HER STORY

Karyn has worked as an occupational therapist for over 28 years in all settings from pediatric to geriatric, in hospitals, schools, homes, and community-based programs.  After graduating magna cum laude from Pacific University, she focused on patients with neurological issues and it continues to be her passion. Currently, she maintains her roots in the communities she serves by teaching and volunteering. She also has extensive experience working with a variety of children in private practice as well as within the school systems.  Her areas of specialty include treating children with sensory processing disorder, Autism, trauma, visual motor deficits, behavioral challenges, and handwriting delays. 

Karyn has advanced training in Astronaut Training, Therapeutic Listening, and Handwriting Without Tears. In her spare time, you can find Karyn in her garden, hiking, reading, walking her two pups (Jack & Shasta), and always trying to find the most extraordinary sunset ever. FUN FACT: Karyn grew up on a farm and had horses, chickens, ducks, geese, and goats!

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HER STORY

Throughout her career working as a clinical and outpatient dietitian, her business has grown but her mission has always remained consistent; help transform lives through fun, fearless nutrition solutions. Having suffered from chronic digestive health issues as a child, Sarah was drawn towards the healing benefits that nutritional therapy could offer. After experiencing the frustration of inadequate medical answers to her health issues, Sarah was determined to study how functional nutrition practices could alleviate her chronic symptoms. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Sarah couldn’t settle for conventional treatment options for her clients, which is why she decided to dive into the world of integrative and functional nutrition. Her purpose was clear, she was going to use her knowledge to help transform lives by combining the evidence-based practices she had studied for years, with functional nutrition strategies that focus on the root cause of symptoms rather than just managing them. Sarah’s passion for the gut-brain connection, nutrition, psychology, cooking, and helping others, led to the inception of Origin Nutrition. Now working as a practitioner, Sarah finds fulfillment in evaluating each of her client’s needs and providing comprehensive plans to help attain their individual health goals. Sarah lives in Orange County California but also works remotely to help clients all over the world.

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CLINICAL PRACTICUM STUDENT

As a Practicum Student, Kaden serves as a group facilitator for RTC DBT Skills Coaching, the Outpatient Multi-Family Group, and co-leads Saturday RTC Family Groups. He also provides individual skills coaching and actively participates in weekly didactic training and the DBT Consultation Team.

HIS STORY

Kaden Jensen is a 2nd year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. He has experience providing direct patient care to adolescents navigating eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and ADHD. Kaden is trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for eating disorder populations and practices from a neurodivergent-affirming perspective. He is passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, young people, and families through compassionate, evidence-based, and relational care.

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HIS TRUE NORTH

Hiking scenic trails, cooking new recipes, reading good books, watching movies, and learning Spanish!

Program Clinician

As a Program Clinician, Dr. Kylie Han Le brings more than a decade of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) experience to Compass. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with the California Board of Psychology (License No. PSY28921) and a master diagnostician: she completes the clinical intakes for our residential program and oversees our psychological testing program. Her assessment expertise includes advanced training in evaluating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including ASD Level 1 and masked presentations of autism that are often missed. In her clinical work, Dr. Le provides DBT to adolescents and their families — individual, family, and skills-group treatment for emotional dysregulation and high-risk behaviors such as suicidal thoughts and self-harm — integrating complementary, evidence-based approaches as each resident’s needs require. Fluent in English and Vietnamese, she is known for culturally responsive care and for supervising and training developing clinicians.

HER STORY

Dr. Le earned her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of La Verne — a program accredited by the American Psychological Association — after completing her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of California, Davis. Her doctoral research examined cultural factors in suicidal thinking among Asian American and Asian international college students, the beginning of a career devoted to making effective, evidence-based care accessible across cultures and languages.
For more than ten years, Dr. Le has provided comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to adolescents and adults experiencing significant emotional dysregulation and high-risk behaviors, integrating approaches such as Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Seeking Safety. As a bilingual clinical psychologist and clinical supervisor, she has delivered individual, family, and group therapy to families from many backgrounds, conducted psychological and diagnostic assessments across the lifespan, and trained and supervised doctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows. She brings that clinical depth — and a calm, compassionate presence — to the residents, families, and clinical team at Compass.

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HER TRAINNG & SUMMITS

Education & Licensure

• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Clinical-Community Psychology — University of La Verne (accredited by the American Psychological Association)
• Master of Science, Clinical-Community Psychology — University of La Verne
• Bachelor of Science, Psychology — University of California, Davis
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist — California Board of Psychology (License No. PSY28921)

Certifications

• Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
• Integrative Treatment for Complex Trauma (ITCT)
• The Incredible Years (IY)
• California Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CA-CANS-50) — Certified Trainer (Praed Foundation)

Advanced Clinical Training

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
• Seeking Safety
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)
• Culturally Sensitive Clinical Supervision
• California Brief Multicultural Competence Scale (CBMCS)
• Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB)

Assessment & Specialization

• Master diagnostician; completes residential clinical intakes and oversees the psychological testing program
• Advanced training in autism assessment, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1 and masked (camouflaged) presentations
• Extensive psychological and diagnostic testing across the lifespan

Languages

• English and Vietnamese

HER TRUE NORTH

Dr. Le’s true north is culturally responsive care. From her doctoral research on the cultural dimensions of suicide risk to a career spent serving families across languages and backgrounds, she has worked to ensure that effective, evidence-based treatment reaches the people who need it — meeting each family with cultural humility, in the language that helps them feel understood.

HIS STORY

Naty is a Program Guide at Compass and a Psy.D. student in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School, where he is enrolled in an APA-accredited doctoral program. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UCLA, where he developed a deep appreciation for the ways culture, identity, community, and lived experiences shape mental health. His background in sociology continues to influence the way he approaches psychology, with an emphasis on understanding the whole person and the experiences that have shaped them.

