BREANNA SMITH

MA, AMFT — THERAPIST

Breanna Smith is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #117681) with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She is currently completing her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University.

Breanna believes that people are the experts on their life experience and that, when coupled with a supportive space and guidance, can use their strengths to accomplish their goals, live in their truth to thrive. She understands the feelings of sadness, anger, and frustration that come from living in a society that devalues people that look like you and come from where you are from.

Breanna uses a Humanistic orientation combined with an empowerment and social justice approach to help people process challenging issues and feelings. She believes in treating the whole person, and often incorporates body-based interventions like relaxation, deep breathing, and mindfulness into treatment.

Breanna is passionate about working with Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. She helps them learn healthy communication skills, explore identity concerns, relieve race-related stress and symptoms of trauma. She specializes in working with Black women who feel the pressure and stress that comes with being “strong” and “on” all the time.

Breanna enjoys working with children, adults, and couples. She helps them address depression, anxiety, life transitions, personality disorders, trauma and relationship difficulties. She has been extensively trained in CBT, DBT, psychodynamic and humanistic psychotherapy, and multicultural practices.

Breanna is supervised by Kim Simmonds (LMFT89466).

Schedule an appointment with Breanna

Yeshiva Davis

LMFT, MBA President & Founder

Yeshiva Davis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC 52250) with a B.A. in Communications, and Minors in both Psychology and English from Framingham State University. She also received an M.B.A. with a concentration in Marketing from Northeastern University and a M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.

Yeshiva helps people address depression, anxiety, anger, childhood traumas, stage of life issues; family and couples relationship problems.

She is trained in: Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP) – an approach that addresses issues with depression, anger, anxiety and disruptive behaviors. Seeking Safety, this focuses on trauma and/or substance abuse. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – which is designed to address traumatic childhood and adult experiences. And Triple P Positive Parenting Program; a support program that is designed to reduce behavioral and emotional problems in children. Yeshiva incorporates mindfulness, psychodynamic principles and a healthy dose of humor in her therapeutic approach.

She’s dedicated to helping clients find and create successful ways to cope with everyday challenges. She offers a fresh outlook and innovative ways of thinking, to help others solve problems. She is committed to helping people achieve a life that is truly satisfying. Her approach is to share strategies that teach people how to effectively manage the curve balls that life throws their way. She focuses on the positive and encourages clients to do more of what’s working, instead of highlighting what is wrong.

Yeshiva started her career in corporate America. She worked for companies like Bank of America, John Hancock, and Avon Products Inc., While in corporate America, her career experience focused on relationship management, training, marketing and communication campaigns. Now she uses those same skills to foster better family communication, train parents how to “market and sell” their ideas to their kids and shows adults how to better manage inter- family relationships to achieve their individual and family goals.

She is an advisory board member of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) a non- profit started by actress Taraji P. Henson in honor of her father who had PTSD. Yeshiva is on the Pepperdine Alumni Leadership Council, and a former board member Legacy Ladies, Inc. Yeshiva has been a contributing therapist on the OWN network’s show #LoveGoals, VH1’s Couples Therapy and Entertainment Tonight’s The Insider.

Schedule an appointment with Yeshiva

Stephanie Doran

MA, APCC Therapist

Stephanie Doran is a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC 4976). She obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology, with a specialization in Mental Health, from Loyola Marymount University.

She has experience working with children, including those who have learning differences like ADHD, communication, behavioral and emotional regulation challenges. During her work at a middle school in Inglewood California, her areas of clinical focus were; depression, anxiety and impulsivity as well as sexual and physical abuse. In addition to her work with children, Stephanie has worked with young adults struggling with anger, relationship issues, depression and schizophrenia.

Stephanie creates a safe, positive and healing environment where her clients are free to share their deepest struggles, fears and concerns without judgment or criticism. Ms. Doran is culturally competent, and considers her clients’ cultural and ethnic backgrounds, as well as their personality in her work.

