New Clinic in Hermosa Beach 2200 Pacific Coast Hwy. suite 100
New Clinic in Hermosa Beach 2200 Pacific Coast Hwy. suite 100
Specialty: Teen, Adult Performance Specialist
Dr. Jake Insler is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in high-performance, mindset and mental skills training. He utilizes a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy approach toward mental growth and development. Whether the goal is to build confidence, control emotions, improve behavior, perform under pressure, improve communication or conquer self-doubt, working with Dr. Jake is an overall growth experience. He has experience working with olympic, professional, collegiate, high school, and middle school athlete. He also has extensive experience working with children, pre-teens, teens, adults, and families dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, major life transitions, and other mental health issues. Dr. Jake Insler is a native of Manhattan Beach.
For more information or to contact Dr. Jake,
email him at drjake@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child, Teen, Autism, Assessment
Dr. Sarah is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in children, adolescents, young adults, and families impacted by autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, attention difficulties, learning differences, behavioral issues, depression, and anxiety. When working with children and teens, Dr. Sarah makes it a priority to ensure the whole family feels supported. She performs individual, group and family therapy. She has worked in various settings, including schools, psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse treatment programs, and private practice. She incorporates modalities including play therapy, sand tray, dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and art therapy.
Dr. Sarah also conducts comprehensive psychological and psycho-educational evaluations for suspected ADHD and learning disabilities and attends her patients’ IEP meetings and assists parents in advocating for their children.
To contact Dr. Sarah, please reach out to Drsarah@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child, Teen Intervention/Coaching
Dr. Jennifer has worked with children, adolescents, and families in the South Bay for over 20 years. Her various professional roles have provided her with a breadth of experience working with families and youth of all ages and abilities in a variety of clinical and educational settings. Jennifer provides behavioral intervention for children, adolescents, and adults.
Jennifer specializes in adjustment difficulties, behavioral intervention, and healthy life transitions. As a lifelong resident of the South Bay, Jennifer has great familiarity with the local community. Dr. Jennifer is is currently serving as a behavioral coach on our team.
For more information or to contact
Dr. Jennifer, email her at drjennifer@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child/Teen, Young Adult, Adult
Brandi is an animated and passionate therapist with a will to serve the community through therapy. She has extensive experience ranging from children with learning disabilities, behavioral issues, and genetic disorders to adults with eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. When working with children, she focuses on engaging with the child to create a positive and comfortable relationship from the start. Brandi has a more direct approach for adults and families in order to help the client make connections they are close to making on their own. Her bold approach in therapy allows for open and honest discussions necessary for a progressive relationship. Brandi enjoys utilizing elements from positive psychology, mindfulness-based practice, and cognitive behavioral therapy, depending on the client's needs.
For more information and to contact her, email at brandi@sbcft.com
Speciality: Child, Teen, Adult, Couples, Family
Christina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has worked with children and families in multiple capacities and settings for over 30 years. Her professional career spansacross public and private school settings, and special education. Christina is trauma-informed and her training includes Gestalt play therapy, behavior analysis, and school-based approaches. She uses family systems theory when working with families and has extensive experience supporting patients with stress, anxiety, depression and grief. Christina also has a specialty in the area of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and believes in holistic approaches to understanding the connection between one’s past, present and future. Christina has also lived in the South Bay for over 25 years and is the mother of two growing young men.
For more information or to contact her, email at Christinamft@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child, Adolescent, Young Adult
Ken has extensive experience working with children from K-12 that struggle with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and disruptive behavior and utilizes elements from CBT, psychodynamic theory and mindfulness. He also utilizes trauma-focused specialties including EMDR and TF-CBT. Ken’s primary goal as a therapist is to help children, teens, and young adults successfully progress through their complicated formative years into healthy, flourishing adults. He supports young people as they learn to regulate big emotions, rediscover motivation, improve self-esteem and enrich their relationships. Through a combination of play and talk therapy, he enables clients to develop a more robust sense of self and strengthens their innate resources to help them overcome obstacles to healthy development. In addition to vast therapeutic experience, Ken had a 15 year career on Wall Street following his degree at Georgetown University and is a proud new father.
