Madison Kingsbury, LMFT
Madison Kingsbury is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for helping children and adolescents identify and overcome their struggles. She received her Bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Hawaii and her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Before joining BrightMind, she provided therapy for adolescents at Monte Vista High School with a focus on mental health and familial issues. These topics ranged from generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, suicidality, self-harm, specific phobias and previous abuse and or trauma. Madison has been specifically trained in evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and specific eating disorder treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR), Family-Based Therapy (FBT) for Anorexia, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Binge Eating (CBT-E). Madison prides herself on building strong relationships with her clients by focusing on the relational aspects of therapy. This can mean providing space for a deep conversation with understanding and compassion, pulling from a treatment modality, or a combination of both. When Madison is not with her clients, she loves to meditate, cook a new recipe, and hang out with friends.
Trishala Shah, LMFT
Director of Group Therapy
Trishala Shah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) registered by the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences (#139626). Trishala earned her B.A. in Psychology at Georgetown University, and her M.A. in Marital Family Therapy at the University of San Diego. Trishala also earned her M.S. in Medical Physiology at Case Western Reserve University, where she pursued a focused study in Clinical Neuroscience. Trishala completed her practicum training at UCSD in the department of Family Medicine. Trishala’s clinical experience includes working with families, children, adolescents, and adults living with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa and Avoidant/ Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Trishala believes in managing mental illness from a systemic perspective, recognizing that mental illness can affect the individual’s interpersonal relationships, and that support from others can have a positive impact on recovery. Trishala uses evidence-based treatments, including family-based therapy (FBT), SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and exposure and response prevention (ERP), to help patients and their families manage the illness and its symptoms. Above all, Trishala places a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, and focuses on creating a safe space for patients and their families to heal, explore themselves, and feel heard. Trishala is the Director of Group Therapy at BrightMind and leads a support group for parents and a support group for adolescents. She strongly believes in healing through group settings where shared experiences can create strong bonds and a sense of mutual support. When she’s not wearing her ‘therapist hat’, Trishala spends time baking, traveling, singing in a band, and experiencing live music.
Dr. Daniela Vazquez
Dr. Daniela Vasquez is a Psychological Associate who received her Master’s as a Marriage and Family Therapist and her Psy.D from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Daniela specializes in developmental models of care and has extensive experience treating children, adolescents, and families challenged by depression, anxiety, eating disorders, stress, interpersonal relationships, attention, and self-esteem issues. Before joining BrightMind, Daniela worked as a therapist at an elementary school providing child and family therapy for SDSU’s Project Impact. Daniela is knowledgeable and skilled in evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Family-Based Treatment (FBT), and play therapy. Daniela welcomes English and Spanish speaking patients. Her research interests center around creating early detection programs that could effectively prevent the development of eating disorders and promote a healthy sense of self. Apart from work, Daniela also enjoys traveling, Pilates, live shows, as well as spending time with her two young daughters.
Dr. Jordyn Skaggs
Dr. Skaggs is a BrightMind therapist with extensive training and experience assessing and treating children, adolescents, and young adults. Dr. Skaggs has been trained on eating disorders and treatment with families. She has training and experience working with eating disorder populations using evidence-based treatments such as Family-Based Treatment and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Dr. Skaggs also has specialized training and extensive expertise in trauma, mood, and anxiety treatment for children, adolescents, adults, and their families at all levels of care. Dr. Skaggs has extensive experience treating teenagers, especially young boys, who struggle with mood disorders and behavioral issues. Jordyn brings extensive experience in providing trauma-informed care to BrightMind and delivers evidence-based trauma treatment models adapted for children. Jordyn graduated with her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University and has dedicated her career to working with youth. Before joining BrightMind, she worked in a variety of clinical settings, including county settings, prisons, and outpatient practices where her work focused on teens with behavioral issues, mood, and anxiety disorders. Dr. Skaggs guides her clinical interventions by helping her patients use their innate temperament and personality for good rather than harm. Her clinical interest and practice have been primarily rooted in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Family Based Treatment (FBT) for her patients. Jordyn enjoys spending her free time hanging out with her dog, traveling, and watching sports.
Julianna Adams, LPCC
Jules is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC #12107) at BrightMind with extensive experience treating children, adolescents, and adults in various clinical settings and levels of care. Jules graduated with her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego. She has received training in evidence-based practices such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Jules has received specialized training for CBT for Perfectionism from The Beck Institute. Additionally, Jules has been trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Her clinical experience with youth includes interning at the NC Child Development Center, where she worked with children and families implementing evidence-based treatments. She has also provided treatment at Veterans Village of San Diego, including individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis intervention to Veterans struggling with substance use, trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders. Before joining BrightMind, Jules worked for UC San Diego Eating Disorder Center for Treatment and Research, where she received extensive training in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders and co-occurring disorders. Currently, Jules works with the SDSU Athletic Department and supports collegiate athletes with eating disorders. Outside of work, you can find Jules trying to keep her succulents alive, napping with her cats Gus and Frankie, and watching The Office on repeat.
Cynthia Morrin, Psychological Assistant
Cindy is an Associate Psychology Therapist currently pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her research focuses on family systems theory in developmental trauma and adverse childhood experiences, and their effects on the body. Cindy has experience treating children, adolescents, adults, and families facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, addictions, chronic stress, trauma, and interpersonal relationship issues. She has specialized training in healing trauma and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). She holds a certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Research Foundation and is an intermediate-level student in Somatic Experiencing® (SE™). Additionally, she is skilled in evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Family-Based Treatment (FBT). Cindy places a strong emphasis on developing a therapeutic relationship, using attachment and mindfulness techniques to connect deeply with her clients. She holds space for deep conversations, providing understanding and compassion, allowing her clients to feel heard and validated. In addition to her work as a therapist, Cindy has over twenty-five years of experience as a career counselor and professor, holding both teaching and counseling credentials. She is an expert at helping youth navigate the daunting transition to adulthood. Certified in career development personality assessments, she utilizes the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Multiple Intelligence Theory to help clients with college, career, and life decision-making. Cindy has worked in high schools, community colleges, and universities, teaching personal development courses (career and college success) and supervising graduate school counseling candidates. Outside of work, Cindy enjoys traveling and supporting her two adult sons. She often visits the East Coast to attend her oldest son’s jazz performances. In her daily life, she immerses herself in nature, enjoying activities such as sunrise hiking, yoga, and gardening.
Samantha Allen, Therapist
Samantha is a BrightMind therapist and dedicated Applied Clinical Psychology student at The Chicago School, San Diego branch, and earned her master’s degree summa cum laude from Arizona State University. With a rich background in working with diverse families and children, she uses Bowlby’s attachment theory and Bowen’s Family systems theory to tailor her approach and achieve meaningful therapeutic outcomes. Samantha’s experience spans Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities and Therapeutic Boarding Schools, where she developed expertise in coping skills and group therapy for adolescents facing challenges like ODD, Anxiety, ADHD, and OCD. In addition to her work at Vista Balboa Crisis Center and Casa Pacifica, she has honed her skills with adult populations. Outside of her professional life of being a nanny and certified sleep consultant for young children, Samantha enjoys roller skating, relaxing at the beach, and cuddling with her dog Charlie.