Telephone:
916 344-0900
Fax:
916 773-8097
an email, click here
Therapist Phone Numbers
If you are currently a client, please feel free to phone your therapist directly.
If you are a prospective new client, please phone Dr. Debra Moore directly in order to discuss which therapist is available and who would be a good fit for you.
Debra Moore, Ph.D.
(916) 344-0900
drdmoore@mac.com
Amy Ahlfeld, Psy.D.
(916) 799-3866
Chelsea Bagias, M.A.
(916) 267-5148
Tammy Grabreck, M.A.
(916) 412-6978
Peggy Holcomb, M.A.
(916) 412-3373
Rita Kirk, Psy.D.
(916) 801-6685
Julie Leavens-Hupp, M.A.
(916) 206-2514
Sherrie Pierce, M.A.
(916) 469-5775
Leslie Price, Psy.D.
(916) 308-9199
Sharon Riegel, M.A.
(916) 214-8913
Renae Schieckoff, M.A.
(916) 224-8854
Sara Spencer, M.A.
(916) 752-4832
Cynthia Thorp, Psy.D.
(916) 764-0915
Keri Turner, M.A.
(530) 902-4867
Debra Moore, Ph.D.Licensed Psychologist PSY8578
Dr. Debra Moore is the Founder of Fall Creek Counseling Associates and Fall Creek Attention and Behavior Centers. She wears many hats, including those of clinical director and supervisor, psychotherapist and counselor, author, and public speaker.
After receiving her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of Toledo in 1980, Dr. Moore moved to Sacramento to begin a postdoctoral internship with the University of California Davis Medical Center. She fell in love with the community, deciding to open a private practice here upon completion of her internship. As the nature of the practice has evolved, so has it's name. Earlier known as Debra Moore, Ph.D. & Associates, her practice has been known as Fall Creek Counseling Services since the mid 1990s.
Fall Creek Counseling Associates has been approved by the California Psychology Internship Council as a site for advanced training and continues to attract the finest pre- and postdoctoral candidates from respected colleges and universities. Dr. Moore has had the honor of supervising and training dozens of graduate level therapists, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in their own practices throughout the country.
Dr. Moore has a mission to provide the highest quality psychological services. She also believes in the basics of returning calls promptly, speaking in plain English instead of professional jargon, and working with clients, parents and families as a collaborative team. In her interest in meeting various levels of needs, Dr. Moore has endeavored to provide a website of useful resources, including informative articles and book reviews, links to various services offered in the local community, and links to other websites delivering helpful information on a broad range of concerns.
Dr. Moore has a passion for reaching out to the public in her writing and community talks on a wide range of mental health issues. She also has a talent for developing innovative services that respond to unmet mental health needs in the community. Dr. Moore is a respected leader in her profession, having served several terms as President of the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association and currently acting as Community Liaison Chairperson for that association and the communities it serves.
In her spare time Dr. Moore enjoys getting away to the mountains and traveling throughout the world. She values continual learning, nature, and meeting new people. She also enjoys tending her garden, playing piano and staying fit.
Renae Schieckoff, M.A.Intern and Doctoral Candidate
Originally from South Dakota, Renae emanates the solid values associated with the Mid-West—integrity, optimism, straightforwardness, and humility. She is a creative problem solver who wants to help you feel comfortable, exceed your expectations, and surpass your goals. Her approach combines support, understanding, a clear road map, and respect for your unique journey.
Renae enjoys working with all ages - children, teens, and adults. She sees individuals, couples and families, and can also provide psychological testing as needed.
With a Masters Degree from the American School of Professional Psychology in the San Francisco Bay area, Renae is currently completing her Doctorate Degree. She is conducting research on how trauma impacts our world view. She is also developing a curriculum to aid professionals who frequently work with trauma and may as a result suffer from chronic exposure to high levels of stress.
In her spare time, Renae enjoys the simple pleasures of life. She loves to watch a good movie, is having fun trying to remember how to play the violin after not touching it for years, and finds baking to be great therapy. Her claim to fame is baking chocolate chip cookies that her husband says are “even better than Mom’s”!
Sara Spencer, M.A.Practicum in Clinical Psychology
Sara is an enthusiastic member of the Fall Creek team who works with clients of all ages. Her balance of optimism and realism helps her clients find their way through stressful times and transitions. Her therapeutic approach is tailored to your personality and goals, with her blend of support, encouragement, and challenge helping you find more peace and satisfaction in your life.
She works with men and women affected by anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-defeating patterns of behavior. She is also proficient in a number of psychological tests which can better help you identify habitual ways of thinking that may be interfering with your happiness (and that are blind spots for you).
In addition to working with adults, Sara has worked with families, children, and teens for many years. She obtained her degree in child development almost a decade ago and worked as a Child and Family Educator and teacher. She has been on the faculty of Consumnes River Community College in their Child Development department.
