About Bridges of The Mind

Psychological Testing & Evaluations In Sacramento & South Lake Tahoe
Supporting kids, teens, and adults through expert assessments and empathetic support.

Centered Around the Unique Needs of Each Client

We know that every individual we work with is unique – walking through our doors with their own questions, strengths, and challenges. We do everything to create an environment where you feel comfortable and fully supported. Whether you’re spending time with your child in our sensory-friendly play room, or meeting one-on-one with one of our empathetic clinicians, we are here for you.

What Makes Us Different:

No long wait times:

Get your assessment without the hassle of extended waiting periods.

Coordinated services:

Experience seamless and well-coordinated care, as our team works together to ensure all your needs are met efficiently.

Comprehensive care:

We don’t just speak with you, we also communicate with any teachers, doctors or therapists who can help us get a well-rounded understanding.

Friendly, relaxing environment:

Feel at ease in our warm and sensory-friendly atmosphere.

More Professionals and a Greater Depth of Care:

As a teaching practice, we are passionate about supporting the next generation of experts in Neurodiversity. Our Fellows work closely with our Licensed Clinical Psychologists, and bring their unique insights to every client they serve.

Our Team

Our team is our greatest strength. Led by Dr. Erika Frieze, a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and inclusive practices, each member of our team brings a unique blend of expertise, empathy, and dedication to their work. Our assessments are conducted by a team of highly qualified providers, including Clinical Psychologists, Post-Doctoral Fellows, Pre-Doctoral Fellows, and Doctoral Level Interns. All pre-licensed providers work under the direct supervision of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Together, we are a cohesive team committed to providing the highest quality care.

Our Commitment

At Bridges of the Mind, we are deeply committed to addressing the disparities in diagnoses and assessments for groups that are statistically underdiagnosed, such as women and people of color. We recognize the unique challenges and experiences faced by these individuals and strive to provide comprehensive, sensitive, and inclusive care. Our team actively seeks to amplify their voices, affirm their experiences, and ensure that their specific needs are met thorough assessments. By actively working to eliminate bias and incorporating a diverse range of perspectives, we aim to bridge the gap in accurate diagnoses and provide equitable support for all individuals in their neurodiverse journeys.

Meet Our Team

DR. ALLISON WOMACK, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Clinical Director

Dr. Allison Womack is a Registered Psychological Associate who earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Victoria (2006). She earned her M.A. in Applied Behavior
Analysis from the University of the Pacific (2012) and her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Syracuse University (2017). Dr. Womack is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst- Doctoral (BCBA-D).

Dr. Womack has 20 years of experience working with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities in homes, schools, behavioral clinics, and community-based programs. She has had the opportunity to conduct comprehensive
psychological diagnostic assessments within multi-disciplinary teams; to consult in school, home, and residential settings on the development and implementation of behavior management strategies; to lead psychoeducational assessments on multidisciplinary teams; and to guest lecture in university settings. She has co-authored eight peer-reviewed publications and developed and implemented research projects leading to over 30 regional and international conference posters and presentations. For six years, Dr. Womack served as Clinical Director of ABA services across various sized mental health clinics in Sacramento. Through psychological assessment, Dr. Womack values helping parents better understand and support their child.

Dr. Womack also enjoys helping young adults and adults better understand themselves to live happier, more meaningful lives. She enjoys providing evidence-based recommendations to support continued individual growth and understanding. In her free-time, Dr. Womack enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, two young
children, and dog.

DR. JOSEPH ‘JoJo’ ARMENDAREZ, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Joseph Armendarez serves individuals and families who speak Spanish and English, and he holds expertise in assessment and interventions for youth with autism, intellectual disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as, other co-occurring mental health conditions. Dr. JoJo also has experience in psychological testing with adults, and parent-behavior training related to disruptive behaviors. Dr. JoJo, as he is affectionately known by his patients, is a Psychology graduate from the University of Rhode Island. He completed his undergraduate bachelor’s degrees in Human Development and Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino, and he completed his doctoral-level internship at one of the largest community mental health clinics in Southern California, Pacific Clinics. After completing his internship, Dr. JoJo started work with Therapy Travelers, and he completed a year as a school psychologist in the Gilroy Unified School District, and another year in the Simi Valley Unified School District. He recently completed a yearlong Post-Doctoral Clinical LEND Fellowship at the University of California, Davis’ MIND Institute. Dr. JoJo has also worked in several intensive behavioral mental settings, including three summers at ADHD behavioral camps (i.e., Summer Treatment Program) in Miami, Florida, and Boston, Massachusetts, and two summers completing psychology training in Quito, Ecuador. He is an adjunct lecturer in the UC Davis’ Psychology department. 