Before joining Compass, Naty spent several years working alongside LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness and supporting young people from diverse and underserved communities. He also worked in special education with middle school students with autism and other developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs. Through these experiences, Naty developed a particular passion for disability advocacy, identity-affirming support, and creating spaces where young people who may feel misunderstood can feel respected and valued.

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HIS TRAINNG & SUMMITS

• Psy.D. Student in Clinical Psychology, The Chicago School, APA-Accredited Program
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, UCLA
• Guest Lecturer in Psychology and Sociology
• Race, Equity, and Culturally Responsive Practice Internship, USC
• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Orange County Psychological Association (OCPA)
• Student Counseling Leadership Association (SCLA), The Chicago School Chapter
• Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, UCLA Chapter
• UCLA Latino Alumni Association

HIS TRUE NORTH

Naty believes healing begins when people feel genuinely seen. He is passionate about creating spaces where individuals feel safe to grow, reconnect with their strengths, and be understood beyond the challenges they may be facing.

Looking toward the future, Naty hopes to become a clinical and forensic psychologist working directly within the legal system, with a particular focus on rehabilitation. His goal is to help bridge psychology and justice through compassion, accountability, advocacy, and a belief in people’s capacity for meaningful change.

LEAD OVN CASE MANAGER

Chris plays an active role in program development, daily operations, and therapeutic milieu support, blending structure with creativity to foster safety, growth, and engagement. He has a particular interest in integrating behavioral science with real-world systems, including culinary programming, horticulture projects, inventory and facilities management, and staff training. Chris values collaboration and mentorship and is known for his thoughtful, calm presence and practical problem-solving approach.

HIS STORY

Chris is a behavioral health professional working across residential and community-based settings in Southern California. He currently serves in hybrid leadership and case management roles, supporting youth and families through applied behavior analysis (ABA), skills development, and systems-level coordination. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, where he continues to deepen his clinical, ethical, and analytical skill set. His work is grounded in evidence-based practice, with a strong emphasis on compassionate care, functional assessment, and meaningful behavior change.

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HIS TRAINNG & SUMMITS

• Bachelors in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz
• CPR/BLS Certified

HIS TRUE NORTH

Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, gardening, organizing large-scale projects, exploring local parks and food spots, and finding joy in the small rituals that make life feel grounded. He brings curiosity, humor, and intentionality into everything he does. At his core, Chris is passionate about helping people build skills, confidence, and sustainable routines that support long-term wellbeing.

HER STORY

Soo Lee earned her B.A. in Criminology from the University of California, Irvine, and her M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has over seven years of experience in the ABA field, including two years as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, working with children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Soo has provided services across home and school settings, with a focus on emotional regulation, skill development, and collaboration with caregivers and multidisciplinary school teams. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling to further integrate behavioral and therapeutic approaches that support mental health, autonomy, and long-term stability.

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HER TRAINNG & SUMMITS

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

• M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

• B.A. in Criminology, University of California, Irvine

• 7+ years of ABA experience (children & adolescents)

HER TRUE NORTH

Soo is guided by values of empathy, consistency, and growth. She enjoys connecting with others and supporting children and adolescents as they build confidence, emotional awareness, and independence.

HER STORY

Emma Marsh is a dedicated mental health advocate who grew up in Southern California. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and has spent the past four years working as a behavioral technician in both the private sector and public school district settings. Emma is currently pursuing graduate studies, driven by a deep commitment to supporting mental wellness and advancing her impact in the field.

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HER TRAINNG & SUMMITS

• Bachelors in Psychology
• CPR/BLS Certified

HER TRUE NORTH

Emma enjoys connecting with people, learning new things and spending time with her family. Her hobbies include crocheting, sewing, reading and exercising. She is driven by a passion to help others find their values and create fulfilling futures.

CLINICAL PRACTICUM STUDENT

As a clinical practicum student, Arina facilitates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She provides individual DBT skills coaching, attends weekly didactics and participates as a member of a DBT Consultation Team.

HER STORY

Arina Nemchuk is a master’s student at the counseling psychology program at California State University, Long Beach progressing towards the MFT and LPCC License. Arina is gaining clinical experience conducting individual therapy at the Community Clinic at her university. Arina has experience working as a Bilingual Visitation Counselor, supervising visits between parents and children removed from their custody. Arina has experience providing crisis intervention through the Crisis Text Line, supporting people experiencing suicidal ideation. At Compass, Arina co-leads DBT and CBT skills groups, provides individual skills coaching, attends weekly didactics training, and participates in the DBT consultation Team. 

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HER TRAINING & SUMMITS

• B.A. in Psychology from University of California, Davis 

• Graduate Student (2nd year) in Clinical Psychology at California State University, Long Beach. 

• Completed 4-Day DBT Foundational Training at Compass Training Institute 

• Completed 6-Week DBT Skills Training Course by Marsha Linehan through PsychWire 

• Certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid 

HER TRUE NORTH

Arina enjoys creating art, going to metal shows and hiking in nature.  

CLINICAL PRACTICUM STUDENT

As a clinical practicum student, Winnie facilitates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Multi-Family Groups. She provides individual DBT skills coaching, attends weekly didactics and participates as a member of a DBT Consultation Team.

HER STORY

Winnie Tran is currently completing her MSW at Columbia University School of Social Work (CSSW), where she is on the Advanced Clinical Practice track. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Houston in 2019. During graduate school, she gained hands-on experience working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) paraprofessional, and a Community Health Advocate at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) through the AmeriCorps program.

