Brandy Engler, PsyD

Dr. Brandy Engler (PSY 22512) is a clinical psychologist specializing in relationships and sexuality, addiction and anxiety. Dr. Engler is an active, engaged therapist who tailors therapy toward a client's unique needs. Therapy may include gestalt-relational, psychodynamic and cognitive-mindfulness based techniques.

Dr. Engler has published two books of essays on psychotherapy, The Women on My Couch and The Men on My Couch ( Berkley Books).

You can read reviews, interviews, commentary, and articles about Dr. Engler in: Men's Health, Women's Health, The Times of London, Cosmopolitan Magazine, The Good Men Project, New York Post, The Irish Examiner, Redbook, Whole Life Times, xojane, Men's Health, Glamour, Brides, Vanity Fair Italia, Women's Health, Buzzfeed, The Atlantic Magazine, Madame Figaro, The Huffington Post and O Magazine.

Sarah Mairesse, LMFT

Sarah is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist who's work is rooted in helping children and adults of all ages find the breakthroughs they need to discover a more balanced and peaceful life. Sarah has worked with clients to support healthy attachment and differentiation, guiding them to build awareness, insight and create opportunities for change, while recognizing maladaptive patterns and behaviors, which limit them to create a richer and healthier life for themselves and those around them.

Sarah uses a humanistic, client centered approach and works in collaboration with her clients to identify problems, explore issues interfering with their ability to feel fulfilled and supports solutions that will improve their over all well being.
Sarah is trained in EMDR therapy which uses bi lateral stimulation to help process uncomfortable memories, confront fears and replace distorted cognitions in their minds, which have kept them stuck and incapable to break free from their doubt, preventing them to find that more fulfilling job or relationship.

Claudia Narvaez-Meza, LMFT

Claudia is a bilingual Spanish speaking Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #83703) who has over ten years of experience working with individuals of all ages, couples, and families. Claudia specializes in trauma recovery, family systems and relationship issues, fertility concerns, substance abuse and recovery, sexual and gender identity, spirituality and spiritual resiliency, grief and loss, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, and migration and acculturation challenges.

Claudia was trained at the White Institute of Psychoanalysis and the Ackerman Institute for the Family. She takes a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment and is informed by Family Systems, Attachment Theory, CBT, Narrative, Psychodynamic, Spiritually Informed and Mindfulness Based practices. Claudia believes her purpose as a therapist is to listen with intuition, insight, and curiosity. She collaborates with the client in curating a space that nurtures self-resiliency, strength, and embraces complexity with renewed care and compassion.

Born in Nicaragua, raised in New York City, and LGBTQ+ affirming, Claudia has a unique understanding of the struggles of various populations. Much of her early work was in community mental health and social justice. Claudia provided counseling services and interventions to victims of family violence, before serving as a trauma clinician for children in foster care. Claudia completed The New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care - Foundations Program, where she offered spiritual care and counsel for the sick, dying and their families. She also worked with the Gender & Family Project, facilitating support groups for parents and caregivers of trans and gender non-conforming children and adolescents.

A published writer and poet, Claudia received her MFA from Brooklyn College and her MSW from New York University.

Virginia Gilbert, LMFT

Virginia is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC 49578) and has been seeing clients for 14 years. Although her preference is to help couples transcend their issues and attach in healthy ways, she also realizes that not every couple is meant to stay together. She also specializes in the treatment of divorce (especially high-conflict divorce), intimate partner betrayal, and sex and love addiction. For those of you who like knowing what treatment modalities your therapist uses, Virginia draws from narrative therapy, solution-focused, mindfulness, CBT, DBT, and trauma resiliency. Her work is informed by attachment theory (how our early attachment experiences shape our current relationships) and 12-step principles.

