James Dumesnil, BA, MS, holds a B.A. in Psychology from Louisiana State University and an M.S. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of New Orleans. For the last decade, he has served on the Board of Directors of CATTE, the Center for Attachment Training, Therapy and Education, providing continuing education for professionals and therapeutic parents in Northern California, who work with neglected, abused and attachment challenged children. He has received professional recognition for his work with attachment disordered and attachment challenged children and their families, who love them. He has published in the area of Juvenile Justice and Restorative Justice and its applications in Native American communities. He has also conducted research on Group Dynamics, and published on its applications to Group Psychotherapy. He has worked extensively in Forensic Counseling and in the criminal justice system. He is the former California State Director of the National Association of Forensic Counselors.

Emily Kay Touchstone, BSN, RN, MS, NCC completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, BSN, at the University of Tennessee in 1991, with honors. In 1995, she completed her Masters Degree in Community Counseling from the University of Memphis with membership in Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education. In addition to being NBCC Certified (National Board for Certified Counselors), Emily holds a license to practice counseling in the state of Mississippi, LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor. Prior to coming to California seven years ago, Emily wrote several professional papers and did seminar presentations. In addition, she was in full-time private practice, with specialties in EMDR and Imago Relationship Therapy. Presently, Emily lives in Roseville, CA. and is a member of AMHCA - American Mental Health Counseling Association. She is past-president of CAMHCA - California Mental Health Counselor’s Association and is a past board member for California Coalition for Counselor Licensure.

Rita T. Downs, M.Ed., MPA, NCC is currently the Director of Calaveras County Behavioral Health in the Sierra foothills; she holds a Masters Degree in Counseling from Oregon State University and a Masters of Public Administration from Cal State San Bernardino. She holds an LPC from Oregon, and is working to secure licensure for counselors in California. A past president of CAMHCA and a member of AMHCA, she has specialized in rural mental health issues during her 30 year career. Currently engaged in the development and implementation of California’s Mental Health Services Act, she has been an outspoken advocate for the mental health needs of very small rural counties in California.