Our Team
This ShaMynds Team is Your Team
We come together as a unified force— passionate and dedicated to empower and guide as you navigate your journey to move into an enlightened state of being.
All of us have years of experience in traditional models of care. We recognize that these models are failing so many. We also recognize that optimal states of mind, spirit and wellbeing are much more achievable and sustainable when traditional models are deeply integrated with ‘non-traditional- models.
Each one of us have come to ShaMynds from different walks of life, different perspectives, unique experiences and varied training and education. This collective experience and passion adds richness to your experience with us on your healing journey. Click below and get to know each one of us and our stories.
Dr Alya Ahmad MD, FAAP
Co-Founder
My past is my story. My future is a possibility. The only thing that is real is my present. To be truly present with whatever comes before me.
I am a physician, mother, professor, educator, researcher, and learner (for life). My journey as a healer and medical doctor is focused on treating the most needful populations. I witness the effects of complexity and social disparate conditions has on illness in the US and even while practicing medicine overseas.
I realize our health care system even with its “technological” advances has great barriers to true healing. People’s health is more digitized and dehumanized than it has ever been.
Yet throughout my medical career, I continue to pursue better ways to help children and families in their most needful states. My career as Clinical faculty at Baylor College of Medicine to Univ. of California, San Francisco, ranges in implementing and teaching better ways to caring for children and their families. I founded programs for children with special needs, Down syndrome, obesity, complex care consultations services, and narrative medicine, only to emphasize “whole” person care. More importantly, it is a provider’s presence and connection that is mandated to help people in their struggle.
I am galvanized to prove, be it by academic pursuits or the art of medicine to demonstrate thriving health can be achieved, holistically. I harness the methodologies of my master’s training in Narrative Medicine from Columbia Univ. to teach caring with compassionate-based inquiry to illness and peoples’ lives.
With Narrative Medicine, the arts and creative explorations are the fountainhead to connect to people in their illness, community, and social constructs.
Even greater means to healing, naturally and holistically are possible with integrative and psychedelic medicines and therapies. I have obtained accreditation and certification in psychedelic assisted therapies, Ketamine therapy and fellowship trained in Integrative psychiatry from IPI, (Integrative Psychiatry Institute). I aspire to enrich my learning and practice from the Guru’s in the field of psychedelic medicines and integrative medicine.
My mantra is healing the self and others with empathy and with the respectful fusion of self-wisdom, ancient, and novel therapies.
Dr Tasnim Khan, MD MSC
Co-Founder
I feel immensely privileged to be a physician. I value how patients generously open their hearts, their lives and entrust me with their health and vitality.
This is what I love and cherish most as a doctor-that portal of entry based on trust, truth and unwavering compassion. However, my 27 years of experience in healthcare in the US and abroad has taught me that the current modes of care and our ecosystem are fragmented and limit the possibilities of individual or population level change in outcomes. Mental health conditions are plaguing the world at an alarming rate of rise. This propagates widening gaps in health inequities, a parallel pandemic of mental health crisis and poor health outcomes. I have witnessed the continued breakdown of a healthcare system that once commanded world respect and now is unable to meet the capacity of our needs. In the last few years, I have had the fortune to experience alternative approaches to healing— based on being compassionate, scientifically backed although, still not well understood or respected and difficult for patients to access easily. At ShaMynds, we want to change that. I commit my practice to ‘Holism’— seeing the parts and how they interrelate and their importance to the whole state- a practice embedded within a scientific and safe approach.
I am on a quest to continue to keep my mind open, learn and heal. I respect science, I respect my patients, I respect change and I respect innovation and the sacred sciences.
I attended medical school and residency training at the University of Texas in Houston and became a Family Physician- a specialty that appealed to me because it embodies a whole person family centered approach of care. I was fortunate to work with many passionate and selfless mentors then and throughout my career. I also migrated into the administrative realm of medicine, becoming a career health care executive with the goals of improving care at the individual and population level. From 2009 -2011 I attended Harvard University’s Masters of Science in Health Care Management program with a strong focus on policy and reducing disparities in health. I have received training in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and Ketamine Assisted Therapy from the Institute of Integrative Psychiatry.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me.
Dr David Smith MD
Consulting Psychiatrist / Addiction Medicine
Dr Smith is a UCLA trained California native with over 40 years of experience in psychiatry and addiction psychiatry in the US and Canada. He has spearheaded the initiation of ketamine in a local clinic for treatment of resistant depression.
David is eager to assist in complimenting the unique services of ShaMynds as our consulting Psychiatrist.
