Clinical
E. Myfanwy Stevens, MA, LMFT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
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 Riggins, MA, LCSW
CLINICAL SUPERVISOR / PRIMARY THERAPIST
Jovon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Masters degree in Social Work and a Bachelors 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.
Jana Albright, MA, LMFT
FAMILY THERAPIST
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.
Sadie Quinonez, AMFT
FAMILY THERAPIST
Sadie Quinonez is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Sadie received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Mount St. Mary’s University with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and a certification in Enlañces providing services for Spanish speaking 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.
Lankavi Guneratne-Moore, MA, LMFT
POLARIS THERAPIST
Lankavi Moore is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She holds Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Music.
Lankavi began her career in mental health working at a crisis intervention and prevention center focused on supporting and providing access to services for survivors of violence. She then went on to work in a community mental health center as a clinical trainee where she found her passion for working with teens and families. Since then, Lankavi has worked in all levels of care including residential, partial-hospitalization, and intensive outpatient, in the roles of primary therapist, family therapist, and program director.
Lankavi has an eclectic and holistic approach to therapy, drawing from various modalities including Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She is passionate about assisting clients in healing and growing from their trauma, and supporting them in being their most authentic self.
Brooke Wexler, MA, AMFT, APCC
PRIMARY THERAPIST
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 Meyer, MA, LMFT
PRIMARY THERAPIST / PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
Jessica Meyer is a mental health professional who has spent over eight years working in various roles in this field. She holds a BA in Psychology and earned a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Jessica has worked with various populations of young people ranging from two years old to 18 years old. Jessica has experience managing caseloads of youth in treatment foster care, working closely with psychiatrists, therapists, lawyers, and families. In her work in New Mexico, she received training in DBT and CBT and has also received training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in her work with autistic children. Additionally, Jessica has experience and has been trained in various types of de-escalation techniques and crisis management.
Not only has Jessica worked in the treatment field, but is in personal recovery herself. Because of this, she has empathy and compassion for those who are in treatment and who have their own struggles. Jessica works very hard in her own 12 step program and has a deep passion for being of service to others. She especially loves teenagers, with deep compassion for all their struggles and strengths.
Angela Meadows, MA, LCSW
PRIMARY THERAPIST
Angela Meadows is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received a Master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Child Welfare from the University of Denver. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Angela began her career working in various roles with foster youth in residential settings and families involved in the child welfare system. This work focused on crisis intervention and mitigating high risk behaviors. After graduate school, Angela spent two and a half years working with teens and their families at an intensive outpatient program, providing individual, family, and group therapies. This work focused on helping teens with mental health and co-occurring substance use or eating disorders.
Angela is passionate about utilizing a trauma informed approach and understanding the impact a person’s environment has on their past wounds and future healing. In practice, she draws from several modalities including psychodynamic therapy, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. She is interested in helping clients gain a sense of control over their lives and connect with self and others authentically.
Asal Houshiarnejad, PsyD
LICENSED CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST
Dr. Asal Houshiarnejad “Nejad” is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist (CA PSY 28994) who specializes in providing cutting-edge neuropsychological assessments. Dr. Nejad evaluates pediatric, adolescents, and young adults who present with a broad range of neurodevelopmental, neurological, medical, and psychiatric conditions. She is also sensitive to cross-cultural and linguistic factors in the evaluation and therapy process. Combining her vast clinical experience with her state-of-the-art training, Dr. Nejad’s unique and warm approach to testing yields a comprehensive understanding of the individuals’ neurocognitive, academic, psychological, and social-emotional functioning. Dr. Nejad creates an individualized roadmap addressing each patient and their family’s unique needs that identifies and prioritizes necessary treatment recommendations and/or academic accommodations.
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, RD
REGISTERED DIETICIAN
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 Stewart, BA
CASE MANAGER
Jordann has worked in the mental health field for six years working in various roles within the field. Jordann received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services and Religious Studies from Azusa Pacific University and is near completion of her Graduate Degree in Social Work with a Specialization in Trauma Rehabilitation, from Simmon’s University. Prior to Polaris, Jordann worked in South Central for the County of Los Angeles in Mental Health and Homeless Services.
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.