About Us

Dr. Vesal Vakili

PsyD., LMFT, Lead Supervisor

She/Her/Hers

Founder| Clinical Psychotherapist & Executive Coach/ Leadership Strategist for Leaders Navigating Growth

Dr. Vakili specializes in working with high-performing professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the unique demands of success. Whether facing leadership challenges, career transitions, burnout, relationship concerns, or the pressure of balancing professional achievement with personal well-being, she provides a thoughtful space for clients to gain clarity, strengthen resilience, and create lasting, meaningful change.

Her approach integrates evidence-based psychotherapy with executive coaching principles, recognizing that emotional wellness and professional performance are deeply interconnected. Therapy with Dr. Vakili is collaborative, insightful, and results-oriented—designed to help clients overcome obstacles, enhance self-awareness, and lead with greater confidence, purpose, and authenticity. She considers it a privilege to partner with individuals during some of life’s most important transitions and is committed to delivering exceptional, personalized care.

Dr. Vakili is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailoring treatment to each client’s unique goals and needs. She works extensively with individuals and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic stress, perfectionism, burnout, relationship challenges, and life transitions.

In addition to her work with adults, Dr. Vakili provides Parent Management Training (PMT) and partners closely with families raising children with neurodevelopmental differences, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She equips parents with practical, evidence-based strategies that strengthen family relationships, improve communication, and foster healthy emotional and behavioral development.

Dr. Katherine Goodman

Dr. Katherine Goodman

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PhD

She/Her/Hers

Dr. Katherine Goodman is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the psychological and neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, and young adults, as well as individual psychotherapy. Warm, engaging, and approachable, she prioritizes helping young people feel safe, heard, and understood throughout the assessment process. Her evaluations explore each individual’s unique pattern of strengths and challenges, with experience assessing ADHD, autism, learning disorders, attention and executive functioning, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other developmental and emotional concerns. Dr. Goodman is passionate about helping families gain clarity around their child’s needs and translating assessment findings into practical recommendations, including collaboration with families, schools, and other providers. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology and has trained across psychiatric, residential, outpatient, private practice, and integrated medical settings. She also provides individual therapy to clients ages 12–35 navigating development, relationships, life transitions, and identity, creating a space where clients can show up honestly, make sense of what feels confusing or stuck, and develop a deeper and more compassionate understanding of themselves.

 

Veronica Dominguez

Veronica Dominguez

MA, LMFT, NPT-C® / Supervisor

She/Her/Hers

Hello! Congratulations for being the best advocate for your health! It would be an honor to join you in this journey. Therapy is a space where you will find no judgement, compassion, patience and research based strategies to help you. My goal is to understand at my best your life experience and collaborate with you to create a plan that would help you achieve your goals, whether they are about work, health, relationships, family or personal growth.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist I am trained to help children, teenagers and adults in individual, couples and family therapy. I have specially worked with Depression and Anxiety, Parenting and Behavioral Problems, Acculturation Problems and Domestic Violence. I work with CBT, Client Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Neuropsychotherapy.
If this is your first time looking for therapy, please feel free to ask all your questions in a phone/email consultation. If you are considering returning to therapy, I would love to continue this journey with you. Our minds need care just like any other organ of our bodies and therapy is one of the best ways to protect our amazing minds.

“se habla español”

 

Laal Golbadi

Laal Golbadi

LMFT / The Director of Clinical Quality

She/Her/Hers

The greatest gift you can give someone is the space to be his or her authentic self.” 

I cherish the vulnerability it takes to seek support, and my goal as a therapist is to ensure I provide a safe and comfortable space for my clients to feel heard and seen. I have experience in evidence-based therapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as well as long term Psychotherapy such as Psychodynamic therapy.

As a Bilingual AMFT, I specialize in working with teens, adults and couples. My area of specialization is Post-traumatic stress, Suicidal Ideations, Complex Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Veterans at risk of Anxiety and Depression, Relationships, Parenting, Substance use, and Autism. 

