meet our team

Bringing a wealth of experience in trauma-informed care from an intersectional feminist and collective care lens, Geri Lynn Cesar joins our team as a clinical supervisor, enriching our practice with a deeply empathetic and inclusive approach to therapy. With a commitment to meeting individuals where they are and fostering community support, Geri Lynn believes in the transformative power of therapeutic relationships in empowering individuals and couples facing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship stress, and chronic illness. Drawing on years of experience in community mental health, including roles at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and volunteering for The Trevor Project, a LGBTQ+ teen suicide prevention lifeline, she is adept at providing affirming and compassionate care to diverse populations.

A graduate of Antioch University, Los Angeles with a Master's in Clinical Psychology specializing in LGBTQ+ Affirmative Psychotherapy, Geri Lynn brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. As an Adjunct Faculty member at Antioch University, she is deeply committed to education and mentorship, ensuring that our team remains culturally competent and responsive to the needs of our clients. Geri Lynn also provides consults and cultural competency trainings for organizations and corporations, further enhancing our team's ability to provide inclusive and affirming care. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team as a clinical supervisor, where their dedication to empowerment, inclusivity, and community support will undoubtedly enrich our practice and enhance the quality of care we provide to our clients.

 

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Originally from New Jersey, Rachel Coleman ventured to sunny Southern California to pursue a Master's in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University, driven by a profound calling to assist individuals grappling with eating disorders. With a career spanning over two decades, Rachel is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#48782) in California, specializing in Eating Disorders. Beginning as a Recovery Coach and progressing to roles as a Primary Therapist and Program Director at an Eating Disorder treatment center in Long Beach, Rachel garnered invaluable experience before establishing a thriving private practice that has served the community for 15 years. Revered as a trusted referral source by pediatricians, endocrinologists, school counselors, and nutritionists, Rachel is recognized for expertise in treating an array of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. As a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and CEDS-Supervisor, she is equipped to handle even the most complex cases, complemented by certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Perinatal Mood Disorders, and Intuitive Eating.

Bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to client-centered care, Rachel joins our team as a clinical supervisor, enriching our practice with her expertise in understanding and addressing the root causes of eating disorders. With a comprehensive approach that incorporates various modalities such as talk therapy, creative expression, and collaborative counseling, Rachel fosters an environment conducive to healing and growth. As the founder of Monarch Rising Therapy and Nutrition Services, Rachel has demonstrated exemplary leadership in cultivating a team dedicated to providing quality, compassionate care to individuals in South Orange County and here at Heal the Hurt Counseling. With a steadfast commitment to ongoing education and research, Rachel ensures that our team remains at the forefront of the field, guiding clients through profound metamorphoses towards authentic living. We are thrilled to welcome Rachel to our team, where her passion and expertise will undoubtedly enrich our associates and enhance the quality of care we provide to our clients. To work with Rachel Coleman, LMFT directly please visit Monarch Rising Therapy at www.monarchrisingtherapy.com

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Sandy Gordon is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) who brings a wealth of compassion, care, and understanding to her clients. She recognizes how important it is to consider the many layers that impact our emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. Sandy's approach to therapy is rooted in person-centered/humanistic and EFT/attachment-based modalities, and she utilizes a holistic and culturally affirming perspective. Her ultimate goal is to help her clients move beyond shame, cultivate self-compassion and self-acceptance, create meaning, and find purpose. 
She is highly skilled in helping individuals navigate issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relational issues, and existential concerns. Additionally, Sandy is fully trained in EMDR and has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples. Moreover, Sandy is bilingual in Spanish and has a passion for integrating holistic forms of healing into her practice. No matter what challenges her clients face, Sandy is committed to helping them find hope, healing, connection, and transformation on their journey toward well-being.

