Dr. Nicole Chavez is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified play therapist, and has specialized training in maternal mental health. She has been providing therapeutic and supportive services to children, adolescents, parents, and families since 2007. She has experience in providing therapy in a variety of settings to children ages 0-21, as well as working with pregnant and new mothers. She strongly believes in prevention and early intervention in order to maintain individual well-being, to promote healthy family relationships, and to facilitate positive bonding and attachment between the child and caregiver. While she enjoys providing individual therapy, she is a strong believe in the importance of working with the whole family. Dr. Chavez enjoys working with parents individually to help them improve their confidence in their parenting skills.
Dr. Chavez is dedicated to providing quality services and personalized care to each and every one of her clients. She prefers to work collaboratively with her clients in which they are an active participate in their change. |
I'm passionate about using humor, stories, and analogies to help my clients look at their challenges from a new perspective.
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If you feel stuck in old patterns it may seem impossible to free yourself. Today is the day. All you need to start the therapy process is the willingness to make that first contact. Dr. Faridnia believes in the innate ability of her clients to transform themselves, their relationships, and their lives. Everyone encounters challenges whether it's depression, anxiety, loss, failed relationships, compulsions, or past traumas. Dr. Faridnia works collaboratively with her clients to develop self-awareness and self esteem, a key foundation of meaningful relationships. She enjoys acting as an empowering, knowledgeable guide along each client’s unique therapeutic journey. Dr. Faridnia is a strong supporter of prevention and early intervention to bring about and maintain healthy familial attachments, reduce incidence and severity of risk factors, and increase individual strengths. Dr. Faridnia is committed to helping children, teens, and their families improve their communication and relationships.
Dr. Faridnia is a certified expert in parenting and family therapy. She is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence based treatment model, where she provides education and live coaching to parents to strengthen the parent-child bond, promote healthy parent-child attachment relationships, and decrease maladaptive child behavior. Dr. Faridnia is also certified in Functional Family Therapy, an evidenced based short-term family therapy model for tweens, teens, and young adults (aged 10-21) to decrease risky behavior, blame, and negativity, and increase responsibility, warmth, and functional communication. She helps to engage and motivate teens and their families by decreasing intense negativity, reducing and eliminating problem behaviors, and strengthening familial relationships and communication. |
I emphasize teamwork and foster trust and collaboration with my clients.. I actively engage with them as I support and empower them through their healing and growth journey.
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Ariane Guirguis is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist under Dr. Nicole Chavez's supervision. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Chapman University and a master's degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from Pepperdine University.
In therapy, Ariane creates a safe and supportive space, utilizing humor, playfulness, intentionality, and collaboration. She values psychoeducation, empowering clients with knowledge for informed decision-making. Deeply rooted in her Christian faith, Ariane integrates faith-based interventions, aligning therapy with clients' values. With clinical experience spanning diverse backgrounds, Ariane addresses concerns like anxiety, stress, behavioral issues, relational struggles, and personality disorders. Her compassionate and non-judgmental approach ensures clients of all ages and backgrounds feel heard and understood. "Be curious, not judgmental” Having played competitive team sports her whole life, Ariane fosters trust and collaboration with her clients by actively engaging with them as she supports and empowers them throughout their healing and growth journey. Emphasizing teamwork makes the dream work! |
I believe change and growth will not happen overnight, but being hopeful, resilient, honest, and determined happens every day.
Every individual in this world deserves the chance to be the best version of themselves. I hope that in the work we do together I can guide you to become the version you desire. The truth is you will be doing 100% of the hard work, my role as your therapist is to be an advocate and resource as you go through this life-changing journey. You got this, and I am here to meet you where you are! |
Anika Ahsan (she and her) is a third year Psy.D. (Doctoral of Clinical Psychology) trainee at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is excited to join the team and has the honor of working with clients under the supervision of Dr. Nicole Chavez.
Anika values the work she conducts with every client. She is a believer that everyone knows themselves best. She is passionate about hearing her client’s stories and working with them as a team to best understand the client’s needs to figure out the most appropriate treatment plan. Anika has experience working with children and young adults on the autism spectrum disorder from ages 2-24 and their families. She started her career as a developmental therapist as a sophomore undergraduate which raised her interest in psychology and a passion for mental health. She also has experience working with acute mental health at an inpatient facility for adults. Anika’s ethnicity is Bengali American, and her long-term goal is to create a safe space for communities and individuals that are underrepresented in mental health. |
I am dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can express their true, authentic selves. While the therapeutic process can be challenging.
I am committed to being there for my clients every step of the way. My goal is to empower them on their journey to success, providing the guidance and encouragement they need to achieve their personal goals. Remember, I am here for you. You've got this! |
Alyssa Florio is a fourth-year doctoral trainee at The Chicago School, pursuing her PsyD with a concentration in Child & Adolescent Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Nicole Chavez. In 2023, she earned a certification in Autism Play Therapy, further enhancing her expertise in this vital area.