Background
Education
Medical Degree David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Residency San Jose Medical Center
Stanford University Hospital
Faculty
University of Auckland, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science Center
University of California-Davis
Sutter Hospital
Christina Robles, MA, LMFT
Lead Psychotherapist
I am a bilingual (Spanish-speaking) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a Master of Arts degree in Community Mental Health from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
As a therapist, and as a person invested in her own healing journey, I have come to find that so much of our healing work involves the capacity to develop an emotional attunement with the self, attuning to our needs and our feelings while creating an allied connection to our bodies, our rhythms, our ancestral lineage, and the natural world around us.
I developed an interest in working with non-ordinary states of consciousness in 2012 after personal experiences with spirit, and my own extensive research on the benefits and use of transpersonal states of consciousness to promote healing and spiritual transformation.
As a trauma informed practitioner, I am concerned with the usual stages of human development and the attachment bonds that are formed from infancy through adulthood. I approach our work with cultural and spiritual humility and believe that our inherited forms of coping with life’s stressors may be the result of an unhealed intergenerational transmission that were once a means of survival and familial strength.
While working with clients I believe in providing a warm, relaxing, and empathetic environment. I have experience working with individuals, couples, children, and families in community mental health settings with specialized training in Trauma-informed practices, Attachment theory, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. I specialize in helping clients build emotional intelligence and develop appropriate coping skills to manage their stress by providing a safe space for my clients to move through their feelings and achieve emotional regulation.
Whether you are taking the first steps towards your healing journey or are interested in strengthening your mind-body connection and overall sense of self, I look forward to helping you achieve your wellness goals and providing the container to process and integrate your personal insights gained throughout your treatment process.
Kirsten Boyd
Therapist
I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a clinical M.A. degree in Somatic Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies.
‘Somatic psychotherapy’ is an umbrella term used to describe a cluster of theories and techniques that include bodily explorations of the felt sense as a primary means for healing. But the process of locating what stories live inside of our bodies can be overwhelming at times, especially when we encounter uncomfortable, dysregulating sensations or memories. If we mis-attune and push for too much, too fast, too soon, we run the risk of re-traumatization. It is only when we feel safe enough and resourced enough that the exploration may commence.
The trauma-informed lens through which I work provides support and stabilization for your nervous system through a process of titration, gentle introspective inquiry, and co-regulation. I believe that through the body, we can understand the subtleties of how to relate, when to relate, how to boundary, how to connect, what helps and what hurts, and that the soma (body) and the psyche (soul/mind/spirit) are inextricably entwined.
My personal journey with psychedelic medicines spans over 17 years. I understand that navigating altered states requires courage, vulnerability, and surrender and that the very foundation of this exploratory work is trust. I honor your resilience and seek to empower you with tools of embodiment that offer lasting benefits in your life.
Amanda Rebel, LMFT
Therapist
I hold an M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Expressive Arts Therapy from California Institute of Integral Studies, graduating in 2011.
I completed a 500+HR yoga teacher training, taught by Ana Forrest. I have facilitated individual and group work since 2001 and currently weave trauma informed yoga into therapy sessions. In 2005, while living in SE Asia, I entered a monastery to continue my studies of Theravada meditation practices and utilize mindfulness-based practices with clients. I approach therapeutic work in an integrative way—working from the ‘neck up’ using cognitive and behavioral frameworks, while also exploring the ‘neck down’– contemplating how the body affects the mind. I am committed to supporting you through your courageous trek into the terrain of healing, growth, and change. Metaphorically and literally, expeditions into unfamiliar lands often include elements of being and doing. The focused preparation, the letting go into unknowns, the being with fear and lack of control, the finding of unexpected joys and wonder, and the continuing through–even when it feels almost impossible to do so—can be your launchpad to creating lasting change. Important too is finding a guide you trust and feel comfortable with—who has tools, supplies, experience, and training. I value providing a non-judgmental space where you can feel safe enough to open into what can feel uncomfortable or scary. My own growth through personal life struggles is what helps me relate so deeply with clients. Although my journey may not look like yours, know that I’ve been there. I am informed by the wide breadth of client experiences I have encountered; including depression, anxiety, trauma, mood challenges, addiction, grief, loss and high sensitivity.
