Pasadena

Pasadena Site Supervisor

Lizzete Banuelos, LMFT

Open to a directive approach in therapy? I help individuals and families work through their issues causing depression, anxiety, and relationship impairments with a directive approach in order to heal their emotional scars and find a deeper meaning in their relationships with others. After graduating from Pacific Oaks College and earning a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2008, It has been my passion as a clinician providing therapy for those who have suffered sexual trauma, PTSD, depression, and anxiety of various populations from 2007 through 2013 at a non-profit organization. I transitioned into a private practice group setting in 2013.

Everyone has a time when facing a difficult period in their lives and “change” can be overwhelming when going about it on your own. Whether needing to heal the emotional wounds of your inner child, grieving a loss, feeling lost and unable to find a purpose in your life, or trying to understand triggers in dealing with sexual trauma. It would be my pleasure to help you begin your journey towards reaching your vision in life and begin the healing process.

Psychologist

Aleyne Eatman, PsyD

My approach to therapy has been: You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it. I work with individuals and families using strength-based approaches to help them realize that they already have the skills that they need to manage and overcome the trials of life. While I specialize in therapy with adolescents and their families, I also work with individuals and families dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, anger management, difficult transitions, parenting challenges and daily life stressors.

I graduated with my B.S. from Duke University and completed my doctorate at Alliant International University (formally the California School of Professional Psychology). I have worked with children, adolescents and adults in community mental health centers, residential facilities and private practice as well as with military and their families. I also conduct psychodiagnostic testing and have been trained in several evidence-based practices to provide effective symptom-targeted treatment.

Pasadena Location

Associate Therapist

Megan McGrath, AMFT

Feeling stuck in a job? In a relationship? In your own life? Are there things bothering you but you have found that it is hard to put your thoughts into words, or find someone to talk to?

I help individuals, couples, and families address issues related to relationships, depression, anxiety, anger, addiction, stressful or traumatic events and work toward their goals of becoming healthier, happier, and enjoying a more fulfilling life.

My goal in therapy is to foster a collaborative and non-judgmental relationship that allows you to safely explore whatever is troubling you, and to build on the strengths and resources you already possess. I utilize a variety of evidence-based therapeutic interventions including EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy and dialectical and cognitive behavioral techniques to aid you in exploring your specific concerns and achieving self-awareness, balance, and connection.

I completed my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University in 2017. Prior to joining Soultenders, I worked with veterans struggling with issues of homelessness, addiction, and trauma. I completed my EMDR training in July 2017 and am a member of CAMFT and EMDRIA. I am supervised by Maureen Leigh, LMFT.

Dyamond Parr

Licensed Therapist

Maria Perez-Richter

Maria is a bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking therapist with over 12 years of experience working in the mental health field. Maria uses humor and compassion to provide a client-centered and strength-based treatment modality to help individuals achieve the life they yearn for. Recognizing that respect is critical to every relationship, Maria’s approach to psychotherapy is collaborative, non-judgmental and solution-oriented to help people effectively address and overcome challenges. By incorporating lifestyle changes, Maria helps individuals manage stress, navigate self-exploration, and break free of emotional patterns that prevent positive growth. Maria integrates complementary methodologies and tailored techniques to meet each person’s specific needs. She truly believes in the resilience and resourcefulness potential of every individual.

Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Maria raised a family and worked in the residential real estate, accounting and retail management industries. After seeking mental health services for herself and her children, and witnessing the benefits, Maria made it her mission to pay it forward. At the age of 42 Maria began her formal college education.

Maria earned an AS degree in Alcohol and Drug Studies from Glendale Community College, a BA degree in Human Development and a MA degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Pacific Oaks College. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (License 104546) with the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences, a member of (CAMFT) the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and a member of (AASECT) the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Maria loves learning and continues to increase her skills and knowledge to help others heal, so she is always attending trainings and workshops to keep current with evidence- based modalities of treatment.

Maria has worked extensively with children and adults, providing intensive services to clients with trauma, who have been abused and/or neglected, have severe behavioral difficulties, have parents/caregivers with emotional and mental health issues, and with families that are in crisis. Maria has assisted families in the areas of relationship conflicts, ADHD, PTSD, parenting challenges, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and domestic violence, etc., utilizing evidence-based practices including Seeking Safety and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (TF-CBT), etc., to help them heal.

Currently, Maria is working with individuals struggling with mental health (PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction and post-partum depression), relationships (codependency, conflicts, sexual challenges, grief and loss), life skills (navigating transitions, balancing school/work/home life,

communication and women issues), among other difficulties. She enjoys providing individual, couples and family psychotherapy to diverse patient populations from all faiths, cultures and lifestyles.

Maria’s goal is to empower individuals and help them use their own inner strengths to grow as an individual and work through life’s challenges. She applauds your courage in taking the first step in seeking help and looks forward to working alongside you in your journey for change. Maria would be honored to have the opportunity to help you gain more freedom from your past experiences and develop, lasting and meaningful changes and relationships in your life.

In her spare time, Maria enjoys traveling (particularly to Texas where her grandchildren live), gardening, reading, furniture painting, seeking out new adventures, making memories and spending time with family.