For more information or to contact Ken, email him at Ken@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child, Teen, Adult, Sports Performance
Danielle provides therapy for young children, children and has extensive experience with these ages. She has worked with children, adolescents, and young adults in a variety of settings, including education, special education, ABA therapy, and non-profit school based services. Danielle specializes in working with individuals experiencing grief and loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, and difficult life transitions. Danielle utilizes Solution focused, positive psychology, and cognitive behavioral approaches. Danielle collaborates with clients to help them process difficult thoughts and feelings that impact daily life, and aids the client in developing coping strategies to improve self esteem and engender hope in clients who have experienced trauma and loss. Danielle is also currently a Kindergarten teacher in a school in LA County.
For more information or to contact Dani, email her at Dani@sbcft.com
Specialty: Children, Teen, Student Athletes
Monica is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist who specializes working with student athletes, young children, and teens. Her main modality is play or humanistic therapy. When working with student-athletes, Monica uses a holistic approach by using CBT, humanistic therapy, mindfulness, and positive psychology to help with performance, relationships, identity, and struggles in/ out of their sport.
Monica has experience working with children & student athletes dealing with academic/ performance stress, anxiety, body image, behavioral outbursts, aggression, and divorce in the school and private practice setting. Monica is also an advocate & speaker for athlete mental health in the South Bay Community by doing public speaking at colleges, local schools, parenting groups, podcast appearances, and team workshops. Monica was a student athlete herself in college and on the international level.
For more information or to contact Monica, email her at Monica@sbcft.com
Specialty: Adults, Teens, Children, Chronic illnesses
Sok is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in working with children and teenagers, as well as adults and families. She works with clients who are dealing with depression, anxiety, peer relationships, academic stress and performance, divorce, parenting, postpartum challenges, grief and life transitions. She supports children and adolescents in expressing their emotions from a young age, while partnering with parents to foster a nurturing, loving relationship.
Sok is also experienced in working with individuals who have cancer and chronic illnesses. She provides compassionate and personalized care for clients and their families to address their physical, social, spiritual and emotional well-being.
Sok takes an integrative approach towards therapy, meeting clients where they are, tailoring her approach to their unique needs, and working closely with them to build a strong foundation of communication and mutual understanding. Sok is supervised by Dr. Sarah Tuberman-Green.
For more information or to contact her, email Sok@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child, Teen, Adult
Spencer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has a strong background in treating children, teens, and adults with depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, emotional regulation, grief and more. His integrative approach draws from mindfulness-based interventions, psychodynamic therapy, CBT, and somatic practice to help his clients cope, increase self-esteem, and develop emotional regulation and resiliency. In younger children he employs play therapy to facilitate communication and gain a deeper understanding of their needs. Spencer’s goal is to support his clients and their families by introducing a variety of coping strategies that assist the client in navigating their early years, increasing their sense of self control and self-worth. Spencer is also an accomplished fitness instructor and certified nutrition coach. A strong believer in the mind body connection, Spencer brings this discipline to all his client interactions.
To contact Spencer, please reach out to Spencer@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child/Teen, Adult , Grief, Trauma
Mae is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing therapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Through the therapeutic process of uncovering each person’s unique essence, Mae helps her clients attune to, accept, and love themselves, overcome limiting thoughts, and process difficult emotions and past hurts. Mae has received training in evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and psychodynamic therapy. Additionally, Mae works collaboratively and integrates parts-work, family systems, Gestalt, existentialism/spirituality, and cognitive narrative approaches depending on a client’s needs. Mae is a parent of two, an experienced special education attorney and a woman of substance and deep faith – a beautiful blend of head and heart.
For more information or to contact Mae, email her at Mae@sbcft.com
Specialty: Children, Teen, Adults, Telehealth
Alyson Hinz is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Telehealth therapist. As a Telehealth therapist, Alyson uses a creative approach to keep her clients engaged in therapy. She is able to implement various therapies virtually such as, mindfulness, CBT, solution focused approaches, strengths based therapy, positive psychology, yoga/movement, and art therapy techniques into her online clinical practice.
Alyson specializes in working with teens, college students, young adults, and athletes who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, and life changes. She believes virtual therapy can offer flexibility, whether you are a college student looking for a session in between classes, experiencing transportation issues, or seeking solace in your own home.
For more information and to contact, email at alyson@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child, Teen, Young Adult, Adult,
Sports and Peak Performance
Angel focuses on improving the overall mental health of his clients through a positive psychology lens and utilizes mindfulness techniques. He provides psychotherapy that creates a safe environment to process thoughts and feelings. Angel specializes in working with individuals regarding self-esteem, challenging transitions in life, anxiety, and depression. He has experience with neurodivergent children and families. He has experience facilitating social skills groups for children who had difficulty maintaining consistent pro-social behavior with peers, victims of bullying, and insecure attachment. He utilizes narration, play therapy, and has a solution-focused approach to therapy.