Stephanie infuses Mindfulness, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy and relaxation techniques into her work with clients. Her goal is to increase her clients’ personal awareness and emotional needs in order to help them gain more control of their emotions, behavior and lives.

Schedule an appointment with Stephanie

Maria Vogel

AMFT, MA Therapist

Maria Vogel is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (IMF 101345). She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree Bachelor in Psychology & Religious Studies from the University of Redlands. She graduated with a Masters of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies.

Maria has experience working with families, individuals, and children who have experienced trauma. She works collaboratively with clients to create a customized treatment plan considering; ethnic, cultural and religious experiences and perspectives, in order to facilitate a holistic approach. She also has a background working with LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming folks. Many of Maria’s clients experience anxiety, anger, and relationship issues. Her therapy style is heavily influenced by attachment theory and understanding how people learn to be in relationship with one another.

With over 8 years of mindfulness and meditative experience, she teaches clients practical mindfulness tools to help them deal with anxiety or difficult emotions in the moment. Maria’s therapeutic work also includes art therapy and play therapy.

Prior to working at K&S Therapeutic Services, Inc, Maria co-led therapy groups for boys ages 6- 8 and worked as a school counselor with children in Pre-K through 8th grade.

Schedule an appointment with Maria

Dr. Tabitha Lindheim

AMFT, Psy.D. Therapist

Dr. Tabitha Taylor-Lindheim is a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (72705) with a B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of Southern California (USC). She also received an M.A. degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University and a Psy.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

She works with individuals, couples, children and families. She assists individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, infertility and life issues as well as, family and couples relationship challenges. Dr. Taylor-Lindheim specializes in working with women of color. Her doctoral dissertation explored the African American Woman’s Experiences of the Strong Black Woman Stereotype.

Dr. Taylor-Lindheim is dedicated to helping clients find and create positive ways to cope with daily challenges. As a therapist, her commitment is to help individuals with the adversities they’re currently facing and to experience better relationships with significant others, family and friends. Her approach is eclectic. She provides support that helps individuals learn how to effectively manage life struggles. She achieves this by providing healthy coping methods that help clients manage emotions; improve communication, understanding and achieve flexibility. Emotional flexibility and mastery.

Dr. Taylor-Lindheim began her career in education. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at Argosy University and a Graduate Instructor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has worked for organizations such as Kaplan Learning Services, the University of Redlands and USC. Her career focused on training educators in small group instruction with at risk youth, university executive administration and clinical coordination for nursing students.
Dr. Taylor-Lindheim is actively involved in the Association of Black Psychologists, the USC Alumni Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Tabitha

Brittany Oliver

MA, LCSW – Therapist

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW 85625). She holds a BA in Child Development and Family Studies from California State University Long Beach and a Master’s Degree in Social Work, with a concentration in Children, Youth and Families, from California State University Dominguez Hills.

Brittany has a passion for helping others, and it is her belief that with the proper tools and support, each client has the opportunity to reach their optimal potential. Brittany’s gift of helping others is organic and rooted in her quest to normalize the value of seeking supportive services.

Brittany’s theoretical approach is influenced by her training in trauma informed care, and this approach has been applied throughout her work history. Her experience includes: Advocating for underprivileged youth, creating policies and procedures pertaining to child welfare, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, caregiver training, and facilitating both individual and group therapeutic sessions for adults and teens.

For the past ten years, Brittany has provided emotional and behavioral support to those in need. Brittany’s client-centered approach guides the therapeutic process and ensures individual needs remain a priority. She can help with: Parental guilt, positive discipline, work life balance, enhancing self-esteem, cultivating healthy relationships, anxiety and depression. Brittany provides practical strategies to address and overcome life’s challenges.

Schedule an appointment with Brittany

Bridgette Mitchell

Bridgette is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCS19549) and a Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor (S579)

She has a BA in Psychology from Pomona College and a Master’s Degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Children and Families from UCLA. She’s been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) since 1999. She is also a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences Examiners in the writing and designing of the board’s licensing examinations for mental health therapists.

