For over 26 years I have been working with some of the most difficult and challenging life dynamics that individuals, families, and relationships encounter. I also work with adolescents and the Juvenile Justice System closely. My experience includes locked and unlocked settings, public and private sectors, community treatment facilities, inpatient psychiatric, juvenile hall, probation mental health camp, group homes, private practice as well as in-home counseling to probation youth. My background in law enforcement enhances my expertise in Juvenile Justice issues for teen and adult legal issues.
I counsel adults, adolescents, couples, and families, helping them to restore hope, find solutions and transform their lives. My ultimate goal is to assist my clients to live fulfilling lives free from stress, depression, and anxiety. The work we do is essential in you finding a healthy balance between mind, body, and emotions. I know it is not easy to reach out and open up about personal, family, and relationship issues, but I will help to make this as easy as possible. I am a certified anger management specialist and provide Anger Management group therapy. If you have been court-mandated to complete anger management give me a call.
Hello, I am Dina Nelli, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). I have been working in the mental health field for over 24 years. I have had the pleasure of working with adolescents, families, couples, and individuals. I am experienced in working with those individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and interpersonal relationships including domestic violence. I also enjoy working with women around empowerment issues, encouraging independence and inner strength. I am a California native. I love to travel, enjoy music, shopping, dining out, and spending time with my two daughters.
My background involves working with couples, children, and families in a number of areas.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and as a divorced father, I am familiar with the difficulties faced by couples in their relationship with issues such as infidelity and the stressors of blended families including drugs and alcohol use, etc.
In the case of a divorce with children, the sense of loss extends to them as well. Children are often the silent victims in a divorce or custody dispute as they feel that the world around them is crumbling. They will express their inner struggle differently depending on their age and maturity, often acting out by aggressive or self-destructive behavior as a way to externalize the pain.
I can help parents and children give voice to their feelings in a positive way. Divorce is a crucial time when therapy can be instrumental in helping individual/couples realize that, when feelings are suppressed and not dealt with they tend to emerge in different aspects of one’s life and can prolong suffering; in order to allow for feelings to emerge I will provide a supportive and caring environment.
I have also been quite successful working with children with autism and developmental disabilities, and adolescents in need of behavior modification.
My theoretical orientation (solution-focused) allows me to provide results to my clients with brief therapy. Often, 3 to 8 sessions allow for significant progress, I mostly focus on issues in the present here and now, after a brief survey of the client and family’s history. I have a caring attitude towards my clients and I have a particularly good relationship with children and adolescents.
"Hablo Español fluido" Como latina comprendo nuestra cultura, Tengo experiencia en terapia familiar, violencia Domestica, casos con DCFS, problemas de parejas e individual. Tambien tengo experiencia en evaluaciones y cartas para inmigracion y otros tipos de US Visa.
I conduct sessions in English and Spanish and try to be accommodating to your schedule. I believe that the relationship between client and therapist is the most important factor in successful therapy. I provide a safe, supportive environment for a strong connection to occur. In addition to the counseling credentials, I have teaching credentials held for over 30 years.
My specialties include working with multicultural populations. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat difficulties with anxiety, depression, anger management, family conflicts, domestic violence, grief, parenting, among others. I have a particular interest in treating couples and families, children. Immigration evaluations, hardship letters, and U visa.
Se habla Español. Si usted necesita ayuda por favor llámeme. Puedo escuchar su necesidad su para ver si puedo ayudarle.
Hi, I’m Melissa Kieffer, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) from the Los Angeles area. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University, Northridge, and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. I have extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of social, emotional, and behavioral issues.
I believe that every human is resilient and possesses the inherent ability to reach their full potential. I am committed to holding a safe space for genuine emotional expression and connection. The therapeutic relationship is important to me, and I emphasize a collaborative approach towards goals. My therapeutic lens is focused on cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness interventions while highlighting individual strengths, skills, and growth.
Spending time with my dog is my favorite form of self-care, along with hiking, reading, watching movies, and traveling. Thank you for trusting me and I look forward to working with you.
My great passion is bringing healing to people who have been through traumatic or stressful life experiences.
It has been my privilege, after practicing for many years, to offer clients a warm, non-judgmental space where they can explore their thoughts and feelings. With my clients, I work collaboratively and have helped my clients strengthen their relationships, become more aware of their true strengths and have more rewarding lives!
My training includes a variety of modalities and I am well versed in being able to find the right approach for each individual depending on the goals that they want to work on.
I specialize in working with adult women, assisting them through painful life experiences including childhood trauma, traumatic losses or just need to refocus and bring life and relationships to their highest potential. My extensive experience includes having a private psychotherapy practice for over 20 years, working in community organizations and public mental health. I look forward to working with you.
Valeria D. Medrano, Therapist, AMFT, APCC
I received a BA at Loyola Marymount University and a MA in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Somatic Psychotherapy from Antioch University Santa Barbara. I work with individuals, adolescents, young adults, and adults. I predominately utilize psychoanalysis, psychodynamic psychotherapy, somatic psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy in my approach with clients. My list of specialties also includes: mindfulness practices, depression, anxiety, life transitions, LGBTQ+ issues, and academic challenges.
I am fluent in Spanish and have had the privilege of working with Spanish-speaking clients in sessions. Making therapy accessible to the Hispanic/Latinx community has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of this work.
In my spare time, I enjoy going on (very short) walks with my 3 year old French Bulldog, exercising at my local cardio barre or Pilates studio, and rewatching my favorite television shows and movies.
Candan is our office manager who handles all matters that keep us glued together. From scheduling, billing, and keeping files she is our office guru.
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