Angel also has extensive experience working with athletes at all ages focusing on performance in sport and life. Angel is supervised by High Performance Psychologist Dr. Jake Insler.
For more information or to contact, email Angel@sbcft.com
Specialty: Teen, Adult Performance Specialist
Katie is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with research and clinical experience that focuses on athlete identity development, men and masculinities, and positive psychology. She utilizes a trauma-informed lens, solution-focused, narrative, and interpersonal approaches. Katie has experience working with older adolescents and young adults who are experiencing stage-of-life challenges and transitions. Katie is currently in the process of completing her Certified Mental Performance Coach (CMPC) certification through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology and works closely with high school and college teams and coaches in the Southwest region of the country. Currently, Katie also supports students who have been impacted by gender- and power-based harm at the University of Southern California. Katie is currently supervised by Dr. Jacob Insler.
For more information and to contact her, email at Katie@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child/Teen, Young Adult, and Adult, Sports and Peak Performance
Brandon specializes in holistic care for individuals, including athletes, children, teens, and adults experiencing difficulties in identity development, gender expectations, depression, self-confidence, anxiety, and more. Drawing from various theoretical modalities such as humanistic, narrative, mindfulness, CBT, psychodynamic, solution-focused, and person-centered, he provides an integrative approach that is tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Currently working towards his Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification, Brandon has a history of working with middle school, high school, and collegiate teams and coaches around the country. He also brings extensive experience in providing psychotherapy to LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals, creating a safe, culturally adaptive space for clients to explore emotions and navigate life transitions with confidence and resilience. Brandon is currently supervised by high-performance and mental skills training specialist, Dr. Jake Insler.
For more information or to contact, email Brandon@sbcft.com
Specialty: Child, Teen, Adult, Family
Cassie is a professional and compassionate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides counseling services to families, children, teens and adults. She utilizes a personalized and client-centered approach in working with her clients through life obstacles and specializes in the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders.
Cassie utilizes a variety of evidence-based modalities such as CBT, solution focused, play therapy, motivational interviewing and positive psychology to help her clients improve their mental health and overall sense of self. Cassie is an energetic and motivated therapist that is committed to improving the life’s of those she works with.
For more information or to contact her, email at Cassiemft@sbcft.com
Specialty: Teen, Adult, Couples, LGBTQ
Kelsi Dahn is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, and draws from experience as a registered yoga teacher. Kelsi works with individuals and families, utilizing tools from Gestalt therapy, existential philosophy, nonviolent communication, somatic and yogic practice, internal family systems therapy, 12-step recovery, and group therapy. Kelsi is inclusive of individuals of marginalized communities and has extensive experience working with individuals of communities such as LGBTQIA, BIPOC, non traditional relationship structures, diverse gender identities, etc.
Kelsi supports clients to uncover and harness their Authentic Self, while collaboratively honoring and transforming anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and other feelings and behaviors out of balance with daily life. Kelsi believes that coming from a place of authenticity opens the door to a wider range of possibilities for one’s life path, and ameliorates interpersonal relationships along the journey.
For more information or to contact, email Kelsi@sbcft.com
Specialty: Adults, Teens, Children
Erika Barker is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for working with children, teens, and young adults. Erika skillfully navigates the complexities of anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, neurodivergence, and life transitions and helps clients become the best versions of themselves. Her practice extends to families, offering them guidance and support as they face various life challenges.
Erika’s sessions are interactive and engaging, utilizing a blend of traditional and evidence-based therapies tailored to each client’s unique needs. Her toolbox includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), attachment-based methods, play therapy, art therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness techniques. Erika believes in the power of a person-centered approach, ensuring therapy is a collaborative, supportive, and adaptive process. By fostering an environment of growth and understanding, Erika helps individuals and families navigate their present challenges, build resilience, and thrive in their everyday lives.
For more information or to contact her, email Erika@sbcft.com
Specialty: Adult, Teen, Children, Couple, Family, Autism
Sierra Brown is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive experience with children, teens, adults and families. She creates a safe and supportive space for clients to process feelings, learn better coping skills, and develop healthy relationships. She works to help each member of the family understand themselves in relation to the rest of the family and work towards creating a safe and secure environment for each member to thrive. She also offers one on one therapy and tailors each individual's treatment to their unique goals for therapy utilizing various modalities, each best suited for their presenting problems.
