My practice is shaped by the wisdom and guidance of Black, Indigenous, Women, and Femmes of Color, whose mentorship or direct relationship has profoundly influenced my path. I honor their contributions with humility and respect, recognizing the responsibility that comes with engaging wisdom from communities that have too often been extracted from or appropriated, particularly by white practitioners. My work is an ongoing commitment to divesting from these harms and restoring harmony and balance.
I remain a student of this movement. The mentors and influences named here continue to guide my growth, and I strive to stay accountable to their teachings while recognizing my own positionality. It is with their support and the truths they’ve shared that I aim to offer care rooted in honoring the full humanity of every person I serve.
This page is a respectful acknowledgment of the mentors, teachers, colleagues, and influential figures who have shaped my journey. It is not an endorsement of my practice.
Dra. Rocío Rosales Meza, Ph.D.
A Xicana/Mexicana Seer, spiritual guide, and initiated medicine woman from the Q’ero Inca lineage, Dra. Meza has guided and mentored me in connecting with ancestral wisdom, deepening my commitment to divesting from white supremacy culture, and engaging in decolonial shadow work. She has also shown me ways to be in right relationship with the land and Indigenous communities. Her teachings inspire me to honor life’s interconnectedness, challenge the colonial standard, and promote holistic wellness.
Jaya Roy, MA, MS, LCSW
Jaya, a therapist and educator specializing in Somatic Psychotherapy and Liberation Psychology, has supported my personal growth and professional development. Her guidance has helped me begin to address and divest from colonial practices within the mental health field and my private practice, enriching my ability to hold space for others in their healing journeys and deepening my commitment to societal liberation.
Dr. Alba Niño, Ph.D., LMFT
An Associate Professor and licensed marriage and family therapist, Dr. Niño was a pivotal professor and mentor during my master’s and doctoral studies. Dr. Niño was also a mentor while I was a Doctoral Apprentice Reviewer for the Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy (JMFT). Her guidance in teaching, clinical work, and self-reflection as a therapist was crucial to my early development and continues to inform my practice today.
Sesen Negash, Ph.D., LMFT
One of the educators who most significantly influenced my intellectual development. Through her teaching and mentorship, I learned to write and think critically at an entirely different level. Her emphasis on rigorous analysis, curiosity, and engaging deeply with ideas continues to shape how I approach clinical work, scholarship, and organizing.
Tamara Sharifov, MA, MS, LCSW
As a colleague, Tamara’s dedication to social justice, activism, and humanitarian work has profoundly influenced me and my practice. Her approach to integrating these values into mental health care has shaped how I view my role in societal transformation, both in my work and on a broader global scale. Her influence inspires me to bring a socially conscious lens to all aspects of my practice and beyond.
Dr. Panicha McGuire, PsyD, LMFT, RPT-S
As a licensed marriage and family therapist and registered play therapist, Dr. Panicha’s work in neurodiversity-affirming care has deepened my understanding of how systemic barriers—including ableism and colonial mental health frameworks have impacted neurodivergent individuals. Her insights challenge deficit-based models, emphasizing self-determination and honoring diverse ways of thinking and being. I continue to integrate practices that support neurodivergent autonomy, reduce harm in traditional therapeutic spaces, and foster truly inclusive healing.
Hours
Mon – Thurs: By appointment only
Fri – Sun: Closed
Office
3065 Rosecrans Place, Suite 202 San Diego, CA 92110
Contact
(619) 839-9397
info@therapywithmicaela.com