Elizabeth Morales

Elizabeth Morales

LMFT

She/Her/Hers

Elizabeth “Eli” received her master’s degree in counseling from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) in 2022. She has worked in diverse settings such as the community, outpatient clinic, residential, and treatment centers. Elizabeth has worked as a behavioral specialist and collateral support in the community, school, and home setting to help families adapt to changes and have a better relationship by learning communication skills and ways to cope with differences in emotions. Elizabeth has co-facilitated groups for children, teens, and parents on different areas, such as: social, skills, self-esteem and empowerment, grief and loss, and parenting groups. Elizabeth has also worked as a Residential Facility Manager working in a multidisciplinary team to help teens struggling with their mental health and providing a safe space to learn newways to cope with life stressors and build positive relationships with themselves and others. Elizabeth has experience providing counseling services to variety of individuals, various settings within the community, office setting, and schools. Elizabeth uses a collaborative and compassionate approach to counseling in an effort to foster hope, healing and resilience. She uses a strength-based approached and integrates various treatment modalities to best meet the needs and the goals of her clients.

“se habla español”

Michelle Acitelli

Michelle Acitelli

AMFT / APCC

 She/Her/Hers

I am enthusiastic about guiding clients who are experiencing overwhelming life situations or challenges with daily life, relationships, family, academic, and employment experiences. My goal is to establish and maintain rapport through effective working relationships, offering psychoeducation related to life transitions and helping clients set attainable goals that foster healthy, inclusive, and supportive connections.

My therapeutic approach combines talk therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as central methods for healing. Together, these approaches create a trauma-informed, strength-based practice that supports individuals, couples, families, teens, first responders, and veterans facing anxiety, depression, anger, adjustment difficulties, relationship challenges, suicidal ideation, substance use, and complex trauma. I also draw on client-centered methodologies, including Existential, Narrative, CBT, DBT, REBT, and Gestalt, to offer creative exploration of thoughts and ideas, empowering clients to engage in meaningful growth and lasting resilience.

Yuliana Fernandez

Yuliana Fernandez

AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Yuliana is a bilingual and bicultural Associate Marriage & Family Therapist dedicated to supporting clients through life’s challenges and helping them grow into their best selves. She thoughtfully considers how identity, life intersections, and broader societal factors influence mental health. Yuliana brings a warm, nonjudgmental presence to the therapy room and believes in tailoring treatment to meet each client’s unique needs, identities, and goals. With a strength-based approach, she has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds facing trauma, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, and other life difficulties. Yuliana integrates evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and mindfulness techniques to create a safe and supportive environment where healing and growth can occur.
Yuliana es una terapeuta asociada bilingüe y bicultural que ofrece atención compasiva y basada en evidencia para apoyar a personas de diversos orígenes en su proceso de sanación. Crea un espacio seguro  donde usted se sentirá cómodo/a y acompañado/a en su camino hacia el bienestar.
Jamie Gallardo

Jamie Gallardo

AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Jamie Gallardo is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) dedicated to assisting individuals, couples, and families. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Vanguard University and later earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy, from Pepperdine University.Jamie believes that life is a journey filled with ups and downs, and we encounter various challenges at different points in our lives. She emphasizes that resilience and determination can be cultivated through our experiences and how we approach these challenges. Her therapeutic approach blends cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, and other methods to foster growth and progress for each individual. Jamie has the privilege of working with diverse backgrounds and populations, including individuals facing substance use issues, children with autism, members of the Latinx community, and the LGBTQ+ community. She offers therapy sessions in both English and Spanish.
Dedicated to breaking down stigmas and barriers surrounding mental health, Jamie is here to support your journey toward mental wellness!
“se habla español”
Angel Gray

Angel Gray

AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Angel is a biracial Associate Marriage & Family Therapist who offers a warm, compassionate, and culturally responsive space for healing and growth. She works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families, supporting clients as they navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, and the impacts of trauma. Angel is especially passionate about empowering women to reconnect with their voice, boundaries, and inner strength.
Drawing from her experience working with survivors of sexual violence and diverse community-based organizations, Angel approaches therapy with deep respect for each client’s lived experience. She is thoughtful about how identity, culture, and family histories shape emotional well-being and relationships, and she collaborates with clients to build insight into communication patterns, relationship dynamics, and attachment styles.
Angel integrates evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in a way that feels supportive and accessible, helping clients develop emotional regulation, coping skills, and healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Above all, she believes therapy is a relational process—one that honors resilience, fosters self-trust, and empowers clients to move toward more fulfilling, connected lives.
Ivette Merced

Ivette Merced

M.A., M.A., Ed.S., PhD, NCSP APCC

She/Her/Hers

Beginning therapy can feel like a big step, and my goal is to provide a warm, compassionate space where you can show up exactly as you are. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel genuinely heard, supported, and empowered as they navigate life’s challenges.

