Dr. Joselyn Josephine Ayala-Encalada
Psyd, LMFT 96987
Clinical Director of Behavioral Health/ Supervisor

Hello. My name is Joselyn and I am a Bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.I graduated from Alliant International University where I received my Doctorate in Psychology, as well as my Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy.I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Irvine where I majored in Psychology and Social Behavior, and minored in Chicano Studies. 

 

Symptoms and behaviors I have worked with before are youth with depression, anxiety, oppositional defiant behavior, conduct disorder, ADHD, auditory or visual hallucinations, suicide ideation, self-harming behaviors, low-self esteem, family conflict, and trauma, among others. 

 

As a therapist, I firmly believe the importance of being an ally and partner in this journey where my client feels supported, cared for, acknowledged, validated, and heard. I feel that one of the best qualities I have, as a therapist, is being transparent. Transparency builds trust and honesty. The therapeutic relationship I develop with my clients is crucial in the overall progress of treatment. 

As a bilingual therapist, I primarily work with monolingual Spanish speaking parents and their children. Although I can provide treatment within different modalities, my main “lens” of treatment is through Functional Family Therapy (FFT). FFT is an approach to working with family with youth at risk. My main focus through the use of FFT is to strengthen relationships in the family by opening up communication and reframing negative behavior’s by putting them within a positive relational context. 

It will be such a blessing and pleasure to be able to help you in whatever difficulties or struggles you may be going through. It is my passion to not only help you in the moment, but to also provide you with skills that you can take and use after the treatment is over, to be able to better help you through this journey of “Life.” 

Treatment Approaches:

· Family Systems

· Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

· Solution Focused Therapy

· Functional Family Therapy 

· Art Therapy

Modalities:

· Individual 

· Family

Nancy Ruiz-Barnes
LCSW 79552/Supervisor

I am Mrs. Nancy- thank you for taking the time in reading a little more about me. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience as a Clinical Therapist. I completed my Master Degree in Social Work from California State University of Long Beach. I can use a variety of theories to conceptualize & help guide me throughout treatment including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focus and Crisis Intervention. 

It takes a lot of courage and bravery to share your story. Often times people process a lot of hurt and disappointment as the root of the cause for “problem”. Therefore, the therapeutic process can be very challenging and difficult. As your therapist I will go at your pace and really get a sense of what is needed to achieve your goals. I will create a safe space where kindness & compassion is felt, through my presence, body language, tone of voice and genuine energy for empathy. My goal is for you to be transparent, feel validated and connect what needs to happen in order for healing to occur. 

My experience includes working with the following populations: 

  • Post Postpartum Depression
  • Women’s Support 
  • Victim’s of Crime
  • Immigration issues
  • Children 
  • Adults 
  • Elders 
  • Families 
  • Couple’s
  • Gender/ Sexuality 
  • ADHD 
  • Anxiety 
  • Depression 
  • Trauma 
  • Hospital environment 
  • Clinic settings 
  • Outpatient 
  • Treatment Approach/Types of Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Modality Individuals· Family


*Alternative Languages: Spanish

Brenda Chavelas
LCSW 101040

Hello! My name is Brenda Chavelas and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from USC with a Master’s in Social Work in 2015. I gained my experience providing mental health treatment to children and adults in the greater Los Angeles community in the outpatient mental health setting. As an outpatient mental health clinician I provided individual mental health therapy, family therapy and provided collateral sessions to supportive family members with client consent. I also facilitated collateral group therapy for parents of youth in treatment and provided group therapy to adult survivors of domestic violence. I have experience working in the education setting collaborating with school administrators, counselors and teachers, coordinating mental health services for high school students.
 
I am fluent in Spanish and provide solution-focused, client-centered care. I utilize open ended questions to join my client’s in exploring their strengths to understand and overcome adversity. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy as a modality to support my clients and utilize other techniques including mindfulness, problem solving, and titrated exposure strategies to facilitate the therapeutic process. I utilize open ended questions as an assessment to meet my clients where they are in order to ensure client safety and wellness throughout treatment.
 
I treat children, adolescents and adults living with depression, anxiety, grief, gender identity exploration, and body image factors. I also treat survivors of trauma including childhood trauma, intergenerational trauma, domestic violence, and community trauma. I like to create a peaceful and welcoming environment in order to support my client’s in developing a sense of safety. I encourage the exploration of tools and strategies in daily life that facilitate wellness outside of the therapeutic session. I believe that my client is the expert in their life and with their permission I can mirror their strengths to remind them of their fortitude and resilience