Alyssa completed her bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Central Florida in 2020, where her early dedication to mental health became evident. Her proficiency in Play Therapy and understanding of family dynamics have shaped her professional journey. During her practicum, Alyssa gained valuable experience in private practice as a life coach for clients with schizophrenia, conducted play therapy with children and adolescents, and worked extensively with dually diagnosed adults in Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) in Los Angeles, CA. Her approach to working with neurodivergent children and adolescents is grounded in a strength-based, developmental, and attachment-oriented framework. Alyssa is also deeply committed to community service, highlighted by her decade-long involvement with Relay for Life, where she has served as Director of Events for collegiate chapters for the past three years. In her pursuit of professional growth, she is affiliated with the California Association for Play Therapy (CalAPT) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Alyssa Florio is dedicated to fostering resilience and positive development in her clients, making her a valuable asset to the field of psychology. |
I love sports, video games, comics/superheroes, musical expression, and of course… memes!
I value having a safe space, connection, and humor in therapy. |
Adrian Leal graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He is currently a third-year doctoral trainee at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, under the supervision of Dr. Nicole Chavez, Psy.D.
With two years of experience as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) technician, Adrian has developed a strong ability to connect with children along the Autism Spectrum. He excels at building rapport by creating a welcoming environment and identifying common interests, which fosters trust and engagement. Adrian is particularly interested in working with children and adolescents. As a Hispanic professional, he is attuned to the diverse backgrounds of his clients and aims to bridge generational gaps. He is committed to understanding the cultural implications and barriers that may affect families and is passionate about serving diverse populations. Adrian brings enthusiasm and energy to each session, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of those he works with |
Every person has a story to tell. My role is to help you tell it.
I believe that each of us has something beautiful to bring to this world— we just have to find it |
Emma Dorn is a second-year doctoral trainee at The Chicago School, working under the supervision of Dr. Nicole Chavez and Dr. Parie Faridnia. She is pursuing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) with a focus on child and adolescent therapy.
Emma earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior, along with a minor in Medical Humanities, from the University of California, Irvine. During her undergraduate studies, she completed her fourth-year thesis on clinician attitudes toward animal-assisted therapy for trauma treatment and participated in a field study at Seneca Family of Agencies, where she gained hands-on experience at their equine therapy center. With experience working with clients across a wide range of ages, genders, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, races, immigration statuses, and socioeconomic backgrounds, Emma approaches each individual with compassion, genuine curiosity, and a deep respect for their unique lived experiences. She believes that healing occurs through connection and strives to establish a strong therapeutic relationship with all her clients. In her free time, Emma enjoys sewing, creating art, and spending quality time with her Rottweiler, Taiyaki. |
I love skiing, swimming, reading and going to the beach with my dogs.
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Jennifer Leaver received a Bachelor's degree in psychology from University of Washington and a Master's degree in Social Psychology with a specialty in intergroup relations from Claremont Graduate University.
She has taught psychology at the college level for over 20 years and enjoys working with both students and clients. Jennifer has received training in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, and play therapy. She has completed the coursework for her doctorate, is working on supervised clinical hours, and will begin her doctoral dissertation soon. I am excited for the next steps in my career and I enjoy providing excellent care for my clients. |
I strive to create a safe and collaborative space for my clients to express their true selves and to work through any struggles they may face. I demonstrate patience, genuineness, and attuned listening to the individual’s emotions and needs.
With compassion and understanding, I aim to accept every aspect of the individual and their experiences in the present moment. |
Kassandra Kershaw is a doctoral trainee under the supervision of Dr. Nicole Chavez. Kassandra earned her Master’s degree from The Chicago School where she is currently in her third year of training pursuing her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in child and adolescent psychology. She received her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Behavior from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA.
During her previous practicum, Kassandra gained valuable experience administering diagnostic assessments for children, adolescents, and adults related to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD, as well as anxiety and mood disorders. Her primary interest lies in working with pediatric populations and their families. Kassandra’s clinical experiences include conducting research on parental education in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and serving as a clinical developmental associate, providing behavior therapy to children with neurodevelopmental disorders. These experiences have deepened her commitment to working with at-risk children and highlighted the importance of family-centered care in promoting the well-being of children. Utilizing a holistic, biopsychosocial, and culturally sensitive approach, Kassandra seeks to understand the complexities of each individual and their mental health, ensuring that her therapeutic practice is tailored to the unique needs of her clients |
I believe every person is deserving of compassion and empathy. I strive to create a safe space for clients to feel recognized and empowered.
I utilize a client-centered approach to ensure every client feels seen, heard, and understood. |
Lily Arvizu is a doctoral trainee at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where she is pursuing her PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in children and adolescents under the supervision of Dr. Parie Faridnia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in disability studies from Chapman University, followed by a master’s degree in clinical psychology from The Chicago School.
Lily has received extensive training in assessment and therapy throughout her graduate program. During her diagnostic practicum year at Albert Knapp and Associates, she worked as a diagnostician, administering assessments and providing diagnoses for individuals of all ages with a diverse range of presentations, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, bipolar disorders, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, she has several years of experience working with children and adults with various developmental disabilities through music therapy. Approaching her work through a pro-disability lens, Lily is dedicated to empowering disabled clients to lead fulfilling lives. She believes that disabilities should be integrated and acknowledged as integral aspects of one’s identity, rather than obstacles to overcome. Passionate about improving the quality of life for children with special needs, Lily employs a playful, compassionate, and client-centered approach in her therapeutic practice. Lily is committed to continuous learning and service, and she is excited to contribute her skills and passion as a therapy practicum trainee at the Orange County Family Wellness Group. |