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.

Doctoral Alma Mater: The Wright Institute (Berkeley, CA)

Undergraduate Alma Mater: San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, Trauma Postdoctoral Resident

Types of Clients Seen: Adults of all ages

My therapeutic style in 3 words: Warm, Empathetic, Engaging

My specialty in 1 sentence:  Through a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach, I assist people in developing effective coping skills to heal from the pain of trauma, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and substance use disorders, and support them in overcoming their challenges and finding meaning towards living a life that aligns with their personal values. 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

About Me:

Dr. Colyer specializes in evidence-based treatments for adults of all ages with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use disorders and addiction, sleep & behavior problems. She has experience working with adults from diverse backgrounds and identities and approaches her work from multicultural framework, honoring the intersections of each of her client’s unique identities. She has extensive experience working with Veterans, LGBTQIA+, and artists/creatives, as well as survivors of trauma, harassment, and abuse. She incorporates scientifically supported treatment modalities with a relational and individualized approach to each of her clients and brings warmth, humor, and compassion into each of her therapy sessions.

Dr. Colyer’s therapeutic approach is engaging and interpersonal, and she meets clients where they are on their personal journeys. She has training in evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and specialized training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) for PTSD and VA-certified training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). She has experience working in a variety of clinical settings, including school, community mental health, outpatient, and VA medical centers. Dr. Colyer collaborates with her clients to help them identify their goals and treatment plan to assist them in moving towards their values to improve their overall well-being and interpersonal relationships.

Dr. Colyer believes that her clients are the experts of their own lives and sees her role as a therapist as supportive and uplifting, empowering her clients to move forward in their healing and their lives. Her background as a musician and performer gives her a unique voice and perspective, an ability to work creatively, connect with and tailor her approach to each client’s unique needs and goals.  Her goal as a therapist is to be an advocate for those with whom she works, honoring the intersections of their unique and multicultural identities into therapy, and helping them build skills to overcome pain and move towards their goals, grounded in personal values and meaning. 

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.

Clinical Psychologist PSY 35305

Doctoral Alma Mater: University of California, Santa Barbara

Undergraduate Alma Mater: Clark University

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences

Types of Clients Seen: Children, Adolescents, Young Adults, Adults, Families

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

My specialty in 1 sentence: I specialize in helping people explore new ways of understanding themselves and their experiences of distress, while mindfully integrating effective coping skills, building on personal strengths, and prioritizing personal values.

Other Languages: Spanish

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Ella

About Me:

Dr. Jaramillo specializes in evidence-based treatments for children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Dr. Jaramillo focuses in treating depression, traumatic stress, anxiety, self-harm, life transitions, and relationship challenges. She has experience providing therapy in inpatient, outpatient, college counseling, and community mental health settings.

Dr. Jaramillo utilizes a collaborative, non-judgmental, and individualized approach in therapy. She strives to establish a trusting therapeutic relationship and enjoys working with clients with diverse intersecting identities. She has extensive experience providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. She also utilizes Mindfulness-Based Interventions to promote self-awareness, acceptance, and compassion. In addition, she also enjoys helping clients explore ways to connect with themselves through creativity.

In addition to her clinical practice with COPE, Dr. Jaramillo is a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA. She received her BA from Clark University and her PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she obtained specialized clinical training in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding patterns of risk and resilience in the context of trauma, suicide prevention, and examining the mechanisms that contribute to, maintain and/or exacerbate mental health disparities. In addition, she is a certified yoga instructor. Dr. Jaramillo looks forward to getting to know you and creating an inclusive space where you can feel heard, safe, and validated.

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST PSY 35469
Doctoral Alma Mater: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 

Undergraduate Alma Mater: The Pennsylvania State University

Pre-Doctoral Internship Training: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Early Childhood Track 

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: UCLA Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, National  Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) T32 Postdoctoral Research Training Fellowship in the Science of  Child Mental Health Interventions 

Types of Clients Seen: Toddlers, Preschoolers, Children, Teens, Families, Perinatal Individuals  and Couples, Adults 

My therapeutic style in 3 words: Warm, Collaborative, Strengths-Based 

My specialty in 1 sentence: Through a relational, trauma-informed, and strengths-based  orientation, I specialized in helping children and families heal from experiences of stress, trauma,  behavioral challenges, anxiety, or depression by helping them develop an effective toolbox of skills.  