Other things you might want to know about Virginia: She graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in English, and Antioch University Los Angeles with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. She did her clinical training at the Southern California Counseling Center, and worked for a year at the Center for Healthy Sex, where she treated people struggling with sexual compulsivity. Other treatment settings that Virginia has worked in includes an adolescent residential treatment facility and a drug rehab.

Lastly, Virginia is also a freelance writer and her book, Transcending High-Conflict Divorce: How To Disengage From Your Ex And Find Your Power, was published in 2019 and is available on Amazon.

Samantha Funes, LMFT

Samantha Funes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in LGBT+ affirmative psychotherapy. Samantha has a passion for working with those that belong to marginalized and underserved groups. Her work focuses on helping people heal from the toxic shame that can come from multiple oppressions. Her goal is to help people accept all parts of their identity and how these identities are part of a unique whole person.

Samantha Funes graduated from Antioch University Los Angeles with a Masters in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in LGBTQ affirmative psychotherapy. She trained at Being Alive in West Hollywood, where she worked with individuals living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. There she was trained in psychodynamic therapy. She later worked at Aviva Family and Children’s Services where she provided trauma-informed care combined with CBT to children and their families. She also works from a client/person centered approach and uses aspects of family systems in her work with clients.

Samantha has provided therapy in English and Spanish and brings an understanding on how acculturation issues effect mental health, specifically in the Latinx community.

Lauren Maher, AMFT

I am passionate about helping people reduce stress and anxiety in order to find a path towards happiness and healing. As an associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT 97668), I work collaboratively with my clients to define their needs and goals, and tailor an approach that works best for them. I work with clients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma/PTSD, and relationship issues, as well as those who are simply seeking greater self-awareness and insight. I believe in drawing upon my clients' inherent strengths and sense of resiliency. I am particularly interested in the link between the body and mind, and enjoy teaching my clients practical tools to help reduce stress and anxiety. I am trained in both EMDR and Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM).

In addition to my counseling work, I am a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and yoga instructor. Since 2001, I have taught yoga, mindfulness, and meditation in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, wellness centers, and a residential eating disorder facility. Prior to specializing in the wellness industry, I worked for many years as an actor in film and theatre. I have a great respect for the creative process and for unique issues that artists face while pursuing their dreams and goals.

I am supervised by clinical psychologist Brandy Engler (PSY 22512).

Michael Southerland, LMFT

Michael Southerland is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT 87924) who has been working with clients either in therapy or social services for the past 30 years.

Michael specializes in depression, anxiety, adult ADHD, couples, LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, rekindling the love that is overshadowed by poor patterns of communication, parenting issues, adoption transitions, HIV/AIDS, and phobias. Michael believes that the 3 principles of Rogerian therapy, unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy are the key to establishing a good therapist-client relationship. Within that framework, he uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-focused Therapy, and Existential Therapy.

Michael graduated with his MS in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles, where he completed his clinical training. He completed his internship in a Los Angeles community mental health agency and has been in private practice for 5 years. Michael is currently a PhD candidate at Walden University and will complete his PhD next year.

Erica Tumbaga, LCSW

Erica Tumbaga, LCSW (Lic #59554) is a Filipina-American clinical social worker dedicated to helping others be the best version of themselves despite life’s challenges. Erica’s specialties include sexual assault, domestic violence, substance abuse, pregnancy/post-partum, life purpose, stress management, anxiety, depression, trauma, coping with life limiting illness, grief/loss, cultural identity, LGBTQ, cancer, increasing self-esteem and assertiveness.

She has twenty years of experience working in the social services and social justice field. Erica approaches each client humanistically focusing on their strengths. All interventions are tailored to the needs of the client, often combining Gestalt, CBT, Existential, Eclectic, Family Systems, Narrative/Post Modern therapies. Erica earned her BA in Women’s Studies and Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton and her Masters in Social Work from Columbia University in the city of New York.

