Muir Wood is the choice of medical professionals around the country because of its specialized, evidence-based care for teens. It is also distinguished by the talent and collegiality of its team members. Muir Wood carefully selects its staff for their ability to provide exceptional care, and for their ability to support the values of compassion, kindness, cooperation, and quality that are its hallmark. Working as a close-knit unit, our dedicated staff helps ensure strong collaboration and continuity of care for teens. They include clinical and medical professionals, academic leaders, and administrative staff. Meet the Muir Wood team that impacts lives by nurturing change and advancing adolescent health.
Clinical Staff
Dr. Krueger serves as Chief Clinical Officer, overseeing all aspects of clinical programming for Muir Wood’s growing teen mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs. Dr. Krueger comes to Muir Wood from Newport Healthcare where she served as National Director of Clinical Program Development.
A frequent national presenter on mental health topics, Dr. Krueger earned her doctorate from Argosy University and is trained in modalities including CBT, DBT, Functional Family Therapy, Attachment-Based Family Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
She has conducted research on stress and competency in parents of adolescents and young adults with ASD, as well as on female aggression and barriers to reentry from juvenile detention.
“Dr. Krueger’s impressive pedigree, extensive experience working with adolescents and their families, and her important academic contributions to our field, have made her an ideal addition to Muir Wood’s leadership team,” said Scott Sowle, Muir Wood Founder and CEO.
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Vanessa has five years of experience as a licensed therapist and has honed her skills in various clinical settings, including intensive outpatient programs, group therapy, private practice, and residential treatment programs. Vanessa’s expertise lies in utilizing a trauma-informed approach to therapy. She understands the significance of establishing strong relationships and trust with both her clients and staff, as she believes this foundation is essential for creating an effective and supportive therapeutic environment. Outside of her professional life, Vanessa finds joy in spending quality time with her husband and two daughters. Together, they enjoy exploring the beautiful local mountains and engaging in outdoor activities.
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Dr. Nova is a psychologist (License #23538) who provides psychological testing for the boys at Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services. She received her doctorate from Alliant International University in 2004 and has specialized in working with children and adolescents that have issues including high conflict divorce, ADHD, trauma and loss, Asperger’s, and relationship difficulties.
As part of the Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services clinical team, Dr. Nova attends the treatment team every Tuesday, providing feedback and interpretation of the psychological testing results. Recognized by her peers as a leader in the field, she serves on the Marin County Psychological Association Board and has been an adjunct faculty member at Dominican University and the California Institute of Integral Studies. Dr. Nova adds, “What sets me apart from other child therapists is that I help parents understand and respond to the needs and messages behind their children’s behaviors.” Her specialties include psychological testing of adolescents who have learning issues, substance abuse issues, depression, anxiety, and behavior problems.
Eating Disorder Specialist
Larissa is a psychologist (PSY31800) who provides psychological testing at Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, with a focus in child and family psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. She specializes in neurodiversity and diagnosing ADHD and autism spectrum in adolescents. Additional specialties include substance abuse, mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma-informed assessment. Larissa works collaboratively with the Muir Wood clinical and medical team to provide comprehensive, strength-based assessments for our residents and their families.
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Oliver is a graduate of Sonoma State University with a B.A. degree in Psychology, focusing on developmental psychology. His interest in the subject came from his own personal mental health struggles as an adolescent. As he got further along in his schooling, it became clear that his passion was working with adolescents who are dealing with similar issues to what he once struggled with and overcame. Oliver says, “I owe a lot of my life’s successes to the amazing mentors I had in my formative years, and my main goal at Muir Wood is to be a role model and mentor to youth during the most difficult parts of their lives.” Oliver hopes to pursue a Master’s in Psychology and become a licensed clinician.
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Associate Therapist
Shehnaz Hussain, PMHNP-BC is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with training and experience treating psychiatric disorders across the lifespan and across practice environments; including inpatient and outpatient settings. She has extensive experience as a PMHNP working with all ages of patients including young children, adolescents, and adults. Shehnaz completed her graduate education at the Maryville University of St. Louis, Missouri, obtaining a Master’s of Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialization. She provides supportive psychotherapy and medication management to individuals of all ages. Her specialty areas include substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. She works collaboratively with others members of the team to ensure optimal treatment for patients. .
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Recovery Counselor
Nursing Staff
Lisa Sewell, RN, BSN joined the Muir Wood team in April of 2023 as Nursing Director. She graduated from the College of Marin Nursing Program in 2010 and received her BSN from Herzing University in 2021. After applying her skills in addiction programs and operating rooms, Lisa quickly distinguished herself as a leader among her peers. She began to take on more advanced roles like Charge Nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, and Health Services Director in various skilled nursing facilities.
Lisa has also taught classes in Addictions Nursing at the University of San Francisco and holds regular lectures on the subject throughout the bay area. She is passionate about working with adolescents in recovery and is dedicated to helping her clients achieve long-term sobriety.
A life-long student of her field, Lisa maintains an enthusiastic interest in the ever-evolving addiction medicine world. She hopes to keep her team on the cutting edge of research and practices related to genomics, dual-diagnosis application, and medication-assisted treatment.
In her free time, Lisa enjoys hiking, biking, reading, and spending time with her family and dog, Bella.
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Susan is a graduate of Fresno City College and Fresno State University, and boasts an impressive twenty-five years of experience in pediatric and correctional nursing. Throughout her long career, Susan has worked in medical/surgical, neonatology, cardiology, genetic, and oncology nursing. These diverse experiences have provided Susan with valuable learning opportunities and a broad range of skills. Susan’s interests extend beyond nursing, encompassing gardening, crafts, photography, traveling, cooking, swimming, and antiques. She also cherishes her role as a mother to two talented and beautiful daughters, as well as being a caregiver to her special rescue cat, Jasper.
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Rawland works with Muir Wood as a family therapist and as part of the Saturday Family Program. Rawly is a nationally recognized presenter on co-dependency and was the recipient of the Addiction Professional Outstanding Clinician award in 2012. He has been a practicing therapist for over 15 years and involved in the field of social work for over 30 years. Rawly holds a B.S.W. from Pacific Union College and a M.S.W. from Walla Walla University in Washington, with a dual emphasis on clinical work with children and adolescents along with addiction treatment. Rawly’s sincerity, obvious compassion, and commitment to the families and teens at Muir Wood make him a favorite at the Saturday Family Program presentations.
Academics
Jeff holds a California Teaching Credential in Social Science and Business. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California Santa Barbara, studying Philosophy, Psychology and Art. He earned his Master’s of Business Administration degree from the University of Redlands. He has enjoyed teaching a wide variety of high school classes including History, Entrepreneurship, Graphic Design, Journalism, Economics, and Online Learning. Jeff also has over twenty years of work business experience in Operations Management, Production Management, Information Systems Management and Software Development. A native of Anaheim, Jeff has been part of the Petaluma community since 1999 and volunteered as a coach and director for many youth sports programs including Petaluma American Little League, St. Vincent CYO, Petaluma United Soccer, and The Boys & Girls Club of Petaluma. He is in his second decade as the Boys’ Basketball Coach at Petaluma Junior High School. As a coach and teacher, Jeff is dedicated to helping teen boys develop the skills they will need to succeed in their next challenge.
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Pedro has worked with at-risk youth in residential and therapeutic settings for the last ten years and is excited to join our Clovis team as the Care Coordinator Manager. He brings a heart for connection and relationship to the job and loves to support his team and clients. Outside of work, Pedro has a wife and four children in Madera, California, and enjoys hiking, watching soccer, and cheering his kids on in all of their various activities.
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Care Coordinator
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Culinary Team
Chef