DR. ADRIANNA CHAPARRO, Psy.D.

Registered Psychological Associate

Dr. Adrianna Chaparro has earned her B.A. in Psychology and Human Development from Union Institute and University. She earned her an M.A.Ed. in School Psychology and received her Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) from Alliant International University. She is a credentialed School Psychologist and Registered Psychological Associate. Dr. Chaparro has extensive experience in psychological testing with both adults and children. She has worked with adults in a private practice environment, addressing diagnoses such as ASD, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, personality disorders, mood disorders, etc. Dr. Chaparro has worked with children in educational settings, offering support, interventions, and comprehensive psycho-educational assessments. She has a breadth of knowledge in providing comprehensive psycho-educational assessments and providing support in tailoring an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students. Dr. Chaparro also provided individual counseling to students within the K-12 setting. Through individual counseling, Dr. Chaparro helped target problem-solving, anger management, conflict resolution, positive coping skills, positive peer relationships, and social skills. She has collaborated with many professionals and stakeholders including speech and language pathologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, emphasizing communication and relationship-building. Dr. Chaparro strongly believes that everyone has the resources to be successful, and she makes it her priority to identify those essential areas. When assisting patients, she prioritizes collaboration, understanding, and compassion, focusing on individual strengths and potential. Outside of her profession, Dr. Chaparro is a dedicated wife and proud mother of two wonderful daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family and three dogs, reading, and being near the ocean. Her clinical interests include autism, personality disorders, neuropsychology, and forensic psychology. Her work reflects a personal mission to give back to the community and help improve the lives of those around her.

DR. CHASTITY EASLEY-BOSLEY, Psy.D.

Registered Psychological Associate

Dr. Chastity R. Easley Bosley, Psy.D., is a dedicated post-doctoral psychological associate with a rich academic and experiential background. She earned her B.A. in psychology from Arizona State University and holds an M.A. and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University, Sacramento.

With an impressive 20-year history of working with children, Dr. Easley-Bosley’s journey began in early childhood development. Her sincere affection for children of all ages is evident in her diverse experiences, including contributions to a Head Start classroom and devoted volunteer work at the MIND Institute. Dr. Easley-Bosley’s commitment to nurturing the child-parent relationship is further underscored by her certification in Parent-Child-Care (PC-CARE) and her involvement in research.

Dr. Easley-Bosley’s perspective on human behavior is shaped by the comprehensive biopsychosocial model. She seamlessly integrates person-centered and cognitive-behavioral therapy theories, complemented by a mindfulness approach. In her clinical practice, she embraces a culturally sensitive and strength-based methodology, fostering collaborative relationships with her clients to align with their unique goals. An ardent advocate for comprehending clients; narratives in their own words, Dr. Easley-Bosley recognizes the importance of contextualizing their experiences and addressing cultural stressors that may impact psychological well-being.

Her clinical interests encompass emotion regulation, neuropsychology, attachment theory, and personality development. Beyond her professional pursuits, Dr. Easley-Bosley finds solace in outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening, and spending cherished moments with her dogs and family, all while relishing the embrace of nature. Her creativity shines through her passion for baking and crafting glitter bottles, offering a glimpse into her multifaceted and vibrant personality.

DR. NATALIE OROPEZA, Ph.D.

Registered Psychological Associate

Dr. Oropeza (Dr. O) graduated with her Ph.D. from Palo Alto University in Clinical Psychology and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the UC Davis MIND Institute/LEND program. She earned her master’s degree and teaching credentials in Special Education through Touro University California. She is currently a Registered Psychology Associate working towards licensure. 

