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).
Caryn Hsu, Therapist
chsu@pelicancove.org
Hi! Welcome to Pelican Cove. I'm Ren, a therapist trainee here and in my final year of the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program at the University of Southern California. Originally from New York, I am a Taiwanese-American child of immigrants and I am passionate about providing psychotherapy with cultural humility and respect.
I understand that our unique experiences shape and mold who we are. Our triumphs, failures, losses, and grief can sometimes get the best of us, making it difficult to see our path forward. As a therapist, I strive to create a safe and open space where all of you is welcome. I believe that therapy can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and integration of your whole self.
My goal is to help you alleviate mental suffering by carefully examining core emotional and psychological conflicts, to help you understand where they came from and how you relate to them. I want to help you build the resilience to face life's challenges without being overwhelmed by them, so that you can experience the fulfillment and joys that have been previously inaccessible.
Therapy may be challenging and even scary at times, but you won't have to go through it alone. I believe that together we can explore, process, and tease out the nuances that may be keeping you from reaching your goals in your work, life, and relationships. Whatever it is, I am here and it would be my honor to be alongside you as you navigate life and become the version of yourself that feels most aligned and true to who you are.
Godhuli Bhattacharya,
Therapist
GBhattacharya@pelicancove.org
Hello and welcome to Pelican Cove! My name is Godhuli and I am a fourth-year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at Fielding Graduate University and a pre-doctoral trainee therapist. I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Brown University.
As a first generation immigrant, born and raised in Zambia, my sociocultural background and journey to the United States have shaped my personal identity as well as my desire to be a psychotherapist and an advocate for minority communities. Through my work, I strive to bring equity, openness, compassion, and healing to our shared space of psychotherapy. I draw on multiple cross-cultural and psychoanalytic theories and practices to be of service to my clients. My primary goal is to create a therapeutic space in which you feel respected, supported, and safe to express the various parts of yourself, while we explore and understand all that is important and meaningful to you.
It is my honor to be by your side as you begin this courageous journey of finding your true self. I hope that our work together will bring you peace and empowerment and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Alice Duan, therapist
zduan@pelicancove.org
Hi there! My name is Alice and I am a trainee therapist in Pelican Cove. As a therapist and just as another person, I would like you to know that there are people who genuinely care about you and are willing to walk alongside your journey. My goal is to support you in your adventure of self-discovery and taking the initiation of self-care and prioritizing your own well-being. Similar to you, I am also on a journey to understanding how our minds work and how our hearts feel. I am currently in my second year of a clinical psychology doctoral program at the California School of Professional Psychology. Psychology has been my passion since my teenage years, and I hold a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
My journey began as a peer supporter, where I developed a profound passion for guiding individuals in exploring and shaping their identities while empowering them to live their most fulfilling lives. Besides, volunteering has always been an integral part of my life, starting from middle school. I am dedicated to improving mental health care in society, particularly for those in need who may have limited resources. Moreover, being an international student from Asia, I have a deep interest in multiculturalism, racial issues, cultural conflicts, immigration, and the experiences of second-generation immigrants. I understand the challenges of adjusting to a new country, but I firmly believe in the inherent potential within us to thrive and grow. Thankfully, pelican Cove provides us with the opportunity to connect and embark on this journey together. Taking the first step into therapy can be significant and overwhelming, but I am glad that you listen to the goodness inside you and for having the courage to ignite your power. Welcome, and let's traverse this walk together!
Kim Brounstein, Therapist
kbrounstein@pelicancove.org
Hello and welcome in. I’m Kim, a trainee therapist here at Pelican Cove. It can be both exciting and overwhelming to start a new therapeutic relationship. Together, we will navigate what’s present for you with empathy, curiosity, and respect.
