Testimonials
Frank C. Worrell, PhD
Distinguished Professor, University of California, Berkeley
Former President, American Psychological Association (2022)
“There are very few people who I would recommend enthusiastically and without reservations when it comes to advising and providing support to youth, whether they are at-risk or gifted and talented. Dr. Christine Gerchow is at the top of that short list. Her ability to relate to youth and their families, understand the nature of the issues, and develop useful solutions is unparalleled.”
Monica Vaughn
Senior Chief of Schools
Alameda County Office of Education
“Dr. Gerchow is widely regarded as a model of Collaborative Leadership. Her keen ability to harness shared vision across multiple sectors while fostering supportive inter-agency relationships has been an inspiration!”
Jonathan Simon, JD, Ph D.
Lance Robbins Professor of Criminal Justice Law
UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall)
“I had the opportunity to work closely with Christine Gerchow during her doctoral dissertation on cognitive behavioral therapy and criminal recidivism. Christine has the creative mind, methodological rigor and unstinting work discipline of the best Berkeley trained human scientists. She would be natural for top academic or public policy positions (where her skills and engaging personality are badly needed). Yet it is her quite unusual capacity for empathetic understanding of complex relationships and her compassion to help people as individuals overcome their barriers to success that truly sets her apart from the talented graduate students I am privileged to work with.”
Javay Ross, MD, CCH
Primary Care Pediatrician – UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
Medical Director, Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center
Associate Professor UCSF Benioff
I have never worked with such an emotionally intelligent and considerate individual. In fact, her leadership approach was inspirational. It truly inspired me to reconsider some of the ways in which I lead and how to be more cognizant of the journey that others have taken to get them to the place in which we are now asked to interact and partner.
Sandhya Dubey, MD
Psychiatrist, Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center
“I had the pleasure of working alongside Dr. Gerchow at the Juvenile Justice center, and I can confidently say that she is one of the most exceptional professionals I have ever encountered. Her empathy and strong leadership skills set her apart, creating a work environment that was both supportive and motivating. She is not only a creative thinker but also a critical problem solver, always finding innovative ways to address challenges. Dr. Gerchow excels in delivering personalized, patient-centered care, consistently putting the needs of others first. She is a thoughtful, kind colleague who inspires everyone around her and is a true role model in every sense.”
William B. Burrough, MD, MPH, FAAP
Primary Care Pediatrician & Adolescent Rotation Director – UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
Substance Use Disorder Champion & Correctional Physician – Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center
Assistant Clinical Professor – UCSF School of Medicine
“Christine Gerchow was an incredible leader as the Health Services Director at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center. She has a real talent for bringing together different agencies and stakeholders to work as a team, always keeping the focus on what’s best for the youth. Christine meets people where they are, truly listens to their concerns, and makes everyone feel heard. Her passion for helping young people is at the heart of everything she does, and her vision for a better future for them is inspiring.”
Dan Batiuchok, Psy.D.
Former Program Manager, Contra Costa County Mental Health and Probation Services
“Dr. Gerchow has a unique ability to effectively engage and support youth as they pursue their goals. She was a tremendous asset to our clinical team, and had a transformative impact on the culture of the entire juvenile probation department. Not surprisingly, her influence continues far beyond the walls of Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall.”
Ronel Lewis, M.D.
Former Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist, Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall
“Christine’s support and expertise as a supervisor, consultant, and innovator in this system has proven of inestimable value to her trainees and colleagues, in addition to her invaluable therapeutic work directly with many of our youth.”
James Rivers
Former Superintendent, Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center
Former Probation Manager, Contra Costa County
“It is nearly par for the course for youth in custody to have high rates of trauma that severely impacts their behavior and pro-social functioning. Dr. Gerchow was the go-to for our staff when we needed first-rate responses to support our youth. For example, she incorporated sensory integration and Dialectical Behavior Therapy strategies in her work, supporting youth to develop more situational awareness and self-control to manage situations and improve their life trajectory.”
RJ Dutra
Probation Manager, Contra Costa County Probation Department
“Dr. Gerchow’s tireless service, passion, and resourcefulness in Behavioral Health is unmatched. As a representative of Law Enforcement leadership, I especially appreciate and respect her prowess and desire to provide exceptional care in the support of both underserved populations, and Law Enforcement alike. Working collaboratively with Dr. Gerchow has been extraordinary, and I will continue to seek her expertise far into the future of our Department, and my career.”
Tamra Groode, MPH, RN, FNP
Nurse Practitioner, Contra Costa County
“I am a Nurse Practitioner who worked with Christine Gerchow in Contra Costa County’s Juvenile Hall. Christine is an expert in trauma informed care and uses her skills and thoughtfulness to approach our most at risk and traumatized youth in a healing modality that helps them to increase their self- awareness and emotional maturity. While others have given up on these youth, Christine works out of the box to empower youth to heal from the trauma they have experienced and sometimes inflicted on others and to motivate self-control, soothing and healing. I’m always inspired by her perseverance and passion.”
Mary Vesey, RN
Former Charge Nurse, Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall
“Christine Gerchow is an extremely intelligent, charismatic and compassionate leader who regularly goes the extra mile as a psychologist at Contra Costa County’s Juvenile Hall. Her work is revered and respected by patients and colleagues from across our county’s education, medical, legal and probation agencies. She is among the most dedicated lifelong learners, often reading multiple books at a time about evidence-based treatment, teaching and learning, and modern therapeutic modalities. Above all, she approaches everyone with love, humility, radiance and sincerity. She is a treasured team member and will make for the best trainer and consultant!”
Forrest Coleman
Ret. Supervisor, Contra Costa County Probation Department
“Christine does great therapeutic work with the youth at Juvenile Hall. She is very motivated and has true passion for the work she is involved in. She has sat on several committees that I have Chaired or been a part of. In doing so, her knowledge, input, support as well as attention to detail as it relates to program development have been monumental to the success of our work groups.”
Amanda Kuzio, LMFT
Probation Liaison/Mental Health Clinical Specialist, Contra Costa County
“Christine is a fountain of knowledge around trauma and how it affects those of us who work in fields related to trauma. She’s a great leader! She’s efficient and delivers information in a dynamic and personable way. After I speak with Christine, I always come away with more information and a better understanding of myself and those I help.”
Sefanit F. Mekuria, MD, MPH
Deputy Health Officer and Pediatrician/Provider, Contra Costa County Health Services
“Christine Gerchow is an advocate for patients and has worked tirelessly to understand the needs of individuals who have experienced trauma. In practice, I have seen Christine use different modalities with youth that have experienced a range of different traumas, from experiencing personal trauma to witnessing acts of trauma to other types of trauma such as neglect. Christine guides her patients to understand the impact of past traumas, how traumatic experiences may have affected them, and how to work through these experiences. Christine understands what tools are evidence-based and tailors treatment approaches to the needs of her patients. She is an indispensable resource and valued greatly by both patients and staff members.”
Kelechi Ubozoh
Mental Health Consultant, Advocate, Writer, and Published Author
“Dr. Christine Gerchow is a fantastic collaborator, mental health advocate, and partner for those who are underserved or inappropriately served. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with her on work on reducing racial disparities in the criminal justice and justice field, and have been impressed on her approach and how she brings in the voices most impacted by system challenges to have a seat at the table.”
Katrina Ramirez, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist – Trauma Treatment Track ACLT, South Sacramento Medical Center
“Intelligent, determined and motivated to helping marginalized groups. She is an outstanding clinician and true inspiration to all in the field.”