I provide compassionate, client-centered therapy for adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, grief and loss, stress, burnout, perfectionism, life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, substance use concerns, and neurodivergent experiences.

With training in school psychology, mental health, and neurodevelopment, I bring a thoughtful understanding of how emotional wellbeing, cognition, behavior, and life experiences intersect. My background offers particular insight into supporting clients experiencing ADHD, executive functioning challenges, anxiety, perfectionism, academic or professional stress, intrusive thoughts, and feeling stuck in overwhelming patterns.

My therapeutic approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs. I integrate client-centered therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based approaches, strengths-based interventions, and trauma-informed care to help clients better understand themselves, develop practical coping tools, and create meaningful change.

Whether you are managing intrusive thoughts, depression, grief, chronic stress, ADHD-related challenges, relationship difficulties, or simply seeking greater clarity and balance, therapy can be a supportive space for healing, growth, and reconnection with yourself.

You do not have to navigate this alone.

Shirin Sedehi

Shirin Sedehi

AMFT

She/Her/Hers

I earned my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. I am passionate about helping clients feel seen, heard, and supported as they navigate life’s challenges. I strive to create a safe, welcoming space grounded in kindness and connection, where healing can begin.
As a bilingual speaker, I specialize in working with teenagers and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, self esteem, and family relationships. I use evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), DBT-informed techniques, solution-focused therapy, play therapy, art therapy, and mindfulness-based strategies. With compassion and care, I work alongside each client to help them recognize their strengths and move toward a more hopeful and fulfilling future. 

Wendy Ramirez Ruelas

Wendy Ramirez Ruelas

M.A., APCC

She/Her/Hers

Wendy  is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor dedicated to supporting individuals and families through life’s challenges with compassion, empathy, and evidence-based care. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and has several years of experience working with children and families. Her background in early childhood education has provided her with extensive experience in building meaningful relationships, fostering emotional growth, and supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has a special interest in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families navigating anxiety, life transitions, stress, and self-esteem concerns.

Wendy’s therapeutic approach is rooted in Person-Centered Therapy, emphasizing empathy, authenticity, and the importance of creating a strong therapeutic relationship. She also incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthy coping skills, and build resilience. Additionally, she utilizes strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches, tailoring treatment to meet each client’s unique needs and goals.

As a bilingual clinician, Wendy is passionate about providing culturally responsive and accessible mental health services to the community. She strives to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered on their journey toward healing and personal growth.

                             “Se habla español”



Melissa Rodriguez

Melissa Rodriguez

B.A | M.A | AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Melissa Rodriguez is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about holistic healing and helping clients understand how different aspects of their lives influence their emotional well-being. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in multicultural awareness, social justice, and client-centered care, creating a safe, supportive, and culturally inclusive environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered. Melissa integrates evidence-based techniques, including Humanistic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic approaches, tailoring treatment to each client’s unique needs and goals. She believes in the healing power of creativity and offers art-based therapeutic activities to help clients explore and process their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, identity development, cultural belonging, and navigating societal and systemic stressors. Melissa works with children ages 5 and older, adults, and couples, and is LGBTQIA+ affirming. She offers therapy in both English and Spanish, with in-person and telehealth sessions available. Through a collaborative and compassionate approach, Melissa strives to help clients gain clarity, build resilience, and achieve meaningful personal growth.



Liza Aldaz

Liza Aldaz

MA | AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Liza Aldaz is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with six years of clinical experience working with individuals, families, children, adolescents, and groups from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Liza later moved to San Diego and continued her education in Orange County. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Vanguard University and her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hope International University, where she was inducted into the Delta Kappa International Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society.

Throughout her career, Liza has worked in nonprofit organizations, private practices, and community-based settings, supporting clients with emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. Her experience includes individual, family, and group therapy, substance use treatment, and working with adolescents experiencing eating disorders. She has also provided therapeutic services through CalWORKs, supporting individuals and families facing various life challenges.

Liza takes a trauma-informed, compassionate, and collaborative approach to therapy. She has completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other therapeutic modalities that support emotional regulation, coping skills, and personal growth.

As a bilingual and multicultural clinician, Liza is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can recognize their strengths, develop healthier relationships, navigate life’s challenges, and work toward meaningful, lasting change.