It’s a big crazy world out there, which is why I have chosen to pursue a career as a licensed therapist. It all began for me in high school, struggling with the pains of growing up. That’s when I found yoga and meditation, an ongoing practice that (I hope) has made me more present and aware of my client’s needs and desires in therapy. After many years of building a career in digital wellness, I’m really looking forward to building deep relationships with individuals and groups in a more personalized way, rather than through screens and apps.
As a first-year M.A. student at the Pacifica Graduate Institute, I’m learning the tools to be fully present to my clients as a therapist. I believe that mental health should be managed holistically through various perspectives and approaches. Every day is different, and every client is different. I’m particularly interested in working with folks navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma, as well as family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and self-development. Certified as a Death Doula in 2020, I’m also passionate about grief and normalizing end-of-life fears through death-positive education, mindfulness, and a healthy dose of humor.
In this process together, I will bring immense value to your cultural uniqueness and all of the experiences that make you who you are. I commit to creating a collaborative space to explore and understand each other. Let’s talk!
Elad Levi, therapist
elevi@pelicancove.org
Hello and welcome, My name is Elad Levi and I am a clinical trainee here at Pelican Cove. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and am currently pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology at Alliant International University.
My passion for psychology stems from my own life changing experiences with therapy. I know firsthand how overwhelming it may feel as you begin this process, and I hope to meet you with warmth, patience, and understanding throughout every step of your therapeutic journey. I believe therapy works best as a collaborative process and hope to cultivate a safe and welcoming environment for you to embark on this healing experience.
While my approach to therapy is psychodynamic, I am committed first and foremost to meeting individuals where they are and identifying their specific needs with curiosity and empathy. I also utilize a strength-based approach that recognizes each person’s remarkable capacity for growth and healing. I welcome individuals who are struggling with a wide variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and interpersonal conflict. Finally, I am committed to upholding values of cultural humility in the therapy room and creating space to acknowledge and appreciate everyone’s unique life circumstances.
I am honored and grateful to be a source of support for you as you embark on your journey of self-discovery and healing.
Christiana Rigopoulos, Therapist
crigopoulos@pelicancove.org
Hello and welcome! I’m Christiana, but you can call me Christi if you prefer. I’m honored to join you in your therapeutic journey by co-creating a space of safety, empathy, and respect. My approach to therapy is strength-based, solution-focused, and meaning-centered. Together, I want to build upon your strengths, grow your sense of self and autonomy, and explore what is most meaningful to you. In short-- I want to know what it’s like to be you and I want to celebrate your commitment to yourself, which I know requires a lot of heart. I like to think of therapy as a love letter to yourself, and damn is it romantic and heartbreaking and very much worth the time and effort.
A little bit about me; I’m a current Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Trainee here at Pelican Cove and am in my final year as a graduate student in the University of Southern California’s MFT program. I graduated from the University of Oregon with my B.A. in both Family and Human Services and Sociology and have experience interning in non-profits serving families and children. Through this involvement, I found great value in working with and learning from diverse populations facing immense risk factors and I discovered that human connection is the #1 most preventative and profound intervention available to us. My goal as your therapist is to make you feel seen, heard, and known, where no need goes unaddressed and no feelings are deemed unimportant. I look forward to working together and I thank you in advance for trusting me with your inner world, your vulnerability and courage is truly an inspiration.
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become” – Carl Jung
Patrick Yao, Therapist
pyao@pelicancove.org
Hello and welcome! I am Patrick, a Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee completing my master's at The University of Southern California. Therapy with me is about building an honest connection in an unconditionally safe and supportive environment. My goal is to get to know you, understand you, and accurately assess and analyze your stories to help you identify and define some of your life's most fundamental issues and dynamics. Participating in therapy takes courage, and I am beyond excited to accompany you on this journey of self-exploration.
I am excited to work with you to help address various issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, LGBTQIA+ identity-building, work/life balance, intergenerational conflicts, acculturation, and relationship issues. I am committed to providing therapy from a culturally sensitive, restorative justice lens to affirm and empower your identity. I am bilingual in English and Mandarin and happy to work with you in either language. I enjoy dancing, swimming, and figure skating during my free time.
