Meet the Team
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Brooke Ferragamo, PhD
FOUNDER AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
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Arielle Payes, PsyD
PSYCHOLOGIST AND CLINICAL DIRECTOR
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Victory Lê-Szarapka, PsyD
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATE
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Kimberly Girón, PsyD
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATE
Brooke Ferragamo, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, PSY34065
EIPS Founder
About Dr. Ferragamo
I am a licensed clinical psychologist located in San Francisco, California. I grew up in Davis, California and attended UC Davis for my B.S. before moving to San Francisco to pursue my PhD in clinical psychology. I've worked and received training in a variety of mental health settings, including Worker's Compensation, school-based therapy, and community mental health. Each of these experiences has provided a unique opportunity to gain a different perspective on human suffering and resilience. In particular, I was fortunate to spend two consecutive years with the UCSF Alliance Health project, which primarily serves the LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected community in San Francisco; this was my first exposure to serving folks who were affected not only by chronic physical health problems such as HIV, but who had also experienced significant traumas throughout the course of their life. Little did I know that working with this community would prepare me for a career in the Worker's Compensation field.
I did not originally intend to pursue a career as a Worker’s Compensation provider, but early in my career I took a job as a contractor for another Worker's Compensation agency. I had planned to spend some time in the field just to make enough money to pursue private practice, but along the way I found myself feeling personally moved by conversations with my patients. I realized what an honor it is to serve the folks who truly keep society from falling apart - first responders, nursing assistants, school secretaries, sanitation workers, public transit employees (yes, even the person who keeps giving me parking tickets), private security guards, clerical workers, et cetera, et cetera. After much consideration, I decided to go full steam ahead in the Worker's Compensation field by making this work the focal point of my practice.
Arielle Payes, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist, PSY33871
EIPS Clinical Director
About Dr. Payes
I began my mental health career over 2 decades ago in Boston, MA, within the Department of Youth Services for hardware secure treatment and detention facilities, as well as transitional homes. Upon moving to Los Angeles, CA, where I completed my doctoral studies at Pepperdine University, I worked on Skid Row for several years. This population opened my eyes to marginalized populations most in need and served as the basis for my dissertation. I also returned to corrections and worked in a Youth Authority facility here in California, as well as the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) where I completed forensic evaluations (CST, restoration services, etc.). In the following years, I worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, at a medium-level security prison in Mendota, CA, as well as the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility here in San Diego, CA. I then transitioned into management roles for the behavioral health services being provided in the San Diego County Jails by Naphcare, Inc. and San Diego County Juvenile Detention Facilities by Correctional Healthcare Partners, Inc. Since that time, I have made the transition back to direct patient care. Psychological assessments and psychotherapy are where my passion lie. Determining where a patient is at, what they need to get better, and being able to provide those resources are vital components to mental health treatment. My therapeutic approach is strength-based, as validating others, regardless of their circumstances, helping them try to move through this difficult life, eliciting greater self-confidence, self-worth, and trust in themselves, and making the days just a little easier to get through are essential to progress.
I am an authentic, compassionate, energetic, and empathic human being, with the primary goal to help other individuals become their most authentic selves through building skills and navigating challenges collaboratively, to reach desired results and build a meaningful and happy life.
Ultimately, I think being in the room with another individual, just treating them as a human being and joining them where they are is so powerful. Then, together, we can figure out what are the primary goals to work on, and how we are going to get there. My primary theoretical orientations are Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), where skill building is key, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) where thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are explored, and motivational interviewing to roll with resistance or move people through the stages of change (Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance) as needed.
What does all this mean? It means I have an integrative approach to treatment, where I utilize different frameworks and tailor interventions to the unique treatment needs of the individual in the room. The same method does not work for everyone - every person is different, so every person receives individualized treatment!
Victory Lê-Szarapka, PsyD
Registered Psychological Associate
Supervised by Brooke Ferragamo, PhD
About Dr. Lê-Szarapka
Hello there, my name is Dr. Victory Lê-Szarapka (aka “Vi” - vee) [she/they]. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, attended San Francisco State University for my B.A. in Psychology, and then went on to get my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D).
As a human being, I have many lived experiences, some of which are self-identified as being queer, neurodivergent/neurospicy, and Vietnamese-American. Some of my core life values include connection, curiosity, and creativity. My own experiences with therapy helped me understand and transform my suffering into new meaning, and I hope to do the same for others on a collaborative therapeutic journey.
Therapy is work that we will navigate together on a journey into understanding, healing, and becoming. I believe that engaging in therapy is an act of courage, because change is by definition radical. During our collaborative psychotherapy sessions, my role as a therapist is to guide, while your role as the client will be to lead. As a guide, I will encourage self-determination, while holding space for the exploration of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and much more.
My approach is client-centered, collaborative, direct, and playful. I draw on relational, somatic, mindfulness-based, and experiential approaches (Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, to name a few) to cultivate skills around self-awareness, self-compassion, emotion regulation, and effective communication. I do not strictly adhere to a manual of 'how to get better’ nor do I preach a simple answer. I invite you to utilize what works, and leave the rest with mindful integrity.
Outside of work, you can catch me singing, spending time with chosen family and our dogs, and meeting the moment as it is.
Come... just as you are, and we’ll join on a collaborative journey of healing and becoming. Until then, please take gentle and good care.
Kimberly Giron, PsyD
Registered Psychological Associate
Supervised by Brooke Ferragamo, PhD
About Dr. Girón
Hi! I’m Dr. Kimberly Girón. I have built a diverse clinical background spanning community mental health, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention, psychotherapy, and specialized psychological assessment. Throughout my training and professional experience, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical settings and roles, including serving as a substance abuse counselor with Ohlhoff Recovery Programs, a crisis intervention counselor with the Institute on Aging’s Friendship Line, and a therapist at La Clínica at Instituto Familiar de la Raza and the Child and Family Guidance Center.
My clinical experience includes providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy. I also administer comprehensive psychological assessments where I evaluate cognitive functioning, Autism, ADHD, personality, disability, and emotional/behavioral concerns. I am passionate about delivering culturally responsive, evidence-based care that recognizes the unique experiences, strengths, and needs of each individual. My work has focused on supporting diverse and underserved populations through compassionate assessment, collaboration, and individualized treatment planning. I am a bilingual treatment provider and provide services in English y Español.
Currently, I serve as a Psychological Associate at multiple private practices where I specialize in psychological evaluations, disability and workers’ compensation assessments, and comprehensive mental health services. I am dedicated to helping individuals better understand themselves, access appropriate support, and utilize their strengths to promote healing, growth, and overall wellness.