Behavioral Health Team

Van Ethan Levy

They|Elle

Director of Behavior Health

Van (they|elle) is a queer, non binary, trans, socialized as female, Latinx, Egyptian and Jewish, who is autistic and has dynamic disabilities amongst many more historically excluded identities. They are dually licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT 118131) and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC 8269), Van is passionate about holding space for all intersections of one’s identity(ies). Van is dedicated to social justice & believes it is vital to cultivate an awareness of our own internal strengths, specifically our resilience as we continue to grow and discover ourselves. Van believes it is important to trust and validate our experience(s) & journey(s). Van aims to use a trauma informed lens and hopes to help you learn ways to help support yourself in the best way possible. Van also provides trainings on trans and non binary identities, is author of the interactive book Exploring My Identity(ies) (2020), produced a Documentary called Do Something: Trans & Non Binary Identities (2021), put on an international conference called Do Something: Identity(ies) (2022) (with the recordings available for purchase) and developed No More GateKeeping app that provides trauma-informed questions for the provider to use during the assessment with the clients and populates a letter, and the founder of No More GateKeeping national list of providers who all agree to provide assessments & write letters in one assessment.

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Marika Reznichek

She

Clinical Supervisor (LMFT 122808)

Marika (she) is a queer, Black, neurodiverse person with dynamic disabilities who has been supporting LGBTQPIA+ community members for most of her life. She engages from a client centered, inner strength based and anti-oppressive positionality. She is dedicated to social justice and believes that it’s important to find awareness of one’s resilience in the process of self-discovery and acceptance. Her goal is to create a safe trauma-informed space for us to explore self and learn healthy ways to cope. Her areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, LGBTQ+ identity, self-esteem, parent-child attachment, and foster care/adoption.

Curren Arora

Curren (he) obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University California of Irvine. He is currently attending Pepperdine University where he is in the process of receiving his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology. He is also working as a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern at Transgender Health and Wellness center, and there, he hopes to create a safe, accepting, and welcoming atmosphere for all clients.

Curren is a cis gender man who immigrated to the United States from India as a teenager. He was born into a household who practiced the religion of Sikhism (Sikhs wear turbans) which led him to experience bullying and racism. The students at his school and countless others could not see past his appearance. His parents made it harder for him to acclimate to his new life as they did not acknowledge how due to a lack of recognition to his bicultural experiences were shaping him to assimilate his culture versus his creating space for him to develop into his true authentic self.

As an aspiring LMFT, Curren wants to meet individuals where the person is at in the person’s journey while focusing on a client-centered dynamic. His approach to therapy has been heavily influenced by humanistic theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, and narrative therapy. He strongly believes that unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy are necessary for one to feel truly validated and reach self-actualization. He also holds that it is important for one to be mindful of where our thoughts come from and how they end up impacting our feelings and behaviors while also validating one’s reality. Lastly, he emphasizes that individuals must not overlook the importance of the person’s narrative. Narrating one’s life story can be healing and self-empowering.

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Noelle Allen

Noelle (she) supports people in building the capacity to find oneself by practicing radical self-love and exploring personal values, identity, and pleasure.
Noelle’s therapeutic approach uses client centered therapy that focuses on identifying how trauma, cultural/systemic influences, our upbringings, and emotions guide our needs, behaviors, and narratives.
Noelle is passionate about making BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Sex Positive folx feel seen, validated, and supported.

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Douglas McDonald

Douglas (he) identifies as a queer, gay, cis male. He is finishing his Master of Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University and hopes to be licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist and a Professional Clinical Counselor. He is inspired by contemplative science and Buddhist philosophy and takes a humanistic, post-modern approach to therapy. Douglas is dedicated to creating a safer space where one’s life stories may be told, strengths and resiliencies/survival is explored, and one’s authentic self celebrated.

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Kendy Faye

Kendy Faye (she/ella) is a cis woman, mother, doula, and scholar who is fiercely passionate about honoring your individual autonomy at the intersection of mental wellness, psychoeducation, and advocacy. Kendy brings over 15 years of professional experience throughout six countries across five continents, supporting individuals of all ages in personal and professional growth.

She prioritizes integrating intersectional feminist and liberation-focused ideologies to provide holistic, trauma-focused and person-centered care. Kendy is devoted to amplifying the legacy of reproductive justice activism in her service as a mental health professional with a firm belief in sexual wellness as the cornerstone of societal health.

She is in the process of earning a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University with an additional certification in Perinatal Mental Health. Kendy is deeply humbled and honored to support you in cultivating ways to meet and tend to your authentic self.

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Pooja Bakshi

Pooja Bakshi (she) received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University in San Diego, CA. She served as a hospital corpsman in the United States Navy. She is currently working on an MA degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Professional Clinical Counselor. She worked briefly as a trainee in an independent office focusing on generalized Mental Health clients. Pooja provides individual, and family therapy, all relationship couples therapy, and group counseling to adults, children, and adolescents. She views her counseling techniques as an alliance with her clients. Pooja uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Talk Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Psycho-Education. Clients will understand that the therapeutic relationship is a partnership.

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Aline Amos

Aline has a BS in Psychology and a MS in Clinical & Cognitive Neuroscience, and is currently working on her MA in Clinical Psychology. She is a
Mexican American cis gender woman who has lived in Mexico, England, and the United States. This has given her a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and the importance of honoring her roots. Aline is passionate about helping individuals navigate the intricate landscapes of ones experience. She believes that each person’s journey is unique. She strives to create an affirming and safer environment where the person can explore one’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. She is dedicated to providing trauma-informed therapeutic care that recognizes the impact of past experiences and creates a healing space that prioritizes safety and empowerment.

