Myfanwy Stevens received her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with Emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her education at Pacifica culminated in a published master’s thesis titled, Reframing Defiance: A Protection of Soul. In this work, she examined the meaning and implications of defiance as both a mode of behavior and an adolescent’s will to express both traumatic and childhood developmental disruptions.
Myfanwy’s passion for working with families is rooted in her previous work as a parental coach and educator. She found, when supporting adolescents and their families with education and tools, positive growth and change occurred. While at Polaris, Myfanwy has facilitated groups, been case manager, family therapist, primary therapist, and currently holds the position of clinical director. Her approach when working with adolescents and their families draws upon attachment and relational models of therapy. Myfanwy also maintains a private practice in Beverly Hills.
Katherine’s passion for working with adolescents stems from her work as a mentor for at-risk teens who have endured trauma as well as her work as a case manager. Katherine has extensive experience working with adolescents of all walks of life, gender identities and cultures. Katherine takes an inclusive, strength based approach to further strengthen one’s resiliency and will. While at Polaris, Katherine has facilitated groups, been a floor staff team member, primary therapist, and currently holds the position of Assistant Clinical Director. Katherine’s therapeutic work pulls from psychodynamic, experiential and relational models of therapy. Katherine has completed level 1 and level 2 Brainspotting trainings and maintains a private practice in which she works to assist women in learning assertive communication skills to achieve empowerment.
Jana Albright is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute. Jana is also a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist at the Master’s level. Prior to joining Polaris, Jana spent 7 years at Promises Treatment Center in the roles of case manager, extended care coordinator, primary therapist and family therapist. Jana has also served on the faculty at Pierce Community College as an adjunct professor in the Addiction Studies Program.
Jana’s theoretical orientation is a blend of family systems, psychodynamic and a person-centered approach, with the goal of strengthening the family system through building rapport and trust, providing unconditional positive regard and empathy for all family members. Jana is a member of CAMFT and maintains a private practice working with individuals, couples and families. Additionally, Jana is an attorney, maintaining her membership with the State Bar of California.
Prior to Polaris, Erika has worked in many therapeutic settings including schools, outpatient, substance abuse treatment and residential. In particular, Erika has a 5 year history in working in residential settings serving in a variety of roles such as clinical assistant, primary therapist, group therapist, couples therapist and family therapist. Before joining the Polaris team, Erika used to run a Multi-Family Group for adolescents and their families as well as a weekly parent educational training group.
Erika uses curiosity and creativity in her approach when working with teens and families, joining the family in order to observe, learn and understand while offering assistance, empathy and guidance when needed. Erika comes from a family systems background, focusing more on the changing the family as a unit rather then specific family members. Erika believes in the power of relationships and emphasizes the importance of trust, vulnerability and connection between family members.
Tiffani is a straight-forward, pragmatic therapist who treats clients as equals, taking their concerns into account throughout treatment. At the same time, she provides a warm, safe space in which clients and their families can feel supported and accepted throughout the process of growth and change. While she ultimately holds the family as a whole accountable for the change they seek, she sees herself as both a provider of information and a secure base from which clients can explore new ways of moving through the world.
Starla began her career in the United States Navy, serving 6 years, and through this avenue she was able to work at a counseling center for combat veterans and their families providing mental health referrals, resources, and crisis intervention. Starla also served as a Foster Care Social Worker providing crisis intervention and services during transitions. Prior to joining Polaris, Starla gained experience providing psychotherapy in a school setting to children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders utilizing evidence-based practices. Starla is well versed in working with diverse communities, and takes into account the various experiences that blend together to impact an individual. Starla values a strong therapeutic relationship with clients, and seeks to empower and build insight so that they are able to live their most fulfilling and authentic lives.
Jovon holds a Masters degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Jovon has been working with teens and their families in various roles within residential treatment for the past 8 years. He has a broad range of experience working with teens in the following areas: trauma and abuse, self-harm and suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, special needs, self-esteem, and anger management. He utilizes many different modalities including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Jovon views the therapeutic process as an alliance between client and therapist and considers each client to be the ultimate experts of their own lives. He is culturally sensitive, strength-based, and views each client from an intersectionality lens considering all aspects of their identity as it relates to their mental health. His goal is to empower them to ultimately make meaningful changes in their lives.
Prior to Polaris, Emily was a school therapist who worked with students in grades 6th-12th with learning, behavior, and emotional disabilities. She has a broad rage of working with children and adolescents in the following areas: mood disorders, gender dysphoria, ADHD, neurological disabilities, cognitive disabilities, self harm, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, trauma and abuse, and self-esteem. Emily has a person centered approach while weaving in the skills she has learned as a provisional art therapist. Emily utilizes creativity and client insight as a therapist, and views them as an expert on themselves and their own lived experience.
Sophia obtained an intensive 6-month training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Depression, Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and her therapeutic approach includes a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and Family Systems. Sophia takes pride in her multicultural background and is fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Filipino and English.
Jordann integrates her passion of watching lives improve and thrive, into her work here at Polaris through managing cases of the adolescents currently in residential treatment as well as coordinating care for when their program is completed.
Throughout her years, she has received experience working in a variety of areas including clinical nutrition providing medical nutrition therapy in an acute setting to a diverse population of patients as well as in a dialysis center and outpatient clinics. However, it was working in specialized areas with mental health and eating disorder patients that sparked her interest in further helping the adolescent and adult population.