Meet the Team

Ann Russo

Founder, LCSW, MA.TH

Ann is the founder of AMR Mental Health Therapy, believes psychotherapy is an effective conduit for helping the world be a better place. Ann initially became a therapist because she believed in the ability of people to better themselves and the world around them. Since high school, Ann has participated in various groups, clubs and activities promoting social justice and self-awareness. Ann studied religion and sexuality in school and went on to receive an MSW at California State, Long Beach. She is currently licensed to practice psychotherapy in both California and Nevada. Ann has a passion for working with diverse communities. She is specifically trained in, and has over two decades of experience working with, the LGBTQ community. Ann has conducted several trainings for organizations, schools, and health facilities, focused on how to effectively work with LGBTQ people in various medical and mental health settings. She has published works on religion and sexuality, as well as been a speaker on these topics at several universities. Ann enjoys public speaking, training, and providing therapy to an array of diverse clients. Ann is also a certified domestic violence and sexual assault counselor. She specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, communication, and conflict resolution, employing various treatment modalities that focus on what is most helpful for her clients.

Alma Bradford

LCSW

Alma is a Spanish/English Bilingual* Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 7 years of experience working with families and individuals in various settings. She has worked in hospitals, medical/community outpatient settings and in the home. As a therapist, she specializes in helping build self-awareness, compassion, understanding, respect, empathy, acceptance toward self and others, improving relationships, and restoring optimal functioning. She earned her bachelor’s from the University of California, Irvine, in Psychology and Social Behavior and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. She has extensive experience treating children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds. She addresses various Issues, including parent-teen conflict, crisis management, self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, panic disorder, depression, grief and loss, life transitions and adjustment problems.

Rocio Garcia

LCSW

Rocio Garcia is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience in the mental health field. Her passion is been working with forensics and the severely mentally ill population. In recent years, Rocio has brought her extensive expertise to school social work, helping students in middle and high school who, because of social, behavioral and emotional challenges, are at risk of academic failure. Rocio, as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Human Services at CSU, Dominguez Hills, possesses expertise in working with diverse population in academia by preparing and promoting success for future helping professionals. Rocio earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish with a pre-law emphasis and her Master of Social Work with a Mental Health Concentration, and a sub-concentration in working with the Severely and Mentally Ill Population from the University of Southern California.

Kelli Strickland

LCSW

Kelli Strickland, LCSW has 16 years of experience working with children, youth and families who have suffered various trauma, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, domestic violence, grief & loss, and teen pregnancy. Kelli is currently the lead social worker at a residential group foster home in Orange County, California. Before pursuing her Master of Social Work, Kelli served as a Regional Manager for Acres of Love, a Johannesburg, South Africa, home for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Kelli holds a B.A. in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University and an M.S.W. from Cal State Long Beach. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2016.

Liz Mojica

LCSW

Liz is a dedicated psychotherapist and social worker, working collaboratively with clients to foster a life that is healthier, happier and more fulfilling. She has had the privilege of being a Clinical Social Worker for the past 25 years, including 15 years as a therapist. Offering a safe, non-judgmental and trusting therapeutic relationship, Liz has worked successfully with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, loss, relationship and life transition issues. She has also assisted clients in recovery from trauma caused by emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Sandra Bosdachin

MA, Counseling

Sandra earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Applied Behavior Analysis with a focus on behavior modification. She has been in the field for nearly two decades. She is currently a certified Pain Free Performance Specialist, able to provide support and mental health care for students, caregivers, and teachers, all in home and school settings. She believes people are capable of so much and enjoys supporting clients on their journey of self-improvement. This has been shown to increase overall mental health, relationships, and goal achieving. Sandra additionally specializes in working with caregivers of all kinds to resolve burnout. Another area of specialty is her work with those on the autism spectrum, and those going through big life transitions, such as pregnancy and job changes. Sandra is also the Emotional Support Animal accessor and consultation specialist at AMR Therapy.

Mary Malady

LCSW

Mary started her career path attending the University of California at Irvine, after which she obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Southern California, with an emphasis on children and families. She initially began working with children, adolescents and adults in an inpatient crisis residential treatment program. In addition, she devoted most of her life to working with abused and neglected children and their families. Mary served as Program Director in two different shelters, working with pregnant and parenting teens and adults. She has a vast understanding of the developmental needs of children and the ensuing damage of early childhood trauma.

Mary has also worked in Hospice addressing end of life care for the dying and their loved ones. Mary considers therapy to be a partnership between therapist and client walking together with the goal of greater peace and life satisfaction. She utilizes a variety of modalities including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, developmental psychology, psycho education, trauma work and systemic therapy. Mary brings twenty plus years in this field and is highly committed to helping you to live your best life.

