Who we are
We are committed to providing counseling, support, and education to a diverse and inclusive community, including families, individuals, and high school students. With a board and Executive Director that reflects the richness of our community, we strongly support multiculturalism, inclusion, and community integration while recognizing the essential importance of mental health for everyone.
How we serve now
At our practice, we offer a wide range of evidence-based treatment options designed to meet the unique needs of every client.
We have a special place in our hearts for adolescents. We know this stage of life comes with its own set of challenges, and our dedicated team of therapists is here to help teens navigate them with care and expertise.
Whatever mental health struggle your family is facing, you don’t have to go through it alone. We’re here to provide support, guidance, and personalized treatment plans that truly make a difference.
And because healing happens in all kinds of spaces, we meet people where they are—whether that’s in schools, at homeless encampments, or through video chat. Wherever you need us, we’ll be there.
Our Story
In 1985, Gloria J. Baxter, a licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 45 years of experience, founded the Lighthouse of Hope Counseling Center with a mission to provide accessible therapy to underserved communities. Recognizing that many individuals and families lacked access to essential mental health services, Gloria dedicated herself to creating a safe space where everyone could share their stories, heal, and realize their full potential.
Today, Lighthouse of Hope continues Gloria's legacy by offering a range of programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of the community. From counseling and therapy to specialized initiatives like "Sons To Fathers," "LET'S Talk," "Safe Place Parking," and "The Lotus Place Grief Recovery Program," our holistic approach ensures that the tools and support provided extend beyond the treatment room.
Our dedicated team, led by Michelle Grays as Executive Director, remains committed to assisting individuals in examining their challenges and making choices that support physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. We believe in meeting people where they are, whether through in-person sessions or TeleHealth, ensuring that everyone has access to the services they need to grow into healthy, self-sufficient individuals.
At Lighthouse of Hope, we are more than a counseling center; we are a community dedicated to illuminating the path to healing and personal growth for all.
Why Choose Treatment with Lighthouse
At Lighthouse, we believe in healing the whole person—mind, body, and soul. Our programs are designed to empower individuals on their journey to recovery, with a special focus on building self-esteem, navigating social media in a healthy way, and practicing mindfulness.
Whether you're healing from trauma, mood disorders, substance use, eating disorders, or community displacement, our compassionate, holistic approach ensures that the tools you gain stay with you long after treatment. Because true healing isn’t just about what happens in the treatment room—it’s about reclaiming your life with confidence and resilience.
Our Leadership Team
Michelle Grays
Executive Director
With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, Michelle brings both clinical expertise and strong business acumen to her work. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied and Organizational Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Jose State University. Her passion lies in helping individuals heal and thrive, with a specialized focus on trauma, self-esteem, adolescent mental health, and personality disorders.
As a Ph.D. candidate, Michelle combines her deep understanding of psychology with strategic leadership, ensuring that staffing, program development, and organizational growth run with optimal efficiency. Her visionary approach not only strengthens the foundation of our programs but also drives sustainable expansion, making high-quality mental health services more accessible to those in need.
Gloria J. Baxter, LCSW
Founding Director Emeritus
Gloria, a licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 45 years of experience, is the visionary founder of Lighthouse of Hope. Driven by a deep commitment to serving individuals, families, and youth, she established Lighthouse of Hope to ensure that therapy and essential mental health services are accessible to underserved communities.
Her mission is to empower people to examine their challenges and make choices that support their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Gloria remains dedicated to working alongside the community, ensuring that every individual and family has the resources and support they need to grow, heal, and become self-sufficient. Through her leadership, Lighthouse of Hope continues to shine as a beacon of healing and transformation for all.
Tammy Cabral
Clinical Director
As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, she has over 20 years of combined experience in education and mental health. She holds a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Palo Alto University. Fluent in Portuguese and conversational in Spanish, she has worked with diverse populations, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community and individuals experiencing homelessness or severe mental health conditions.
Her clinical expertise spans various settings, where she utilizes evidence-based practices like CBT, EMDR, and trauma-informed care. As Clinical Director at Lighthouse of Hope, she is dedicated to expanding high-quality mental health resources for marginalized communities, particularly those with psychosis and severe mental illness.
Trevor Alexander Powell
Board Chairperson and Secretary
Trevor Powell, a seasoned technology leader from Silicon Valley, brings over two decades of experience in building and scaling high-performance platforms. Trevor brings his proven track record of leading successful teams and initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to collaboration and achieving impactful results to the Lighthouse of Hope board.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Trevor is known for his generosity in sharing his time and expertise, whether it's training colleagues or volunteering in the community. Trevor’s commitment to service, coupled with his expertise in technology and leadership, makes him a valuable contributor to the Lighthouse of Hope, furthering its mission to uplift and empower individuals and families.
