Pacific Shores Research Group incorporates the perspectives of academics, practitioners, and students into its content. By integrating subject-matter experts into its content creation process, the output more clearly provides users with real-world insights into the day-to-day experiences of students, professionals, and patients.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Anna is a writer, ESL instructor, and counseling student who recently returned to the U.S. after spending four years teaching English in Korea. Before she turned to education, she worked as a reporter for local print and digital publications in the U.S. Her experience in journalism and teaching has led her to pursue a graduate degree in clinical mental health therapy at the College of William & Mary, where she is currently in her second year. You can find more of Anna’s writing on her blog here and you can contact her here.
School Counselor
Anna J. is a school counselor at a public, Title I elementary school in West Palm Beach, Florida. She graduated with a Master of Arts in School Counseling from New York University in 2020 and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from CUNY Hunter College in 2018. Before becoming a school counselor, she worked as a health educator in high schools in New York City. You can find out more information about Anna here. In her spare time, she likes to swim and observe manatees.
School Counselor
Rosie Barker earned her Master of Science in School counseling at the University of Memphis and has over 12 years of experience in private, public, and charter schools. As a high school counselor, she managed college and career programming and supported first-generation students through the college admissions process. She has since transitioned into higher education and continues to advocate for access and equity in all educational settings as a learning specialist at SASSI. You can learn more about Rosie’s experience here.
MSc in Stress Studies
Andrea is a behavioral psychotherapist, writer, and behavior analyst specializing in adult care. She writes essays and articles in both English and Spanish. Having recently moved to Italy, she completed her postgraduate studies in the International Diploma in Contextual Behavioral Psychotherapies (ACT, FAP, PBBT, IBT).
She served as Academic Coordinator and Lead Presenter for online courses on Neurodevelopment and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at the Argentine Medical Association in Buenos Aires. Andrea has been an expert reviewer for publications such as ACT Toolbox, contributing to the editorial review process.
She has also worked as a ghostwriter for a book designed to foster emotional intelligence in young children and to provide mindful parenting guidelines for parents and caregivers, based on the ACT model. Additionally, she has authored practical blog posts for online platforms covering the early identification of learning difficulties and special education strategies to support families and schools.
Andrea’s career combines academic rigor and clinical experience, positioning her as a leading authority in behavioral therapies and the application of evidence-based models.
Masters in Educational Leadership
Jessica Phan is a content writer with a strong foundation in education and a love for connecting through language and storytelling. She taught high school English for ten years, specializing in both English and special education, and supported students with special needs for the majority of that time. Her career also took her to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where she taught at international schools and led the English department for four years. With a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in educational leadership, Jessica eventually transitioned to writing full-time, bringing her teaching experience and newly honed content marketing skills to her work. Today, she’s passionate about creating engaging content that informs and inspires. Jessica is the founder of Cross Impact Solutions, a member of PIVOT, and you can contact Jessica here.
Special Education Leader
Samantha is a special education teacher and writer who has taught in U.S. and international schools. She has more than 10 years of experience teaching students with disabilities. She earned a Masters in Advanced Teaching from Trinity College in Washington, DC and a PhD in special education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. You can find her personal website here where she showcases numerous books that she has authored, her bio on We Are Teachers, and you can contact her here via LinkedIn.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Alex is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Northeast Ohio. He graduated from Youngstown State University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and in 2022 a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He currently works full-time in drug and alcohol treatment with experience in mental health private practice and community health.
Multidisciplinary Writer
Bianca De Carpio is a multidisciplinary writer and communications specialist with a strong foundation in academic research and strategic communications. She has developed research-informed content for higher education institutions, translating complex academic and technical material into clear, engaging narratives. Drawing on her experience across the education, environmental, and nonprofit sectors, Bianca brings analytical depth and precision to her work. She now focuses on writing about counseling, higher education, and mental health programs, where she applies her research expertise to explore trends, outcomes, and innovations shaping the field. You can connect with her here.
Theology & Specializes
Dominica Applegate is a seasoned content writer with over 15 years of professional experience. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and an M.A. in Theology and specializes in writing about mental health, counseling, personal development, addiction recovery, and family dynamics. In addition to freelance writing, she is the founder of Sacred Humans Co., (https://sacredhumansco.com/) where she creates guided journals and resources for emotional and spiritual wellness.
Researcher and Educational Psychologist
Ismail is a college instructor, a researcher and educational psychologist. He is passionate about helping students and professionals succeed in the fields of educational psychology, career counseling, and mental health. His background in both academic and clinical settings allows him to bring real-world insights into the classroom, guiding individuals to achieve their personal and professional goals.