Maria Jeffery

LCSW

Maria is a private practice psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Los Angeles County. Trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and several cognitive, and behavioral modalities. Maria utilizes a person-centered approach with a trauma focused lens tailored to the unique needs of each client. She helps patients develop the skills to address immediate need while exploring underlying contributing factors. Maria has a broad range of experience working in the outpatient mental health clinic, inpatient psychiatric hospital and school settings with youth and adults. Maria has accumulated a wealth of experience working with individuals and families to navigate school, housing and justice systems. She is dedicated to addressing life transitions, behavior issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, serious mental illness and communication patterns to activate resilience, all by creating a warm, attentive and safe space to heal. Maria received her Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, Los Angeles and received her Master’s Degree from the University of Southern California in Social Work, where she was awarded Order of Arete, the highest honor awarded to graduate students.

Nic Caballero

LCSW

Nic is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, committed to collaborative relationships that create long-term goals and shorter-term objectives to achieve wellness. Through a structured therapeutic collaboration, he creates a space to explore concerns and develop insight into relationships, thought, and behavior patterns. Nic takes people seriously when they say they are suffering and does not question a client’s truth or reality, but works to help clients bring behaviors and attitudes back into alignment with their values and beliefs. Together we create a space to welcome opportunity, awareness, and healing. Nic has worked with issues of grief/loss, depression, anxiety, intimate partner violence, sexual trauma, problems with intimacy and communication, racial and sexual minority identity development concerns, transition-related concerns, as well as concerns related to traumatic experiences/complex trauma. When creating a therapeutic space, he often uses strategies oriented in mindfulness practices and therapeutic interventions such as DBT, EMDR, and Brainspotting. He looks forward to helping clients achieve their goals.

Megan Whitaker

LCSW

Megan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 8 years of therapy experience. She is a Los Angeles native and attended UCLA for her Bachelor of Arts and Master’s Degrees in social welfare. She has experience working with all age groups and has extensive training in working with adolescents impacted by the department of children and family services and the juvenile legal system. In addition, she has comprehensive training and experience working with clients who struggle with histories of trauma, anger management issues, and mood disorders including depression and anxiety. She is especially passionate about working with the LGBTQ+ community, adolescents, and older adults. According to Megan, her goal is to empower clients, foster resilience, and support them in building the confidence they may need to confront past trauma, build strong interpersonal relationships, or more effectively regulate their emotions. Her approach is based on enhancing current client strengths, honoring cultural backgrounds, and providing a safe space for individuals to heal. She utilizes a client-centered psychodynamic approach while also integrating other therapies such as CBT and DBT to meet each client’s unique needs.

Terry White

LCSW

Terry White is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked for over 10 years, in Maryland and California, with individuals with Mood Disorders, PTSD, relationship issues, substance abuse, Anxiety and Adjustment concerns, as well as those dealing with the effects of racism. Her treatment modality is mostly talk therapy with an Existential emphasis, Solution Focused Therapy, and CBT, as well as Behavioral interventions for children and adolescents. Terry stays connected with contemporary research, as keeping up with the knowledge base is of utmost importance to her, and her evidence based treatments. Her first task as a therapist is building a respectful, safe and positive therapeutic environment where patients feel comfortable sharing thoughts and emotions. Once this therapeutic relationship is established, the problem solving and coping skills will be developed and lead to stronger emotional health. Dialog and treatment plans are tailored to meet clients’ unique and specific needs. Terry subscribes to Michelle Obama’s statement: “..we are our children's first and best role models.” Terry’s therapy/counseling mantra is 'talk is truly cheap' when raising children to be good citizens who feel good about themselves. Children learn by models, guidance and mastery.

Blanca Rose Ayala

LMFT

A veces, hacer los cambios y dar los pasos necesarios para vivir con nuestro mejor potencial puede convertirse en un gran desafío. Cuando una persona reconoce que necesita ayuda profesional para modificar un comportamiento, pensamiento o emoción que le está causando conflicto en su vida, ha dado el primer paso para realizar esos cambios y encontrar la plenitud en la vida. Blanca Rosa Ayala es Terapeuta Matrimonial y Familiar Licenciada que puede ayudarlo a aumentar su conciencia y vivir el presente; comprender mejor sus emociones y pensamientos desde una perspectiva diferente; ver diferentes alternativas para encontrar soluciones a sus problemas; crear un plan para establecer y alcanzar metas; mejorar las habilidades de comunicación y establecer límites para tener mejores relaciones con los demás, y lo más importante encontrar y hacer surgir y amar su verdadero yo.

