Meet Our San Diego Team
Shuna Ball, MA, LMFT
As Regional Clinic Director, Shuna Ball provides executive leadership and strategic oversight of all clinical operations across the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics at VVSD in San Diego, Oceanside, and Los Angeles. In this role, she ensures the delivery of high-quality care to active-duty service members, Post-9/11 veterans, and military families. Shuna brings over two decades of experience supporting the military community through a range of clinical, operational, leadership, and volunteer roles across diverse settings.
A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Shuna holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Southern California Seminary’s School of Behavioral Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Averett University. She also holds a professional teaching certification from the University of West Florida, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Shuna began her counseling and leadership journey by facilitating support groups for military spouses in San Diego, where her passion for service and advocacy took root. Clinically, she specializes in working with individuals, couples, families, military populations, and older adults. Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, marital conflict, career transition and development, and severe and persistent mental illness. She is trained in evidence-based practices and is dedicated to delivering high-impact, person-centered care.
Her leadership portfolio includes utilization management, clinical consultation, professional development, and systems-level consultation. She is skilled in building and sustaining collaborative community partnerships and cultivating clinical teams through mentorship, training, and operational excellence.
A proud Navy veteran, Shuna served honorably as a Hospital Corpsman at both Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and Marine Corps Base Quantico. She is also the spouse of a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer who served honorably for 23 years. Her deep, personal connection to military service is grounded in a family legacy of proud and honorable military tradition.
Outside of her professional role, Shuna enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring new destinations, and appreciating good food. She is also committed to lifelong learning and continuously seeks opportunities to strengthen her leadership and clinical expertise.
John Carswell, LMFT
John Carswell serves as the Clinic Director at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD, San Diego, bringing over 21 years of clinical and leadership experience. He is deeply passionate about serving others, particularly those who are underrepresented or marginalized in the community. John believes in every person’s ability to heal, evolve, and take control of their destiny, leading to a life filled with joy, purpose, and wholeness.
John is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a master’s degree in counseling, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. He has received specialized training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Reality Therapy, Lead Management, and Method of Levels Therapy.
John began his clinical career serving veterans at Veterans Village of San Diego, working with individuals living with PTSD, substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. He later expanded his expertise in an inpatient psychiatric setting, providing care to individuals with acute psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, trauma, and mood disorders. Over the years, John has taken on various leadership roles, including Clinical Supervisor, Program Director, Corporate Clinical Consultant, and Campus Administrator, overseeing operations in mental health programs ranging from locked sub-acute settings to adult residential care.
Raised in a military family, John experienced the unique challenges of military life, including deployments, frequent relocations, and the transition to civilian life. This personal connection fuels his dedication to the Cohen Clinic’s mission of providing vital mental health services to military members, veterans, and their families.
In his free time, John enjoys spending time with his two dogs, hiking, going to the beach, and exploring local food spots with friends. He also loves traveling and immersing himself in different cultures, both across the country and abroad.
Larry Drake
Larry Drake serves as the Operations Manager at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD in San Diego, where he leads the front office team and supports the clinic’s day-to-day operations, growth, and continuous improvement efforts. He brings more than 20 years of administrative experience, where he has played key roles in managing facilities, training staff, providing support for inventory management, as well as other administrative tasks.
Larry is deeply aligned with the clinic’s mission to improve access to high-quality mental health care for veterans, service members, and their families. He is especially passionate about supporting mental health, helping individuals heal, and being part of an organization that ensures care is available to all.
Larry values the opportunity to serve those who have dedicated their lives to serving others and is proud to contribute to that work in a meaningful way.
In his spare time, Larry enjoys reading, writing, and hiking.
Giselle Vallejo, MA, LPCC
Giselle is a bilingual clinician at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD and leads the clinical team in San Diego. Born and raised in Chula Vista, Ca, she received her bachelor’s in religious studies at San Diego State University and received her master’s in clinical mental health counseling at the University of San Diego. During her graduate studies, Giselle completed her practicum at the residential program at VVSD providing services to homeless veterans with co-morbid diagnoses. Prior to becoming a part of the Cohen team, Giselle worked with non-profit organizations providing Flexible Integrated Treatment (FIT) to underserved communities specifically to children between the ages of 2-21 and their families. She has also gained experience working with active duty and veteran clients and their families through federal organizations. Giselle has been trained in utilizing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Treatment, PC-CARE, Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD, and Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Suicide Prevention.
