Counseling Services Staff
Tania Gonzalez, Ph.D., Director (she/her)
Dr. Gonzalez is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who has practiced within the Merced and Fresno community for the last several years. She completed her undergraduate studies at California State University, Hayward where she majored in Psychology with a double minor in Sociology and Criminal Justice. Her graduate degree in Clinical Psychology was earned at the California School of Professional Psychology with a focus in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Forensic studies. During her professional career, she has had the opportunity to train and work with a wide variety of clientele in settings such as group homes, California Youth Authority, Boys and Girls Club, Unified school district, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, community private practice and the Veteran’s Affairs. She has held both management and supervisory positions and has discovered great rewards in assisting students, psychological assistants, and support staff through their professional and interpersonal growth. Through her own career endeavors, Dr. Gonzalez has gained practical experience and knowledge of issues involving socioeconomic aspects, cultural diversity, diagnostic considerations, and treatment modalities. Her clinical practice is influenced by attachment and object relations theory utilizing a psychodynamic approach. She has assisted clients with a variety of concerns including but not limited to: eating disorders, PTSD, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, LGBT, adjustment, and grief. She adopts a direct yet empathic approach to her work and is mindful of the unique multi-cultural needs of UC Merced. She strives to incorporate these ideologies while working with students in overcoming challenges to emotional wellness. Currently, Dr. Gonzalez is a member of the American Psychological Association and the San Joaquin Valley Psychological Association.
Arthur Ritmeester, Ph.D., Associate Director (he/him)
Dr. Ritmeester earned his doctoral degree from the State University of New York at Albany and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he double-majored in Psychology and East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies. He is a licensed Counseling Psychologist with extensive experience supporting university students across California and New York.
His clinical work includes helping students navigate a wide range of concerns, such as trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, family and relationship dynamics, identity development, and life or role transitions. Dr. Ritmeester practices from an integrative framework rooted in psychodynamic object-relations and self-psychology. His approach centers on fostering insight, growth, and empowerment, while thoughtfully incorporating students’ intersecting identities and cultural contexts.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Ritmeester has a strong interest in clinical training and supervision, staff professional development, and ongoing personal growth.
Laurel Ealy, Psy.D. Staff Psychologist, Clinical Training Coordinator (she/her)
Dr. Ealy is a native of California and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received her bachelor's degree from Humboldt State University and master's and doctoral degrees from Pacific Graduate School of Psychology-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium. She completed her APA-accredited pre-doctoral clinical internship at the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, Robert J Murney Clinic. Dr. Ealy has worked with adolescents and adults for many years in community mental health centers where she is comfortable working with a wide variety of client concerns. Her areas of clinical interest include alcohol and substance use and co-occurring disorders, interpersonal difficulties, mood disorders, multicultural/diversity issues, grief/bereavement, spirituality, trauma, and issues that impact undocumented, LGBTQ+, and first-generation college students. Dr. Ealy’s clinical orientation is integrative; she has been trained in and is comfortable working with a variety of treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment and Object Relations as well as Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She takes a strength-based approach when helping students overcome obstacles to their mental health.
Bri Freeman, M.S, PsyD, Staff Psychologist (she/her)
Bri received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Her directed study examined the impact of military lifestyle factors (i.e., frequent relocation and parental deployment) on relationship functioning (i.e., attachment style, relationship satisfaction, commitment levels, emotional expression, and intimacy) in adult military children. Bri additionally holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, as well as an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Arizona State University.
Her clinical interests include prolonged childhood abuse, interpersonal violence, attachment style issues, family of origin concerns, dissociation difficulties, relationship skills, obsessive compulsive difficulties, and neurodiversity. She also completed a one-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Interpersonal Violence track at the University of Santa Barbara-California, where she specifically worked with survivors of sexual, physical, and emotional trauma.
Bri uses a contextual approach to therapy and utilizes various therapy interventions based on individual needs, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Feminist Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), family systems, and solution-focused interventions. In terms of trauma-based treatment, Bri adopts a tri-phasic approach to trauma treatment, with an emphasis on building safety and stabilization.