These experiences reinforced her decision to work with children and families and continue to provide culturally competent, collaborative and compassionate care. Winnie is passionate about working with diverse populations and aims to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with certification in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.

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HER TRAINING & SUMMITS

• B.A. in Psychology, University of Houston
• MSW Student, Columbia University School of Social Work
• Completed training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) through Registered Behavior Technician role
• ECSE Paraprofessional
• DBT Foundational Training, Compass Training Institute
• 6-Week DBT Skills Training Course by Marsha Linehan through PsychWire
• AmeriCorps member, Legacy Community Health
• Leadership, Columbia Digital Health Caucus

HER TRUE NORTH

In her free time, she loves exploring new restaurants and hunting for vintage clothing. She also enjoys staying active through yoga and weightlifting to stay energized and grounded.

CLINICAL PRACTICUM STUDENT

• Group facilitator for DBT Skills Training.
• Provide skills coaching, individual therapy, and family therapy.
• Attend weekly didactics, DBT Consultation Team, and Grand Rounds.

HER STORY

Lychee is a 5th year Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Irvine, where she also earned her Master’s degree and post-baccalaureate certificate in Psychological Science. Lychee has experience working with a variety of populations, including youth and adults in both inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient clinics with a variety of presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance-abuse, and life transitions. She has received training in several evidence-based treatments, including CBT and DBT. Her research focuses on understanding the biological pathways that put adolescents with early adverse experiences at a greater risk for developing depression later in life.

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HER TRAINING & SUMMITS

• B.A. in Psychology and minor in Anthropology from University of Washington
• Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Psychological Science from University of California, Irvine
• M.A. in Psychological Science from University of California, Irvine
• Ph.D. Candidate (5th year) in Clinical Psychology at University of California, Irvine
• Completed four-day DBT Foundational Training at Compass Training Institute
• Completed 6-Week DBT Skills Training Course by Marsha Linehan through PsychWire
• Completed one-day workshop on Veteran Cultural Competency at UCI Department of Psychological Science
• Completed Comprehensive Crisis Management Class at Children’s Hospital Orange County
• Completed Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Training at Children’s Hospital Orange County
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician

HER TRUE NORTH

I like to be outside (hiking, beach, snowboarding, skating, surfing), be around plants, EAT, all-things music, videogames, and hanging with my besties (friends and cats).  

HER STORY

Aubree is born and raised in Orange County, California. When she was in 8th grade, she was able to go on a trip to British Columbia, Canada. Her love for the scenery and her experience there led to her eventually attending university in B.C. She graduated from Trinity Western University (British Columbia, Canada) in 2021 with a B.A. Degree in Psychology and a Human Services Certificate (Honors). Aubree plans to continue her education in the field of mental health, hoping to become a therapist. As a Program Guide, Aubree brings her clinical training and experience to manage a truly therapeutic milieu for our residential program. Aubree has over 2 years of experience in residential care, coming from a 24-bed facility. She is in a 2-year DBT Training Externship through the Compass Research & Training Institute. 

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HER TRAINING & SUMMITS

Aubree has completed various certifications and training programs, including:

• Listen Up! Active Listening Workshop

• Undergraduate Psychology Honours Thesis

• Youth Mental Health First Aid

• Humans Service Certification

• First Aid/BLS Certification

She has also participated in internships and volunteer work, such as:

• CARES Counselling Services (non-profit), where she facilitated staff photo updates and managed an auction fundraiser.

• Langley Lodge Senior Living, where she provided one-on-one support sessions for seniors at risk for social isolation.

HER TRUE NORTH

Aubree is passionate about helping others feel loved and cared for . In their free time, she enjoys doing anything creative, playing chess, finding a fun solo adventure and spending quality time with family and friends.

HIS STORY

Chip Solomon is a Program Guide with seven years of experience working residential programs. Born in Italy and raised in Japan, Chip had the opportunity to experience different cultures and mindsets, which greatly influenced his approach to work and life. He attended CSU Fullerton focusing on Human Communications. hip is also considering further education to expand his professional growth and opportunities.

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HIS SUMMITS

• Certified in Non-Violent Crisis Prevention and Intervention
• Certified in Basic Life Support/CPR
• Academic Advisor at The Wooden Floor
•  

HIS TRUE NORTH

Chip is passionate about helping others, taking pride in supporting individuals as they overcome challenges and grow. He hopes to continue working with children and advance his career. Outside of work, Chip enjoys spending time with his cat, Salsa, and connecting with friends locally and in Australia. He has recently picked up archery and the harp as new hobbies. Chip lives by the motto: “Life is hard, so why make it harder?”

Johanna grew up around the US due to her family’s military background, she prides herself in being adaptive due to constant new environments. Quickly moving into retail management her first two years of employment, she decided on a career shift and now has 5 years’ experience in administrative positions. Johanna is excited to move into a more focused position with Compass in the billing department.

HER TRUE NORTH

When Johanna is not working, she enjoys online gaming, she has found a community online and encourages more women to join the gaming world.

THEIR STORY

Embodies Everything Everywhere All at Once, in the literal sense.
Subsequently, has collected a menagerie of skills involving:

• Web Development
• Photography
• Film Production
• Rock Climbing
• Currently getting certified in IT and Python.

THEIR SUMMITS

Solo traveled the world for a year.

THEIR TRUE NORTH

Follows all the dog rescues on IG and constantly contemplates adopting all the dogs on the planet. They also regularly enjoy pulling plastic (indoor climbing).