Dr. Julie Hwang, PsyD, LMFT

Dr. Julie Hwang is a licensed MFT (LMFT 53226) and a psychologist. She specializes with couples, anxiety, families, self-esteem, and codependency issues. She believes that happiness and well-being can be attained through the renewal of emotions to a more positive state. She finds that changing the patterns of negative thoughts, emotions, and belief systems often empowers the clients to seek alternative solutions. Dr. Hwang is flexible, compassionate, creative and emotionally focused in helping others.

Dr. Hwang has received her B.A. at University of California, Irvine and received her PsyD at California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Hwang is member of CAMFT and AAMFT

Jillian Clark, LMFT

Jillian Clark is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Lic # 104385). Jillian specializes in working with both individuals and couples. Jillian uses CBT and other evidenced-based therapies for anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction. She also enjoys exploring identity, creativity and life transitions.

Jillian graduated from Pepperdine University.

Cara Westover, LMFT

Cara Westover is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California with more than seven years of experience treating mental health disorders including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief and loss. She has worked at all levels of treatment including residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient as well as private practice.

Cara completed her masters in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. Cara has completed additional training in Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Couples Therapy and Internal Family Systems. Cara also has extensive expertise in treating all eating disorders including but not limited to anorexia, bulimia and binge eating.

Cara emphasizes skill building to help promote personal strength and mastery. Her goal is to empower individuals toward overall healing and a transformed sense of self by developing confidence to use learned skills and maintain balance.

Lauren Marimon, ACSW

Lauren’s practice is grounded in her firm belief of the transformative power of therapy. She works with clients towards self-understanding, growth, and finding their path to their authentic self.

Lauren specializes in issues related to anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationships, maternal mental health, life transitions, work-life balance, self-esteem and identity. She has a special interest in working with women transitioning into motherhood and experiencing perinatal challenges including infertility, miscarriage, anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety and has trained at the Seleni Institute in NYC.

Lauren’s style is empathetic, warm, intuitive, and non-judgmental. Her approach to therapy combines the use of psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based models. She works collaboratively with her clients to determine the best approach and feels the strength of the therapeutic relationship is central to the success of the therapy.

Gabrielle Ebert, ACSW

Gabrielle is an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW #72947) specializing in anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, self-esteem and eating disorders.

Gabrielle creates a safe, non-judgmental space for all of her clients. She believes that with the right therapeutic relationship everyone at any stage in his or her life can benefit from therapy. She feels therapy can be a great tool to help clients gain insight, heal, motivate change, and grow as a human being. She uses a strengths-based and person-centered approach, often drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing techniques.

She received her BA in Film and Political Science from Colorado College and a Master’s in Social Work and Public Administration from USC.

Gabrielle is supervised by Carolyn Hersh, LCSW

Brooke Moore, LCSW

Brooke is a licensed clinical social worker with a particular interest in life transitions, struggles related to identity and creativity, women’s issues, grief and loss, depression, anxiety and trauma.

Brooke’s therapeutic style is calm, warm and empathetic. Central to her work is a core belief in peoples’ ability to draw-on and strengthen their resilience and capacity for change. Brooke works to cultivate a safe, relational, and transformative healing environment.

A practice rooted in social and racial justice values, Brooke has extensive experience working with a diverse client population with varying needs. She operates with a clear understanding that therapy is a collaborative process guided by a client’s personal story and lived experiences. Drawing primarily from psychodynamic, attachment, and mindfulness practices, Brooke works from a strengths-based perspective and is skilled at interweaving therapeutic approaches that work in harmony with clients’ personal goals for emotional health and alignment.

Brooke received her MA in Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work and received a BA in Ethnic Studies from University of California San Diego. In Fall 2019, she will begin a teacher training program in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.

Layla Ashley, LMFT

Layla Ashley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 40157) with 20 years of experience. Layla specializes in depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships/break-ups/dating, couples therapy, life-purpose, overcoming creative and sexual blocks, grief/loss, and building self-esteem/assertiveness. Layla also holds Certifications as a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Life Coach and Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner, and works on both conscious and unconscious levels to facilitate powerful, lasting change. She is grounded in evidence-based methods of changing core beliefs, undesirable habits, pain management, and sleep problems.

