Find Group Therapy & Support Groups in Sacramento, California

Dr. Ron Pilato is a Psychologist who has been practicing since 2003. Following his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and Master’s degree from the California Institute for Integral Studies, he graduated from the Wright Institute with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Ron believes in mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal neurobiology, psychodynamic, and stress reduction approaches. He enjoys exploring personal agency and sources of often unseen strengths including human diversity, spiritual and religious practices and beliefs, and the prevention and treatment of burnout. He is deeply dedicated to helping people live full, authentic, engaged lives, assisting them in revealing meaning, purpose, and direction through life’s navigations and challenges. Dr. Pilato cultivates special interests working with members of LGBTQ+ and marginalized communities. In his spare time, Ron enjoys long hikes in nature, practicing meditation and spending time with his family, which includes two cats, Tina and Tiger.

Sarah Appleton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Professional Clinical Counselor in California with more than 15 years of experience. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University Bakersfield, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from California State University Bakersfield, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University Fresno. Sarah believes that a therapeutic relationship can offer a supportive and encouraging environment to explore current struggles, understand how one’s history impacts the present and develop new strategies to build a full and satisfying life. She has experience with individuals suffering from a range of concerns including anxiety and depression. Sarah tailors a treatment plan to each individual based on their needs and often utilizes cognitive behavioral principles. Sarah is passionate about assisting couples and families to improve their communication strategies and nurture important connections. Whether you have a good relationship that you’d like to make even better or want to heal a relationship that is hurting, Sarah can facilitate conversations and activities that build new skills and improve connections. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending time with family, reading and playing with her goldendoodles.

Dr. Caitlyn Francis is a Licensed Psychologist, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and a Credentialed Health Service Psychologist. Caitlyn practices in person at LifeStance Health in Folsom, California, and via telehealth across California. She is excited to meet you! She provides psychological assessments, parent training, individual and family therapy, and consultation for emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and neurodevelopmental issues. Caitlyn utilizes Coping Cat and CAT Project CBT for pediatric anxiety and employs CBT strategies such as behavioral activation for depression. She creates a warm, structured therapeutic environment where families can better understand their child’s needs, build resilience, and strengthen interpersonal relationships. Caitlyn approaches her work with a balanced, child-centered perspective supporting both caregivers and youth through emotionally complex transitions. Her approach promotes stability, reduces conflict, and prioritizes each child’s long-term emotional well-being. Her APA-accredited internship at The Help Group in Sherman Oaks specialized her in neurodevelopmental disabilities (i.e., autism spectrum disorder and ADHD) in outpatient and non-public school settings. She graduated from the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program and is a certified UCLA PEERS® provider, enjoying social skills training and executive functioning support. Her two-year Clinical-Child Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles trained her in Child and Family Community Psychology. She has a special interest in working with Spanish-speaking families affected by migration-related trauma, offering evaluations and interventions such as TF-CBT, Seeking Safety, and ARC, integrating clinical, cultural, and advocacy approaches. Caitlyn collaborates with caregivers to help them understand their child’s diagnosis, strengthen family bonds, improve communication, and build resilience. She helps families identify their strengths, foster positive experiences, and navigate systems such as special education. She works closely with caregivers to ensure that progress continues beyond therapy into daily routines, school environments, and family life. Her goal is to empower families through parent training, notably the evidence-based Incredible Years® program, to foster hope and understanding and prevent future challenges. Caitlyn enjoys spending time with her family, exploring restaurants, attending cultural events, enjoying nature, and engaging with her church community.

Dayla Patterson, LMFT, provides compassionate and personalized mental health care to adults and seniors across California. She helps clients navigate life’s challenges by fostering self-awareness, resilience, and personal growth. Through individual, family, and group therapy, Dayla supports her clients in developing the tools they need to promote well-being and lead fulfilling lives. Dayla specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and PTSD/trauma. She understands how these conditions can impact daily life and relationships, and she tailors her approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Whether clients are facing the stress of midlife transitions, coping with grief, or managing postpartum depression and anxiety, Dayla offers a safe and supportive environment for healing. She is also skilled in addressing sleep disorders and women’s issues, ensuring that her clients receive comprehensive care. In addition to her primary specialties, Dayla works with individuals managing ADHD, bipolar disorder, and psychosis/schizophrenia. She incorporates evidence-based interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness practices to support her clients’ progress. Dayla is also experienced in family therapy, helping families strengthen communication and navigate complex dynamics. Dayla’s practice is inclusive, serving diverse populations, including individuals in the adoption and foster care system and those on the autism spectrum. She is passionate about creating an affirming space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. Outside of her professional life, Dayla enjoys reading, meditation, and exercising. She finds fulfillment in helping clients connect with their strengths and navigate available resources to achieve happiness and personal growth.

My treatment philosophy with my clients comes from the belief that we are all on a mental wellness journey at different junctures along the way. That being said, what a gift it is to come into a space that is just your own, having a place to hear yourself talk through the thoughts in your head with someone on the other side who is outside of your life circle, where you can be seen and heard and come into it just as you are. I create that space where you and I can have a conversation that is supportive, and action-oriented, where intentions can be set to include a dose of accountability and at times a gentle kick in the pants to move things forward. After graduating from a Liberal Arts University with a MA degree in Psychology, in 1991 I became licensed in California as a Marriage, Family Child Therapist, holding subsequent licenses in the states of OR and WA. In 2000 I was awarded a Doctorate Degree in Child Clinical Psychology with post-graduate training in Psychological and Psychoeducation Testing. Professionally I have worked directly within Residential Treatment and Inpatient facilities for children and adolescents during the first decade of my career. In the second decade of my career, I provided Clinical Leadership to non-profit mental health teams. During these past 7 years, I moved into the field of Coaching, receiving training and certification from the International Coaching Federation as a Professional Certified Coach.

Michael D. Evans-Zepeda is a Psychologist in California who has been practicing since 2011. It takes vulnerability and courage to reach out, especially when we are in pain. When working with clients, Michael does his best to co-create a safe containing environment that allows us to explore, integrate, change, and accept difficult aspects of our lived experience. This is accomplished through the exploration of how the past comes into the present moment and by working in the relational space between therapist and client. Therapy is an ongoing process that helps us build our reflective capacity, emotional intelligence, and innate resiliency. Michael specializes in working with individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and children that have experienced repetitive and developmental trauma. He also specializes in the treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse which often co-occur with trauma. Michael has experience in working with individuals struggling with adult ADHD. He deeply understands the challenges of caretaking and being a member of the sandwich generation. He has a strong affinity for veterans, first responders, law enforcement, their families and the challenges that come with those chosen professions. Michael is also LGBTQIA friendly. Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about Michael and how he works. He looks forward to meeting with you! In his free time, Michael enjoys time with his family, being in nature, physical fitness, martial arts, DIY home projects, and is a proud girl dad.