Maddy Ghorob

Maddy Ghorob

J.D., LL.M, MA, AMFT

She/Her/Hers

My path to becoming a therapist has been anything but traditional—and I see that as one of my greatest strengths. I began my career in law, earning both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Dispute Resolution. Over time, I found myself more drawn to the emotional stories behind people’s legal issues than the legal issues themselves. That realization sparked a deeper calling: to help others heal and navigate their internal conflicts, not just their external ones. Today, as a marriage and family therapist and a Ph.D. candidate, I’m committed to continually deepening my understanding of emotional well-being to better support those I work with. At Bliss Psychotherapy, I work with individuals, children, couples, and families facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship struggles, and life transitions. I’m especially passionate about helping clients recover from past wounds, build resilience, and cultivate greater self-awareness. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practices. I offer therapy in both English and Farsi, and I believe that the therapeutic space can be a powerful one for healing, insight, and lasting change. I’d be honored to walk that path with you.

Victor Luna

Victor Luna

AMFT / APCC

He/Him/His

Victor is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional ClinicalCounselor dedicated to helping individuals feel safe, secure, and empowered to achieve theirgoals. He utilizes a range of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy,dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, attachment therapy, relational therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and more, to provide tailored support for each
client.Victor brings a wealth of experience in providing empathetic, compassionate, and professional therapeutic services. He has worked with people of diverse backgrounds, including adults, couples, transitional age youth, children, families, the LGBTQIA community, and Veterans,offering services in both English and Spanish. Specializing in a broad spectrum of issues, Victor can help with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, parenting challenges, relationship issues, low self-esteem, childhood trauma, chronic illness, grief and loss, sexual trauma, adjusting to life transitions, substance use, and many other life challenges. His approach emphasizes collaboration and empowerment, guiding individuals toward resilience, personal growth, and enhanced well-being. Victor strives to help you achieve a better quality of life through a collaborative and supportive approach.

Your safety, security, and well-being are of the utmost importance to him.

“se habla español”

Gazal Vakili

Gazal Vakili

MSHS, C.P.C

Executive Coach | Founder & CEO, FutureSelf™ | Clinical Research & Digital Health Leader

Gazal Vakili is a Certified Professional Life Coach (C.P.C.) and executive coach working with founders, senior leaders, and high-performing professionals navigating growth, transition, and increased responsibility.Her work is grounded in identity-led leadership,  helping executives operate from a future-anchored sense of self to strengthen decision-making, leadership presence, and strategic clarity.Gazal brings over 15 years of experience in clinical research and digital health, with academic training in Biology and Psychology and a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research. She has also served as a college professor, teaching professional-level courses in clinical trials and research operations.Prior to coaching, she held senior leadership roles within a global pharmaceutical organization, including responsibility for digital health strategy and execution at the country level.She is the founder of FutureSelf, an identity-based leadership framework designed to help leaders mentally and emotionally rehearse future roles before fully stepping into them. Her executive coaching is confidential, non-clinical, and forward-focused.

Bonni Cardoza

Bonni Cardoza

LMFT / Clinical Supervisor

She/They

Therapist | Supporting individuals and couples in healing, growth, and connection

Bonni Cardoza is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over fifteen years of experience providing therapy in California, Washington, and Hawaiʻi. Throughout her career, she has worked with individuals, couples, families, and groups across a wide range of settings, including private practice, school-based behavioral health, and substance use treatment programs.

At the heart of her work is a strong commitment to supporting women and LGBTQIA+ clients in developing self-worth, emotional resilience, and healthier relationships. Bonni believes therapy is most effective when it is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in respect for each person’s lived experience.

Bonni brings specialized experience in sex therapy and has completed a kink-informed certification through the Sexual Health Alliance. She is also currently completing advanced sex therapy certification through the Sexual Health Alliance. Her work with clients navigating intimacy, desire, sexual identity, and relationship dynamics is sex-positive, trauma-informed, and affirming.

Her clinical approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, feminist approaches, and queer-affirming approaches. She supports clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, substance use, identity exploration, sexuality, and relationship challenges, helping them build practical skills while also fostering deeper self-understanding and growth.

Bonni feels deeply honored to support clients in their healing process and is committed to providing thoughtful, inclusive, and high-quality care.