Irma Fragoso
MA, LMFT 127103

Irma Fragoso is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#127103) that views therapy as a collaborative, trusting, and safe space where a person can come and feel heard, understood, and open to growing into their best of version of themselves. She received her Masters from Azusa Pacific University in 2017 where she learned how important it is to be culturally and spiritually sensitive to her clientele. I am a clinician that will support, encourage, and challenge you in seeing the hope within yourself to empower yourself to be the change you need. My goal is for you to feel validated and willing to create the changes you need to better your relationships with others. When working with children, I look for ways to be invited into their world and use play therapy as a way to understand their “language” to work through their struggles. I also invite parents, when appropriate, into the session to better their relationship with their children and understand how they view their world. Working with young adults, I seek to create a trusting and nonjudgmental space where they can feel validated while fostering resiliency, emotional regulation, and growth. I also work with adults in creating an environment that fosters growth, empowerment, and insight so that they have the skills they need to face any challenges. My hope is that we continue working together to create the narrative that suits your needs, improves your well-being, and empowers you to advocate for the services you need

Languages Spoken:

English

Spanish

 

Modality:

  • Adults
  • Young Adults
  • Adolescents (Age 13 – 17)
  • Children (Age 7 – 12)
  • Dyadic with children & parents

Treatment Approaches:

  • Client Centered
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Solution Focused
  • Narrative
  • Bowen
  • Psychodynamic
  • Culturally Sensitive
  • Play Therapy

Specialties:

  • ADHD
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Domestic Violence
  • Divorce
  • Family Conflict
  • Grief & Loss
  • Impulsive Behaviors
  • LGBTQ+
  • Panic Attacks
  • Peer Relationships
  • Parenting Issues
  • Relational Problems
  • Self Esteem/ Self Harm
  • School Issues
  • Stress Management
  • Trauma

Frederick Chacon

Frederick J. Chacon, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#116338) implements a Person-Centered, Strength-Based clinical approach. He guides clients in retelling their personal histories of trauma, stress, and pain, emphasizing their identity as survivors rather than victims. His approach focuses on highlighting clients’ strengths and survival skills, rather than their weaknesses.

He earned his Master’s degree from Pacific Oaks College in 2013, specializing in Latino/a mental health, and examined the impact of systemic barriers and discrimination. He focused on understanding how these barriers affect marginalized communities advocating for systemic equality and ensuring access to well-being.

Working with young and older adults, he incorporates CBT, Narrative, and Somatic therapy. Somatic therapy offers numerous benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, increased bodily awareness, enhanced self-esteem, and better interpersonal relationships. It is particularly effective in addressing symptoms related to PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

He is dedicated to creating a non-judgmental and compassionate environment where his clients feel safe and comfortable engaging in a therapeutic relationship that helps them achieve their goals.

Raquel Martinez
MSW, LCSW 128426

My name is Raquel Martinez and I am a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health from the University of Southern California. I also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cal State University Northridge.

I am passionate in my belief that mental health is as or more important than physical health.I believe that therapy is a collaborative journey to deep self-discovery. This journey is a collaboration between the client and therapist, and it will require honest caring without judgment.Therapy is not a “one size fits all” which is why I dedicate to learning from my clients lives and current situations in order to create a tailored strength based approach that is holistic and guided by the individual needs of the client.

I have had the opportunity to work with different populations to include: teens, adults, older adults, homeless, and veterans.  I have experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I have worked with patients with diagnoses ranging from ADHD, PTSD, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Substance Use Disorders, and Developmental Disorders. My personal and diverse professional experience in the field of mental health enables me with being comfortable counseling diverse groups of individuals. 

I am guided by commitment, passion, and dedication. Thank you for reading about me and I look forward to working with you!

Daniel Pinney
LMFT

Clinical Profile:

I was born and raised in Southern California and completed my graduate schooling at Azusa Pacific University. My work history includes: nonprofit/low-income communities, Baldwin Park Unified School District, ABA therapy, the San Bernardino County jail system, and Kaiser Permanente. I have had the privilege of working with diverse populations, addressing a range of issues including but not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, developmental delays, and substance abuse disorders. My less traditional provider journey included coaching youth sports and volunteering at local schools and churches. I have always had a passion for helping others and seeing them grow.I use a mix of Solution-Focused, Family Systems, Client-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral (DBT) approaches to help you reshape unhelpful thought patterns as well as increase healthy behaviors. Based on your unique needs, I may adapt my approach to include practices like mindfulness and medication referrals. Your goals and progress are my primary focus. Together, we’ll identify challenges and work on strategies to help you move forward with confidence. I work with adults, young adults, and families who are managing anxiety and life transitions, and those seeking support for self-esteem issues. Whether you’re working through trauma, building coping skills, or exploring your personal goals, I’ll work with you to create a plan for growth that feels empowering and achievable.

Modality:

  • Individuals 
  • Family
  • Adults
  • Young Adults

Treatment Approaches:

  • Solution Focused
  • Family Systems
  • Client – Centered
  • Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Treatment (DBT) 
  • Mindfulness
  • Medication Referral

Specializations:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Relationship Issues
  • ADHD
  • Behavior Activation

Diana Ibarra
MA, AMFT 127753

My name is Diana Ibarra, M.A. I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #127753 Navigating life and relationships can be hard and stressful. As your therapist, I work to provide a safe, and comfortable environment where we can work together to process those difficult moments, without judgement.I will walk with you on this journey of healing, learning, and growth with respect, compassion, and authenticity. My goal is to teach clients how to handle/cope in difficult times, pass on my skills, and for clients to gain the confidence they need. In the therapeutic process, we will work together to get to the core of the problem. I work with individuals, couples, children, and families. I treat individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, family and relationship issues, trauma, work/school stress, self-esteem issues, and addictions. My approach to the therapeutic relationship is developing rapport based on trust and respect for the client while working together towards their goals and overcoming challenges in their life. 

