NCCEFT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025

 Jamie Bachman, LCSW- CHAIR

Pronouns: He/His/Him

Jamie Bachman, LCSW, Certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor, Certified AEDP Therapist, has been in clinical practice for more than 20 years, and has provided clinical supervision for 18 years. He serves individuals, couples and families through his private practice, currently online. He facilitates EFT supervision groups, and has taught a number of EFT courses, including co-teaching with Sarah Ackerman the course Beyond Core Skills for therapists who have completed Core Skills and wish to deepen their practice.

Jamie served on the Diversity Committee of the International Center for Excellence in EFT (ICEEFT). He has also served on the adjunct faculty at UC Berkeley’s MSW program, where he taught Family Therapy and Theory in Practice courses. He was on the faculty of the Psychotherapy Institute’s (TPI) Supervision Studies Program, and was a supervisor for TPI’s Post-Graduate Training Program. Jamie was Clinical Supervisor and Manager at Pathways Hospice, where he worked for twelve years supporting individuals and their families who were facing end-of-life.

Prior to becoming a therapist, Jamie worked at Lambda Legal Defense in NYC, a non-profit devoted to securing the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people state-by-state and nationally. He lives with his child and husband in Oakland. 

Chair-Elect

POSITION OPEN

Raquel García, LMFT - CFO/Treasurer

Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist      

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers                                  

 Raquel Garcia is a LMFT from Spain, living in SF for almost 30 years She started her journey in EFT in 2017, and became certified in earlier in 2022. She has a private practice in SF, where she sees individuals, couples and families. She integrates somatic, attachment based and transpersonal practices in her work. Spirituality, nature, connection, creativity, are some of the aspects of this human experiences she holds as sacred.

 Technology Coordinator 

POSITION OPEN

Kimberly Liang, AMFT - Membership Coordinator

Pronouns:She/They                                      

As a bay-area native, daughter to immigrants, and former technical recruiter, she lived and breathed the pressure of "success," and witnessed the impact on herself, her peers, and the relationships they built. She uses her first hand experience of this world to bridge the technical with the relational and create deeper, more intimate connections for her couples and families.

Kimberly identifies as a Relational Therapist and specializes in working with families with intergenerational trauma and sex therapy. She grounds herself in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and integrates a gender affirming, inclusive, and trauma informed lens in all of her work. Outside of the office, you may spot Kimberly practicing her tennis serves, learning new habits of sustainability, or unsuccessfully whittling down the stack of books on her bedside table. You can learn more about Kimberly at Freedom Through Love. 

 Jacob Brown, LMFT, Director-at-Large

Pronouns: He/His/Him

Jacob's practice is a mix of both couples and individuals.  As an older therapist, he has a special interest in working with older adults and older couples.   He believes that the therapeutic needs of older adults are often minimized, and there is a societal view that by the time you’re a senior, you should either “have it worked out” or “it’s too late to change”.  

Jacob believes that when we reach our late fifties, we begin to experience intense change as an individual and as a couple. Our identity and place in the world shift, and this requires us to build a new sense of self and a new sense of purpose in our relationships. Jacob really enjoys helping clients navigate this change process.

He's had two distinct careers in his life.  In his late 20’s he got an MBA from UCLA and had a successful career working as a Marketing Consultant in Silicon Valley.  When he reached his early 60’s he realized that he was ready for a change. So seven years ago, when he turned 64, he enrolled in the Wright Institute’s Evening/Weekend MFT program to earn his MA in Counseling Psychology.

Amber Simmons, LMFT, Program Registration Co-Chair

 Amber Simmons was born and raised in Oakland, California. In 2006, she relocated to Fresno to attend California State University, Fresno, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 2011, along with a certificate in Serving At-Risk Youth. Mrs. Simmons felt a strong calling to further her education, particularly in the realm of art therapy. This passion led her to the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, where she graduated in 2015 with a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology, concentrating in Expressive Art Therapy.

Amber has dedicated herself to community work, employing art as a therapeutic tool to address trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief. She is a trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), helping individuals navigate various life stages to achieve their goals and dreams. Amber has also received advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

Johnny Simmons, LMFT, Program Registration Co-Chair

Johnny Simmons is a seasoned mental health clinician with over a decade of experience in providing therapy. For the past five years, he has owned and operated a thriving private practice, specializing in trauma, anxiety, and depression. Johnny received his Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from CSU Fresno, where he developed a strong foundation in understanding and treating relational dynamics within the context of mental health.

Johnny is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), modalities he integrates into his practice to help individuals and couples heal and strengthen their relationships and address trauma-related issues. His expertise in EFT reflects his commitment to evidence-based practices and his dedication to achieving positive outcomes for his clients.

 

In addition to his clinical work, Johnny is passionate about mental health advocacy and community education. He actively participates in workshops and speaking engagements to promote awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues.

 

Outside of his professional endeavors, Johnny finds joy in gardening, fishing, and hunting, activities that allow him to recharge and connect with nature. His commitment to his clients' well-being, combined with his personal interests and dedication to advancing the field of mental health, highlights his leadership in therapeutic care and advocacy.