Layla’s personal mission is to help people explore the true self or ‘gold’ underneath the layers of conditioned experiences that shape our persona. Layla has extensive study in depth psychology and a background in theology and philosophy, and is fluent in working with symbols, archetypes, dreams, spirituality and meaning in one’s healing journey. Layla believes that a connection with a higher sense of purpose is key to core change and living a fulfilling life.

Shannon Amabile, LMFT

Shannon is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She enjoys working with creators across all facets of the entertainment industry. Her focus is on the unique and complex adversity children, adults, couples, families and groups face, working in the entertainment industry.

Shannon also specializes in solution oriented treatment models with an emphasis on evidence-based behavioral interventions. She works with clients with depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, life/career transitions, boundaries and relationship to creativity.

Angela Martin, LPCC

Angela is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and believes healing from life struggles, which happens through connection to us and connection to the people in our lives. We are all resilient and have the capability to feel peace and acceptance within and with our relationships.

Angela has worked in Chicago and Los Angeles with people who have eating disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma and bipolar disorders. With this experience, I have learned the value of practicing compassion while challenging you to look internally and lead a life that nurtures well-being, self-acceptance and self-compassion. I will approach you with a warm, non-judgmental stance and utilize the best therapeutic intervention that meets your needs. Also, a little humor in session goes a long way. You also don’t need to have a mental health disorder to seek therapy. Sometimes we just need someone to listen and need extra support through life transitions and challenges.

Angela received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. I have solid clinical experience in providing therapy to people from diverse backgrounds who struggle with various mental health concerns. Life is full of change and the unknown. Let’s work together to live your best life and feel good about who you are!

Noreen Qazi, LMFT

Noreen is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and relationships. She works through a cultural lens and is passionate about working with clients in various creative fields to help unlock their true potential and creativity.

Noreen believes in allowing the client to guide their therapy by working with where they are in their current process. At the same time, she works to challenge the client’s belief systems and unhealthy thought patterns and uses a collaborative approach to treatment to promote growth within each client. Her goal is to help each client gain new awareness, self-compassion, and change toward a more authentic self. Noreen combines methods from CBT, psychodynamic, attachment theory, trauma focused, and mindfulness modalities.

Tessa Gordon, LMFT

Tessa Gordon is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #113307), Registered Yoga and Mindful Movement instructor. She provides psychotherapy and eating disorder coaching services, and is particularly passionate about working with the specific challenges faced by teens and women living in the Los Angeles Area. Her specialty areas include disordered eating, body image, anxiety, life transitions, relationships, trauma, invisible illnesses/disabilities, chronic illness, perfectionism, shame, and navigating your 20’s and beyond. Tessa has extensive experience working in the field of eating disorders and supporting clients who are living with a complicated relationship with food and/or their bodies. Combining clinical and lived experience with a love of social justice, my passion to help others renegotiate their relationship to these problems is integrated into each part of my work.

Many of Tessa's clients describe her as the “anti-therapist,” which is a description she wears with pride. She brings enthusiasm, improvisation, imagination & creativity into each session. Her ability to think outside the box and ask questions that others may not enables her to develop creative solutions with clients to help untangle what many would consider to be complicated problems. Tessa believes in (and embraces) experimentation: the freedom to test things out and see how they fit, to explore the various facets of yourself, and to allow for complexities, contradictions, and messiness.

Tessa's approach is rooted in a desire for social change. She employs a critical feminist, anti-oppression, health at every size approach. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in Narrative theory, an evolving set of ideas and practices, which embrace a collaborative, non-pathologizing, culturally-sensitive, and respectful approach to working with people, families, and communities. This approach supports those who consult with me in developing self-understanding, establishing meaningful relationships with others, and navigating life-defining challenges.
Tessa graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Psychology from the University of Southern California and received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Narrative/Postmodern Therapies from Phillips Graduate University.

Aaron Krikorian, LCSW

Aaron Krikorian is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW 82428) specializing in individual therapy for those struggling with anxiety, addiction, complex trauma, and relational issues. He tailors his therapy to the unique, individual needs of each client and believes strongly in using the therapeutic relationship as a tool to inspire reflection, growth, and insight. He approaches therapy predominantly from a psychodynamic perspective, but also incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness strategies with clients as needed.

Bailey Franklin, AMFT

My work centers on identifying and nurturing our untapped sources of power in order to break through doubts, fears and insecurities. Working together, we can use this new knowledge to break old patterns of feeling and thinking and strengthen your true self. In my work with LGBTQIA+ clients, this takes the form of addressing the often hidden trauma and wounds to the self inflicted by our families and society. Who and how we love deserves celebration, not just tolerance, and I am also Poly/Kink affirmative.

I believe that the best treatment is the one that works, and my therapeutic process integrates strength-based modalities that are tailored to the unique needs of each client. In addition to LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy, my training also includes Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and Motivational Interviewing (MI) for clients who are struggling with substance use. I practice in both English and Spanish.

Stephanie Tuazon, LCSW

Stephanie Tuazon (she/they/siya) is a Pilipinx-American therapist seeking to create a healing environment and safe container for those looking to explore their identity, purpose, and authenticity. She specializes in working with womxn and people of color in creating space for their best and “least favorite” selves to bridge together. Whether their “least favorite” self-experienced sexual assault, trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, or otherwise. She helps Young Adults and Adults explore their healing through an individualized approach pulling from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Movement, Mindfulness, Electic, and Post-Modern.

Stephanie Tuazon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, dance instructor, and student of ancestral wisdom. She earned her Master of Social Welfare Degree from UCLA. She believes in this time of de-colonization; our mental health is vital to sustain the work we do.

Samantha Moss, LCSW

Samantha is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and addiction/substance abuse. Samantha has extensive experience working with relationship issues and maternal mental health issues including postpartum depression and adjustment to pregnancy and parenting.

Samantha utilizes an individualized and strengths-based approach incorporating techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness. Samantha works collaboratively with the client to identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors in order to improve overall mental health and life satisfaction. Samantha graduated from University of Southern California. She has worked in a variety of mental health settings in London and Los Angeles.

Elizabeth Corpstein, LMFT

Liz has a masters in clinical psychology and is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT 107616).

Liz works with adults and couples experiencing relationship issues, anxiety, chronic pain, trauma, and challenging life transitions. She offers a safe space to explore emotions along with tools to change negative thoughts and behaviors.
Liz has training in behavioral therapy (including CBT and DBT), mindfulness, attachment therapy, and emotionally focused couples therapy.

Mallory Garrett, LMFT

Mallory Garrett is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned her Master’s of Science in Counseling from California State University, Northridge and her Bachelor of Arts from UCLA in Comparative Literature.

Her goal as a therapist is to help you address areas of your life that are causing you distress, unhappiness or worry. She is person-centered, meaning she help you build on the strengths and motivations that you have to reach your goals for growth and happiness.

She believes in meeting you where you are and working in a collaborative way to help address issues that may be causing you distress. While she takes a problem-solving, relational approach to helping clients, she also believe in the benefits of supportive therapy as people navigate daily challenges. She implements an in-depth approach to counseling and comes from a modality that is sex-positive, Kink- positive and LGBTQ Affirming. She has experience working with a variety of issues like anxiety, stress, depression, coping skills, sexuality, self-esteem, family conflict, addiction, chronic illness, HIV, women's issues, and gender dysphoria. She is a Los Angeles native and when she isn’t working she enjoys traveling, crafting and going to the theater.

Camille Reinecker, LMFT

Camille Reinecker is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that has been practicing psychotherapy in the Los Angeles area for just over 3 years. She was born and raised in California. Camille graduated from Phillips Graduate University with a Master of Arts in Psychology, emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her therapeutic focus is on finding a healthy balance between the mind and body while utilizing nature as a resource. She enjoys helping to foster change or acceptance through mindful and somatic approaches in relation to anxiety, depression, anger and/or stress. She also has experience working with eating disorders, PTSD and relational conflict.

Specific training in Trauma Resilience Model and Gottman Relationship Method.
Camille sees adults of all ages as well as couples and families.

Pear Wilson, LCSW

Pear is a licensed clinical social worker trained in relational, psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Endlessly curious about the human experience, she helps her patients cultivate an enlivened and more intimate relationship with self through thoughtful exploration and direct feedback.

With an insight-oriented approach, Pear specializes in treating adults experiencing anxiety and depression, life transitions, relationship issues, and mood imbalances and offers unique mind-body interventions tailored to the treatment involving yogic breath work and relaxation techniques

Pear received her Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work in Northampton, Massachusetts and has provided therapy in a variety of treatment settings, including the outpatient psychiatry centers of Johns Hopkins and University of Pennsylvania, and the prestigious Wright Institute of Los Angeles. She has served as a clinical social worker with UCLA for over three years, working with people dealing with a wide range of mental health concerns, and currently maintains a private practice in Santa Monica.

Carolyn Hersh, LCSW

Carolyn is a licensed clinical social worker who works with adolescents and adults. Carolyn’s areas of specialty include working with those struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and those struggling with their relationships to food, body, and self. Carolyn also has extensive background work with mood disorders, addiction, grief and other challenging life events.

Carolyn received her master’s in social work from Adelphi University in New York. Carolyn began practicing on the east coast and has worked in outpatient and residential settings. Recently, Carolyn relocated to Los Angeles.
Carolyn is a compassionate therapist who believes in meeting where the client is at and guiding them along their way through to their healing. Carolyn sees the therapeutic space as a collaborative space so that clients feel and gain that self of control and strength.

Carolyn draws upon CBT and motivational interviewing to help those who are struggling. Carolyn’s uses these skills to help clients reach within themselves to create long lasting solutions for their current struggles.

Skylar Ibarra, LCSW

Skylar Ibarra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW88686), specializing in trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, parent-child relationships, academic difficulties, and peri-partum support. She works with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples.

Skylar approaches her clients with respect and an open mind. She is certified in the Trauma Resilience Model (TRM), through the Trauma Research Institute, and uses a variety of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and narrative therapy to meet the individual needs of her clients. Whether working with children or adults, individuals or families, she provides tools to build resiliency and healthy coping skills while exploring thought and behavior patterns that are holding her clients back from realizing their goals.

Skylar received her Masters in Social Welfare from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Policy, where she was also awarded the prestigious Bohnett Fellowship and gained a certificate in Global Health and Social Services.

Laura Castro, LMFT

Laura Castro is a LMFT who works with clients that are dealing with self-esteem issues, codependency, depression, anxiety and a history of trauma. Laura also works with clients who need support with parenting challenges. She works collaboratively with her clients to restore hope that it is possible to manage the challenges and stressors that get in the way of living the life they want to live. Laura takes the time to understand the patterns that can keep clients stuck and support them in deciding what they want to change and how they want to make those changes.

Laura's treatment approach consists of guiding her clients to have a better understanding of patterns within their relationships and beliefs about themselves that can create shame and suffering. She also places importance on developing necessary skills in order for my clients to gain a sense of mastery in coping with difficult emotions, thoughts and behaviors.

Laura graduated from Pepperdine University and has a background working with substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. She is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Nurturing Parenting curriculum.

Julianne Legon, LCSW

Julianne Legon is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW #60527) with over 20 years of experience working with individuals and families from diverse ages and ethnicity. Originally from NY, Julianne received her BA in psychology at The University of Michigan and her master’s in social work from Columbia University in New York City.

Julianne is passionate about the psychological well being of her clients. Julianne believes in relational psychodynamic therapy because relationships with others and with the self is essential to psychological and emotional well being for a fulfilling and happy life. She believes in building a trusting client-therapist relationship within a safe and confidential therapeutic milieu.

Sara Sincell, AMFT

Sara Sincell is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT #111978) specializing in the treatment of trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, addiction, codependence, and eating disorders. Sara offers EMDR therapy for those interested in trauma-focused care.

Sara’s approach is relational and interactive, incorporating creative and mindfulness-based techniques rooted in Cognitive Behavioral, Humanistic, Transpersonal, and Narrative modalities. Sara helps clients identify and focus on strength and solution-focused changes, compassionately meeting them in their journey and working to create a safe space to discover and unleash the story inside. In awe of the resilience of the human spirit, Sara is honored to be with clients in this most important work.

Sara holds an MA in Counseling Psychology, concentration in Drama Therapy, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco; and a BA in Acting, Shenandoah University Conservatory.

Stephanie Sandoval, AMFT

Stephanie Sandoval is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT 106449) who provides individualized and integrative therapy for adults and adolescents. She specializes in anxiety, depression, grief and loss, sex therapy, sex addiction, emotional management, self-esteem, eating disorders, social anxiety, trauma and PTSD, and self-expression and creativity.

Her treatment approach with clients is unique and collaborative, blending in elements from different techniques and tailoring their treatment according to each individual’s needs. Stephanie is experienced at incorporating psychodynamic, client-centered, humanistic, gestalt, existential, cognitive and dialectical behavior, and mindfulness-based approaches.

Stephanie is accepting, emphatic, and compassionate. She will meet you wherever you’re at in life and provide a safe, therapeutic environment for health, healing, and recovery.

Stephanie is supervised by Dr. Brandy Enlger, PsyD.

Peter Carley, LMFT

Peter Carley is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT 40082) who has been seeing clients for 18 years. He works with couples and individuals, focusing on reframing problems and building upon successes. He specializes in gender issues, parenting/adoption issues, including the troubled teen, healthy boundaries, LGBTQ Affirmation, addiction recovery, and life transitions. Peter tailors his treatment to each individual/couple, drawing upon narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. His work is informed by attachment theory, particularly how family of origin informs our current relationships.

Peter graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Dramatic Literature and worked for 15 years in the entertainment industry before returning to school at Antioch University-Los Angeles, where he earned his M.A. in Clinical Psychology. He completed his clinical training at the Southern California Counseling Center and worked for UCLA as a drop-in counselor for 5 years. Other treatment settings that Peter has worked in serve those in twelve-step drug and alcohol rehabilitation as well as the chronically mentally ill and homeless communities.

Lyndsey Motarefi, LMFT, PhD

Dr. Lyndsey Motarefi is a Clinical Sexologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. As a Clinical Sexologist, she specializes in working with both couples and individuals whose goals are to address and overcome relationship and sex specific concerns. In addition, Dr. Motarefi has extensive experience therapeutically assisting those struggling with substance abuse and addiction, trauma, anxiety, and self-esteem.

Working from a primarily solution-focused orientation, it is important for her clients to both understand their goals for therapy as well as their progress towards meeting them. Based on the unique needs of each client, she eclectically incorporates elements of mindfulness, CBT, and attachment theory into session. Dr. Motarefi feels genuinely honored in earning her client’s trust and allowance to collaboratively journey alongside of them as they overcome the inevitable obstacles of life.

Dr. Motarefi received her doctoral degree from the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists and has served in various leadership roles in substance abuse treatment centers across both Florida and California.

