Dr. Benjamin joins Rose City Center as a post-doctoral psychotherapist. Born and raised in South East Asia, Dr. Benjamin maintains an international perspective to his work. He greatly respects the diverse backgrounds and cultures of all clients. Dr. Benjamin considers all biopsychosocial factors pertaining to his client’s challenges and utilizes an integrative treatment approach. Drawing on psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and various other theoretical orientations, Dr. Benjamin works collaboratively with his clients to determine the most appropriate approach based on his client’s presenting challenges and goals. Dr. Benjamin provides both individual and couple therapy to adults at Rose City Center.
Dr. Benjamin has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Southern California and earned a M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University – Los Angeles. He completed his American Psychological Association accredited pre-doctoral internship at a multicultural counseling center in Los Angeles. Dr. Benjamin has provided diverse psychological services in a variety of settings including a community mental health clinic, hospital, community college, and private practice throughout his clinical training rotations. Dr. Benjamin’s research interests combine his interests of the biopsychosocial model and sport psychology.
Cyla takes a holistic and strengths-based approach to therapy tailored to each individual’s needs. Cyla strives to empower clients along their journey to self-discovery, growth, and healing. Clinical interests include identity formation, existential concerns, relationships, sexuality, and life transitions. Cyla has served a diverse population of adolescents and adults during her traineeships at BHC Alhambra Psychiatric Hospital and the Azusa Pacific University Community Counseling Center. She has provided psychotherapy to groups and individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, grief, adjustment issues, interpersonal struggles, chemical dependency, and chronic mental illness.
Cyla has a B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior and a Minor in Education from the University of California, Irvine. She graduated from Azusa Pacific University where she obtained her M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Cyla is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (IMF103482) under the supervision of Dr. Nancy Vogt, PhD. (PSY17882)
Eva joins Rose City Center as a pre-doctoral psychodynamic therapist whose interests include intergenerational and historical trauma, influences of culture on psychotherapy process, social justice, and practice and the application of attachment theory to individual and couples therapy. Eva’s clinical experience includes a variety of life challenges such as substance use, depression, post partum related disorders, new parenting, and couples psychotherapy. Eva also brings the experience of having worked with LGBQT community and feels passionate about helping individuals to find their authentic meaning and purpose in life. Drawing from relational psychoanalysis, object relations theory, and existential approaches, Eva works with individuals, families, and couples.
Eva earned her M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She is currently a fourth year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, California where she is completing her dissertation.
Eva is an active member of American Psychological Association, Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) and has presented on the application of psychoanalytic language to the analysis of post colonial and immigration issues, and influences of culture and immigration on therapy process.
Sunyata joins Rose City Counseling Center as an Associate Clinical Social Worker. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Lesley University and her M.A. in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Sunyata believes in taking a psychoanalytic and systemic approach, and is deeply interested in clinical issues such as resiliency, interpersonal relationships, and early attachment patterns and how they may affect individual functioning. Sunyata has clinical experience in both schools and community mental health settings with individuals, families, and groups, and believes that psychotherapy can be an essential tool in the achievement of personal balance and greater self-actualization. She is dedicated to working with individuals and couples and supporting them in the therapeutic process as they work towards improving relationships and overall individual well being. Sunyata believes that an emphasis on mindfulness and resiliency can be instrumental in improving one’s authenticity and sense of meaning in the journey of self-exploration that is at the heart of psychoanalysis.
Dr. Cory McKinsey joined Rose City Center after graduating from Azusa Pacific University in 2016 with an emphasis in Family Psychology. Dr. McKinsey completed his internship with Western Youth Services and has specialized training working with children, adolescents, families, and adults. Through the course of his education, he developed a passion for working with individuals from a relational psychodynamic perspective in order to help individuals identify various patterns that prevent them reaching their goals in life, while also incorporating mindfulness-based interventions to help individuals manage difficult life experiences and emotions. Throughout his work, Dr. McKinsey has continued to be an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and enjoys helping individuals from all walks of life better connect to themselves and make meaning out of their experiences.
Dr. Nevena Mojsilovic earned her doctorate degree in Applied Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and she has a Master’s degree in Child and Adolescent psychology. She received her pre-doctoral experience at the Wright Institute Los Angeles where she was trained intensively in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. She received a practicum training at the locked psychiatric facility, providing therapy to patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders, and has drawn heavily on psychoanalytic theories while working with this population. Dr. Mojsilovic has years of experience working with children and families, focusing on parent training and behavioral challenges. She is extremely passionate about working psychoanalytically with patients with the wide variety of issues, especially psychotic and personality disorders. Her hope is that my patients, using our therapeutic relationship as a vehicle, will become free to lead more authentic lives, become whole and embrace their true self. She is particularly drawn to attachment theory and object-relations, and through her work she invites patients to become curious about themselves and attempt to view their current circumstances through both developmental and relational lenses. Being from a different country herself, she has a great appreciation and interest in different cultures, and enjoys working with a culturally diverse population.
