Dr. Benjamin Seigler is the founder and Executive Director of New Day Family Counseling Center and has dedicated over two decades to trauma-informed care, clinical supervision, and community mental health development.

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Doctor of Psychology, Dr. Ben is a Somatic Experiencing® Certified Provider (SEP), CAMFT Certified Supervisor, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, and trained in numerous evidence-based modalities including CBT, TF-CBT, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. His work integrates mind-body approaches, grief and bereavement counseling, child and adolescent therapy, and trauma resolution with a strong focus on nervous system regulation.

Since founding New Day in 2015, Dr. Ben has grown the practice into a multi-site mental health organization serving thousands of Medi-Cal clients annually. He leads a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and supervisors, develops training programs for graduate trainees and associate therapists, and contracts with regional school districts to provide student and staff mental health services.

Before launching New Day, Dr. Ben served as Supervising Mental Health Clinician for Marysville Joint Unified School District, where he designed and implemented the district’s Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) program. He also founded a comprehensive children’s bereavement program within Sutter Medical Foundation.

In addition to directing New Day, Dr. Ben serves as an Assistant in the Somatic Experiencing® professional training program, mentoring clinicians in trauma-informed, nervous system-based healing approaches.

Outside of his professional work, Dr. Ben enjoys riding motorcycles, tending to his 15-acre satsuma mandarin farm, and spending time connecting with his staff. He values building strong teams and believes meaningful leadership happens through relationships, mentorship, and shared vision.

Dr. Ben’s mission remains simple: to build accessible, high-quality mental health services that strengthen individuals, families, and communities for generations to come.

Ken Cunningham is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Supervisor serving clients at New Day’s Yuba City location. With decades of life experience and a deep commitment to the Yuba/Sutter community, Ken brings steadiness, humility, and wisdom into both his clinical work and his supervision of developing therapists.

Ken earned his Bachelor of Arts from Biola University (1984), a Master of Divinity from Golden Gate Theological Seminary (1987), and later completed his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Western Seminary in 2012. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California (#109934).

Ken integrates an interpersonal, client-centered approach that emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and respects each client’s self-determination. He also incorporates Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing (Modules One and Two), Gottman Level One for couples counseling, family reunification work, and support for parents navigating difficult or estranged relationships with adult children.

Ken works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. His areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, grief, relationship challenges, parenting, marital and premarital counseling, men’s issues, life transitions, spirituality, self-esteem, and family conflict.

In addition to providing therapy, Ken serves as a Clinical Supervisor at New Day, mentoring trainees and associates with thoughtfulness and care.

Outside of his work, Ken has been married for over 42 years and is a proud father of two adult children and grandfather to four grandchildren. He enjoys reading, watching baseball, and capturing landscape photography whenever he can.

Jana Santiago is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and one of New Day’s Clinical Supervisors. With a warm, collaborative presence, Jana supports both clients and developing clinicians with a whole-person approach that honors the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

Jana earned her Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix in 2018. She is Gottman Level 1 and Level 2 certified and is currently in the process of becoming a CAMFT-certified supervisor. She is licensed in both California and Texas.

Her clinical specialties include couples therapy, anxiety, addiction, and perinatal mood disorders. Jana integrates the Gottman Method, Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Therapy into her work.

Jana offers a faith-sensitive approach for clients who wish to incorporate spirituality into their healing process.

Outside of her work, Jana finds peace near water — she loves vacationing at the beach but says she would happily live on a lake. She is celebrating 25 years of marriage and proudly shares that she has “survived raising one teen — with one more to go.”

Gary Sahly is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 45 years of clinical experience in the field of mental health. While now retired from seeing clients directly, Gary continues to serve New Day in a valued supervisory role, offering consultation and guidance to our trainees and associate clinicians as needed.

Throughout his career, Gary specialized in treating mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, particularly for individuals struggling with ruminating thoughts, fear-based thinking, and patterns of self-doubt. As a cognitive therapist, he has long believed that our thoughts shape our emotional experiences.

As Gary often says, “The goal of therapy should be tangible change at a gut level — not just talking about your problems indefinitely.”

