Our Team
Paula cook, Executive director
pcook@pelicancove.org
Paula Cook has over 20 years of nonprofit and fundraising experience, management/business building experience, and creative expertise. On the commercial side, she has built up 2 businesses (in design and event services) and is adept at running a successful organization.
Her passion for working with non-profits began just after college when she got involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego. The desire to use her talents to help non-profit organizations has only grown, leading her to play significant roles to aid healthcare, education and the arts. Since moving to Los Angeles from San Diego, Paula has been an active volunteer with two art- based non-profits, Inner City Arts and Art of Elysium.
Paula received her B.A degree, in Art With a minor in Psychology from San Diego State University. In her free time, Paula enjoys hiking the many trails in Los Angeles, creating mixed media paintings, and spending time with her family (husband Steve, teenage boys Nate & Jake, dogs Thunder & Kansas).
Soni Kim Monroe,
Psy.D.,
Clinical Director
skmonroe@pelicancove.org
Founder of PCCC, Soni Kim Monroe, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and Founder/Director of Crossroads Institute for Psychotherapy and Assessment. She is dedicated to teaching and training, and was a clinical supervisor at Harbor-UCLA, providing supervision and training to Child Psychiatry Fellows, and was an associate adjunct professor at University of Southern California’s Marriage and Family Therapy program. Dr. Monroe has presented regionally and nationally to mental health professionals as well as being published in peer reviewed journals. She serves as an expert witness on mental health concerns for civil and criminal cases.
Nicole Schiller,
therapist liason
nschiller@pelicancove.org
Welcome, welcome, welcome! I am Nicole Schiller, a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Pelican Cove. My undergraduate work was in Child Development, and I am completing a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute.
I commend the courage and curiosity it takes to initiate one’s mental health journey! I’m so glad you are here. I believe that each person is unique, with gifts and challenges that deserve to be honored, explored, and tended to with therapeutic modalities best suited to the individual. I will offer deep acceptance, compassion, and empathy while we work together to support your growth toward an authentic and wholehearted life. I look forward to being a fellow traveler on your path as we face life’s difficult questions together.
Whether your history includes depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, abuse, complex interpersonal relationship dynamics, confidence, or identity challenges, I provide a culturally sensitive and inclusive environment where you can feel safe to bring your story forward. I would be honored to work with you to explore your unique inner world.
Richard Priest,
lead Therapist
rpriest@pelicancove.org
Mari Orkenyi,
lead Therapist
MOrkenyi@pelicancove.org
Hello and welcome! My name is Mariana, though you’re welcome to call me Mari. I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Pelican Cove, currently completing my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute.
Before embarking on this path, I trained in Contemplative Psychotherapy at the Nalanda Institute, where I developed expertise in mindfulness and compassion practices. This background informs a more embodied, somatic approach to my work. I also hold a Master’s degree in Arts from the International University of Barcelona and am a Certified Mindfulness Teacher through the Ananda School of Yoga and Meditation.
Originally from Brazil, I have lived in Mexico City and Spain, and my identity as a Latina immigrant deeply informs my perspective. I approach therapy with a multicultural lens, driven by a genuine curiosity and commitment to understanding each individual in their full complexity.
I am especially passionate about supporting those navigating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, self-exploration, and life transitions. I believe the therapeutic relationship is a space for transformation, connection, and presence—a collaborative journey of discovery.
Grounded in a psychodynamic approach, I aim to explore how past experiences influence your present, offering insights to deepen your understanding of yourself and your relationships. Together, we will work to heal old wounds, identify new possibilities, and foster a deeper connection with your authentic self and others.
I look forward to walking alongside you on this meaningful path.
Alison Eder, therapist
aeder@pelicancove.org
Sometimes life asks us to pause. Something feels off, a bit stuck, or unsustainable, and we’re not sure where to begin. Therapy can be a place to slow down, reflect, and begin to make sense of things in a way that feels grounded and meaningful.
I'm Alison Eder, a therapist trainee at Pelican Cove Counseling Center and a third-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine University. I work from a depth-oriented perspective, guided by curiosity, care, and the belief that lasting change begins with self compassion and understanding.
Together, we’ll explore the patterns, experiences, and parts of you that are asking to be understood, so you can feel more clear, balanced, and connected to yourself. I look forward to getting to know you.
Chloe Fuller
(she/they),
Therapist
cfuller@pelicancove.org
Hi there! I’m Chloe, a clinical trainee at Pelican Cove, currently studying Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Born and raised in California, I am a queer musician, visual artist, and activist. In addition to my own journey in therapy, my work as a mentor for teens, community organizer, and hospice volunteer inspired my passion for mental health and collective liberation.
My goal is to empower you to explore your authentic self and nurture what fulfills you. Whether you're facing challenges related to identity, emotional well-being, or creative expression, I'm here to help you discover your resilience and capacity for change. While I am enthusiastic to support all populations, I am especially interested in body acceptance, LGBTQIA+ issues, creativity, expressive arts, healing activist burnout, and supporting adolescents.