Languages: -English -Spanish 

Modality: -Individual -Children -Adolescents (13-17 yrs old) -Adults (18-50 yr olds.) -Older Adults (65+ yr olds) -Families -Couples -Groups 

Treatment Approaches: -Psychodynamic Therapy including Attachment Based Approach, Relational Therapy, and Interpersonal Process Therapy -CBT -EMDR -Relational -Mindfulness -Play Therapy 

Specialties: -Depression -Anxiety -Grief -Parenting -Relational Issues -Body Image -Personal Growth -Life Transitions -Family Conflicts -Infidelity -Coping Skills -Behavioral Issues -Stress

Christina Beckman-Praniuk

Hello! My name is Christina Beckman-Praniuk. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License # LCS21888). I have 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. I enjoy working with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, postpartum depression, women’s issues, and chronic illness. I strive to provide a warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental space for my clients. I utilize various approaches including Cognitive Behavioral, Strengths-Based, and Solution-Focused approaches. I have experience helping clients with issues related to faith/spirituality as well. For the last decade, I have worked in a medical setting working with individuals and families adjusting to chronic illness and/or major medical diagnosis. As a result of this, I enjoy helping clients improve their physical and mental health by adopting positive lifestyle changes. I truly enjoy getting to know my clients and helping them feel better.

Children (10 and up), Adolescents, College Age/Young adults, Adults (25-65), Women, Individual therapy

Cognitive Behavioral, Strengths-Based, Solution-Focused, Supportive, Holistic/Integrative, Trauma Informed

Depression, Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Postpartum Depression, Women’s Issues, Life Transitions, Faith-Based, Chronic Illness/Medical Issues, Grief, and Trauma.

Maria Kamel-Delgado
LMFT

Hello, my name is Maria Kamel-Delgado and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I received my Master’s in Marital Family Therapy and my Bachelor’s in Human Services from California State University, Dominguez Hills. In addition, I have two Associate’s degrees in Psychology and in Social and Behavioral Sciences.

I have experience working with children, adolescents, individuals, and couples. I specialize in working with clients who struggle with symptoms of ADHD, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I also have experience working with couples who are struggling with relational and communication issues.

I like to create a warm and welcoming environment, to help make my clients feel as comfortable as possible opening up to me about their symptoms and difficulties in life. I feel it is my responsibility to advocate for my clients to provide them with the best resources and services possible. I treat all my clients with an overwhelming sense of unconditional positive regard, to help provide my clients with a safe space to speak freely without any fear of judgment. My treatment approach is based in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and is client centered, and strengths based.

Modality: 

  • Adolescents
  • Individual
  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Family


Treatment Approaches 

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Specialties: 

  • ADHD
  • Trauma
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Relationship Issues
  • PTSD
  • Self Esteem Issues

Languages: 

  • English
  • Arabic

Carmen McCarrel
ACSW

Clinical Profile:

I provide therapeutic support to children, adolescents, and adults navigating a wide range of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorders, life transitions, and more. My clinical approach is rooted in creating a safe, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. In my work with adults and young adults, I focus on helping individuals understand the underlying patterns influencing their behaviors and emotions. I draw from evidence-based practices to assist clients in developing insight, improving coping skills, and fostering personal growth. I have additional experience providing services to children and families in both school-based and community settings. When working with children and adolescents, I focus on building trust and connection through developmentally appropriate methods such as play and expressive techniques. I collaborate closely with caregivers to support healthy attachment, emotional regulation, and behavioral growth. My work with children often involves addressing issues such as low self-esteem, grief, family transitions, and trauma. I believe that early intervention and strong caregiver-child relationships are key to long-term emotional wellness. I also specialize in treating individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. I have extensive experience facilitating group and individual therapy in both outpatient and intensive treatment settings, and I bring a compassionate, trauma-informed lens to all of my clinical work. My goal is to help each client build emotional resilience and live with greater purpose and balance.

Modality:

  • Children
  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Individual Therapy
  • Group Therapy 
  • Family Therapy
  • Couples

Treatment Approaches:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Psychodynamic and Relational Therapy
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Somatic Therapy
  • Psychoeducation
  • Play Therapy
  • Strengths-Based Perspective
  • Culturally Sensitive Approach

Specializations:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Life Transitions
  • Substance Use and Co-occurring Disorders
  • Family Conflict
  • Self-Esteem and Identity
  • Crisis Management
  • Personal Growth and Resilience
  • Childhood Stress