See you in therapy! I am honored to be a part of your therapeutic journey. I look forward to working with you to help you establish personal balance and empowerment.
Megan Healey, Therapist
mhealey@pelicancove.org
Hello, I’m Megan Healey, and I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee working on my master’s in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute.
Before studying counseling I was a writer and professor. I chose to take this new path in part because I loved supporting my students in shaping their personal stories, and I wanted to explore this experience off the page, in everyday life. While my work as a therapist is informed by many things - my own life’s journey, my education, my clinical work - I treat each client like they are brand new. You are an original, and I will do my best to hold space for the complexity of your story, your feelings, and your needs.
Our identities are shaped by a variety of intersecting parts, and I believe in a therapeutic practice that acknowledges culture, community, and history. With this in mind, I strive to maintain an inclusive, identity-affirming, and anti-oppressive environment where clients can feel truly safe and heard.
Stevie Weinstein-Foner, Therapist
sweinsteinfoner@pelicancove.org
Hello! My name is Stevie Weinstein-Foner and I'm a trainee here at Pelican Cove. I'm currently pursuing an MA in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. I have always been interested in understanding myself and others through deep inquiry, empathy, and curiosity. I wear many hats - I've been a musician, an artist, a yoga and meditation teacher, and recently I became a father.
I believe that everyone has the capacity to grow, change, and invite more space into their lives. I know that it can be daunting to begin therapy, but I hope that together we can explore who you are, where you have been, where you want to go, and who you hope to become. I want to offer my clients a compassionate, peaceful space to explore what's coming up for them, while remaining curious about how we can engage more fully in our lives and our process of healing and transformation. I look forward to meeting you and learning about the unique gifts and challenges that make you who you are.
Noelle Seim, Therapist
nseim@pelicancove.org
Hello! My name is Noelle Seim and I am pleased to be a Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee here at Pelican Cove. I am currently in my second and final year of my master’s program at the University of Southern California. I previously graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences in hopes of joining the mental health field. I am passionate about social justice, body acceptance, advocacy, and reducing stigma surrounding mental illness. Mental health is incredibly important to our well-being as humans and I wholeheartedly believe quality services should be accessible to all.
Therapy is a safe space to truly be yourself, and I hope to join you on your healing journey. I provide a warm and compassionate environment to aid in your growth and exploration of identity. Whether you are struggling with grief, trauma, self-confidence, anxiety, depression or something else entirely, I am here to listen and walk alongside you through the process. I approach therapy with a depth-oriented, person-centered lens and will help you identify your personal strengths and growth edges.
Healing is non-linear and unique to each individual, and reaching out for help is the first courageous step. I look forward to connecting with you in a therapeutic alliance.
Emily Wieber, Therapist
EWieber@pelicancove.org
Hello. My name is Emily Hastings Wieber and I'm a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) trainee here at Pelican Cove. I'm in my second year at Pacifica Graduate Institute in the masters program for Counseling Psychology. I did my undergraduate work at U.C. Berkeley in Northern California.
I believe that every person has internal personal directives and a built in map of what they need. This personal map may not be obvious to you and discovering it can be made more clear with the help of someone like me, who is familiar with, and trained in, this exploration. We will build a relationship that will help you through this process. My work will be to provide encouragement and a safe space for us to begin this discovery. Your work is to participate consistently and in a way that is meaningful to you.
I see the therapeutic relationship as a support system that anyone can use. As an MFT trainee I am interested in working with individuals, couples and families. I value an anti-racist, non-judgmental, all inclusive environment, where we can work together to explore your inner directives.
Joshua Chaidez, therapist
jchaidez@pelicancove.org
Hello there! My name is Joshua Chaidez and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Pelican Cove. I am also in my second year of the MFT program at the University of Southern California. I graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Cal Poly Pomona and worked with children with Autism for three years prior to pursuing a career as an MFT.
Seeking therapy can be frightening at first, but once it becomes a regular part of your life, it can become a blessing. I view therapy as a space where someone can better themselves in whatever way they see fit. Nobody should have to go through life without someone who supports and validates anything they have been going through. Therapy is not just for the bad times, but can also be there for the good times too. As your therapist I seek to provide you with a safe space that you can use to gain more insight into your life, find who you want to be, or heal from the chaos that life can throw at you sometimes.
I approach therapy from a psychodynamic perspective and what that means is we would explore how much of your past has impacted who you are in the present and can continue to impact your future. My goal in working with you is to help you identify how previous behaviors, thoughts, and feelings continue to show up in your life today and how that impacts you. I also like to view therapy from a positive psychology and strengths based approach as I believe giving someone a little bit of confidence can go a long way for them in life. Always remember that therapy is about you and however I can help is what I wish to do. I look forward to being with you on your journey to becoming the best version of yourself!
Kristine Hren Moe, Therapist
khrenmoe@pelicancove.org
Hi! I am Kristine, a Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee here at Pelican Cove Counseling Center. I am committed to assisting individuals, couples, and families on their journeys toward healing and self-discovery while expanding my knowledge and honing my therapeutic skills under the supervision of licensed and experienced professionals.
I believe everyone has the resilience and strength to live a fulfilled life, and therapy is a tool to recognize this inner strength. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, or unresolved experiences, my goal is to guide you on a journey of self-exploration, empowerment, and transformation in a safe, compassionate, collaborative, and dynamic space. Using a psychodynamic and growth-mindset approach, we will examine how past experiences have shaped your present circumstances to help you better understand yourself and your relationships and provide a framework for positive growth. Through this collaborative journey, you will work to heal past wounds, identify new opportunities, and connect more deeply with your authentic self and others.
As a first-generation American, I understand the duality of being a member of more than one culture. I strive to bring a culturally attuned perspective into the conversation while affirming your unique values and strengths. I hold a Master of Professional Writing degree and am completing a Master of Science in Marriage and Family from the University of Southern California (USC). I live in Los Angeles and love to hike on the weekends and breathe in the beauty of the nature that surrounds us.
I welcome you on this journey of deep exploration and transformation! Please reach out to schedule a session.
Angie liu, therapist
aliu@pelicancove.org
Hello there! My name is Angie, and I’m a clinical trainee at Pelican Cove. I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Psychological & Brain Sciences and a double minor in Chinese Language & Culture and East Asian Studies. I am currently pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at Alliant International University.
My passion for psychology was shaped by my personal experiences as a second-generation immigrant. I know firsthand how powerful and transformative it can be to have a comfortable and safe space to explore and understand all the layers of our identities, along with the challenges that sometimes come with them. My aim is to create an empathic environment, establish collaborative goal setting, and practice cultural humility as we walk through your journey together.
I will bring person-centered and humanistic approaches to help you accomplish your goals. I have experience addressing varieties of concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationships, and exploring ethnic minority and LGBT+ identities. I understand that reaching out for help can be scary, and I hope to make this step as easy as possible. I look forward to getting to know and grow with you!
Mike Faiola, therapist
mfaiola@pelicancove.org
My name is Mike Faiola. I am currently completing my master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Southern California. A native of Los Angeles, I deeply value the cultural diversity that characterizes our city. I have nearly 20 years experience working as a case manager, residential counselor, and classroom teacher with unhoused, foster, and low income youth throughout LA County. My professional history also includes extensive work in the film and television industries, where I've experienced the profoundly connective potential of sharing our unique stories. I love music, food, books, the outdoors, and learning about other people. I aspire to collaborate with clients to make therapy a space within which we can be vulnerable, discover new aspects of ourselves, and, yes, even have fun. Thanks for reading.
Nicole Schiller, therapist
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.