We can help you with a variety of concerns including:

• Depression and anxiety
• Grief and loss
• Anger management
• Building healthy relationships and stable support systems
• Eliminating and/or managing alcohol, drugs, or behavioral addictions
• Adjusting to life events (job loss, breakups, medical diagnoses including HIV, etc.)
• Recovery from trauma
• And many other issues

APLA Health offers outpatient services such as:

• Individual therapy sessions
• Confidential assessments, consultations, and intakes
• A team of substance abuse specialists (Gleicher/Chen Health Center) with the availability of individual therapy, groups, and medically assisted treatment
• Integration with your medical care team
• Referrals for more intensive services, if needed
• Same-day crisis services
• Group therapy

Sean Boileau, PhD – Behavioral Health Director (he/him)
Gleicher/Chen Health Center, Baldwin Hills
David Geffen Health Center, Koreatown

Dr. Sean Boileau earned his Doctor of Counseling Psychology degree with a focus on Multiculturalism and Diversity at Arizona State University. He deliberately completed field placements in diversity-focused community counseling centers in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Phoenix, Arizona, such as Chicanos Por La Causa-Centro de la Familia and Jewish Family Services. He then interned at the University of California, San Diego, and completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, focusing on creating outreach programming and providing clinical services for members of the LGBT communities on campus. In his early career, Dr. Boileau served as a psychologist and clinical supervisor with the University of California, Santa Cruz, as well as the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

In addition to serving as APLA Health’s Behavioral Health Services Director, he is an adjunct professor at Antioch University of Los Angeles. He has previously taught undergraduate courses in the Maricopa County Community College System and graduate-level courses at the University of San Francisco and University of Southern California.

Specialty Areas
Ambivalence and Poor Motivation
Internalized Homophobia
Low Self-Esteem and Poor Self-Concept
Military and Combat Trauma
Perfectionism / Overachievement

Theoretical Approach
Interpersonal Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Humanistic Therapy

Language Spoken
English
 

Christopher Boyden-DeShazer (he/him/they)
APLA Health Center, Mid-Wilshire

Christopher Boyden-DeShazer is a black queer licensed clinical social worker recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Christopher earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Francisco State University. Christopher has extensive experience providing support to various diverse and vulnerable populations impacted by anxiety, trauma, depression, addiction, and severe mental illness. Christopher has throughout their professional journey worked to address disparities in treatment for people of color and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Christopher utilizes a collaborative, culturally competent trauma-informed clinical approach infused with mindfulness. Christopher works with clients from a non-pathologizing judgmental approach and deeply values diversity within identities. Christopher practices a humanist perspective, using empathy and kindness to recognize and support client’s strengths in dealing with a variety of concerns. Christopher believes empowerment comes from within and grows when given support.

Specialty Areas
Anxiety / OCD / Panic
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Substance Abuse / Addiction
LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy
Minority Groups
Grief, Loss, and Bereavement

Theoretical Approach
Mindfulness
Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Harm Reduction
Seeking Safety
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Strengths Based

Language Spoken
English
 

Sabrina Cox, MA, LCSW (she/her)
APLA Health Center, Mid-Wilshire

Sabrina Cox is a licensed clinical social worker recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She earned her Master of Social Work from New York University in 2014, and as well as a Master’s in Psychology from Hunter College in 2010. Throughout her personal and professional life Sabrina has strived to improve the wellbeing of underserved and vulnerable populations, and incorporate social justice principles into her clinical work.

Sabrina has over a decade of experience helping people with moderate to serious mental illness from a diversity of backgrounds, including those with histories of trauma and addiction. She uses a strength-based, collaborative, trauma-informed clinical approach, and is an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist. Sabrina’s work is shaped by anti-racist and feminist frameworks. She views her role as supporting the identities, resilience, and growth of her clients. In a safe and non-judgmental manner, Sabrina uses her clinical training and expertise to help clients connect to a sense of empowerment, face current challenges, and reflect on formative past experiences. She strongly believes that the skills and insights gained during therapy can help create healthy change and increase satisfaction in daily life.

