Meet the BTC Team

Marisha Chilcott is a Board Certified Family Physician who earned her MD at UC Davis School of Medicine and completed her residency at the Contra Costa Family Medicine program in Martinez, CA. Before medical school, she worked as a consultant in the electric utility industry, focused on demand-side management program evaluations and software development. She has a BA in Mathematics from UC Berkeley, although she claims to have "majored" in boys and beer. I am just checking to see if anyone is actually reading this. Gotcha, Amy.

Dr. Chilcott has worked as an emergency room physician, a primary care doctor, a geriatrician, and as an aesthetic medical provider. It is with this breadth of experience that she comes to Be the Change in Mental Health (BTC) committed to creating a clinical treatment center that will improve society with the multiplicative effect of one-human-at-a time wellness that cannot help but influence families and friends.

All of Dr. Chilcott's personal and professional experiences culminate in being uniquely qualified to lead BTC to achieve our mission. She understands the challenges of the broken medical system with its distorted incentives, problematic third-party payor structure, and the absurd separation of mental health from all other types of healthcare. She is a successful business person who can understand financial imperatives, allocate resources to get work done, and build a team that will leverage her individual energy into an entire organization. She is a leader who will create the productive, supportive, brave culture that is needed to disrupt the status quo in mental health care.

Giana Chilcott, formerly "Roberge", is a world-class athlete, clinician, and spokesperson with a unique approach to the entire athletic training, performance, and business experience. Her unrivaled knowledge, experience and method provide a rare experience – and success - for riders, sponsors and fans. Since 1996, Giana has been a professional cyclist – and at times simultaneously competing as a professional equestrian.

She has raced for the US National Team, The Saturn Cycling Team, The Timex Team, Team Speed Queen, Proman Women's Team and Elita. She represented the US internationally at many events including the World Championships and is a former World Champion, National Champion and member of the International Cycling Hall of Fame. She now continues her legacy through her Team Speed Queen consulting practice – Coach – Consultant – Trainer - Teacher – Motivator - Mentor.

Outside of the ring and off the bike, she is mother to Sawyer, and owner of Team Speed Queen. Giana is married and has called Northern California home for more than a decade.

Marty Lajoie ("DocMarty") is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned his Masters and Doctorate in clinical psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. There, he conducted dissertation research in the psychedelic sciences for treating mental health disorders. He underwent post-graduate training and certification with Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Sciences (MAPS) in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as well as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, and Nonviolent Communication (NVC). He is also a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) and certified Neurodynamic Breathwork facilitator. Marty uses an eclectic clinical approach drawing from frameworks of Holotropic, Existential, Humanistic, integrative health and addiction recovery.

In the past 5 years of clinical practice, Marty has served in a diversity of roles. He was the clinical director at Duffy's Napa Valley Rehab, a substance use (and co-occurring) mental disorder, treatment center in Calistoga. There, he also developed dual-diagnosis programming as well as the clinical training internship program, and practiced evidence based psychological therapies to treat mental disorders. He also provided therapeutic and educational groups at Azure Acres. Along with his role at BTC, he is currently clinical supervisor at Duffy's and is a creative and CEO at Holistic Recovery (holisticrecovery.com), a psychoeducational media resource for integrative health practices that empower people's recovery from addictions.

Marty additionally draws experience from two decade-long careers prior to psychology. The first, was in entertainment where he produced and performed at large electronic dance music events in Northern California via his organization, Happy Kids. Creating and curating settings for people to have transcendent musical experiences in, lends elegantly to his thoughtful arrangement of the optimal healing setting and music sets in his current psychedelic-assisted therapy work. The second career was a decade of counseling and caring for youth with abuse and neglect traumas, at a County of Sonoma child protective shelter, Valley of the Moon Children's Home.

In his personal journey, Marty has been an active and contributing member of addiction recovery support group communities for the past 2 decades. These experiences, are what inspired him to further his education and professional development in the human helping fields and become the psychologist he is today.

Michelle Crippen joins Be the Change in Mental Health with a business and entrepreneurial background. Prior to joining the clinic as the Director of Operations, she managed a local health and wellness studio for seven years. She has always been driven by helping others and assisting individuals in becoming the best versions of themselves. Michelle is a part of the founding team and acts on the Board of Directors at Be the Change in Mental Health. Michelle prides herself in doing much of the busy work in getting the organization off the ground. A proud milestone of hers was receiving the Letter of Determination from the IRS in becoming a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization.

