Staff

Brian Lukas, PhD: Executive Director and Clinical Supervisor

Brian Lukas, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice, who has been providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults for more than 45 years. In 1997, Dr. Lukas became the executive director of the Child Therapy Institute, after having served as the clinical director. Previously, Dr. Lukas worked in a variety of community mental health settings, including child guidance clinics, hospitals, schools. For ten years he served as the mental health specialist for Contra Costa County Head Start.

Dr. Lukas has received advanced training in Sandplay, and is a graduate of the Supervision Study program of the Psychotherapy Institute of Berkeley. Dr. Lukas has taught Child Therapy and related topics at the California Institute of Integral Studies, West Coast Children’s Center, the Community Institute of Psychotherapy, the Family Service Agency of Marin and the Apple Family Center.

Kathy Buys, LMFT: Assistant Director and Clinical Supervisor

Kathryn Buys, LMFT feels so much gratitude for the years she has been at CTIM and the opportunity to work with such skilled and heart-centered therapists at the agency. Starting when she was an intern many moons ago to the supervisor she embodies now, Kathryn brings her passion for serving children, families, and therapists at all different places on their journey. In her own work with children, teens, and adult women, Kathryn integrates ageless wisdom practices, expressive arts therapies, and pet therapy to co-create a field of healing and growth for each client. She currently is creating a new program for women of big body beauty that celebrates the unique wisdom they bring to humanity. Kathryn enjoys playing fiddle, creating community, and watching her canine co-therapist, Faedy play in the grass. Learn more about Kathryn at www.fruitfuljourneying.com.

Lindsey Thompson, Ph.D. Clinical Supervisor

Hi there, I’m Dr. Lindsey Thompson. I understand that beginning a therapeutic relationship can feel intimidating and uncertain. In my practice, I strive to welcome you with compassion and support as we begin to build a foundation that best serves your needs.

I obtained my bachelor’s degree at Dominican University of California, master’s and doctorate degrees from American School of Professional Psychology. My early training with children, families, and adults throughout the Bay Area led me to completed post-doctoral training at the Child Therapy Institute of Marin. After several years as a Registered Psychological Assistant, I was able to deepen my practice and therapeutic approach.

As a mom of a little boy, I’m learning and growing day by day, just as we all are. In my downtime, you’ll find us biking & hiking, connecting with friends and family, or taking in a good book.

Erin Savage, LMFT Clinical Supervisor

Erin Savage earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Child Development from St. Mary’s College of California in 1993 and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from The University of San Francisco in 2000. Erin has been working in Bay Area non-profit and school-based settings for the past 20 years, serving children and their families. She helped develop and implement a comprehensive behavioral program at a day treatment center for adolescent girls involved in the juvenile justice system. Erin has provided clinical services at a level 14 residential treatment program for children, collaborated with county social services to provide therapeutic supervised visitation and prior to 1998, was a preschool teacher in San Francisco. For the past 10 years, Erin has managed the collaboration with Berkeley Unified School District to provide clinical services at the elementary and preschool level. Erin provides individual, group and family therapy services at the elementary school level, and coordinates intervention and support services for the district preschool students and their families. Berkeley Unified sites include Berkeley Arts Magnet and Washington Elementary schools, and King, Hopkins and Franklin preschools.

Beatriz Chavez, LMFT125229 Clinical Supervisor

Beatriz Chavez, LMFT is a creative soul, a bilingual (Spanish/English) Chicanx therapist, and native of California. She focuses on child play therapy, expressive arts, and sandtray therapy. She believes strongly in the benefits of creativity and play to access the wisdom and strengths children and families already have within them to inspire the changes they seek. She uses strengths-based, client-centered and relational approaches to connect with clients while incorporating evidenced-based and trauma-informed practices in the therapeutic work.

Beatriz obtained her MA in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, where her concentration was on Expressive Arts Therapy. She has worked with all ages, from young children and teens to adults and elders, in a variety of community mental health and hospital settings. She has been a part of the Child Therapy Institute since 2017, growing from associate to licensed therapist, and recently joined our team of clinical supervisors.

When she has downtime, she enjoys play time with her cat, listening to audiobooks, hiking her local trails, and working her creative muscles through drawing, painting, and writing.

Megan Carney, LMFT113931 Clinical Supervisor

Megan Carney is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in her second year at the Child Therapy Institute. With over ten yeas of experience serving children and adults in educational and health care settings, Megan realizes each family has a unique story and specific needs. She is passionate about working collaboratively with children and families to understand their concerns, develop goals, and create lasting change. Megan provides psychotherapy to children and families in both English and Spanish.

Español

Megan Carney es Terapeuta Matrimonial y Familiar practicante. Este es su segundo año trabajando en el instituto de Terapia Infantil (Child Therapy Institute). Con más de diez años de experiencia al servicio de niños y adultos en centros educativos y de salud, Megan se encuentra convencida que cada familia tiene una historia única y necesidades específicas. Le apasiona trabajar colaborativamente con los niños y las familias para entender sus preocupaciones, desarrollar sus metas y crear cambio duradero. Megan ofrece psicoterapia a niños y familias tanto en inglés como en español.