Dr. Oropeza is a bilingual, bicultural provider (English/Spanish) with specialization in assessment, parent management training, and interventions for folks across the lifespan with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. autism, ADHD, Intellectual Disability) as well as other co-occurring mental health conditions and behavior challenges. Using her experiences as a former special education teacher, Dr. O has also worked with children, adolescents, families, and interdisciplinary teams to meaningfully and collaboratively partner in the IEP process. 

Her passion for working with children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families has been present since childhood. She navigated educational, medical, and clinical settings as an advocate for her brother, family, and community members with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her clinical and research interests include supporting bilingual English-Spanish families, autism, ADHD, speech acquisition, special education, chronic sorrow, and sibling relationships. Dr. O relishes quality time with her family, her partner, and their young dog in her free time.

SUSY QUINTO, M.A.

Registered Psychological Associate

Susy received her B.A. in psychology from California State University, Sacramento in 2017. She
just finished her fourth year of a clinical psychology doctoral program at California Northstate
University. During her doctoral program, she earned her M.A. in clinical psychology and is expected to receive her doctorate in 2024. She obtained her first clinical experience conducting individual and group therapy with young adults who presented primarily with depression, anxiety, academic stress, and difficulty with significant life transitions. Her focus here was to provide empathy, support, and skills utilizing various therapeutic interventions. She then went on to obtain clinical experience in an outpatient mental health agency where she worked with youth in individual therapy who presented with significant impulsivity, inattention, depression, and trauma. Currently, Susy has been training with the wonderful team here at Bridges of the Mind Psychological Services, Inc. where she regularly conducts neuropsychological assessments to assess primarily for autism in all ages. Her first step is to create a welcoming and warm relationship with whom she meets, which she genuinely enjoys. In doing this, she evaluates human behavior and functioning through objective data and pieces it together with her clinical observations in order to determine an appropriate route for individuals and families seeking help. Susy eagerly continues to expand her knowledge in and passion for neuropsychological assessment and hopes to continue this path in her future practice. 

DR. ERIKA FRIEZE, Psy.D.

Owner/Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Frieze received her B.A. in Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2003. She then received her Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) from Alliant International University in Sacramento in 2008. During her time in her doctorate program she also received her certificate in Infant Preschool Mental Health. Dr. Frieze’s clinical experience began as an in-home ABA therapist. She has been fortunate to work within school, clinic, and home settings conducting psychological assessments. Dr. Frieze’s postdoctoral training at Kaiser Permanente’s Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic allowed for the best foundation and training. For seven years she was one of the primary psychologists at the University of California, Davis MIND Institute, conducting clinical evaluations for neurodevelopmental disorders, regional center evaluations, and with the social skills program. Dr. Frieze spent two years as a staff psychologist at Dignity Healthcare in Woodland, California where she continued to conduct neurodevelopmental assessments for infants through early adulthood, before she opened her private practice. Her professional goal is to serve as many patients as possible in a timely fashion. Dr. Frieze’s waiting lists have been as long as 9 months for these types of assessments that are so needed in the community, therefore she felt driven to be in private practice full time, while continuing to serve the majority of the northern California regional centers as a vendor conducting limited scope assessments. Dr. Frieze is currently the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association Behavioral Medicine and Neuropsychological Chair. Additionally, Dr. Frieze is licensed in the state of Nevada (PY1105) as well as California (PSY22737). Dr. Frieze is research reliable in the best practice assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorders, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale, Second Edition (ADOS-2), and all of her evaluations have been highly regarded in the community for the past 15 years.

CHARMAINE FLANSBAUM

Office Manager

Meet Charmaine, a dynamic individual who has been an integral part of the Bridges of the Mind Psychological Services, Inc. team since August 2020. Prior to joining our ranks, she dedicated a decade to nurturing her family and running the cherished family venture, FlansDigital. Alongside her husband, she managed the delicate balance of parenting two daughters while providing a supportive and loving daycare haven for both family and friends.

