Bay Area Community Counseling was started by the founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy, Dr. Keith Sutton, in 2011 in order to provide services to the community and provide up to date, effective, evidence-based training for student and new clinicians developing their skills. Our mission is to provide culturally competent therapy to children, adults, families, and couples in the community. We have a number of clinicians at various levels of ability to serve the needs of our clients. We hope to provide therapy to all those in the community in need. To learn more about our director/founder Dr. Sutton, you can listen to a recent podcast interview on Shrink Rap Radio.
Meet Our BACC Clinicians
Estelle Ho, LMFT
Estelle Ho is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist committed to the growth and well-being of her clients. She received her BA in English from Stanford University and her MS from Cal State East Bay’s Marriage and Family Therapy program. Estelle has years of experience using CBT with individuals across the lifespan grappling with anxiety, depression, anger, transitions, and interpersonal challenges. She has also been trained in attachment-based and systemic therapies and receives ongoing supervision to effectively treat couples and families in distress. Estelle’s warmth and compassion support her clients to clarify what is most important to them so they can address what gets in their way. Time and time again, she has witnessed clients accessing their own wisdom to generate the solutions that fit for them and their lives.
Lisa Ross, AMFT APCC
Lisa Ross is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in her mindfulness practice and a deep appreciation for the healing powers of nature. After working as an elementary school teacher for several years, she went on to obtain her Masters in Counseling Psychology from California State University, East Bay. She has experience providing individual, group and family psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults, incorporating a somatic approach to support clients struggling with anxiety, depression and substance abuse issues. As a queer mother of a toddler, Lisa is also passionate about helping LGBTQ individuals, transitional age youth, parents, and other clients thrive through the development of self-awareness and actualization.
Anthony Pizzutillo, APCC
Anthony Pizzutillo, an Associate Clinical Counselor, holds a Master’s degree in Integral Counseling from The California Institute of Integral Studies. With experience in educational and developmental settings, especially with children, Anthony employs a collaborative and narrative approach to address various challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, transitions, interpersonal relationships, and behavioral issues. He integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) with attachment-based and systems theory to provide comprehensive and effective interventions. Outside of work, Anthony enjoys spending days in Golden Gate Park, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and spending quality time with friends.
Rebecca Beren, AMFT
Rebecca Beren, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, offers in-person sessions in the East Bay to children, couples, families, and individuals navigating a wide range of challenges. She earned her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, with an emphasis in somatic therapy. Described as kind, sturdy & creative, Rebecca helps clients deepen self-understanding and self-care, strengthen relationships, and cultivate more ease, connection, and resilience. With a collaborative approach, she supports those exploring areas of feeling stuck and painful patterns in a way that allows for new perspectives, insights, & lasting change to emerge organically.
Asa Kamer, ACSW
Asa Kamer, Associate Clinical Social Worker, works primarily with adults and couples navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, and life transitions. He received his Master’s in Social Work from the University of California, Berkeley, and has experience as both a crisis counselor and a counselor in a community clinic setting. Asa draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques within a humanistic, client-led framework, believing that clients are the experts of their own experience and that therapy can build on the strengths and strategies they already possess. Asa strives to create a nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences and discover solutions that are meaningful and lasting.
Michael Cecconi, AMFT
Michael Cecconi, Associate Marriage Family Therapist (Wright Institute, Berkeley), works with individuals, couples, and families wanting to increase understanding, improve communication, and strengthen relationships. He incorporates a range of approaches to insure that each client’s journey is supported and enriched. Michael works relationally and from a systems-based approach, helping clients to understand themselves through their roles in the systems in which they operate. He has a particular interest and experience with adolescents and helping people realize the strengths they already possess.