Our Therapists

Eileen Halpert, PSY.D.

With a Master's Degree in Marriage Family Therapy and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, I have practiced psychotherapy since 1997.

I have worked extensively in the areas of trauma and addiction.  My focus is to provide the patients with a safe and supportive environment so that they have the freedom to address painful moments and issues of self-worth.   

I work with adults individually as well as with families.

Along with working in private practice, I have worked in intensive outpatient programs, locked psychiatric facilities, residential dual diagnosis treatment facilities and taught at Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles.

Michele Shepherd, MFT

I have a Master Degree in Clinical Psychology and am a licensed Marriage Family Therapist.  I am the Assistant Director of Older Adult Services for San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, Inc. where I have worked for over twenty nine years. My duties include responsibility for coordinating training and Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the Center, training and supervising Psychology students, and Master’s level marriage family therapy students, program development, and crisis management.  I serve on several community based committees regarding older adult issues including participating as a member of the organizing committee for an older adult mental health conference “Promising Practices” and the Department of Mental Health’s Older Adult System of Care. I co-chairs the Greater Los Angeles Marriage Family Therapy Consortium and participates on the statewide MFT leadership collaborative.

MFT #34578

Our Therapists

Christina Giles, LMFT, LPCC

Since receiving my Master’s in Science degree from CSUN in 1989,
I am proud to say that I have been a Licensed Marriage and Family
Therapist since 1993 and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Since 2012.  I have also become a Certified Clinical Supervisor with
CAMFT since 2001. I am also Certified in Domestic Violence and
Gambling addiction and have been working with victims of violence for over 20 years.

I have been the CalWORKs Program Manager at San Fernando
Valley Community Mental Health Center, Inc. for over 20 years.
Working with Adults on welfare dealing with Mental Health, Domestic
Violence and Substance Abuse issues has been incredibly exciting
and challenging over the years.  But it’s lead me to my latest
chapter in my career of providing clinical supervision to the
next generation of therapists.

I’ve worked with children, teens and adults in private practice,
within DCFS and in Community Mental Health programs.
LMFT #30282, LPCC #105

Our Therapists

Janet Gunson, AMFT

I’m a bilingual, Spanish-speaking therapist who grew up moving between North and South America. I have been happily married for over thirty years and have three wonderful children. I love working with families, couples, and individuals looking to strengthen their relationships and discover their purpose in life.

My approach to therapy is a hybrid, something I call “existentially-informed attachment therapy.” In this approach, a person’s individual meaning in life is explored while learning to form healthy relationships that give depth and strength to that life. I believe in the divinity of the human race and am happy to work with individuals pursuing spiritual counseling. Most of all, I love the opportunity to help people find peace and satisfaction in their lives.

I have a Masters of Educational Psychology and a Masters of Clinical Psychology. I am currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #125574 supervised by Dyan Colven, #PSY14969.

Shannon Foster-MacAuley, LMFT

I’m an outdoor and travel enthusiast with a passion for helping others steady their course to create abundant and peaceful lives.  Since rerouting my own course in 2012 to begin researching the psychological effects of trauma and war, I have had the privilege of working side by side with many individuals, families, and children of all ages who have experienced a wide array of trauma exposures. 

My style of therapy is humanistic in nature.  I provide a safe, supportive, and confidential space, utilizing evidence-based practices to help you achieve your therapeutic goals. Whether you are seeking growth personally or professionally, as a dual licensed therapist I have a broad range of clinical knowledge and training to assist you on your wellness journey. 

Being a military veteran and member of a first responder family affords me unique insight into the culture of supporting professions and the impact this work may have on the individual as well as their relationships.

I have a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and I am currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #117851.

Our Therapists

Sarah Crown, AMFT

I’m Sarah. I graduated from Antioch University Santa Barbara in fall of 2020 with a Masters in Clinical Psychology. I obtained a Masters in Early Childhood Education at Cal State Northridge in 2003. I have extensive experience working with children and believe positive childhood experiences are critical!

 My love of psychotherapy stemmed from my childhood experience with my own therapist. I felt safe and understood during that 50 minutes each week, a feeling not replicated in any other area of my life.

 I am a caring, sincere, authentic person. I enjoy spending my free time with my children and dog. Additionally, I am currently enrolled in a certificate program specializing in children and adolescents.

 My orientation stems from truly believing people need to feel understood and safe in a nonjudgmental environment.

I am currently a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #123073 under supervision of Brandon Guresky, LMFT #53766

Kim Franco, APCC

I’m Kim. I graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Masters Degree in Counseling and an emphasis in community mental health in 2021. 

My passion for pursuing psychology originated from my childhood experiences with family and friends. 

My goal is to create a safe space where individuals can uncover their emotional blocks so they can heal the discrepancies that may keep them from their full potential growth.  By doing so, I offer therapeutic support, authenticity, empathy, compassion and guidance. 

I want to help clients through challenging situations to provide a sense of empowerment and withstand adversity when facing difficult times. I believe each individual is unique and I provide services that personalize their needs.

My style of therapy is a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Person Centered.

I am currently an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #10444 supervised by Brandon Guresky, LMFT #53766.

Our Therapists

Brandy Dickey, LMFT

Hello, my name is Brandy Dickey. I am a Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist and a Nurse. My life has been spent working in the health profession. As a holistic healer and person-centered therapist, I believe the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Empowering others while placing significant importance on the here-and-now as we make sense of your world and experiences.

Being a compassionate, direct person means I blend honesty and frankness with understanding and support. Getting to the heart of the matter quickly with respect and compassion is who I am. “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”

I graduated from Touro University with an MA MFT in April 2022, and I have been a Nurse since 2008. I have a vast amount of lived and learned life experience that allows me to think outside the box, using creative approaches to meet clients’ needs. As a therapist, I have worked with individuals ages 6-86 years old, men, women, children, couples, families, and groups. I believe in meeting you where you are by using the “Whatever it takes method” to help you on your journey.

Join me in finding your path to wellness today!

I am currently a Registered Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #406577.

Jeremy Maler, AMFT

As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of teaching and 5 years of clinical experience, I have helped individuals, couples and families solve problems, create more meaningful relationships and turn negative patterns into positive ones.

I have integrated my extensive education, training and personal experience into a unique clinical approach. My ability to be fully present, deeply listen and sincerely respond facilitates self-discovery, dignity and harmony.

I provide a safe therapeutic environment free of judgment. Issues related to depression, anxiety and other mental health experiences, challenges in relationships of all kinds, and questions of a spiritual nature are all available to explore.  Additionally, I have developed an effective approach to the complex challenges of parenting and marriage, and encourage anyone seeking to explore these life paths to engage in premarital and pre-parental counseling.

I earned my MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles and am currently a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #105571 under supervision of Brandon Guresky, LMFT #53766 

Our Therapists

Jillian Brown, APPC

I completed both my bachelor’s in psychology and my master’s in clinical counseling at the University of Phoenix. I have worked within the mental health field for the past 12 years. While I have worked with several populations in different capacities, I have extensive experience with children and adolescents.

My goal is to provide a safe supporting space that will promote exploration, knowledge, growth, and healing. While my therapy approach is a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic and person centered, I believe that it is most important to meet each individual where they are. It is my desire that you experience an environment that is not only therapeutic but provides you with tools that you can continue to draw upon for years to come.

I am a mother of four, two adult children and two teenagers. I enjoy spending time with them and my husband, traveling, seeing, and doing things for the first time. My goal for myself is to live in each moment and continue to grow.

I am currently a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #11634 supervised by Brandon Guresky, LMFT #53766.

Makita Roundtree, APPC

I’m Makita Roundtree. I am a mother of two, with one being an adult. My family loves traveling and seeing places we read about in the history books. I've worked for 13 years in vocational counseling in various settings, with much of my practice in the government setting, and I recently transitioned to clinical counseling. 

I was a military spouse, and I am a veteran. These two roles in my life have shaped my views. A positive relationship is the foundational piece of counseling. The framework I operate from is a Person-Centered Humanistic-Existential Multi-Culturally Competent therapeutic approach, which means that all people matter and their voices should be heard. 

I received my Master's Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from Georgia State University in 2010. I am a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor #00112369 and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #12061 under the supervision of Dyan Colven, #PSY14969.

Our Therapists

Amirata Mahallati, AMFT, APCC

Hello there, my name is Amirata. I was born in New York and grew up in both New York and Los Angeles. Growing up in these cities, I’ve had the privilege of being exposed to diverse communities and developing a strong appreciation of multiculturalism. I have also had the opportunity to travel extensively overseas, which has broadened my horizons even further. Coming from a large family, I understand the importance of family dynamics and the role it plays in shaping our lives.

As a bicultural therapist, I strive to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for my clients. With my skills and experiences, I can connect with individuals from all walks of life. My therapeutic approach is grounded in humanistic philosophy, where I provide a safe and supportive space for clients to express themselves and feel heard. My goal is to help clients gain more self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-acceptance, allowing them to unlock their full potential and lead happy and fulfilling lives. In my previous work, I worked with a diverse and multicultural clientele with chronic psychiatric illnesses in a community mental health setting, teaching individuals effective coping strategies, reducing distress, and improving their social skills.

I hold a B.A. in Sociology from Oberlin College and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. I am currently a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #137463, and an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #13117, supervised by Brandon Guresky, LMFT #53766.

Sara Nelson, APCC

Hi my name is Sara Nelson and I am a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, APCC10473.  I received my Master of Science in Counseling from Loma Linda University.  I have experience in treating depression, anxiety, LGBTQIA+ issues, relationship issues and stress management, where I use a solution focused approach to therapy.  I believe in building a collaborative relationship that leads to the empowerment of the client. I am passionate about improving accessibility to mental healthcare for all and providing a safe space for everyone. In my free time, I enjoy roleplaying games, long drives in the mountains and art.

I am supervised by Dyan Colven, #PSY14969.

Our Therapists

Tiffany Richards, APCC

Hello! I’m Tiffany. I hold two Bachelors from UC Berkeley in Anthropology and Political Science and a Masters in Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from Fresno State. I have extensive experience working with diverse communities (neurodivergent, survivors of Human Trafficking, survivors of IPV, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, marginalized) and helping them advocate for themselves to reduce barriers to their goals. My background has deepened my appreciation of intersectionality and the importance it plays in understanding clients. I have experience in treating clients of all ages with various mental health issues that include depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and complex PTSD.

My passion for counseling stems from my passion for advocacy and ignited by experiences with family and friends. I value the relationships I build with my clients and work to create safe spaces through open communication, education, collaboration, and constructive feedback. My approach to therapy is holistic and eclectic with a strong emphasis on Person-Centered, Acceptance and Commitment, Cognitive Behavioral, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

I am currently a registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #13623 under supervision of Brandon Guresky, LMFT #53766.

Billoah Greene, ACSW

Hello, my name is pronounced “Billoy”. I enjoy helping people discover and create solutions to their problems. I believe each person is the expert on their situation. I am here to learn about your challenges and provide an outside eye/ear that can help you take steps toward where you want to be.

Coming from an Arts background, with a BFA in Acting, I became interested in the link between Arts and Healing and began studying the benefits of Social Emotional Arts on mental health with UCLA’s Arts & Healing Initiative. I have spent 12 years employing Social Emotional Arts-based techniques in school communities, helping to build resilience and empathy, harness hope, practice stress awareness/stress regulation, plus teach conflict management to students and trauma-informed approaches to teachers/administrators. With the increase of homelessness and mental health challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, my desire to develop more tools to help people in need (and to help better the world) led me to pursue a Masters Degree in Social Work at UMass Global, where I graduated in 2023. 

As a therapist, I take a humanistic, and solution-focused approach with clients, employing a range of therapeutic techniques including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. My goal is to provide a safe space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, past, and future. I have helped clients from age five to 88 with challenges such as depression, anxiety, grief, suicide ideation, marital problems, and substance use. I am a nonjudgmental listener and have been told I’m easy to talk to. I look forward to assisting you. 

I am currently a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker #120100 under the supervision of Brandon Guresky, LMFT #53766

Our Therapists

Shannon DiMario, AMFT

Hello! My name is Shannon and I am working towards obtaining my license as a therapist. I love being active through dancing or other movement, heading to the beach or the mountains, and spending time at Disneyland when I am not seeing clients.

My goal as a therapist is to empower others to learn how to manage their emotions in a functional way so that they can obtain the quality of life they deserve. I love being able to encourage others to see new perspectives and reframe negative thought patterns and behaviors. I strive to help individuals repair their relationship with their bodies and advocate for health at every size. I constantly check in with clients to meet them where they are at and make pivots to our treatment plan if needed. My intentions are always to build trust and foster collaborative conversations and set realistic benchmarks at the pace of the client. My approach to treatment is to create a therapeutic environment where clients can feel supported and safe to share anything with me free of judgement. I utilize evidence-based techniques to explore and address challenges that may hinder normal behaviors and give manageable assignments that clients can practice outside of session. Any client who comes my way can expect someone who is bright and inviting and ready to help them set positive goals for change. I aim to provide patience, compassion, and empathy by my observational attitude as well as a curiosity for wanting to understand symptoms and obstacles.

I have a Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Bachelors of Science in Clinical Psychology from Saint Mary’s College of California. I am currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #131567.

Ethan Carpio, AMFT

I’m Ethan. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. During my free time I enjoy playing video games, going to live concerts, driving cars, taking pictures, traveling, eating new types of food, and building Legos.

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley for most of my life. I had the privilege of growing up in the valley which helped me form connections with different ethnicities and helped me experience diverse communities. This was such a blessing as it prepared me for working with different individuals in this field.

My passion for Psychology started in 2013 when I took my Intro-Psychology class. With this class, I became curious about how people behaved and how their thought processes were made. Additionally, I dove deeper into my passion for Psychology as I started to look inward and considered my own experiences with my friends and family. This helped me realize the importance of how our experiences in our childhood and with our own families impact our behaviors.

As a therapist, I take a client centered and solution focused approach with clients. In addition, I employ a range of therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. My goal is to provide a safe space for clients and empower them to explore their feelings regarding their past/present/future, thought patterns, behaviors, relationships, and self-esteem. My role as a therapist is to create this space where the client is safe/comfortable being themselves. To do so, I present myself as a therapist that is a nonjudgemental listener that provides empathy, compassion, authenticity, laughter, creativity, and guidance.

I have been working in the mental health field since 2018. I have worked with clients from ages 5 to 93 with challenges such as depression, loneliness, anxiety, grief, suicide ideation, interpersonal problems, and stress management. In addition, I have experience in working alongside kids with ASD.

I graduated from Pepperdine University in the fall of 2022 with a master’s degree in clinical psychology. I am currently an Associate Marriage Family Therapist #137991.