Meet Our Therapists

Bryant Howard is a Licensed marriage and family therapist here in the Sacramento area.

He is originally from the small town of Derby, Connecticut. Bryant has always had a natural gift of listening and supporting others in times of crisis. He was often who his friends and even acquaintances would go to for advice or support.

After graduating from his local high school it was clear to Bryant not only would he pursue a career in therapy, but would also pursue his college career in California. He first attend a community college in Southern California called Antelope Valley College, and studied there for about three years . He later traveled up north to Sacramento where He attended Sacramento City College and California State University Sacramento (CSUS or Sac State). He received his Associates degree in Psychology from Sacramento City College and his Bachelors in Psychology from Sacramento State. Bryant attended the University of San Francisco to pursue his Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology. His program focused on Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). After three years of studying and training He completed the program and obtained his Masters degree.

Bryant spent four years working at a community based non-for profit agency within Sacramento, working with families and their youth. In his private practice Bryant has helped many individuals and couples with their relationship issues and mental health needs.

Hi! My name is Christina Owen, I am the administrative assistant here with Heart of the Matter Counseling! I am the first you will speak with and I strive on making the onboarding process effortless and smooth for you.

With such admiration, I have been a part of Heart of the Matter Counseling’s team since 2019. I love getting to share this work family while also knowing each team member is behind me. I confidently know that these counselors and myself, want to show support in all the ways that can matter for our guests. We treat clients as our guests because we want you to experience that ‘comforting’ feeling.

I may not be providing strength for you inside your session room, though I will provide different strength for you on the outside. The insurance outside that is! Insurance can be confusing and so tough to understand at times, but this is where I come in to help! I will verify or assist with any questions you may have regarding your insurance!

The practice is waiting for your outreach so I can help make your first steps toward a big, life-altering decision – easy, and our counselors are waiting to make that big difference!

Thank you for your interest in Heart of the Matter Counseling, we hope you choose us!

Welcome! My name is Bryanna Cobb, and I am the new Administrative Assistant here at Heart of the Matter Counseling. I will be one of the first people you interact with, and my job is to make it go as smoothly as possible.

I grew up both in the small town of Auberry and Sacramento. I’m the mother of two amazing, and very spirited children. I’m very passionate about art, music, and movies! I love learning new and interesting things, from animals to history, it all interests me!

When it comes to starting the onboarding process, I will do my best to make you feel welcome and comfortable. I know, especially during these hard and frustrating times, that we just need some understanding, compassion and support. This is my goal for each and every one of you who decide to choose Heart of the Matter Counseling!

Hi! My name is Monica. Thank you for your interest in me as your therapist. My goal is to partner with and empower my clients on their mental health journey. I see us all as people-in-progress, so rest assured that you are coming into a safe and judgment-free space.

I am a Sacramento native. I graduated from Sac State in 2015 and have worked in various positions in the field of mental health throughout the Sacramento area for six years.

I draw from a number of therapeutic approaches and am trained in trauma informed care. I pride myself in mindful, culturally humble care, and am committed to meeting each of my clients where they are at.

My desire is to empower families, couples, and individuals to overcome obstacles they encounter in their lives that hinder them from experiencing healthy and positive relationships and from being their best selves. I believe we all have a potential to be great, and I would like to help facilitate one reaching his or her greatest potential. Understanding that we will face difficulties in life, I hope to encourage a positive outlook and better ways to deal with negative situations as well as negative thoughts and emotions that often arise when we encounter these difficulties.

I have a Master of Science degree in Counseling, and I am registered as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Using evidence-based interventions, I have worked with individuals and children for over 2 years while in my college program practicum, at a psychiatric healthy facility, and in a counseling center.

During my time working in these agencies, I gained experience in treating symptoms related to anxiety, depression, anger, adjusting to change/life transitions, grief and loss, posttraumatic stress, relationship issues, and sibling issues. My approach to treating such issues include using interventions and techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Art Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief-Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Interventions.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by feelings of depression or anxiety? Do you have difficulty making and/or maintaining relationships and experience feelings of aloneness as a result?

Let’s sit down and chat. As we build a therapeutic relationship of trust, respect, and rapport, together we can explore strategies that allow you to address the root causes of the issues you may be experiencing and work towards positive change.

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Counseling! I know it can be difficult to talk to someone new about your personal issues, but I’m thankful that you are taking a step towards personal growth, and I’ll be here to guide you throughout your journey to a better you! But first things first: Why should you trust me with your mental health concerns?

