Our Staff

Our Counselors

Tom Thomazin, M.S., LMFT | President, CEO & Executive Director

Tom has provided mental health services as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT 32218) since 1995 for individuals, couples, families of all ages, ethnic and diagnostic categories. He is both a Graduate of California Baptist University with Master of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology and is an Adjunct Professor for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences there. Tom has worked 16 years for Riverside County Department of Mental Health, 12 years as a Mental Health Services Supervisor. His specialties are in Marital Communication, Marital Conflict, Marital Restoration, Premarital Counseling, Child & Adolescent Issues, Parenting, Family Conflict, Anxiety & Depression, PTSD and a special focus in Pastoral Marital Restoration.

Susan Logan, M.S., LMFT | Director Ridgecrest

Susan (MFT 24526) graduated from California Baptist University with a degree in counseling psychology in 1984.  On Genesis staff for over twenty-five years, she is currently the Director of Genesis Counseling Service in Ridgecrest. Susan specializes in marriage counseling and working with adolescents. She is married to Bill, who is pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church of Ridgecrest. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren.

Luda Leinster, M.S., LMFT | Assistant Director San Bernardino

Luda is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT 36179) who serves also as Assistant Clinical Director of Genesis and works out of the San Bernardino office.  She has over twenty-five years of experience working with couples, individuals and families.  Luda offers in-depth insights based on Biblical principles of spiritual and emotional health.  She has expertise in:  marriages or families in conflict, parenting, individuals or families in vocational Christian ministry, as well as issues such as anxiety, depression, forgiveness and grieving losses.

Susan Little, M.A., LMFT | Assistant Director Victorville

Susan is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT 97648) who serves also as Assistant Clinical Director of Genesis and works out of the Victorville office. Susan thrives on supervising counseling students to become well-prepared counselors who help clients integrate faith well. In the therapy room, Susan enjoys working with individuals to build self image and improve relationships, support people with change of life challenges, parenting, grief, couples, anxiety and depression. 

Tiffany Lewis, M.A., | LMFT

Tiffany is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT 107817) working in our Ridgecrest office. She uses EMDR and specializes in working with individuals suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She spends several weeks each year working with adults and children in El Salvador.

Cheri Celestine, M.A., | LPCC

Cheri is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LPCC 9118). Cheri is passionate about helping others navigate through life challenges. Some of her specialties include stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse and depression. 

Whitney Haefele, M.A., APCC Registered Associate Clinical Counselor (Supervised by Susan Logan)

Whitney finished her Master’s Degree and she is a Registered Professional Counselor (APCC 10377) working under supervision at Genesis at the Ridgecrest office.  She enjoys marriage counseling and working with children.  

Vanessa Vazquez, B.A., | MFT Trainee (Supervised by Susan Little)

Vanessa graduated from Trinity International College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, emphasis on counseling. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Azusa Pacific University. She works under the supervision of Susan Little at the Victorville location. She enjoys working with children, adolescents and couples. She collaborates with clients to identify and enlist their internal strengths and resources to approach life challenges,

Katlyn Finch, B.A., | MFT Trainee (Supervised by Susan Little)

Katlyn graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently finishing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. She works under the supervision of Susan Little at the Victorville location. Katlyn enjoys working with depression, trauma, parenting, and marital conflict. She comes with five years of experience working with adolescents alongside her husband, who is a youth pastor.

Emily Mitchell, M.S., AMFT Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (Supervised by Luda Leinster)

Emily completed her graduate work at California Baptist University. She is now a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT 124854) working under supervision at our San Bernardino office. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults, and couples. 

Christina Scholljegerdes, M.S., MFT Trainee (Supervised by Luda Leinster)

Christina has recently graduated from California Baptist University and is currently pursuing her Associate Registration Number with the BBSE. She has been working under supervision as Genesis staff in our San Bernardino office.  She enjoys marriage counseling and working with women’s issues, children and adolescents. She comes with 16 years experience in the justice system addressing issues of substance use, anger, support groups and legal matters.

Tyler Kim, B.A., | MFT Trainee (Supervised by Tom Thomazin)

Tyler graduated from University of California Irvine with two bachelors’ degree the first in Business Economics and the second in Education Sciences. He is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at California Baptist University. He works under the supervision of Tom Thomazin at the San Bernardino location. He enjoys working with people and partnering with them in the therapy process.

Administration

Eve Clayton, C.P.A. (inactive) | Director of Operations

The faithful backbone of the success of Genesis, Eve has been Director of Operations for Genesis since 1988. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 1978 with a degree in accounting and joined Genesis after serving on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ in various accounting roles for ten years. She and her husband, Bill, have two adult sons and six grandchildren.

Darlene Navarro, Receptionist

Darlene graduated from East Los Angeles Junior College with an Associate Degree in Business Administration. She joined Genesis after working over twenty years in the banking industry.  Her bilingual ability, and her ever present smile and great sense of humor are endearing to those who call Genesis for help.  Darlene spends much of her time away from Genesis hanging out with her son and three grandchildren.

To schedule a visit or get more information, call 909.890.2299 or email info@genesiscounseling.net.