Giselle likes to take on a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally inclusive approach when working with individuals. She has a strong passion for working with people who have generational and complex trauma and believes every person should have their individual space to feel heard. Giselle’s passion in working with the military population stems from having veteran family members and being a military spouse. Her husband is a retired Air Force veteran. In her spare time, Giselle enjoys playing the violin, exploring new places, trying new foods, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Andrew Edmunds, EdD, LPCC, ACS
Andrew Edmunds is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor with over a decade of experience in direct care, clinical leadership, and counselor education. He holds a Doctorate in Leadership for Change, with research focused on compassion, burnout, and the impact of organizational culture and worldview on helping professionals. His work emphasizes reflective practice, ethical care, and sustainable systems that support both clinicians and clients.
At the Cohen Clinic at VVSD, San Diego, Andrew serves as a clinician providing evidence-based, trauma-informed care to clients with complex mental health needs. He integrates structured therapeutic approaches with relational depth, focusing on building safety, meaning, and resilience in treatment. Andrew also brings a systems-level perspective to his work, informed by his background in supervision and leadership.
Andrew is drawn to the Cohen Clinic at VVSD’s commitment to accessible, high-quality care and its emphasis on supporting clinicians as whole people. He values the clinic’s mission-driven approach, collaborative culture, and dedication to serving populations that often face barriers to consistent and compassionate mental health care.
Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending time playing hockey, surfing, and playing the guitar. He values creativity, movement, and connection as essential parts of balance and well-being.
Marissa Ceniceros, LMFT
Marissa Ceniceros is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, San Diego where she provides individual, couples, family, and group therapy to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. As the daughter of a military veteran and the mother of a son currently serving in the military, Marissa brings both personal insight and professional dedication to supporting the military-connected community. Marissa has experience working with a wide range of concerns, including trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, and suicidal ideation. She utilizes evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each client’s unique needs, helping individuals and families build resilience, strengthen relationships, and improve overall emotional well-being. She believes that while life’s challenges can have a lasting impact, they do not have to define a person’s future. Marissa is passionate about helping clients recognize their strengths, develop effective coping skills, increase self-awareness, and create meaningful, lasting change. Her therapeutic style is compassionate, collaborative, and centered on empowering clients throughout their healing journey. In addition to her clinical work, Marissa has facilitated psychoeducational and process groups focused on trauma recovery, emotional regulation, stress management, self-care, and substance use. She is dedicated to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and believes that healing begins with connection, trust, and a strong therapeutic relationship. Marissa earned her Master of Clinical Psychology from Southern California Seminary and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She is honored to serve those who have served our country and is committed to helping military-connected individuals and families build healthier, more fulfilling lives. Outside of work, Marissa enjoys spending time in nature, staying active, practicing mindfulness, and expressing her creativity through various hobbies. Her commitment to balance, resilience, and self-care extends beyond the therapy room and reflects the values she encourages in her clients every day.
Ryan Michael Purvis, PsyD., LPCC, Psychological Associate, AMFT
Ryan is a clinician at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD, San Diego, providing clinical services to veterans, active-duty service members and their families. Ryan draws upon modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, and Choice Theory/Reality Therapy. Ryan earned his Doctor of Psychology from California Southern University (2024), Master of Counseling, Marriage Family and Child Therapy from University of Phoenix (2017) and a Bachelor of Psychology from American Military University (2012).
Ryan is a United States Air Force Retiree having served 20 years of faithful service holding up the Core Values as a Security Forces Military Working Dog Handler, Security Manager and Computer Support Administrator. Ryan was stationed at 10 different duty stations worldwide and deployed 6 times including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and Cuba. “One of the greatest things the military lifestyle provides is the opportunity to live in other countries while learning firsthand about cultures and world history.” Ryan follows a military family legacy of having a member of his family line serve in every major conflict since before the founding of the United States of America.
As a military retiree he understands the complex nature of military life including the struggles inherent to living a life where “service before self” is instilled in every member of the military. Ryan has worked with military members from all of the branches of the military including Guard and Reserve members. Ryan understands the struggles of transitioning from military life to civilian life as well as the unique struggles with varied mental health concerns and substance use.
Ryan has spent the beginning years of his career working in substance abuse treatment programs, outpatient and residential mental health treatment programs assisting all ages in the form of individual, couple, family and group therapy.
“I look forward to giving back to those who serve, have served and support military members who chose a unique way of life with unique challenges.”
Ryan was born and raised in San Diego, CA. Ryan enjoys traveling, road trips, photography, being outdoors exploring the world and learning something new every day.
Carlos Cantú
As an Intake Coordinator, Carlos serves as the first point of contact for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families beginning their care journey. He conducts initial screenings and coordinates clients’ access to services, providing a welcoming and supportive experience as they enter the Cohen Clinic.