Specialty Areas
Depression / Self-Esteem / Grief and Loss
Anxiety / Panic Attacks
Addiction / Substance Abuse / Impulsive Behaviors
Transgender, Gender Diverse, Intersex, Non-Binary + Affirmative Therapy
Relationships and Attachment
Polyamory and Consensual Non-Monogamy / BDSM and Kink
Trauma / Intergenerational Trauma / PTSD
Intimate Partner Violence / Abuse / Sexual Violence
Criminal Justice Involvement / Recidivism / Reentry

Theoretical Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness
Psychodynamic Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Harm Reduction

Language Spoken
English
 

Bob Kyriacou, PsyD (he/him/his)
Gleicher/Chen Health Center, Baldwin Hills
APLA Health Center, Long Beach

Bob Charalambos Kyriacou, PsyD is a clinical psychologist fully licensed by the California Board of Psychology since 2008. He obtained his Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from the fully APA-accredited Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary in 2006. He received his Bachelor’s as well as a Master of Arts degree in Psychology and has over 20 years’ experience working with the adult clinical and forensic population. A generalist, Dr. Kyriacou has significant experience providing treatment of anxiety and depression, with specialties in adult ADD, addiction issues and coming out/LGBTQ-related issues.

Specialty Areas
Addiction
Adult ADHD
Coming Out Issues
Men’s issues
OCD / Panic Disorder / Anxiety Disorder

Theoretical Approach
Existential
Humanistic

Language Spoken
English
 

Michael Martinez, Psy.D. – Psychologist (he/him)
APLA Health Center, Long Beach

Dr. Michael Martinez earned his Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree with a focus on Community Psychology at the University of La Verne. His graduate program helped him view his clients in their environmental context and how their environment contributes to their mental health. Michael has dedicated his academic and professional career to work with many types of minority groups (LGBTQ*, Latinx, Asian Americans, African Americans, economically disadvantaged people, and unhoused people). During graduate school, Michael helped develop a conference to help train early career mental health professionals to work with LGBTQ* individuals. Michael has worked with individuals, families, couples, groups, and conducted anti-bullying presentations for high school students.

Ultimately, Michael views his clients as their own experts and views himself as a person that can supplement his clients’ toolbox and perspective with his knowledge of psychology. He emphasizes therapy as a team effort that can manifest profound change when there is a strong therapeutic relationship. Michael is dedicated to helping his clients find balance, control and a voice in their everyday lives.

Specialty Areas
Anxiety
Trauma
Depression
LGBTQ*
Self-Esteem
Negative Self-Talk

Theoretical Approach
Seeking Safety
Humanistic Therapy
Trauma Informed
Harm Reduction
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Language Spoken
English
 

Micol Arias, LCSW (she/her)

Micol Arias is a Los Angeles native, daughter of immigrant parents and a first generation college graduate. Through her work, Micol fosters individual connections with multicultural communities, in order to provide equitable and patient-focused services and support.

As a licensed clinical social worker recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Micol delivers structured services while also addressing a needs-based approach. She earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Chico in 2013 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2012 from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt.

As a bilingual provider, Micol has extensive experience working with diverse groups of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Micol’s work experience initially focused on disenfranchised populations, primarily working with children and families under the child welfare jurisdiction. This also includes youth on probation and victims of intimate partner violence.

As her desire to expand her knowledge and skill set, Micol explored opportunities working in the HIV/AIDS field as a Patient Care Manager providing intensive case management services to high-risk individuals struggling with medication adherence. Micol continues to use her professional training to empower and guide individuals to make informed and positive choices to enhance their overall health. As a clinician, Micol offers a safe space where individuals can find healing through self-awareness, resiliency, and patience.

Specialty Areas
Depression
Anxiety
Child Welfare System
TAY Youth
HIV/AIDS

Theoretical Approach
Harm Reduction
Solution Focused Therapy
Motivation Interviewing
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Crisis Intervention

Languages Spoken
English
Spanish
 

Amarylis Viera, LCSW (she/they)

Amarylis Viera is a queer licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). She was born and raised in California with family roots in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Argentina. She is also hard of hearing and believes that acknowledging intersectional identities is an important part of therapy. She received her Master of Social Welfare, with a focus on gerontology, from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare, with a focus on death and dying, from the University of California, Berkeley.