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Cece Wrenn (she/her), an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, brings a compassionate, grounded, and approachable presence to her practice. Dedicated to nurturing a safe and supportive environment, Cece ensures that clients feel empowered to explore their stories and embark on a journey of personal growth. Drawing from strength-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed approaches, she meets clients where they are, tailoring her methods to suit each individual's unique needs. Whether facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues, or life transitions, clients can expect warmth, encouragement, understanding, and curiosity while working with Cece. With experience working with diverse individuals of all ages and backgrounds, she has a particular passion for supporting adolescents, adults, and couples of all races, identities, and sexualities, fostering a space where everyone feels valued and understood. Cece pulls from many evidence-based therapeutic approaches, but mainly utilizes elements from CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, attachment, mindfulness-based and solution-focused techniques.

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Sarah Im is an Associate Marriage/Couples and Family Therapist (AMFT) who earned her Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. She has experience working with children, teens, adults, and families, who are dealing with relational stress, trauma, a wide range of diagnoses, or maneuvering through difficult life challenges. Sarah’s approach to therapy is person-centered, narrative, and trauma-informed, with an attachment and social justice focused lens. She is passionate about working collaboratively with the client and believes healing happens within the context of relationships with ourselves, others, and our world. She prioritizes offering clients an understanding and safe space to explore, process, and feel seen as they are.

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Sandra Liu (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). She earned a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2021 from Pepperdine University.  Sandra is passionate about helping clients reconnect with their authentic selves and integrate mindfulness into their routines. Sandra has extensive experience and training in leading support groups and working with couples. She utilizes modalities rooted in person-centered, strength-based, and compassion-focused orientation. Sandra believes that happiness is an emotion that often leaves to help us grow; peace is often sustained through cultivating patience and self-compassion.

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Britney Thomas (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) and a graduate of California Baptist University. She is known for having a genuine concern for her clientele and being able to relate to people regardless of age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious creed. She has extensive experience in assisting clients in building both their internal and external resources as well as aiding parents in improving their connection to their children. She also has a passion for those who have experienced spiritual trauma. She believes that each person is unique and complex; therefore, she prides herself on collaborating with her clients to ensure they receive care that suits them and will equip them to thrive in their individual circumstances.

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Brittney Cannizzaro (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). She earned a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2023 from California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University as well as a Masters in Student Development Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2014.  Brittney strives to create a therapeutic space of warmth and safety for clients and their vulnerabilities.  She deeply believes in the bravery required to actively work towards healing- honoring the unique process and pace of each client while encouraging grace and compassion throughout. Brittney has worked in higher education settings with college students for over a decade and is most passionate about working with young adults, adults and couples of diverse backgrounds.

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Jess Sunio (she/her) is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) who earned a Masters in Clinical Counseling from Loyola Marymount University. Known for her warm and approachable demeanor, Jess creates an environment that fosters connection and growth. Grounded in strength-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered approaches, she offers a safe space for clients to explore their unique narratives and feel courageous in their therapeutic journey. As an advocate for social justice and multicultural awareness, she addresses and validates systemic issues that may impact mental health and well-being. Jess has experience working with individuals of various ages and backgrounds and enjoys collaborating with young adults and adults to navigate life's challenges and achieve their goals.

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Natalie Janji is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) who earned her Masters in Counseling and Bachelors in Chemistry from Loyola Marymount University. She provides culturally-inclusive counseling within a warm environment, helping clients to dive deeply into their personal journey and healing. Her clinical interests include providing trauma-informed psychotherapy for adolescents and adults who struggle with anxiety, body image issues, depression, and self-esteem challenges. Natalie approaches therapy through a place of non-judgment and unconditional support. Natalie is a bilingual therapist and can provide therapy in Western Armenian. 

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Jane Diep (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) who earned a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California. She provides a warm and empathetic space where clients can explore their emotions and experiences. She prioritizes being trauma-informed and social justice-based, which means working through an intersectional lens. She avoids pathologizing individuals, recognizing how systems of power impact everyone. Jane has experience working with individuals of various ages and backgrounds and particularly enjoys working with teens, young adults, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. Her approach is collaborative and tailored to the specific needs of the client, recognizing that everyone is unique in their experience.

