Building the Capacity of Mental Health Care in Sonoma County

The May 2025 edition of Healdsburg Living Magazine supported Mental Health Awareness Month with an impressive feature surveying the opinions of local healthcare leaders, including Healthcare Foundation’s Executive Director Amy Ramirez, in “a community conversation on mental health.” 

The Q&A format, compiled by Randi Cornwall, highlights various regional mental health providers and services, overturns common myths and misconceptions, and offers practical tips for supporting mental health and wellbeing. 

As publisher Teresa Mangiapani explains in an editorial sidebar accompanying the piece, “Over the past few months, a small group of us have been meeting to explore how we can collaborate, educate, and support our community’s mental health. This Q&A is one meaningful result of that shared effort.”

We thought this timely offering was so meaningful, in fact, that we are sharing the information here, with appreciation to Healdsburg Living and the participants.

NORTH COUNTY CLINICS

Alexander Valley Healthcare

Mission: To provide patient-centered healthcare with excellence in quality, services, and access for all.

What kind of help or services do you offer, and who can use them?

At Alexander Valley Healthcare our small but mighty Behavioral Health team includes a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), two Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists – one of whom is bi-lingual/bicultural, a Behavioral Health Counselor/SUD (substance use disorder) Lead, and a Behavioral Health Case manager. The team cares for the whole community, seniors, families, adolescents and children.

Our Behavioral Health case manager, Jody Kane plays a critical role in working with healthcare providers and clients to integrate care and develop individualized care plans. She helps to identify needs related to housing and social supports and connect them with available resources. This ongoing guidance and encouragement contributes to their overall mental health and well-being.

What is a common myth about mental health that you wish more people understood?

Myth: “Mental illness is a sign of weakness; people should just be able to snap out of it.”

Harm: This myth minimizes the complexity of mental health conditions. It leads to shame and stigma, preventing people from seeking help. It also disregards the biological, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to mental illness.

What is one simple tip to help people take care of their mental health?

Nurture your relationships. Reach out to a friend, family member, or loved one. Social connection is vital for mental well-being. Even a brief conversation can boost your mood and sense of belonging.

Alliance Medical Center

Mission: We are here to improve the health and wellness of our diverse communities. We provide accessible, caring & high-quality healthcare services.

What kind of help or services do you offer, and who can use them?

Alliance Medical Center offers compassionate Behavioral Health services, including counseling, therapy, psychiatry, and substance use treatment. Our services are available to all patients, regardless of income or background.

What is a common myth about mental health that you wish more people understood?

Seeking help is a sign of weakness. Reaching out for support- whether through therapy, counseling, or talking to a trusted friend, is a sign of strength and self-awareness.

Mental health struggles are always visible. Many people assume that if someone looks fine on the outside, they must not be struggling. In reality, mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and trauma can be invisible, and those affected may become experts at masking pain. That’s why it’s important to approach others with empathy and kindness—because we never truly know what someone might be going through.

What is one simple tip to help people take care of their mental health?

Listen to your mind and body. Both know the roadmap to your wellbeing. Small, intentional pauses throughout the day can make a significant difference in overall well-being.

LOCAL PROVIDERS

Adrienne Heinz, PhD
Private Practice & Veterans Affairs

What kind of help or services do you offer, and who can use them?

I wear several different hats as a clinical psychologist based in Sonoma County and as a mental health app developer and trauma researcher at the VA National Center for PTSD and Stanford University. The apps we create are free to the public, science-based, and do not collect your personal information. Our most recent app, Well Within Coach, supports women with PTSD.

What is a common myth about mental health that you wish more people understood?

Many people believe you can’t stop someone who really wants to die, but suicide IS preventable. An acute suicidal crisis often lasts less than an hour and, in some cases, less than a few minutes. Research shows that having a safety plan for what to do during that short window saves lives.

What is one simple tip to help people take care of their mental health?

When life punches you in the nose, remember your humanity and practice self-compassion. Allow yourself the same grace and support that you would offer to a friend or family member who is struggling.

Laura Capinas, LCSW
Private Practice

What kind of help or services do you offer, and who can use them?

As a licensed clinical social worker, I am trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, while always considering social inequities and injustices. My area of expertise is in trauma diagnosis and treatment for children and adults, anxiety disorders, family therapy, parent coaching, family law coparenting & family therapy, and presenter for California Bar Association in mental health and trauma education. I love to educate clients I work with as well as the courts to offer research-based treatment plans to help individuals and families struggling with adverse life situations.

What is a common myth about mental health that you wish more people understood?

Did you know that often only a few sessions of targeted therapy can greatly reduce symptoms? Many clients tell me they have been told they need therapy “forever” or that they cannot be helped unless they commit to an undefined timeline for therapy. This is simply untrue. Solution focused therapy with a limited time frame can be extremely helpful by setting concrete goals and using research-based methods to learn tools to decrease symptoms. 

What is one simple tip to help people take care of their mental health?

A pause once a day for a self-check-in can be powerful. In our busy lives with lots of stimulation, it is too easy to “check out” mentally. After assessing how you are feeling in the moment, ask yourself what you need to feel more balanced. In addition, checking in with a loved one or friend can be equally as rewarding. This reaffirms a sense of caring, ultimately what helps us to feel connected.

HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY

Mission: We connect people and resources to promote wellness in underserved communities.

What kind of help or services do you offer, and who can use them?

Our Mental Health Talent Pipeline Program provides full scholarships for bilingual/bicultural students working toward their master’s in counseling degree with USF. Our goal and demonstrated success of the program is to increase the number of bilingual/bicultural behavioral health providers in Sonoma County.

What is a common myth about mental health that you wish more people understood?

Healthcare is not cut off at the neck. In other words, our physical health and mental health are not separate entities. We must give as much attention and care to our mental health as we do to the rest of our bodies to live long and healthy lives.

What is one simple tip to help people take care of their mental health?

Limit your screen time and take more walks. Bilateral movement such as taking an afternoon stroll around your neighborhood or office has been proven to reduce anxiety and depression.