HER STORY

Sasha earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia in Food, Nutrition, and Health and her master’s degree in Nutritional Science from California State University, Los Angeles. During her graduate studies, Sasha’s research focused on exploring how weight and socioeconomic status impacted the recognition and treatment of eating disorders. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Houston. Throughout her education and career, Sasha has gained experience at all levels of care for eating disorder treatment. She approaches nutrition therapy with compassion, meeting clients where they are at, for individualized care throughout every stage of recovery. Sasha uses intuitive eating and Health at Every Size principles to help clients find a more peaceful way to relate to food, which includes nourishment and satisfaction. In 2020 Sasha completed the requirements to become a Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian.

HER SUMMITS

• Bachelor’s of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health from the University of British Columbia
• Master’s degree in Nutritional Science from the California State University, Los Angeles
• Dietetic Internship at University of Houston
• Registered Dietitian
• Certified Eating Disorder Specialist

HER TRUE NORTH

Sasha is a proud Canadian-American who loves skiing, ice-hockey, hiking, and anything outdoors. She spends her free time hanging with her pup Chiku and cooking delicious meals for friends and family.

HER STORY

Rayy has worked with teens and young adults in mental health for over 15 years. She started her weight loss journey in 2016 and was able to achieve losing 100lbs in 1 year naturally through diet and exercise. While on her journey, she knew she wanted to help others with their own journey to physical health.

In 2019 she then began her own journey through mental health. Her journey has helped her to see others for where they are in the beginning stages in their journey. Her goal in life is to continue to help motivate and inspire others through physical and mental health.

HER SUMMITS

• ISSA Certified personal trainer
• 24 Hour Fitness sponsored athlete and model as well as for Under Armour Women

HER TRUE NORTH

You can find Rayy giving back to her community by feeding the homeless every year around Thanksgiving, Christmas and throughout the year. She never records this, simply because she does not believe it comes from the heart if you only care to post it on social media for the likes and comments. Helping the homeless has become therapeutic and allows her to bless others with the gifts God has given her.

She loves all things animals, music, hiking, food and traveling. She’s very excited to join the Compass Health Team.

At Compass, Savannah provides direct care to residents and ensures quality of care across Guide shifts. As Assistant Program Manager, Savannah is responsible for the training, re-training of Guides and adherence to policy with the goal to help Guides provide effective treatment to residents.

HER STORY

Savannah is a college graduate from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where she obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Human Development with a double minor in Psychology and Sociology. She currently interns as a research assistant for the Child Language Interactions and Memory Lab (CLIaM) at CSULB. The research she conducts focuses on the intersection of language and cognitive development in children using an interdisciplinary theory from developmental psychology, to address issues facing children and families. Savannah has a passion for helping others and strives to make a positive and ever-lasting impact on people’s lives.

HER TRAINING

• Savannah has attended one day foundational overview trainings for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
• Savannah participated in a 16 hour Treatment Implementation Collaborative (TIC) Master Class: Core Skills in DBT training, a 12 hour TIC: Averting the Crisis: Coaching in DBT training.
• Savannah also completed the PsychWire DBT Skills and PsychWire DBT skills for Adolescents and Families training courses. 
• Savannah is well trained in ABA therapy.
• Lastly, Savannah is currently part of a 30 Week DBT skills training group. 

HER SUMMITS

• Co-authorship on multiple published journal articles.
• Presented research posters on High Impact Practices (HIPs), Parent-Child Interaction and Caregiver Attachment-Bases Vulnerabilities at the American Education Research Association (AERA), Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), Western Psychological Association (WPA) and Yale NEA-BPD Research Conferences.

HER TRUE NORTH

Savannah loves spending her time reading, hiking and working out. She is also a huge foodie and loves checking out new food spots with her friends and family.

SENIOR GUIDE/COMPASS RTC MEDICAL DIRECTOR

In Dr. Nicole’s role as Medical Director of the Compass Residential Treatment Program (RTC), The Farmhouse, she oversees the medication management and overall psychiatric treatment of residents.  Dr. Nicole works closely with the Compass Chef to develop nutritional psychiatry informed menu programming, utilizing food as a source of mood stabilization, improving focus, and enhancing overall well-being and health.

HER STORY

Early in her training in medicine, Dr. Nicole realized quickly that health is far from black and white, and medicine is often looked at from the standpoint of disease and what is wrong, rather than searching for optimal health. It was through her intensive training that Dr. Nicole found medications far from enough to help those struggling with their mental health. By integrating therapy, self-discovery, mindfulness, nutrition, exercise and sometimes medications, we can live an emboldened life to the fullest.

At Compass Behavioral Health, Dr. Nicole found a community of providers that embodied these values of wellness where a life worth living can be realized.

HER TRAINING

• Undergraduate degree from University of California, Irvine in Psychology and Social Behavior
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine (WesternU)
• Completed a Post-Doctoral Teaching Fellowship in medical school at WesternU
• General Psychiatry Residency at Kaiser Permanente, Fontana
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at University of California, Irvine
• Trained in infant, child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Newport Psychoanalytic Institute
• Trained in Mentalization Based Treatments with Children and Young People at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
• Certifications in Integrative and in Nutritional Psychiatry from Integrative Psychiatry Institute
• Board certified in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Completed training in Accelerated Rosolution Therapy

HER SUMMITS

• Fitness instructor at LA Fitness
• President of MBLDN Psych and Wellness

HER TRUE NORTH

Dr. Nicole loves spending time with her family and two shih-tzus, Honey and James. Though while with her family, she will often be spotted making amigurumi with crochet or learning new crafts.

EXPEDITION LEADER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Cherie oversees the implementation of Compass’ Mission Statement and adherence to its driving principles.

