About Us

Nancy Aguilar Nunez, AMFT

Mental Health Clinician

Languages: English

Accepting New Clients: Yes

Starting therapy can feel like a big step—you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to offer a supportive, honest, and compassionate space where you can move at your own pace. As a Mexican American and child of immigrants, I bring a culturally grounded perspective to therapy. I speak Spanglish and understand the complexity of navigating multiple worlds, identities, and expectations. My goal is to help you feel seen, heard, and empowered in your healing journey. I work with teens, young adults, and families from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Whether you’re facing transitions, trauma, relationship challenges, or emotional overwhelm, I aim to meet you where you are—with curiosity, care, and collaboration.

In my practice, I draw from a range of therapeutic modalities to tailor support to each individual or family. These include family systems approaches, narrative therapy, and solution-focused therapy, which allow for flexible and personalized care based on your unique needs and goals. I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)—evidence-based modalities that support trauma recovery and emotional regulation. Above all, I strive to create a space where you feel respected, heard, and empowered as you navigate your healing process.

Tara Meizel, AMFT

Mental Health Clinician

Languages: English

Accepting New Clients: Yes

If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of anxiety, depression, or overwhelm, you’re not alone, and I’m here for you. The world can feel heavy and ever-changing, and sometimes we just need a space to breathe, slow down, and reconnect. I believe that genuine connection is at the heart of healing, whether that’s with others or within yourself. Every person and every family has their own story, pace, and path toward growth. In our work together, I offer a safe and supportive space where you can show up as your authentic self. I see you as the expert of your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you as we explore what you need to feel more grounded, balanced, and at peace.

As a mental health professional, I’m deeply curious about the mind and what shapes the way we think, feel, and act. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach; therapy should be as unique as you are. In addition to my clinical training, I’m a certified yoga instructor and passionate about the connection between mind and body. My work is rooted in trauma informed care, integrating compassion, awareness, and mindfulness into the healing process.

I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals across all stages of life, from young children to older adults, in a variety of settings including schools, homes, and clinical settings. These experiences have strengthened my belief that healing looks different for everyone, and that growth often begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and supported.

Josie Montes Gonzalez, AMFT

Mental Health Clinician

Languages: English/Spanish

Accepting New Clients: Yes

If you often feel like you’re carrying more than you share, are stuck in overthinking, fear, or are struggling to move forward due to the pain of the past, I am here to support you in overcoming the painful emotions or experiences that keep you from feeling at peace. If you’re going through a life transition, I’m here to walk alongside you as you find confidence and empowerment in the choices you make for yourself. Whether you're a part of a couple, family, or seeking personal growth therapy can be a place to understand yourself and build a sense of safety and confidence that can help you reconnect with life.

I understand that there are parts of us that are difficult to share and talk about with someone new. I hold no judgement for what has happened in your life, I understand we all make the choices we must to survive. If you are ready to make a change, want to feel empowered, or are seeking support through life’s challenges, I am here for you.

My priority is getting to know you and creating a safe and nurturing space for you to feel comfortable sharing your story. I strongly believe that everyone has it within themselves to create a life they are proud of. I’m here to help you find your voice so that you can begin to tell a new story about your life.

I integrate trauma-informed approaches that will allow you to feel in control of your journey while helping you connect to your mind and body. I strive to keep creativity, playfulness, and humor so that therapy doesn’t always feel so overwhelming. I work with children, teens, individuals, couples, and families in both Spanish and English

Kimberly Vazquez, AMFT

Mental Health Clinician

Languages: English

Accepting New Clients: Yes

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming and chaotic, and it’s completely okay to feel that way. You might be trying to hold everything together, or maybe you just need a space where you can be your authentic self without fear of judgment. If you're navigating feelings of anxiety, exploring your identity, dealing with stress, or facing challenges in relationships, I'm here for you. My goal is to create a warm and inviting environment where you can slow down, explore your feelings, and reconnect with your inner strengths. I truly believe that healing happens in connection and community; we are not meant to go through this journey alone.

My approach is relational and grounded in the belief that you already hold the wisdom and strength needed to heal. Together, we will focus on creating safety—both within yourself and in our shared space—so you can explore your experiences with curiosity and compassion. I’ll meet you where you are, move at your own pace, and gently challenge you with warmth, care, and even a bit of humor along the way. Together, we'll recognize your strengths and help you rediscover the parts of you that already know how to heal.

As a daughter of immigrants, I deeply value the importance of honoring diverse identities, cultures, and stories. My passion for this work comes from wanting to support the community that has shaped me and to create an environment that feels safe, empowering, and encouraging. Healing isn’t linear; some days can be messy and challenging, and that’s perfectly okay. You don’t have to figure it out alone. You deserve to feel seen, understood, and supported every step of the way, and it would be an honor to walk alongside you on your path toward healing.

