Healthier Minds, Stronger Communities
Project Lead
Ya-Shu Liang, PhD, is the founding director of the San Joaquin Valley Asian & Pacific Islander Mental Health Project. She is an associate professor and the director of the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Fresno, and is a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with young adults on issues related to identity, family, trauma, and weight, eating, and body image concerns. She is also President of Central California Asian Pacific Women, a non-profit organization that empowers generations of API women in the Central Valley. In 2018, she received the Okura Community Leadership Award from the Asian American Psychological Association, and in 2019, she was inducted into the American Psychological Association’s Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology. She has given presentations on mental health disparities, microaggression, and diversity and inclusivity, and has published articles on innovative community-based clinical services and language-based discrimination. Social justice and advocacy are dear to her heart, and she believes that – through empowerment and connection – people can heal, survive, and thrive!
Team Members
Bao Her, M.A., was born and raised in Fresno, California. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of California, Merced. Bao received a master’s degree in Clinical Counseling at Alliant International University, Fresno and is currently a second year Clinical Psychology PhD student at Alliant International University. Bao is passionate about working with underserved communities and at-risk individuals.
Summer Her, M.A., graduated with her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Fresno. She is currently a second-year doctoral student in the Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program at Alliant. She has experience working with individuals with diverse backgrounds and various populations including survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence, children with behavioral issues, families, couples, and adolescents in juvenile detention facilities. She aims to work from a culturally responsive approach in order to optimize the best care for her clients. Summer hopes to be a change agent for mental health awareness and literacy in the Hmong community.
Stephanie Houk, M.A., is a Clinical Psychology PsyD Student at Alliant International University, Fresno. She obtained her B.S. in Biology from Westmont College and her M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Ministry from Wheaton College. She is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and immigrant families throughout the Central Valley. As a student clinician, she has had the privilege of providing bilingual (English/Spanish) mental health services to the Spanish-speaking community.
Vi Negrete, M.A., is a third-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International, University, Fresno. She is an international student from Vietnam and has had a history of working with diverse groups of individuals from different cultural backgrounds and age ranges. Vi attended William Jessup University and Westmont College, where she had the opportunity to serve in leadership teams that focused on missions of educating the student body about the importance of cross-cultural communications and having a global perspective in building communities. She has led and mentored students from different cultural backgrounds during her undergraduate years. Social justice and mental health awareness are two of her passions. She wishes to bring change to the currently stigmatized traditional beliefs of Asian cultures relating to mental health one step at a time.
Kimberly Saelee, PsyD, has served as a Team Member of the San Joaquin Valley Asian & Pacific Islander Mental Health Project since it was first established. She is passionate about combating mental health disparities and addressing mental health related stigmas in the AAPI communities. Currently, she is a Post-Doctoral Resident with Kaiser Permanente serving as a Maternal Infant Resilience specialist; focusing her work on providing trauma informed treatment and fostering resilience among women and children to help improve their overall health and well-being.
Jia Jian (JJ) Tin, M.S. is currently completing his full-time APA internship at Clovis Community College. JJ has clinical experience working with community-based mental health, in forensic settings, and college settings. He has provided individual, group, family counselling, and performing neuropsychological evaluations in multiple different settings to a diverse clientele. JJ has been working with Psychological Services at Fresno City College and Reedley College for the past two years and will be joining Clovis Community College for the upcoming year. His clinical interest includes working with clients dealing with depression-related disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and concerns with sexual feelings and intimacy. JJ also has interest in neurological issues including Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities.
Kia Yang, M.A. is a clinical psychology student in the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Fresno. She has worked in hospital, clinic, and forensic settings, with patients and clients suffering from medical and psychiatric conditions. She has also worked with those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She uses her voice to bring attention to the mental health disparities in the community. Kia is an eldest child from two refugee parents and will be the first in her family to complete a graduate education. She believes, “I am among the first generation of Hmong to speak English fluently and attain higher education, making my generation pivotal in telling the stories of our refugee and immigrant ancestors.
Harvey Zhang, M.A., is a third-year student and part of the San Joaquin valley Asian & Pacific Islander Mental Health Project. He currently is a PsyD student at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Fresno. He is interested in Asian American psychology, particularly with issues relating to mental health stigma in the Chinese population. His dissertation topic is on second-generation Asian American males and the influence of acculturation on emotional regulation. Harvey has presented at the 2018 AAPA convening in San Francisco on the importance of research recaps. Presently, Harvey is at the UC Merced Counseling & Psychological services as a psychological trainee where he provides individual and group therapy as well as community outreach. His hobbies include eating food, biking along the Clovis trails, and watching NBA basketball.
Megan Mouanoutoua received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Merced. She is currently pursuing her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology (Alliant International University, Fresno). Megan is passionate about advocating and bringing awareness to others about the stigma of mental health. She hopes to provide individuals with a positive therapeutic experience. Megan acknowledges cultural and individual differences by implementing theoretical interventions that are tailored to the client's psychological needs. She believes that creating a positive and collaborative environment is vital to implementing change. She is open to working with a diverse population and improving the mental wellness of these individuals. Megan is interested in continuing her education in neuropsychology in hopes of working with individuals suffering from conditions that affect brain health.
Steering Committee (2017-2018)
E. Janie Pinterits, PhD, Assistant Provost for International & Multicultural Initiatives, Alliant International University
Psychologist
Pauline Huynh, MSW, School Mental Health Clinician, Selma Unified School District
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Jeff Mar, PhD, Clinical Supervisor, Quality Group Homes
Licensed Psychologist