. Whether she is working with a child, a couple or family, or an adult client, she is passionate about helping her clients find well-being and success.
Brenda Vaccaro, M.A.Doctoral Psy.D. Candidate and Intern
Brenda works with adults, as well as children and teens and their families. She also enjoys working with couples to enhance their relationships. She is comfortable with all ages and with people from diverse backgrounds.
Brenda believes that one of the most powerful and helpful parts of the therapy process involves making use of the therapeutic relationship itself as a safe haven for self-discovery - a place where you can confront yourself more honestly and openly, and a place to begin experimenting with new actions and behaviors.
Brenda focuses on creating an authentic, safe, and supportive environment in which you can freely explore your thoughts and feelings, not just about the general issues that most people grapple with, but also about more complex and longstanding struggles.
With gentle encouragement as well as candid feedback, Brenda helps you navigate your experiences throughout the many contexts - past and present - of your life. Her style is collaborative, and with your guidance, she seeks to strike a balance between comfort and challenge. Her hope is that you soon begin to move toward understanding and working through the difficulties that limit you so that you develop a greater sense of autonomy, hopefulness, and well-being.
Brenda understands that psychotherapy requires creativity and artful practice to be effective, and she takes a flexible and integrated approach to her work to meet your unique needs and circumstances. As appropriate, she makes use of both traditional and progressive approaches while acknowledging that no intervention is useful without understanding the person to whom it is applied.
Brenda came to this profession following a successful career in human resources and also has developed and published research in developmental neuroscience over the course of her education. She holds a special interest in conducting research on and providing education about adoption-related issues as well as providing therapy to members of the adoption triad.
In her spare time, Brenda enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, running and writing.
Julie Leavens-Hupp, B.A.Masters Degree Candidate
Julie Leavens-Hupp is completing her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University.
Julie is a believer in the strength and power of the human spirit. She believes that anyone who desires to transcend their limitations or weaknesses has the ability within them to do so. It is her desire to facilitate this process to bring long lasting change into the lives of those she works with.
Julie firmly believes that whether you are seeking personal growth, more peace in your life, freedom from emotional pain, or more success in your academic, vocational, spiritual, or relational part of your life, you do have the innate ability to achieve these desires! She is committed to working collaboratively with you to realize these goals for a happier life.
Julie has helped numerous people make positive changes over the years. Her greatest fulfillment has come from helping people of all ages realize their full potential in many facets of their lives.
Julie is passionate about children and their limitless potential. She has had many years of experience working with children in various settings with a variety of emotional and behavioral challenges. She never tires of their exploration of the world and assisting them in finding their place in it. She manages to do so with a light and engaging sense of humor that puts them at ease.
Julie enjoys working with and supporting families of all kinds. She believes they are the cornerstone of our world. She also loves working with adult men and women from all walks of life.
In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, running, working out, and living a healthy lifestyle. She enjoys laughter spontaneity, and friendship. She loves to travel, see new things and meet people of different cultures.
Rita Kirk, Psy.D.Licensed Psychologist PSY20770
Dr. Rita Kirk combines compassion, intuition, wisdom, and her unwavering belief in people's ability to create positive change in their lives to form her therapeutic approach to working with adults, couples, and families. Rita's eclectic approach integrates the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, holistic health & wellness, and a generous supply of optimism and good humor to guide clients toward personal growth and empowerment. She also incorporates spiritual and transpersonal elements into plans for helping her clients identify their needs, make healthier choices, and create more joy in the moments of their lives.
Rita works extensively with people suffering from a wide range of painful issues, including depression, anxiety, grief & loss, physical disabilities, medical conditions, trauma, and relationship or parenting problems. She has training in EMDR, a specific technique sometimes used to treat trauma, phobias, performance anxiety, and other issues. She also facilitates a women's group aimed at supportive problem-solving and navigating life transitions.
Rita received her doctorate in clinical psychology from California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant University in Fresno, CA. Prior to completing her doctorate, Rita worked over 20 years as a Registered Nurse and Nursing Associate Professor in a wide variety of clinical positions and arenas, including teaching, trauma and mental health. She is confident in her clinical and diagnostic expertise and continuously strives to help clients navigate the complex world of managed health care.
Rita, a native of North Dakota, has lived and traveled extensively as part of a military family for 20 years. She has worked and explored many parts of the world such as Thailand, Italy, most of Europe, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada, Hawaii, Florida, Texas, and Virginia.
She and her family moved to Sacramento in 1985 and have since enjoyed the stability of having a home town. When she's not working, Rita enjoys spending time with her husband of 35 years, her two adult children & spouses, and her adorable grandchildren. For recreation, she likes to read, swim, go to the movies with friends, and especially, to go to the beach.
Sharon Riegel, B.A.Practicum and Doctoral Trainee
Sharon Riegel, a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the Fielding Graduate Institute of Santa Barbara, brings optimism, warmth, and patience to her work with clients. Her unconditional positive regard for everyone she works with creates a comfortable interaction and a safe environment for her clients to reach their full potential.
Sharon is experienced in working with a variety of issues and clients. In addition to working in the private practice setting of Fall Creek Counseling Associates, she has also worked in the Department of Corrections, with a non-profit child and family therapy center, and with W.E.A.V.E., where she spent three years serving as a Victims Advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
With an integrative approach to therapy, Sharon customizes your therapy to your own personal objectives and style of relating and learning. She is familiar with a variety of therapeutic approaches, and is able to utilize interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and stress management techniques to help address her client's needs.
Sharon enjoys working with older teens and adults of all ages who are experiencing life transitions, relationship issues, loss, depression, anxiety, and self confidence issues.
Prior to becoming a therapist, Sharon worked in the insurance industry for many years. When that career no longer proved meaningful, she made the life changing decision to follow her heart and pursue a more fulfilling career path. She knows first hand the challenges of major crossroads and is skillful at helping others facing difficult questions and choices. She is a strong and reassuring partner to have on your journey.
Sharon has lived in Sacramento for the last 28 years. For recreation, she enjoys reading, camping, the theatre, traveling, and her grandchildren.
Shailesh Asaikar, M.D.
Pediatric Neurologist Consultant
Dr. Asaikar is an experienced and well known Pediatric Neurologist. He is available for consultation to families and children.
Specialty: Pediatric Neurology
Medical Group: Sutter Independent Physicians
Board Status: American Board of Pediatrics; American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology with special qualifications in child neurology and subspecialty certification in clinical neurophysiology
Medical School: University of Bombay, India
Residency: New York Medical Center Lincoln Health & Mental Health Center
Fellowships: Pediatric Neurology, University of Minnesota
Affiliated Organizations: Child Neurology Society; American Academy of Neurology; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Association of
Advancement of Science
Paul M. Chretien, M.D.Pediatric Neurology Consultant
Dr. Chretien, a pediatric neurologist, is available to consult with children, adolescents and families. He is experienced with a wide range of pediatric neurology issues including developmental disorders, AD/HD, and related disorders.
Specialty: Pediatric Neurology
Medical Group: Sutter Independent Physicians
Board Status: American Board of Pediatrics, Subspecialty - Pediatric Neurology
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Residency: Kaiser Foundation Hospital, San Francisco
Fellowships: Pediatric Neurology, Harbor University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center
Affiliated Organizations: American Academy of Neurology; Sacramento Neurological Society; Sacramento Pediatric Society