PUC Schools / Programs / PUC Clinical Services / Clinical Counseling Team

Nicole Nardon is a Clinical Supervisor at PUC Schools. Nicole is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist who clinically supervises Marital and Family Therapy Trainees/Interns. She obtained a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from UCSB and a MA MFCC from Pacific Oaks College. With over 10 years of clinical experience, Nicole specializes in Transitional Aged Youth, TAY. Before joining PUC, Nicole helped develop programs and services targeted at assisting youth formerly in foster care and the juvenile probation system. Nicole was the Director of Hillsides Transitional Housing Program, a therapist at a residential facility and was in private practice treating children and their families. Currently, Nicole provides individual and group supervision to the clinical counseling trainees/interns and provides DIS Counseling.

Christine Sartiaguda is co-founder of the Clinical Counseling Program at PUC Schools. This program serves as a clinical training site for graduate students obtaining a degree in clinical counseling, marital and family therapy, art therapy and/or school counseling. The Clinical Counseling Program provides full mental health services to all PUC students and families. Christine is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist who clinically supervises Marital and Family Therapy Trainees/Interns as well as Art Therapy Interns. She brings over 12 years of clinical experience, having obtained a B.A. in Psychology, followed by her M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy specializing in Art Therapy, both degrees from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to coming to PUC, Christine was Director of Training, Program Director of a Day Program, Senior Therapist and Group Home Therapist at G.L.A.S.S. In addition to having worked in residential care, Christine has worked at hospitals, out-patient clinics, schools and has been a guest speaker at various clinical conferences. Christine has also been a part of academia while being invited to speak at Loyola Marymount University and CSUN as well as being an associate professor at Phillips Graduate Institute. As Director of Clinical Services, Christine oversees the Clinical Counseling Program and all other clinical services within PUC as well as provides individual and group supervision to the clinical counseling trainees/interns.

Melissa Sprinstead graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Psychology and worked in an elementary school as a teacher assistant. After a few years of teaching she went back to USC and received her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Upon completing graduate school and working at CALS High School for her fieldwork/internship she joined the PUC team as a coordinator in the clinical counseling program. She works with the LA based schools where she conducts individual, group and family therapy and provides mental health services to the students and their families.

Brandy Vidales is a native of Southern California and was raised in the San Fernando Valley. Of Mexican American decent, she received her BA in Sociology from California State University LA and her MS in Counseling as well as a credential in School Psychology from the California State University Northridge. Before joining PUC she worked at a mental health agency for five years as a Case Manager and then a Trainee/Intern Therapist. At the same time she worked as a Intern School Psychologist for Burbank Unified School District for a year and half and later with Los Angeles Unified School District for one year.

Aviva Wolfson graduated from San Francisco State University with her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is currently a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and works as a clinical supervisor for the counselors at PUC. Aviva is also the Coordinator for the Valley PUC Schools and works closely with the site leaders at each campus to ensure proper mental health care for all of PUC’s students. Prior to coming to PUC, Aviva has worked in public schools, private schools and non - public schools. Before becoming a therapist, Aviva was a 6th grade teacher and it was during her teaching career that she developed her passion for helping students become successful in academic settings. Aviva now has the opportunity to work with graduate students who provide the clinical counseling to the students at PUC. Aviva enjoys her opportunity to train and educate young therapists in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy.