Meet Our
Clinical Team

Katie Hirst, MD

Medical Director

Dr. Hirst graduated from Stanford University and then attended UC San Diego School of Medicine, completing her medical degree and then attaining board certification in both Family Medicine and Psychiatry. With this combined training, including additional board certification in Addiction Medicine, she is uniquely qualified to attend to both the psychiatric and medical needs of Villa Kali Ma’s patients and enjoys providing care to each patient from a holistic, whole-person perspective.

Stephanie Ochoa, AMFT

Primary Therapist

I have a lifetime of experiences that have formed me into the person I am today. I have had a deep care and concern for all humans from a very young age. I always had a baby on my hip growing up, helping my family with my younger siblings, my own two sons and then my nieces and nephews. I was a nanny for over ten years. I have an interest and passion for art and design as well. I once owned a chain of vintage boutiques and even dabbled in interior design work. Life has shown me an abundance of joy, but I do also know great pain. I tragically lost my full-term baby girl during delivery many years ago, and that experience brought me to therapy for the first time. I have done extensive trauma and grief work since.

My greatest passion was found recently over the last five years through my work as a therapist, leaning into a humanistic model. After obtaining my M.A. in Counseling, I went on the path of marriage and family therapy. I feel blessed and connected daily with my clients. My heart has expanded on this career path beyond what I ever thought possible. I am an advocate for women, a proud ally of the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities. My favorite part of this work is witnessing transformation as others reconnect with their true authentic self. I am the compassionate witness who is forever changed by these experiences. In complete awe.

Savannah Kraus, AMFT

Therapist The Office

As a trauma-trained therapist, I specialize in the treatment of trauma from a developmental and nervous system lens that intentionally targets a client’s unique needs. My name is Savannah Kraus, and I am a multi-cultural, Mexican-American, Marriage and Family Therapist, passionate about de-colonizing therapy with an invitation to explore the many diverse aspects of identity, including race, ethnicity, culture, gender, and sexuality, that factor into a person’s mental health.

With integration as a core value of my therapeutic approach, I enjoy blending in and incorporating aspects of somatic therapy, nervous system regulation, IFS “parts” work, and Brainspotting.

“Slow is fast, and fast is slow.” I have been treating trauma with deep care with 3 years of experience, moving at the pace that a client is comfortable with and giving as much autonomy as possible in their healing. Patience, curiosity, compassion, and intuition are the cornerstone of trauma focused therapy. Following the “tail of the comet” and inviting clients to reconnect with the intuitive process of their healing is my passion.

Completed Trainings:

Brainspotting Phase 1
Brainspotting Phase 2
Expansion Brainspotting
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Restoration Therapy Level 1
Cognitive Processing Therapy

Katia Budinsky, BS

Direct Care Supervisor – The Retreat

As the Direct Care Supervisor at Villa Kali Ma, I am passionate about helping others and creating a safe, supportive space for both our clients and staff. I believe healing happens when women feel truly seen, heard, and cared for, and I strive to bring that sense of safety and compassion into everything I do.

My personal life experience caring for women and children with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges has shaped the way I show up in this work. I know firsthand how important patience, empathy, and understanding are in the healing process, and I do my best to carry those values with me every day.

At Villa Kali Ma, it’s an honor to walk alongside the women we serve, supporting their journeys toward recovery, growth, and self-discovery.

Amber Keith, RADT

Case Manager – The Villa

I’m a Southern California native who cherishes time spent with my family and finds peace in the beauty of the outdoors. As a teenager, I took a personality test in school to learn more about potential career paths. The results suggested I was someone who would do well in caregiving and helping others. At the time, I scoffed at the idea, dismissing it as nonsense. However, years later, I found myself drawn to Villa Kali Ma and a career in which I could work with women and help support them find the hope and light that I found in my early recovery.
A quote that has deeply resonated with me throughout my own recovery is: “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” Healing and recovery isn’t just about staying sober—it’s about growth, change, and transformation in all aspects of life. While the road to recovery is challenging, I assure you, it is worth every step.
As a Case Manager, my role is to provide support, guidance, and coordination of care as our clients navigate their healing journeys. Villa Kali Ma has truly become my home away from home, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside women as they take each step forward, no matter how big or small. It is a privilege to be part of such an incredible team, showing women that hope is real, and recovery is possible.

Lizzie Powell, RADT

Program Director – The Retreat

I was lucky enough to grow up in Oceanside, Ca. I got married and had my two sons at young age and unfortunately fell down my own dark road of addiction that took a few years to get out of & when I finally did, I had this feeling that I needed to help other women in my situation. I enrolled in Palomar College in their AODS program and found Villa Kali Ma. I started in 2020 as a Resident Advisor, and then moved to Case Manager and in January 2023 became Operations Manager of our PHP/IOP program. Villa Kali Ma was different than anything I had ever seen in the treatment world. I felt a connection instantly and knew I found my passion and my home.

My Mom taught me from an early age how important it is as a woman to lift not only myself up, but other women as well. In May 2021, my mom fell ill and passed away. I was filled with heartbreak and sadness but also felt this new motivation to carry on what she always taught me as a young girl and decided Villa Kali Ma is the place for me long term to find a way to help women get their lives back and face the trauma they had been through.

When I am not at VKM, I am with my husband of 10 years and our two sons. I love doing yoga, journaling, listening to a good podcast and remembering to constantly keep working on myself. Villa Kali Ma helped me find my true self, and it’s my honor to help other woman in the healing that takes place here.