Susan Ferren
M.A. LMFT #46725, Clinical Director
Susan is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 18 years of experience as a private practice therapist, certified mediator and clinical and program director. She has Masters Degrees in both Counseling Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University and Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University.
Susan specializes in providing program development and clinical management for adult and adolescent mental health and addiction treatment programs.
Susan has served on numerous board of directors for professional organizations and for nonprofit agencies that provide services for families affected by poverty, domestic violence, mental illness and addiction. She was inducted into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame for her numerous contributions to the community.
Dr. Michael Hwang
Psychiatrist # A121559
Dr. Michael Hwang was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Biology from UC San Diego, and then crossed the country to attend medical school at NYU School of Medicine. While in medical school, he unexpectedly became intrigued by psychiatry, and decided to enter the field. Dr. Hwang then did his psychiatry residency training at Tulane University in New Orleans, where he had the opportunity to experience living in the south of the country. Finally, Dr. Hwang returned to Southern California to do a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UC Irvine, which he completed in 2014.
After completing his training, Dr. Hwang has settled down in Southern California with his wife and 2 young children.
Leilani Carinio
MS, LMFT, Huntington Beach Program Director
Michael Herrera
MS, LMFT, Lake Forest Program Director
Kyle Perry
Community and Family Liaison
Kyle is originally from North Carolina and his passion for helping people brought him to Orange County in 2015. His past experience includes working as a residential treatment manager for a substance abuse recovery program assisting individuals in learning ways to sustain abstinence and create a purposeful life. His experience has opened up new opportunities for growth and development working with individuals suffering from mental health symptoms.
He is thrilled to be pursuing his passion for helping the adolescent population and their families. When he isn’t helping people, he enjoys living an active lifestyle and trying to get his dog to play fetch.
“The best exercise for your heart is reaching out and helping somebody”
– Tim Russert
Jean-Marc Tardieu
(Certified) Music Therapist
Jean-Marc Tardieu is a Music Therapist as well as a singer and writer, born and raised in the twin island republic of Trinidad & Tobago in the southern Caribbean. He is a graduate of the internationally acclaimed Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he majored in Music Therapy, received a minor in Psychology.
Jean-Marc is also the Associate Producer for the award winning and internationally acclaimed performing arts group “The Love Movement” in Trinidad & Tobago. He has written, co produced and sung on their albums. He currently works with Get in Tune Music Therapy and several other companies doing Music Therapy sessions at various Hospitals and Rehabilitation centers throughout Southern California.
Rupa Ward
MA, LMFT #115736, Group Facilitator
Rupa Ward has an MA in Psychology with Marriage and Family emphasis from Chapman University. She is an EMDR certified therapist who specializes in treating trauma related issues.
She utilizes different therapeutic techniques, including CBT, ACT, EMDR, voice dialog, assertiveness training, Gottman Couples Therapy and strategies derived from mindfulness practice and body-mind integration theories. She has extensive experience in facilitating recovery from grief and loss.
She has taught yoga and meditation in the community for years and offers regular workshops on mindfulness.
Briana Eckels
MSW, ACSW, Lake Forest Primary Therapist
Briana Eckels received her Master’s in Social Work in May of 2018 from the University of Southern California. She is currently an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) for adolescents at SoCal Adolescent Wellness in Lake Forest. Briana’s passion for working with youth began as a childcare provider. She has worked with youth with autism spectrum disorder and their families as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist from September 2018-to September 2019. Briana is passionate about eradicating the early cycles of problematic behaviors so that they do not continue as our youth grow into adults. She honors providing a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment when providing therapeutic services. Working under the supervision of a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) at So Cal Adolescent Wellness, Briana is excited to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in working with youth who have experienced trauma and abuse. For self-care. Briana enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, and watching a movie while enjoying a pint of Ben &Jerry’s ice cream.
DeAnna Tavakoly
MA, AMFT, Huntington Beach Primary Therapist
DeAnna has an MA in Marital and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. She completed her traineeship at Phoenix House, where she gained experience working with dual-diagnosis clients recovering from substance use disorders. DeAnna is currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) providing services under the supervision of Leilani Carinio, LMFT. She strives to integrate evidence-based practices, such as DBT and CBT, with a psychodynamic approach. She is honored to have witnessed the strength and resiliency found in the individuals and family members who strive for healthier relationships with others and themselves. DeAnna is thrilled to be a part of the dynamic, committed and highly skilled team here at SoCal Adolescent Wellness.
Jim Brillon
MS, LMFT, Group Facilitator
Jim is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. He is Group Facilitator at SoCal Adolescent Wellness and has a private practice. Previously, Jim worked with patients a families for several years in a hospital-based chemical dependency recovery program. Jim takes a holistic approach to working with clients, integrating psychodynamic, CBT, DBT and the mind-body connection. He is the creator of a video series entitled, Out & INformed on TherapyCable.com targeting mental health issues in the LGBTQ Community. Jim’s other passions include Qi Gong, gardening, camping and getting out into nature.
Stephanie Hirsch
BA, Huntington Beach Program Assistant
