Meet the Team
Debi Jenkins Frankle
Mark Frankle
Rose Castellanos Cruz
Jennifer White
Todd Kirby
Katie Byam
Lydia Silva
Mark Frankle, M.A., LMFT #31617
Mark embarked on his mental health journey three decades ago, dedicating himself to aiding those grappling with enduring mental health challenges. Rooted in his belief that the essence of our profession lies in alleviating anguish and turmoil, he focuses on supporting individuals navigating through life's most challenging moments. Mark recognizes the overwhelming toll life's adversities can take on our emotional well-being, often burdening us further. However, he remains steadfast in his belief that through healing these wounds, one can discover resilience and hope.
His professional ethos blends empathy and encouragement with a range of psychotherapeutic techniques, fostering skill development tailored to each client's unique needs and aspirations. While his expertise spans various emotional and psychological complexities, Mark primarily concentrates on assisting individuals coping with grief, trauma, and substance addiction.
Among the array of therapeutic approaches at his disposal, Mark finds EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) particularly impactful in mitigating the effects of diverse traumas. EMDR's efficacy extends to childhood or recent traumatic experiences, drawing support from over three decades of controlled studies. Acknowledged by the National Institute of Health as an evidence-based treatment, EMDR stands as a powerful tool in Mark's arsenal for healing and recovery.
http://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/
Read more info about EMDR here
I help people who have experienced trauma, grief and anxiety to find resilience and healthy coping skills so they can move forward effectively in their lives.
Debi J. Frankle, M.S., LMFT #32961
Debi Jenkins Frankle, LMFT, is a grief-informed psychotherapist with over 30 years of clinical experience, she specializes in helping individuals, couples, and families navigate a wide range of losses and life transitions, whether sudden or anticipated. While a significant portion of her professional work is dedicated to training and consulting with other therapists in grief and loss, Debi devotes half of her practice to providing direct care to clients. Over the years, she has supported thousands of grievers on their unique paths to healing and growth.
Debi's therapeutic approach is respectful, interactive, and dynamic. Recognizing that no single method suits every individual or situation, she emphasizes collaboration and personalization to meet each client’s needs and honor their experiences.
I help adults and seniors with heartbreaking losses to regain their footing in life and find joy once again.
Jennifer White, M.A., AMFT #125984
Jennifer brings both a deeply personal understanding of grief and extensive professional training to her work. As a young adult, she lost her mother to suicide, and in her 30s, her father died from cancer and complications related to Alzheimer’s. These profound losses set Jennifer on a path of healing, which now includes supporting others in their grief. She is passionate about helping individuals recover from traumatic grief and has a special focus on working with survivors of suicide loss.
In addition to her therapy practice, Jennifer offers consultations to parents supporting grieving children. During these consultations, she provides introductory resources on childhood grief, ongoing support options, and guidance for helping children navigate their grief as they grow.
Jennifer earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University, with a specialization in psychological trauma. She works with both children and adults and is trained in EMDR therapy.
Jennifer is dedicated to supporting people who are grieving.
Todd Kirby, M.A., AMFT #137786
Todd gets it when it comes to anticipatory grief. It’s something he struggled with especially as a teen having an older parent with health challenges. His father died when Todd was in his early 20’s, which forced him to develop a deeper understanding of endings, death and life. He channeled his grief through writing which culminated in a career as a screenwriter before Todd entered graduate school to become a psychotherapist.
With his experience in the entertainment industry and a member of the WGA, he is uniquely positioned to assist in the personal and professional growth of creative individuals.
Todd is dedicated to working with teens and adults to develop a healthier mindset to tap into their true self and reach their full potential.
Rose Castellanos Cruz, M.A., AMFT #138593
Rose received her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Grief is close to Rose’s heart due to the impact she experienced with the sudden loss of her father. Rose believes grief is experienced differently at different times in our lives and encourages exploring it in therapy. Often enough people do not realize the symptoms they are experiencing are directly correlated to grief.
Rose grew up in the San Fernando Valley and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Rose recibió su maestría en Psicología Clínica de la Escuela de Graduados en Educación y Psicología de la Universidad de Pepperdine. El dolor está cerca del corazón de Rose debido al impacto que experimentó con la repentina pérdida de su padre. Rose cree que el duelo se experimenta de manera diferente en diferentes momentos de nuestras vidas y anima a explorarlo en la terapia. A menudo, las personas no se dan cuenta de que los síntomas que experimentan están directamente relacionados con el duelo. Rose creció en el Valle de San Fernando y habla inglés y español con fluidez.
Rose is passionate and committed to working with teens and adults. She has experience working with trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief.
Rose es apasionada y está comprometida a trabajar con adolescentes y adultos. Tiene experiencia trabajando con trauma, ansiedad, depresión y duelo.
Lydia Silva, M.S., AMFT #137886
From an early age, Lydia was drawn to aiding those navigating anticipatory grief, influenced by witnessing her own family's compassionate care for elders nearing the end of their lives. These experiences instilled in her a deep well of empathy for both the dying and their caregivers. Through her teenage years, Lydia confronted the heartbreaking loss of friends to gun violence, suicide, and substance abuse. These personal encounters with grief continued to shape her, each leaving a distinct and lasting impact.
Proficient in American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language and trained in EMDR, Lydia leverages a diverse skill set to enrich her communication and therapeutic prowess.
Recognizing the importance of embracing every facet of an individual's identity—spirituality, culture, and generational awareness—Lydia empowers her clients to explore new perspectives on themselves, others, and their relationships. She aims to provide invaluable support to those seeking profound transformative change.
Lydia is dedicated to:
supporting clients who are working through difficult transitions, especially grief and loss.
working with individuals, couples, families, teens, emerging adults, elders, d/Deaf and differently abled individuals.
facilitating an LGBTQIA+ and spiritually safe space.
Katie Byam, M.A., AMFT #148829
Katie was 15 when she lost her mother to suicide, beginning a long and winding path of healing, self-discovery, and the eventual determination to help others along their own paths of grief. Singing and songwriting became a powerful outlet in Katie’s grief story, and she believes passionately in the transformative power of creative expression.
With nearly two decades of experience in music and entertainment, Katie brings deep insight and understanding to her work with artists, creative professionals, and individuals managing multiple careers or navigating career transitions
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