PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Monica Powers-MA, PsyD, PSY 29991

Dr. Monica Powers enjoys helping people discover themselves, their personal resilience and rewrite their stories to ones of survival and strength. In addition to her role at Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program, she is currently in private practice at Carlson & Associates, and adjunct faculty at Antioch University. She began working with patients of all ages and backgrounds in 2007 and found that the life stories and experiences of people were unique and personal, and deserves individual attention and support. She has worked in the community-based setting, with adolescents and adults ranging from 18 to 80, struggling with psychological issues, relationship difficulties, substance abuse, grief and loss, and traumatic experiences. Her interests lie in working with individuals that have experienced a traumatic event, either personally or on a global perspective. This interest was carried in her dissertation work with survivors of Hurricane Katrina, focusing on individual strengths and resilience. 

Dr. Powers completed her bachelor’s degree studies in Criminal Justice and Psychology at California State University Bakersfield, and she holds a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Phoenix. She received her doctorate in Applied Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2013, and became a Licensed Psychologist in early 2018. She completed practicums and internships at Tarzana Treatment Center and AV Department of Mental Health respectively. Upon completion of the internship, she immediately began her Post-doctoral fellowship at a growing dual diagnosis treatment center, where she remained in a number of roles for over 3 years. She enjoys working with diverse populations, travel, and concert going. 

ASSOCIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Kelly Gonderman- PsyD, PSY 31284

Kelly Gonderman is a Licensed Psychologist with a focus on Clinical Psychology. Kelly earned her Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University and received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. She has experience in both adolescent and adult Residential Mental Health treatment and has had the unique opportunity to work and train in a variety of additional mental health and substance abuse settings. She has significant experience and interest in crisis management, substance use and psychotic disorders, depression, identity and family of origin issues, as well as working with survivors of sexual assault. Kelly approaches therapy from a psychodynamic frame utilizing a combination of emotion focused therapy, family systems and behavioral techniques. She strives to create a safe space in therapy for clients to understand themselves more deeply and understand how their early life experiences have impacted their current way of interacting with the world. Kelly has a true passion for helping adolescents and transitional age youth along with their families navigate challenges in order to live their best lives now and in the future.  

FACILITY MANAGER

Sam Edman

Sam Edman started at Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program in June of 2019. He has worked in a residential setting supporting and helping at risk youth for almost 5 years. Sam started as a floor staff and worked his way to a program supervisor with South Coast Children’s Society. Sam went to school to be a paramedic, but found a passion in helping others in the field of mental health after working with adolescents in a residential setting. Sam graduated from University of Santa Barbara in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and Technologies with a minor in Emergency Medicine. He plans to go back to school to obtain a Master degree in Social Work and further grow his knowledge and impact with at risk youth in the mental health setting.  

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Robert Sperring-MA, LMFT 53926

Robert Sperring has worked for The Center for Discovery for 11 years both as a therapist and counselor. Robert is a 2008 graduate of Hope International University where he received his Masters in Marriage Family Therapy. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Goddard College in Vermont in the subjects of psychology and organizational development. Robert has a private practice in Huntington Beach CA where he works with couples, families, and children & individuals to reach their goals, restore the self, and deal with the world as it is, rather than acting out in a self destructive manner to escape from it. Robert specializes in trauma, family, couples, and issues surrounding attachment. 

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Edward Shin- MA, LMFT 40646

Edward joined Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program recently, and is excited to help adolescents recovering from their emotional and mental health issues. He also believes that everyone deserves to live a happy life and to move on with hope. Edward incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-focused skills into his individual treatment to better help clients learn how to manage emotions and distress. Edward received his Master of Art degree in Marriage Family Therapy from Hope International University, Fullerton in 1999. He also received a Master of Divinity in Practical Theology from Biola University, La Mirada in 1989. Edward holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Accounting. Edward became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in June, 2004. Edward’s ultimate goal is to help the client to live a purposeful life and to reestablish a healthy family system. 

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Michael Lemley-MA, LCSW 85831

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Heather Tetiva- MA, ASW 90174

Heather Tetiva has been with the company since 2016. She came to Discovery from Olive Crest, where she worked in group homes with foster youth, specifically those convicted and on probation for sexual offenses. She started at Whittier as the Facility Manager, and is now a Primary Therapist. While working as the Facility Manager, she completed her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Her therapeutic interventions are focused primarily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, with an emphasis on behavior modification. Heather is an avid movie buff, and in her free time enjoys trying new foods and traveling. 