Amarylis has enjoyed being able to learn and grow as a clinician by working in a variety of settings throughout their career. Some of the areas that Amarylis has experience with are providing crisis services at a rape treatment center, educating middle schoolers on consent and sexual assault prevention, helping people navigate the process of adjusting from homelessness to permanent housing, and supporting people dealing with aging or end of life issues. They are committed to being a lifelong learner and encourage your feedback during therapy.

Amarylis works from an anti-racist, community oriented, non-pathologizing framework. They hope that therapy can be a space where you come as you are, ready to be curious about yourself, your relationships and your connection to your environment, and are open to trying to offer yourself as much honesty and kindness as you can.

Specialty Areas
Queerness (of all sorts- gender, sexuality, worldview)
LGBTQIA+
Older adults (personas de la tercera edad)
Grief and loss
Death and dying
Trauma (individual, collective, intergenerational)
Impacts of living within systems of oppression
Existential questioning

Theoretical Approach
Strengths Based
Trauma Informed
Mindfulness Based
Humanistic Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Harm Reduction
Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)
Brainspotting (BSP)

Languages Spoken
English
Spanish
 

Lisa Bendimez, Psy.D. (she/her/ella)
David Geffen Health Center, Koreatown

Dr. Lisa Bendimez (she, her, ella) is a Licensed Psychologist recognized by the California Board of Psychology. She earned her doctoral degree at the California School of Forensic Psychology, Los Angeles, at Alliant International University. Dr. Bendimez is currently a treating psychologist at APLA Health, a non-profit organization that provides safe and inclusive care for underserved individuals. Prior to joining APLA Health in 2020, Dr. Bendimez assisted individuals deemed Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity with community reintegration. Specifically, her background in forensics afforded her the opportunity to provide care to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. With the goal of helping these individuals regain personal autonomy, she assisted clients to develop insight into triggers that precipitate symptoms or harmful behavior.

Dr. Bendimez specializes in treating survivors of: childhood trauma, sexual/physical/psychological abuse, and intimate partner violence. She’s passionate about addressing the ways oppressive systems affect mental health and offering therapeutic support toward healing for Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous People of Color (QTIBIPOC) experiencing mental health distress in response to systemic oppression.

In her practice, she emphasizes the importance of understanding the mind and body connection to trauma. Dr. Bendimez approaches treatment from a holistic framework. She believes that it is imperative to treat mental illness with an integrative lens, taking into account the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, and systemic factors that contribute to overall wellness.

Specialty Areas
LGBTQIA+ / QTIBIPOC
Impact of Systemic Oppression
Healing from Intergenerational Trauma
Survivors of Childhood Abuse (sexual, emotional, physical, neglect)
Intimate Partner Abuse
Impact of Narcissistic Abuse
Prioritizing Wellness and Self-Care

Theoretical Approach
Holistic and Integrative Therapy
Trauma informed CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Strengths-Based

Languages Spoken
English
Spanish
 

Chris Tompkins, MA, AMFT (he/him/his)

Chris Tompkins is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. He has a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University with a specialization in LGBTQ Affirmative Psychology.

Chris began his psychotherapy training at the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology where he received a Certificate in Narrative Focused Trauma Care Levels I and Level II from the Allender Center. Additionally, Chris completed his clinical training at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where he developed his competency as an LGBTQ-affirming psychotherapist.

Chris is a humanistic and client-centered LGBTQ-affirmative therapist who specializes in LGBTQ affirmative psychology with a primary focus on adult gay men. His areas of specialization include religious trauma, addiction and recovery, self-acceptance and belonging, internalized homophobia, adult children of alcoholics, men’s challenges, and coming out challenges. Chris also specializes in working with people who specifically want spirituality to be a resource in their therapy.

Having compassion for his own healing journey is how he’s able to offer it to his clients. Chris uses his humanity and authenticity to build a strong therapeutic alliance and meet each of his clients where they’re at, while holding space for where they want to go. Chris also uses a combination of both Western and Eastern philosophies in his therapeutic approach.