His approach blends rigorous academic research with practical application, offering actionable strategies for career development, mental health support, and academic success. He is committed to creating a positive impact through evidence-based methods, fostering an environment where his students and clients can thrive in their careers and lives.
Community Mental Health Worker & Case Manager
Jessica has her bachelor’s degree in sociology and has worked in the mental health and social services field for over five years in both the public and non-profit sector. She has worked as a volunteer, a community mental health worker, and a case manager in many different interesting settings. Her interest in mental health and human behavior has led her to writing both privately and professionally on a number of different topics. You can find her writing on Medium and can contact her here.
M.S. in School Counseling
Kacy is a School Counselor currently living and working on Long Island, New York. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Miami and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Long Island University. Kacy works with adolescents and their families to help them succeed in school while coping with life’s challenges. Kacy Kaiser currently teaches at Easport-South Manor, can be contacted on her blog here and through LinkedIn here.
Mental Health Therapist
Makaela Bamonti is a licensed mental health therapist (Licensed Professional Counselor-Candidate) that currently works with individuals struggling with grief, life transitions, identity, relationships, anxiety, depression, and mental health issues. She earned her Master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling from Regis University in Colorado. Makaela has a background working as a yoga instructor, group facilitator, writer, and community integrations specialist and spends time advocating for holistic and integrative healthcare. She currently serves as trauma counselor for adolescents and adults at ABCounseling Group in Golden, Colorado.
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Melissa is a licensed clinical psychologist who currently serves as Vice President of Education for a behavioral health care company that specializes in provision of care to older adults. In this role, she conducts neurocognitive assessments; provides psychotherapy; and develops & delivers continuing education trainings. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from American University. She is also a freelance writer, primarily focused on psychoeducational topics. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here: Click here.
MA in Clinical/Counseling Psychology
Shenella Karunaratne is a licensed mental health therapist (Licensed Professional Counselor) that currently works with adolescents struggling with addiction and mental health issues. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in clinical psychology from Midwestern State University. Shenella has a background working as a therapist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is a freelance writer and editor part-time, specializing in topics related to mental health and education.
Ryan Schmale is a California-based library and information professional and writer, specializing in information literacy, research, archives, museum work, and antiques. His writing focuses on college and university curriculum, information communities, and various forms of literacy. His writing has explored topics such as the information-seeking behavior of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Community, adult literacy, and digital preservation. He currently resides in Los Angeles where he continues to work in information literacy-based course structure, museum research, and freelance writing. You can find information about Ryan’s work here, and you can contact Ryan here.
Youth Services Librarian
Alina is a part-time content writer and Children’s Librarian. After achieving a graduate degree in Library Information Science from San Jose State University, her work in education and youth development has led her to create content surrounding the discussions and advancement of information access to families and disadvantaged minorities. Before her graduate degree, she studied Communication Media Studies and Theater where she has a journalism background and marketing experience working for various theatre companies in Chicago where she currently resides. Alina works at has been published at and here is Alina’s LinkedIn.
Archivist and Reference Librarian
Emily DuGranrut has her Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism from Ohio University. She has also worked as a professional librarian and archivist for an academic library and public library. Emily is also a part-time freelance writer and editor and enjoys hiking and spending time with her dog, Trix, and her cats, Ace and Jack. You can find some of Emily’s writing on the Galesburg Public Library Blog, and she has also been published in The Burg.
Director of Library and Archives
Emily Rapoza is the Director of Library and Archives for the Great American Songbook Foundation. She was previously a Senior Lincoln Librarian with the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection at the Allen County Public Library. Emily holds two Master’s degrees: Digital History with a focus on GIS mapping and the Italian Renaissance from Ball State University and a Masters in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Emily is on staff at the Great American Songbook Foundation can be contacted here, you can find some of her published work here, and you can find some videos of her sharing her experience as an archivist here.
Youth Services Librarian
Kelly Davis has her Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Clarion University. She has her Bachelor’s in English Literature from Faulkner University. She also worked as a professional librarian in an academic library and was a youth services librarian for a metropolitan public library system. Kelly is currently a part-time freelance writer and enjoys a homestead life with her husband and two kids. Currently Kelly works as a librarian for the Montgomery City-County Public Library.
MLIS @ UNC Greensboro
Sydney Hamrick is a North Carolina Certified Public Librarian who currently a branch supervisor in a North Carolina public library system. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in English from Catawba College and her Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Before entering the public library field, she was a NC licensed high school educator and media coordinator. She taught and worked in K-12 school libraries for about five years before becoming a public librarian. She is a freelance writer and editor part time, specializing in a variety of topics.