 

Dr. Vesal Vakili

PsyD, LMFT, Lead Supervisor

She/Her/Hers

Founder| Clinical Psychotherapist & Executive Coach/ Leadership Strategist for Leaders Navigating Growth

Dr. Vakili specializes in working with high-performing professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders navigating the unique demands of success. Whether facing leadership challenges, career transitions, burnout, relationship concerns, or the pressure of balancing professional achievement with personal well-being, she provides a thoughtful space for clients to gain clarity, strengthen resilience, and create lasting, meaningful change.

Her approach integrates evidence-based psychotherapy with executive coaching principles, recognizing that emotional wellness and professional performance are deeply interconnected. Therapy with Dr. Vakili is collaborative, insightful, and results-oriented—designed to help clients overcome obstacles, enhance self-awareness, and lead with greater confidence, purpose, and authenticity. She considers it a privilege to partner with individuals during some of life’s most important transitions and is committed to delivering exceptional, personalized care.

Dr. Vakili is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailoring treatment to each client’s unique goals and needs. She works extensively with individuals and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic stress, perfectionism, burnout, relationship challenges, and life transitions.

In addition to her work with adults, Dr. Vakili provides Parent Management Training (PMT) and partners closely with families raising children with neurodevelopmental differences, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She equips parents with practical, evidence-based strategies that strengthen family relationships, improve communication, and foster healthy emotional and behavioral development.

Dr. Katherine Goodman

Dr. Katherine Goodman

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PhD

She/Her/Hers
Dr. Katherine Goodman is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the psychological and neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, and young adults, as well as individual psychotherapy. Warm, engaging, and approachable, she prioritizes helping young people feel safe, heard, and understood throughout the assessment process. Her evaluations explore each individual’s unique pattern of strengths and challenges, with experience assessing ADHD, autism, learning disorders, attention and executive functioning, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other developmental and emotional concerns. Dr. Goodman is passionate about helping families gain clarity around their child’s needs and translating assessment findings into practical recommendations, including collaboration with families, schools, and other providers. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology and has trained across psychiatric, residential, outpatient, private practice, and integrated medical settings. She also provides individual therapy to clients ages 12–35 navigating development, relationships, life transitions, and identity, creating a space where clients can show up honestly, make sense of what feels confusing or stuck, and develop a deeper and more compassionate understanding of themselves.
Veronica Dominguez

Veronica Dominguez

MA, LMFT, NPT-C® / Supervisor

She/Her/Hers
Hello! Congratulations for being the best advocate for your health! It would be an honor to join you in this journey. Therapy is a space where you will find no judgement, compassion, patience and research based strategies to help you. My goal is to understand at my best your life experience and collaborate with you to create a plan that would help you achieve your goals, whether they are about work, health, relationships, family or personal growth.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist I am trained to help children, teenagers and adults in individual, couples and family therapy. I have specially worked with Depression and Anxiety, Parenting and Behavioral Problems, Acculturation Problems and Domestic Violence. I work with CBT, Client Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Neuropsychotherapy.
If this is your first time looking for therapy, please feel free to ask all your questions in a phone/email consultation. If you are considering returning to therapy, I would love to continue this journey with you. Our minds need care just like any other organ of our bodies and therapy is one of the best ways to protect our amazing minds.

“se habla español”

Laal Golbadi

Laal Golbadi

LMFT / The Director of Clinical Quality

She/Her/Hers

“The greatest gift you can give someone is the space to be his or her authentic self.” 

I cherish the vulnerability it takes to seek support, and my goal as a therapist is to ensure I provide a safe and comfortable space for my clients to feel heard and seen. I have experience in evidence-based therapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as well as long term Psychotherapy such as Psychodynamic therapy.

As a Bilingual AMFT, I specialize in working with teens, adults and couples. My area of specialization is Post-traumatic stress, Suicidal Ideations, Complex Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Veterans at risk of Anxiety and Depression, Relationships, Parenting, Substance use, and Autism. 

Elizabeth Morales

Elizabeth Morales

LMFT

She/Her/Hers

Elizabeth “Eli” received her master’s degree in counseling from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) in 2022. She has worked in diverse settings such as the community, outpatient clinic, residential, and treatment centers. Elizabeth has worked as a behavioral specialist and collateral support in the community, school, and home setting to help families adapt to changes and have a better relationship by learning communication skills and ways to cope with differences in emotions. Elizabeth has co-facilitated groups for children, teens, and parents on different areas, such as: social, skills, self-esteem and empowerment, grief and loss, and parenting groups. Elizabeth has also worked as a Residential Facility Manager working in a multidisciplinary team to help teens struggling with their mental health and providing a safe space to learn newways to cope with life stressors and build positive relationships with themselves and others. Elizabeth has experience providing counseling services to variety of individuals, various settings within the community, office setting, and schools. Elizabeth uses a collaborative and compassionate approach to counseling in an effort to foster hope, healing and resilience. She uses a strength-based approached and integrates various treatment modalities to best meet the needs and the goals of her clients.

