Our Team

COPE Founder

Clinical Psychologist PSY 31388

Doctoral Alma Mater: University of Southern California

Undergraduate Alma Mater: University of California, San Diego

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: Substance Use Disorder / Homeless Mental Health Clinics at the West Los Angeles VA Hospital

Types of Clients Seen: Teens, Young Adults, Adults, Couples, Families

Therapeutic style in 3 words: Authentic, Curious, and Compassionate

Specialty in 1 sentence: I specialize in helping people learn ways of rescripting their life and engaging in more effective behaviors whether that be related to their addiction, past traumas, depression, work stress, or relationship difficulties.

Other Languages: Farsi

Pronouns: he/him/his

About

He is a Clinical Psychologist with years of research and clinical experience working in academic medical centers and addiction treatment facilities. His work focuses specifically on the evidence-based treatment of addiction, trauma, and mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. He sees his goal in therapy as helping you truly understand the parts of your life most impacting you in order to gain the tools, insights, and skills necessary to live the life you want. He hopes to help you write new scripts to your life, engage in behaviors that are more effective, and ultimately have a new emotional experience that will provide the pathway to the life you want.

He provides individual, couples, and group therapy focused on these issues as well as other concerns, such as life transition, work stress management, etc. Throughout his work, he uses evidence-based treatments and have been trained extensively in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure for Trauma.

He strives to come from a place of compassion and empathy because, as humans, we all have patterns, messages, and lessons that constantly show up in our lives. These patterns seem to show up over and over but with a similar theme. The more conscious and mindful we can become of these patterns, the more freedom we can have from them.

For more information about my background, please COPE Psychologist Founder 

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST PSY 32931

Doctoral Alma Mater: University of Southern California

Undergraduate Alma Mater: University of California Los Angeles

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: Health Psychology (Pain, Primary Care Mental Health, Palliative Care, Consultation Liaison Clinics) at the West Los Angeles VA Hospital

Types of Clients Seen: Teens, Young Adults, Adults, Couples, Families

My therapeutic style in 3 words: Warm, Supportive, and Genuine

My specialty in 1 sentence: I specialize in helping people recognize the habits and patterns that may be keeping them stuck and cofacilitating the journey to being in the driver’s seat of their own life.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

About Me:

Dr. Hannah Khoddam is a licensed clinical psychologist with years of experience working with individuals, families and couples who may be struggling with difficulties related to mental and physical health as well as the intersection of the two. She also has a specialty in treating individuals with physical health difficulties (i.e. chronic pain, insomnia, migraines, tinnitus, sexual dysfunction, new or chronic medical illnesses, end of life difficulties etc.) that often have a large influence on one’s emotional well-being. She sees therapy as an exploration of whatever may be keeping you stuck in the habits, patterns, or situations that may no longer be serving you and finding ways to be in the driver’s seat of your own life.

She specializes in evidence-based treatments and have extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well mindfulness-based approaches, with a specific focus on issues related to the interplay between mental and physical health. She has experience treating diverse individuals with anxiety, depression, and difficulties with life transitions.

She believes that change cannot happen without compassion for the person that you are right now and her goal as a therapist is to help you fully accept who you are while simultaneously gain insight into the ways in which you can become the person you want to be in the future. She looks forward to meeting you wherever you may be on this journey.

Clinical Psychologist PSY 30818

Doctoral Alma Mater: Georgia State University

Undergraduate Alma Mater: University of Southern California

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinic at West Los Angeles VA

Types of Clients Seen: Young Adults, Adults

Therapeutic style in 3 words: authentic, warm and compassionate

Specialty in 1 sentence: She specializes in helping people to understand and have compassion for their struggles, whether it be past trauma, ineffective behaviors, or life stress, in order to heal, change and live a meaningful life.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

About Me:

Dr. Natasha Mehta is a licensed clinical psychologist with nearly a decade of experience in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns. She has extensive training in evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, as well as specialized training in Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure for trauma.