Licensed Therapist

Evelyn Rodriguez

The adage “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow” rings true in my practice. Adversity is part of life, but it should not be an overwhelming part. A difficult situation is simply the starting point towards improvement. I work towards providing guidance and tools to help achieve self-determined success. I believe that teamwork establishes the strength and support needed to reach and maintain long-lasting happiness and improve upon difficult situations. You don’t have to struggle alone.My therapeutic approach is based on attachment theory, which maintains that in regards to our loved ones, we need each other, but it’s not a matter of clinging to each other or losing our independence. The idea is that when we are securely attached and our bond is safe and strong, our growth and development as human beings is nurtured. I specialize in working with anxiety and depressive disorders in individuals and adolescents. My other specialty is in couple counseling, focusing on helping to improve a couple’s dynamic through the maintenance of boundaries and perspective, and improving intimacy. I also work in women’s issues/roles, including fertility, pregnancy and post-partum concerns.I have training in levels I-IV of Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT), which is geared towards facilitating fast relief of emotional distress associated with traumatic events. ETT is a new brain-based intervention using light/color that can dramatically alleviate unresolved emotions around personal conflicts in a gentle and meaningful way. For more information, visit www.ettia.org. I am also trained in The Incredible Years, a parenting skills and bonding enhancement program. My couple therapy training includes the Gottman Method, and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT).I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (License # 92600) who graduated from the California School of Professional Psychology with a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and am currently supervising Associate Marriage and Family Therapists. I am a bilingual therapist and speak fluent Spanish.

Licensed Therapist

Christopher Ruffin, LCSW

Life is a journey that should enhance who we are and should help us grow personally and professionally. I truly believe that events in life ‘‘happen for you, not to you.’’ When we adapt that mentality, we are able to utilize the obstacle in our lives as opportunities to grow and enhance our existence. I based my practice in two fundamental theories which are psycho-dynamic and attachment theory. In treatment I help my clients process past events that occurred in their lives in order for them to understand how those events affected their lives and shaped their existence. I helped my clients understand any unconscious defense mechanisms they are engaging that could be bringing harm to their lives. I help my clients understand their attachment style that was created in early childhood and how they currently attach to others based on early childhood interactions. I help my client’s explore their core beliefs and inner dialogue in order to break any manipulative pattern of thinking and behaviors and help enhance their lives. I believe the pain that is created by events that happened in the past or trauma is limited to time. Pain lasts years after trauma due to the narrative we tell ourselves about those events. I use cognitive reconstructing, the Socratic method, free association in conjunction with other strategies in order to break down those narratives and create new narratives to enhance your existence.

I graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with an undergraduate degree and obtained my Master’s from the University of Southern California. I’m licensed in the state of California as an LCSW and have 9 years of experiences. My clinical background is in trauma with children, teenage and adults.   

Licensed Therapist

Hilda Saliba

I am a bilingual (English/Armenian) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have worked in an array of settings from school principal, community mental health, and volunteering in non-profit organizations.

I utilize Client Centered approach with empathetic listening and creating an atmosphere in which my clients feel safe to express their feelings with certainty and that they are being understood rather than judged. I also focus on facilitating self-discovery, self-acceptance, and provide means toward healing and positive growth.

I graduated from University of Southern California with my B.A. degree in Psychology and from Ryokan College with M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology. I am a member of CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists).

Licensed Therapist

Lauren Terschluse, LMFT

Feeling stuck? Is something bothering you that you wish would go away? Are you struggling with something past or present? Has a life experience shifted the trajectory of your life? You deserve to find your happiness. Asking for help is hard. Everyone has difficult times in life and I am here to support you with navigating yours.

In my practice, I use a strengths-based, collaborative, individualized approach rooted in client-centered and narrative therapy principles. I believe that we all have a story and it is that story that has led each individual to therapy. It is the relationship between each therapist and client that is the most integral part to driving change and healing. I maintain a non-judgmental and empathetic presence where you can be your truest you. I understand that no two people are the same, so I will work closely with you to explore what works best for you in your life.

I graduated with my BA in Psychology and a Minor in Education from University of California, Santa Cruz (2006) and my Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from University of Southern California (2014). I’ve worked in the mental health field since 2006 in a variety of settings that include: residential facilities, private practice, outdoor settings, community-based services and equestrian therapy. I have extensive experience working with individuals impacted by trauma, at risk youth and families, veterans, anxiety and depression. I have also been trained in and implement a variety of evidence-based techniques to provide effective symptom targeted treatment.

I currently work with a wide range of adults, which include but are not limited to: Depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, relationship challenges, break ups, end of life issues, family conflict, self esteem, employment stress, veterans, service members, family members of veterans, PTSD, life transitions, older adults.

I look forward to supporting you on your journey.

Licensed Therapist

Krystal Williams, LMFT

Krystal Williams (She/Her/Hers), is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to work with clients towards self-understanding, and finding their path to their authentic self.

Krystal’s style is empathetic, warm, intuitive, and non-judgmental. In addition, her style incorporates music, art, and walk & talk therapy. She works collaboratively with her clients to determine the best approach and feels the strength of the therapeutic relationship is central to the success of therapy. Krystal believes in (and embraces) experimentation: the freedom to test things out and see how they fit, to explore the various facets of yourself, and to allow for complexities, contradictions, and messiness.

Krystal specializes in working with people of color, the coming out process, increasing self-esteem, assertiveness, trauma, depression, and relationship concerns through strength-based modalities, LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy, Trauma-Informed therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI).

Krystal is an active, loving, supportive member of the LGBTQ+ community. While she is certainly not versed in ALL cultures, she is incredibly respectful of others’ beliefs, customs, and traditions.

Daniel Wongthavatchai, LCSW

Jake Goldman