"When You Need Us, We're Here For You"
Welcome to Bay Area Psychological Services Our Managed Care Experience Our Commitment to Quality Management Information Systems Office Locations Introduction to Our Professional Staff How To Access Us

Bay Area Psychological Services provides a full continuum of psychological and social services and is a non-sectarian, non-profit division of Jewish Family Children’s Services (JFCS) of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. Our managed care division is able to provide a full continuum of mental health services to our clients through their health insurance plans. With seven offices conveniently located throughout the greater Bay Area, we respond quickly and effectively to clients from Sonoma to Santa Clara County.

JFCS, founded in 1850, has remained flexible and responsive to the dynamic nature of contemporary mental health service delivery. Licensed clinicians provide short-term mental health services and ongoing psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Problem focused, results oriented services are provided through individual counseling, family therapy and case management programs. Our strength is our ability to provide a wide selection of services in response to individual needs.  Multiple areas of specialty treatment for target populations are offered as well as general counseling.

Bay Area Psychological Services has experience in providing mental health services through discounted and capitated arrangements with medical groups, health maintenance organizations, and health insurance companies. Specific examples of some of our managed care contracts are:

• Community Mental Health of San Mateo County to provide counseling, parent education and support groups for low income families with at risk children.
• In-Home Support Services Consortium for case management and home care to frail seniors who are receiving SSI.
• Brown and Toland Physician Services Organization to provide comprehensive in-home assessment and case management to at-risk seniors.
• California Network to complete underwriting assessments for long-term care insurance, and to provide case management services.
• Commission on the Aging for outreach to seniors.
• Kaiser Permanente as a preferred provider to offer counseling to Russian speaking children and adolescents.
• Contracts with Merit Behavioral Care (Lifeguard Accounts), Stanford Outpatient Services, Managed Health Network (Maxicare clients through College Health I.P.A.), Preferred Health Care Systems, One Health and Options to provide behavioral mental health counseling.

Bay Area Psychological Services mental health professional staff are guided by our Policy and Procedures Manual. Pertinent sections of the manual are reviewed annually by all staff. Compliance with policies and procedures is evaluated as part of staff’s annual written performance review.

All staff receive weekly clinical supervision. Weekly case conferences take place in all departments and branches, and consultation is provided regularly.

Professional staff participate in on-site staff training throughout the year facilitated by outside specialists.

In addition, specific department /branch trainings take place on a monthly basis, and are facilitated by appropriate outside consultants. All staff are required to spend at least two days a year attending professional conferences.

All open cases are subject to weekly supervision, regular case conferences and quarterly review. Once cases are closed, our management information system tracks behavioral objectives set with clients against "goals met". Outcomes are also monitored through a Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, mailed to clients within one month of case closure.

Cases are formally reviewed as follows:

• Assessments and treatment plans are reviewed in individual supervisory sessions, including written materials, on a weekly basis.
• Cases in progress are discussed in clinical staff meetings on an ongoing basis.
• Open cases are reviewed quarterly by supervisors and by a peer review process.
• Ten cases per clinician are selected randomly each quarter for management staff review.
• Cases at closing are assessed for the effectiveness of the interventions and require supervisory sign-off on Closing Forms.
• Utilization review of all cases by management staff takes place quarterly.

In addition, Bay Area Psychological Services conducts internal evaluations of its programs. Once goals and objectives are set for program components and/or individual clients, the following are evaluated in assessing quantitative and qualitative outcomes:

• Clients served in relation to budgeted numbers.
• "Closing Forms," including reasons for termination and results of interventions.
• "Client Satisfaction Questionnaires," sent to all closed cases within one month of closure.
• Program assessment by an outside, professional evaluation team.

Information systems are a critical link that provide the conduit for rapid communication between Bay Area Psychological Services and third party systems who are part of our service network. Our organization has information systems that are capable of quickly interfacing with third party systems to obtain eligibility and benefits information for our clients.

Records are managed through our computerized Management Information System, a system of multiple data bases managed by information systems professionals. We have a designated staff person to verify eligibility and benefits, and to interface on a timely basis with the contracting organization.

Our computer information system also allows for timely, accurate and reliable reporting and billing. In an era when health care paperwork seems endless, our business office staff work to ensure that our clients, referrers and third-party payers receive only the necessary forms and reports.