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Gloria Simpson

Gloria Simpson (she) is a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Program at Pepperdine University. I am studying to complete licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family. I am passionate for wellness. This is a second career for me as I learned of my passion for mental health later in life. People often experience judgement or unfair treatment because of the stigma associated with mental wellness. It is important for me to make an impact and eliminate the stigma attached to mental health by being a model therapist which will make people rethink mental health in a positive way.

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Nicolette Alyssa Alvarado

Greetings! Nicolette Alyssa Alvarado (she) is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling student at the University of Redlands. She believes that establishing a genuine and supportive relationship is essential, and she strives to foster an affirming environment for her client(s) through validation, openness, encouragement, and cooperation. She is dedicated to social justice and advocacy, which are integral to her practice in and out of the therapeutic environment. The therapeutic models she aligns with are attachment-based, solution-focused, systemic, trauma-informed, and resilience-based; however, she acknowledges there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. We are all unique individuals with various backgrounds and intersecting identities. She aspires to collaborate with her client(s) to find the appropriate resources and support to aid their growth.

Outside of therapy, she enjoys furthering her studies, reading for pleasure, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.

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Russell Redden

My name is Russell (he) and I am graduate student based in the Great Palm Springs area studying Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University.

I am a neurodivergent, white-passing active member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. I am currently a Marriage and Family Therapy trainee supervised by Van Ethan Levy, a leader in trans-affirming mental healthcare. I work with individuals and couples of all ages. I also facilitate a weekly support group for LGBTQ+ neurodivergent folx.

My goals in our time together are to support your growth and meet you where you are at. I hope that in our work together that I can support you to cultivate levels of awareness and reduce suffering in a trauma-informed, universally-affirming practice. Our time together is personalized to your needs, wants, and comfortability.

In my free time I enjoy gaming, snowboarding, creating & listening/watching my weekly podcast ‘Boundless’ for free on Spotify and YouTube.

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Kassidy Baquiran

Hi! My name is Kassidy (she| they). I’m a graduate student at Pepperdine University and a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and I work towards engaging in a compassionate approach to foster hope, healing, and resilience. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my rescue pitbull, Tochtli, and trying new places to eat.

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Nick Brownlee

Hi, my name is Nick (he). I am a marriage and family therapist and focus on understanding the realities of your life while leaning into a strengths-based approach. I work with children, youth & adults as well as facilitated group. Alot of my client’s focus have been anxiety and panic, depression, childhood abuse and neglect, domestic violence, infidelity, complex traumas, as well as substance use, and many more types of addictive behaviors as well as ways in which veterans disabilities have impacted our mental wellness. I would like to provide support and experience that aligns with your core values and personal goals to create a life, as defined by you.

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Nik Castle

nik castle (any pronouns) is a trainee who attends Antioch University of Los Angeles in the Clinical Psychology program. They are queer, non-binary, socialized as female, and neurodivergent, and have a deep love and respect for the totality of the human experience. nik is excited to hold space for people as they navigate challenges and joys that might arise in the process of being. They are drawn both to humanistic and relational schools of thought in psychology—they believe that while every person contains within themselves all that they require to grow, heal, and discover themselves, feeling deeply understood and connected to others in a true sense of belonging are also important parts of what it means to feel nourished and fulfilled.

Julia Koh

Julia (she | they) is a trans woman who received her bachelor’s in Psychology and English Literature at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She is currently a master’s student at Antioch University, Los Angeles working towards her Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor licenses. She hopes to build an anti-”isms” practice that contends with the ways that power and history manifest within and outside of the therapy space. Julia believes that fostering awareness, self compassion, and connection lays the foundation for effective social justice change. They are drawn to humanistic, existential, narrative, feminist, trauma informed, and solution focused therapies, while continuing to learn and grow.

In her free time, Julia enjoys dancing, making art, listening to podcasts, playing video games, and hanging out with her dog.

Sunny Yoon

Sunny Yoon (she) is a cis female professional who is passionate about helping others. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and is pursuing her master’s degree in counseling psychology at National University. She strives to unlearn transphobic behaviors and create strong therapeutic relationships with her clients. Sunny aspires to meet clients where they are, fostering a client-centered space focused on individual needs. Her goal is to create a supportive and understanding environment, tailoring sessions to address the unique requirements of each client. Through a compassionate approach, Sunny is excited about the opportunity to apply her knowledge and skills to contribute to the well-being of those she works with.

Ethan Pearson

Ethan (he) is a neurodivergent, Latine, cis male with a deep commitment to supporting people. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, specializing in LGBTQPIA+ Affirmative Care. He has advocated for affirmative mental health treatment at various levels of care and supported children, teens, and adults. Ethan also has experience addressing sexual violence and supporting folx who have experienced such violence. Recently, he supported people in creating a sustainable relationship between the body and food. Ethan is dedicated to supporting his clients on their therapeutic journeys, adopting a humanistic and trauma-informed approach. He aims to highlight and celebrate clients’ strengths and successes, and to provide unconditional support. Beyond his professional endeavors, Ethan enjoys spending quality time with his family and two cats, appreciating live theater, and exploring his culinary talents.