Dr. Samantha Miller was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and joins Rose City Center after graduating from the Arizona School of Professional Psychology, Phoenix in 2017. Dr. Miller completed her American Psychological Association (APA) accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Arizona State Hospital and has specialized training in individual, couples, and group psychotherapy. Her various clinical experiences also include working in community mental health settings, and inpatient and outpatient clinics. Throughout the course of her education, Dr. Miller developed a passion for working with individuals, families, and couples through a collaborative, holistic, strengths-based approach, often including existential/humanistic and psychodynamic frameworks. Dr. Miller continues to be an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and enjoys helping individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures to better connect to themselves, find their authentic purpose in life, and create meaning of their experiences. She strives to empower her patients, while accompanying them on a journey to explore the deeper roots of issues, challenging them to reach their full potential.
Dr. Ryan Witherspoon is a post-doctoral fellow and registered psychological assistant (PSB94024235) at Rose City Center. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. In addition, he has Masters degrees in Clinical and General Psychology from Alliant and Pepperdine University, respectively. His passion is helping individuals, couples/relationships, and families navigate the complexities and challenges of life. His goal is to help each client become the director of their own story by empowering them to take charge of their life. He strives to create an atmosphere of warmth, safety, and curiosity in therapy. His training and expertise encompass working with individuals and relationships across their lifespans utilizing psychodynamic, family systems, and mindfulness-based approaches, among others. Appreciation of each person’s unique cultural context is very important to Dr. Witherspoon, and he has experience working with people of many diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, relationship configurations, racial/ethnic backgrounds, abilities, and spiritual beliefs.
Dr. Julie Brown is a post-doctoral psychotherapist at Rose City Center, passionate about fostering resiliency in the midst of adversity. She has received her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, as well as her Masters of Theology, from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology and Theological Seminary, where her passion for making meaning of the human experience was sparked. These varied avenues of study allow her to take a reflective stance on holistic personhood, encouraging clients to become acquainted with the most integrated versions of themselves.
With five years of experience in the field, her specialty training includes working with survivors of trauma, thriving after adversity, adaptive and maladaptive coping patterns, eating disorders, substance abuse, multicultural concerns, mind-body connection, and identity development. Julie has specifically worked in chemical dependency facilities, multidisciplinary teams for integrated medical and mental health care, and university counseling centers.
She is passionate about working with individuals from all different identity backgrounds and stands as an ally and advocate for members of all minority communities. Julie’s passion is to assist clients in discovering thriving relationships with self and others, increased joy, and a greater sense of clarity.
Julie completed an APA-accredited doctoral internship at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a registered psychological assistant (PSB94024460) under the supervision of Dr. Suzanne Lake, PsyD (PSY13922).
Dr. Amanda Lomanov hails from the East Coast where she was trained at Yeshiva University in New York City. Her curiosity about the human condition, psychological drives, and family dynamics was cultivated during her undergraduate years at Cornell University. She has since expanded her research expertise from group communication in the digital landscape to changes in dating habits in the Information Age. Clinically, she has over 5 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, groups, couples, and families in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Dr. Lomanov specializes in work with survivors of trauma and their families. Her philosophy of treatment is to help individuals move forward and reclaim control over their emotions and thoughts. She strives to bring flexibility and hope back into the lives of her patients on their journey to self-compassion and acceptance of the past. Dr. Lomanov believes that the relationship between clinicians and the individuals they serve is an invaluable tool for self-discovery and the maintenance of long-term change.
Dr. Lomanov has worked in various treatment settings, including group practice, child advocacy centers, community-based clinics, and outpatient clinics. She completed her APA-accredited internship at Nassau University Medical Center, a county hospital in Long Island, New York.
Dina Zaki is a pre-doctoral therapist at Rose City Center. She joins the field of psychology from a corporate career in the media/entertainment industry spanning 20 years. Dina’s clinical interests include working with individuals and couples who have experienced fragmented early relationships with parents who were unable to provide the stability, structure, and support needed in in early development. Dina uses a lens of attachment theory and psychodynamic principles to explore and discover the various internal parts and early relational patterns that may be root causes of stress, depression, anxiety, and unresolved grief. Her doctoral research focused on the intricacies of mother/daughter relationships, narcissistic family structures, and transgenerational parenting behaviors. Dina has a particular passion for growthful living. She imparts this philosophy by helping individuals and couples to nurture and cultivate their true and authentic selves, to find their place in the world, and to foster meaningful and fulfilling relationships.
Dina was previously in training at Valley Community Counseling Clinic and The Center for Individual and Family Counseling in North Hollywood, where she practiced psychoanalytic and family systems oriented psychotherapy with individuals and couples. Dina also completed clinical training at The Bella Vita, a residential treatment center for eating disorders, where she was involved in developing, leading, and assessing group therapy programs for adults and adolescents needing an acute level of care.
Dina is a registered psychological assistant (PSB94024257) and is currently in candidacy for her doctorate in clinical psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. She completed her M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University. Dina is under the supervision of Dr. Nancy Vogt, PhD (PSY17882).
Dina is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), California Psychological Association (CPA), Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA), and NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science (NTL). Dina stays current with issues in the psychological community by presenting her work at various conferences, participating in clinical consultation groups, and attending continuing education programs.
