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. Raafat W. Girgis is a psychiatrist in Newport Beach, California and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Loma Linda University Medical Center and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. He received his medical degree from Cairo University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

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.

Allie Seymour completed her Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Cal State Long Beach in 2020. Prior to becoming an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Allie worked in the mental health field as a recovery specialist and mental health technician supporting both adults and adolescents on their journey to recovery and wellness. After obtaining her 500hr Registered Yoga Teaching certificate in 2015, Allie went on to incorporate mindfulness, yoga, and the awareness of the mind-body connection into her work in the mental health field. During her education in counseling psychology Allie was trained in psychodynamic models as well as cognitive behavioral approaches. Since completing her graduate studies, she has interwoven her own knowledge of mindfulness to develop an integrative clinical practice with an emphasis on seeing individuals from a holistic perspective. It is her belief that it is through relationship, both with the self and with others, that we can establish a stronger sense of resiliency, courage, and authenticity. Allie is currently working as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) under the supervision of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Michael Herrera and Leilani Carinio.

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.