HER STORY

After nearly two decades of working with adolescents struggling with depression, suicidal ideation and other disorders, Cherie noticed a disturbing trend. “When I interviewed the young adults on our psych ward who weren’t getting better, I heard the same statements over and over,” she recalls. “It must be me, I must be too broken to be fixed.”

Working closely with hundreds of patients and their families, it became clear to Cherie that recovery depended on developing an effective treatment program before patients started to form their identity. “Before their identity literally became ‘depressed and suicidal’,” she says. “Before they developed a mindset that nothing could help or that they were broken, that was when they needed help the most.” It was with these families in mind that Cherie founded Compass Behavioral Health.

HER TRAINING

• Undergraduate degree from Vanguard University in Cultural Anthropology
• Master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary’s Graduate School of Psychology
• Certification as a Play Therapist from UCSD Extension
• Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech, DBT treatment developer Dr. Marsha Linehan’s training institute
• Intensively trained in DBT-Prolonged Exposure by treatment developer Dr. Melanie Harned
• Comprehensively Trained as a Family Connections Leader by treatment developer Dr. Alan Fruzzetti
• Intensively trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) through Oxford University’s Center for Research on Eating Disorders
• Intensively trained in Behavioral Activation through Oxford University
• Intensively Trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Children (DBT-C) by treatment developer Dr. Franscheska Perepletchikova
• Intensively Trained in DBT Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Alan Fruzzetti
• Trained in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Sue Johnson through Psychwire Training Institute
• Trained in Family-Based Therapy for Anorexia through The Training Institute for Child & Adolescent Eating Disorders
• Intensively Trained in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) by Dr. Daniel Moran
• Comprehensively trained in Exposure-Response Prevention for OCD by Dr. Jonathan Abramowtiz, founding editor and chief of OCD Medical Journal
• Trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Guy Diamond at Drexel University
• Intensively Trained in MED-DBT (Multi-diagnostic Clients with Eating Disorders) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Protocol) by treatment co-developer Anita Federici, Ph.D.

HER SUMMITS

• Past Director of the Advisory Board to Orange County Parenting Magazine and a contributing writer
• 1999 nominee for Mental Health Care Professional of the Year for Orange County for her effective treatment outcomes (now titled Thomas F. Riley Award)
• DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified DBT Clinician™

HER TRUE NORTH

An avid mountaineer and globe-trotter, Cherie is on a continuing mission to carry a Compass summit flag to the highest peak on every continent on Earth. Three down, four to go.

Vinson Massif, the highest mountain in Antartica

PROGRAM CLINICIAN

Natalie provides comprehensive DBT including individual therapy, phone coaching, DBT group skills training, team consultation, and skills coaching. A team of coding and therapy adherent professionals review her treatment plans and clinical videos.

HER STORY

Natalie is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Social Work (CSSW) where she was a fellow in Dr. Andre Ivanoff’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy Training Lab. Natalie completed her second year internship at Columbia University Irving Medical Center Psychiatry Department’s DBT Program where she helped launch their Accelerated DBT Program and was their first Social Work intern. Prior to her time at Columbia University, she was her co-worker’s, Marissa Colangelo, teacher’s assistant during undergrad where she was introduced to DBT. From that point on, the spark of passion for this modality and its efficacy has been her driving force in helping teens, adolescents, and young adults find their life worth living.

HER TRAINING

• Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia School of Social Work
• Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, Northridge in Psychology with a Minor in Child and Adolescent Development
• Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through Columbia School of Social Work DBT Lab
• Completed 65 hours of Intensive DBT Training offered by Behavioral Tech trainers Randy Wolbert and Gwen Abney-Cunningham
• Certificate in Motivational Interviewing from Columbia School of Social Work
• Completed Online DBT Trainings by Behavioral Tech on Skills Training, Therapy Interfering Behaviors, and Exposure Therapy
• Intensively trained in DBT-Prolonged Exposure by treatment developer Dr. Melanie Harned
• Trained in DBT Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Alan Fruzzetti
• Trained in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Sue Johnson through Psychwire Training Institute
• Attachment Based Family Therapy Introductory Workshop by Dr. Guy Diamond
• Trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• OCD A to Z: Diagnosis, Assessment, & Treatment for OCD by Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz
• Trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders the MED-DBT Protocol by Anita Federici, PhD. CPsych

HER TRUE NORTH

In addition to spending time with her husband, daughter, family and friends, Natalie enjoys going to concerts, experimenting with interior decor, and playing the violin.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Within Marissa’s role as Associate Director of Compass Training institute, Marissa provides clinical supervision and consultation the Clinical Supervisor for Columbia University’s Master of Social Work graduates, as well as provides supervision and consultation to the team to ensure adherence to DBT.

Additionally, she is the lead supervisor for Practicum Students. Marissa is responsible for teaching DBT didactics to UCI’s Psychiatry Fellows, provides training both in-house and to the community and manages Compass Training Institute’s Continuing Education.  Marissa works closely with Compass’ Research Director to identify training needs and to ensure clinical excellence. Marissa serves of the Field Instructor for Columbia School of Social Work master’s level graduate students. Within this role, Marissa provides clinical supervision and oversees interns’ tasks at Compass.

In addition to her training role, Marissa facilitates a clinical caseload, providing individual and family therapy, leading DBT Skills Training groups, phone coaching and attends weekly team consultation meetings. A team of coding and therapy adherent professionals review her treatment plans and clinical videos, and she receives expert consultation from Dan Finnegan, LICSW.

