Who We Are
Tom Stone Carlson, Ph.D.
Director, SoCal Narrative Therapy
Tom has been practicing therapy for over 25 years. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and a Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervision with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He has written widely on the topic of narrative therapy including a recently published book with narrative therapy co-founder, David Epston, called "Reimagining Narrative Therapy." He is also the primary editor of the Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy. Tom is also the developer of a unique approach to narrative couples therapy called, "Relational Accountability." As part of the SoCal Narrative Therapy team, Tom works as a supervisor, trainer, and therapist. As a therapist, Tom specializes in working with couples, women living with effects of violence and abuse, and men seeking to change their relationship with practice of control. Tom also specializes in working with clients with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship forms.
Sanni Paljakka
Training & Supervision, SoCal Narrative Therapy
Sanni Paljakka works as part of our training and supervision team at SoCal Narrative Therapy. She is the Director of the Calgary Narrative Collective and is the co-editor of the Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy. Sanni has written extensively on the topic of narrative therapy and presented her work throughout the US, Canada, and internationally. She is the main author of the forthcoming book called, "So you want to do narrative therapy: Letters to an aspiring narrative therapist." Sanni is one of the main innovators of the practice of writing therapeutic poems from clients' words that are read back to clients as a witnessing practice to their life initiatives.
Meet our Team
Therapists at SoCal Narrative Therapy are Associate Marriage and Family Therapists who work under the supervision of our Director. As a team, we are committed to doing right by our clients. As part of that commitment, we meet regularly to study our work together to find ways that we can improve our practice and develop an approach to therapy that is unique tailored to your particular life dilemmas and hopes for living.
Ben Yalom
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #149660
Supervised by Tom Stone Carlson, Ph.D.
Life can be hard. Being in a relationship can be challenging. Things don't always work out how we hope, want, or expect.
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Despite this, I believe it is possible for us all to pursue meaningful goals, individually and in partnership with the people we love (or will love), in ways that resonate with our deepest values. If we work together, I will be a warm, active presence, collaborating closely with you to better understand the places that catch you, and the unwelcome, unhealthy patterns you fall into.
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I appreciate the meaning-centered work of Existential Psychotherapy, the value and ethics-based perspective of Narrative Therapy, and the deep transformative effects of mindfulness practice. I have a particular interest in working with men, as we face the challenges of adapting ideas of masculinity, and shifting roles in society, as well as with couples who must often navigate these difficult waters together.
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Before beginning my career as a therapist I was a theater maker, a teacher, a writer, a husband, and a father to three children. I have my share of triumphs, also made my fair share of bad choices and mistakes. I actively draw upon my own experiences in ways that you may find very helpful. I am co-author of the book Hour of the Heart: Connecting in the Here and Now with my father, Irvin D. Yalom
Garrett Rutz
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #146054
Supervised by Tom Stone Carlson, Ph.D.
Hi! I’m Garrett, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and I’m passionate about helping people live with purpose and integrity. With over a decade of coaching experience and as someone in the final stages of earning my PhD, I bring both practical tools and fresh perspectives to the work I do.
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I specialize in working with men who are ready to take responsibility, build more rewarding relationships, and make meaningful changes. I also work with couples looking to awaken their connection, choose to engage in honest dialogue, and navigate challenges with clarity and intention. Together, we’ll explore ways to rebuild trust and create a partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared values.
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Whether it’s addressing counterproductive patterns or discovering new approaches to living with intention, I believe ethics are the backbone of a life well-lived—and I’m here to help you build that foundation. When I’m not in session, I’m likely soaking up inspiration from the world around me, always finding creative ways to help clients rediscover what truly matters. Let’s connect and start rewriting your story, one chapter at a time.
Kimberly S. Rodríguez Jiménez
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #150244 Supervised by Tom Stone Carlson, Ph.D.
Kimberly is an individual who values the nuance and uniqueness found in each of their clients’ lives. As a first-generation, bicultural, queer individual, Kimberly holds a strong passion for social justice and hopes to work with individuals to identify different forms of advocacy and resistance against systems of oppression found in our daily lives. Kimberly holds extensive experience working with individuals and families with diverse cultural identities. As a bilingual therapist, Kimberly is able to provide therapeutic services in English and Spanish.
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Kimberly es una persona que valora los matices y la singularidad que se encuentran en la vida de cada uno de sus clientes. Como persona queer, bicultural y de primera generación, Kimberly tiene una gran pasión por la justicia social y desea trabajar con personas para identificar diferentes formas de defensa y resistencia contra los sistemas de opresión que se encuentran en la vida cotidiana. Kimberly tiene amplia experiencia trabajando con personas y familias con diversas identidades culturales. Como terapeuta bilingüe, Kimberly puede brindar servicios terapéuticos en inglés y español.
"What we do is more important than what we say or what we say we believe."
- bell hooks