THERACARE WELLNESS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Adam became a psychologist because of his enduring interest in the human experience, coupled with a passion for helping people create positive change in their lives. He believes that each day we have the opportunity to make meaningful change, becoming more of the person we want to be. Adam's approach to treatment is strengths based and empowerment focused. He uses a collaborative and egalitarian approach when working with clients, in order to foster a therapeutic environment that is conducive to growth and healing.
While Adam is trained and qualified to work with people from many different backgrounds, he specializes in serving the LGBTQ community, and helping individuals navigate the process of coming out. He also enjoys helping those who have experienced trauma, grief or loss, in processing the pain associated with these experiences, while moving into a place of acceptance and resolution. While Adam will work to help you make meaning and purpose out of your daily, lived experience, he will also provide you with practical coping skills to reduce unwanted or troubling symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. Finally, Adam specializes in utilizing self-care and mindfulness meditation, to help his clients accept and tolerate unwanted stress and anger.
During your first meeting with Adam, you can expect him to explore your presenting concerns at length. He will collaboratively discuss your treatment goals, and provide you with the opportunity to ask questions so that you feel comfortable and informed. He recognizes that successful treatment is built on a foundation of collaboration, trust, and mutuality.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Alejandra became a therapist because she wanted a profession that aligned with her core values: compassion, integrity, connection, authenticity, and contribution. She approaches each patient with curiosity and compassion, while providing a safe space to heal and grow. She believes therapy should be a space free from judgment, shame, blame, or guilt.
Alejandra is trained and qualified to work with a variety of concerns, but is most passionate about working with individuals who have survived traumatic experiences such as physical, emotional, and sexual trauma. This includes those needing to process intergenerational family trauma, survivors of human trafficking, and individuals struggling with eating disorders. She is an ardent ally of the LGBTQIA community and BIPOC communities, and also enjoys working with women, non-binary, and gender fluid clients, including those questioning their gender identity. She feels a special affinity for working with individuals impacted by the foster care system, including adoptive families, and also enjoys transitional age youth such as adolescents and those on the cusp of adulthood.
When you meet with Alejandra for the first time, you can expect her to be warm and engaging. She'll ask a lot of questions, and get to know your background, life experiences, upbringing, and influences. She will give you the space to talk about yourself freely, but can also offer grounding exercises like deep breathing, visualization techniques, and guided meditations.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Madi chose to pursue a career in social work to listen to people's needs, from young children to people struggling with addictions, and help them to cope and improve their quality of life. Through obtaining her licensure to practice psychotherapy, she has learned to understand how to make a positive impact in society and it has made her aware of how quickly someone's circumstances in life can change. Madi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is ready to help individuals by providing emotional support, guidance and the skills they need to overcome mental health issues and daily stressors.
Madi's therapeutic style is eclectic. She draws on multiple theoretical orientations and techniques. This flexible and multifaced approach to therapy allows her to use the most effective methods available to address each individual's needs. CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) is a therapeutic approach she uses frequently because it helps individuals change dysfunctional thinking and therefore impacts their emotions.
Madi works with a wide variety of presenting issues and populations. Her initial experience was with children and adolescents and transitioned to working with the geriatric population. The most prevalent diagnosis' she works with is Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Personality Disorders along with Bipolar and Schizophrenia.
When working with Madi you will experience a very structured and detailed therapist. She will provide patients with support, guidance, and empowerment.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Catherine has always been interested in psychology, particularly in the ‘why' of human behavior. As most therapists in the field, she has had experiences in her own life that have grown her interest in psychology and have led her to therapy. She loves working with people and hearing their stories; "it's an honor to be trusted by others to hold some of the pain they are experiencing and to help them along the path to healing".
Catherine decided to pursue a specialty in working with children because of her naturally playful spirit and experience growing up as the oldest in her own family. She feels she connects well with children and can play at their level, creating safety within the playroom for them to explore, grow, and make changes. Catherine recognizes the difficulty of dealing with intense and confusing emotions as a child and her aim is to be a safe landing space for all her clients.