Natalie Ho RN, BSN, PHN
Clinical Nurse
I received my BSN from University of San Francisco, and currently hold a Registered Nurse License and Public Health Nurse certification. Ever since becoming a nurse, I have learned an unbelievable amount about humans just by listening. The most valuable lessons I have adopted have been from the stories of people in some of their most vulnerable states. At the beginning of my career, I never would have imagined being part of such a genuine team devoted to softening the physical and emotional trauma that people suffer from every day. I have primarily practiced emergency medicine in New York and California, and throughout these years, I’ve witnessed many people experiencing mental health crisis. Being on the providing side, I realized how severely stigmatized behavioral health is
There is nothing to be ashamed of. I promise to be fully present and hope to aid in your healing in this safe space to prevent these emergencies from happening.
I have an immense love for music and am committed to incorporating the arts and other holistic approaches to support your healing journey. Since working with ketamine assisted psychotherapy, I began educating myself on how to create complimentary music that will hopefully help ease our minds and hope to share it someday.
Outside of my nurse world, I find peace playing instruments and audio engineering. I’ve noticed that I feel my best when I’m able to write songs and spend my entire day being creative; it’s one type of therapy that resonates with me. I hope we can find one that resonates with you as well. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your story.
Tessa Toscano, RN, MSN, CNL
Clinical Nurse
Maura Rodgers
Dietitian
Jaya (Jenna Crowley)
Medical Herbalist | Journey Guide
Jenna brings her tremendous experience, caring and compassionate style to ShaMynds. Her integrative approach to wellness includes a holistic intake of nutrition, sleep hygiene, spinal health and spiritual wellness under the principles of: Vitalist Herbalism, Ayurveda, Illengar Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Jyotisa Vedic Astrology. Jenna humbly weaves her ever-evolving knowledge of these ancient technologies into her practice with the blessing of her teachers.
As a ShaMynds trained ketamine and psychedelic journey guide, Jenna offers remedies and modalities of yoga asana (spinal alignment), Pranayama (breath work), Dharana (focused meditation), Mantra (sound healing) and dream work.
Jenna is also a trained and certified Medical Herbalist. She competed her training at the North American School of Medical Herbalism and has extensive clinical experience. In 2019 Jenna worked for the California College of Ayurveda, making custom herbal formulations for Ayurvedic doctors nationwide. During this time, she acquired more experience in one of her most beloved forms of medicine- The Ayurvedic preparation of medicated oils.
Jenna has also completed 500+ hours of medicine making and advanced formulation in a clinical setting. Her focus lies in case-based studies, physiology, pathophysiology, and advanced formulation.
Jay also is fascinated with the area of astrology. She continues to study at the Science of Light as a Vedic Astrologer, with a passion for Medical Astrology. She has worked with renowned teachers such as Tav Sparks learning, ‘Healing Our Deepest Wounds: The Holotropic Paradigm Shift’
Certificates of Completion:
Science of Light Vedic Astrology Level 1
North American School of Medical Herbalism-Foundations of Medical Herbalism
Acorn School of Medical Herbalism-Footprints
Illengar Yoga 200 Hr. Teacher Training
The Holotropic Paradigm Level 1
Cindee Beermann
Business Development Lead & Community Liaison
Business development and community liaison are the perfect roles for me. I am a connector, as described by Malcolm Gladwell in The Tipping Point. I put people together, which is especially rewarding when I can work with innovative women in an integrated, caring, and healing environment.
After living abroad for 27 years, ShaMynds is the perfect place to land. Dr Khan, Dr Ahmad and I have known each other since we all worked together 16 years ago in Dubai. They continue to amaze me with their genuine kind and heartfelt treatment of people. It’s sounds cliché but I feel blessed to work in this team of healers who help others to make positive transformations.
While I am fortunate to have worked in pharma sales and healthcare marketing for most of my career, this work is by far the most professionally and personally rewarding.
Kati O’Day
Patient Coordinator
I’m grateful to be part of a team of extraordinary healers that are truly passionate about what they do. My passions are simple; I love helping people and being an empathetic listener. I received my B.A. in Psychology from Sacramento State and have plans to pursue an M.A. in Counseling. I have 6 years of experience with client coordination in a healthcare setting. I understand that everyone has their own story to tell, and this is what makes us all unique. I love hearing about these stories, and value creating a safe and welcoming space for all clients. Outside of the office, I enjoy getting involved with my community, creating art, and spending time in nature.
Chief Comfort Officers
Coco
Queen of Sheba
Request Your Consultation Today
If you are a patient who is dealing with a treatment-resistant mood disorder or chronic pain condition, then you may be a good candidate for ketamine infusion therapy. Contact our experts today and request your free consultation or would like more information about how we can help you.
