About Us

Nile Brandt, PhD, Staff Counselor – California Campus

Nile Brandt was born and raised in San Diego, California, and is the son of two professional classical musicians. He obtained master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Sport & Exercise Psychology from Ball State University, and his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Utah. He has worked in a range of settings, including college student and student-athlete mental health. His specialty interests include multiculturalism, identity development, transition, positive psychology, and sport, exercise, and performance psychology. Nile approaches therapy in a feminist, collaborative, and authentic manner, striving to meet his clients where they are in their respective journeys, goals, and needs. He provides individual therapy, consultation, outreach and support to members of the Scripps Research community.

He is available to see clients throughout the week.

Daphne Lurie, PhD, Counseling Center Director — California Campus

Daphne Lurie is a California-licensed psychologist. She was born in Israel and became a U.S. citizen at age seven. Daphne spent her high school years living in four different countries; her father worked as a political cartoonist in capital cities and she is grateful for these enriching experiences. Daphne has been at Scripps Research since 2007 and has been director of CAPS since 2010. She has enjoyed working with the Scripps Research community more than any other group.

She obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina, and her BA in Psychology from Williams College. She has worked in a range of professional sites, from hospital to university-based settings. She sees both individual clients and couples in therapy, and has specialty interests in relationship issues, women's issues, multicultural experiences, and identity/adjustment issues.

She is available to see clients throughout the week.

Gabriela Esquivel, Administrative Assistant

Gabriela Esquivel was born and raised in San Diego, California, Gabriela is a bilingual (English-Spanish) CAPS Administrative Assistant. A first-generation college student, Gabriela received her bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego. Gabriela is available to help CAPS clients with their intake and scheduling needs. She also works closely with the CAPS team on administrative, graphic, and technology-based projects.