Sara has completed research on the effectiveness of social skills interventions for students on the autistic spectrum, and is currently engaged in investigating measures of cognitive processing in this population. She also has extensive background helping agencies and their staff develop effective programs for clients of all ages as they navigate transitions in their lives.
Currently enrollment in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Walden University, Sara manages to find creative outlet by taking time to engage in photography, one of her favorite hobbies. She especially enjoys capturing moments of sunrise and sunset on the coast.
Amy Ahlfeld, Psy.D.Psychological Assistant PSB43870
Dr. Ahlfeld is a solution-oriented therapist who works with adults, couples, children and teens. Her style is collaborative, interactive, and practical. She will help you identify what is holding you back or creating repeating negative patterns in your life.
As a graduate of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at the California Professional School of Psychology/Alliant International University in San Diego, Amy has been trained to provide both consultation, counseling, and evaluation services. She is available for both short and long term therapy as well as comprehensive assessments pertaining to academic, workplace, or medical-related issues.
As a mother and former teacher, Dr. Ahlfeld is familiar with school related issues that children, teens, and families face. She provides consultation to parents on how to be more effective and how to regain positive relationships within the family.
Her other areas of interest include helping clients manage conflict, life transitions,
and negative thought patterns and habits. She enjoys facilitating small groups as well as working one on one with clients. Some of the groups she offers include: Defeating the Sleep Monster - Helping you Establish and Maintain Effective Sleep Habits, and Forever Trim - Helping you Trim off Excess, Unhealthy Weight by Changing Your Mindset and Learning Effective Strategies. She also works one on one with teens who are battling weight or body image challenges.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, and camping and hiking.
Rita Kirk, Psy.D.Licensed Psychologist PSY20770
Dr. Rita Kirk combines compassion, intuition, wisdom, and her unwavering belief in people's ability to create positive change in their lives to form her therapeutic approach to working with adults, couples, and families. Rita's eclectic approach integrates the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, holistic health & wellness, and a generous supply of optimism and good humor to guide clients toward personal growth and empowerment. She also incorporates spiritual and transpersonal elements into plans for helping her clients identify their needs, make healthier choices, and create more joy in the moments of their lives.
Rita works extensively with people suffering from a wide range of painful issues, including depression, anxiety, grief & loss, physical disabilities, medical conditions, trauma, and relationship or parenting problems. She has training in EMDR, a specific technique sometimes used to treat trauma, phobias, performance anxiety, and other issues. She also facilitates a women's group aimed at supportive problem-solving and navigating life transitions.
Rita received her doctorate in clinical psychology from California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant University in Fresno, CA. Prior to completing her doctorate, Rita worked over 20 years as a Registered Nurse and Nursing Associate Professor in a wide variety of clinical positions and arenas, including teaching, trauma and mental health. She is confident in her clinical and diagnostic expertise and continuously strives to help clients navigate the complex world of managed health care.
Rita, a native of North Dakota, has lived and traveled extensively as part of a military family for 20 years. She has worked and explored many parts of the world such as Thailand, Italy, most of Europe, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada, Hawaii, Florida, Texas, and Virginia.
She and her family moved to Sacramento in 1985 and have since enjoyed the stability of having a home town. When she's not working, Rita enjoys spending time with her husband of 35 years, her two adult children & spouses, and her adorable grandchildren. For recreation, she likes to read, swim, go to the movies with friends, and especially, to go to the beach.
Peggy Holcomb, M.A.Licensed Educational Psychologist and Doctoral Intern in Clinical Psychology
Peggy is a Licensed Educational Psychologist who enjoys working with children, teens, adults, and families. She can help adults and children find answers to why they are struggling and discover their path to more success and enjoyment.
Peggy is experienced in providing both evaluations and counseling. If you need first to get some answers to exactly what is going on with you or your child, she can design and customize an assessment to help you better identify specific academic, emotional, vocational, social or behavioral problem areas (as well as strengths).
If you or your child has already had an evaluation and you are now wanting to follow this up with learning practical skills to better cope with the problem areas, she can work with you to master new tools and learn more successful ways to meet life challenges.
Whether her client needs help at school, at home, at work, with friendships, self control, or self esteem, she first and foremost wants him or her to find happiness and success in their life.
While Peggy is familiar with a wide range of common child, adolescent, and adult challenges, she will see beyond labels to the unique and precious individual. Whether given the label of ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, NVLD, Anxiety, Depression, or another term, what is really important is that you or your child begin to experience greater satisfaction in all areas of life.
In her spare time, Peggy enjoys time with her family, who are currently learning about the equestrian world. She also enjoys scuba diving, listening to jazz, and reading.
Tammy Grabreck, M.A.Practicum in Clinical Psychology
Tammy is an approachable, down to earth therapist who is gifted in her ability to develop quality relationships with her clients. Beginning with respectful, attuned listening, she is able to help you meet your goals via a collaborative, interactive style of intervention.
