Site Supervisor

Ray Hwang, PsyD

I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University Los Angeles. I graduated from Antioch University Santa Barbara with a Doctorate of Psychology Degree in Clinical Psychology with emphases on family systems and family forensics. I am a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and a licensed psychologist (PSY 27910) with the California Board of Psychology.

I have a keen interest in facilitating my clients’ understanding ofthe potential issues adversely affecting their mental health byexploring the dynamics involved in the interplay between theirinternal forces and factors in their external environments. My goal is to promote the well-being of my clients by encouraging and supporting their development of coping skills, perspective taking, confidence and competence, acknowledgment and acceptance of self, mindfulness, and insights as they engage fully and actively in the therapeutic endeavors. I have experience working with clients from a diverse ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds. I have conducted individual, couples, family, and group sessions using a wide array of interventions from a range of therapeutic modalities to address issues related to adjustment, acculturation, anxiety, depression, life transitions, loss and grief, trauma, self-esteem, communication, intergenerational/parent-child/relational difficulties, and other behavioral or mental health problems.

I am a therapist with an integrative style and trained in a scholar-practitioner model in the field of clinical psychology. I am particularly sensitive and attuned to the multifaceted influences that shape, reinforce, or perpetuate the individuals’ physical, psychological and emotional experiences. I feel treatments must be individually focused and take into account all relevant content and contextual aspects affecting the individuals in order to be most effective, even though manualized or standardized protocols may afford the clients well intended guidance and structure to address the targeted issues at hand. I strive to work with my clients to identify constructive meanings or narratives of their personal experiences. My goal is to provide support and nurturance on their paths for self discovery and healing, and to encourage their taking the important and pertinent steps to affect positive and sustained change and growth. This may include the transformation and transcendence, not only within the context or scope of their respective selves, but also in the extent of their interpersonal relationships as well.

LPCC

Blanca Martinez-Palacios, LPCC

Transitions in life can be difficult sometimes and having someone to guide you in the process can be very
helpful and keen to our survival. Having someone next to us to share the “load” can buffer the negative
impacts that stress can cause to our psyche.
My name is Blanca Martinez-Palacios. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). I am
Latin-American, bilingual, Spanish-Speaking. I have about five years experience working as a clinician in
mental health. During my time as a clinician, I specialized in working with the Birth-to-Five population. I
love working with parents transition to parenthood, primarily facilitating caregivers connection to their
“little ones” using specific interventions in play therapy. I am trained and certified in Parent-Child
Interaction Therapy (PCIT) from the UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Similarly, I also love working with teens and young adults transition to college. I have worked in high
school and college settings assisting students transition to college life. As a first-generation community
college student myself, I was fortunate to have found good mentors to assist me in my transition to
carving out new traditions in my cultural upbringings. My work as a case manager working with pregnant
or parenting teens to ensure their success in high school and college, brought forth compassion and
understanding to the many emotional challenges that can derail a student’s success. I love to help students
discover and harness their “purpose” in life.
I am also passionate about the transitions that occur later in our lives such as through our “golden years.”
Grief and loss is something that permeates our very existence. My work with the older population during
my trainingship as a mental health clinician allowed me to assist in the exploration of feelings and
thoughts associated with past accomplishments, working through regrets, and establishing and solidifying
a legacy.
I earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Loyola Marymount University (LMU ’14); a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA ’09); and an
Associates of Arts degree in General Education from Glendale Community College (GCC ’06). I am
trained and certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Parent-Child
Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Seeking Safety treatment modalities for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD).
I look forward to meeting you and helping you through your transition…

Licensed Therapist

Amy Knowles, LCSW

I believe that therapy is most effective when it involves a collaborative relationship between client and therapist. I bring my experience, knowledge, and compassion to the relationship. You bring your strengths, goals, and commitment to making positive changes. I pride myself in providing my clients with a supportive, non-judgmental, and safe atmosphere in which to explore personal issues and practice new behaviors.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (#96261) and earned my Master of Social Work from San Diego State University in 1992. I have worked in a variety of settings, including inpatient mental health, case management, and substance abuse services. I have been in private practice since 2000 and have a passion for helping people to become their best selves.

My areas of expertise are depression, anxiety, stress-management, couples therapy, grief, substance abuse, and women’s issues such as self-esteem, codependency, and the like. I work with individuals, couples, and adolescents.

I look forward to working together!