CLINICAL
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.
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.
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.
Darrin Dennis is a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. He earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Northwestern University.
Darrin began his therapy career as both a primary and family therapist at an intensive outpatient program specialized in assisting adolescents and adults with reintegrating into life after completing hospitalizations and stays at residential centers. Before joining the Polaris team, Darrin worked for four years in a private therapy practice. Darrin developed a passion for working with adolescents and their families while teaching high school English and mentoring teens as a volunteer youth counselor. His approach to therapy is best described as eclectic, drawing from the modalities of family systems, psychodynamic, narrative, cognitive behavioral therapy, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.
His primary goal in therapy is to assist clients with acknowledging, understanding, managing, and healing from the pain in their lives through establishing personal and authentic relationships with his clients and families.
Sadie has worked with children, teens, adults and families in a variety of roles from full-service partnership, outpatient, group therapist and primary therapist. Prior to Polaris, Sadie worked in behavioral therapy and then as a clinician in a residential setting specializing in eating disorders, and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Her therapeutic approach incorporates Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Sadie is passionate about identifying and working with the unique needs of each person, whether it is building distress tolerance, working on interpersonal communication, or enhancing self-confidence.
Brooke Wexler is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and an Associate Clinical Professional Counselor. Brooke received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Before pursuing a career in psychology, Brooke worked in the arts and entertainment. Her ability to connect with others, alongside her passion for mindfulness and mental well-being, led her to seek a career in psychology.
Brooke conducted her clinical traineeship in a psychiatric hospital setting, working with clients placed on involuntary holds. There, Brooke learned the importance of a person-based approach to increase comfortability and trust while in the treatment. Brooke then moved to work in residential treatment with at-risk youth facilitating groups and assisting clients with emotional regulation. Brooke split her time seeing a range of clients in a group therapy practice as a primary. At Polaris, Brooke bridges her unique experiences by aiding adolescents in forming their identity, managing emotions, targeting negative thought patterns, and coping with stressors. Brooke tailors her treatment by utilizing modalities such as mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, but she truly believes in an approach unique to each individual.
Jessica LeMelle is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and received her Masters of Science Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Jessica has worked with children and teenagers in various roles and organizations for over six years.
During her time as a graduate student, Jessica began working at a residential program for adolescents as an evening counselor. Her clinical traineeship was in a school-based setting for children and teens in grades K-12. Here she provided counseling for students with Individual Educational Plans, facilitating individual, group and family sessions as needed. After her traineeship, Jessica returned to working in residential treatment as a primary therapist. She enjoys the pace of working in a residential setting and the collaborative element to treating the child and family holistically. Jessica incorporates a variety of therapeutic modalities in her work with teens. She has found that introducing concepts such as mindfulness and utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in in her work helps adolescents in building new skills and coping strategies. Jessica knows that each individual has their own unique strengths and challenges, and so she is committed to finding an approach that best suits their needs and accomplishes their treatment goals.
Krissiane Takakura is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She received both her Bachelor’s of Science Degree and Master’s of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and a specialization in Child and Adolescent development. Advocating for mental health in the community and understanding an individual’s unique needs has consistently been a priority for Krissiane. Throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies, she provided mental health services to children and adolescents as a developmental therapist to treat individuals with Special needs, including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and other developmental disorders. Krissiane’s passion for mental health and helping others succeed has led her to travel to other countries, including the Philippines and Brazil to spread mental health awareness and provide therapeutic support to families with depression, anxiety, and Special needs.
Krissiane completed her clinical traineeship in a therapeutic school with young children (ages 2-9) with Autism and comorbid diagnoses as well as aggressive behaviors to develop social skills, emotional regulation, and effective coping skills. Following graduate school, Krissiane worked as a Primary and Family therapist for teenagers in residential treatment. Krissiane utilizes various treatment modalities, including and not limited to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and Psychodynamic strategies. Krissiane has extensive experience treating a wide range of psychological disturbances, including anxiety disorders, depression and mood disorders, personality disorders, trauma and abuse, suicidal ideation and self-harm, substance abuse and addictions, and special needs.
Dr. Nejad earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles and her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University, San Diego. Dr. Nejad has undergone extensive training, completing a pre-doctoral internship accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) at BARROW Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Additionally, she completed a formal two-year postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology through the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior and the David Geffen School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. She is also a devoted mother who enjoys her time outside of the practice with her three young children and husband.
Shelby Becker is a Registered Dietitian with a Bachelors in Nutrition and Dietetics from California State University, Northridge. Shelby completed her Dietetic Internship at the West Los Angeles Veteran Affairs, rotating in two eating disorder outpatient group practices. While there, she found her passion for supporting people in bettering their relationship with food, movement and their bodies.
Prior to Polaris, Shelby worked extensively with clients suffering from eating disorders/ disordered eating in both a residential treatment center as well as in outpatient settings. She is HAES informed, client centered and guides her practice with an all foods fit approach. She aims to help clients with: intuitive eating (when appropriate); regaining body trust; connecting to hunger and fullness cues; weight restoration/and or maintenance; identifying and addressing food rules; and rejecting diet culture.
Shelby is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian Professionals.
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.