I have gained the majority of my experience in the mental health field working at a psychiatric inpatient hospital and intensive outpatient psychiatric facilities for the past 6 years, where I have worked with a multidisciplinary team treating a variety of psychiatric conditions with varying degrees of severity. The majority of this experience has been working with adolescents, but I have ample experience with all age populations. Simply put… I have seen A LOT!
I am a highly empathetic, supportive, and non-judgmental individual, while also adhering to boundaries that are so incredibly important within the therapeutic relationship. My passion is assisting others in identifying the root(s) of their present issues through a variety of treatment modalities with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focus. In particular, I enjoy working with clients to reveal irrational and detrimental thought processes, assess how these thought processes can trigger emotional dysregulation, and provide clients with tools to practice effectively managing distress and eventually take control of their emotions and their lives.
I “meet the client where they are at.” Psychobabble aside, I work with clients on assessing degrees of comfort with the therapeutic process to collaboratively identify appropriate treatment goals.
I’ll be real with you: participating in therapy is work… No one ever said it was easy, but my goal as your therapist is to listen to you and help you to identify your psychic needs, and then we can work hard together and get you to where you want to be in life!

I am a passionate mental health advocate who has been working in the field for close to 8 years.

My journey to becoming a therapist has consisted of lived experience and education. I received my Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Phoenix and became an Associate in February of 2020.

I have extensive experience working with impoverished families, crisis intervention, high acuity diagnosis, substance use disorder, and trauma.
My time in this field has taught me the value of meeting people where they are at and leaning into experiences with an open heart and mind. My desire is to provide my clients with a safe place to land on their journey.

I believe that you are the expert in the room and I strive to empower the expert within. I look forward to meeting you!

My name is Chenique Jackson and currently AMFT. I have served over 7 years in the Sacramento community. I enjoy collaboratively working with resources in my community . My specialty doing groups. I love idea of helping and facilitating a safe space where individuals can have a place to vent and freely express themselves with no judgment. I believe everyone has a story and it’s important to be expressed and heard by self-expression. As black woman I want to help bring awareness and normalize therapy. I am here to help bring support and encouragement during these challenging times.
Warm Regards
Nique

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Counseling. I am glad you are taking steps to take care of yourself!

Getting support when you are facing life challenges makes a big difference. My desire is to walk alongside you and help you in your journey towards healing. My approach is to provide you with different evidence-based therapeutic interventions and education while offering you a safe space to help you process the circumstance(s) you are facing. To improve your life and achieve your goals, the first step is to make the decision that you want things to be different. My hope for you, is that you thrive in what you do and are happy with yourself. It is my belief that it is through empathy and compassion for ourselves and others that we have the potential of becoming the best version of ourselves.

I have a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology and I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family therapist. I am also fluent in English and Spanish. I have experience working in higher education and mental health. I have worked with children and young adults in school settings and I have been providing individual, couple, and family therapy in-person and through telehealth for the last 2 years.

During my time working with children, adolescents and families, I have gained experience in treating symptoms of anxiety and depression. In addition, I have helped parents assist their children when dealing with challenging behaviors. During my time working with adults, I have expanded my competence in treating addiction, codependency, and trauma.

I am confident in our ability to work together to potentiate your mental health and achieve your goals for therapy.

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Counseling, I am Jacob Pospychalla.

Thank you for showing interest in our agency and in possibly growing through some of your current life’s difficulties. I am excited that you’ve taken a step to becoming who you want to be.

My experience has been eclectic: I enjoy working with couples, individuals, children, and especially with families. My core principle to my treatment is that you are the master of your life, and that you have asked me to help you along the path you choose.

You are your own expert; we just sometimes forget that we can choose different.

In my family servers I focus on the family as a whole, and I am a strong advocate that every member has a voice in creating a healthy and happy home. I have a number of tools to support parents in managing the needs of the home while growing through their child’s behaviors.

Specializations:

Children
Families
Individual
Couples
Trauma/PTSD
Mood Disorders
Family Conflict

Originally from Connecticut I moved to California to pursue a new journey. Along this path, it has allowed me to be a therapist who is compassionate, funny, yet challenging. I like to use these skills, all while linking solid professional education with personal experience in supporting people to find their inner gifts.

I offer warmhearted treatment for people who need assistance in overcoming the impacts of negative life experiences. I help clients improve their quality of life by developing coping skills, processing their thoughts, feelings & experiences.

I operate from an empathic, non-judgmental, and multicultural lens that focuses on inclusion. In addition to my therapeutic work, I have a history and passion for working with those who are justice impacted. This includes those that are incarcerated, and the families impacted by incarceration.