HER STORY

Marissa started her master’s in Social Work at Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW) in 2012. Marissa participated in research under Dr. Allen Zweben, studying the efficacy of Chantix with substance abuse. Marissa’s research sparked interest in working with mental health and substance abuse. During her second year at CSSW, she found her passion in providing therapy to individuals who suffer from emotion dysregulation and completed her intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in 2014 by Dr. Andre Ivanoff. Marissa completed her second-year internship at Rikers Island, providing DBT to female inmates. Here, she provided DBT in a setting with limitations and restrictions, leading to her passion of providing affordable and accessible DBT to the community.

Marissa has extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults providing evidence-based therapy in a variety of levels of care. Marissa participated in the development of the Partial Hospitalization Program at Clearview Treatment Programs and has provided therapy at the outpatient and intensive-outpatient level of care since 2014. Marissa has a passion for teaching and returned to her alma mater at California State University, Northridge and was an Associate Professor in the Child and Adolescent Department for 3 years.

HER TRAINING

• Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia School of Social Work
• Undergraduate degree from California State University, Northridge in Child and Adolescent Development
• Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through Columbia School of Social Work DBT Lab in 2013
• Completed a 4-day Advanced Dialectical Behavior Therapy by Dr. Shari Manning
• Intensively trained in DBT-Prolonged Exposure by treatment developer Dr. Melanie Harned
• Trained in Behavioral Activation through Oxford’s Center for Research on Eating Disorders
• Intensively Trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Children (DBT-C) by treatment developer Dr. Franscheska Perepletchikova
• Trained in DBT Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Alan Fruzzetti
• Trained in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Sue Johnson through Psychwire Training Institute 
• Trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy
• Trained in Exposure Response Prevention by Dr Jonathon Abramowitz
• Trained in MED-DBT (Multi-diagnostic Clients with Eating Disorders) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Protocol by treatment co-developer Anita Federici, Ph.D.

HER SUMMITS

• DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified DBT Clinician™
• Field Instructor for Alma Mater, Columbia School of Social Work

HER TRUE NORTH

In addition to her loving fur-baby Madonna, Marissa enjoys spending time with friends and family, Pilates, teaching, flower arrangements, attending concerts and traveling.

LEAD GUIDE | OUTPATIENT CLINIC DIRECTOR

Matt oversees Compass’ clinical policies, quality assurance, and adherence to DBT treatment procedures.

HIS STORY

Matt is a DBT-Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™ and has been comprehensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through Compass Behavioral Health. He provides therapy for individuals and their families, skills coaching, and co-facilitates Compass’ DBT Skills Training groups. A team of coding and therapy adherent professionals review the therapy he provides and he receives expert consultation from Dr. Clive Robins, DBT Training Director at Duke University. Dr. Melanie Harned, Research Director at Dr. Linehan’s lab at the University of Washington, has intensively trained Matt in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) in a DBT framework. He has been intensively trained to provide Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C) by the treatment’s developer, Dr. Francheska Perepletchikova. Matt has also been comprehensively trained as a Family Connections (FC) Leader by Dr. Alan Fruzzetti, FC treatment developer, in alliance with the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality. Additionally, Matt has been intensively trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) through Oxford’s Center for Research on Eating Disorders.

Matt has extensive experience working with children and adolescents with emotion dysregulation. He has worked with several different populations providing behavioral therapy and interventions. Before joining Compass, Matt provided Applied Behavioral Analysis to children and teens with Autism and other presenting conditions, working in home, school, and community settings. He also provided parent training for families, helping them learn (and practice) essential skills to effectively respond to a wide range of issues while supporting their child throughout the treatment process. He completed his Graduate School Practicum at the Eli Home for Abused and Neglected Families, where he provided individual and group therapy to victims of domestic violence. Matt also taught the shelter’s “Safe People” class, which focuses on forming boundaries and creating long-lasting relationships.

Among his other accomplishments, Matt participated in research at the University of California Irvine (UCI) that measured the relationship between Betamethasone intake during pregnancy and infant temperament. He helped the program facilitate its “Stranger Danger” situation scenario. He also collected research data at UCI and participated in weekly program updates and video coding adherence for therapists.

HIS TRAINING

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine
• Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology
• Intensively trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
• Intensively trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E)
• Comprehensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Intensively trained in DBT-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE) by Dr. Melanie Harned, Ph.D.
• Intensively trained in DBT for Children (DBT-C) by Dr. Francheska Perepletchikova, Ph.D.
• Intensively trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) by Sue Johnson, Ph.D
• Intensively trained in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) by Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz, Ph.D
• Intensively Trained in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) by Dr. Daniel Moran
• Comprehensively trained in Exposure-Response Prevention for OCD by Dr. Jonathan Abramowtiz, founding editor and chief of OCD Medical Journal
• Trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Guy Diamond at Drexel University

HIS SUMMITS

• Registered member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified DBT Clinician™, 2019
• Created Compass’ Electronic Medical Record system

HIS TRUE NORTH

Throughout early adulthood and his education, Matt knew that he wanted to work with teens to help them when they are at their most vulnerable. Compass has provided him the ability to not only do that, but to also to work with technology and use it to help those around him. Therapy and helping people use their tech together as a dream job!

RESIDENTIAL CLINICAL DIRECTOR

As clinical director of the RTC, Angel oversees clinical services and programming; recruits, trains and supervises staff; and ensures quality assurance and licensing compliance. Angel also conducts individual and family therapy sessions in addition to co-leading Saturday Family Groups.

Angel Amaro joined Compass Behavioral Health in June of 2019 as a Program Clinician. As of May 2023, Angel is beginning a new journey with Compass as the Residential Clinical Director. He is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Social Work (CSSW) and was intensively trained in Dr. Andre Ivanoff’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy Training Lab at CSSW. Prior to his academic work, Angel worked for over nine years at a non-profit organization in Santa Monica assisting homeless individuals diagnosed with a mental illness.

