PACIFIC TEEN TREATMENT - Key Persons
AAron Vereen is an acclaimed master drummer who is known for his unique and fluent style of drumming. His mastery of traditional instruments along with his unique eclectic blend of Caribbean and West African rhythms make him a versatile and internationally sought-after performer.
Although AAron loves performing on stage, he is also very passionate about using drums to nurture and support mental, spiritual and physical well-being. This had its genesis in Africa, where he studied for several years and was fortunate to live among Shamans, who taught him how to truly tap into the healing power of the drum. In 2012 AAron traveled to Australia where he lived among Aborigines and learned how to play the didgeridoo.
In addition to his work at Pacific Teen Treatment AAron also hosts drum circles and workshops around the country and internationally. His drumming program, The Healing Drum Circle, is now part of the treatment program in several treatment centers throughout California.
Alison relocated to Los Angeles from Ithaca, New York. She completed her yoga teacher certification as well as additional trainings in yoga therapy and trauma-sensitive yoga at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts. Alison earned her master's degree in clinical social work from Boston College and has practiced social work complimented with therapeutic yoga in residential, outpatient and private practice settings. She specializes in working with teenagers and adults impacted by anxiety and trauma and is passionate about integrating mindfulness-based modalities into this work. Alison strongly believes that helping individuals feel present and secure in their bodies as well as develop compassion for themselves are integral parts of growth, healing and overall wellness.
Andrea has over half a decade of experience working with and supporting adolescents. She holds an Associates Degree in Psychology from Glendale Community College and is currently a student at Western Governors University. In addition to formal education, Andrea holds certifications in Motivational Interviewing, Investing, and Bilingualism. In her free time, she enjoys being active and practices roller skating, cycling, and running. She seeks out opportunities to share her passion for outdoor activities with the youth. Andrea strongly believes in the value and power of young people's voices and expression of their authentic self. Her goal is to help young people find their own powerful identity and their own voice through increasing their self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-love.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Supervisor
- Director of Family Services
Cindy, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Group Psychotherapist. Cindy has a wealth of experience working with adolescents and their families and has worked in adolescent residential treatment for over 5 years. Cindy is trained in P.E.T. (parent effectiveness training) and has completed level 1 of the Trauma Resiliency Model.
In addition to residential treatment, Cindy has worked in a variety of therapeutic settings, including private practice, intensive outpatient clinics, and a psychiatric urgent care. Cindy obtained a B.A. in psychology from the State University of New York at Albany. She then completed a masters degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Group Association of Los Angeles (GPALA).
Cindy is passionate about working with teens, young adults and their families. Furthermore, she is also a clinical supervisor and enjoys guiding and supervising the associates at Pacific Teen Treatment.
Originally in the entertainment industry, Courtney made the transition to Social Work and psychotherapy to combine her passions at the intersection of culture, art, expression and service. Courtney received her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at the University of Kentucky and her Master of Social Work at the University of Southern California. Courtney received much of her foundational training at UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital and has spent the last five years working with teens, adults, and families in individual and group settings amidst struggles including vision impairment, disordered eating, mood and personality disorders, psychosis, addiction, trauma, grief and loss, gender and sexuality exploration, and life transitions.
Courtney is passionate about journeying with adolescents and families to discover helpful insights to live with a bit more ease, to stay more present, and to increase awareness about our humanness. It is her belief that therapy is a practice relationship and the most successful clinical work will occur if she starts where a teen is at and uses their individual uniqueness and strengths to inform the therapeutic work. Courtney uses trauma-informed, somatic, and evidence-based interventions including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and mindfulness. Courtney's hope is that each client leaves PTT experiencing more freedom and empowerment in living life as their most essential self.
Craig Juda is a Los Angeles native who holds a B.S. degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of Southern California. After a 20 year career in finance as an Institutional Sales Trader, Craig pursued his passion in health and wellness, opening up his first gym in the heart of L.A, called WOLA (Workout Los Angeles) catered to both youth and adults. In 2020 Craig launched WO2 Fitness, "Where We Bring the Workout 2U!" and has continued to make an impact on both youth and adults lives through fitness. His mission is to show the importance of moving your body, not only for the physical benefits, but more importantly for your mental wellbeing. Craig is an ACE certified Group Fitness Instructor, and holds certificates, as both a Youth Specialist and Behavioral Change Specialist.