I believe that we all have a story and at times it may seem we need guidance to move between chapters. Whether you are at the beginning or middle or concluding season of life’s book. I look forward to being alongside this journey.

Life can be rough – even very difficult. We all know that, but in the midst of those hard times we often don’t recognize our own strengths, skills, and wisdom.

My commitment as a therapist is to listen deeply to you and your wisdom, to collaborate with you, to advocate for you, and help you find the way forward to greater healing and hope in your life.

I’ve worked with people of different ages, ethnicities, races, nationalities, spiritualities, immigration status, sexual orientations, gender identities, political perspectives, and socio- economic statuses. My respect and appreciation for our amazing human diversity began as I lived in different countries and in many different regions of this country.

I’ve had the privilege of accompanying clients as they’ve faced crisis, anxiety, depression, loss, relationship and parenting challenges, trauma, and esteem and identity issues.

I received a Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University in Sacramento and am a registered Marriage and Family Therapist (#128573). I approach therapy from a Narrative perspective and use insights from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindful Self-Compassion.

My approach to counseling is that you are not the problem – the problem is the problem – and I know you have the ability to find the way forward.

I look forward to meeting you and hearing your story!

Hello! My name is Maya Washington. Thank you for your interest in me as your therapist. I received my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga, CA and became an Associate Marriage in Family Therapist in December of 2021. As your therapist, my goal is for my clients to feel comfortable speaking to me in a safe, relaxed, and judgment free zone.

During therapy, I see clients as experts on their own lives. My job is to guide and facilitate clients on the path they want to go on, or goal(s) they want to reach. Although my approach to therapy is through relational and attachment-based therapy, and mindfulness-based work, I do draw from many different therapeutic approaches to fit each individual client. Let’s work together to achieve and accomplish goals! I look forward to meeting you!

Hello! My name is Philana. I have professionally and personally come to an understanding that deciding to seek therapy can be an uncomfortable and unsettling decision. However, therapy can be a space for healing, personal growth, and self-empowerment. I will be present with you, provide a nonjudgmental space, and encouragement, while taking steps with you to address your mental health concerns. I am grateful for what I have learned from my clients that have allowed me to be their partner and take part in this journey with them and looking forward to new experiences with you.

I have a Masters in Psychology and Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and registered with Board Behavioral Science as an Associate Marriage Family Therapist. I come from a psychiatric background and have worked at inpatient and outpatient facilities facilitating therapeutic groups. I had the pleasure of working with a multidisciplinary team treating a variety of psychiatric conditions with various levels of acuity.

I utilize an eclectic approach that consists of various therapeutic modalities and have experience with evidence-based interventions such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am client-centered and believe in meeting my clients where they are at. What this means is that I will facilitate the therapeutic process based on the individual needs of the client, treatment will be a team effort, but at your pace and your comfort level.

Building rapport and getting to know my clients is a priority in creating a healthy client-therapist relationship. This process allows for trust to grow, a space for my clients to feel comforted, while working on their treatment goals. Welcome to Heart of The Matter Counseling.

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Counseling. My name is Thelma, and I am grateful that you took the opportunity to read my profile. Many things are happening in our world right now that can make us feel stressed, anxious, sad, or depressed. But you are not alone. One of the things I am grateful for is bringing my passion for helping others through my job. As a mental health therapist, I use CETA (Common Elements Treatment Approach), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and EMDR, along with other approaches. I believe in establishing a safe, non-judgmental, and trusting environment to empower clients to make desired changes, and to have a space in which clients can freely explore feelings and ideas, which will allow each individual to grow and develop.

I have a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am also fluent in English and Spanish. My work experience in mental health began in 2014 when I started working as a Case Manager at a Community Mental Health Clinic. Then I transitioned in 2016 to my internship site, where I had the opportunity to work with children, adolescents, and their families. In 2017, I returned to work at the same Community Mental Health Clinic where I started as a case manager, but this time my work was as a Mental Health Therapist where I focused on treating the adult and geriatric population.

While working in these agencies, I gained experience treating symptoms related to anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief and loss, relationship issues, and posttraumatic stress.

I would love to learn more about you and support you through the journey of growth and wellness while you envision your new future.

Meet Our Therapists

Bryant Howard

Christina Owen

Bryanna Cobb,

Monica Hefner

Yvette Wilhite

Rachel Sapozink

Caitlin O’Donnell

Chenique Jackson

Elizabeth Agusti Becerra

Jacob Pospychalla

Darcy Jackson

Linda Loessberg-Zahl

Maya Washington

Philana Boyd

Thelma Zazueta

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