PRIMARY THERAPIST/PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANT

Joi Johnson- MA, PSB 94023434

Joi is a doctoral candidate from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, working toward licensure as a Clinical Psychologist and holds both a Bachelors of Arts degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine as well as a Masters of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. As Psychological Assistant and Primary Therapist, she works to provide therapeutic support to clients and their families in a uniquely challenging manner. Utilizing both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems approaches to therapy, Joi aids clients in working through their present struggles to think and act in ways that foster personal empowerment which includes the practice of appropriate support seeking. Joi hopes that all clients and their support systems can come together in a joint effort to reach the ultimate goal of a stable and successful future.  

PRIMARY THERAPIST

Deepinder Singh- MA, APCC 5853

Deepinder Singh’s approach to helping people is by making them available to the spiritual experience of awareness and wisdom. These experiences include living life to the fullest, smiling, laughing, crying, getting sad, making mistakes, facing the challenges and many more. Deep has been with the company since 2017. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Psychology. In addition, he has a Doctorate degree in homeopathic medicine from India. His educational background in diverse fields brings an exclusive perspective to the clients and the families he works with, by supporting and guiding them to identify the issues and providing the solution piece as well. 

NURSING SUPERVISOR

Vickie McCracken- RN, BSN

Vickie has been a Registered Nurse for over 35 years. She graduated from Arizona State University with a BSN and a minor in French.  She initially gained unparalleled experience working for Samaritan Behavioral Health on a long-term adolescent unit.   She has also worked in Pediatric Practices, and spent over 10 years working with clients on the spectrum of Autism.  In her spare time, Vickie enjoys talking about and visiting with her 4 grown children,  attending sporting events, Angel games, college football, volleyball games. She also enjoys going to concerts of all types of music.  She is very crafty and has many projects going on at the same time.

EDUCATIONAL LIAISON LEAD

Nancy Tello

Nancy has been an Education Liaison at Discovery Mood and Anxiety at the Whittier location for a year now, but also supports the house as a strong counselor. She attended Cal State Long Beach and received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She truly enjoy supporting clients with completing their school work and ensuring they receive the best support in achieving their educational goals. Fun facts about Nancy are: She loves to sing, enjoys Kpop and Korean dramas, loves to travel and was Miss Bell Gardens 2013.

EDUCATIONAL LIAISON

Amanda Ordaz

Amanda has been with Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program since December 2018, and was recently elevated to the position of Educational Liaison, as well as taking on the duties of a counselor. In the liaison role, Amanda works directly with parents and schools on roadmaps towards academic objectives for the clients while they are in treatment. Amanda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University. While at LMU, she worked in the Student Psychological Services, educating her campus community about mental health and wellness. Amanda was born and raised in Orange County, CA. She enjoys the outdoors, yoga, and family time.

PROGRAM THERAPIST

Trevor Hurley- MA, AAMFT 112448

Trevor has worked at Discovery Mood and Anxiety for 5 years. He started as a counselor and has recently worked his way up into a therapist role, with the completion of his Masters degree. He holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University. He is passionate about having the opportunity to influence positive change for adolescents who need support. Trevor aims to help clients and their families communicate their needs, address conflict, process uncomfortable emotions, establish clear expectations/consequences, and create a plan for the client to safely return home. 

PROGRAM THERAPIST

DaNiesha Colvin

DaNiesha Colvin received her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at National University. Currently, DaNiesha is pursuing her Psy.D. in Applied Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. DaNiesha has worked for over 10 years with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings including the community, schools, and a rehabilitation center for drugs and alcohol, and more recently, with a focus on youth who have been diagnosed with developmental disabilities for the past six years. DaNiesha’s approach to therapy includes an assortment of effective therapeutic techniques and interventions drawn from multiple perspectives like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, and Behavioral Techniques. DaNiesha has a special passion for foster youth and at-risk youth. However, she enjoys helping all youth realize that they are not defined by their past or mistakes. DaNiesha enjoys helping them identify their self-worth, strengths and their ability to change the future.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Kia Octaviano

Kia has been with Discovery for three years. She began as the Diet Tech for the Atlantic House and transitioned to working as a counselor as well. Kia continued to intern for Discovery, and continues to work at the Atlantic House, Pacific Place, and Whittier locations as a Dietitian. Kia completed her Bachelor’s of Science at Cal-State Long Beach and moved on to complete her didactic internship at Oakwood University in Alabama. She loves to work on the floor with the clients because she believes building rapport with the client helps her to do her job better. Kia believes that recovery from any mental health illness, whether that includes disordered eating patterns or not, can always include building towards a healthy life-style with knowledge of how to feed the body well.

EDUCATION LIAISON

Ashlee Velasquez

Ashlee has been with Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program since January 2020, and quickly transitioned into the position of Educational Liaison, as well as taking on the duties of a counselor. In the liaison role, Ashlee works directly with parents and schools to find the best fitting roadmap to better assist patients with their academic objectives while they are in treatment. Ashlee holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with focus in Correctional Behavior from DeVry University. Fun facts about Ashlee: She enjoys makeup, working out and reading.