Sierra's areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, autism, behavioral issues, ADHD, personality disorders and trauma. She leans on evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), psychodynamic, play/art therapy, narrative therapy and mindfulness-based practices to help tailor individual treatment to each client's needs. She has experience with early intervention, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
For more information or to contact, email Sierra@sbcft.com
Specialty: Children, Teens, Adults, Family
Amanda has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, various forms of trauma, eating disorders, body and self-esteem issues, academic stress, and substance abuse addictions. She provides individual, family, and group therapy, and she has worked in various settings including school-based therapy programs and substance abuse rehabilitation programs. Amanda incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, art therapy, play therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and solutions-focused therapy. Amanda strives to provide a safe and supportive therapeutic environment for clients, and as a first-generation Filipina American, she aims to understand the impact of culture, family background, and upbringing on the lives of her clients.
Aside from her therapeutic abilities, Amanda is also a dancer and performer and enjoys various styles of dance such as hip-hop, jazz, ballet, salsa, bachata, and Argentine tango.
For more information or to contact, email Amanda@sbcft.com
Specialty: Assessment, Teen, Adult, Couples Therapy
Dr. Maddison Paul is a Psychological Associate specializing in adolescent, adult, and couples therapy, along with comprehensive psychological and educational assessments. Her approach is primarily Humanistic, complimented with attachment theory and behavioral techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), all woven together through the principles of motivational interviewing. This multifaceted approach allows Dr. Paul to effectively address individual and contextual factors, fostering a collaborative and client-centered therapeutic environment. Her assessment experience enables her to provide in-depth evaluations, essential for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans.
Dr. Paul has expertise in treating ADHD, anxiety, depression, postpartum mental health issues, parenting challenges, and difficulties with life transitions.
For more information or to contact, email Drmaddison@sbcft.com
Specialty: Adult, Teen, Children
Stephanie is a dedicated and compassionate Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
with a passion for helping individuals, adolescents, and families navigate through
various challenges. She has experience addressing a variety of issues, such as anxiety,
depression, ADHD, body image concerns, trauma, substance use, and life transitions.
Stephanie provides a supportive and collaborative environment and uses a person-
centered approach, placing the client at the heart of the therapeutic process. Drawing
from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic theory, narrative therapy, and
mindfulness, Stephanie tailors her methods to each individuals unique needs. Her goal is to create a safe and nurturing space where clients can explore their
thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
Stephanie is committed to helping her clients not only cope with their challenges but also to grow and thrive. She understands the
importance of promoting positive change and empowering individuals and families to
build healthier relationships and lifestyles. Stephanie is supervised by Dr. Sarah Tuberman-Green.
For more information or to contact, email Stephanie@sbcft.com
Specialty: Early Childhood (0-5) specialist, behavioral intervention, parenting
Flor is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in therapy with infants, toddlers, and their family members. Flor utilizes play therapy strategies when working with her clients. Flor is trained in CPP (Child Family Psychotherapy) which is an Evidence Based Practice for intervention with children and their family. Flor enjoys collaborating with the child as well as the caregiver during sessions and believes the relationship between the child and caregiver is the most important part of the child’s development . Flor’s goal is to create a safe environment for each child in order for them to feel free to explore and work through their own barriers through play therapy and by being their support system through mental health treatment. Flor conducts therapy in English and Spanish.
For more information or to contact, email flor@sbcft.com.
Specialty: Children, Teens, Young Adults
Geoff is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in ADHD, anxiety, depression, sports performance, ocean therapy, and mindfulness-based skills. He utilizes an experiential and humanistic approach with children, teens, and young adults, by helping them identify roadblocks and set goals in order to cultivate a continuous understanding of their relationship dynamics and internal landscape. Geoff works to provide an experience of validation, clarity, and catharsis for his clients as well as empowering adolescents and young adults to discover their inherent strengths and consciously navigate their current struggles.
As a former college athlete, Geoff prioritizes his mental and physical well-being by staying fit and connected with his local community. His working background is in the field of education, where he taught and mentored high schoolers how to succeed academically and personally for nearly a decade.
For more information or to contact, email Geoff@sbcft.com
* Associates at South Bay Child and Family Therapy are Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychological Assistants and Associate Professional Clinical Counselors supervised by Licensed Professionals Dr. Shahrzad Giti, Psy.D and Dr. Jacob Inlser, Psy.D. For further information regarding clinician credentials and supervision, please refer to informed consent presented at intake.
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