Michael Briesch, LCSW

Michael Briesch is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW86796). Michael’s philosophy of therapy is simply this: Having meaningful conversation. Michael’s goal in working with clients is to assist in gaining self-knowledge and to help clients realize the unlimited potential of their innermost self.

Michael has a special interest in helping individuals view the ways that culture, family, religion and friends affect our individual life choices, and identifying the ways that each person can navigate these structures in the pursuit of a more fulfilling life. Michael is experienced in working with those who may be affected by depression, anxiety, family issues, addiction, and trauma.

Michael received his BA from UC Santa Cruz in Film and Digital Media and received his Master’s in Social Work from California State University-Northridge.

Lauren Burke, LMFT

Lauren Burke is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She specializes in working with clients who are struggling with stressful life transitions, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, emotional connection, intimacy, and sexual issues. She helps clients identify and change the unhealthy cycles that may be creating feelings of being stuck, anxious, ashamed or discouraged. With respect, sensitivity, and expertise Lauren will help you improve your relationships, create more meaningful connections and improve your life.

Lauren has been successfully treating clients for 6 years. She has worked in several clinical settings helping clients with interpersonal relationship skills, emotional regulation and distress tolerance. I have training in couples and sex therapy as well as specializations in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, addiction, trauma, and anxiety.

Whether you are experiencing personal turmoil, relationship and sexual issues, or the painful fallout of infidelity, she is here to help you find effective solutions and support you to achieve a superior quality of life. She believes in focusing on your strengths, develop new tools and measure real change over time!

Lauren Dowden, LCSW

Lauren is a clinical social worker who is dedicated to helping adults of all ages adapt and cope with life’s many stressors and challenges. Lauren specializes in working with those who are experiencing anxiety, depression, major life transitions, and grief and loss, especially ambiguous loss. Her emphasis at Loyola University Chicago was in mental health as well as gerontology, which has allowed her to assist individuals facing the complex issues of aging as well as supporting adult children, who may be caring for aging family members, especially those with a diagnosis of major cognitive impairment.

Lauren comes from a performing arts and creative background which brings a keen understanding into the unique and complex challenges that can come with creative professions and those working in that field. Lauren has 20 years of experience as an improviser and facilitates Medical Improvisation workshops for medical and clinical students and professionals. She has also developed curricula and facilitated therapeutic improvisation groups for those with substance use disorders, emotional trauma, dementia and anxiety.

Her work is rooted in psychodynamic theory and she leads with a strengths-based approach as well as utilizing narrative, CBT, mindfulness and relational modalities. Lauren is dedicated to providing a judgment-free, supportive space where she can collaborate with clients as they navigate their lives towards their aspirations while finding a sense of fulfillment, peace and balance.

Gina Arellano, LMFT

My name is Gina Arellano, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 115348). I provide my clients with a safe and supportive environment where they can gain insight into their thoughts and behaviors, discover new possibilities, and make new choices that will create the lives they want to live.

I work alongside my clients to help them achieve their personalized goals utilizing a variety of techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Gestalt Therapy, and Mindfulness in my practice. I am skilled in providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families dealing with anger, anxiety, depression, relationship issues/conflict, chronic pain, and a history of trauma and abuse.

My educational background consists of two masters’ degrees from Pepperdine University: A Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Master of Dispute Resolution.

Patricia Carberry, LMFT

Patricia Carberry is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She specializes in grief and loss. Patricia strongly believes that when we lose someone that we love, it is often difficult to talk with family and friends about our feelings. They mean well but some are uncomfortable talking about death and the grieving process, which is why you seek out a therapist that understands your pain and what you are going through. She has spent many years doing grief work and understands the process it takes to work through your grief. The loss also applies to the loss of a job/home/relationship/empty nest.

Patricia has also worked with the military and their families. As an Army brat herself, she truly understands the lifestyle and hardships that come along with it.

Patricia has been working as a therapist for 12 years. As a former actress herself, she understands the entertainment field and its challenges.