Specialty Areas
LGBTQ-Affirmative
Internalized Homophobia
Religious Trauma
Self-Esteem
Coming Out Challenges
Men’s Issues
Anxiety and Depression
Substance Use and Sobriety
Family Conflict
Spirituality
Family Addiction
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Inner Child Work
Life Transitions
Career Stress

Theoretical Approach
Holistic
Humanistic & Client-Centered
Mindfulness
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Strengths Based
Narrative Therapy
Positive Psychology
Energy Psychology

Language Spoken
English
 

Remi Larson, ASW (they/xe/elle)
David Geffen Health Center, Koreatown

Remi Larson is a queer transmasculine nonbinary associate clinical social worker registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. They earned their Master of Social Work with a certificate in LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy from University of Southern California in 2021 and Bachelor of Arts in Study of Religion and Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from University of California, Los Angeles in 2018. Remi is currently attending California State University, Northridge pursuing a Master of Public Health in Community Health Promotion and certificate in LGBTQ+ Health Equity. Remi has experience working with people with moderate to severe mental illness in a variety of treatment settings, including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient.

Remi believes that while our biology may explain how we exist in the world, it is our social environment that shapes how we perceive and engage with the world around us. Remi works with individuals to understand how these two forces have come together to create patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and how this knowledge can be used to recover from the past and create a life in which you thrive.

Remi works from a client-centered perspective that is collaborative, strengths-based, trauma-informed, sex positive, and trans and poly affirming. Their therapeutic approach is eclectic and derived primarily from post-modern and cognitive behavioral theoretical orientations. Therapy with Remi brings together treatment modalities in a way that is tailored uniquely to you, your goals, and your needs. They believe you are the expert on your life, and they are there to help you find the resources within yourself to build the life you want for yourself.

Specialty Areas
Depression
Anxiety
Borderline Personality Disorder
Self-Esteem
Transgender, Non-Binary, Gender Diverse, Intersex + Affirmative Therapy
Polyamory and Ethical Non-Monogamy
Neurodivergence
Codependency Relationship Issues
Suicidal Ideation
Initimate Partner Violence
Trauma
PTSD
Addiction and Chemical Dependency

Theoretical Approach
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Solution Focused Therapy

Language Spoken
English
 

Israel A. Perez II, MA, AMFT, APCC (he/him/his)
APLA Health Center, Long Beach

Israel wants to help others to become integrated and whole by helping individuals to develop a stronger and authentic sense of Self. His goal is to help guide clients on their healing journey by learning how to accept the past, to create new meaning, and to find their newly destined path by analyzing patterns and dynamics to develop new and healthy ones. Israel also places an emphasis on the importance of reconnecting to ancestral practices by recognizing and unlearning oppressive frameworks.

Therapeutic Approach
Liberation Psychology
Indigenization/Decolonization
Psychodynamic
Jungian Theory
Attachment Theory
Gestalt Theory
Existentialism
Mindfulness
Object Relations
Trauma-Informed
Person-Centered
Strength-Based
Family Systems
Solution-Focused
Schema Therapy

Language Spoken
English
 

Peterson Pham, LCSW (they/he/she)
APLA Health Center, Long Beach

Peterson Pham (they/he/she) is a bilingual and community-oriented licensed clinical social worker. As a queer, non-binary, person of color, Peterson incorporates intersectional experiences into their clinical work.

Peterson received their Master of Social Work, with an emphasis in Community Mental Health, from California State University Fullerton in 2018 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with minors in Education and Applied Psychology, from University of California Santa Barbara in 2013.

Peterson has over 8 years of behavioral health experience, with skills stemming from serving diverse and underserved populations such as students in recovery at Recovery Education Institute, homeless consumers with substance misuse at Orange County Healthcare Agency, clients involved in HIV treatment and prevention at APAIT, monolingual/language deprived children, youth, and families at OCAPICA, and patients who are severely, persistently mentally ill at UCI Medical Center.

Peterson believes that we, as a community, are not complete without each other, that your continued existence is a form of resistance, and that your personal is political and powerful. Peterson is committed to providing braver and safer spaces to collaborate with our community members in improving our life functioning and achieving our deserved health outcomes.