Catherine's approach to therapy is a strong belief that regardless of what modality she utilizes as a therapist, it comes down to the relationship she has with her clients. Yes, therapeutic interventions are a necessary part of treatment, but she believes that people need to feel safe in their environment first; to feel like someone is there for them, truly listening to them without judgement. It is through the strength of the therapeutic relationship that Catherine can then introduce new skills and offer suggestions for change. She believes that therapy should be a collaborative environment, where both she as the therapist and the client are working together to help the client reach their goals.
Catherine has received specialized training in Play Therapy and is currently in the process of obtaining her Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential. She thoroughly enjoys working with children and their families, specifically children ages 3 to 11. The type of presenting problems that she has most often encountered in this population range from parents needing support with behavioral issues for children in the home and school settings to helping children cope with anxiety, depression, and severe trauma.
Catherine believes that not only is the individual work with the child important but also collaborating with the parents and caregivers; providing them with the tools to help support the child in the home when they leave her office.
When first meeting Catherine, they can expect to be greeted with a warm and inviting smile, an open mind, and an attentive, listening ear that allows them to feel comfortable and free to share what is on their mind.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Christina says that "growing up in an Asian immigrant household, conversation around mental health were virtually non-existent, let alone access to resources and help." She found that finding ways to create safe spaces and access to healing in a diverse and mufti-cultural community became her passion. She wanted to be a source of encouragement and support for the marginalized and underrepresented communities that hit close to home.
Christina's approach is to empower and encourage, she strives to provide a safe, healing, and collaborative space for clients that allows them to collectively uncover their inherent strength and build the life they envision for themselves.
When you work with Christina you will experience a culturally inclusive and identity-affirming clinician. She specializes in helping clients who struggle with complex trauma, identity exploration, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions and grief and loss. Your first session will be an easy-going meet and greet; a time to get to know one another. She will assess areas of concern and you will discuss what you would like to accomplish in therapy.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Davida has always been inquisitive. She found herself drawn to understanding other's lives, thoughts, and behavior, which cemented her pursuit of a psychology degree in college. She brings her curious spirit to each therapeutic relationship, as she journey's with others on their path towards wholeness.
While Davida is trained and qualified to work with a host of issues, she has special experience with domestic violence, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Davida also has an extensive background working in couple's therapy and addressing the challenges of a blended family. She doesn't believe in a "one size fits all" approach to treatment, and you can expect her to bring a range of tools and techniques to your work together. While Davida's approach to treatment will vary, you can expect that she will focus on creating a safe, open environment, where you feel both heard and understood.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder Licensed Psychologist
Throughout our lives, we carry within us the voices, the gaze, acceptance or disapproval, the expectations, and the praise or criticism of those who have raised us and occupied our lives. Therapy can help us discover and clarify these powerful experiences and grow in our understanding of how they motivate us, giving us freedom to make more authentic decisions in our daily lives. I view therapy as an opportunity to heal, receive support, solve problems, improve relationships, and escape problems and patterns that seem to reappear over time.
Stylistically, I approach therapy as a collaborative, relational process. I try to lead with curiosity about each person's unique perspective, seek to understand their story, and how their identities have been a part of all of their experiences. I place a high value on the relationship between myself and each client.
I believe that therapy is at its best when people feel heard, understood, and personally cared for. If this is what you're looking for, please contact me.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder Licensed Psychologist
Lauren chose a career as psychotherapist because she genuinely enjoys listening to others and joining others on their journeys toward holistic wellness.
Lauren is a psychological associate, currently practicing under the supervision of Dr. Veronica Regueiro. Lauren's specialties include trauma therapy (EMDR trained), faith-based/integrated therapy, and comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation. Lauren holds a Doctor of Psychology degree from California Southern University. She completed an advanced externship at the Rush Neurobehavioral Center in Chicago and is currently in her post-doctoral fellowship to become a licensed psychologist. Prior to beginning her doctoral studies, she completed a master's degree in counseling psychology at Trinity International University and a bachelor's degree in applied psychology and religion at Carson-Newman College. Lauren practiced as a licensed clinical professional counselor for over a decade in Tanzania, East Africa; she enjoys working with diverse and international patient populations.
Lauren believes that providing therapeutic interactions help to create greater self-awareness and helps individuals understand how unresolved issues from their past may be influencing them in their present thoughts, behaviors, and relationships.