For the last 25 years, Bridgette has dedicated herself to improving the quality of life of individuals, children, couples and families. Her focus includes treating an array of presenting problems including adjustment issues, self-esteem, depression, grief, anxiety, trauma, anger, family discord, and abuse. As a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) Bridgette has extensive practice knowledge and training in many play therapy approaches and incorporates play with children and families impacted by family violence, child abuse, attachment issues, ADHD, autism, divorce, disruptive behavior issues, developmental trauma.

Bridgette is trained in various therapeutic approaches including: CBT- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; TF- CBT-Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Psychodynamic Therapy; Family Systems; Mindfulness; Interpersonal Neurobiology; and others. Though she is trained in various therapeutic modalities Bridgette takes a down to earth, “whatever works best”, integrative approach to her work with clients. Her goal is to build a safe and trusting relationship with her clients and to partner with them to live their best life and enjoy their relationships with others. Fun Fact: Bridgette set her high school’s triple jump record.

Schedule an appointment with Bridgette

Stara Shakti

Stara is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (IMF 97431). She graduated from Antioch University Los Angeles with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a specialization in Trauma Studies.

Stara provides treatment for adults and couples. She utilizes both family systems and attachment theory in her work with her clients. She also employs mindfulness, relaxation, and other stress reduction techniques to help clients rewire their nervous systems to help control overwhelming emotions. Stara understands the “fight or flight” response that clients who’ve experienced life-altering traumas, such as rape, domestic violence, or incest. Stara holds a safe space for clients to process hurtful things they have experienced—and ultimately heal themselves. She helps people make the body-mind-spirit connection between past trauma and current symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship difficulties, or family conflict so they can have healthier, happier, more fulfilling lives.

Stara particularly enjoys working with couples, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, first- generation Americans, and people of color. She has presented at psychotherapy conferences about ways members of oppressed groups face difficulties negotiating conflicting identities. One of Stara’s strengths is helping clients to differentiate from their families (or cultures) of origin— figuring out who they are as both individuals and as members of groups. Her goal for all her clients is greater self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-love.

Schedule an appointment with Stara

Kim Simmonds

MA, LMFT Clinical Program Director

There are times when feeling disconnected, stuck, overwhelmed or helpless can hamper our ability to have the relationships we want or overcome obstacles in the way of creating and maintaining the life we have envisioned. Depression and anxiety may rob us of our will and ability to do what’s needed, enjoy our experiences and loved ones, or live in the moment. Chronic stress and trauma may interrupt life and throw us off course. Sometimes, life’s challenges simply spur us to seek support as we adjust to changes and new phases of life.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT89466). I hold a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. I began my counseling experience as a suicide crisis line counselor for the Suicide Prevention Center in 2004 before pursuing a clinical psychology degree. Since 2009, I have used my training in Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Family Systems approaches to psychotherapy to work with adults, couples, families and children within the context of their culture and values.

My work focuses on recovering from crisis, healing from trauma, working through unresolved issues that contribute to depression, anxiety or emotional distress, as well as learning skills and strategies to manage stress, anxiety and depression. In my work with couples, I focus on increasing mutual understanding, learning effective communication skills, reducing blame and developing a more satisfying and fulfilling connection. In addition, I work with families and children with a focus on improving communication among family members, improving family relationships, addressing behavior problems and improving parenting skills.

The relationship you have with your therapist is one of the most important factors in your effort to make positive changes. I combine my clinical training with my experiences in the sciences and the arts, and establish a connection that serves as a vehicle for healing, learning, working through issues, defining your goals and taking action. I provide a safe and supportive environment in which you can begin to learn about yourself, recognize your strengths and utilize them to reconnect… to yourself, your loved ones, and to your vision of your most satisfying life experience.

Learn more about our Clinical Supervision and Training Program