Lauren Ampolos, PhD, IFMCP
Clinical Director / Psychologist
Dr. Ampolos received her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Health Psychology, at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, CA. She received her BAs in Psychology and Spanish at the University of San Diego. She completed her pre-doctoral training at Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center on O’ahu, and completed her post-doctoral training on Maui. She is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP). She is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She completed the Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy certificate program at Naropa University, the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) training for MDMA-assisted therapy, and is trained in Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP). Her specialities include treating complex trauma and PTSD, personality disorders, eating disorders, nutrition and mental health, depression, anxiety, couples in crisis, and chronic health challenges, including pain and autoimmune disease management. She specializes in providing true mind-body, root-level healing. She is passionate about providing access to care and strives to create a warm, open and non-judgmental healing environment at Illuminate Wellness.
License #: PSY-1555
Amber Vantze, MFT, LMHC
Program Director of Psychedelic Services / Psychotherapist / Coach
Ms. Vantze received her BS in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University Worldwide. She is a founding member of the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association and is trained in Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP). She is also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is passionate about using a trauma-informed, body-based approach to support healing at the root level. She offers specialized care unique to each individual's needs, desires, and preferences. She takes a holistic approach to her work by incorporating and integrating mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, interrelational, and systemic aspects. She provides a safe space which allows for corrective relational experiences in a therapeutic or coaching relationship.
License #: MHC-931
Jefffrey H. Chester, DO
Medical Director / Physician
Dr. Jeffrey H. Chester, DO, is board certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine, as well as by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Biology from Brandeis University in 1992, he earned his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Rowan University – New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996. In 2000, he completed his residency/chief residency, in New York City’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine, which is now known as The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Since 2002, he has practiced on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Dr. Chester’s extensive medical training and experience allow him to successfully diagnose and treat a wide range of medical issues, like chronic pain and substance use disorders (addictions), including opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, nicotine use disorder. Dr. Chester’s extensive training in neurobiology has led him to seek education in the science and clinical application of ketamine for the treatment of mood, anxiety, trauma and substance use disorders.
License #: DOS-925
Vanessa Baggs, LSW
Psychotherapist
Ms. Baggs is a compassionate and dedicated therapist who holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver, Colorado, building upon her foundation in neuroscience and philosophy from the University of Colorado Boulder, where she earned her BA. Committed to holistic well-being, she is a registered yoga teacher (RYT-300) with Luna Alignment Yoga, Thailand, integrating mindfulness and body-centered practices into her therapeutic approach. In her practice, she employs a diverse range of therapeutic techniques, tailoring her approach to the unique needs of each individual. She is trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, Motivational Interviewing, TF-CBT, and DeTur, offering a comprehensive and client-centered method to support her clients on their healing journey. Committed to fostering a safe and nurturing space, she supports the empowerment of others, promotes resilience, and facilitates change in alignment with individual values. Her integrative approach reflects a deep understanding of the mind-body connection, providing a supportive environment for individuals seeking growth and healing.
License #: LSW-3167
Joy Gallina, MFT
Psychotherapist Intern / Coach
Ms. Gallina received her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University and her BA in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Hawaii. She also received her MA in Education from the University of Phoenix. She has worked in underserved communities on the Big Island, Maui, and in Oakland, where her passion for social-emotional well-being inspired her to write and teach curriculum focusing on mindfulness and conflict resolution. She now brings her love of humanity, spirituality, health, and emotional well-being into her work and a therapist. She is passionate about serving her community through trauma-informed care and employs EMDR, CBT, Parts work (IFS), Narrative, and mindfulness therapies. She also offers coaching in non-clinical populations.
License #: MFT-860
Nicole Kastan, LSW
Psychotherapist
Ms. Kastan earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and her BA in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has worked with diverse individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, and trauma. She utilizes a variety of clinical modalities, including CBT, DBT, narrative, and trauma-informed techniques. Her therapeutic approach is person-centered and strengths-based, believing all individuals have an inherent capacity for healing and growth. Through this approach, she empowers her clients to realize their potential and create wellness in their lives. She provides a safe, non-judgmental space for self-exploration.
License #: LSW-2978
Becca Moriconi, LSW
Psychotherapist
Ms. Moriconi holds a Master's degree in Social Work from The University of Hawai’i Manoa and a BS in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her professional journey within mental health settings has been characterized by a range of roles, including involvement in horticulture therapy and nature-based therapy, reflecting her innovative approach to holistic healing. In addition to her academic achievements, Becca has played a crucial role in treating eating disorders at the residential level of care, fostering a nurturing environment for individuals in recovery. Utilizing a strengths-based therapy approach, she empowers individuals to break free from limiting patterns. Within her practice, Ms. Moriconi provides a safe, non-judgmental space for self-exploration, employing various modalities such as CBT, DBT, narrative, music, art, somatic healing, and trauma-informed techniques. Her person-centered and strengths-based therapeutic approach is designed to empower clients, helping them realize their potential and cultivate wellness in their lives.
License #: LSW-3146
Jamee Palomique, MS, LMHC
Psychotherapist
Ms. Palomique received her BS in Psychology from California State University Dominguez Hills and completed her Master’s Degree in Psychology from California Southern University. She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at California Southern University where is completing requirements for a PsyD. She is enjoys working with adults and teens and specializes in treating eating disorders and trauma. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities including DBT, mindfulness-based approaches and EMDR to support patients in their healing process. She brings warmth, support and non-judgmental presence into her sessions and honors the mind-body connection.