“se habla español”

Michelle Acitelli

Michelle Acitelli

AMFT / APCC

She/Her/Hers

I am enthusiastic about guiding clients who are experiencing overwhelming life situations or challenges with daily life, relationships, family, academic, and employment experiences. My goal is to establish and maintain rapport through effective working relationships, offering psychoeducation related to life transitions and helping clients set attainable goals that foster healthy, inclusive, and supportive connections.

My therapeutic approach combines talk therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as central methods for healing. Together, these approaches create a trauma-informed, strength-based practice that supports individuals, couples, families, teens, first responders, and veterans facing anxiety, depression, anger, adjustment difficulties, relationship challenges, suicidal ideation, substance use, and complex trauma. I also draw on client-centered methodologies, including Existential, Narrative, CBT, DBT, REBT, and Gestalt, to offer creative exploration of thoughts and ideas, empowering clients to engage in meaningful growth and lasting resilience.

Yuliana Fernandez

Yuliana Fernandez

AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Yuliana is a bilingual and bicultural Associate Marriage & Family Therapist dedicated to supporting clients through life’s challenges and helping them grow into their best selves. She thoughtfully considers how identity, life intersections, and broader societal factors influence mental health. Yuliana brings a warm, nonjudgmental presence to the therapy room and believes in tailoring treatment to meet each client’s unique needs, identities, and goals. With a strength-based approach, she has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds facing trauma, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, and other life difficulties. Yuliana integrates evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and mindfulness techniques to create a safe and supportive environment where healing and growth can occur.
Yuliana es una terapeuta asociada bilingüe y bicultural que ofrece atención compasiva y basada en evidencia para apoyar a personas de diversos orígenes en su proceso de sanación. Crea un espacio seguro  donde usted se sentirá cómodo/a y acompañado/a en su camino hacia el bienestar.
Jamie Gallardo

Jamie Gallardo

AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Jamie Gallardo is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) dedicated to assisting individuals, couples, and families. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Vanguard University and later earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy, from Pepperdine University.Jamie believes that life is a journey filled with ups and downs, and we encounter various challenges at different points in our lives. She emphasizes that resilience and determination can be cultivated through our experiences and how we approach these challenges. Her therapeutic approach blends cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, and other methods to foster growth and progress for each individual. Jamie has the privilege of working with diverse backgrounds and populations, including individuals facing substance use issues, children with autism, members of the Latinx community, and the LGBTQ+ community. She offers therapy sessions in both English and Spanish.
Dedicated to breaking down stigmas and barriers surrounding mental health, Jamie is here to support your journey toward mental wellness!

“se habla español”

Angel Gray

Angel Gray

AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Angel is a biracial Associate Marriage & Family Therapist who offers a warm, compassionate, and culturally responsive space for healing and growth. She works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families, supporting clients as they navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, and the impacts of trauma. Angel is especially passionate about empowering women to reconnect with their voice, boundaries, and inner strength.
Drawing from her experience working with survivors of sexual violence and diverse community-based organizations, Angel approaches therapy with deep respect for each client’s lived experience. She is thoughtful about how identity, culture, and family histories shape emotional well-being and relationships, and she collaborates with clients to build insight into communication patterns, relationship dynamics, and attachment styles.
Angel integrates evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in a way that feels supportive and accessible, helping clients develop emotional regulation, coping skills, and healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Above all, she believes therapy is a relational process—one that honors resilience, fosters self-trust, and empowers clients to move toward more fulfilling, connected lives.
 Ivette Merced

Ivette Merced

M.A., M.A., Ed.S., PhD, NCSP APCC

She/Her/Hers

Beginning therapy can feel like a big step, and my goal is to provide a warm, compassionate space where you can show up exactly as you are. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel genuinely heard, supported, and empowered as they navigate life’s challenges.

