Therapy and Counseling Services

our staff

 

Passion. Commitment. Humility.

We’re here to do things differently - to make contributions to the world of mental health, and also to leadership. We commit to relational models of leading and teaching, not domination hierarchies. We connect to and care for each other, invest in our creativity of thought and expression, and practice transparency in as many ways as we can consider. We use a present-centered model of business guidance, tending to the growth of the center as the needs arise in the moment. We lead by following the Center as it unfolds, and supporting it in that, as we can. It’s not easy, it’s often messy, and requires a courage of spirit and heart.

 
 
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executive director, clinical steward

elysha “Lacy” martinez, MA. lmft #93493

execdirect@axismunditherapy.org

Elysha (or "Lacy"), has a long history in the mental health field, particularly in the places it intersects with advocacy and education. As a student herself she worked in student government advocating on behalf of the student experience and has founded multiple projects that continue in that tradition. Axis Mundi Center represents her attempt to integrate her 3 core commitments to education, quality therapy, and socially just practices of all.

She is currently adjunct faculty at John F. Kennedy University and Pacific Oaks College, teaching in their graduate degree programs for counseling psychology. She specializes in Depth Psychotherapy, the application of Ethics and the Law, and Diagnosis and Assessment with liberation and ecological lenses.

 
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administrative director

sing murphy, mfa.

artist-in-residence

admindirect@axismunditherapy.org

Sing’s drive for her work comes from her passionate commitment to her core values of justice, decency, dignity, integrity, and the human need to create and express freely. She’s combined these essentials in her professional identity, with nearly two decades of administrative leadership in the holistic mental health field - assisting, supporting, and mentoring young clinicians. Her role at AM continues that path, as she manages the organizational and structural needs of the center.

 
 

Administrative Assistant

Jacinta Sutphin, MA. Registered AMFT #123578.

adminassist@axismundicenter.org

Jacinta is Sing's assistant with all things admin and supporting the various corkscrews and baubles that make things run. Her passion and commitment to nonprofit organizations shines through in her support and on-tasking.

 
 

Director of Herding Cats

rayne banneck, ms. LMFT #124607

directorofherdingcats@axismunditherapy.org

Rayne oversees all departments Axis affectionately refers to as Herding Cats. This includes the No Fun (A.K.A. legal and ethical compliance). He is the managing point person for the coordination of legal compliance issues outside of the clinical frame. They also manage HIPAA compliance procedures, complaints and conflict resolution, and pick up the rope for anything needing support in the other departments.

Rayne is your main point of contact for all things legal and ethical. He leads the No Fun department with lightness and a sense of style, silly hats included. They keep our practices as ship shape as possible, and holds close to our ideal that the minimum amount of chasing to keep us afloat is preferred.

 
 

Community Partnerships Coordinator

JaCqui FERRAIOLO, MA. lMFT #138232

partnerships@axismunditherapy.org

Jacqui runs our partnerships department. Jacqui has long-time love and interest for the intersections of therapy, wrap services, community-based healing, and all the ways various orgs can support each other in common endeavors! She is busy connecting Axis Mundi to other way-cool orgs in mutually supportive ways.

 
 

Client Care coordinator

Laura “Lo” Wesely, MA. LCSW #99991.

clientcare@axismunditherapy.org

Lo is our client matching expert. She fields general client inquiries and uses her extensive intuitive and clinical sense to assess and recommend clinicians that will most serve what the client needs. An accomplished clinician in her own right, she ensures that people are held as they embark on their individual therapeutic journey.

 
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spanish-speaking services coordinator

pablo navarrete-martinez, Ma. LMFT # 113991

schoolprograms@axismunditherapy.org

Pablo has a long-standing interest in the nature of the human experience, and how psychology and spirituality connect. Originally from Mexico, Pablo was raised to integrate indigenous and modern wellness practices, and he brings this also to his therapy work. He has over 25 years of experience in hospitality and management, as well as a decade of experience in mental health and hospice.

Pablo currently works at Seneca Family of Programs, at a school site, as assisting with mental health needs and wrap-around services. Pablo is dedicated to bringing therapy and counseling into diverse communities where language or stigma may have been obstacles to receiving care in the past. He handles all Axis Mundi's client, administrative, and programming needs in Spanish.

 
 

socials and events coordinator

Demetra Risner, MA. Registered AMFT #129996

socialsprite@axismunditherapy.org

Demetra (she/they) is our social sprite! They are in charge of writing and releasing seasonal newsletters to the agency and planning community gatherings for our clinicians. Most recently, Demetra was responsible for planning our agency's fall retreat! Demetra has extensive experience in social media, online communications, and event planning. They’re passionate about bringing people together and strengthening the sense of community here at Axis. Demetra also holds a BA in Screen Studies and has experience in web design.

 
 

Website Manager

Alexandra Lascano-rusu, MA. LMFT #136961

webmanager@AXISMUNDITHERAPY.ORG

Alexandra (she/her) is our website manager! She maintains our agency’s website and keeps clinician and agency information up to date, making sure all website links are functional, and that our marketing stays in compliance with the law and the ethics of the field. Alexandra is also learning about UI/UX design; if you have suggestions or feedback to improve our website, please send them her way.

 

IN-HOUSE CRISIS SUPPORT

SAVANNAH WILSON, MA. REGISTERED ASSOCIATE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST #138744

REGISTERED ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELOR #13831

amsupportteam@axismunditherapy.org

As the Crisis Response Coordinator at Axis Mundi, Savannah offers essential support to clinicians navigating life and therapist challenges. The Crisis Response role underscores AM's commitment to caring for its team. When dealing with life's unexpected curveballs, crisis response can involve offering a comforting ear, organizing support like food trains, assisting with professional will execution or covering caseloads during medical leaves, ETC...

Savannah values this role deeply because it allows her to create a safe space where therapists know they are not alone in their work, which can often feel isolating and overwhelming, leading to burnout. Her role is dedicated to alleviating stress for therapists at AM, ensuring both therapists and clients receive the care they need.

 
 
 

onboarding inquiries and coordination

Korie Vannerus, MA. Registered LMFT #147204 | becca pele, MA. registered LMFT #146683 | Erica Wheeler-Dubin, Ma. Registered LMFT#144743

onboardingteam@axismunditherapy.org

Omg. Well. Yes, this is our Onboarding Team. Meet Becca and Korie - longtime best buds who bring their love and lightheartedness to all things Onboarding - making what might be tedious and dull something of a party, baked goods usually included. :) They are both clinicians here at AM, and have been with the org long enough to have an intimate understanding of what Belonging at AM both offers and requires. Erica joined Becca and Korie to support onboarding as demands and inquiries grew. Together they participate in the interview and hiring processes and they mentor our newest members until they feel truly settled into the organization. They support incoming clinicians to the agency with everything they need in order to start seeing clients - from providing information to prospective trainees, associates and licensed clinicians, to facilitating interviews and invitations, and coordinating onboarding trainings and practice-building foundations.