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.
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.
degree in Sport Management from California State University at Long Beach. After working for Special Olympics and ESPN, Sarah landed a job with the world-renowned Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Family. While assisting in their worldwide operation, Sarah also became a child jiu-jitsu instructor working with ages 5-17.
There, Sarah was able to mentor children and teens through martial arts. After this experience, she realized it was time to return to her first love of Psychology and help more children realize the path to their dreams and a happy life is attainable. Soon thereafter, Sarah enrolled in Pepperdine’s Masters program to earn her second Masters degree. Sarah’s clinical experience includes inpatient, intensive outpatient, private practice and school-based therapy settings before joining the team at Polaris. Sarah’s theoretical orientation includes psychodynamic and person-centered approach combined with family systems as a way to gain trust, building rapport and express empathy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.