Jeannie Celestial, Ph.D.
she/her/hers

www.drcelestial.com | [email protected] | 510-473-2818

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Title: Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Trauma Therapist, Coach, Consultant
Languages Spoken: English; Tagalog & Cebuano (basic)
Affiliations: Filipino Mental Health Initiative-Solano County
Approach: EMDR, Attachment-Focused EMDR, Somatic Embodiment, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Strength-Based, Culturally Responsive Care

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Jeannie E. Celestial (she/her/hers) is the youngest of two anak/children of settlers from Cavite & Cebu, Philippines on Guam, Chamorro indigenous land. Her family migrated to Northern California (Ohlone Territory) where she was raised (Vallejo). 

Passionate about holistic health & well-being, Jeannie serves as a Clinical Psychologist, offering psychotherapy including EMDR, Attachment-Focused EMDR, and somatic embodiment for treating traumatic stress. Jeannie was one of the early core members of FMHI-SF and helped establish its sibling organization, Filipinx Mental Health Initiative-Solano (FMHI-Solano). Jeannie is a daughter, sister, wife, and mother on a journey of decolonization and liberation and is honored to support the others on this path.

Jeannie earned her Doctorate in Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University with an Emphasis in Clinical Neuropsychology and an Emphasis in Meditation and Psychology. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the University of California at Berkeley in the 1990s, where she was active in Pilipino American Alliance, Maganda Magazine, and Kapwa (which she co-founded). Celestial additionally holds a Master of Social Work degree from San Francisco State University.

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What does "mental health" mean to you? Why is it important for us as Filipinxs/Filipinx Americans to normalize discussions around wellness and mental health in our community?

To me, mental health means being at peace and in harmony with yourself, other people, and the world. For a large majority of Filipinx folks, this might also mean being at peace with God, one's ancestors, and nature. We must promote and uplift the importance of mental health and holistic wellness in our community: 1) because we carry the stories of resilience and strength of our ancestors, 2) because it's imperative to practice self- and community care to resist the fallacy of White Supremacy and the Model Minority Myth, and 3) because we are all meant to shine and embody our innate gifts.