Although Stephen grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, he considers Southern California his home. Prior to his recent graduation from Alliant International University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program, Stephen spent a year at USC’s School of Social Work. Both at Alliant and USC, Stephen focused research on the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ populations, particularly adolescents and young adults confronting the destructive effects of minority stress.  

In addition to providing counseling to the LGBTQIA+ community, Stephen also serves as a court appointed special advocate (CASA), assisting youth in foster care through advocacy and mentorship.  

While Stephen identifies as a cisgender gay man, he is passionate about working with all gender, sexual, romantic, and intersectional minority populations, as well as those currently questioning their own identities and social locations. Stephen provides services to individuals, families and couples, including those engaged in open, polyamorous, and other consensual non-monogamous relationship styles.

JODI FIEL, MFT

Jodi grew up on a small farm in Texas and received her degree in psychology from the
University of North Texas in 1998. Her experience as a small business owner, mindfulness instructor, and parent of two inspired her current beliefs and piqued her interest to begin graduate school in marriage and family therapy in 2018. Jodi currently lives in Carlsbad and enjoys spending time with her two teenagers, dog, and cat; she also enjoys cooking, gardening, and watching a good sitcom.
 

Jodi is passionate about working with LGBTQIA clients and offering affirming and inclusive therapy. Her perspective is strengths-based, and she believes in the importance of deconstructing beliefs based on larger systems of power and decentering cisheteronormativity to support clients in their authentic gender and sexual expression and in living meaningful and fulfilling lives.

SADIE HELLSTROM (She/her/hers), MFT

Sadie Hellstrom (she/her/hers) is a social work intern at the NC LGBTQ Center and is in her final year of her masters program at USC. Her focus is in children, youth and families with a specialization within the LGBTQIA+ community. Her therapeutic approach focuses on positive psychology and motivational interviewing. 

She is born and raised in San Diego, CA and a true lover of the ocean and endless sun. When she’s not working as a therapist she can be found playing hockey, drawing, attempting to make people laugh or hanging out with friends, family and three dogs. 

LLEYMI MARTINEZ (they, them, theirs), MFT

Lleymi Martinez (they/them/theirs) is a second-year graduate student at Pepperdine University, striving for a California License in Clinical Psychology. They are completing their Master’s Practicum at the NC LGBTQ Resource Center and are excited to work with the community members who have done so much for Oceanside. Raised in North County Oceanside themselves, they are looking forward to serving our community and giving back. 

Lleymi has been involved for seven years in community outreach and involvement, primarily serving low-income and historically underrepresented individuals. They have served undocumented QT individuals, people with disabilities, first-generation students, and currently assists seniors and youth in meeting goals and being involved in their communities. Lleymi values community accountability and care. You can usually find Lleymi practicing self-care through eating, journaling, and dancing. Lleymi’s best friends are the lovely banana slugs found at the UC Santa Cruz campus where they got their BS in Neuroscience and BA in Intensive Psychology with Highest Honors. Above everything, Lleymi is a proud Oaxacan and loves their family very much who taught them the values of community and resiliency. 

AVA SHAKIB (sh, her), MSW

Ava Shakib (she/her) is a Master of Social Work Candidate at Columbia University. Her work as a community educator has focused on the intersections of social identity, media-literacy, substance use, sexual health, generational trauma, queer healthcare, mindful communication, and intimate partner violence prevention. 

Ava uses a collaborative approach in her therapeutic relationships and utilizes strengths-based, multicultural, and anti-oppressive frameworks to nurture individuals’ healing processes. When it’s time to chill out– you’ll find Ava cooking a wide range of curries, playing with her pet rats, and swimming under small San Diego waves.

KAI PELAEZ (they, them, theirs), AMFT

Kai Pelaez (they, them, theirs) is a second-year graduate student at Southern New Hampshire University, looking forward to becoming a California License in Clinical Psychology. Currently they are completing their Practicum/Internship hours at the NC LGBTQ Center. Kai is happy and excited to work with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Kai is a military spouse of a United States Marine, and is originally from Miami Florida, but moved to California in 2019. 

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Kai has been working with North County residents since 2020, working with foster youth, and unsheltered populations. They have worked along side people of nationalities, genders, and ages. They are experienced in working with clients who are usually under represented, and needing a voice, and assistance within the community. Kai values community, and friendship. Typically, Kai loves to sit back and watch a movie, with their children, and trying out new foods within the community. Kai can also be found spending time with her animals, her cats, dogs, and fish.