SHARI HOUSER
Clinic Director
(Picture: Shari Houser [left] with staff clinician Marla Monk)
As CVN’s newest Cohen Clinic, what are you most excited about?
Two things: Telehealth and families! Through the “magic” of Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy, we can serve veterans and their families, and active duty families anywhere in California! We can reach a veteran in Victorville or someone in San Diego who doesn’t have time in their day for a commute to the clinic. It has been very exciting to see how many clients have requested Telehealth! Also, as a Marriage and Family therapist, I love to see how many families are reaching out to us. We all know the entire family serves and needs support, and we are very proud to be able to offer that support here at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD. We designed our staff to consist of both veterans and active duty spouses, who can relate first hand to the very unique struggles and stresses a military family can face. My hope is that more families (including couples) continue to reach out and let us serve them.
What is most rewarding about your role?
There are so many; I can’t stick to just one! I work with the finest staff I have ever known! I have a strong, effective and compassionate team assembled to care for veterans and military families. From the first phone call to the Cohen Clinic through to the discharge with a case manager, our clients are surrounded by staff who are grounded in evidence-based practices and really care for each person they serve. It is one of my greatest rewards as director to know that my staff give 100 percent everyday, and that they are all excellent at what they do. Another amazing reward is hearing children laughing and enjoying the child-friendly spaces we have created for them. Whether they are being seen by a clinician, receiving childcare while their caretaker is in a session, or just waiting in our lobby, their laughter brings joy to the clinic!
What is one thing that people may not know about you?
I live with a dog...that outweighs me by 60 pounds!
Do you have any favorite hobbies?
Yes! I love working out, gardening and playing corn hole with family and friends.
