Gabriela

“Hope” is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all

- Emily Dickinson

When I first came across this poem, it stopped me in my tracks. At the time, I was stuck in a dark hole. I was lost, sad, and hopeless. I could not see my way out. Fast-forward five years later: I have climbed out of that hole, I have found my purpose, I am content, and I often feel hopeful. I want that for you. It is possible to find your way out of that dark hole, but you need a guide. Together, we can figure out:

(1) Why you are stuck,

(2) How to get unstuck, and

(3) What do you want your life to be like?

Because here is the thing - the answers to all these questions are already within you, you just need someone to help you uncover them. While venting to a friend or family member can be helpful, it will only take you so far. In contrast, the work we do together using proven strategies is specifically designed for you to create the tools you need to uncover the answers to these questions.

When you have a better understanding of why you do what you do, and how those unconscious drivers can be remodeled, this clarity can replace those old stories running through your mind that no longer serve you.

Trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse — many of these challenges stay alive in us because they are hooked into old stories and old triggers. By digging out the root causes and bringing them into the light, we can diminish the power they have over you and give you the space to create something new.

You deserve something new. You deserve to get out of that hole. You deserve a guide who has been there herself and knows the way out. It is scary to take that risk, but it is even scarier to stay stuck. You can do this — I am here to help.

Additional Information

Supervised by Lillyana Morales and Gabriela Schermer, LMHC
Currently pursuing my master’s degree at NYU for mental health counseling.
12+ years in 12-Step Recovery.
I live in Marin County, CA, with my partner, our 14-year-old daughter, and our Labrador, Maggie Waffles.

PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

New York University, Online, January 2025-Present
Pursuing a master’s in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling. Current GPA: 4.0
NYU’s program centers social justice and multiculturalism.
California Institute of Integral Studies, SF, September 2023 - June 2024
Certified in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research
Pro Bono Attorney, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights, SF, March 2021 - March 2022
- Interviewed protestors targeted and injured by Sacramento law enforcement during Black Lives Matter marches protesting police violence. Reviewed and contrasted video evidence of law enforcement attacking BLM protestors but assisting white protestors at “Stop the Steal” protests.
- Researched and drafted constitutional law claims in support of lawsuit against Sacramento Police Department for illegal use of force and disparate treatment against Black protestors.
Director Ever Forward LLC, November 2012 - Present
- Created and now manage a commercial real estate investment company.
- Corporate due diligence; quarterly tax returns; review and update commercial leases to include re-negotiation of terms of agreement; purchase and sell commercial properties.
Associate Attorney, Weston Benshoof LLP (Alston + Bird LLP), LA, CA, Nov 2005 – March 2008
- Litigation Practice Areas: Environmental, Intellectual Property, and General Business
- General Experience: Draft pleadings, motions and oppositions to motions. Coordinate discovery, oversee and resolve discovery disputes, prepare witnesses for deposition. Research and analyze complex legal issues.
Representative Work:
- Environmental matters included NEPA, CWA, CEQA, and section 404 permits compliance.
- IP matters included disputes involving trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights.
- Chair of “Women of Weston” an internal mentoring and business development organization.
- JAG Environmental Attorney, U.S. Army Legal Services Agency, Environmental Law Division, Arlington, VA, July 2003- April 2005
- Litigation Practice Areas: Environmental
- Representative Work: Assisted Department of Justice lead counsel with NEPA and ESA litigation in U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.
- Led team of attorneys and technical personnel in reviews of major Army NEPA documents including the Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for transformation of brigades in Alaska and Hawaii to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams.
- Successfully persuaded U.S. Army Pacific Command to adjust significant determinations in its EIS.
- Awarded Army Achievement Medal for these efforts.
JAG Environmental Attorney, U.S. Army, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C., January 2001 - July 2003
- Practice Areas: Environmental and Family Law
- Representative Work: Lead Counsel to Commander and staff on all federal and state environmental laws (to include NEPA, CWA, NHPA and ESA), construction, and land use issues affecting Fort Bragg, a 161,000 acre military installation with over 65,000 employees and annual budget exceeding $400 million. Negotiated custody agreements; separation agreements; and assisted with estate planning for soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Airborne qualified. Secret Clearance

EDUCATION

Vermont Law School, South Royalton, VT, Juris Doctor, May 2000
Honors/Activities:
Recipient of Equal Justice Foundation Fellowship Grant to spend Summer 1999 working as legal intern at Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, Juneau, Alaska.
Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR, Bachelor of Arts, English, May 1995

Honors/Activities:

Dean’s List (GPA: 3.9)
Women’s Crew Team; Drama
BAR MEMBERSHIPS & VOLUNTEER WORK: California (Bar No. 209055); Supreme Court of CA; U.S. District Courts, Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern Districts of CA; Family & Children’s Law Center; Bar Association of S.F.’s Volunteer Legal Services Program, Family Law Section; Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights of S.F. (March 2021 - March 2022: 130 hours)