Counseling Team

Dr. Scott Salvatore

Dr. Scott Salvatore (he/him), Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), is a licensed and board-certified psychologist who earned his Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.) from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and completed an APA-accredited internship at U.S. Naval Medical Center San Diego.

Prior to joining the Cal State San Marcos CAPS team, Dr. Salvatore worked as a senior psychologist at Montana State University's Student Wellness Center after serving a combined 27 years as an officer in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Public Health Service. Dr. Salvatore's roles included leading military mental health clinics and psychological health programs for multiple federal agencies, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) college suicide prevention grant program. He also served on U.S. Public Health Service deployment teams in support of disaster responses and international humanitarian missions. Dr. Salvatore continues to provide leadership assessment and developmental coaching for U.S. Naval Special Warfare and U.S. Navy Surface Forces.

Dr. Salvatore's areas of interest include clinician and student wellness, resilience, sleep, group therapy, performance/sport psychology, organizational culture, and exercise practices to enhance well-being. He is a certified mindfulness teacher, having completed teacher training programs at UCLA and UCSD. He has also volunteered as an EMT with the San Diego Sheriff Search and Rescue Team. In his free time, Dr. Salvatore enjoys live music, theater, movies, watching/playing sports, discovering new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Lissa Lim

Dr. Lissa Lim (she/ella), Orientation and Didactics Coordinator, is a multiethnic (Mexican/Chinese) bilingual psychologist who specializes in Latinx mental health, sexual trauma, immigrant communities, and first-generation college students. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in Psychology at CSUSM, and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She has over 15 years of clinical experience working at community mental health, private practice, and several university counseling centers in CA and IL. As a bilingual psychologist, she has experience providing individual and group therapy, assessment, training, and supervision in both English and Spanish. Dr. Lim also has teaching experience and taught psychology courses at the community college and university levels.  She also founded the SHCS Health Assistance Fund while in her role as SHCS psychologist and co-founded the Women and Gender Equity Center while an undergraduate at CSUSM.

Her treatment approach is integrative, rooted in Feminist-Multicultural, Interpersonal, and Person-Centered therapy. What this means for clients is that she attends to the ways relationships shape and affect us, attends to experiences of power and oppression, and focuses on empowering clients to heal in ways that are consistent with their sociocultural context. She also emphasizes empathy, compassion, and authentic connection, and uses a Trauma-Informed perspective when working with all clients.

For self-care, Dr. Lim enjoys joyful movement like dancing, yoga, and exercise. She loves to garden and has a bountiful veggie garden. She enjoys cooking and considers herself a foodie.  She enjoys reading and is often in the middle of at least three different books at one time. She is a cat lover and fosters cats and kittens from a local shelter. She is also an extrovert and loves spending time with family and friends.

CA Lic. PSY  30077

Dr. John (Jay) Howell

Dr. John “Jay” Howell, (he/him/his) received his Psy.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University – Seattle and his M.S. in Social Work from University of Texas – Austin.  He completed his psychology internship at the University of Washington Counseling Center and has received formalized training in two community mental health clinics, a male adolescent inpatient facility and an alternative high school. 

Before joining Cal State San Marcos Student Health and Counseling Services, Dr. Howell worked for seven years at Seattle University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. He is a generalist clinically and has expertise, training and experience in college developmental and mental health concerns.  He utilizes an integrative approach for psychotherapy drawing upon psychodynamic, interpersonal, developmental and different cognitive-behavioral therapies. 

Areas of special interest include anxiety and depression, mindfulness, men and masculinity, gender and sexual identity, alcohol and substance abuse, couples counseling, multicultural issues, and grief and loss. Dr. Howell provides clinical supervision to Psychology Interns.

CA Lic. PSY 25920

 Dr. Juan Alvarez

Dr. Juan Alvarez, (he/him/él) is a bilingual counselor who strives to provide multi-culturally competent student services in English and Spanish. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Washington State University, and his B.A. in Cognitive Science at the University of California, Irvine. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Student Health and Counseling Services at California State University San Marcos, and an American Psychological Association accredited psychology internship in Health Service Psychology at the University of Northern Colorado Counseling Center.

Dr. Alvarez is passionate about college mental health and has worked in college mental health centers in Washington, Idaho, Colorado, and California. He is a generalist clinically and has experience working with a variety of presenting concerns typical of the college student population, including anxiety, depression, identity development, relationship issues, transitions, and sexual identity. Areas of special interest include Latinx mental health, working with Student-Athletes, sports psychology, and mindfulness.