I provide compassionate, client-centered therapy for adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, grief and loss, stress, burnout, perfectionism, life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, substance use concerns, and neurodivergent experiences.

With training in school psychology, mental health, and neurodevelopment, I bring a thoughtful understanding of how emotional wellbeing, cognition, behavior, and life experiences intersect. My background offers particular insight into supporting clients experiencing ADHD, executive functioning challenges, anxiety, perfectionism, academic or professional stress, intrusive thoughts, and feeling stuck in overwhelming patterns.

My therapeutic approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs. I integrate client-centered therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based approaches, strengths-based interventions, and trauma-informed care to help clients better understand themselves, develop practical coping tools, and create meaningful change.

Whether you are managing intrusive thoughts, depression, grief, chronic stress, ADHD-related challenges, relationship difficulties, or simply seeking greater clarity and balance, therapy can be a supportive space for healing, growth, and reconnection with yourself.

You do not have to navigate this alone.

Shirin Sedehi

Shirin Sedehi

AMFT

She/Her/Hers

I earned my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. I am passionate about helping clients feel seen, heard, and supported as they navigate life’s challenges. I strive to create a safe, welcoming space grounded in kindness and connection, where healing can begin.
As a bilingual speaker, I specialize in working with teenagers and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, self esteem, and family relationships. I use evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), DBT-informed techniques, solution-focused therapy, play therapy, art therapy, and mindfulness-based strategies. With compassion and care, I work alongside each client to help them recognize their strengths and move toward a more hopeful and fulfilling future. 

Wendy Ramirez Ruelas

Wendy Ramirez Ruelas

M.A., APCC

She/Her/Hers

Wendy  is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor dedicated to supporting individuals and families through life’s challenges with compassion, empathy, and evidence-based care. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and has several years of experience working with children and families. Her background in early childhood education has provided her with extensive experience in building meaningful relationships, fostering emotional growth, and supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has a special interest in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families navigating anxiety, life transitions, stress, and self-esteem concerns.

Wendy’s therapeutic approach is rooted in Person-Centered Therapy, emphasizing empathy, authenticity, and the importance of creating a strong therapeutic relationship. She also incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthy coping skills, and build resilience. Additionally, she utilizes strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches, tailoring treatment to meet each client’s unique needs and goals.

As a bilingual clinician, Wendy is passionate about providing culturally responsive and accessible mental health services to the community. She strives to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered on their journey toward healing and personal growth.

                             “Se habla español”

Melissa Rodriguez

Melissa Rodriguez

B.A. | M.A | AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Melissa Rodriguez is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about holistic healing and helping clients understand how different aspects of their lives influence their emotional well-being. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in multicultural awareness, social justice, and client-centered care, creating a safe, supportive, and culturally inclusive environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered. Melissa integrates evidence-based techniques, including Humanistic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic approaches, tailoring treatment to each client’s unique needs and goals. She believes in the healing power of creativity and offers art-based therapeutic activities to help clients explore and process their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, identity development, cultural belonging, and navigating societal and systemic stressors. Melissa works with children ages 5 and older, adults, and couples, and is LGBTQIA+ affirming. She offers therapy in both English and Spanish, with in-person and telehealth sessions available. Through a collaborative and compassionate approach, Melissa strives to help clients gain clarity, build resilience, and achieve meaningful personal growth.

Liza Aldaz

Liza Aldaz

MA | AMFT

She/Her/Hers

Liza Aldaz is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with six years of clinical experience working with individuals, families, children, adolescents, and groups from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Liza later moved to San Diego and continued her education in Orange County. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Vanguard University and her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hope International University, where she was inducted into the Delta Kappa International Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society.

Throughout her career, Liza has worked in nonprofit organizations, private practices, and community-based settings, supporting clients with emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. Her experience includes individual, family, and group therapy, substance use treatment, and working with adolescents experiencing eating disorders. She has also provided therapeutic services through CalWORKs, supporting individuals and families facing various life challenges.

Liza takes a trauma-informed, compassionate, and collaborative approach to therapy. She has completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other therapeutic modalities that support emotional regulation, coping skills, and personal growth.

As a bilingual and multicultural clinician, Liza is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can recognize their strengths, develop healthier relationships, navigate life’s challenges, and work toward meaningful, lasting change.