Specialty Areas
QTBIPOC Intersectional Issues (cultural conflict, intergenerational trauma, narcissism)
Effects of Systemic Oppression (agency, isolation, acculturation, appropriation)
Community Organizing & Empowerment (burn out, community care, resiliency)
Non-“Traditional” Relationships (non-monogamy, BDSM, kink, Power exchange)
Student Issues (challenges in higher education, transitions, executive functioning)

Theoretical Approach
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (meditation, deep-breathing, radical acceptance)
Focusing by Dr. Eugene Gendlin (felt-sense, mind-body connection)
Interpersonal Therapy (minority stress model, anti-racist perspective, feminist perspective, sex/kink positive, person-centered)
Strength-based Perspectives (empowerment model, recovery model, harm reduction)
Inner Child Work (ancestral work, intergenerational transmission)
Narrative Therapy (storytelling, art, role playing)
Solution-Focused Perspectives (goal setting, reality therapy)

Languages Spoken
English
Vietnamese
 

Elizabeth San Elias, LCSW (she/her)
Gleicher/Chen Health Center, Baldwin Hills

Elizabeth San Elias is a licensed clinical social worker by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She obtained a Masters of Social Work from San Francisco State University in 2007 and a Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2003 from California State University, Los Angeles.

Elizabeth has significant experience working with people diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, and substance use disorders. Elizabeth has extensive experience working with severe and persistently mentally ill adults in field based crisis response programs. She provides trauma informed strength based care. Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for social justice and strives to provide high quality care to marginalized and underserved communities. Elizabeth is bicultural and bilingual allowing her to provide culturally competent services to the Latinx community and maintains cultural humility with all clients she serves.

Elizabeth is one of our substance abuse specialists at APLA Health.

Specialty Areas
Trauma
Depression
Addiction Recovery

Theoretical Approach
Rogerian
Harm Reduction

Languages Spoken
English
Spanish
 

Lilia Santoyo, LCSW (she/her/hers)
David Geffen Health Center, Koreatown

Lilia Santoyo is a licensed clinical social worker. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a certificate in Social Work in 1998 and her Master degree in social work in 2002. Both degrees were obtained from the California State University in San Bernardino.

Lilia is a bilingual and culturally competent therapist with over 18 years of experience. She has vast experience treating adults for anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders. She is also trained in working with chronically and severely mentally ill adults who have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, and other psychotic disorders. She has worked in both outpatient and inpatient settings and is welcoming to all individuals.

Specialty Areas
Grief and Loss
Life transitions
Trauma
Women’s issues

Theoretical Approach
Humanistic
Interpersonal
Solution Focused

Languages Spoken
English
Spanish
 

Peter S. Theodore, PhD (he/him)
APLA Health Center, Mid-Wilshire

Dr. Peter Theodore earned his Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Health Psychology at University of Miami. His training occurred both in community mental health settings and medical settings including Mt. Sanai Comprehensive Cancer Center and the HIV/Special Immunology department at the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital. Dr. Theodore was the recipient of an NIMH Pre-doctoral Fellowship in HIV/AIDS Care. He completed his clinical internship at the Long Beach Veterans Affairs Hospital with rotations in substance abuse treatment, HIV/AIDS Care, Palliative Care, Women’s Health and Sexual Trauma. He then completed his post-doctoral training directing a methamphetamine abuse treatment center designed specifically for gay and bisexual men, where he practiced and trained others in LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy. Prior to joining APLA Health, Dr. Theodore served as a core faculty member, Associate Program Director, and coordinator of the Health Emphasis area of the PhD Clinical Psychology program of the California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, at Alliant International University, where he was also a founding member of the Rockway Certificate Program in LGBTQ Mental Health. He also served as a psychologist conducting mental health and disability evaluations for the West LA Veterans Healthcare System.

Currently, in addition to serving as a psychologist with APLA, Dr. Theodore maintains a small private practice and serves as an adjunct instructor for Alliant International University and Antioch University of Los Angeles.

