California Psychological Institute
1470 West Herndon Avenue, Suite 300
Fresno, CA 93711
ph: (559) 256-2000
fax: (559) 256-3000
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Empowering children and families to ignite change in their lives.
Management Team
Michelle Zavala MPH ‐ Chief Operating Officer/Administrative Director
Michelle has worked for CPI since 2003 and oversees all operations. She has been the Administrative Director since 2005 and transitioned to Chief Operating Officer in 2022. She has extensive Human Resources experience and has facilitated the contract with Fresno County since taking over as Administrative Director 19 years ago. She has implemented the electronic health record under the previous contract and oversees all staff. Her contract management has allowed CPI to bill nearly 95% of each contract maximum. She is the Vice President of the Association of Behavioral Health Contract Agencies and is actively involved in all program changes. She works closely with Fresno County and the Department of Social Services staff to develop and create new policies and processes to continually improve our program.
Brooke Pfister, LMFT ‐ Co-Director of Clinical Services
Brooke Pfister is an LMFT. Brooke attended California State University, Fresno and graduated with a Master’s degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy. Brooke has been a member of the CPI team since 2003. Brooke has had the opportunity to hold different positions at CPI that have allowed her to learn, grow, and gain valuable knowledge and experience working with clients and families involved with the Child Welfare system, including case manager, therapist, and Co-Director of Clinical Services. Brooke continues to provide therapeutic services and clinical supervision to associates, and she is the CFT Team supervisor. Brooke has extensive experience working with clients with complex trauma and utilizes a trauma-informed and attachment-focused approach when working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Brooke has training in Level One and Level Two Theraplay, EMDR, MI, numerous trainings in play therapy, is a certified instructor in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention through Crisis Prevention Institute, and is a CAMFT certified supervisor.
Tara Peterson, LMFT‐ Co-Director of Clinical Services
Tara Peterson is an LMFT. Tara received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Fresno in 2012. She is an Endorsed Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, Reflective Practice Facilitator II and CAMFT-certified supervisor. She has worked at CPI since 2013, first as an associate, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in working within the Child Welfare System. She later became a Licensed Therapist and then Clinical Supervisor where she offered support to emerging therapists navigating therapy in the world of Child Welfare. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents with complex trauma and offers a relational, trauma-informed approach to promote change and healing in a safe therapeutic space.
Angela Boardman, LMFT‐ Clinical Supervisor
Angela Boardman is an LMFT, receiving her MS from Fresno State. Angela’s career has been dedicated to working with children and families in the public mental health arena. Her work focuses on assisting individuals and families who have experienced trauma and attachment disruption. Angela is an endorsed Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. Angela has been published in the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. She has specialized training in relationship‐based therapy models of Theraplay, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, and Filial Therapy. Angela is also qualified to conduct Attachment, Bonding, and Sibling Studies for the court. She has called CPI home for 17 years and has been a clinical supervisor for 10 years.