Her approach to therapy is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore and understand your struggles and to help you obtain the tools necessary to be more effective in living the life you want. She believes it is by having acceptance and compassion for the things you may not like about yourself or want to change that you are able to find more effective ways of experiencing and living your life. He goal as a therapist is to understand and appreciate your unique life experience in order to help you do this.

In addition to private practice, she has worked as the Team Lead on the women’s unit of a mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program and currently work in a medical center’s outpatient mental health clinic, where she provides psychotherapy and supervise trainees. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and her graduate degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta. She looks forward to taking these experiences and helping you with your current circumstances.

Clinical Psychologist PSY 33985

Doctoral Alma Mater: University of Southern California

Undergrad Alma Mater: University of California, Los Angeles

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinic at the Long Beach VA Hospital

Types of Clients Seen: Young Adults, Adults, Couples

My therapeutic style in 3 words: Compassionate, Collaborative, Empowering

My specialty in 1 sentence:
I specialize in helping people heal pain in their life, empower them to build more confidence and self-compassion, and develop more useful ways of managing emotionally difficult moments resulting from trauma, depression, or anxiety.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

About Me:

Dr. Mona has years of experience working with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and difficult life transitions. Whether you are looking to heal from pain from the past or trying to find a way to move forward in your life, you don’t have to go through it alone. She strives to create a safe, non-judgmental relationship where individuals feel validated and empowered to overcome life’s challenges and lead a more fulfilling life. Her approach is person-centered and one of collaborative self-exploration where she sees herself as a guide to help you get where you want to be. She will work together with you to build more confidence, self-compassion, and hope and help you find some relief and peace in your life.

Dr. Mona provides individual, couples, and group therapy using evidence-based treatments. She has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, and trauma-focused therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure for Trauma.

Seeking help takes courage and self-awareness. You are already on a path of finding ways to live the life you want. She looks forward to being able to guide and support you through that process.

Registered Psychological Assistant 94026049

Doctoral Alma Mater: University of Southern California

Undergraduate Alma Mater: McGill University

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: UCLA Child Mental Health Intervention – T32 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Postdoctoral Fellowship

Types of Clients Seen: Teens, Young Adults, Adults

My therapeutic style in 3 words: Authentic, Present, and Empathic

My specialty in 1 sentence: I specialize in helping people see and own their strengths, while also learning more effective behaviors and coping styles to manage depression, intense emotions, addiction, trauma, self-harm, or relationship difficulties.

Other Languages: Spanish

Pronouns: she/her/hers

About Me:

Dr. Vargas’s clinical specialty is on treating mood disorders, emotion dysregulation, addiction, trauma, and self-harm. She specializes in working with adolescents, young adults, and minoritized people, including ethnic, sexual and gender minorities. In therapy, she uses a strengths-based approach to identify and build on your existing coping skills. She aims to create a non-judgemental space to help you feel truly heard and safe to explore your vulnerabilities and areas for growth. She uses a combination of warmth, directness, and humor to support you in learning new tools and more effective behaviors to live a life you value.

Dr. Vargas approaches therapy with the understanding that we all have problems and patterns we get stuck in. Sometimes it seems like life has played us an unfair hand, and we don’t know how to move forward. Asking for help can be difficult and brave. She sees her role as a guide to help you better understand whatever brought you to therapy, celebrate your strengths, and to develop the tools to take back control of your life.

In addition to her clinical practice with COPE, she is a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA. She received her BA from McGill University, PhD and Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California, and completed her pre-doctoral fellowship at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

She provides individual, couples, family and group therapy using evidence-based treatments. She has extensive training and experience in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, adoption-specific therapy, and other emotion-focused and mindfulness-based approaches. She is a native Spanish speaker and provide services in English and Spanish. Proveo terapia en español e inglés.

Doctoral Alma Mater: University of California Los Angeles

Undergraduate Alma Mater: The Ohio State University

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: UCLA Department of Psychiatry, National Insitute of Mental Health ALCARITY Center, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Types of Clients Seen: Kids, Teens, Families, Young Adults, Adults

My therapeutic style in 3 words: Warm, Creative, Collaborative

My specialty in 1 sentence: I specialize in helping people to gain insight about unhelpful patterns in their lives, identify and bolster their natural strengths, develop effective skills to cope with painful emotions, and cultivate confidence to overcome difficult times in life.