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Destanee Prior is an Associate Marriage/Couples and Family Therapist (AMFT), who earned a Master of Arts in couples and family therapy from Alliant International University. She has experience working with an array of individuals, teens and families from various backgrounds, with life challenges (including life transitions, self-esteem challenges, anxiety, trauma, relational issues). She is passionate about creating a safe, affirming, warm and compassionate space for all clients to explore their authentic and most vulnerable parts of themselves. Destanee uses a trauma informed, integrative and collaborative approach, uniquely tailored to meet each client’s specific needs, goals, values and identity. She prioritizes a genuine connection with her clients in order to assist in reframing their life narrative to one that is free of shame and embraces each client’s strengths and uniqueness.

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Juliet Proulx (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for guiding

individuals in living their authentic selves. Juliet is dedicated to providing a safe space for her

clients, through compassion, warmth, and understanding. She strives to build a therapeutic

relationship that is strong and supportive, as clients work toward their goals and process

emotional wounds. She also believes that sometimes we just need a little bit of laughter, and will

not hesitate to bring in humor when appropriate. Juliet has experience working with individuals

of various ages and backgrounds and particularly enjoys working with adolescents, young adults,

couples, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. Her approach is collaborative and integrative, and

tailored to the specific needs of the client, recognizing that everyone is unique in their

experience. Juliet mainly utilizes elements from DBT, CBT, attachment theory, narrative theory,

the Gottman Method for couples, and solution-focused techniques.

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Elisabeth (Ellie) enjoys working with an array of clients, including young women, couples and families navigating life changes and transitions. She specializes in trauma therapy and believes in an integrative approach to healing. Ellie provides a safe and warm environment for clients to express any and all feelings and life challenges (including low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addiction, sobriety, relationships, etc.). She believes that a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to healing and growth and therefore prioritize bringing warmth and compassion to my clients, especially the parts of ourselves that have felt neglected and alone. Ellie has experience working with clients with various backgrounds and believes in a creative, tailored and collaborative approach to make each client feel seen, heard, understood and valued.

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Fallynne Usher is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). She earned a master’s in counseling psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Baptist University. Building healthy communities has been Fallynne’s life passion. She enjoys using her experience in community mental health, birth work, grief and loss, education, and customer service background to provide a genuine approach to psychotherapy that opens the door for clients to explore their authentic selves and identify their voice. She is committed to doing the work of helping clients heal. Fallynne’s clinical interests include treatment in all types of traumas, perinatal mood disorders, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and providing psychotherapy to adults, and couples. 

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Laurie Sorenson is an Associate Marriage (Couple) and Family Therapist (AMFT). She earned a Masters in Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) from Alliant International University and is currently working on her doctoral degree in CFT. She works collaboratively with clients to create a safe space and to build a therapeutic relationship founded on trust, understanding, and empathy. Laurie uses an integrative, trauma-informed approach to support clients in deepening insight, empowering them to process the past, and create meaning along the journey towards goal achievement. Laurie’s clinical interests include treatment of all types of trauma (big T or little t) in children, adolescents and adults; helping clients build resilience and connection; and integrating mental health awareness and intervention in systems such as schools and other community organizations.

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Christina Jabourian is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). She earned a Masters in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Bachelors in Psychology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is bilingual therapist and is a tool to Armenian communities. She is passionate about creating a collaborative safe space for clients to achieve their goals in treatment. Her clinical interests include providing psychotherapy for adolescents, adults, couples, and those who identify as LGBTQ+ia experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, as well as attachment and relationship challenges. 

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Patil Derhagopian is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). She earned a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Trauma Studies from Pacific Oaks College in 2022 and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies from California State Polytechnic University of Pomona in 2018. She is a bilingual therapist and is a tool to the Armenian community as she has dedicated countless hours and many years in community involvement. She is devoted to being an unbiased, empathetic clinician, who advocates to promote awareness and reduce the stigma against mental health. Patil’s clinical interests include providing psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced trauma (intergenerational, military, immigration), anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and a number of other mental health issues.

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