Specialty Areas
Addictions/Substance Abuse Treatment
LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy
Sexuality and Identity Issues
Trauma and PTSD
Depression and Anxiety Reduction
Loss, Grief and Bereavement
Adjustment to Chronic Illness and Disease Management

Theoretical Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Biopsychosocial/Mind-Body
Existential Psychotherapy
Strengths-focused

Language Spoken
English
 

Becca Waterhouse, LCSW (she/her/hers)
David Geffen Health Center, Koreatown

Becca Waterhouse is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She was drawn to social work based on its values centering social justice, the importance of human relationships, and the dignity and worth of every person. She believes that our wellness does not solely derive from personal experiences, but that intergenerational stories, societal inequities, and systemic oppression inflict trauma that impact our self-concept, interpersonal relationships, and our life perspective.

Becca received her Master of Social Welfare from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2018 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of San Francisco in 2012. Since beginning her career, she has had the opportunity to work in a variety of community healthcare settings providing therapeutic support and crisis counseling to individuals and families around a range of topics including grief, loss, life transitions, identity development, postpartum support, addiction, depression, and anxiety. She takes an integrative and humanistic approach to therapy that is client-centered and trauma-informed.

Specialty Areas
Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
Depression
Anxiety
Trauma & PTSD
Self-Esteem
Interpersonal relationships
Substance Use

Theoretical Approach
Humanistic Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Harm Reduction
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Crisis Intervention
Trauma Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Relational Therapy
Mindfulness
Solution-Focused Therapy

Language Spoken
English
 

Emily Nguyen, ASW (she/her/hers)
David Geffen Health Center, Koreatown

Emily Nguyen is an Associate Clinical Social Worker. She focuses on the whole person, addressing the mind, body, and spirit helping individuals to mental wealth and healing. She believes in empathetic care that focuses on your strengths and weakness to help build you toward your best self. Her style of therapy includes understanding the mind-body connection to move forward to understanding self-acceptance, healing, and growth. She ensures the ethical codes of client dignity, integrity, and knowing the importance of human connection.

Emily received her Master of Social Work from Arizona State University in 2022 and received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at Finlandia University in 2020. Since 2021 she has focused on expanding her knowledge by working with children and teens with developmental delays and soon expanded her work by creating a curriculum for teens working through intensive outpatient therapy. Her work in the field led her to counsel individuals and couples on an array of topics such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, self-esteem, and self-injury. Emily continues to expand her training and her knowledge to help enhance and guide individuals in their mental health journey.

Specialty Areas
Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
Depression
Anxiety
Trauma & PTSD
Self-Esteem
Interpersonal relationships
Younger Adults
Family/Relationship conflicts
Career Stress

Theoretical Approach
Narrative Therapy
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Crisis Intervention
Strengths-Based Therapy

Language Spoken
English
 

Matthew Permuy, MA, AMFT (he/him)

Matthew Permuy is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Addiction Studies in 2020 and his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology in 2021. Both degrees were obtained from Antioch University Los Angeles.

Prior to joining APLA Health, Matt has worked in both private and group mental health practices, conducting psychotherapy for adults and couples. He began his clinical training at ACTS, spending one year serving diverse populations of adults at no-cost therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wanting more to navigate the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, he continued his clinical training at APLA Health. Some of Matt’s interests are working with adults encountering aging/elder issues and working with individuals who have experienced trauma, grief/loss, anxiety, depression, living with chronic illness. Matt is also passionate about utilizing pet/animal assisted therapy in the therapeutic practice and encouraging exploration of how human identification with animals can be emotionally, psychologically, and physiologically beneficial.

Specialty Areas
Trauma/Intergenerational Trauma/PTSD
Grief and Loss
Anxiety/Depression
LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy
Chronic Illness
Life Transitions

Theoretical Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Mindfulness
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Pet Assisted Therapy

Language Spoken
English
 

Theo Motzenbacker, ASW (he/him)
David Geffen Health Center, Koreatown

Theo Motzenbacker is an associate clinical social worker, registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. He earned a Master of Social Work degree from Simmons University in 2022. As a queer, trans provider he has advocated for more inclusive services and approaches for people within those communities.