Lauren works in treating PTSD through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (or EMDR) therapy, which facilitates the integration of painful memories. She also has experience in providing comprehensive psychoeducational and neurodevelopmental evaluations.
Lauren believes that therapeutic interactions help to create greater self-awareness and understanding of the ways unresolved issues from the past may be influencing present thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. While Lauren tends to work out of a psychodynamic modality, she integrates other therapy modalities to meet the unique needs of each individual patient.
Rehana's passion is knowing people deeply and to help others as much as appropriately possible along the way. She earned her bachelor's degree in Anthropology from University of California Riverside, her master's degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and her Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D) in Applied Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Peiris brings in 10 years of experience in mental health and has worked in a variety of settings whether it was as a manager of a Level 12 residential facility, working with the Department of County Foster Services (DCFS), or DMH (Department of Mental Health) contracted agencies-Dr. Peiris is passionate about the field of Psychology and is motivated in assisting her patients see their possibilities instead of their limitations. Her philosophy is eclectic and utilizes many approaches depending on the case she is working on whether it is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused, or a Psychodynamic Approach. She focuses on the the underlying emotional and relational patterns that come up in therapy, then through a connected therapy relationship, invites a deconstruction process that leads to more intentional and value-based way of being and relating. At the end of the day, Rehana's focus is on cultivating a meaningful relationship meant to help individuals understand where they have been, where they are, and where they want to go.
When working with Rehana you will find someone that takes a patient interest in a person's total experience, beyond their behaviors, and underneath their anxiety and depression symptoms. Rehana tries to be as genuine and honest as possible with her patients while allowing for the patient to guide their process where they feel is important. She tries to customize every treatment plan for the individual while also fostering a non-judgmental setting that is warm and inviting for her patients. If you have an opportunity to work with Dr. Peiris as your provider, you can expect to meet someone who has a wealth of knowledge and insight in helping you understand yourself in a deeper and more complex way. Dr. Peiris will go the extra mile in supporting you in your therapeutic journey and will strategize with you on ways you can achieve the treatment goals you have in mind for yourself. Rehana has experience working with all ages and has advanced training in working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. Dr. Peiris is especially passionate about patients who have experienced trauma, grief, and challenges with life transitions.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
A driving force in Erika's decision to pursue a career in Behavioral Health was growing up in an immigrant family and seeing her parents' struggles with refugee trauma play out in everyday life. Her parents were faced with the challenges of social and financial hardships which led to issues of domestic violence and alcoholism. As a result, Erika grew up as a scared an anxious child. In college, Erika chose to major in psychology to better understand herself and her family. Psychology helped establish tools for coping with patterns from her childhood that played out in adulthood. Erika wanted to continue to help others in that understanding and learning about themselves and their families to foster change.
Erika's philosophy when working with her patients is to help them build a healthy relationship with themselves. The first step to help people change and grow is to have a safe and non-judgmental space to learn and explore their history and recognizing how their past has shaped them into the person they are today. From there, they can recognize patterns and themes that play out in daily life and how to work to change these patterns. She also has a passion for systems therapy, in that to create long lasting change, it is important to help the individual work with their environment (family, significant people in a person's life, work, school).
Erika is passionate about working with people who need support with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and domestic violence. She also specializes in working with children, adolescents, and their families.
When working with Erika you will see she strives to make the therapeutic space a safe, inviting, and nonjudgmental place in order to foster a therapeutic alliance.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Fiona's approach to treatment is collaborative with patients. She applies an integrative treatment approach, incorporating evidence-based practices, psychodynamic therapy,and attachment theory, neuroscience, and holistic therapeutic treatments.
Fiona works with a wide range of diverse presenting problems affecting individuals, couples, families, and groups. She brings a wealth of experience treating populations with substance use disorders, process addictions, mood disorder, eating disorders, personality disorders, mental health issues, and forensics for people interacting with the legal system. Some additional areas of specialty include Trauma, Addiction, Gambling Disorder, Dual Diagnosis, and Life Transitions.
Dr. Kelly specializes in evidence-based therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder/complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, adjustment to medical diagnoses including peri/postpartum concerns, as well as improving social communication. She is particularly interested in healing the impact of long-term stress on a person's lifestyle patterns.
