- our mission
Our Mission Statement
The Clinebell Institute is a community counseling center and a training center for persons working toward mental health licenses.
The Institute is a gem, headquartered in Claremont, California, for 65 years and offering quality counseling/psychotherapy to hundreds of men and women each year at affordable rates. At The Clinebell Institute, we strive to attend to the whole person and to whole communities -- focusing on meaning-making, justice-seeking, relief of suffering, and living an abundant life.
History of The Clinebell Institute
In 1957, Howard Clinebell developed a pastoral counseling center at the First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, California. This center became a training base for the School of Theology at Claremont’s graduate program in pastoral counseling. In the ensuing years, the center was known as The Pomona Valley Pastoral Counseling Center, the Pomona Valley Pastoral Counseling & Growth Center, and by 1989 to The Clinebell Institute in honor of its founder, Howard Clinebell.
For over 30 years, Howard Clinebell taught pastoral psychology and counseling at the Claremont School of Theology where he was also the Co-Director of the Pastoral Counseling and Training Center, now known as The Clinebell Institute. Clinebell was an internationally renowned leader in pastoral counseling and contributed greatly through his teaching, speaking, practice, and publishing. Clinebell was a founding member and the first president of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and the founder of the International Pastoral Care Network for Social Responsibility.
He co-authored or edited over 20 books on various pastoral counseling topics and traveled extensively throughout the United States and to more than 60 countries in the world where he spoke and taught. He was committed to justice, peace, and was an advocate for the environment. Clinebell will continue to have a profound effect on future generations of pastoral counselors through his writing and his former students and colleagues from all around the world.
The Institute is founded upon a 50-year tradition of viewing life holistically. This perspective uses both the religious and spiritual dimensions of life, the wisdom of the behavioral sciences and the awareness of the body. This tradition also embraces a multicultural sensitivity in training and providing clinical services. The staff works as a team consulting with interdisciplinary professionals to best respond to the whole person.
Connie Morlett Madison
Meet Our Executive Director
While many in our community are just beginning to see her in this new role, our Executive Director has been faithfully serving behind the scenes for years. Through her leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our mission, she has helped shape countless initiatives that have strengthened the Institute and the communities we serve. We are thrilled to officially welcome Connie Morlett Madison, MA, LMFT into this position and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
Connie has been actively involved in the Institute’s work and leadership, bringing extensive experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist, educator, consultant,clinical supervisor, and community leader. She is committed to The Clinebell Institute’s mission of promoting compassionate, holistic, and spiritually integrated mental health care while strengthening our partnerships with clinicians, universities, faith communities, and the broader community.
As Executive Director, Connie serves as the Institute’s primary point of contact for organizational matters, including partnerships, training opportunities, consultation, referrals, and community collaboration.
Our Staff
Alejandra Suazo
Bilingual Practicum Intern
It takes immense courage to seek support, and I believe true healing and self-discovery begins where you feel safe, seen, and accepted. My style is warm and collaborative; my role is to walk softly alongside you at your own pace.
I approach therapy with a deep respect for your unique culture. I know our mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and I am committed to understanding how the world around you, including societal and systemic pressures, affects your well-being. Together, we will work toward personal healing, spiritual exploration, and reclaiming your voice, power and autonomy. I also honor how our relationships shape us, knowing your healing beautifully impacts the people you love.
I am passionate about supporting individuals navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship concerns, or identity exploration. I am earning my Master’s in Clinical Psychology (MFT with Latinx Communities) at Pepperdine University and practice under the close clinical supervision of Connie Morlett Madison, LMFT, which means our work benefits from the shared expertise of two dedicated professionals.
Outside the office, I love traveling, spending time with family, watching intriguing movies, or cuddling my elderly pets with a good book.
Michelle Purtee
Practicum Intern
As a graduate practicum student, Michelle is honored to walk alongside clients as they navigate challenges, life transitions, and personal growth. She believes each person is the expert on their own life and strives to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space for exploring concerns, gaining insight, and finding a path forward.
Michelle is an empathetic, attentive listener who takes a flexible, individualized approach to therapy, drawing from a range of therapeutic methods to support each client’s needs and goals. Outside of therapy, she is a mother, caregiver, and graduate student who enjoys spending time with family, traveling, cooking and baking, creative projects, nature, the beach, and exploring new places.
Meet the Board
Donald Clinebell, JD, PBK
Chair of the Board of Directors
Donald is a former Deputy Attorney General for the State of California. He is also a renowned author, speaker, leadership coach, and Certified Lay Minister (UMC, Ret). Donald is a widely recognized thought leader in the field of servant leadership — and its impact on businesses, organizations and individuals. His highly acclaimed book, The Servant Driven Leader, is part of his “Service Driven Trilogy.” The trilogy also includes the ground-breaking (and Amazon best selling) Extraordinary Living, and his faith-based book, The Service Driven Life.
Donald is the Founder and President of The Service Driven Institute. He has a passion for helping people experience the extraordinary power of service — in every part of their lives. Donald is much in demand as a keynote and motivational speaker, and leadership coach — both in the non-profit and the private sectors. To book Donald, feel free to visit his website, or email the Service Driven Institute administrator at infoservicedriven@gmail.com
Donald is the son of Howard Clinebell, TCI’s Founder, he has served on TCI’s Board since 2017 and as TCI’s Chair of the Board since January 2023.
Tessa Clinebell Scheper
Board Member
Tessa left the news industry in 2020 to become a casting producer for several networks and streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and E!. At the same time, Tessa created a passion project that has transformed into a full-time job, running an e-commerce website that sells handbag, shoe and travel accessories. You can check it out at positivelyluxe.com. Her most important job came in the fall of 2024 when Tessa and her husband, welcomed their first child, Fitzgerald. Tessa is the proud granddaughter of Howard Clinebell, TCI’s Founder. She is passionate about serving others and continuing her grandfather’s legacy.
Lorena Arguello Dowlatshahi, LMFT
Board Member
Lorena Dowlatshahi, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 18 years of experience providing therapy to children, teens, adults, couples, and families. She is the founder of LAD Wellness Marriage and Family Therapy, Inc., where she has built a practice focused on helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges and strengthen their relationships.
Lorena is passionate about expanding access to quality mental health care and is honored to serve on the Board of the Clinebell Institute. She is committed to supporting the Institute’s mission of providing affordable, low-cost therapy to individuals and families in the community and helping ensure that mental health services are accessible to those who need them.
Martha Morales
Board Member
Martha Morales is an ordained deacon, retired in the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She served 21 years at Claremont UMC and her work focused on education ministries, pastoral care and the promotion of social justice in the broader community. In retirement Martha is active in work on affordable housing. She serves on the board of Housing Claremont, in addition to The Clinebell Institute.
Marian Brown. Ph.D.
Board Member Emeritus
