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.

Susan Diamond, LMFT

Susan is an LMFT with over ten years of experience working with adults, teens, young children, families and couples. Although she has integrated techniques from certifications and experience using many Evidence Based Practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, her foundation is a humanistic approach in which compassion within the therapeutic alliance results in the emergence of clients’ own wisdom.

Susan’s work is also informed by specialized training in Dance/ Movement Therapy. She draws on this training during therapy sessions by encouraging clients to notice links between their emotional, physical and creative selves. Susan also offers cultural competence as a bilingual therapist (Spanish speaking), and experience in the areas of improved parent-child relationships, co-occurring disorders, and trauma informed care.

Mayra Diaz, LMFT

Mayra Diaz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 110966). Mayra is bilingual in English and Spanish and provides therapy that is considerate of multicultural concerns. She incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment science, and mindfulness into her practice to help clients practice self-compassion and increase well-being. Mayra aims to help clients understand and communicate their needs and alter the unhealthy patterns within their relationships. Mayra’s approach is direct and problem-solving while also giving clients a safe space to truly work through their challenges and promote positive change.

Mayra specializes in working with adults and couples. She has provided therapy to adults, children, family, couples, and groups at various organizations throughout the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley area. She has experience working with anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, and relationship issues. She has been trained to provide several evidence-based practices, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Seeking Safety, and Problem-Solving Therapy.

She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC, Santa Barbara and her Master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Northridge.

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.

Erica Greene, LCSW

Erica Greene is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience. In her practice, she specializes in psychotherapy for adults. Erica’s areas of expertise include including navigating the transition to parenting, parenting children with special needs (spectrum disorders, anxiety, depression, ADHD), maximizing health and wellness and creating an authentic life. Erica’s approach is both holistic and solution focused with the goal of building on client strengths, recognizing and reversing unhealthy patterns, and improving functioning.

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 working in mental health. Each person has past experiences that influence their present, which is why Cara takes a unique approach to therapy with all of her clients. She will utilize a wide variety of modalities to shape your therapeutic experience so that you achieve the outcome you desire. She is warm and compassionate, but also candid and frank.

Cara is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and family systems. I have experience in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief/loss, eating disorders, body image, and family dynamics.

When Cara studied clinical psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, she focused on cognition and what shapes us as individuals in each moment. Early childhood development, family dynamics, and abrupt traumatic experiences all affect how we see ourselves and the world. If we can learn to separate and become aware of the underpinnings of our inner workings we have the ability to change how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. Our work together will empower you to connect the dots with how your past experiences have influenced your current thoughts and behaviors. Cara's goal is to help you make decisions from an authentic place, as the person you want to be

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

Danielle Sheppard, LPCC

Danielle is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor working with individuals, families and couples. She teaches as a Psychology Professor at Pepperdine University in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, and is a Contributing Writer to Career Convergence, the online magazine of NCDA (National Career Development Association).

Danielle has multiple years of experience working in the helping and social services industry, specializing primarily in career development, LGBTQ matters, career and life planning challenges, grief and loss, high school and college students, the disability community, and finding purpose. Her approach is holistic, integrative, and incorporates humanistic and positive psychology approaches, along with narrative and solution focused therapy techniques.

Maia Kiley, LMFT

Maia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a warm, authentic, and hopeful approach. She balances deep work on core issues with a solution-focused approach to creating a life you love. Maia specializes in treating anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, sexual abuse, sexual addiction, and life transitions.

Maia creates a safe space and a focused approach with clear goals and action steps. In addition, she enjoys using art therapy, somatic techniques, mindfulness, and ecotherapy (nature-based tools). She supports clients in developing an empowering story and life vision and uses cognitive behavioral therapy and narrative therapy in doing so.

Maia received her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. She has additional certifications in Ecotherapy and Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence as well as trainings in dream tending and Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples.

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.

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.

Tara Bui, LMFT

Tara is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 114563).
Tara tailors her treatment to meet the individual needs of her clients, meeting them where they are. Tara draws from therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Attachment Theory, Client Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy and Mindfulness techniques.
Tara is passionate about helping her clients live and speak their truth through building self-awareness and self esteem, as well as healing past wounds that inhibit future growth and true authenticity.

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.

Elise Meshell, LMFT

Elise is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in life transitions, anxiety, parenting, and relationships. Her aim is to encourage a transformational process that will lead towards a fuller, happier life. She works with both individuals, couples and embraces diversity.

Elise received her BA in Philosophy from Boston University and her Master’s in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute. She is strength based and incorporates Jungian Depth- oriented Psychology, Humanistic, and Family Systems approaches to foster self-awareness, self-esteem and lasting change. She is trained in Sandplay.

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.

Carolyn Comas, 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 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.

Michelle Broehm, LCSW

Michelle Broehm is a licensed clinical social worker (Lic #92693) who is passionate about supporting people seeking a better quality of life. Michelle specializes in working with adults and older adults going through transitions, looking for assistance in setting and meeting goals, and seeing both sides of an issue in order to make the best decision for oneself. Michelle will focus on the strength of a client as well as allowing the client to have self-determination.

Michelle uses solution-focused and motivational interviewing techniques in order to provide a holistic and realistic approach to therapy.

Michelle has experience working with diverse populations and settings including children, adults, LGBTQ, and older adults, people living with HIV, people who are homeless or have low-income, hospice care, caregivers, people with disabilities, and adults looking to make changes in order to be more comfortable in their own skin and growing with a changing society.

Michelle earned her BA in Journalism from Miami University, Oxford, and her Masters in Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago.

Nancy Zuniga, LMFT

Nancy Zúñiga is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Nancy specializes in working with both individuals and Families. Nancy's primary focus is CBT with a social constructivist lense.

Nancy holds a prior career in social activism using artistic platforms to bring awareness on policy issues that affect communities of historically marginalized people. Her prior career still influences her practice by prioritizing the importance of therapy providing safe space for self expression.

Nancy has additional training and education in addiction, grief & loss, inter-generational trauma and strength based interventions.

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.

Arielle Werblun, LMFT

Arielle Werblun is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#98526) with several years of experience in both the clinical and administrative fields of mental health. Specializing in eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety and depression, interpersonal effectiveness, and self-esteem building, Arielle works collaboratively and diligently with her clients to ensure all feel heard and safe, while also feeling challenged and empowered.

Having worked primarily in treatment centers over the years, Arielle has vast experience with individual, couple, and adolescent/family therapy. Arielle received her Master's of Science in Psychology from California State University, Northridge in 2015 and has worked as a lead therapist and program director in both group and private practice settings since starting her journey in the field in 2013. Embracing her passion to help those who want to be the best version of themselves do so from an integrative perspective (i.e. utilizing various modalities such as CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, experiential therapy, etc.), Arielle has worked with many who have struggled with issues from crippling anxiety or depression to relational issues that can feel all-consuming to manage what can seem unmanageable - and feel proud of themselves in the process.

Arielle feels authenticity is key in her practice. Believing whole-heartedly in the expression "You get out what you put in," she meets her clients with humility, openness, and transparency to ensure a comfortable and safe space for growth, whatever that growth looks like.

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.

Shahrzad Mahmoudi, LMFT

Shahrzad (Shazi) is a bilingual (English/Farsi) Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT#116252) who strongly believe in strength and resilience of
human being. Her role as a therapist is to stay as committed as possible
to help you find your preferred way of relating to your life and your
relationships.

Her approach to therapy is relational, warm, encouraging, insight-
orientated, and strength-based. As a minority in her own country and a refugee in her second home, US, she's struggled with a sense of belonging and being different and alienated. Shahrzad is very familiar with the effects of transitions, struggle to build a community, and finding your people. It would be her honor to help you through your life transitions.

Shahrzad is also passionate to work with those who identify as people of
color, first generations and minorities in general. She uses her knowledge and experiences around the forces of grief and loss, self-esteem, body image,
depression, anxiety, and relationship challenges. She is trained in EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing and TRM, Trauma Resiliency Model to help you seek relief from effects of past traumas or phobias.

If you are interested and ready to work in this way, EMDR has the power to act as an accelerator to the therapeutic process. She is also eager to support individuals and couples who are curious or already practicing non-monogamous relationships.

Huma Pekcan, LMFT

Huma holds a master's degree from Pepperdine University’s Clinical Psychology program, with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has worked in various mental health settings, including community mental health clinics, inpatient treatment centers, the UCLA Anxiety Lab research clinic, as well as the UCLA Semel Institute research clinic.

As your therapist, Huma's goal is to help you understand your past challenges and how your past shaped who you are today; to clarify your goals and values in life; and to help you balance between boundaries and connection so that you can lead a fulfilling life that includes love, improved relationships and accomplishments based on your values.

Huma uses treatment interventions in sessions depending on her client’s needs and proclivity. Typically, Huma uses psychodynamic and evidence based modalities such as Object Relations, Attachment Theory, Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, while paying close attention to somatic experiences. As a therapist, she is dedicated to understanding the human experience. Huma is passionate about human growth and treatment of the human condition and working with diverse populations.

Huma's areas of interests are trauma, anxiety, depression and addiction. She also speaks English and Turkish and is able to conduct therapy in both languages.

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.

Patty Carberry, LMFT

Patty Carberry is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been working as a therapist for 12 years. As a former actress herself, she understands the entertainment field and has worked in the business end of the studios providing insight into the entertainment field's challenges.

Patty has twelve years of experience in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, and life/career transitions. Growing up as an army brat, she has an additional level of speciality in focusing on grief and loss with adults, families (including Military Families) and children, which allows her to truly understand the lifestyle and hardships that come along with it.

Patty strongly believes that when we lose someone that we love, it is often difficult to talk with family and friends about our feelings. She has spent many years doing grief work and understands the process it takes to work through grief. The loss may also apply to the loss of a job, home, relationship, or empty nest.

Patty uses a client-centered approach, believing the healing comes for the bond between the client and therapist, which allows the exploration of identifying the problem and seeking solutions in a collaborative environment.