Outcomes measurement is a high priority for Bay Area Psychological Services. Through analysis of data captured through our Management Information System and reviews with clinical staff we are able to continually assess volume, service and outcomes to evaluate the degree to which clients’ goals were met, and to gather information to improve service delivery.

1. Mental health clinicians provide intake and referral services during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. Calls are returned to clients the same day during business hours, or in the evening, as necessary.
2. Intake calls by telephone: Appointments are scheduled as needed from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays.
3. Urgent or emergency appointments are available each day.
4. Because access to our services is the beginning of positive client/provider relationships, we have set the following standards to ensure the highest level of responsive customer service:
• The maximum time between the initial call and the initial appointment is 24 hours or less for urgent calls.
• The maximum time elapsed between the initial call and face-to-face intervention is 48 hours or less for emergency calls.
• The maximum time between the initial call and the initial appointment is less than seven days for routine calls.

The following is a list of our Professional Staff by location and clinical specialty:

• Abby Kovalsky
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., University of Southern California
  Treatment Specialties: Persons with Disabilities, In-Home Disability Assessments, Counseling for Gays and Lesbians, Vocational Counseling, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Persons with AIDS, Bereavement and Loss Issues
  
• Helen Jaffe
  Registered Nurse
  Certified Gerontological Nurse Specialist
  M.S., San Jose State University
  Clinical Specialties: In-Home Case Management Assessments. Trains in-home attendants and homemakers to provide personal care, proper body mechanics, "practical nursing" services.
  
• Joan Lenzner
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomate
  M.S.W., Smith College
  Treatment Specialty: Adults
  
• Yael Moses
  Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor
  M.S., San Francisco State University
  Treatment Specialties: Children, Adolescents, Couples, Families, Separation and Divorce, Borderline Personalities, Critical Incident Debriefing
  Languages: Hebrew
  

Located at our 1710 Scott Street Office in San Francisco

• Randie Bencanann
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., Yeshiva University
  Treatment Specialties: Adoption Counseling, Adolescents
  
• Jerry Benjamin
  Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor
  M.A., Antioch University
  Treatment Specialties: Children and Adolescent, Marital and Family Counseling, School Site Consultation, Child Socialization Groups (ages: 5-10 years), Child Sexual Abuse, Separation and Divorce, Parent Guidance and Education, Blended Families
  
• Monica Frame
  Clinical Social Worker-Associate, M.S.W., San Francisco State University
  Treatment Specialties: Group and Individual Therapy with Children and Families, Parent Guidance, School Consultation, Children and Socialization (Play Activity) Groups 
  
• Cathleen Greene
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., Columbia University Graduate School of Social Work
  Treatment Specialties: Adoption Counseling, Clinical Consultation, Psychiatric Social Work, Employee Assistance Programs, Case Management for the Homeless
  
• Kym Sites
  Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor
  M.A., San Francisco State University
  Ph.D. Candidate
  Treatment Specialties: Infants, Children, Adolescents and Families, Psych Testing 
  
• Nancy Toder
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., University of Michigan School of Social Work
  Treatment Specialties: Adoption Counseling, Child Abuse 
  

Located at our 2534 Judah Street Office in San Francisco

• Stephanie Kipperman
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., California State University, San Francisco
  Treatment Specialties: Adults, Stress and Coping Skills, Immigration-Related Issues, Fluency in Russian
  
• Sonia Sztejnklaper
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., Yeshiva University
  Treatment Specialties: Children and Adolescents, School Consultations, Fluency in Russian, Polish 
  
• Gayle Zahler
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., Yeshiva University
  Treatment Specialties: Adults, Stress and Coping Skills, Immigration Related Issues, Adoption and Infertility Counseling, Employment Related Counseling, Fluency in Russian, French 
  

Located at our 200 Channing Ave. Office in Palo Alto

• Alison Costa
  Licensed Marriage, Child and Family Counselor
  M.A., John F. Kennedy University
  Treatment Specialties: Children, Adolescents and Families, P.T.S.D., Crisis Intervention, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Incest, Chemical Dependency, Diversity Training, Fluency in Spanish and Portuguese
  
• Nancy Fernbach
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., California State University, San Diego
  Treatment Specialties: Adolescents, Couples, Families, Group Therapy
  
• John Hurd
  Marriage Family Child Counselor
  M.A. Santa Clara University ? Counseling Psychology
  B.A. Pomona College
  Treatment Specialties:
  
• Laurel Woodard
  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  M.A. Counseling - University of San Francisco
  B.S. Iowa State University
  Treatment Specialties: Adults & couples dealing with relationship issues, career & life transitions, depression and grief.
  