Derek is a professional screenwriter hailing from the East Coast. With a passion for the arts and an urge to help others find their calling, Derek volunteered at ‘Young at Art', a hands-on art museum for children throughout his high school and college years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Communications from The University of Miami where he studied screenwriting with a minor in psychology. Prior to joining the Pacific team, Derek spent two years working with teens who struggle with mental and emotional health issues in a residential setting and he continues to foster the love of arts in teens through therapeutic creative writing groups which help them to understand and process their emotions through imaginative exercises. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his girlfriend and 4 furry kids: 2 cats (JD & Moonshine) and 2 dogs (Otto & Rosie).
Job Titles:
- Medical Director
- Medical Director & Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Miller received her bachelor's degree in social welfare from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Following her graduation, Dr. Miller obtained a master's degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles, and a Doctorate in International Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. Dr. Miller is adept at client-centered, attachment-focused EMDR and is trained in Trauma Resiliency Model Level 1. She has conducted both trauma/resilience, and organization systems research and training all around the world. Dr. Miller is a member of the Association of Marriage and Family Therapists at the Edward A. Bouchet Honor society at Yale University. Dr. Miller's experience and education are only outshined by her empathy and ability to attune with the clients at Pacific Teen Treatment.
Elizabeth has always been passionate about working with and learning from others. She credits memorable childhood teachers for cultivating her love for psychology, individual differences, and learning about others. Through volunteer tutoring in high school working with elementary school students, Elizabeth realized her desire to help youth. In college, she continued to volunteer, serving as a mentor at a middle school for students struggling academically. Originally from Colorado, Elizabeth is currently completing her B.A. in Psychology from Pepperdine University and will graduate from Pepperdine's Honors Psychology Research Program in May 2022.
Job Titles:
- Director of Admissions
- Director of Operations
- Executive Chef
Jeremy founded Pacific Teen Treatment as a program where youth can receive superior mental and emotional health treatment. The program aims to address the myriad of contemporary issues facing today's teenagers in a supportive, residential environment that empowers and inspires youth to live physically, mentally and emotionally healthy lives.
Born and raised in New York City, Jeremy attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison for his undergraduate studies. Jeremy's passion to give back to the community began in high school, during which time he volunteered at a local soup kitchen and worked as summer camp counselor for young children. Through his late teens and early twenties, Jeremy experienced severe bouts of anxiety and depression, and experienced first-hand the lack of high-quality mental health treatment options for young people. For the past eight years, Jeremy has worked in mental health residential treatment in various positions. For the past four years, he served as the Director of Admissions for a prominent Malibu residential teen treatment program where he guided and helped hundreds of parents and families find appropriate treatment for their teens and young adults. Jeremy lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three rescue dogs.
Jess' interest in psychology started at a very young age. As soon as she was old enough to do so, Jess became a volunteer Crisis Counselor; there she was able to turn her childhood interest into a passion for helping others. Jess graduated with a B.A in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Before joining the PTT team she worked as a Project Coordinator & Research Assistant-focusing on mental health research in youth & marginalized communities. At PTT, Jess likes to use a combination of her academic knowledge and past experiences to connect with clients and offer them the support they need to succeed in the program.
Job Titles:
- Dietician
- Registered Dietitian With a Masters
Karim is a registered dietitian with a Masters in Human Nutrition from Cal State Northridge. He currently works with low-income seniors in Downtown LA's Skid Row area, helping them manage chronic diseases to stay healthy and independent as long as possible. Karim has also worked as a public health research assistant for a clinical NGO that serves the migrant population on the Thai-Myanmar Border.
Karim's outpatient and personal training experience has made him adept at meeting clients where they are at, and navigating attainable goals together. Karim believes that all foods fit in a healthy diet, and uses mindful eating and other evidenced based guiding principles to inform his care. Karim's hope is that each client at PTT will leave with an improved relationship with food.
