CIH Launches Marriage and Family Therapy & Social Services Training Program
Catalina Island Health (CIH) is proud to announce the launch of a new Marriage and Family Therapy and Social Services Training Program. This program was designed to support master’s-level students as they complete the supervised clinical hours required for licensure.
This year, CIH has welcomed four students training in Marriage and Family Therapy and one student training in Social Services. Together, they will gain valuable experience while also expanding access to behavioral health services for Catalina Island residents. Students are available to see clients via tele-therapy, making services more flexible and accessible to the community.
To become a Board of Behavioral Sciences Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, each student will need to complete 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience. This process takes about two years.
This program is supervised by Dr. Leticia Gonzalez Pileski, a Doctor of Psychology, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Certified Approved Clinical Supervisor, Trainer, and Mentor through the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Pileski regularly sees patients on the island and via tele-therapy. She brings more than two decades of experience working with families, couples, children, and adolescents in diverse community-based programs.
As a bilingual Spanish-English therapist, Dr. Pileski has a long history of developing therapeutic camps for children and families both in Southern California and internationally. She also serves as a Professor of Equity, Lecturer, and Clinical Supervisor at San Diego State University.
Additional social services supervision by Diego Fuentes, LCSW. He has worked with at-risk adolescents, incarcerated women, individuals on probation and most recently with the community as a supervisor of the mental health department at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Los Angeles. His niche is working with individuals to recover from alcohol and other substances and Axis I mood disorders such as bipolar, anxiety and depression. His goal is to evoke the individuals’ known strengths and use them as a foundation for healing and persevering.
“By creating this training program, we are not only preparing the next generation of mental health professionals but also strengthening the support available to our island residents,” said Dr. Pileski, Psy.D., LMFT at Catalina Island Health. “I encourage the community to take advantage of this opportunity to access high-quality, compassionate care.”
Meet the students:
Taylor Keeline – Social Services
Keeline graduated from UCLA in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and is currently pursuing a master’s in social work with the goal of becoming a LCSW. She previously worked as an admitting clerk at CIH, where she supported patients and staff through administrative duties. That experience gave her valuable insight into patient care and the importance of accessible health services in rural communities.
As a resident of Avalon, Keeline is passionate about contributing to the well-being of the community. Through this program, she hopes to gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced providers in the Social Services Department/Behavioral Health, while continuing to grow the skills and knowledge needed to become an LCSW in a clinical and medical setting.
May Kubo – Marriage & Family Therapy
Kubo is a Japanese American graduate student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Alliant International University, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2026. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University San Marcos. Kubo has professional experience as a behavior technician and currently works in patient care at a medical device company, supporting the elderly population. She is passionate about working with individuals and families through a person-centered, culturally sensitive, and gentle lens. As a Japanese American woman, Kubo values honoring diverse backgrounds and lived experiences in the therapeutic process. She is excited to join Catalina Island Health to further develop her clinical skills and provide inclusive, thoughtful care to the communities she serves.
Daniel Recht – Marriage & Family Therapy
Recht (he/him) is a graduate-level trainee who provides telehealth therapy through a queer-affirming and trauma-informed lens. His approach integrates somatic awareness and family systems therapy with a deep respect for each client’s lived experience. Recht is passionate about supporting children, teens, adults, and families navigating mood disorders, substance abuse, identity development, and relational challenges. He believes healing happens in safe and supportive spaces with help from an attuned guide that allows clients to reconnect with their strengths, process trauma, and foster significant growth. It is his privilege to walk alongside individuals as they grow, heal, and reclaim their lives.
Yesenia Rios – Marriage & Family Therapy
Rios is a bilingual Spanish-English Marriage and Family Therapy student at Alliant International University with experience in a school-based therapy setting and teaching students English in Spain. She works from a client-centered perspective and values collaboration in the therapeutic process. Rios incorporates an integrative approach which includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to support clients in achieving their goals. She is passionate about making therapy inclusive and a safe space.
Michelle Roberson – Marriage & Family Therapy
Roberson is a therapist trainee currently studying at Alliant International University, where she will graduate with her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in May 2026. Additionally, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from New Mexico State University. She has a diverse career background ranging from executive support and mortgage licensing to running a real estate business for over a decade. She looks forward to collaborating with clients using a compassionate and relationship-centered approach. She believes in providing a safe space for her clients, welcoming them to come as they are on their journey towards clarity and healing.
These students are currently taking on new clients. To make an appointment, contact CIH’s primary care clinic by calling 310-510-0096 ext. 290. These services are covered by most insurance plans. If you have specific questions about coverage, copays, etc. please ask for Patty.