Our Staff
All of the Temenos staff is trained in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. We approach this work with humility, out of deep respect for the medicine and for the inner healing potential of the clients we serve.

Jessica McIninch
PsyD
I’ve been a licensed clinical psychologist for the past 17 years and was certified in the practice of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in 2019 via the California Institute of Integral Studies. I consider psychedelic medicine work to be sacred and am frequently in awe as I witness the depth of healing that arises in this work.
While every medicine session is unique, I often draw upon neuropsychological principles, contemplative practice, and an internal family system background as I work with clients. Whether I am assisting clients in navigating and healing a history of trauma, depression, and/or psychospiritual inquiry, I feel passionate about psychedelic-assisted therapy as a potential catalyst for both personal and collective healing.
I have a keen interest in the role of psychedelic integration and incorporate intentional neuroplasticity skills during integration sessions to amplify the effectiveness and durability of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
In 2019 I co-founded Temenos, a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy center, in Petaluma, California, where I work with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians providing ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. It is truly a gift to be a part of the delivery of psychedelic-assisted therapy. It is truly an honor to walk this path of healing with clients.

Melissa Pierre-Saint
RN
I'm a Ketamine Nurse Specialist with over 10 years experience as a Nurse in a wide variety of specialties including mental health, integrative medicine, emergency medicine and more. I'm also a Master Certified Life Coach and Energy Medicine Practitioner. I bring my expertise in transformational and spiritual psychology to my work in Psychedelic Therapies with Temenos

Elizabeth Theriault
ASW, MPH
I hold a dual Masters in Clinical Social Work and Public Health. I have an extensive background in energy psychology, ritual, ceremony practice, as well as, traditional counseling psychology. I approach my work from a relational and compassionate place and work very collaboratively with all my clients. For the past decade I have focused my work on rites of passages and supporting people through life transitions. I am here to support you as a guide back to your own inner wisdom and path home to yourself. I deeply believe in the body's desire and ability to heal and am honored to be on this journey with you.

Colette Mercier
LMFT
As a therapist, I believe in your innate ability to heal. I most often work with trauma, anxiety, and postpartum depression. I draw on somatic therapy, hakomi, gestalt and relational approaches. Prior to being a therapist, I delivered babies. In each delivery, I learned about human resilience. To contend with pain and come out stronger in the end is a process birth and therapy have in common. I see our struggles as a pathway to greater love, both for yourself and those around us.

Jean Vierra
MD
I respect the power of the Inner Healing Intelligence that exists in each one of us. I love accompanying clients on their healing journeys and being with them through the intensity, transition and transformation. I trained at UCSF Medical School and University of Washington in Obstetrics and Gynecology. I have been working throughout my career with women and families during times of major transition. I discovered the power of Ketamine to accelerate the healing process while on my own healing path. These experiences drew me to complete the Hakomi training, Ketamine training and the Certificate in Psychedelic -Assisted Therapies and Research at The California Institute of Integral Studies. I look forward to assisting you in achieving the best possible outcome this medicine can bring to your healing.
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Jacqueline Smith
LCSW
As a Clinical Social Worker, I support individuals in their pursuit of mental wellness through individual counseling and group work. I have worked as a social worker in Sonoma County for 25 years and have developed a comprehensive skill set to support my clients.
Most recently, my role as a Palliative LCSW has provided me the privilege of supporting patients and their families through the complexities of chronic illness and wellness. My focus with clients often includes the use of the Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) frameworks. This approach gracefully includes the social, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and biological parts of each person. When there is imbalance between these parts, we often suffer, and when we find a balance, we can thrive. I have interwoven many years of training and professional and personal experiences into a unique clinical toolbox. I work collaboratively with my clients to move toward wellness, with a deep trust in each person's innate ability to heal. The use of psychedelic-assisted therapies helps to guide individuals to an inner wisdom that can enhance their ability to move toward deep healing and mental wellness.
My personal and professional goals align in the pursuit to embrace balance, acceptance, compassion, creativity, empowerment, humor, and love in the world we live in. I am honored and privileged to be supporting others in their healing experience at Temenos.
"To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest."
Pema Chodron

Lisa Moran
MD
I am delighted and honored to have the opportunity to participate in the beautiful work that manifests at Temenos. My experiences with meditation, teaching mindfulness practices, somatic work, and integrative medicine have shown me that our mind-body-spirit naturally seeks healing and wholeness. I'm a graduate of the CIIS certificate program for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and research, and as a well-trained psychiatrist, I am also quite aware of the limitations of modern western psychiatry, as well as its necessary role in supporting psychedelic-assisted therapies. It is a gift to be able to assist people in reconnecting with their inner healing wisdom and a joy to witness that truly sacred process.

Alissa Hirshfeld
LMFT
Trained in depth-oriented and transpersonal psychology, I bring 25 years of experience as a marriage and family therapist, hospice and grief counselor, EMDR practitioner, meditation teacher and spiritual director to ketamine work. Recently certified as a psychedelic-assisted therapist, I am excited about the potentials of ketamine to accelerate psycho-spiritual healing. I hold this work as sacred and am honored to journey alongside clients to reconnect with forgotten parts of themselves, heal old wounds and trauma, and emerge with a greater sense of wholeness, authenticity, and joy.