Kathie brings over 20 years of comprehensive experience in management and oversight of activities relating to organizations' operational and financial health. She is a graduate of The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN where her career in Social Services began. While working for the American Lung Association, she focused on nonprofit management, fund development, program development, financial management, communication strategies, and event management. Her philanthropic interests in local and global environmental and social issues motivated her to advocate on behalf of underrepresented communities. In Spokane, WA she worked as an Agency Program Director managing a homeless shelter that provided emergency services to victims of domestic violence. She provided support and resources to clients, as well as leadership and direction to staff and volunteers. She then relocated to Southern California, where she spent 8 years in a private medical practice responsible for billing best practices and oversight of the financial solvency of the company. Her most recent accomplishment was with a prominent Malibu Treatment Center, where she developed an in-house billing system. She was also responsible for the company's accounting functions, payroll, and client financial matters.
Kathie has trained a Therapy Dog, Gator, that loves to bring a loving and calming vibe to PTT clients.
Originally from Los Angeles, Linney received her bachelor's degree from The University of Arizona. She then went on to get her master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles. As an associate at The Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, Linney worked primarily with individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma and mood disorders. Linney's goal is to provide support and guidance to her clients while providing a safe space for them to express themselves freely. She draws on a variety of styles and techniques that are tailored to each individual client, with the goal of resolving underlying conflicts that tend to interfere with everyday life. Linney believes the therapeutic relationship can be a healing one. No one deserves to suffer in silence. Her talk-based approach creates a unique dynamic where the focus is solely on the client and increasing their awareness, while providing a safe space to explore their inner thoughts and feelings.
Lucy is originally from Omaha Nebraska. She earned her bachelor's degree in Dance and Performing Arts at the University of Southern California before going on to receive her master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Lucy draws on her background in dance and theater to bring creativity and the mind-body-soul connection into sessions. She aims to facilitate a space where clients feel safe to put down their protective shields, become curious about their patterns, and embody the most authentic version of themselves to cultivate greater resilience and an unshakeable sense of intrinsic self-worth.
Lucy has primarily worked with young adults and teens to address anxiety, depression, OCD, low self-worth, and relationship distress by tending to the underlying roots of symptoms in order to facilitate positive behavior change and a holistic sense of well-being. She uses a wide range of therapeutic modalities based on the needs of each client, and her approach is warm, curious, and collaborative.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- Program Director / Lead Therapist
Originally from a small town in Nebraska, Lyndsay received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Colorado State University and a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Colorado Denver. Lyndsay grew to embrace the journey of aligning herself with the values of individuality. Over the last seven years Lyndsay has had the privilege of working individually and in group settings with people struggling with and coping by way of substance use, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, homelessness, LGBTQ related issues, and other transitional life struggles.
It is her belief that there is no single approach when it comes to working with unique individuals and utilizes a range of modalities including body-based and trauma-informed therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy to best suit client's needs. Lyndsay's goal is to provide supportive, encouraging, and safe spaces for clients to feel empowered. With increased confidence in their own authenticity, her hope is for young people to express their individuality and in turn, empower others to do the same.
Job Titles:
- Art Therapist
- Art Therapist ATR - P, APCC 6048
Michelle is an art therapist and professional clinical counselor associate living and working in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in the midwest and relocated to Los Angeles after living in Boulder, Colorado where she completed her Masters in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado.
Michelle is professionally trained to use art-based therapeutic techniques to enrich the work she does with clients. She believes art is concrete evidence of what is alive within us. The artwork created in session can serve as a tool to better understand what is internally occurring for clients without needing to cognitively figure it out. It's also true that the process of creating art is inherently healing! In addition to art therapy, Michelle utilizes mindfulness-based therapy to deepen client work and progress healing in meaningful ways.
Michelle previously worked with adults, adolescents, and children in medical and psychiatric settings. While at different sites, Michelle facilitated individual, family, and group therapy sessions. She's also worked internationally to bring trauma-informed art therapy interventions to survivors of domestic violence and sex-trafficking.
Michelle's approach is transparent, open, and direct throughout the therapeutic process. She feels passionate about this work and helping humanity. Michelle is committed to reminding others of the power of presence, self-expression, and peace.
From a young age, Sam aspired to help others. She graduated high school and went on to college with that intent. Sam graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in psychology. She then went on to work in ABA as a Behavioral Interventionist for a year and a half. There, she learned how to implement behavioral therapeutic techniques and fell in love with helping kids. While Sam loved working with kids on the spectrum, she wanted to help kids who struggled with similar experiences she struggled with when she was younger. As a Clinical Assistant at PTT Sam is able to bring her background in behavioral therapy to the team.