HIS TRAINING

• Bachelor of Arts in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at City University of New York – Lehman College
• Master of Science in Social Work at Columbia University’s School of Social Work in New York
• Completed 65 hours of Intensive DBT Training offered by Behavioral Tech trainers Randy Wolbert and Gwen Abney-Cunningham
• Completed Online DBT Trainings by Behavioral Tech on Skills Training, Therapy Interfering Behaviors, and Exposure Therapy
• Intensively trained in DBT-Prolonged Exposure by treatment developer Dr. Melanie Harned
• Trained in Behavioral Activation through Oxford’s Center
• Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C) by treatment developer Dr. Franscheska Perepletchikova
• Intensively Trained in DBT with Family, Parents, and Couples Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Alan Fruzetti
• Trained in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Sue Johnson through Psychwire Training Institute
• OCD A to Z: Diagnosis, Assessment, & Treatment for OCD by Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz
• Intensively Trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy by Drexel University

HIS TRUE NORTH

Angel loves spending time with his two fur-babies named Max (Maltipoo) and Dodger (Terrier Mix). When not spending time with his dogs, you can catch Angel enjoying himself at Disneyland or watching anything Disney and Marvel-related as well as enjoying Los Angeles Dodgers games. Angel’s main goal in life is to focus on building a life worth living for himself, family, friends, and clients’ alike.

PROGRAM CLINICIAN | CLINICAL SUPERVISOR | ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH

Megan provides evidenced-based treatment to adolescents and their families. She also provides clinical supervision to pre-licensed clinicians and practicum students.

Megan began her clinical career providing individual therapy to middle school students during her undergraduate internship through San Francisco State’s highly-acclaimed School of Social Work. She earned Bachelor of the Arts degrees from SFSU with highest honors in Psychology as well as Social Work. As an undergraduate student, she was a teaching assistant for statistics, research methods and cognitive psychology courses and participated in Dr. Ben Zeev’s research lab, studying Stereotype Threat and Perceived Fraudulence (The Imposter Syndrome).

Megan went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from John F. Kennedy University where she completed her MFT traineeship as a group and individual therapist in a San Francisco-based Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse program. Since graduating, Megan has provided group and individual therapy for children, adolescents, adults and families in a variety of settings. School-based, residential, intensive outpatient and clinic experience all contribute to Megan’s style and approach to therapy.

She is very proud of her former role as Head of Service for Children’s Residential Intensive Services for teens and adolescents in the Child Welfare systems of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Francisco State University
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from San Francisco State University
• Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from John F. Kennedy University
• Comprehensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE) protocol by treatment developer, Dr. Melanie Harned
• Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C) by treatment developer, Dr. Francheska Perepletchikova
• Completed trainings in DBT Family Therapy with Dr. Alan Fruzzetti and DBT Skills Training for Adolescents with Dr. Michael Hollander
• Foundational training in Attachment-Based Family Therapy with treatment developers Dr. Guy Diamond and Dr. Suzanne Levey
• Completed an Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy

DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™

• Contributed to the DBT Bulletin Vol. 6, Issue 2, 2022 (“Help! I Need Somebody: The Role of Attachment in Contingency Management”)
• Poster presentation at the Yale/NEA-BPD Conference 2023 (“Assessing the role of caregiver trauma and attachment-based vulnerabilities when exploring life-threatening behaviors among adolescents.”)
• Professional Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), Clinical Fellow Designation
• Lifetime member of the Psi Chi Honor Society for Psychology
• Lifetime member of the Mu Beta Honor Society for Social Work

HER TRUE NORTH

Megan lives in beautiful Big Bear with her husband, daughters, and extended family. She is pursuing her life-worth living as a doctoral student at Loma Linda University studying Systems, Families, and Couples. Her research interests include DBT family therapy, family involvement in the residential level of care, as well as program evaluation and development.

PROGRAM CLINICIAN

Naoki provides individual therapy, skills groups, phone coaching, skills coaching, residential guide supervision, and team consultation for both the outpatient and residential settings.

HIS STORY

At the Columbia University School of Social Work, Naoki was part of a year-long extensive DBT training and lab program directed by Dr. Andre Ivanoff. During this time, he received intensive training by Behavioral Tech in DBT. Naoki is dedicated to utilizing DBT to support adolescents and young adults who are struggling with emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, anger, substance abuse, and other mental health vulnerabilities.

After graduating from New York University, Naoki began his career in clinical work as an Assistant Behavioral Intervention Specialist to support people with profound Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Delays in residential and hospice settings. After going back to graduate school in social work, he interned at an at-risk high school providing weekly individual counseling and psychoeducation workshops. Additionally, he worked as a DBT-informed family therapist in a community-based aftercare team to support foster care youths in their goals of family reunification and independent living.

A team of DBT adherence coding professionals reviews his therapy treatment plans and clinical sessions, and he receives expert consultation from Dr. Clive Robbins, Professor Emeritus at Duke University.

