Juliet Melamid, M.A., MFT
Juliet has more than 20 years experience working with children and their families and leading social skills  groups for children.  Prior to becoming a marriage and family therapist, Juliet was a a speech and language therapist working with elementary school aged children with speech, language and learning problems. Juliet has extensive experience helping children with pragmatic language problems navigate the nuanced realm of social realtionships. 

In 2000, Juliet co-founded the FriendSmarts program with Ginny Strock.  In 2010, Juliet redesigned the program to focus on the social needs of children in fourth grade through high school.

Annette McGarr MFT, ATR
Annette has been a group therapist at FriendSmarts for 11 years and has led groups for school-age children since 1992. Before joining FriendSmarts, she worked in several school districts and agencies and supervised the group program at Children’s Health Council. She is also the co-founder of Art Plus, a summer social skills and art therapy program. In addition to her group work, she has a private practice working with children, families, and adults. Annette also has specialized training in art therapy, which she finds is a helpful focus when working with children and families. She speaks German and French fluently.

In her personal life, Annette enjoys art making, yoga, meditation, gardening, hiking and traveling. She has raised two children and lives with her husband in Palo Alto.

Leina Ramos, L.C.S.W.
Leina has worked as a child psychotherapist, conducting assessments and providing individual, family, and group therapy, for over 15 years. In addition to FriendSmarts, she works with children, families and groups at the Center for Developing Minds in Los Gatos. Previously, she worked in outpatient mental health clinics in Santa Clara and San Francisco counties, EMQ FamiliesFirst in Campbell, and Edgewood Children’s Center in San Francisco providing school-based mental health services. In addition, Leina has trained masters-level social work interns, as a field instructor for San Jose State University.

Leina is married and has 7-year-old twin boys.

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