 

Dr. Alvarez has experience providing individual, group, and couples therapy. He utilizes an integrative approach drawing from humanistic psychology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and self-compassion. Dr. Alvarez provides clinical supervision to Psychology Interns.

CA Lic. PSY 30185

Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy

 

Dr. Ryan Stevenson

Dr. Ryan Stevenson, (he/him/his) received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and his Masters of Social Work from the University of Utah. He completed his psychology internship at the UC – Santa Barbara’s Counseling and Psychological Services and his post-doctoral fellowship at UC – San Diego’s Counseling and Psychological Services. He has experience working in university counseling centers, community mental health, rape crisis centers, and private group practice. Prior to joining CSUSM’s Student Health and Counseling Services he worked at UCSD, the VA in San Diego, and on a clinical trial treating veterans with PTSD. He also taught a course called Strategies for Academic Success for three years in graduate school and he enjoys helping students with these skills in therapy and in campus workshops.

Dr. Stevenson has experience providing individual, group, and couples therapy. He utilizes an integrative approach drawing from interpersonal, mindfulness, feminist-multicultural, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Areas of special interest include PTSD/trauma, working with veterans/service members, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, multicultural issues, men and masculinity, conflicts around religion and spirituality, performance psychology, and substance abuse.

Dr. Stevenson enjoys working with students from diverse backgrounds and providing a safe space for healing and growth. Dr. Stevenson is the Coordinator of the Pschology Practicum Training Program and also provides clinical supervision to our APA Psychology Interns.

CA Lic. PSY 27441 

 Dr. Leah Tappero

Dr. Leah Tappero (she/her/hers), Psychology Internship Training Coordinator, has specialized in college mental health for 15+ years. A refugee from Cambodia, she was raised in San Diego County after moving to the U.S. as a child. Dr. Tappero earned both her B.A. and M.A. degrees in Psychology from San Diego State University. She earned her M.S. in Counseling, Family, and Human Services and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Oregon. Dr. Tappero completed a pre-doctoral internship at CSU Long Beach and a post-doctoral residency at UC San Diego counseling centers. Dr. Tappero is passionate about training and supervision, finding joy in mentoring the next generation of psychologists.

Dr. Tappero utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach, blending interventions from Interpersonal, Emotion-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral, and Client-Centered therapies. Her interests include Asian/Asian American mental health, issues faced by first-generation college students, immigrant and refugee experiences, multicultural concerns, and interpersonal relationship challenges. Dr. Tappero guides clients to explore how relational, social, educational, and cultural factors influence their life experiences. She takes a holistic approach and adapts her therapeutic style and interventions to meet client’s needs while fostering a safe, supportive, and empowering space for personal growth. Dr. Tappero believes that therapy can help clients work towards creating positive changes to heal and live authentically. Her multicultural identities and life experiences contribute to her passion for supporting underrepresented and marginalized communities.

In her free time, Dr. Tappero enjoys spending time with her family, friends and three dogs. She likes reading and listening to audiobooks. She considers herself to be a foodie and likes exploring different restaurants, coffee, and boba shops.

Dr. Melvin Walker

Melvin (Mel) Walker, PhD (he, him, his) earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University (Long Island, NY). He completed his APA-accredited, pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral training at Student Health & Counseling Services, CSUSM. Dr. Mel received his M.A. in Psychological Science from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C and his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University, after transitioning from the military as a commissioned officer. He received formalized training at two university counseling centers and a Veterans Affairs medical center in New York. He has also conducted research and has publications in the areas of suicidality among service members, military leadership, and service members transitioning into civilian life.

Dr. Mel utilizes an integrative approach to psychotherapy, drawing upon cognitive-behavioral, schema, trauma-informed, and interpersonal approaches. He particularly focuses on establishing a strong relationship with the people he works with.  His areas of interest include people of color, Veterans, suicide, romantic relationship challenges, sexual & complex trauma, and men’s issues. In his free time, Dr. Mel enjoys many forms of exercise, taking Spanish and Portuguese classes, traveling, going to the movies, food, watching his favorite sports teams, and spending time with his family and friends. 