Gary earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Counseling from Loma Linda University.

Shane George is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving clients at New Day’s Yuba City location. He earned his LMFT from CSU Chico, graduating in December 2022, and continues to expand his clinical expertise through ongoing training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Somatic Experiencing.

Shane works with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. His areas of focus include anxiety, grief, ADHD, depression, relationship concerns, and trauma. He integrates Gestalt therapy, Narrative therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), CBT, the Gottman Method, and Somatic Experiencing.

Shane’s interest in mental health began early. Growing up in a family impacted by substance use, PTSD, and severe agoraphobia, he often found himself navigating emotional complexity from a young age.

Outside of his clinical work, Shane embraces his “huge nerd with ADHD” identity. He enjoys drawing, writing, poetry, video games, martial arts, and anime. He is married and a proud father to a five-year-old daughter.

Valerie Vangthao is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving clients at New Day’s Yuba City location. She provides evening appointments Monday through Friday, offering flexible access to care for individuals and families who need support outside of traditional daytime hours.

Valerie earned her degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix and is a licensed LMFT. She has completed specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Her clinical focus includes PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, relationship and attachment concerns, parenting and family support, crisis and risk intervention, and child and adolescent mental health. Valerie works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families, tailoring her approach to each client’s unique needs and goals.

Valerie integrates CBT, CPT, DBT, the Gottman Method, Solution-Focused Therapy, and client-centered approaches into her work. She believes in creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. Valerie understands that opening up can be difficult, and she honors each individual’s pace in the healing process.

Her journey into the field of therapy was inspired by witnessing her parents’ struggles and developing a deep passion for supporting others through challenging seasons. She is motivated by the opportunity to help people feel understood and to make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Valerie brings steadiness, compassion, and clinical strength to the New Day team and looks forward to serving the Yuba City community through accessible evening care.

Julie Hunter-Shoop is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving clients at New Day’s Red Bluff office. She specializes in supporting mental health professionals experiencing burnout, first responders, and individuals navigating the impacts of sexual abuse.

Her therapeutic approach incorporates Art Therapy, CBT, the Gottman Method, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Play Therapy, and Positive Psychology. She is certified in Guided Drawing and is pursuing advanced certifications in Somatic Experiencing, Neuropsychotherapy, and Sex Therapy.

Julie’s passion for psychology began while volunteering at a local high school, where many of the students were in the foster care system — a system she herself had experienced.

Julie is on the path toward becoming a clinical supervisor, with a vision of mentoring the next generation of therapists.

Belen Menjivar is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor who brings compassion, presence, and over a decade of educational experience into her therapeutic work. She earned her Master of Arts in Educational Counseling from San José State University in 2019.

Her clinical focus includes anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, and trauma. She integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Polyvagal-informed approaches, Somatic Experiencing, Experiential Therapy, Gestalt therapy, and humanistic principles.

Belen is bilingual and enjoys working with Spanish-speaking clients, helping expand access to culturally responsive care within the community.

Outside of her work, her safe place is the ocean. The sound of the waves brings her calm and grounding.

Angelique “Dusty” Maries Chess is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a strong clinical foundation and a passion for trauma-informed, relationship-centered healing. She is formally trained in EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and certified in DBT and trauma therapy.

Dusty specializes in trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder, agoraphobia, and work with teens and young adults. She works with individuals ages 10 and older, as well as couples.

Her therapeutic approach integrates EMDR, EFT, DBT, Somatic Experiencing, Narrative Therapy, and CBT. Dusty believes that true strength is often shown through gentleness.

Outside of her clinical work, Dusty enjoys training pets and horses and aspires to become an emotional support animal trainer.

Luis Sanchez is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist passionate about supporting individuals and families in building stronger connections and healthier narratives. He earned his Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from CSU Chico in 2025.

Luis works with adults, teenagers, and children alongside their families. His areas of focus include anxiety, depression, abandonment wounds, family disconnection, and generational trauma. He is especially committed to serving the LatinX community in both English and Spanish.