As the Director of Clinic Operations, she leads with charisma and takes pride in creating and cultivating a happy and healthy work environment. Her goals within the organization include providing caring and sincere services to anyone that has a need to be met and who possesses the desire and motivation to be well.

Michelle hopes to assist in redefining and restructuring the service of mental health care towards cure of illness and greater mental health. She holds a Business Administration degree from California State University Chico with a minor in Managing for Sustainability. Michelle enjoys challenging hikes, spin and pilates classes, and live music.

Dr. Cammy is excited about the possibilities of Psychedelic- Assisted Psychotherapy at Be the Change in Mental Health. Dr. Cammy has been a licensed psychologist in private practice since 2011 and continues to see private practice patients in addition to working with Be the Change. She brings an impressive background in psychedelic education and training which include Ketamine- Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) training from Polaris, MDMA training from the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelics (MAPS), she holds a Psychedelic Certificate from CIIS, and is a member of the Redwood Psychedelic Association.

Dr. Cammy consciously and caringly holds space for her patients experiencing and exploring Ketamine- Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). She believes the medicine is a catalyst for the real work which is in the therapy. Dr. Cammy is impressed specifically with (KAP) because it alleviates depression quickly and has the opportunity to reset an individual's way of thinking, priming them to enjoy life's pleasures. Ironically, in western culture as adults age, the capacity for play and meaningful leisure can become lost. KAP reminds the brain to return to the "now" and to mindfully "live again".

When not at work, Dr. Cammy can be found walking at the beach, cavorting with her adult children, or hiking in the mountains.

Shannon, a Registered Nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Public Health Nurse (PHN), hails from Northern California. With a rich background spanning over 17 years in the nursing field, she has dedicated her career to serving the community in various clinical and home settings. Shannon has garnered experience in the Emergency Department, Home Health, Hospice, Outpatient Surgical Procedure Suite, and as an RN Quality Liaison.

Grounded in a holistic care approach, Shannon values treating individuals comprehensively, addressing not only the physical aspects but also the mind and spirit. She holds a degree in Cultural Anthropology from UC Berkeley and a Nursing degree from Samuel Merritt College.

Shannon is well-versed in trauma-informed care and exhibits a fervent commitment to mental health, advocating for accessible services across diverse populations. Her dedication extends to the well-being of first responders, veterans, and frontline workers, a cause that holds a special place in her heart and spirit.

Outside of her nursing profession, Shannon immerses herself in family and farm life, passionately exploring regenerative farming, herbalism, and alternative healing methods. She finds solace in connecting with nature and cherishing the beauty of our planet.

Meet Diana, a compassionate KAT/Retreat Nurse at BTC. Hailing from the enchanting Ohlone territory in Northern California, Diana, a proud Mexican Native, cherishes her roots where her now-young-adult children were born.

Diana, a Registered Nurse, extends her healing touch to both hospital and community settings. Stepping up as a Public Health Nurse, she volunteered to aid victims of Northern California wildfires and served as a Community Testing Supervisor during the challenging times of the pandemic.

Having witnessed life's trials firsthand, Diana empathizes with the profound impact such experiences can have on how we navigate the world, not just for our families and communities, but also for ourselves. She believes in the transformative power of wellbeing and is committed to guiding individuals on their journey toward embracing their authentic selves. Diana looks forward to creating a nurturing space for those embarking on the BTC empowering retreats.

On a personal note, Diana is thrilled about the potential of plant medicine and psychedelics in mental health. From her childhood, she has harbored a deep love for road trips to Baja to reconnect with her family. Nature, classic cars, and furry friends, especially dogs, hold a special place in her heart.

Diana is not just a nurse; she is a caring presence, a guide, and a fellow traveler on the winding paths of life, ready to support and uplift those she encounters.

A Brazilian native, Fernanda embarked on a transformative journey that led her to California, through an exchange program. Here, she began her professional journey in the wine industry as a dedicated lab technician, a role she embraced for six years.