He provides therapy utilizing different theoretical modalities, with an emphasis on a mix between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Reality Therapy.
Born and raised in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Carlos moved to Brownsville, Texas when he was 14 years old and lived there until college. He graduated from American University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and from the University of San Diego with a master’s degree in counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health. Then, he was an intern at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD, San Diego for a year as part of his school requirement before receiving an offer to become a full-time employee for his current fellowship position.
“I really saw the positive impact the work at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD was having on the community and how much they appreciated that,” he said. “Additionally, I was able to adapt to the clinic’s culture and create very strong and meaningful relationships with many of my peers and supervisors, which I believe is a necessity when trying to foster an environment where I can succeed as a professional.”
Furthermore, he said he realizes the important role civilians, like him, play in supporting active-duty service members and veterans during their transition into society, as well as any challenging misconceptions of the civilian experience.
In his leisure, Carlos is a big fan of international football. He also enjoys playing video games, watching anime, playing board games, doing volunteer work, hunting with his father, and spending time with family and friends.
Tami Brown, MA, APCC
At the Cohen Clinic at VVSD, San Diego, Tami serves as the Case Manager, connecting veterans, active service members, and their families to vital resources. She specializes in providing referrals for employment, mental health services, education, and more, ensuring warm handoffs and personalized support. Tami is committed to finding the right resources for those in need.
Tami Brown is a Navy Hospital Corpsman Veteran who proudly served from 1997 to 2003, returned to service in 2009, and later retired in 2024. During her military career, Tami earned a BA in General Studies with a focus on Psychology and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. She gained valuable clinical experience during her practicum and internship at Alvarado Parkway Institute and further honed her skills at the Community Research Foundation’s Halcyon Crisis Center. Tami later returned to Alvarado Parkway Institute as a Behavioral Health Therapist in Outpatient Services.
Tami is passionate about continuing to serve the military community. She values the Cohen Clinic’s mission of improving mental health care and quality of life for service members and their families, both during and after military service. Being part of the Cohen Clinic team allows her to make meaningful connections and positively impact the lives of those who have served.
Tami comes from a proud military family, with her father serving as a Navy Cryptologist Interpreter for the Vietnamese language, her brother as a Navy Cryptologist, her son as a Forward Observer in the Army, and her uncle as a retired Navy Diver.
In her free time, Tami enjoys visiting the Farmers Market with her daughter, spending time outdoors with her two dogs, Charlie and Jude, and learning how to garden. She also loves reading horror books, watching True Crime documentaries, enjoying spooky movies, and admiring her neighbors’ donkeys.
Eden Caliboso
For Eden Caliboso, serving others is more than a profession—it is a way of life. As the Outreach Coordinator for the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics at VVSD in San Diego and Oceanside, she combines more than 15 years of experience in event planning and volunteer management with a genuine passion for community engagement and service. The clinic’s mission to provide high-quality mental health care to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families holds special meaning for Eden. As the daughter of a Navy veteran who retired after 20 years of service and a volunteer Guardian with Honor Flight San Diego, she has a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by military members and their loved ones. This personal connection inspires her commitment to building strong community partnerships and increasing awareness of the clinic’s services and impact. Known as an “Aloha Ambassador,” Eden brings warmth, compassion, and authenticity to every interaction. Whether coordinating community events, developing outreach opportunities, or connecting individuals with valuable resources, she is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and creating positive experiences for those she serves. Outside of work, Eden enjoys expressing her creativity through hula dancing, lei making, gardening, and baking. She also values spending quality time with family and friends and embracing opportunities to relax, connect, and give back to her community. Her spirit of service and dedication to helping others are at the heart of everything she does.
Eileen Garcia
In her role as Billing and Front Office Coordinator, Eileen ensures smooth clinic operations, excellent customer service, and accurate billing processes. Born and raised in San Diego County, Eileen received her Associate in Science in Business Administration for Transfer and Associate in Arts Liberal Arts Emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences from MiraCosta College. Then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from California State University San Marcos. Eileen has a passion and finds fulfillment in being of service, as it is something she has grown up doing by volunteering to do community service, fundraising, donating, and more. Eileen is proud to work for The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, San Diego, as it is a nonprofit organization and provides mental health services directly to military members, veterans, and their families. Eileen has family and friends who serve and have served. In her spare time, Eileen enjoys traveling, going to the beach, art, going on nature walks, connecting with her higher power, being of service, and spending time with family and friends.
Rita Bederman
Bio Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Bio Coming Soon