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 

About Me: 

Dr. Palmer specializes in providing evidence-based treatments for Toddlers, Preschoolers, Children,  Teens, Families, and Perinatal individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD,  and behavior problems. Dr. Palmer is particularly passionate about helping children and families  heal from stressful life experiences. When working with children, she aims to strengthen family  relationships and identify strategies to improve whole family functioning and wellbeing. Dr. Palmer is  also passionate about working with perinatal adult populations who are experiencing peripartum  depression, anxiety, OCD, and processing traumatic births. She has extensive experience working  with clients from diverse, multicultural backgrounds. She strives to cultivate a collaborative, non judgmental, and individualized approach to therapy that is grounded in evidence-based treatments  while adjusting strategies as needed to meet an individual’s or family’s needs. 

Dr. Palmer’s therapeutic approach is informed by attachment theory and is thus based on creating  trusting relationships and is person-centered. She enjoys helping clients face their challenges, heal  from past trauma, and develop confidence and compassion for themselves. She enjoys working with  children of all ages, including very young children and often incorporates parents into sessions. She  has training in modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive  Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Coping Cat, Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Exposure Response  Prevention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), DIR/Floor Time, Incredible Years,  Families Overcoming Under Stress, and Circle of Security. Dr. Palmer works collaboratively with  each client to identify treatment goals and develop a personalized treatment plan to make  meaningful changes in your life. 

She strives to meet all clients with validation, compassion, and empathy. She will work with you to  cultivate a warm and inviting space where you can share your thoughts and feelings without  judgment. She looks forward to getting to know you and supporting you on your journey toward  healing and growth.

Registered Psychological Associate #94028438  

Doctoral Alma Mater: The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA

Undergraduate Alma Mater: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Pre-Doctoral Internship Training: Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Services, serving adults with severe mental illness

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

My therapeutic style in 3 words: Curious, Collaborative, Insightful 

My specialty in 1 sentence:  I specialize in helping adults, couples, and families navigate the complexities of anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges, empowering them to heal, develop effective coping skills, and create meaningful change in their lives.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

About Me:

Dr. Hauser specializes in working with adults, couples, and families navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma histories, ADHD, emotion regulation issues, relationship dynamics, and severe mental illness. She integrates evidence-based treatments like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and trauma-informed care along with more psychodynamic approaches.

Known for her genuine and compassionate approach, Dr. Hauser is deeply committed to creating a therapeutic space where clients feel truly seen, heard, and understood. She believes in the power of connection and uses it as a tool to help clients gain insights into how they show up and interact with others. Dr. Hauser is empathetic, direct, and genuinely invested in her clients’ stories and experiences, prioritizing their well-being and growth. Her goal is to empower clients to feel in control of their emotions and relationships, equipping them with the tools they need to regulate their systems and understand their relational dynamics.

Dr. Hauser earned her BA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. She completed her pre-doctoral fellowship at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, where she worked with adults and families navigating severe mental illness and homelessness in an outpatient setting. Her diverse experience spans work in prisons, university settings, schools, the VA, and various mental health clinics. Dr. Hauser is passionate about enhancing access to high-quality mental health services in community settings and looks forward to supporting you on your journey.

Registered Psychological Associate PSB 94027668

Doctoral Alma Mater: Georgia State University

Undergraduate Alma Mater: Florida International University

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: UCLA Department of Psychology

Types of Clients Seen: Adolescents, Families, Young Adults, Adults

My therapeutic style in 3 words: Collaborative, Integrative, Strengths-Based

My specialty in 1 sentence: I specialize in helping people develop an understanding of the nature and function of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, to validate and approach (instead of avoid) their internal emotional experiences in a non-judgmental way, and to learn and practice effective strategies to regulate intense emotions, reduce suffering, and improve quality of life.

Other Languages: Spanish

Pronouns: She/Her

About Me:

Dr. Arce’s approach to therapy is integrative and involves the flexible implementation of a range of evidence-based and culturally-sensitive interventions for a variety of mental health concerns, including signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Dr. Arce relies heavily on cognitive behavioral therapies, which emphasize links between how we think, feel, and act, while attending to the unique contexts in which thoughts, feelings, and behaviors occur and how we relate to them. She further utilizes an ecological and family systems framework to deepen our understanding of the ways in which individuals influence and are influenced by other people, including family and friends, and other systems and settings, including school and work. Her approach to therapy assumes that clients are doing the best that they can with what they have, and that everyone would and could do better if provided with adequate support and resources. Dr. Arce works closely with clients to identify treatment goals and to develop a plan that leverages existing strengths and supports them in learning effective skills to navigate challenging situations or experiences.

Dr. Arce has extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which are effective treatments for problems involving difficulties with managing intense emotions, as well as in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which are effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD and other stressor-related problems. Dr. Arce has also received specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She works with adolescents, families, young adults, and adults.