• Donald Sussman
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomate
  M.S.W., Fordham University
  Treatment Specialties: Adults, Persons with AIDS, Adolescents, Alcohol and Drug Abuse,
  Work-Related Problems
• Marlene Levenson
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker, graduate Cal State San Jose with MSW,
  Licensed since 1990.
  Treatment Specialties include: individuals, couples and seniors.
  Specializes in issues of aging, divorce, marriage and family.

Located at our 600 Fifth Avenue Office in San Rafael

• Anne Asch
  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  B.S. in Psychology, Wesleyan University; Masters in Clinical Psychology, San Francisco State University
  Treatment Specialties: Children and adults; depression, anxiety and relationship difficulties; parenting twins; general parent education
  
• Linda Budowski
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.A. Social Work ? California State University ? Fresno
  Treatment Specialties: Families, Children, Adults and Elder Adults, Parenting and Life Transition Issues
  Languages: Spanish
  
• Susan Byrd
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., Boston University
  Treatment Specialties: Couples/Families, Children, Adolescents, Parenting, Learning Disabilities, Behavioral Issues
  
• Torri Campbell
  Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  Ph.D., Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York
  Treatment Specialties: Adults and couples, Anger Management, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Anxiety, Substance Abuse.
  
• Susan Gitlin
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomate
  M.S.W., California State University, San Diego
  Treatment Specialties: Couples and Families, Acute and Chronic Illness, Persons with AIDS and HIV, Eating Disorders and related problems associated with Body Image
  
• John Gusman
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomate
  M.S.W., University of California, Berkeley
  Treatment Specialties: Children, Adolescents, Adults, Families and Couples, Infertility and Adoption Issues, Divorce and Separation, Sexual Abuse, Parent Guidance/Consultation, School Consultation, Premarital Counseling, Crisis Intervention 
  
• Jeanette Kadesh
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomate
  M.S.W., University of California, Berkeley
  Treatment Specialties: Elder Adults and Adult Children, Individuals, Couples, Grief & Loss Counseling, Care Coordination & Case Management, Chemical Dependency
• Alex Markels
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., University of California, Berkeley
  Certificate in Chemical Dependency Studies, California State University, Hayward
  Treatment Specialties: Couples, Adults, Adolescents, Chemical Dependency and Recovery, Acute and Chronic Mental Illness, Crisis Intervention and Assessment, Substance Abuse
  
• Danna Powsner
  Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
  M.A. Clinical Psychology, Antioch University of Santa Barbara
  Treatment Specialties: Children, Adolescents, Adults and Families with Dual Diagnosis, Eating Disorders, Body Image Issues
  
• Nancy Rubin
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W., University of Tennessee
  Treatment Specialties: Children, Adolescents and Adults, School Consultation, Parent Guidance, Educational Presentations, Divorce and Separation, Step-Parenting, Attention Deficit Disorders, Developmental Disabilities
  

• Avrom Lefkowitz
  Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor
  M.S., California State University at Northridge
  Treatment Specialties: Male Issues, Couples, Spiritual Dimension of Mental Health Concerns
  
• Paula Shatkin
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W. ? USC School of Social Work
  B.A. Psychology ? UC Berkeley
  Treatment Specialties: Geriatrics
  
• Janie Shupack
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W. ? Columbia University
  B.S.W. ? New York University
  Treatment Specialties: Adults, Children and Adolescents, 6 years and above, Couples, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Victims of Domestic Violence
  
• Lisa Wolper
  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  M.S.W. ? San Francisco State University
  B.A. English ? UC Berkeley
  Treatment Specialties: Adults and children, Trauma Recovery, Grief and Loss, Gay and Lesbian issues.
  

Bay Area Psychological Services serves San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, California, USA.

For information about managed care contracts, please contact Gayle Zahler at (415) 449-2943, or via e-mail at GZahler@jfcs.org.

To receive services, please call your nearest JFCS branch office for an appointment.

You can also send mail to: