Meet Our Team
At The Relationship Place Counseling and Therapy, we have a diverse group of therapists on staff.
I am a warm, non-judgmental and genuine therapist. My goal is for you to feel like you’re talking with a trusted confidant. I want you to feel comfortable, supported, and safe so we can work to make your relationship better. Regardless of what you tell me, it won’t surprise or scare me or cause me to judge you.
Dr. Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT
Founder of the Relationship Place
Certified Gottman Therapist
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Individual and Couple Relationship Therapist
Licensed in California and Texas
Dana is a gifted, compassionate, and practical therapist and the founder of The Relationship Place.
Dana proactively sought pre-marital help with her partner before they were married. They worked together through the communication exercises in John Gottman’s book, The Seven Principles to help ensure their marriage would be a success – and it has been!
Dana has achieved the highest level of training possible in the Gottman Method of couples therapy. She has special interests in working with all clients, including those who live out-of-the-ordinary lives or have alternative relationships.
Reconnecting couples in crisis is my specialty, and helping couples realize their relationship goals is my passion.
Jeffrey Young, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Individual and Couples Relationship Therapist
Licensed in California and Texas
I believe that “Your most important relationship is with yourself.” In order to change and grow, we need to foster an attitude of curiosity, acceptance, honesty, and compassion.
Life doesn’t come with an owner’s manual: each of us is engaged in a process of discovery and meaning-making.
After working as a behavioral health counselor in chronic disease prevention and management, I recognized the significant role that interpersonal relationships play in the ability to adopt and maintain health-promoting behaviors.
Dr. Becky Marquez PhD, MPH, AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Individual and Couples Therapist
While I was trained in the traditional medical model, which focuses on individual-level change, I observed that even with professional guidance, behavior change was especially difficult when family and friends were not aligned with new changes. Often, individuals reported heightened stress due to increasing interpersonal conflicts as they tried to make changes on their own.
I became a relationship therapist to translate my passion for learning about people and cultures into something that benefits others in a personal, enduring way.
Shannon Troy, LMSW, ACSW
Licensed Master Social Worker (New York)
Associate Clinical Social Worker (California)
Individual and Couples Therapist
With loneliness at an all-time high (it’s a myth that you can’t be lonely if you’re partnered) and relationship distress shortening life spans, it’s important to me to be part of the constructive effort towards a healthier society. Couples therapy is an opportunity for both partners to work through long-standing issues to rebuild a sacred space–or find peace elsewhere, causing the least damage in the process.
I became a relationship therapist due to seeing a trend that common reasons adults enter therapy has to do with experiences from their childhood and underlying behaviors/values that were learned from their parents/adult family members.
Katrina Lopez, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Individual and Couples Therapist
I feel that if couples are able to participate in couples therapy in order to address and process their concerns, conflicts, and communication styles in a healthy and effective way, then these healthy habits can trickle down the family system. I feel passionate about providing an outside perspective on intimate couples oriented issues in order to provide a perspective that is empathetic and constructive for all members.
I have experience working with individuals, couples, and families in outpatient settings.
Isabella Bendix, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Individual and Couples Therapist
My work has focused on helping clients manage anxiety, depression, trauma, crisis issues, grief, and loss, among other concerns.
I am passionate about working with couples who want to restore trust, build a stronger connection, foster greater intimacy, manage conflicts, improve communication, and prepare for future life transitions such as parenthood or marriage.
The way people foster connection with one another has always fascinated me, especially in intimate relationships. In school, psychology was one of my favorite subjects, but I was unsure of how to incorporate my interests into a career I was excited about.
Tierra Terrell, AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Individual and Couples Relationship Therapist
After a few years of unfulfilling work in higher education, I discovered the field of marriage and family therapy and began my journey towards becoming a couple’s therapist. I was particularly drawn to the realm of sex therapy because sex is often viewed as “taboo” despite the fact that most people engage in sexual activity at some point in their lives.
Just as you would let someone start driving without passing driver’s ed, I believe we should be preparing people for successful intimate relationships by providing accurate and inclusive sexual education.
For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in what it means to be human.Not only do I find relationships fascinating, they are the most important aspect of the human experience.
Cristiane Valdez, AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Individual and Couples Therapist
Over the years that interest drew me to the field of coaching and therapy. I am passionate about working with individuals who want to expand their understanding of their experiences and nurture self-compassion. I feel honored to be working with couples who want support in increasing their understanding of each other and themselves. I look forward to walking alongside my clients in their journey to finding meaning and purpose in their lives and in their relationships.
I'm a relationship therapist dedicated to supporting individuals and couples on their journey of self-discovery and connection. My goal is to help you balance who you've been with who you want to become, embracing vulnerability and connection.
Alexandra Salone, APCC
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Individual and Couples Therapist
I'm passionate about exploring new paths of growth within relationships, especially in communities where traditional models may not fit today's needs. I truly believe that everyone has room to grow; sometimes we just need more tools.
My approach to therapy is holistic, considering both personal experiences and cultural influences on well-being. I love meeting people where they're at and aiming to bring them closer to their ideal selves.
Relationships fascinate me. Even as a child, you could find me roaming the grown-ups table, observing and attempting to comprehend different patterns, cycles and styles of interactions and behaviors.