With a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology, Tammy has returned to the student role in order to also obtain her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University.
Bringing maturity and life experience to her clinical work, Tammy has personal knowledge of families and children that deepens her ability to connect with her younger or adolescent clients and their parents.
Her adult clients, whether being seen individually or as part of a couple, recognize and value her wisdom that comes from a life lived fully and diversely, and one which allows her to resonate with a wide variety of concerns and life situations. Tammy has an innate desire to continually learn and grow - a perspective which is contagious!
Prior to becoming a therapist, Tammy worked as a nurse in both adult and pediatric settings ranging from private practices to health centers. She is also familiar with both the excitement and challenges of being part of a family business. In her spare time, she enjoys nature, family and friends.
Sherrie Pierce, M.A.Practicum in Clinical Psychology
Sherrie has an extensive background in counseling, testing and evaluations, and consulting. She works with children and teens, as well as adults.
Having obtained an undergraduate degree in psychology, a Masters Degree in School Psychology and in Counseling Psychology, and licensure as a School Psychologist, Sherrie is now completing her doctoral dissertation in Clinical Psychology.
Sherrie will help you devise strategies to overcome obstacles in your path. She is a skilled guide and investigator who listens and observes carefully, and then works together with you to synthesize and better understand your situation. She will join with you in developing the steps you can take to make the changes you desire.
Sherrie has applied her skills to a wide range of settings. She has helped clients in crisis and mental health settings, has assisted elementary and high school students, taught and counseled university students, worked with UNESCO, designed classroom management programs for teachers, and developed academic and behavioral interventions for those with learning disabilities and special needs.
She is a strong advocate for all of her clients, with the goal of you developing greater self-sufficiency, self-awareness, and self-confidence.
In her spare time, Sherrie enjoys playing the piano and guitar, as well as the quiet activity of reading and the not so quiet one of tap dancing! She is also a proud card-carrying member of the Utah Puppetiering Guild, much to the delight of some of her younger clients.
Chelsea Bagias, M.A.Intern and Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology
Chelsea's strong beliefs in the curative and healing benefits of psychotherapy guide her work as a therapist. This deeply held belief, along with her obvious authenticity and caring, strong presence combine to create a powerful environment for clients to make substantial shifts and changes in their lives.
Having obtained her Master's in Clinical Psychology from the University of Indianapolis, Chelsea has also completed coursework and her dissertation for a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School Professional Psychology.
She has worked in a wide variety of settings, ranging from community mental health programs, school districts, private counseling centers, and alcohol and drug programs. She likewise enjoys helping a wide range of clients of all ages.
Chelsea believes it is important to have a holistic appreciation of her clients - to understand all aspects of their lives and experiences. Of utmost importance to her is helping you develop the ability to communicate and convey your feelings and thoughts effectively - both in therapy and in all the vital arenas of your life.
No matter what you are currently going through, your history, or your concerns, she believes that recovery and growth is possible. She welcomes clients who have had disappointing experiences with previous therapists or who are ambivalent about psychotherapy.
As a previous professional athlete who traveled and lived in five different countries, Chelsea knows both the challenging and humbling experience of being in intense, grueling, and often isolating situations. She values these experiences that helped shape her into someone who is comfortable with herself, others, and unfamiliar or new circumstances.
In her spare time, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading and traveling. As someone who enjoys different cultures, she is working on improving her conversational Greek as well as her German and Spanish, which she hopes to achieve fluency in.
Leslie Price, Psy.D.Psychological Assistant PSB32332
Dr. Leslie Price brings a wealth of experience to our practice. She worked as a Medical Social Worker for many years prior to obtaining a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology.
Leslie enjoys working with a wide variety of clients including children, teens, couples, and adults. She especially enjoys helping clients navigate and handle life's transitions, and welcomes men and women who want to work on building self esteem and confidence, or on making better choices and decisions in life.
Her background in health issues is also particularly appreciated by clients who are facing illness or loss. She has completed specific training as an Advanced Bereavment Facilitator.
Dr. Price has also worked with both children and adults facing academic or learning challenges. She has consulted with parents, written school IEPs, conducted intellectual evaluations, and made recommendations for students with learning issues.
If you are nervous about seeing a counselor, chances are excellent that you will quickly feel comfortable working with Leslie. She has a quiet strength and passion about her that immediately makes others feel safe and cared about.
Cynthia Thorp, Psy.D.Psychological Assistant PSB34588
Dr. Thorp, a graduate of Alliant International University, has a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology and works with all ages. She brings a calm and unflappable nature to her work, which helps clients quickly establish a strong, safe therapy relationship. She is a dogged advocate for her clients, maintaining a stance of respect for their strengths and the dignity of their lives and experiences.