Paulina Bowen, AMFT

Mental Health Clinician

My primary focus is to create a space where each client can be their authentic self and put down the weight they carry as a result of life's difficulties.

Alongside each client we create a plan that allows them to meet their mental and emotional goals while also processing the individual stressors that come with the day-to-day.

I draw from various therapeutic modalities to create a personalized approach based on my client’s needs. I specialize in working with those who are struggling to heal from interpersonal conflicts, trauma, anxiety and depression while also providing the support to understand their impacts.

Life can be hard and being a part of someone's mental and emotional journey is so valuable and something I feel honored to be a part of.

Languages: English/Spanish

Accepting New Clients: Yes

Emelyn Ortiz, AMFT

Mental Health Clinician

Language: English/Spanish

Accepting New Clients: Yes

As a compassionate and empathetic individual, I have always been driven to help people navigate through life’s challenges. I strive to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and open space for you as you embark your healing journey and personal growth. Expect direct conversations, humor, exploration, and empowerment during our sessions. My role is to provide you with supportive tools that you can utilize inside and outside of the therapeutic services. I specialize in trauma, depression, and anxiety.

Additionally, I have experience in relationship issues, peer conflict, self-esteem, and identity exploration. Using an evidence based approach, I will support you in identifying your strengths, building resiliency, setting goals, and create positive change. I look forward to be alongside with you to ultimately make a meaningful healing journey.

Brenda Cortes, ASW

Mental Health Clinician

Languages: English

Accepting New Clients: Yes

Throughout my life, I have noticed that I draw people to me that have struggled with a history of having instability in their childhoods. What this has looked like is individuals who have had rough childhoods and are now trying to create a better future for themselves and their children. This can be very challenging when you're building a new life and are still carrying the hurt and pain from not feeling cared for or heard as a child. The goal for these individuals is thriving in their lives by having healthy coping skills and healthy relationships. My primary objective is to empower individuals to lead the healthiest lives possible. I have effectively provided support to individuals dealing with a partner's addiction, single parents of children with disabilities, and young adults transitioning from the foster care system. My dedication lies in establishing a secure and non-judgmental environment. The questions you have to ask yourself: Are you ready to break free from the generational cycles of your family? Are you ready to take the next steps to heal? My focus is on assisting both men and women in building their self-esteem and promoting healthy coping. I would want anyone reading this to know they deserve the help and hope they reach out.

Christina Odom, AMFT

Mental Health Clinician

As a mental health professional I have an understanding on how the body, mind, emotions, and spirituality work together. They are not separate from each other, but rather collectively they require equal care and attention in order for you to experience the fullness of healing and recovery from your childhood or relational trauma, or painful life experiences. Additionally, if you desire to incorporate your faith into your healing journey I have over 20 years of biblical counseling experience working with women, men and couples struggling with issues, such as, childhood neglect and emotional and verbal abuse, relational conflict, distrust, unhealthy emotional reactivity, anxiety, and post-abortion distress.

I strongly believe in my philosophy on healing. Learn. Change. Heal. Grow. If you are ready for change and you implement what you learn, you will change! If you choose to do the hard work and make changes, you will heal! As you heal, you will grow. I believe healing and restoration in your body, mind, soul, and spirit can lead to life-changing transformations and freedom from past trauma, pain, grief and loss.

My passion and purpose in life is to help individuals who want to have a healthy view of themselves, their well-being and their relationships. My therapeutic style offers effective and empathetic care with a directive approach. I will collaborate with you to identify your areas of strength and hope as we create goals for a successful healing journey. Therapy is hard, but your peace of mind, your health and well-being are worth it! I hope to hear from you.

Language: English & Spanglish

Accepting New Clients: Waitlist available

Daisy Polido, LMFT

CEO/Clinical Director

I was twelve years old when I had to walk in to see the school therapist. I was being severely bullied at school and my grades were starting to fall. As a first generation Mexican American, I had no concept of therapy or what it was. In that room, for the first time in my life I felt seen, heard, and understood. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to one day help others feel what I felt during those sessions. This was just the beginning of my journey into what eventually has become the Vine Family Counseling. The hope is that when someone walks into this space, they feel heard, understood, and seen. I'm just one of many therapists here dedicated to support you in bringing peace back into your life.

Language: English & Spanish

Accepting New Clients: Waitlist available

Location Info

Nestled in serene Ventura County, our counseling center offers a peaceful environment ideal for healing and personal growth.

Address

Located in Ventura,Ca off the 101 freeway

Hours

Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM