Donald Goodman, LCSW Director and Intake Coordinator Top four Areas of Specialty * Couples Counseling * Teen Issues * Substance Abuse * Child Custody Matters

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCS 22798)
• Master's in Social Work, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
• BA, California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
• Over Ten years of experience working with substance abuse and Mental Health.
• Formerly a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (Las Vegas, NV).
• Over six years of experience in the Child’s Sexual Abuse Program providing group therapy to victims, siblings of victims, non-offending parents, and perpetrators.
• Ten years of experience working in child and family welfare working with individuals, couples, and families from intake to reunification or adoption.
• Ten years of experience dealing with juvenile delinquency, runaways, self mutilation, ADHD, homicide and suicide ideations. (please link to teen issues)
• Field Instructor for the CSUN Master's in Social Work program.
• Supervisor at Department of Children & Family Services.
• Clinical consultant for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project.
• Four years of experience as a seminar instructor at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA).
• Clinical Supervisor for Associate Social Workers trying to obtain their license.

Coming from a troubled past, my path to become a therapist has been an exciting, wonderful, life changing experience. I received my undergraduate degree in Philosophy where I critically evaluated how we should treat others as well as ourselves. Ultimately, I realized that “serving man” was how I wanted to make my life meaningful.

In 1997, I obtained my first job working in the helping profession at an outpatient psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents and quickly a second job at another psychiatric hospital working with adults. In these first two places of employment to this day, I believe that I have seen man in his most painful state. What I learned was, I can handle it and this field is where I want to be.

While I pursued my Master’s degree in Social Work I worked at an outpatient drug treatment program as the lead juvenile drug and alcohol counselor. I was exposed to every aspect of drug and alcohol addiction. I evaluated and assessed new clients, conducted individual and group therapy, provided in writing and in person reports to court, and developed and implemented new material for the program. I gained experience treating anything from moderate marijuana and alcohol use to chronic, physiological dependent heroin addicts.

In 2001, after receiving my Master’s in Social Work, I accepted employment at the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) working as a Children’s Social Worker. Working in Children and Family Welfare furthered my clinical skills as I gained professional experience, assessing safety and risk, managing crisis, stabilizing family situations, and learning about the court processes whether dependency or family law.

In conjunction with my work at DCFS, I began teaching at CSULA and in 2005 I obtained my Clinical License. In 2007, I opened my own private practice in the city of Valencia. After over two years of private practice, my specialties are couples counseling, teen issues, substance abuse, and child custody matters

What separates me from other therapists is my ability to connect to the client. I believe that it is critical that the client feels validated and understood.

I believe that through my journey, I have been through many of the painful experiences that enables me to understand others. I have also mastered the ability to separate my past from the journey of my clients.

Mimi Bouchard, LCSW Top 4 areas of specialty - Adolescent Issues - Relationship Issues - Self Esteem - Parent Child Conflict

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCS 24642)
• Master of Social Work, Florida State University
• Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• Eleven years of experience working in social services/mental health field, primarily with children/adolescents in a variety of settings
• Seven years of experience as a therapist, working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families

I truly believe that every individual has the potential to be happy, content, and fulfilled with their lives. This may seem impossible if you are overwhelmed and feel trapped by obstacles and stressors that you are experiencing. It can be extremely helpful to have someone to lend an open ear and provide some guidance to encourage positive movement forward. As a therapist, I create a warm, safe, nonjudgmental environment for children, adolescents, and adults to be able to open up and share their feelings and make sense of what is troubling them. I strive to empower people and help them realize the strength and potential they possess.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UCLA and a Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University. For the past 11 years I have been working in the social services/mental health field, 7 years of which I have been working as a therapist with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Much of my experience has been working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings, including group homes, a juvenile correctional facility, a residential substance abuse treatment program, an after school delinquency prevention program, and outpatient clinics. I also have experience working with adults, both individually and conjointly with others (family members, partners, former spouses). My experience working with adults includes, but is not limited to, focus on such areas as relationship issues, parenting, communication skills, self-esteem, empowerment, assertiveness, mood management, conflict resolution, and life coaching. Specifically when working with couples, I help people reconnect and build/rebuild trust with one another. A major issue that causes conflict in relationships is a lack of or unhealthy/faulty communication. I help couples learn active listening and assertive communication skills, so that they are better able to hear and be heard by their partner, which results in a more satisfying, mutually respectful relationship. In my practice, I utilize a number of theoretical orientations and therapy styles, as I find that different techniques work with different people. I primarily draw from humanistic, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral, and solutions focused theories.

My experience has prepared me well to be able to interact and connect with a wide variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds. I am especially confident in my ability to connect with children/teens that are resistant to or skeptical of therapy. I feel that making a connection with an individual is crucial in the therapy process, and once that connection is established, the stage is set for meaningful, transforming therapeutic work to begin. Whether you are a teen, young adult, or adult having difficulty making the transition to a new phase in your life, a parent finding that you are hitting a brick wall when trying to communicate with your teenager, a couple finding it impossible to make the relationship work, or just someone encountering a struggle, I welcome the opportunity to help you embark on a journey toward happiness, contentment, and fulfillment.

 

Cari Hampton, MSW, LCSW Intern Top Four Areas of Specialty - Work with children and teens - Eating Disorders - Self-Esteem Issues - Sexual Abuse

Master of Social Work, California State University Northridge

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, California State University Northridge

Experience working in the mental health field/inpatient psychiatric hospital

Experience working with teen issues, primarily self-esteem, family dynamics, and interpersonal relationships

My interest in psychotherapy and serving people came at a time when I was struggling with my own issues of self-esteem, abandonment, and self discovery. My journey has truly led me to a place where I feel I can guide and support others in their own journey. I am a compassionate and empathetic person who believes in the power of the therapeutic process, and the connection between our thoughts and emotions which can empower us toward self awareness and wholeness.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Cal State Northridge, as well as a Masters degree in Social Work. I have ample experience working with children and teens. I also have experience working with individuals struggling with eating disorders, trauma resulting from sexual abuse, abandonment and self esteem issues. I am dedicated and believe strongly in the importance of self awareness and moving toward happiness by moving through the pain. I strive to empower people through their own experiences to move forward in discovering true harmony with them.

My own experience in psychotherapy has given me insight into how compelling the process can be. By allowing me to walk with you in your own journey, I believe through compassion and guidance, you will discover your true potential and harmony in life.

Craig Halpern, LCSW Top 4 Areas of Specialty Addiction Couples Counseling Depression Anxiety

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCS 21299) since 2003
Master's In Social Work (California State University, Long Beach)
BA in Psychology (California State University, Dominguez Hills)
Two years of experience in Crisis Response Counseling
10 years of experience treating children, adolescents, adults, families, couples
5 years of experienience working with a multi-cultural approach to teatment
3 years of experience supervising and training interns in a clinical setting
 
Growing up, I always knew I had a desire to help other people deal with their issues and would often put the needs of others before my own.  Being the product of parents who divorced when I was 9 years old, my passion for helping others became even greater as I realized a need to help my own family through this difficult period and this set me down a path towards wanting to help others who may have experienced similar life changing experiences and showing them that these experiences did not always have to be negative, rather could be seen as "growing" experiences that helped make them stronger.
 
I also have first hand experience dealing with addiction and understand that this is a disease that can be as debilitating and devastating to an individual and family as any medical disease can be.  Due to this fact, your addiction should never be treated as a crime, yet should be treated as a mental health and physical health issue and with understanding and compassion from someone who will not judge you, I am that person."
 
My years of experience in the field of social work and psychotherapy have enabled me to work with all kinds of people and help people deal with all kinds of mental health and other issues that may have made them feel like they wanted to "give up", yet I have been able to give them hope for a brigther future with my compassion and dedication towards them.
 
My main goal is to make you feel comfortable in the therapeutic setting and to work with you on the issues that brought you to treatment.  I understand that therapy is a very personal and potentially life changing experience.  I believe commitment to that process is one of the most important components to therapy.  If you have that committment then I am confident that I will be able to guide you to reach your goals.
 