HIS TRAINING

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at New York University
• Master of Science in Social Work at Columbia School of Social Work in New York City
• Completed 65 hours of Intensive DBT Training offered by Behavioral Tech trainers Randy Wolbert and Gwen Abney-Cunningham
• Completed Online DBT Trainings by Behavioral Tech on Skills training, Therapy interfering behaviors, Exposure therapy, and Mastery of Anxiety and Panic for Adolescents
• Completed a 4-day Advanced Case Conceptualization in Dialectical Behavior Therapy by Dr. Shari Manning
• Intensively trained in DBT-Prolonged Exposure by treatment developer Dr. Melanie Harned
• Trained in Behavioral Activation through Oxford’s Center for Research on Eating Disorders
• Trained in DBT with Parents, Couples, and Families by treatment developer Dr. Alan Fruzzetti
• Trained in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Sue Johnson through Psychwire Training Institute
• Trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• OCD A to Z: Diagnosis, Assessment & Treatment for OCD by Dr. Jon Abramowitz
• Attachment Based Family Therapy Introductory Workshop by Dr. Guy Diamond
• Mindfulness Self Compassion Core Skills Workshop by Dr. Kristen Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer

HIS TRUE NORTH

Naoki enjoys playing competitive soccer and practices rigorously to improve his game. He loves discovering new music and creating samples and mixes, and is currently working on polishing up his blues and jazz guitar skills.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR | CLINICAL SUPERVISOR | PROGRAM CLINICIAN

Dr. Zaha’s role at Compass includes providing individual DBT treatment and skills coaching sessions, conducting DBT skills group, participating in weekly team consultation and supervision, and developing the teen residential program.

Dr. Zaha mentors post-doctoral psychologists through Compass’ Comprehensive DBT Fellowship training program. She has also provided individual, group, skills coaching, and family therapies at residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and outpatient levels of care and supervision to residential staff at Compass Behavioral Health since 2017. Dr. Zaha was intensively trained in DBT, CBT, ACT, and CBASP during her practicum at Harbor-UCLA in 2008-2009, under the direction of Lynn McFarr, Ph.D. Dr. Zaha’s internship was completed at Metropolitan State Hospital (APA Accredited), in Norwalk, California, in which she helped to train and develop an inpatient DBT team, and provided DBT services to patients on a specialized unit.

Her graduate studies focused on Family Psychology and Adolescent Identity Formation and emphasized multicultural and spiritual integration. She graduated from Azusa Pacific University (APA Accredited) with her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2010. She worked as a Psychological Assistant at Clearview Residential DBT Program in Los Angeles, California for six years during which she aided in transitioning the residential program from a psychodynamic model to DBT. She trained staff members in DBT interventions, including skills coaching, and crisis intervention along with serving as an individual and group therapist. She has been directly supervised and intensively trained in DBT-Prolonged Exposure by developer Melanie Harned, Ph.D. and has a special interest and experience in assessing and treating trauma.

In addition, she has received advanced training in DBT for specific populations, including for substance use, eating disorders, adolescents, and emotionally dysregulated families. She has been formally trained in Behavior Activation, as well as Mindful Self-Compassion by developers Kristin Neff, Ph.D. and Chris Germer, Ph.D. and in Exposure and Response Prevention by developer Jonathan Abramowitz, Ph.D. Dr. Zaha also currently works as a Qualified Medical Evaluator and provides psychological evaluations for adults with industrial injuries.

Her true north and greatest joy is her new baby Farah.

HER TRAINING

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Minor in Religious Studies), Cum Laude, Azusa Pacific University
• Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, specialty in Family Psychology, Azusa Pacific University
• Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, specialty in Family Psychology, Azusa Pacific University
• Comprehensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Intensively Trained in DBT-Prolonged Exposure
• Comprehensively trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Intensively Trained in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) by Dr. Daniel Moran
• Comprehensively trained in Exposure-Response Prevention for OCD by Dr. Jonathan Abramowtiz, founding editor and chief of OCD Medical Journal
• Trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy by treatment developer Dr. Guy Diamond at Drexel University

HER SUMMITS

• DBT- Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™

HER TRUE NORTH

Dr. Zaha’s passions and personal interests include yoga, family, ukulele, dancing, writing, and mindfulness meditation.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Ashley works diligently on behalf of Compass families to ensure they pay the lowest possible out-of-pocket costs.

HER STORY

After graduating with honors from American Career College, Ashley began her billing career with Compass Behavioral Health, joining the family in October of 2016. She is developing and mastering valuable skills in insurance verification, denials and billing.

HER TRAINING

• Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding, American Career College
• Associates Degree in Human Services from Cypress College
• Fully trained as Residential Floor staff/guide

HER TRUE NORTH

Ashley is going to continue her education in pursuing ways to help those in need.

PROJECT SPECIALIST

Melody takes great pride in assisting all departments with their special project needs as well as assisting with various Human Resources tasks.

HER STORY

Gifted the name “Mama Mel”, Melody helped open Compass Behavioral Health in 2014 after working with Executive Director Cherie Mills for a year. Melody has been married over 26 years and has two wonderful children and two silly puppies.

HER SUMMITS

• Opened and ran two successful businesses.

HER TRAINING

•  Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Chapman University
• Various positions within Marriot Hotels and Resorts International
• HR Project Coordinator, PacifiCare

HER TRUE NORTH

Melody is a proud Southern California native and enjoys hanging out with her family, eating sushi & watching Netflix. She is eagerly anticipating her lifelong dream of traveling throughout Europe.

Johanna assists in document and file management, administrative tasks, and event planning. She is committed to building community at Compass and has been known to leave encouraging post-it notes on staff desks.

Before moving to southern California, Johanna spent several years in Washington where she enjoyed theater and experiencing the beautiful nature of the Pacific Northwest.

HER TRAINING

• Management training, scheduling, inventory and ordering maintenance, filing weekly store reports, and maintaining a safe work environment.

HER SUMMITS

• Promoted to Store Manager of two franchises with in the first year of employment, managing 12 employees at the age of 19.
• Working at Compass Behavioral Health.

HER TRUE NORTH

Johanna is pursuing her Associates of Arts degree at Santiago Canyon College. Johanna would like to obtain a master’s in business administration to better assist Compass as the future CEO.