Monica Morales, AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Individual and Couples Therapist
All of my books, posts, conversations… they always circled the topics of relationships and psychology. Even with that knowledge, I still went into studying business and working in corporate America! After ignoring my calling for years, I realized that my purpose is to help others heal and build thriving relationships.
Hi! I’m Bianca, one of the friendly faces you’ll see when walking into our office. I’m so excited to talk with you! Working at The Relationship Place… we really are amazing. It’s further proved to me that your purpose at work needs to align with your purpose in life. I strongly feel my purpose is to help people & I know we make a difference being that open ear for you, our clients.
Bianca Cordero
Executive Assistant
I understand not one single approach works for every individual, and by knowing that, we aim to be the best version of ourselves for you. There is a real person on the other end of that phone. We get that. We’re here for YOU.
So, take the first step. Call us. Take comfort in the fact that we are here to listen without judgement, speak without prejudice, and help without entitlement. You’re the real rockstar, we’re just here to help remind you. All our clinicians are incredible so let us set you up with your perfect fit.
I feel that every person I meet is a new relationship. We build relationships here.
Pamela Hungerford
Client Ambassador
I am one of the staff members that will answer your calls with compassion and kindness. I understand how important my job is to create a welcoming atmosphere for our clients and therapists. Whether you’re coming as an individual or with a partner/group, we have someone here for you. You work collaboratively with your therapist to make sure all your needs are met.
Reach out to us so we can help. We want you to call with confidence that we’ll hear you out and fit you with the right therapist. We will ensure you have the best experience not only walking in our doors but also when you leave.
I love what we do here at The Relationship Place, and I look forward to welcoming you!
We care a great deal and will not hesitate to take that extra step so that you can feel confident that you are in good hands.
Jalitaa Chen
Client Ambassador
Hi there, I'm Jalitaa and I'll most likely be the person on the other side of the phone whenever you reach out to us! I understand calling in can be nerve wracking, and I just want to say that I am here because I am a real person wanting to help other real people like you. We all have complex lives layered with unique situations, and it's okay to realize that everyone, and I mean everyone, needs a little help sometimes. And that's exactly what we're here for.
We care a great deal and will not hesitate to take that extra step so that you can feel confident that you are in good hands. Not only do we strive to foster and build connections here, but we also give you long-term tools to invest in a stronger future. I believe that compassion and genuine kindness can get you far, and I am ecstatic to provide that for you.
Woof woof, ruff ruff.
Windsor
Chief Morale Officer
Hear From Our Clients
Hear from those who've experienced positive changes through our services.
“Dr. Dana made me feel so seen. I never felt shame for the trauma I’d caused. It was so healthy and helpful to find ways to navigate our conversations.”
“Thank you so much! It exceeded my expectations. You made me feel comfortable and supported.”
“I learned I need to take a 20 minute break when flooded, ask for clarity in facial expressions, use gentle startup and take ownership even if its small.”
“Gave me many tools and insights, I’m excited to implement them.”
“I couldn’t have had a better experience. Dana is so caring and smart and easily helped us navigate through our issues.”
“I learned that I need to ask for my needs and also take a break when I feel flooded.”
“I had an excellent experience, it helped me get clarity and learn valuable tools.”
“Dana was really effective at explaining the research, helping facilitate the conversation with figuring out how to address our biggest challenges.”
“Really pleased with the experience. Absolutely exceeded my expectations.”
“This helped lower the walls in our relationship.”
“Dana is superb, gracious, and kind. We’re very grateful.”
“I gained the clarity I was looking for!”
“Grateful to our extended therapist and her extended time! And of course, her dog!”
“The intensive process and longer sessions are incredibly helpful to push things further and get real work done.”
“The three-day package was necessary to enable the “emotional stretch” and that’s when we saw the best results.”
“This was a much needed intense session but helped promote healing and focus to decide where we go in life together.”
“This was well worth it and I’d definitely do it again!”
“This helped us sit and have uncomfortable conversations that were long overdue.”
“Exhausting but I loved everything about this!”
“This helped us have epiphanies and transformative thoughts.”
“Thank you so much for taking the time to really understand our issues and providing us with all the tools to use when future issues arise.”
“I feel like we have made huge progress on major issues with these three days.”
“Everything made me feel safe and comfortable here.”
“Therapist is great at listening and helping us with communication.”
“Absolutely, it was better than I expected and gave us great tools.”
“Empathetic and responsive.”
“Very accommodative and understanding.”
“I definitely feel Therapy Getaway helped with our relationship goals because it allowed a deeper dive in a structured fashion, with tools to continue improving our relationship.”
“Great session. They know their stuff and is really good at helping us find the language to effectively communicate.”
“They were incredibly instrumental in relating all the tools that my partner and I needed in areas where we struggle.”
“Therapy Getaway absolutely helped our relationship. They were amazing.”
“This was a very beneficial process. Dana made it easy for us to open up about every difficult issue we had been struggling with. We now have good tools.”
“It seemed at first that 2.5 days was long, but it feels so good to be in therapy that I wish it was 3-5 days!”
“Therapy Getaway immensely helped us talk about our problems in a safe place.”
“Dana is very experienced and sensitive to peoples situations and knows how to make you feel comfortable as if you were in your own home.”
“Learned a lot of coping tools. Dana was wonderful.”
Schedule a consultation today and we can help you find the perfect therapist for you.
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