Cindy Arias, LCSW, PPS, Staff Counselor (she/ her)
Cindy Arias is a CA Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a native of Southern California. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Cindy received her bachelor's degree in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton, and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Cindy has had extensive multicultural clinical experiences in a variety of settings which include providing mental health services to children and adolescents in schools, juvenile correctional facilities, and individuals in community mental health clinics. Her clinical training has provided in-depth experience working with depression, anxiety, substance use, multicultural/diversity issues, LGBTQ+, first-generation college students, life transitions, bereavement, and trauma. Cindy’s approach to therapy is integrative and client-centered, drawing on Psychodynamic, Relational, Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-based therapies. Cindy believes in the importance of providing an authentic, genuine, culturally sensitive, nonjudgmental space for her clients.
Tamara Isaac-Cooksey, LMFT, Staff Counselor (she/her)
Darrah Wilson, LMFT, PPS, Staff Counselor (she/her)
Darrah Wilson is a CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a native of Central California. Darrah received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, and a master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Fresno. She also holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Darrah has worked in a variety of settings, providing clinical and social work services since 2008. These settings have included private practice, the K-12 school setting, juvenile corrections and residential treatment facilities, outpatient mental health, Child Welfare Services, in home intensive services (Wraparound) and supporting Transition-Age Youth (TAY) as they transitioned out of foster care. Darrah has clinical experience with a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, family disruptions, adjustment disorders, and grief. She utilizes a client-centered theoretical orientation, using a dialectical counseling approach that incorporates cognitive, behavioral, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and skills building to help clients improve overall wellbeing. Darrah is also a certified yoga instructor and is trained in trauma informed yoga practice and trauma focused CBT.
Jessica Herrington, LMFT, Staff Counselor (she/her)
Jessica Herrington is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and native to Merced. Jessica received her bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis in Biology, from the University of California, Davis and her master’s degree in counseling from the University of Phoenix, Fresno cam pus. Jessica has over 10 years of experience working at a local nonprofit, where she provided behavioral counseling and therapy, to underserved populations, those with complex trauma, depression, and anxiety. Jessica has worked with clients that have faced challenges of low self-esteem, body image issues, addictive behaviors, suicidal thoughts, and self-harming behavior. Jessica is trained in motivational interviewing, Community Resiliency Model, and Life Space Crisis Intervention. Jessica appreciates a psychodynamic frame and employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to empower clients to recognize the stories they tell themselves and overarching life themes. Jessica is passionate about helping others live authentically. Jessica values a mind-body approach to health and utilizes mindful noticing to regulate emotions and expand one’s window of tolerance.
Harvey Zhang, M.A., PsyD, Staff Psychologist (he/him)
Harvey was born in Los Angeles and moved around the United States before finally settling in Fresno, CA. He received his bachelor’s in psychology at the University of California Riverside and began graduate school in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology Fresno. He has worked at the Gary Cannon Psychological Service Center as a student clinician and runs CBT groups at the Bob Wiley Detention Center and the Juvenile Detention Facility in Visalia, CA. He works primarily from a client center perspective but also uses motivational interviewing and is solution-focused. Harvey is interested in working with students who face generational conflicts regarding their future academic and career goals. He is also interested in working with first-generation college students who face familial and societal pressures to succeed. He speaks both English and Mandarin Chinese.
Grace L. Abear, PsyD, Staff Psychologist (she/her)
Dr. Grace Abear is fluent in English, Tagalog, and Bisaya. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology as an international student. Her doctoral dissertation explored how mental health providers conceptualize intimate partner violence in both heterosexual and sexual and gender minority relationships. She also holds a Master of Science in Counseling, with a specialization in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling, from California State University, Sacramento.
Dr. Abear has extensive clinical experience providing psychotherapy and conducting psychological assessments in various community mental health settings. She has worked with programs such as the UC Davis Early Psychosis Program and the 22q11.2 Research Center and Clinic at the UC Davis MIND Institute. Additionally, she has provided therapy to students in community day schools, addressing academic challenges and mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and conduct disorder.
Her therapeutic approach is rooted in a client-centered framework. Dr. Abear integrates a variety of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Family-Focused Therapy (FFT), as well as expressive arts, play, and sand tray therapies. She is committed to tailoring her interventions to align with the cultural backgrounds and unique needs of her clients.
Joseph A. Ramirez, PhD, Post-Doctorate Fellow (he/him)
Joseph is a Central Valley native, having grown up in one of the many small farming communities in Tulare County. He received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, with a minor in Human Sexuality. He later completed his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology. His dissertation focused on examining the lived subjective experiences, such as the social and systemic barriers to care for military veterans who have attempted suicide.