Comencé mi Carrera con un bachillerato de psicología de la Universidad de California San Bernardino. Obtuve mi maestría en Ciencias de Consejería y Psicología, con énfasis en TerapiaMatrimonial y Familiar, en la Universidad Bautista de California CBU. Poseo certificaciones en Terapia de Hipnotismo y Terapia en Desensibilización y Reprocesamiento del Movimiento Ocular (EMDR); Esta terapia se utiliza para tratar el estrés postraumático y ayuda a disminuir los síntomas de ansiedad, depresión, y pensamientos no deseados tanto como sea posible.

Marie A. Bialza

ACSW

Marie is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who has over 6 years of experience serving youth, adults, and families with behavioral and mental health challenges. Marie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services with a minor in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton She then earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. She also received her PPS Credential in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance. She has worked in a multitude of settings, including non-profit agencies, schools, the county, group homes, foster homes and wraparound services. Marie has experience working with clients who have issues surrounding adverse childhood experiences, abandonment, depression, anxiety, abuse, trauma, anger, addiction, gender identity, unhealthy family patterns, homelessness, relationships, intimate partner violence, and life transitions. She is a strong believer that every single person has the ability to create a healthy, fulfilling life, given the right resources and support. She is dedicated to providing a safe, therapeutic space for every client she has the pleasure of serving in order to effectively help them reach their goals.

Andrea Sanserino

LCSW

Andrea Sanserino has 17 years of experience in the mental health field. Andrea has worked in various settings; community mental health, working with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, psychosis, trauma and substance abuse disorders, and as a behavioral health provider in a medical setting, providing therapy to adults and families, and currently in she has her own private practice. Andrea also serves as a Consultant providing training to staff in the mental health field, and as an Adjunct Faculty member at Cerritos College in the Mental Health Worker Program. An additional role that is meaningful for Andrea is as a Clinical Supervisor. It is one of Andrea's passions to mentor, guide and support individuals beginning their career in mental health. Andrea utilizes a recovery oriented focus, starting from a place that believes every individual has enormous strength and talent that can be harnessed to create a rich meaningful life. Trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Seeking Safety (trauma focused work) and skilled in Motivational Interviewing, Andrea uses a genuine, compassionate approach to helping others heal and grow.

Kristina Esquivel

ACSW

Kristina Esquivel is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who has 12 years of experience in the mental health field. In community mental health, she has worked with adults in supported employment who experience depression, anxiety, substance use issues, psychosis and the homeless, who have had challenges getting back into the workforce. She has also provided therapy to adults who were in county Adult Drug Court & DUI Courts and ran addiction processing and psychoeducational groups. Kristina has worked with children and youth in elementary and middle school settings on emotion regulation, self-esteem issues, body positivity, crisis intervention, restorative practice and communication skills. Her approach to therapy is humanistic and she is a Certified Psychosocial Rehabilitation practitioner who works with an individual’s strengths, creativity and resources so they can live a life of meaning and purpose. Providing compassionate care, Kristina helps clients reach their therapy goals by utilizing mindfulness, meditation, body positivity, harm reduction and attachment techniques. Kristina earned her Masters of Social Work degree from California State University, Long Beach and a b=Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from California State University, Fullerton. through a program funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, she also trains and supports students who want to work in the mental health field.

Linda Heang

LCSW

Linda is Vietnamese, bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her MSW at Cal State, LA. She has a BA in English from University of New Orleans in literature and creative writing, which very much informs her critical thinking and creativity in developing specific, individual treatment plans for clients. She has experience providing individual therapy to adolescents, adults, and seniors with a range of moderate to severe mental illness, i.e. major depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, schizophrenia, various personality disorders, & grief/bereavement. She also worked with clients and their families to improve communication and reduce relational issues. She believes in people’s potential, their ability to achieve goals, and the right to do so while working through life’s many difficulties. She also believes it is a team effort, that overall health takes an all-encompassing community to maintain good health. Linda is client-centered and meet patients where they are. She practices within anti-racism, social justice, and inclusion frameworks, using her training in CBT, IPT, MI, IPV, Trauma, Crisis management, & LGBTQIA+ mental health.”

Linda Olanisa

LCSW

Linda is a licensed clinical who specializes in individual/couples counseling, individuals/families dealing with chronic illnesses, adolescents and adults experiencing difficult life transitions, stress, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, and individuals/families dealing with grief. Linda has completed may research studies relating to health and depression. She is an African immigrant woman who understands the stigma that is sometimes associated with seeking mental health services/treatment, “I am your therapist with a listening ear, who believes that conversation is a form of treatment and healing. I am here to support you through life challenges in marriages, job, relationships and careers switch etc. My philosophy is, "a problem shared is half solved” it is during conversations that ideas are suggested and solutions are derived. Conversation is the first step to the main road of recovery. I also like to remind you that while there may be bumps in the road of your life, you are still headed in the right direction, because every exit off the freeway is a destination somewhere. Linda provides services in English Edo, Yoruba, and Pidgin English. Be kind to yourself and let's talk.