Maddy Ghorob

Maddy Ghorob

J.D., LL.M, MA, AMFT

She/Her/Hers

My path to becoming a therapist has been anything but traditional—and I see that as one of my greatest strengths. I began my career in law, earning both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Dispute Resolution. Over time, I found myself more drawn to the emotional stories behind people’s legal issues than the legal issues themselves. That realization sparked a deeper calling: to help others heal and navigate their internal conflicts, not just their external ones. Today, as a marriage and family therapist and a Ph.D. candidate, I’m committed to continually deepening my understanding of emotional well-being to better support those I work with. At Bliss Psychotherapy, I work with individuals, children, couples, and families facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship struggles, and life transitions. I’m especially passionate about helping clients recover from past wounds, build resilience, and cultivate greater self-awareness. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practices. I offer therapy in both English and Farsi, and I believe that the therapeutic space can be a powerful one for healing, insight, and lasting change. I’d be honored to walk that path with you.

Victor Luna

Victor Luna

AMFT / APCC

He/Him/His

Victor is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional ClinicalCounselor dedicated to helping individuals feel safe, secure, and empowered to achieve theirgoals. He utilizes a range of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy,dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, attachment therapy, relational therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and more, to provide tailored support for each
client.Victor brings a wealth of experience in providing empathetic, compassionate, and professional therapeutic services. He has worked with people of diverse backgrounds, including adults, couples, transitional age youth, children, families, the LGBTQIA community, and Veterans,offering services in both English and Spanish. Specializing in a broad spectrum of issues, Victor can help with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, parenting challenges, relationship issues, low self-esteem, childhood trauma, chronic illness, grief and loss, sexual trauma, adjusting to life transitions, substance use, and many other life challenges. His approach emphasizes collaboration and empowerment, guiding individuals toward resilience, personal growth, and enhanced well-being. Victor strives to help you achieve a better quality of life through a collaborative and supportive approach.

Your safety, security, and well-being are of the utmost importance to him.

Gazal Vakili

Gazal Vakili

MSHS, C.P.C

Executive Coach | Founder & CEO, FutureSelf™ | Clinical Research & Digital Health Leader

Gazal Vakili is a Certified Professional Life Coach (C.P.C.) and executive coach working with founders, senior leaders, and high-performing professionals navigating growth, transition, and increased responsibility.Her work is grounded in identity-led leadership,  helping executives operate from a future-anchored sense of self to strengthen decision-making, leadership presence, and strategic clarity.Gazal brings over 15 years of experience in clinical research and digital health, with academic training in Biology and Psychology and a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research. She has also served as a college professor, teaching professional-level courses in clinical trials and research operations.Prior to coaching, she held senior leadership roles within a global pharmaceutical organization, including responsibility for digital health strategy and execution at the country level.She is the founder of FutureSelf, an identity-based leadership framework designed to help leaders mentally and emotionally rehearse future roles before fully stepping into them. Her executive coaching is confidential, non-clinical, and forward-focused.

 

Bonni Cardoza

Bonni Cardoza

LMFT / Clinical Supervisor

She/They

Therapist | Supporting individuals and couples in healing, growth, and connection

Bonni Cardoza is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over fifteen years of experience providing therapy in California, Washington, and Hawaiʻi. Throughout her career, she has worked with individuals, couples, families, and groups across a wide range of settings, including private practice, school-based behavioral health, and substance use treatment programs.

At the heart of her work is a strong commitment to supporting women and LGBTQIA+ clients in developing self-worth, emotional resilience, and healthier relationships. Bonni believes therapy is most effective when it is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in respect for each person’s lived experience.

Bonni brings specialized experience in sex therapy and has completed a kink-informed certification through the Sexual Health Alliance. She is also currently completing advanced sex therapy certification through the Sexual Health Alliance. Her work with clients navigating intimacy, desire, sexual identity, and relationship dynamics is sex-positive, trauma-informed, and affirming.

Her clinical approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, feminist approaches, and queer-affirming approaches. She supports clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, substance use, identity exploration, sexuality, and relationship challenges, helping them build practical skills while also fostering deeper self-understanding and growth.

Bonni feels deeply honored to support clients in their healing process and is committed to providing thoughtful, inclusive, and high-quality care.

 

Get In Touch

Contact

Call Us

916-945-2739

949-229-5318

“Se habla Español”

Location

5000 Birch Street, West Tower,
Suite 3000
Newport Beach, CA 92660

2230 W Chapman Avenue,
Suite 241
Orange, CA 92868