About Me:

Dr. Kodish specializes in evidence-based treatments for children, adolescents, and young adults with depression, anxiety and life stress. She has experience working with clients with diverse and intersecting identities, and strongly values integrating evidence-based treatments into the fabric of her clients’ lives.

Dr. Kodish’s therapeutic approach involves building a strong, trusting, and genuine client-therapist relationship. This creates a foundation in which individuals feel seen and heard, and can grow and learn. Dr. Kodish works collaboratively with each individual to set therapeutic goals and develop personalized therapy plans that support them in responding to stress and difficult emotions, and making meaningful changes in their lives. She draws from a variety of evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other mindfulness-based interventions. She believes that each individual is the expert on themselves and works to tailor and integrate therapeutic skills into clients’ lives in creative and effective ways.

Dr. Kodish received her M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a minor in developmental psychology at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She also completed her pre-doctoral fellowship at the UCLA Semel Institute, where she worked with young people and families in a variety of service settings. Her research has focused on mental health equity and culturally responsive therapy. She provides individual therapy for children, teens and young adults, integrating the family into treatment as indicated.

Psychology Extern

Doctoral Alma Mater: UC Irvine (in progress)

Undergrad Alma Mater: Cornell University

Types of Clients Seen: Teens, Young Adults, Adults, Couples

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

About Me:

Emily is a Psychology Extern at COPE and currently finishing her PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of California, Irvine where she specializes in the prevention of serious mental illness. She is passionate about improving access to mental health services and providing evidence-based, client-centered preventative services, particularly for those who have more difficult time accessing and engaging in mental health services.
She also has a particular interest in working with adolescents and young adults who are at risk for developing serious mental illness, youth and adults experiencing depression and anxiety, and people who are starting therapy for the first time.

Emily’s goal in therapy is to ensure that each of her clients feels seen and heard.
She aims to support each person in identifying their individual goals and work collaboratively towards achieving them. Her approach is to lead with kindness, warmth, and genuine curiosity about your experiences. She is committed to creating a safe and non-judgmental space where you feel comfortable, validated, and supported.

Psychology Extern

Doctoral Alma Mater: UC Irvine (in progress)

Undergrad Alma Mater: Ohio State University

Types of Clients Seen: Teens, Young Adults, Adults, Couples

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

About Me:

Kit is a Psychology Extern at COPE and currently finishing her PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of California, Irvine where she specializes in using technology to increase access and engagement in treatment for individuals exposed to trauma. She is passionate about working with individuals with trauma histories as well as a range of other mental health concerns, including addiction, depression, and anxiety. She provides high-quality and individualized evidence-based treatment to individuals and couples. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches to her work with patients.

Kit helps individuals recognize and reach their goals, wherever they may be in their journey. Her approach is genuine, supportive, and collaborative, focusing on supporting each individual and their unique needs. She is committed to helping individuals find success in therapy, in whatever way that they may define it.

Psychology Extern

Doctoral Alma Mater: UC Irvine (in progress)

Undergrad Alma Mater: University of Pittsburgh

Types of Clients Seen: Teens, Young Adults, Adults, Couples

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

About Me:

Miranda is a Psychology Extern at COPE and currently finishing her PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of California, Irvine where she specializes in working with teens and young adults to prevent the development of more complex mental health concerns. She is passionate about improving access to mental health services and providing individualized, evidence-based treatment. She has a particular interest in working with adolescents and young adults who are at risk for developing serious mental illness, but also works with adults and couples for a wide range of mental health issues.

Miranda aims to create a therapeutic environment that recognizes that the client is the expert of their own experience. Her approach to therapy is collaborative, genuine, and empathetic. She is committed to guiding clients to define and meet their goals for therapy and to live the life of their choosing.