RARE BIRD WELLNESS: OUR FOUNDING STORY

 Emma is a founding board member of Rare Bird Wellness, inspired by both professional and personal backgrounds to contribute to those served through this organization. As a neurodivergent, indigenous, queer, and disabled person, Emma has witnessed the importance of healing supported by communities with shared experiences— carrying on this tradition through the work of RBW is an honor and a privilege.

Emma is finalizing an MS in Counseling Psychology through The Western Institute for Social Research, and received a BA in Liberal Arts/ Social and Behavioral Sciences from Soka University in 2019. Emma is currently in a therapy internship position; in the past, their work experience includes case management for disaster survivors and recidivism reduction for those experiencing mental illness, supporting neurodivergent youth, caregiving for elders, and facilitating art and music workshops. 

 Dinah is a founding board member of Rare Bird Wellness. They are thrilled to provide neurodivergent-affirming, trans-affirming, sex-positive, and culturally sensitive care to members of the neurodivergent and LGBTQI+ communities.

Dinah is a queer, non-binary, AuDHD, Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, practicing at Heart in Balance Counseling Center, (supervised by Jeanette Shelby, LMFT#127144). They are pursuing a Masters in Science in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy at Western Institute for Social Research, and hold a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Civilization from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dinah’s work is grounded in feminist, disability justice, and liberation-oriented frameworks. With a background supporting neurodivergent individuals and families, they seek to create a space that honors neurodivergent and queer identity, supports authenticity, and embraces the full spectrum of how minds and bodies work.

Dinah brings a background of professional experience in human resources and business operations, having previously worked in start-up environments as Head of People and Culture and Director of Operations. Working in partnership with leadership, they developed global people strategy, prioritizing culture, engagement, and inclusivity.

Jen is a founding board member of Rare Bird Wellness, and is grateful for the opportunity to support the mission of providing affirming wellness services for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Jen brings a background of professional experience in nonprofit leadership and is the Founder and Executive Director of Nested Integral Coaching Constellation (NI2C) - a community based organization dedicated to providing trauma-informed coaching, therapy, and enhanced care management to individuals impacted by interpersonal trauma.

Jen also brings personal lived experience with neurodivergence and LGBTQIA+ identities both as an individual and as a parent.

Her educational background includes undergraduate study at UC Berkeley and CSU Fullerton in Sociology, Legal Studies, and Criminal Justice Reform; A Professional Coaching Certification from New Ventures West and the International Coaching Federation in Integral Coaching; Masters in Psychology at Western Institute of Social Research (WISR); and is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist AMFT162617 (supervised by Harry Motro LMFT53452).