With a deep-rooted commitment to community, Charmaine is a prominent figure in the West Sacramento social fabric. Her involvement as a Parent Teacher Organization Board member at a local elementary school showcases her devotion to fostering educational excellence. Moreover, her role as a Board member for the River City JR Rugby Team underlines her dedication to youth development. In addition, she has extended her support as a youth soccer and volleyball coach, leaving an indelible mark on the young minds she engages with.

But her commitment doesn’t stop there. Charmaine is an enthusiastic volunteer, actively participating in a range of social groups that uplift the community. Her involvement speaks volumes about her character and her genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those around her.

With a well-rounded skill set, Charmaine effortlessly blends her extensive experience in Property & Casualty Insurance, Sales, and Office Management. Her innate knack for connecting with people, paired with her professional acumen, creates a formidable force that propels her endeavors to new heights.

In every facet of her life, Charmaine exemplifies unwavering dedication, boundless energy, and a sincere desire to contribute. Her journey from a devoted home manager to a multifaceted professional is a testament to her versatility and drive. As a highly personable and talented individual, Charmaine continues to inspire and uplift, leaving an indelible mark wherever she goes.

MANAR AHMAD

Administrative Assistant

Meet Manar, a dedicated professional with a rich and diverse background in the medical field. With 13 years of experience ranging from hands-on patient care to intricate analysis and billing processes, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her work. After a fulfilling break of 6 years to raise her three children, Manar’s passion for the medical industry led her back to her calling.

In January 2021, Manar embarked on a new chapter by joining Bridges of the Mind Psychological Services, Inc. Her innate drive to make a positive impact on people’s lives aligns seamlessly with the mission of the organization. Having been an integral part of the West Sacramento community since 2011, Manar deeply values the tranquil and family-oriented atmosphere that surrounds her.

Manar holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from CSU Sacramento, which serves as a testament to her academic excellence and commitment to staying informed in her field. She possesses an unwavering enthusiasm for staying updated on the latest advancements in medicine, medical technology, and medications, allowing her to provide the highest level of care to her patients.

With a wealth of experience, a compassionate heart, and a strong desire to make a difference, Manar is an essential asset to both her workplace and her community. Her journey exemplifies her dedication to personal and professional growth, making her a source of inspiration for those around her.

KELLI VANG

Administrative Assistant

Meet Kelli, a dedicated professional with a heart full of compassion and a mind fueled by a passion for making a difference. Her journey into the realm of psychology began in high school when she embarked on a transformative course that delved into the intricacies of the human mind. It was during this time that Kelli’s calling to work with individuals, both young and old, diagnosed with intellectual disabilities was ignited.

Throughout her summers, Kelli eagerly immersed herself in various summer programs, eagerly absorbing knowledge and experience while working with children. In 2015, she proudly graduated from CSU Stanislaus with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, marking a significant milestone in her pursuit of understanding and helping those in need.

Kelli’s professional odyssey led her to a dynamic role as an ABA tutor, where she tirelessly worked to support children within both home and school settings. Her dedication to fostering growth and development in these young minds shone brightly, setting the foundation for her impactful career. Not content with just one avenue of expertise, Kelli also ventured into the realm of social work, extending her compassionate touch to adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities.

The story took a new chapter with the arrival of motherhood. Kelli chose to temporarily step away from her professional endeavors, embracing the role of a devoted mother, nurturing her son in the comfort of home. This period not only reinforced her innate nurturing qualities but also provided her with valuable insights into the complexities of family dynamics.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Kelli finds solace and joy in outdoor escapades, the enchantment of movies and shows, and the warmth of quality time spent with her cherished family and friends.

In October 2022, Kelli embarked on a new adventure, joining the esteemed team at Bridges of the Mind Psychological Services, Inc. With enthusiasm in her heart and a vision for growth, she eagerly anticipates contributing her unique blend of experience and compassion to the organization’s mission. As Kelli’s journey continues to unfold, her dedication to enhancing the lives of those touched by intellectual disabilities remains a driving force, a beacon of hope guiding her forward.

Our Space

“Bridges of the Mind was amazing! My daughter’s Psychologist was patient and attentive to the needs of my child. Both my child and I felt very comfortable disclosing our personal experience and struggles. I would highly recommend their services. It was a very pleasant experience.”

- Past Client

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