Navigating your healing journey can be exciting and overwhelming. The road can feel long and winding. Therapy offers an opportunity for someone to join you as a fellow traveler. Having someone to listen, reflect, and process with can make all the difference.
“Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.” - bell hooks
Natalie beltran, therapist
nbeltran@pelicancove.org
Hello and welcome to Pelican Cove! I'm Natalie, a therapist trainee dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space for you to explore your world more deeply. My approach to therapy is rooted in warmth, curiosity, and empathy. I’m here to help you navigate whatever comes your way.
As a first-generation Mexican-American, I'm passionate about multicultural issues and the unique stories of first and second-generation immigrants. I'm currently pursuing my M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy at the California School of Professional Psychology. I believe in the importance of honoring your uniqueness and the experiences that make you who you are and keeping this in mind in my therapeutic approach.
My interest was ignited by my own life-changing experiences with therapy. I take a psychodynamic approach, which means we’ll work towards helping you understand how your past has shaped your present life and can steer your future. But above all, my commitment is to meeting you where you are and addressing your specific needs with care and respect. Starting therapy can feel daunting, but I'm here to meet you with acceptance, patience, and a splash of humor as you take the plunge. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey. Let’s navigate this path together.
Shuyi Zhang (she/her/hers), Therapist
szhang@pelicancove.org
Hello, I’m Shuyi, a therapist trainee at Pelican Cove, currently pursuing my PsyD at Alliant International University. I hold a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Columbia University, where I focused on research and therapeutic practice..
In our work together, I hope to walk alongside you, to see you as a whole person, and supporting your growth. I deeply appreciate the permission to be seen. My style is warm, grounded, and collaborative. I believe change is possible, acceptance is possible, and I’m here to help you move toward it.
My clinical interests include anxiety, trauma, identity development, depression, and the unique mental health needs of immigrants and individuals navigating cross-cultural transitions. I also offer therapy in Mandarin for those who feel easier to express themselves in their native language.
Ernesto Lloyd Means (He/Him)
Therapist
emeans@pelicancove.org
Mental health advocacy and unrelenting curiosity are traits that I hold dear. My commitment to Mental Health advocacy is shown through my volunteer work in crisis services, addiction support group meetings, and tutoring students experiencing homelessness. Curiosity serves me well in my clinical work and my academic pursuits. Informed by psychodynamic theory, my approach is centered on all the aspects that make you who you are. It is my conviction that the impetus for growth and change all lies within; we need only to work through the past together to find this spark for growth.
I am honored to have the opportunity to work with you and learn more about you. I commend your strength in seeking therapy.
Maris Anne Tyler (She/Her/Hers), Therapist
mtyler@pelicancove.org
Hello and welcome! My name is Maris and I am a therapist trainee at Pelican Cove who is intent on joining you as a gentle guide through your therapy journey. Whatever stage you are at in your experience towards healing is meaningful, and it is powerful that you took that step for yourself.
I am currently pursuing my Clinical Psychology Doctorate at the California School of Professional Psychology. I practice with respect and honor for the uniqueness of every individual’s identity, holding space for individuals of all backgrounds.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and being of Mexican descent, I know how salient these identities are for people; how they influence our perspectives and impact how we navigate through the world. You are seen and heard in every session. We will work collaboratively to uncover the hidden truths within, to help strengthen your relationship with yourself.
Crystal Zeng, therapist
czeng@pelicancove.org
Maybe you’re finding yourself in a difficult place. You’re not sure how you got here, but something, deep down, does not feel quite right. Perhaps conflicts keep appearing in the external, mirroring the internal. Psychodynamic therapy aims to build a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious, and uncover the deep roots of pain and suffering.
I want to accompany you in diving into the depths of the soul, and listen closely to the messages it whispers. It is in the darkest places of ourselves that we find the key to our liberation. It is in safe relationship that we can allow truth and meaning to emerge, freeing up psychic energy and paving the way for transformation. Warmth is as essential to the soul as sunlight is to a budding seed. Feeling deeply seen can change the entire course of a life.
I adopt an eclectic approach, integrating elements of psychoanalytic/dynamic, Jungian, humanistic, and existential therapy. My past life as a designer taught me that everything operates within a system, and that empathy, creativity, and beauty are essential to meaningful change. As a second-generation Chinese American woman, I have experienced how cultural identity and intergenerational trauma shape one’s well-being. This perspective informs my approach, helping clients navigate self, family, and cultural belonging.
Carl Jung said, “When you are up against a wall, put down roots like a tree, until clarity comes from deeper sources to see over that wall and grow.”
Welcome to the fruitful and fascinating journey within you. It would be my privilege to accompany you.
Matthew Lawton, Therapist
mlawton@pelicancove.org
Elian Grigorian, Therapist
egrigorian@pelicancove.org
Kelsey McCurdy, Therapist
kmccurdy@pelicancove.org
Joey Sheung, therapist
jsheung@pelicancove.org