meet our team

Meet our Team

Alejandra is a licensed transgender identified bi-lingual (English and Spanish) mental health therapist and cultural competency trainer with 15+ years of experience working with children, youth, adults, and families to fulfill their mental health goals by using trauma focused and strength-based approaches. As a cultural competency trainer, Alejandra helps non-profit and private organizations to create safe and affirming environments for their LGBTQ+ clients and employees. Alejandra holds a B.A in Global Studies and Spanish Literature from UC Santa Barbara and a Masters in Social Work from Cal State Fullerton.

Ben is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist with over 20 years of experience working with LGBTQ+ communities, transitional aged youth (TAY), Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities, and adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Ben also has 10 years of experience working in Public Health with specialty in HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, family planning, and patient navigation for individuals in correction and rehabilitation facilities. As a mental health therapist, Ben takes a strength-based and trauma-informed approach when working with clients to help achieve their mental wellness goals. Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Social Work from California State University Fullerton, where he also achieved the Global Engagement Award for his work in International Social Work at Pyeongtaek University in South Korea.

Maiko is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who identifies as a cis, multi-racial, queer woman holding 18 years of experience working with the child welfare and mental health systems. Much of Maiko’s professional experience has been focused on serving parenting and pregnant teens, youth who have been Commercially Sexually Exploited, and sexually diverse and gender diverse youth. Maiko has provided trainings to the social services field related working with queer and trans folks, comprehensive sex education for foster youth, and crisis intervention. Maiko’s current focus at Sakura is utilizing her Sex Therapy training to create an affirming space to explore sexuality and promote sexual wellness. Sex Therapy can include: dealing with sexual problems or sexual trauma; and talking about desire and fantasy, exploring ways to enhance one’s personal experience of sex, and generally talk about sex in a way that one may not have ever had the opportunity. Maiko is most interested in working with adult individuals, couples (or other romantic constellations) who want to explore these parts of themselves within the therapeutic setting. Maiko is Kink, LGBTQ+, consensual non-monogamy, sex worker and BiPOC affirming. Maiko enjoys utilizing mindfulness-based practices in her work and is dedicated to naming and addressing the impact of social location on one’s life and interested in helping folks explore their intersections of identities. Maiko received her B.A. in Human Services from CSU Fullerton and M.A. in Psychology from University of the West.

Gabe is the founder of Sakura Therapy Center, and he both provides therapy to clients and plays an administrative role for the center. He is a cis-gender multi-racial, queer person holding 10+ years of experience working with the LGBTQ+, homeless, HIV+ and older adult populations. A large part of Gabe’s professional experience has been focused on serving queer clients in Los Angeles and Orange County. Gabe received his Master’s degree at University of Southern California USC where he focused on business innovation and building communities. Gabe’s current roles at Sakura involves both administrative tasks in addition to providing psychotherapy to individuals. His skill sets involve such interventions: CBT, DBT, problem solving therapy, solution focused, mindfulness, queer-affirming therapy, case management, and trauma-focused. Gabe is also interested in working with adult individuals who want to explore their sexual orientation, gender, racial identity, and minority stress. Gabe is LGBTQ+, consensual non-monogamy, sex worker, HIV+ and BiPOC affirming. He utilizes his strong rapport building to help client’s with the goals they want to achieve in therapy. Gabe received his B.A. in Psychology from CSU Fullerton and M.A. in Social Work from University of Southern California USC.