Dr. Kelly believes people in therapy are generally at a crossroad in their life, making complex decisions about how they would like to move forward and define their path as well as themselves. The point of therapy is to adjust to a new lifestyle in a way that brings joy into your universe.
When working with Dr. Kelly you'll find her approach to therapy is highly collaborative. She believes people are trying to move forward, heal, and improve their lives. Together you will create a safe space to explore your experiences, the patterns in your life, and how these contribute to your sense of self. These insights allow you the ability to utilize your strengths to create new, adaptive choices and more effectively achieve your goals. If you are seeking collaboration on how to move forward, please contact her.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Jayce's passion is knowing people deeply; the good, the bad, and the ugly. And to help others as much as appropriately possible along the way. He earned his master's degree in Family and Child Sciences from the Florida State University, and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University. Dr. Long completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship at the Southern Louisiana Internship Consortium, Louisiana State University, working primarily with university students and forensic psychiatric patients, and postdoctoral fellowship training emphasizing psychodynamic therapy and psychological assessment with older adults in a community mental health setting.
His philosophy is a psychodynamic approach. He focuses on the underlying emotional and relational patterns that come up in therapy, then through a connected therapy relationship, invites a deconstruction process that leads to more intentional and value-based way of being and relating. At the end of the day, Jayce's focus is on cultivating a meaningful relationship meant to help individuals understand where they have been, where they are, and where they want to go.
When working with Jayce you will find someone that takes a patient interest in a person's total experience, beyond their behaviors, and underneath their anxiety and depression symptoms. Jayce tries to be as genuine and real and curious as possible while also following the patient where they feel is important. He tries to appreciate the complexity of every individual he sees, and he suspends any assumptions regarding his knowledge of their unique experiences. They can expect to meet someone who cares and thinks deeply with them about the problems bringing them to treatment.
Jayce has experience working with all ages and has advanced training in working with older adults. Additionally, he has specialized training in Mentalization-based Treatment (MBT) for personality disorders.
Job Titles:
- Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
From a young age, it was clear to Lizette that she wanted to work towards making the world a fairer place for families and children. Being a child of immigrants, exposed Lizette to a world of the disadvantaged. She saw several injustices going on around her and wanted to be a part of the change. As Lizette's career developed, she started to fall in love with mental health. Lizette saw how someone's mental health affects every part of their life. She loves to walk alongside someone as they learn about themselves and their mental health.
Lizette's approach to therapy is a "person-in-environment" approach. With so many stressors that affect our day to day lives including family relationships, social relationships, professional/educational goals, and finances. Lizette looks at therapy to help an individual discover how to best thrive in their current environment.
Lizette thoroughly enjoys working with teens and young adults, first generation students, and Hispanic individuals. Some of the disorders that she has experience in treating include anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and grief/loss.
When first meeting Lizette, you can expect a warm and curious therapist. She wants to learn about your life to the degree that you are comfortable. She wants to understand the world from your viewpoint. Lizette recognizes that therapy can be difficult and intimidating. During an initial session, she wants you to leave feeling more at ease.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Richelle became a therapist because she has an open mind, and enjoys learning about others lives, experiences, and perspectives. She knows that the stories we tell ourselves, about our own lives, can define us. Sometimes, the stories we tell ourselves can get in the way of who we want to be. Richelle loves journeying alongside her clients, helping them uncover their personal narratives while learning new ways of relating to others.
While Richelle is qualified to work with a range of issues, she enjoys working with adult women, couples, and families. She specializes in mood disorders (depression / anxiety / bipolar disorder), psychosis, and addiction. Richelle is also especially gifted with individuals living alternative lifestyles, such as LGBTQIA clients, and non-binary individuals. Utilizing a narrative approach to treatment, Richelle will help you to understand the conscious and unconscious barriers that get in the way of your success. She will explore the way your past experiences have shaped your personal narrative, and have led you to repeat certain patterns that you may not want in your life. She will help you build insight, while also giving you the tools necessary to make active change.
During your first session with Richelle, you can expect her to be warm, supportive, and curious. She will ask lots of questions to get to know you better, but also let you set the pace. She works collaboratively, and will help you create a treatment plan that is realistic, and effectively supports you toward reaching your goals.