Jeff Lumaya, LCSW

• Clinical supervisor for the Department of Mental Health.
• Field Instructor for graduate student interns from UCLA and USC
• Field Instructor for graduate student interns from UCLA and USC
• Three years as a Preceptor for the USC Master's in Social Work / DCFS Internship program.
• Facilitated psychotherapy to patients since 1995.
• Worked in Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Adult and Adolescent Units, Outpatient treatment, Mental Health Adult and Juvenile justice systems, and Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams.

Jose Parada

- Registered – Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (IMF 61758)
- Master’s in Psychology, Phillips Graduate Institute (PGI),  Encino, CA
- B.A. in Sociology/Social Welfare, California State University Northridge (CSUN)
- Sixteen years of experience working in child welfare, alongside families and individuals from investigations through the finalization of the adoptions process
- 7 years Supervisor at Department of Children and Family Services
- More than 6 years facilitating parent education classes in the San Fernando Valley
- Specialized training and  working with victims of trauma

Over the years of working in child welfare; I noticed a great need for Spanish speaking/bilingual therapists.  I took it upon myself to be prepared to make a difference in our community.  Having immigrated to the United States as a child allows me an opportunity to share similar experiences with members of our community.

It is truly a privilege for individuals and families to come into the therapy process to share their story.  The connection made is the most important aspect of how one can instill change with those who lend themselves to this process.  As a Spanish speaking therapist, I have an opportunity to understand and work with families from different Latino cultures.  I take great pride in the belief that behind every individual stands a family.  

Bilingual (Spanish speaking) therapist - Click Here

Ramy Danon, M.S. Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern Areas of Specialty - Personal and Relationship Issues - Career Planning and Transitions -  Adolescent Issues (Defiance, Self-Harm)

• Master of Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Southern California (USC)
• Master of Science in TESOL, University of Southern California (USC)
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Miami
• Bachelor of Sciences in Advertising, University of Miami
• 10+ years as an educator, secondary and university levels (USC, LACC, CSUN, Kaplan-China, Japan)
• Experience of performing therapy in several settings

Basic Approach

1) Listen for it
Every moment, I will be listening, processing, and following you, so can I understand your situation and we can work on improving it.

2) Focus on you, only
Your role in therapy with me is unlike that of any other relationship you have. Therapy, as I practice it, is only about you and working toward your goals.

3) Therapy needs not take years
In education, I reach my goal when the people I work with are prepared with the knowledge they need. In a similar manner, I work hard with you to meet your goals only as long as there is a need to do so.

A Word About Career and Life Decisions
A bright young woman who had taken off a year from college came to see me. She said she had felt unmotivated to go back in the fall and that her mother was worried about her. When I asked what did interest her, she said, “Nothing.” Interestingly, when I asked what she had liked as a kid, she talked about belonging to clubs, collecting comics, socializing, even drawing. I thought, ‘What can we do to help her feel that way again?’

A man entered my office. He said he wanted to change his career, but he worried about the impact such a decision would have on those in his life. Making matters worse, whenever he discussed the matter with family members, they put down the idea as too risky. I thought, ‘How can he pursue his passion in life while remaining committed to his family?’

These are the kinds of issues I have dealt with. Working out a solution can be emotional work, and not easy, but if you are willing to work hard in therapy, then I will help you stay with you every step of the way.

Help for Children with Disruptive Habits
The strain of academics, social pressure, and other influences can push some children and adolescents to develop very creative ways of coping with stress. Sometimes, these coping habits can show up as behavioral issues or self-harm (cutting, skin-picking, hair-pulling, over-eating, and others). Ironically, and depending on age, your child may not even be aware of why her behavior upsets you and, further, may be confused by the affect she has over the entire family.

You may be asking: Is it my fault? Will my child be normal as an adult? Or you may wonder why he is doing this to you and feel guilty about being angry sometimes. Your feelings are perfectly understandable, I assure you, but the question remains: How can the child herself and others in the family be spared the hurtful effects of the behavior? More pressing is the question: How can we stop the behavior?

I want to help. There is no ‘cookie-cutter’ solution to the issue. I have much experience with the issue of self-harm, and specialize therapy that is specialized to your unique situation.

Contact
If you are ready to begin improving your situation, then please call me. I am happy to meet with you for a free initial session.