CA Lic. PSY 36355

Dr. Claudia Miranda

Dr. Claudia Miranda (she/ella), is a bilingual (Spanish/English) psychologist who specializes in working with ADHD and first-generation related concerns, Latinx mental health, and intergenerational trauma. She was born, and raised, in the Bay Area and her passion for psychology is rooted in her experiences as a daughter of immigrants and first-gen transfer student. She earned her undergraduate degree from UC Davis and her doctorate in clinical psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California.

 

Dr. Miranda’s clinical experience and training include providing individual therapy in Spanish and English at community-based organizations, private practices, and college counseling centers. Dr. Miranda’s additional clinical interests include identity development, acculturative stress, understanding complex family dynamics, and LGBTQ+ related concerns. Dr. Miranda’s values as a therapist are rooted in her cultural identity and include authenticity and transparency. Her approach to therapy is collaborative and grounded in exploring, building awareness, and workarounds for the many things that influence how we think and act.

Throughout her clinical experiences, Dr. Miranda has learned to draw strength from her community cultural wealth and strives to empower others to do the same. She is passionate about amplifying the voices of historically silenced communities in both her clinical and professional work, for instance through creating resources and supportive services for underrepresented students and advocating for a decolonized approach to clinical training.  Dr. Miranda has been recognized by the California Psychological Association (CPA) for her advocacy efforts and accomplishments in the advancement of education and training in Clinical Psychology, including co-founding a nationwide Students of Color Council for BIPOC students attending graduate programs of professional psychology. During her personal time, she enjoys exploring new foods and places with family and discovering bingeworthy shows.

 Supervised by Dr. Juan Alvarez CA Lic. 30185 and Dr. Lissa Lim CA Lic. PSY 30077

Marcy Ryan, LMFT

Marcy Ryan, LMFT (she/her/hers) has provided therapeutic counseling to individuals, couples, and families for over 20 years. She has worked collaboratively within a broad array of community care systems including county mental health, residential treatment, hospice, schools, and in private practice. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist her humanistic approach specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients cope with strong emotions and manage high-risk behaviors.

Other interests include the treatment of anxiety, ADHD, grief/loss, attachment, trauma, family and relationship struggles. She holds a B.A. in Human Development from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara. Prior to moving home to San Diego, she worked for Casa Pacifica, Centers for Children and Families, becoming Clinical Supervisor for their Therapeutic Behavioral Services program serving Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. 

Marcy is dedicated to inclusive practices supporting students while fostering a sense of safety and belonging.  She enjoys connecting with students from all different backgrounds and providing treatment that highlights her client’s individual strengths. Marcy is passionate about student social emotional health and wellness.  

CA Lic. LMFT 53126

Alexandra Balucanag

 

Ali Balucanag, MA (she/her) is a Clinical Psychology (PsyD) doctoral candidate at Azusa Pacific University, where she also earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside. Ali has worked in a variety of settings, including public schools, university counseling centers, community mental health clinics, psychiatric facilities, and private practice.

She approaches therapy from a trauma-informed psychodynamic systems perspective, considering individual, relational, and sociocultural factors that shape clients’ lives. She emphasizes insight development, empathy, and the therapeutic relationship as key components of meaningful change. She understands that many present-day challenges can stem from past experiences that were overwhelming or not fully processed.

Ali has a particular interest in working with clients navigating relational and trauma-related concerns. Coming from a multicultural background, she is passionate about providing care that is validating, culturally responsive, and attuned to each client’s unique story.

In her free time, Ali enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets, enjoying a cup of coffee, engaging in high-intensity strength training, and exploring new places.

Supervised By: Dr. Leah Tappero PSY 28653

Izan Corso

Izán Corso (he/him/él) is a bilingual (English–Spanish) Psychology Intern who received his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), where he is currently completing his Psy.D. His clinical training has included community mental health and private practice settings, where he has provided individual psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and comprehensive immigration evaluations.

Izán has experience working with adults presenting with a broad range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, identity exploration, substance use, and life transitions. He utilizes an integrative approach to psychotherapy grounded in relational psychodynamic theory while incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), parts work, and trauma-informed care.

His clinical interests include emerging adulthood, LGBTQ+ mental health, Latinx mental health, identity development, trauma, and interpersonal and attachment concerns. Izán is committed to creating a collaborative, culturally responsive therapeutic environment where clients can deepen self-understanding, strengthen emotional resilience, and work toward meaningful change.

In his free time Izán enjoys surfing, meditating, and playing with reptiles. 