Joseph’s clinical experiences include working with children, adolescents, and their families at the Gary Cannon Psychological Service Center and leading therapeutic groups at a juvenile detention center. He has also provided individual therapy, facilitated anger management groups, and was involved in clinical research trials with veterans at the Fresno VA Medical Center. Lastly, he has had experience administering neuropsychological evaluations to assess for learning disabilities, ASD, and ADHD.
Joseph primarily approaches treatment from an interpersonal perspective, emphasizing the impact of relational dynamics and integrating a multicultural lens to meet clients’ needs. He also has experience with a variety of therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-based interventions.
Menchie Agtarap, PhD, Post-Doctorate Fellow (she/her)
Menchie received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Fresno. She later obtained her Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degree in clinical psychology from Alliant International University, Fresno. Currently, Menchie is completing her post-doctoral fellowship at UC Merced’s counseling and psychological service center.
Menchie’s clinical experiences include providing psychotherapy and administering assessments to children, adolescents, and adults at the Gary Cannon Psychological Service Center and providing individual therapy for students in comprehensive K-12 school sites with Merced County Office of Education. Additionally, she has experience in providing mental health services at Porterville Developmental Center to adults with intellectual developmental disorder, serious medical and/or behavioral problems for which appropriate services are not currently available through community resources.
Menchie’s approach to therapy is primarily based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and adopts her technique to fit the cultural framework of all her clients. She also has experience with a variety of therapeutic approaches such as Play Therapy, Attachment, Object Relations, and Person-Centered Therapy. Menchie’s clinical interest include neurodevelopmental disorders, learning disabilities, grief/bereavement, interpersonal difficulties, community outreach, and forensic evaluations and assessment of individuals with serious mental illnesses.
Melisse C. Liwag, PhD, Post-Doctorate Fellow (she/her)
Melisse received her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and cognitive science (neuroscience emphasis) from University of California, Davis. She then earned her master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in clinical psychology from Palo Alto University. Currently, Melisse is completing her post-doctoral fellowship at UC Merced’s Counseling and Psychological Services center.
Melisse’s clinical experiences include individual psychotherapy, assessment, group therapy, and outreach in community mental health and college counseling settings with culturally diverse populations of children/adolescents, adults, and older adults in California and Hawaii. She has also worked as a full-time eating disorder counselor in a residential treatment facility in California and a Counselor-in-Residence to support students in on-campus housing in Hawaii.
Melisse’s approach to therapy integrates cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic relational therapy in a culturally responsive, client-centered, and collaborative framework. Melisse’s clinical interests include impact of cultural factors on mental health, acculturative and adjustment concerns of immigrant and international student populations, cultural minority mental health (e.g., racial/ethnic minority or LGBTQ+), intergenerational trauma, professional and personal development, boundary setting and self-care, mindfulness meditation, and self-compassion.
Moagolia Lor (She/Her) Psychological Trainee
Moagolia received her BA in Psychological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine and is currently pursuing her PsyD in Clinical Psychology through Alliant International University, Fresno. She has previously worked with clients with eating disorders, depression, and anxiety and concerns with body image and self-esteem. Moagolia is experienced in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in addition to using a culturally-sensitive client-centered relational approach. She is dedicated to creating a safe and comfortable space for all students to express themselves in.
--photo coming soon!--
Melissa McGinnis (She/Her) Psychological Trainee
Melissa was born in Oklahoma and moved across the United States before locating in Fresno, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Monterey Bay and is now pursuing her doctoral degree in Alliant International University, Fresno. Her dissertation explores how gender influences the connection between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the ways people cope.
Melissa has had the privilege of working with a wide range of clients, including veterans at the Fresno VA Medical Center, where she provided individual therapy and led groups in anger management, harm reduction, and Seeking Safety. She draws from several evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions; tailoring each to meet the unique needs of her clients.
Melissa is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their challenges, build on their strengths, and work toward lasting change.
Guadalupe Aguilar, Front Desk Administrative Assistant
Alicia De Leon, Patient Care Coordinator
Jo Ann Martinez, Patient Care Coordinator
Susana Godinez Rico, Patient Care Coordinator
Omar Cerna Maravilla, Administrative Assistant III (he/him)