Beyond her clinical practice with COPE, Dr. Arce is a postdoctoral scholar at UCLA. She received her BA from Florida International University and her PhD from Georgia State University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the UCSF Child and Adolescent Services Multicultural Clinical Training Program (MCTP) at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, where she worked with youth and families in school and community-based outpatient settings. Her research utilizes an ecological systems framework to investigate factors that may facilitate positive development, resilience, and empowerment among immigrant and BIPOC communities.

Clinical Psychologist PSY 35695

Doctoral Alma Mater: University of La Verne

Undergraduate Alma Mater: University of La Verne 

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Training: Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM)/Health Psychology Clinics at the West Los Angeles VA  

Types of Clients Seen: Young adults, Adults, Couples 

My therapeutic style in 3 words:  Warm, Open-Minded, and Culturally-Responsive 

My specialty in 1 sentence: I specialize in helping people navigate various life stressors and mental health realities by collaborating to build the most effective toolbox of life-long skills they can continue using beyond our time together.  

Other Languages: Spanish 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

About Me:

Dr. Gomez specializes in providing evidence-based treatments for adults with various presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, grief, managing chronic medical conditions, and helping people adjust to major life changes. She has experience working with adults in different life stages and from diverse cultural backgrounds. She makes sure to make space to explore your values and collaborates with you to create goals that align with what is important to you and what you hope to gain from treatment. She prides herself in providing high-quality treatment to help you achieve your goals effectively. Interpersonally, Dr. Gomez is warm, compassionate, adaptable, and open-minded. She understands that starting treatment with a new provider can be a nerve-wracking experience; therefore, she is committed to fostering a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where you can comfortably express your true self.

Dr. Gomez has training in evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to address various presenting concerns. Her approach is integrative, bringing in skills that might be helpful to you from other evidence-based treatment approaches, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Dr. Gomez’s training in various medical settings has granted her the opportunity to receive specialized training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (CBTi) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP). She will take the time to comprehensively discuss your treatment options, answer any questions, and collaborate with you in creating an individualized treatment plan that works best for your unique needs and goals. 

Dr. Gomez received her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology, Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (M.S.), and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) at the University of La Verne. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital, where she worked with adults with various mental health and physical health concerns, both inpatient and outpatient. She also completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the West Los Angeles VA, providing treatment to Veterans for various presenting issues in the behavioral sleep medicine clinic, pain clinic, transplant clinic, and HIV/infectious disease clinic. As an English-Spanish bilingual, Dr. Gomez’s research interests have focused on making high-quality evidence-based treatments more accessible to culturally and linguistically diverse individuals. She looks forward to meeting you and supporting you in meeting your goals.

PSYCHOLOGY EXTERN

Doctoral Alma Mater: UC Irvine (in progress)

Undergrad Alma Mater: University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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

About:

Jennifer is a Psychology Extern at COPE and is currently finishing her PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of California, Irvine where she specializes in working with individuals with depression, anxiety, and trauma.

Jennifer is passionate about ensuring that therapy is a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate space where all clients feel comfortable being vulnerable so that they can more deeply explore themselves and embrace personal growth. She believes that every individual can reach meaningful recovery, and does so in their own way and at their own pace. As such, she firmly believes that therapy should be a collaborative experience where both the therapist and client work together to uncover insights and develop strategies for positive change.

Jennifer believes that every individual is made up of unique life experiences, personal values, and future goals, and as such, therapy looks different for each individual. For this reason, she takes a person-centered approach to therapy, in which she works closely with each client to develop a collaborative treatment plan that aligns with their own goals and values. Her therapeutic approach is guided by evidence-based strategies that have been found to be effective in treating a range of mental health conditions, which she tailors to each individual client’s needs. Overall, Jennifer aims to create a safe, empathetic, and collaborative environment that allows each individual to work towards and achieve their life worth living.

PSYCHOLOGY EXTERN

Doctoral Alma Mater: University of Southern California (in progress)

Undergrad Alma Mater: University of Southern California

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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

About:

Kyla is a Psychology Extern at COPE and is currently finishing her PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Southern California (USC). Kyla is passionate about working with individuals dealing with challenges related to mood disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), emotion dysregulation, and substance use. In addition to these clinical specialties, Kyla’s research focus investigates substance use and mental health among marginalized groups.

Kyla strives to foster an environment that is supportive and affirming for her clients. She aims to maintain a holistic and collaborative perspective that considers the impact of sociocultural factors. She utilizes evidence-based treatments (e.g., cognitive and dialectical behavior therapies) to help clients meet their therapy goals. Kyla works with her clients to formulate treatment plans and goals that will best serve their needs and guide them toward developing the necessary tools to maintain these successes outside of the therapy room.