Meet Our Wellness Team

The Mental Health and Wellness Team includes our Site Wellness Coordinator, a CASSY Therapist, and a Pacific Clinics Clinician.

	School Social Worker & Wellness Center Coordinator April Crider, MSW, PPSC [email protected] 408-626-3407 x7114 Hello! My name is April and I am the new School Social Worker here at Branham. I moved here 3 years ago from Chapel Hill North Carolina (Go Heels!) where I worked as the School Social Worker at Carrboro High School for 18 years. I received my Bachelor' s degree in Multicultural Multilingual Education and French from Florida State University and my Masters in Social Work from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. I'm excited to join the Bruin community and look forward to meeting you!
	CASSY Therapists To make an appointment with our CASSY therapist, students need to see their school counselor first (see below), or come into the Wellness Center. One on one counseling is provided to our students through a district partnership with CASSY (Counseling and Support Services for Youth). CASSY is a nonprofit agency that partners with schools to provide professional mental health services to students in their academic setting. Our therapists are compassionate, competent and conveniently located right on campus. All services are free to our students and their parents. For more information on CASSY go to: https://cassybayarea.org/
	CASSY Therapist Diana Kamarauska, AMFT Monday-Friday 8a-4p, except Wednesday 8a-2p [email protected] 408-626-3407 x7115 Hello my name is Diana and I am a therapist with CASSY. I graduated from Santa Clara University (Go Broncos) and I have a broad spectrum of experience doing case management and therapy. I love helping people feel empowered to be their best selves and to know that they're not alone. I consider myself a safe space where feelings and thoughts can be vulnerably held and explored at the client's pace. I love nature and art and try to incorporate that into my work as well as personal life. Nothing brings me as much fulfillment as the genuine connections I make with others and the positive impact (however big or small) I make on the lives of those that seek it. It's a privilege being a part of Branham high school, where young minds and souls are blooming. I am here to ensure our students feel seen, heard and supported in all the possible ways. Favorite Quote: "All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark" - Swami Vivekananda
	CASSY Therapist / Terapeuta de CASSY Teresa Ponikvar, LMFT ("Ms. Tere") Pronouns: she / ella Tuesday and Wednesday / martes y miércoles [email protected] 408-628-3407 x 7167 Hi, I'm Teresa (or "Ms. Tere" if you prefer) and I support our Spanish-speaking students at Branham and other schools in the district. I believe that whoever you are, whatever you have lived through, you already have inside you what you need to heal and create meaning in your life. It is my privilege to support students in that process. Hola, soy Teresa (o "Ms. Tere" si gustas) y apoyo a nuestros estudiantes hispanohablantes en Branham y otras escuelas del distrito. Yo creo que quienquiera que seas, lo que sea que hayas vivido, ya tienes por dentro lo necesario para sanar y hacer sentido de tu vida. Es mi privilegio apoya a nuestros estudiantes en ese proceso Favorite quote / Cita favorita: "Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar." / "Traveler, there is no road, the road is made by walking." - Antonio Machado