Theo’s experiences working in harm reduction and providing education around sex and sexuality have shaped his belief in creating a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where clients can safely explore topics that feel overwhelming, scary, or even taboo. He takes a big-picture approach to treatment, considering how community supports and systemic injustices can weigh as heavily as individual tendencies and experiences. Above all, he is client-centered, believing that the best therapy is collaborative, individualized, and affirming.

Specialty Areas
LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy
Trauma-Informed Care
Depression and Anxiety
Substance Use and Addiction
Life Transitions
Sex and Sexuality
Nonmonogamy, Polyamory, Kink and BDSM

Theoretical Approach
Harm Reduction
Strengths-Based
Motivational Interviewing
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness
Solution-Focused Therapy

Language Spoken
English
 

Jake Mallove, MA, AMFT (he/him/his)

Jake Mallove is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. He has a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles with a specialization in LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy.

Jake completed his clinical training at APLA Health as well where he conducted ongoing psychotherapy with individuals and couples as well as facilitated the Gay Men’s Intimacy Group. Jake’s focus centered on the specific needs of gay men including intimacy, internalized homophobia, body image concerns, sexual trauma, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and emotion regulation.

Coming from a background in arts and entertainment, Jake brings a holistic energy to the room, integrating the mind-body connection in psychotherapy with mindfulness, creative arts, and humor. Jake is dedicated to affirmative therapy and the unique needs of every identity in the LGBT+ population. He is sensitive to the process of psychotherapy and offers warmth, empathy, and client-centered focus to collaborate with clients and take their lead. He believes therapy is a process of the human spirit requiring courage, creativity, and self-compassion.

Specialty Areas
LGBTQ+ Affirmative
Coming Out/ Identity Issues
Internalized Homophobia/ Transphobia
Sexual Trauma
Entertainment/ Artistic Endeavors
Grief and Loss
Men’s Issues
Anxiety and Depression
People-Pleasing

Theoretical Approach
Humanistic & Client-Centered
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Holistic/ Mind-Body Connection
Strengths Based

Language Spoken
English
 

Teresa Blenggio Martinez, MA, LMFT (she/her/ella)
Gleicher/Chen Health Center, Baldwin Hills

Teresa is a compassionate licensed therapist recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She earned her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University, San Diego campus, in 2013 and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Diego State University in 2010.

Having worked alongside BIPOC communities from Los Angeles to the Tijuana border since 2013, Teresa has extensive experience providing culturally and linguistically appropriate support to patients. As a bilingual provider, she offers therapy sessions in English, Spanish, or Spanglish.

Teresa firmly believes in the importance of trauma-informed care and consistently engages in thoughtful practices while working with individuals who are dealing with various mental health issues. She provides support with a focus on tangible, positive, therapeutic outcomes with her patients.

In her work, Teresa is passionate about connecting with patients who come from communities with multiple challenges and complex histories. Guided strongly by her value of equity, she strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all her patients.

Specialty Areas
PTSD
Intergenerational trauma
Impact of Systemic Oppression
Coming out issues
Intimate Partner Violence
Anxiety
Depression
Anger Management

Theoretical Approach
Narrative Therapy
Solution Focused
Trauma Informed CBT

Languages Spoken
English
Spanish
 

Manny Zermeño, LMFT
APLA Health Center, Long Beach

Manny Zermeño is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Manny received his Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles in 2013.

Manny is a first generation, Latino, bilingual, Gay Angelino and has over a decade of working in community mental health and private practice settings. Manny has strong roots to Los Angeles and is connected to his community and the LGBTQIA+ population. He works with individuals, couples and families ranging in ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic status addressing anxiety, depression, internalized homophobia, acceptance and coming out issues.

Through his own mental health experiences, Manny is aware of the importance of building trust, rapport, feeling safe, connected and validated, he believes that self- care and mindfulness are an important part of the therapeutic process. Manny is client centered LGBTQIA+ affirming cognitive behavioral clinician.

Specialty Areas
Anxiety & Depression
LGBTQIA+/ Coming Out/ Internalized Homophobia
Men’s Issues
Family & Relationship Conflict

Theoretical Approach
Client Centered Therapy & Mindfulness
LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Solution- Focused Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Languages Spoken
English
Spanish