Supervised By: Dr. Juan Alavarez PSY 30185

Junye Ma

Junye Ma (he/him) is a doctoral candidate in the San Diego State University/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. His major area of study is behavioral medicine, with a research focus on the structural and sociocultural determinants of sexual health disparities (e.g., HIV prevention) among LGBTQ+ people of color. Prior to beginning his doctoral training, he earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Japanese Linguistics at the State University of New York at Buffalo, followed by a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University.

Before joining Cal State San Marcos Student Health and Counseling Services, Junye completed four years of clinical training in multidisciplinary settings, including the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, UC San Diego Health, and the San Diego State University Psychology Clinic. He has extensive experience working with marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, racial/ethnic minority communities, and immigrants, and is passionate about supporting young adults as they navigate academic, interpersonal, and identity-related challenges. His clinical approach is grounded in evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), with an emphasis on fostering resilience, self-efficacy, and adaptive coping skills. His areas of clinical interest include LGBTQ+ identities, minority stress, trauma-related concerns, and depression/anxiety.

Outside of work, Junye enjoys learning languages and is fluent in Mandarin and Japanese, while working on his French. He also enjoys exploring the city’s local speakeasies and restaurants. Ask him about his list of cool bars and restaurants in San Diego! 

Supervised By: Dr. Jay Howell PSY 25920

Daniela Navarro Verdugo

Daniela (Dani) Navarro Verdugo (she/ella) is a bilingual (English/ Spanish) psychology intern from the Tijuana/ San Diego border region who is passionate about supporting Latine and immigrant communities. She earned her B.A. in Psychology at Cal Poly Pomona and her M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Texas Tech University, where she is currently completing her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. Dani has provided clinical services across university counseling centers, community mental health clinics, and medical settings. She has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds and presenting concerns. 

Dani takes an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from psychodynamic, emotion-focused, and interpersonal theories, through a multicultural and social justice lens. She believes change happens when we understand the ways that relationships, culture, and past experiences shape our present. Her goal is to create a safe and collaborative therapeutic environment where clients feel empowered to explore their emotions and experiences.  

In her free time, Dani enjoys trying new coffee shops, spending time with her family, cooking, and taking her cat on walks.  

Supervised By: Dr. Lissa Lim PSY 30077  

Adia Fadaei

Adia Fadaei, M.A. (she/her) is a Practicum Trainee in the clinical psychology (Psy.D.) doctoral program at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), where she received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology. Prior to her graduate studies, she received her B.A. in Psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University. 

Her experiences in the mental health field include providing therapy services for adolescents and adults at outpatient clinics and schools, public health and psychoeducational outreach, legislative advocacy for youth mental health and suicide prevention policy, crisis intervention, peer support, and nonprofit consulting. She is passionate about working with university students from diverse backgrounds, prioritizing a client-centered, warm, collaborative, and relational approach.

Adia draws from an integrative framework of psychodynamic conceptualization while incorporating third-wave cognitive behavioral interventions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) in her work. She strives to understand each person holistically and supports growth at a pace that is right for the individual and their unique context, honoring the courage of reaching out.

Her interest areas include relational concerns, grief/loss, suicidality, neurodivergence, Middle Eastern mental health, depression, anxiety, identity/self-image, religion/spirituality, and harm reduction, while embracing how culture and systems shape these experiences.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, going to the ocean, trying coffee shops, working out, reading, and being in nature.

Ellie Nisbet

Ellie Nisbet, M.A. (she/her), is a Practicum Trainee currently completing her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), where she earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology. She received her M.A. in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and her B.S. in Psychology and Brain Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Ellie’s clinical training includes private practice, outpatient neuropsychological assessment, and a women’s trauma-focused treatment center, where she has provided individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and psychological assessment.

Ellie has experience supporting adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, identity exploration, and life transitions. She takes an integrative, trauma-informed approach to therapy, drawing from psychodynamic theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and feminist-multicultural perspectives. She prioritizes creating a warm and supportive space where students can feel comfortable being themselves, explore their experiences openly, and better understand themselves within the context of their identities, cultures, and lived experiences. Ellie views therapy as a collaborative process and values getting to know each student as a whole person.

Her clinical interests include transitional-age concerns, anxiety, trauma, mind-body connection, student-athlete mental health, and sports psychology. She has a particular interest in supporting student-athletes as they navigate academics, athletics, identity, and life within and beyond sport.

Outside of work, Ellie enjoys running, trying new restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and hanging out with her dog.