His work draws from Emotion-Focused Therapy, Child-Directed Play Therapy, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Gestalt principles, and distress tolerance skill-building.

Outside of the therapy room, Luis enjoys painting miniatures, building Lego sets, and letting his mind wander into big questions about life.

Madisyn Leffle is an Associate Therapist with particular experience supporting anxiety, depression, ODD, IED, and child behavioral concerns. She is trained in PCIT, TF-CBT, and is expanding her skills through IFS training.

Her therapeutic style blends play therapy, CBT, DBT-informed strategies, and IFS principles. She believes therapy is not about fixing someone, but about helping individuals rebuild trust in themselves.

Before entering the therapy field, Madisyn played collegiate softball. Her athletic background shaped her understanding of teamwork, perseverance, and mental toughness.

Marilynn De Board brings a heart for compassionate, holistic care. She works with elders (65+), adults, teens, preteens, couples, and families. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, grief, post-traumatic stress, and spiritual integration.

Her therapeutic approach is grounded in CBT, Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused techniques, and Trauma-Focused care. She offers Christian counseling upon request.

Marilynn’s calling to therapy grew from supporting a family member through severe mental health challenges. She understands the importance of being fully present and reducing stigma.

Sam Viney brings life experience, resilience, and compassion into his work. He holds dual Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Addictions from JFK University and has completed EMDR training.

Sam works with adults (18+), teens ages 15–18, and couples. His areas of focus include anxiety, depression, PTSD, anger management, and impulse control.

Sam is an All-American Hall of Fame athlete from UC Davis and played professionally for three years (1969–1971).

Aurora Reinders is a proud CSU Chico alum who completed both her undergraduate degree in Psychology (2019) and her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (2023) at Chico State.

Aurora enjoys working with anxiety in its many forms and supporting individuals navigating life transitions. Her style integrates Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and strengths-based approaches.

Outside of the office, Aurora enjoys reading, writing, and crocheting — often found working on a project at a local coffee shop.

Alyssa Fesler brings warmth, creativity, and lived experience into her therapeutic work. She integrates Somatic Experiencing and Polyvagal-Informed Movement into her body-based approach to healing.

Her professional focus includes sexual trauma, complex PTSD, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and military-related experiences. She works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families, including military-connected youth, LGBTQ+ communities, and those in non-traditional relationships.

Before becoming a therapist, Alyssa served 11 years in the Air Force as an Aircraft Electrician. She also performs improv comedy with a local group and loves spending time outdoors with her two children.

Elizabeth Hensley brings curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for human resilience. She specializes in self-esteem challenges, people-pleasing patterns, individuation, and trauma.

Her therapeutic style integrates play therapy, mindfulness with a somatic focus, Rogerian (person-centered) principles, art therapy, and experiential approaches. Elizabeth believes that clients are the experts of their own lives.

Outside of her clinical work, Elizabeth loves animals and has two dogs. She also enjoys baking cookies and cakes in her free time.

Cinnamon Trimpey brings heart, lived compassion, and a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families. She is a SYMBIS Certified Facilitator and is completing Brainspotting training.

Her therapeutic style is eclectic, grounded in Person-Centered Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. She has experience supporting individuals navigating grief, ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

Outside of her work and studies, Cinnamon finds her greatest inspiration in her daughters. She loves spending time at the beach, listening to the waves.

Joshua Cannelora brings lived experience, resilience, and deep compassion. He supports children, teens, adults, and later-in-life individuals navigating anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, spiritual trauma, and LGBTQ+ related concerns.

His approach is grounded in Logotherapy (meaning-making), person-centered therapy, Solution-Focused techniques, and mindfulness practices.

Outside the therapy room, Joshua can often be found lifting weights, playing Magic: The Gathering, or backpacking along the coast with his wife and best friend of 30 years.

Stefanie Huber serves clients across multiple New Day locations. Her therapeutic style draws from Existential Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, CBT, ACT, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

She is particularly interested in helping clients explore meaning, strengthen relationships, and build practical tools for navigating life’s challenges.

Outside of her clinical work, Stefanie enjoys reading, fly fishing, and cooking or baking.