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
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
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, PsyD, LMHC
Psychotherapist
Dr. Palomique holds a BA in Psychology from California State University Dominguez Hills and earned her MS and PsyD from California Southern University. Her warm and nonjudgmental approach fosters a safe space for patients to share their feelings and experiences. She specializes in treating eating disorders and trauma resolution, recognizing the importance of finding one's voice in the healing process. She works collaboratively with each individual to help them gain a sense of empowerment while utilizing evidence-based therapies such as DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), IFS (Internal Family Systems), Brainspotting, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Dr. Palomique is dedicated to helping individuals of all ages lead fulfilling lives by emphasizing self-awareness and self-compassion.
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 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
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 and is a PSYCH-K facilitator. 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
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
