SAN LUIS OBISPO STAFF

Tom Buckley brings over two decades of experience in behavioral health, addiction recovery, and community leadership to Aspire Counseling Services. As a seasoned Executive Director of Aspire SLO, Tom remains deeply committed to building systems of care that are accessible, compassionate, and rooted in connection. He specializes in program development, workforce training, harm reduction, and community engagement. Tom is also Vice President of NAMI San Luis Obispo County and Vice Chair of the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals Education Board. With a personal recovery journey and a passion for advocacy, Tom works to bridge gaps between public and private mental health services in San Luis Obispo County. His leadership continues to inspire a culture of purpose, healing, and growth for clients, families, and the professionals who serve them.

Lisa obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1998 from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and her Master of Social Welfare in 2000 from University of California at Berkeley. Lisa has been a member of NASW since 2000, was the Chair of the SLO Unit for 3 years and received the Award of Social Worker of the Year in 2016.

She has worked at several agencies within San Luis Obispo County including the PATHS program at Child Welfare Services, Family Care Network Inc., Hospice Partners of the Central Coast, and more recently has joined Aspire Counseling Service as a supervisor for Associate Interns.

Lisa has also been teaching at Cuesta College since 2006 in the Human Development/Human Services Department within the Applied Behavioral Sciences Division. Most of her courses are related to Addiction treatment and Social Work. She attended the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals conference in 2019, Evolution of Psychotherapy conference, Wraparound conferences as well as the California Cultural Competence Summit on several occasions. Lisa continues to obtain and provide trainings on a regular basis to enhance her practice.

Lisa has lived in San Luis Obispo for 41 years and enjoys playing and listening to music, hiking, paddle boarding, and being outdoors.

Liam found his way to Aspire Counseling through his previous role working as a member of SLO County’s Mobile Crisis Team after seeing the level of care and commitment staff displayed. He is currently finishing his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Southern University. Prior to his work with the Crisis Team he served in emergency response for 14 years as an EMT and Firefighter before recognizing it was time for a field change. His commitment to caring and serving those in need has led him to counseling psychology and Aspire SLO.

Lacey attended graduate school at USC and received her Master of Social Work degree in December 2020. While attending graduate school Lacey had the opportunity to intern with a non-profit mental health agency that provided treatment to adults, teenagers, children, and families struggling with substance use and mental health. Prior to earning her master’s, Lacey worked as an occupational therapy assistant working with both adults and adolescents struggling with mental health and substance use. Her desire to help individuals stems from watching family members and friends struggle with mental health and/or addiction and not being able at a younger age to help in any capacity. Lacey has a firm belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard and grow from their own past, and desires to aid individuals in this journey.

She has worked in a variety of mental health settings since 2017, which include: intensive outpatient services, inpatient residential working with clients diagnosed with mental health and substance use; private school working with children with behavioral and emotional regulation disturbances; and developing groups for agencies including behavioral modification, parent education on mental health, and women’s trauma.

Lacey found a calling working with individuals who have experienced trauma, struggle with mental health and substance use, and those who feel society has outcasted them. Lacey utilizes a variety of evidence-based treatments to aid clients on their journey and always starts where the client is at. Two of Lacey’s top treatment modalities are trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and harm-reduction.

Lacey enjoys traveling, thrift shopping, drinking iced coffee, hanging with her husky, and being at the beach.

Carley Brown is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and the Lead Therapist at Aspire SLO. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and Anthropology in 2015 and completed her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2024.

Carley has been with Aspire since January 2023 and brings both clinical skill and lived experience to her role. She entered the mental health field following her own personal journey, driven by a deep commitment to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered.

In her work at Aspire, Carley is passionate about creating a safe, structured, and affirming space for clients to heal. She values the opportunity to walk alongside clients as they navigate challenges, develop coping skills, and plant the seeds of long-term recovery.

Jacob Fox is an intern counselor currently pursuing a degree in psychology and certification in addiction studies at Cuesta College. With a passion for assisting individuals struggling with mental health challenges and addiction issues, Jacob desires to make a positive impact in his community. Through his commitment to ongoing education and practical experience, he strives to provide empathetic support and evidence-based counseling to those in need. Jacob is dedicated to fostering well-being and facilitating recovery. As he continues to expand his knowledge and skills, Jacob hopes to become a compassionate advocate for mental health and addiction awareness in his county.