Life took an unexpected turn when Fernanda faced the challenges of a difficult pregnancy. It was during this time that she found her true calling in nursing, which aligned with her desire to make a positive impact on other's lives. With determination as her guide, Fernanda graduated from the College of Marin's nursing program, which not only expanded her knowledge but also strengthened her commitment to improving the well-being of her patients.

Fernanda is currently on the verge of completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a testament to her unwavering commitment to growth and excellence. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, allows her to connect with and serve a diverse range of patients, providing the best care possible. Fernanda's dedication to her nursing education and her remarkable empathy and compassion towards patients have positioned her to make a lasting difference in the field of healthcare.

Romy brings to our practice a plethora of clinical experience having worked for over twenty years in the nursing field. While her specialties were obstetrics and cardiology, she has always had a special place in her heart for mental health and wellness. After experiencing postpartum depression with the birth of her oldest child, she learned first hand what it means to struggle with severe depression and anxiety. This coupled with her passion for holistic and results driven health care is what compelled her to join the team at BTC.

Romy is also an avid (hobby) photographer, yogi, runner and animal lover. She is currently completing a certification to become a Breathwork Facilitator as she believes that breath and movement are cornerstones to mental calm and clarity - two things she strives to foster more of in her own life.

Romy resides in Petaluma with her family which is comprised of her two school-aged children, brother and sister Tabby cats and Mimi the dog who is also a fixture at BTC where she happily provides cuddles, lap warming and emotional support to our patients and staff alike.

Emma is trained and certified as a NeuroStar® Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Treater at Be the Change in Mental Health (BTC). Emma has also taken the role of Office Manager for the clinic with duties including patient communications, heavy scheduling, accounting and much more. Emma is recognized for her polite and humble style of communication and treatment processes.

Born in the beautiful city of Osaka, Japan, Emma has the advantage and experience of cross cultural business practices. Emma brings an array of different skills from her past experiences globally and locally. Emma prides herself in her bilingualism.

Emma was 13 years old when she decided to pursue her academic studies in America. She is now furthering her education by enrolling in Santa Rosa Junior college for Business Administration. Emma is excited to see where her academic career takes her. Before joining BTC she worked at Kaiser hospital as a patient monitor where her interest for mental health began.

She is ecstatic to be part of Be the Change and to bring even greater awareness about mental health to the community and beyond. She hopes to educate the community on the treatments BTC offers. She hopes to destigmatize the idea people might have about mental health and mental health treatment options.

In her off time, Emma enjoys taking hikes and trying new foods and local restaurants.

Lauren is a dedicated and compassionate member of the Be the Change in Mental Health (BTC) team, bringing a diverse range of experiences and skills to our psychological clinic. Certified as a NeuroStar® Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Treater, Lauren plays a crucial role in our mission to provide innovative mental health treatments. Born and raised in the vibrant Los Angeles County, Lauren's journey towards making a positive impact on people's lives has been an intrepid one.

Lauren embarked on her academic journey at Sonoma State University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Hutchins School for Liberal Studies, with a specialized focus on elementary level education. This educational background reflects her deep-seated commitment to nurturing and empowering individuals from a young age, a dedication that they carry into their work at BTC.

Before joining our team, Lauren gained valuable experience in various sectors. She spent two years in the insurance industry, honing her customer service skills and developing a keen understanding of business administration. Subsequently, Lauren transitioned into estate and trust management for five years, mastering the intricacies of client account management. This blend of business expertise and client-centric focus continues to be an asset to our clinic.

In addition to her professional achievements, Lauren has made a meaningful impact in the non-profit sector, dedicating two years to working with animal sanctuaries. Her experience in this field has instilled a strong sense of empathy and community engagement, qualities that shine through in her interactions with our patients.

Throughout Lauren's dynamic career, she has demonstrated versatility, excelling in roles that encompass customer service, business administration, client account management, and even animal care. These diverse experiences have enriched Lauren's ability to connect with people from all walks of life, making them an invaluable member of the BTC family.

Lauren brings not only her impressive professional background but also her genuine passion for improving mental health to Be the Change in Mental Health. Her dedication to making a difference in the lives of our patients is a testament to her character and commitment to our clinic's mission. Lauren's personal mission is to strive to create positive changes in the world while honing her expertise in the field of mental health.