Cynthia works with all ages, from children and teens, to adult men and women and couples. Younger clients appreciate her humor and relaxed approach and adults perceive her maturity and wisdom.
Prior to joining us at Fall Creek, Dr. Thorp helped clients in a variety of other settings. At the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UCDavis, she assisted teens and adults coping with medical concerns, and facilitated a diabetes support group. At Kaiser Permanente, she served as a bereavement counselor, supporting those grieving with compassion and encouragement. She was also an individual and couples therapist at Sierra Family Services, and assisted children and parents within the Rocklin Unified School District.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Thorp has conducted research on how men and women cope with the challenge of maintaining healthy body weight. She has also been involved with studies of risk factors and behavioral deficits in children and teens with PDD or Autism Spectrum Disorders.
In her spare time, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her husband and five year old twins, and loves getting away to hike and fish in the Sierra Nevadas. She was the author of A Family's Journey with Sensory Processing Disorder, which appeared in Parents Monthly Magazine.
Keri Turner, M.A.Intern and Doctoral Candidate
Keri has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and has completed all coursework for her doctorate degree as well. Currently in the process of conducting her dissertation, she looks forward to becoming Dr. Keri upon the study’s and her internship’s completion.
Keri enjoys working in collaboration with her clients to help them develop a stronger sense of themselves, understand the meaning behind their behavior, and achieve their full potential in their lives and their relationships. She works with clients of all ages and backgrounds and enjoys seeing individuals, couples and families.
Prior to joining Fall Creek, Keri worked with men and women and couples in a community mental health center, as well as children in a school-based counseling program. She has also worked in group homes with teens, where she provided one-on-one counseling and group therapy.
She has experience helping clients with depression, anxiety, self esteem, stress management, and coping with current and past challenges and hurdles. Another area of research and interest is eating disorders, which is the subject of her doctoral dissertation. She is also interested in Asperger's Syndrome, ADD, and other issues which affect the social, emotional and academic lives and children, teens, and adults. She facilitates our Social Skills group, where she helps participants gain more effecive tools for navigating our social world.
In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family and enjoys getting out into nature. She looks forward to boating and wakeboarding during our summers and snowboarding in the winter.
Sharon Riegel, M.A.Doctoral Trainee
Sharon Riegel, a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the Fielding Graduate Institute of Santa Barbara, brings optimism, warmth, and patience to her work with clients. Her unconditional positive regard for everyone she works with creates a comfortable interaction and a safe environment for her clients to reach their full potential.
Sharon is experienced in working with a variety of issues and clients. In addition to working in the private practice setting of Fall Creek Counseling Associates, she has also worked in the Department of Corrections, with a non-profit child and family therapy center, and with W.E.A.V.E., where she spent three years serving as a Victims Advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
With an integrative approach to therapy, Sharon customizes your therapy to your own personal objectives and style of relating and learning. She is familiar with a variety of therapeutic approaches, and is able to utilize interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and stress management techniques to help address her client's needs.
Sharon enjoys working with older teens and adults of all ages who are experiencing life transitions, relationship issues, loss, depression, anxiety, and self confidence issues.
Prior to becoming a therapist, Sharon worked in the insurance industry for many years. When that career no longer proved meaningful, she made the life changing decision to follow her heart and pursue a more fulfilling career path. She knows first hand the challenges of major crossroads and is skillful at helping others facing difficult questions and choices. She is a strong and reassuring partner to have on your journey.
Sharon has lived in Sacramento for the last 28 years. For recreation, she enjoys reading, camping, the theatre, traveling, and her grandchildren.
Julie Leavens-Hupp, M.A., MFTI 58492MFT Intern
Julie Leavens-Hupp has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University.
Julie is a believer in the strength and power of the human spirit. She believes that anyone who desires to transcend their limitations or weaknesses has the ability within them to do so. It is her desire to facilitate this process to bring long lasting change into the lives of those she works with.
Julie firmly believes that whether you are seeking personal growth, more peace in your life, freedom from emotional pain, or more success in your academic, vocational, spiritual, or relational part of your life, you do have the innate ability to achieve these desires! She is committed to working collaboratively with you to realize these goals for a happier life.
Julie has helped numerous people make positive changes over the years. Her greatest fulfillment has come from helping people of all ages realize their full potential in many facets of their lives.
Julie is passionate about children and their limitless potential. She has had many years of experience working with children in various settings with a variety of emotional and behavioral challenges. She never tires of their exploration of the world and assisting them in finding their place in it. She manages to do so with a light and engaging sense of humor that puts them at ease.
Julie enjoys working with and supporting families of all kinds. She believes they are the cornerstone of our world. She also loves working with adult men and women from all walks of life.
In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, running, working out, and living a healthy lifestyle. She enjoys laughter spontaneity, and friendship. She loves to travel, see new things and meet people of different cultures.