Brenda Peralta is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with 10 years of clinical experience supporting people with metabolic and chronic health conditions, including obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, PCOS, and fatty liver disease.
She works closely with patients using GLP-1 medications, helping them manage side effects, meet nutrition needs, preserve muscle, and build sustainable eating habits that support long-term health. Her approach is evidence-based, practical, and focused on empowering people to create lifelong habit changes.
Brenda has provided thought leadership content and expert commentary to various publications including Total Diabetes, MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam, and numerous healthy eating and lifestyle blogs.
Pharmacist
Gerardo Sison, Pharm.D. is a pharmacist with experience in both clinical and retail settings, where he has counseled both patients and healthcare providers on medication management and drug information. He has almost a decade of experience as a medical writer and reviewer for various medical and health organizations, including RxSense and BetterHelp. Gerardo currently specializes in evidence-based writing on diabetes care and weight management to help readers make the right decisions about medications and other treatment options. He is a member of the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA).
Board-Certified Family Physician
Dr. Hirenkumar Italia is a board-certified family medicine physician with more than 20 years of clinical experience and a strong focus on weight management, metabolic health, and personalized wellness. He supports a wide range of clinics across the country specializing in GLP-1 medications, peptide therapy, and functional medicine protocols.
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing
Agramon-Gacayan, BSN, RN, MPM
Raye is a nurse with over 10 years of clinical and public management experience. As an L&D staff nurse, she rose to the ranks of charge nurse and middle manager before migrating to the US.
Raye was part of her previous hospital’s Continuous Quality Innovation Circle, where she helped nurses create projects that improved service delivery. She was also a member of the hospital’s Research Ethics Board, where she evaluated the technical and ethical merits of scientific research conducted within the institution.
Registered Nurse & Health Writer
Stephanie Wright is a Registered Nurse with over 15 years of experience across critical care, women’s health, mental health, and managed care. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Health Nursing.
Drawing on her diverse clinical background, Stephanie is passionate about bridging the gap between evidence-based medicine and everyday understanding. As a health writer, she transforms complex medical information into clear, compassionate, and actionable insights. In every article, Stephanie aims to educate, empower, and inspire readers to make informed choices for their long-term health and well-being.
Senior Transit Planner (DRCOG)
Cole Neder is a municipal planning professional with expertise in project management, community engagement, and plan implementation initiatives. His career journey began as a Community Development Intern with the City of Highland Park from 2019 to 2021. During this period, he also completed his Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Metropolitan Development at DePaul University.
Starting in 2021, Cole served as an LTA Planner with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), providing technical assistance to communities in Northeastern Illinois. His commitment to making municipal government more efficient and equitable led him to his current role as Senior Transit Planner with the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG).
Cole has focused on plan implementation from a regional level, working on projects for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), local Unified Development Ordinances (UDOs), and other capital improvement and management projects. His experiences at both CMAP and DRCOG, working with diverse local governments and transit agencies, have equipped him with unique insights into regional and local planning activities.
Foreign Policy Association
Adam Abdelaziz recieved his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
For the Fall 2022 term, he received the Scholastic Excellence Award for Communication, Writing, and Research in Legal Business. Beyond excelling as a writer in the legal business context, he also mastered the essential skills of legal research and legal writing. He produced briefs that reported on law and policy matters, reflected on them, and made sound recommendations based on research and reflection. In addition, he wrote an appellate brief for my requisite legal analysis and writing course, earning the second-highest mark in the evening division. Based on his legal drafting skills and academic credentials, Judge Gilbert Roman of the Colorado Court of Appeals selected him to write judicial opinions under his mentorship at the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Last year, I was a fellow at the Foreign Policy Association. I produced and edited three episodes of the Emmy-nominated series Great Decisions on PBS. Great Decisions is a series focused on developing awareness of global issues to support democratic participation in directing U.S. foreign policy.
Currently, Adam is a contributing author to Ground Control (Denver Law’s official air and space law blog).
Furthermore, he has consistently delivered outstanding results for private and third-sector organizations. For example, he has worked as a Creative Executive for Pell & Bales, a top professional fundraising organization in the United Kingdom. He led creative meetings with NGO and charity clients’ direct marketing teams and wrote the scripts that fundraisers would deliver before the public. His clients included Save the Children, the British Red Cross, and UNICEF.
Federal Judiciary | Master of Public Administration
Geroge received a master’s degree in public administration from The American University, and has 28 years of executive experience with the federal judiciary. During that time he was required to research and write various content including training materials, operational guides, and strategic plans. He also has published articles on leadership and management.