Aimbrell Shanks
Board Member
Aimbrell Shanks is a seasoned nonprofit executive, financial strategist, and community advocate with three decades of transformative work at the intersection of economic empowerment, public health, and social justice. She serves as Chairperson of the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce (SVBCC) and the Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurial Development (SVCED), and has held distinguished leadership roles including President of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women where she led the chapter to receive the National Coalition's highest honor, Chapter of the Year.
A steadfast champion for elders, veterans, youth at risk, and families in crisis, Aimbrell brings deep expertise in organizational governance, fiscal stewardship, and coalition building to every table she sits at including her role as Board Member of Lighthouse of Hope Counseling Center. She is driven by an unwavering belief that every person deserves access to the resources, support, and dignity that make a whole and flourishing life possible.
Deryk Clark
Board Member
Deryk Clark has 30 years of community–centered leadership in non-profit management focused on developing, strategic planning, implementing, and overseeing impactful programs that have served homeless, foster care, and probation youth and families. Presently, Deryk is Director of Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy at Bill Wilson Center; identifying, cultivating, and managing high-level relationships with external partners, identifying key policy issues, and monitoring legislative developments to lobby decision-makers.
Deryk is a Santa Clara County Juvenile Justice Commissioner, a Board of Director Member with San Jose Conversation Corp + Charter School, and Governance Board Member of Santa Clara County Office of Education Opportunity Youth Academy (OYA). Previously, a Board of Director Member for California Youth Connection, and a member of Santa Clara County Juvenile Justice Systems Collaborative (JJSC) Race Equity through Prevention Workgroup.
Dr. Terrence M. Cole, Ph.D.
Board Member
Dr. Terrence M. Cole brings over 25 years of expertise in community engagement and service design to the board, specializing in the Social Determinants of Health. He currently serves as a lead Program Analyst II for the Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s Healthy Community Branch, where he oversees the Clinic to Community Prevention program. His extensive leadership history includes roles as a K-12 Principal, Executive Director for 100 Black Men of America, and Program Director at Bonita House Inc., where he managed integrative mental health and substance abuse services through a harm reduction model.
A dedicated advocate for equity, Dr. Cole focuses on improving systems within public policy, healthcare, and education to better serve diverse populations. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Tennessee, a Master’s in Education Administration Leadership from the University of Memphis, and a dual Ph.D. in Public Policy and Public Administration from Walden University. In addition to his professional roles, he remains deeply involved in community service through the Contra Costa County Workforce Development Board and various behavioral health associations.
Amir Jenkins
Board Member
Amir Jenkins is the Founder and CEO of Construction Containment Services, a Bay Area company specializing in modular temporary wall systems for occupied construction environments. Originally from Washington, D.C., he has called San Jose home for over a decade. His career spans over 20 years across military service, management consulting at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and senior roles at Google, LinkedIn, and Walmart in product operations, program management, and large scale digital advertising systems.
A committed community advocate, Amir has mentored youth through Future Business Leaders of America, supported financial literacy programming with Junior Achievement, and volunteered with Oakland Promise. He joined the Lighthouse of Hope board driven by a personal belief in giving back, and brings his experience in business, technology, and military leadership to support the organization's mission and growth.
Preston Powell
Board Member
Real estate professional, life skills coach, husband and father. Originally from Los Angeles has called San Jose home since attending SJSU in 1980. Preston is an Army veteran who has worked in San Jose community based organizations in various capacities for many years.
With a desire to continue work with youth and adults in San Jose, he seeks to be of service to Light House of Hope in the mental health community. He joins the Lighthouse of Hope board determined to continue to use his business, community, organizational and military leadership experience to support the organization's mission of growth, accessibility and inclusion.
Meet our staff
Jazzel Deloso
Office Assistant/Billing Administrator
A dedicated and detail-oriented administrative professional with a background in social work. Currently pursuing her undergraduate degree, she has been an integral part of Lighthouse of Hope Counseling Center since 2020. In her role as an Office Assistant, she manages daily operations including client intake, scheduling, and billing. Jazzel is passionate about helping others, and her calm, compassionate approach and knack for organization make her a valued member of the team.
Mary Torres
MSW
With over 25 years of social work experience, Mary is a compassionate and skilled Spanish-speaking pre-licensed therapist. She has a rich background working with adolescents, adults, couples, and individuals with mental and physical health challenges. Mary specializes in helping people recognize behavioral patterns and mend past wounds to begin the journey of healing. As an ally for the LGBTQ+ community, she provides a supportive environment for clients to explore challenges and develop strategies for positive change. Mary's holistic, person-centered approach focuses on the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional well-being to guide clients on their journey toward healing and growth.
Rawl Campbell
MFT Associate
A registered associate marriage and family therapist with a master’s degree from Amridge University. She also works as a full-time social worker with the County of San Bernardino Children and Family Services. Rawl has a background in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Family Systems Therapy. Her approach combines a supportive presence with evidence-based techniques, creating a safe and non-judgmental space for clients. She is passionate about helping people develop tools for emotional regulation and mindfulness.
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