License #: MHC-909
Shirley Ramey, LPN
Nurse / Healing Touch Provider
Ms. Ramey is a licensed nurse in the states of Hawai’i and California. She graduated from Mira Costa College in San Diego and has continued to work as a nurse for over 25 years. As a healthcare professional she expands upon integrative wellness treatment by utilizing healing touch, a modality that manipulates the energetic field that surround the physical body to clear blockages and restore balance, as an important aspect of patient care. She specializes in working with patients who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders and eating disorders, or those who generally desire wellness. She strives to provide a safe environment for patients to connect on an energetic level, and to create dialogue which allows for her to address individual needs.
License #: LPN-18364
Kristina Rodriguez, RN, IFMCP
Nurse / Psychedelic Medicine Specialist
Ms. Rodriguez earned her BS in Nursing from Texas Tech University. She’s an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP), licensed massage therapist, and therapeutic yoga instructor. She completed a Certification in Psychedelic Therapy & Research from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, CA and is trained to be an MDMA therapist through the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Additionally, she has studied with traditional wisdom carriers in spiritual lineages from India, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Hawai'i, and indigenous tribal nations of North America. It was through these beautiful traditions that she discovered the healing power of sacred plant medicines, ceremony, prayer, and ritual. She is passionate about social justice, equality, and access to healthcare for all. Kristina weaves her study of nutrition, nutraceuticals, bodywork, yoga, dance, meditation, shamanism, sacred plant medicine, somatic therapy, Hakomi, IFS, and psychedelic integration into her therapeutic presence as a nurse coach and psychedelic medicine specialist.
License #: RN-98911
Brent Morton, BA
Psychotherapist Intern
Mr. Morton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Capella University. He is currently attending Touro University Worldwide seeking a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. In his practice, Mr. Morton skillfully integrates a diverse array of therapeutic modalities including mindfulness techniques, Organic Intelligence, Somatic Experiencing, as well as existential and humanistic psychological approaches. This multi-dimensional approach allows him to connect deeply with clients, facilitating a unique and personalized pathway to healing and self-discovery. Known for his compassionate and grounded presence, he creates a supportive and empathetic environment in the treatment room. Mr. Morton is also a certified mindfulness-based meditation instructor, personally authorized by Dr. Jack Kornfield. Although he has retired from teaching yoga, his background as a yoga instructor and licensed massage practitioner continues to enrich his holistic approach to wellness.
Pre-licensed
Kenlyn Mirbach, BA
Psychotherapist Intern
Ms. Mirbach is a PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology at Northeastern University. She is training in the areas of Somatic Experiencing and Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP). She is a certified yoga teacher, sound healer, Reiki master, studied as a mindfulness facilitator with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, and completed Co-Active Institute’s life coaching training. Her approach begins with a deep trust of the body’s innate intelligence and earth based wisdom, and then weaves in evidence based approaches like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She believes the fundamental pillar of healing resides in being able to experience the present moment fully. She has a particular affinity for parts work, attachment-focused work like the Ideal Parent Figure protocol by Dan Brown, and mindfulness based practices. She provides both a spiritual and physical wellness perspective when it comes to mental health concerns and diagnoses and believes that both are integral parts of holistic healing and the journey towards wholeness
Pre-licensed
Marina Sternthall, MFT-I
Psychotherapist Intern / Coach
Ms. Sternthall has a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University and a BA from The Evergreen State College. She is certified in EMDR. Her approach is trauma-informed, evidence-driven and attachment-based. She supports individuals living with addictions, anxiety, low-self esteem, codependence, depression, eating disorders, fears and phobias, grief, PTSD, stress management and anger management, as well as those seeking to integrate prior healing, optimize meditation and break through rigid paradigms that inhibit growth. She is passionate about supporting couples in recognizing their maladaptive patterns (blaming, criticizing, withdrawing, distracting, resentment, jealousy, infidelity, communication issues, anger) and co-creating a fresh and functional relational roadmap with a deep well of modalities including EFT, The Human Growth Model, body-based healing and the Gottman Method. She believes that most pathology originates in trauma and utilizes a variety of trauma resolution therapies including EMDR, HMR, IFS, and somatic or “bottom up” work, as well as drawing from the work of Byron Katie, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and mindfulness-based practices. She is a published author with a background in art, teaching, organic farming, permaculture and has a deep connection to the natural world and spirituality. She also offers coaching to non-clinical populations.
Pre-licensed
Summer Cretton, BEd, MFT-I
Psychotherapist Intern
Ms Cretton received her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Hawai’i-Manoa. She has a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University Worldwide. She enjoys working with clients of all ages. Prior to teaching, she’s travelled to countries in Asia, Africa and Europe doing service-projects and providing humanitarian aid. She loves meeting clients where they are at and providing a care plan that is tailored to each unique individual. With the use of Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, EMDR and many other modalities, she can help you reach your personal goals in a collaborative and engaging way. She believes in supporting and empowering clients to overcome their struggles and find healing in the process. Some of her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, grief, PTSD, stress management, personal growth and issues in relationships.
Pre-licensed
Taylor Bellhouse, BA
Neurofeedback Technician / Administrative Support
Ms. Bellhouse received her BA in Counseling Psychology from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado. She currently provides administrative support, and neurofeedback services at Illuminate Wellness. Her clinical interests include adult ADD/ADHD, addiction recovery, anxiety, brain fog, chronic pain, depression, fears and phobias, fibromyalgia, grief, headaches and migraines, hormone optimization (PMS/PMDD/menopause), insomnia, meditation optimization, peak performance/performance optimization, PTSD, relationship optimization (long-term patterns of abandonment, jealousy, controlling behaviors, communication issues, resentment, anger), stress management, and anger management.
Pre-licensed
