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. 

Operations Manager

Dr. Maggie Ateia was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She did her undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Southern California. She then went on to complete her graduate degrees from Alliant International University (previously the California School of Professional Psychology). Dr. Ateia completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Claremont Colleges while also maintaining a psychological assistantship under the supervision of Dr. Alan Karbelnig. Dr. Ateia currently works part time at the Caltech Counseling Center where she has been on staff for over a decade. Dr. Ateia also maintains a private practice in Old Town Pasadena.

Gary Howarth is the CEO of VaxisHub, a video marketing business.  He earned a degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona.  He followed that with a Master in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.  His early career was in sales and marketing for Union Carbide and Praxair.  He was responsible for sales to Fortune 500 companies like Boeing, IBM, and Seagate globally.  Geographically he sold in North America, South America, and Asia.  In 2000, Gary started his own sales and marketing company that sold materials to the semiconductor, industrial gas turbine, and aerospace industries.  Gary has an entrepreneurial spirit and operates VaxisHub, a video marketing business that focuses on personal communication and strengthening relationships between businesses and their clients.

Dr. Eileen Beirich practices as a licensed dynamic psychotherapist in Pasadena, California. Previous to becoming a psychotherapist Dr. Beirich earned a BFA from the University of Houston. Implementing her art, through space planning divisions of architectural firms, she created fiber and metal compositions for public spaces throughout the South.

She holds a doctorate in psychoanalysis from Newport Psychoanalytic Institute (2009), where she has been a five year member of the Executive Committee for the Pasadena campus. She became a Training and Supervising Analyst at Newport in 2014. In addition to her work as a psychotherapist, she supervises as well as teaches candidates at Newport since 2010. Dr. Beirich maintains a Clinical Membership at the New Center for Psychoanalysis, where she has served on the Membership Services Committee. Dr. Beirich’s involvement with Rose City began four years ago as a clinical group supervisor working with Rose City supervisees. In 2014 she joined the board of Rose City to assist with general needs of RCC especially fundraising and other financial matters. In her private practice, she provides some low or no cost therapy for returning military veterans, men and women, enrolled at Pasadena City College.

Dr. B. Joseph Ho has worked in the behavioral healthcare industry for over 25 years both as a clinician and an administrator. As a clinician, he treats child, adolescent, adult and older adult clients with cognitive-behavioral, existential and humanistic psychotherapies. He specializes in integrating spirituality and religion into treatment. He had also received appointments in general medical, and psychiatric hospitals as an allied healthcare or medical staff. For years, he supervised pre-doctoral psychology interns as a Clinical Associate Professor (Fuller Graduate School of Psychology), and a Clinical Supervisor (Alliant International University). As an administrator, he manages a multi-million dollar child and adolescent outpatient program (with over 100 clinical staff) in the public community mental health sector. Some of the innovative programming he developed and brought to his programs includes school-based mental health, evidence-based practices, early childhood mental health and education services, and trauma-informed care. In 2015, he cofounded a behavioral health service company, Parakletos By Your Side. The company primarily serves large health maintenance organizations, and currently has 20+ licensed and credentialed providers.

His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in clinical psychology (BIOLA University), MBA (University of Southern California), and M.Div. (Denver Seminary). He is a Licensed Psychologist in California, a Registrant of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, and a member of the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Amy Keller is a Doctor of Psychology in Psychoanalysis, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist—who believes in the power of psychoanalysis to take you further than psychotherapy alone. A California native, she trained at Newport Psychoanalytic Institute and Fuller Theological Seminary, and has been a guest lecturer at both schools, as well as at Pepperdine University. Dr. Keller has spent more than a decade helping couples and individuals out of her Pasadena office. Working with Rose City Center as a group supervisor, and now as a board member, are among her greatest honors. When not assisting clients or the community, Dr. Keller enjoys skiing, dirt biking, and salsa dancing!

Dr. Kris Yi is a licensed psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in Pasadena.  Her practice focuses on psychoanalysis, individual and couples therapy on issues ranging from depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship conflicts, to self-esteem issues.  A particular expertise of hers is inter/cross cultural and ethnic minority experience and identity.  She currently serves on the board of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Division of Psychoanalysis and co-chairs its highly successful Scholars program.  She had previously served as a co-chair of the Ethics Committee for the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Los Angeles.  She has written and presented nationally on trauma, immigration, and ethnic identity.  Her written work has appeared in Psychoanalytic Psychology and Psychoanalytic Dialogues.

Dr. Sam Alibrando has worked with individuals and families as a therapist for over 30 years–at first as a marriage and family therapist and after completing his doctorate as a clinical psychologist. He strongly believes in a process of “collaborative healing” where the client and the professional team-up to bring about a therapeutic and growing process–together. He also believes that our transformation comes in combination with healthy relationships, physical wellbeing and wholesome spirituality. This is also true when working with couples and family members where couples and family members are helped beyond their reactivity to find healthful ways of loving each other while maintaining their own unique individuality.

Dr. Sam Alibrando is also an author. His seminal work on the change process is Follow the Yellow Brick Road: How to Change for the Better When Life Gives You Its Worst. His newest book, The 3 Dimensions of Emotions, offers a new way to understand emotional intelligence and find your relational “sweet spot”—the dynamic intersection of power, heart, and mindfulness.

Dr. Alibrando has accumulated many interests and experiences over 30 years as a consultant, therapist, executive director, author, workshop facilitator, adjunct professor, and mediator. However, all these experiences and roles are aimed toward one end: to facilitate the transformation of individuals and organizations; to leverage their strengths and transcend their weaknesses in order to become better at what they do and to do that with integrity and joy.

Gabriel Hubbard, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in Pasadena.  In private practice since 2015, Dr. Hubbard works with adolescent and adult individuals, couples, and families, providing both short-term, problem-focused treatment as well as more long-term, intensive forms of therapy.  His areas of clinical interest include life transitions, trauma and PTSD, gender and sexuality, cross-cultural issues, loss and mourning, creativity, and work satisfaction.  He is currently a clinical supervisor at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.  Dr. Hubbard joined the board of Rose City Center in November 2017.

Anthony DiMonte is Senior Counsel at ADLI Law Group P.C. His practice primarily focuses on mergers and acquisitions, complex business transactions, regulatory compliance, corporate and civil litigation.

With over 19 years of experience in the legal profession, Mr. DiMonte utilizes his trial experience and skills to advise and counsel corporate and entrepreneurial individuals in business sales and acquisitions, commercial transactions, corporate governance and compliance and corporate and civil litigation.

Prior to joining ADLI Law Group P.C., Mr. DiMonte was a Senior Counsel at the Law Offices of Virgil L. Roth, PC. During such time, he served as outside General Counsel and M&A counsel for domestic and international business entities and private investment and capital groups, which included negotiating and documenting purchase, sale and merger agreements and dissolutions, corporate contracts related to licensing, executive employment agreements, corporate governance, acquisition, vendor contracting, leasing and real estate property matters, and advising on loss mitigation and compliance issues. Many of Mr. DiMonte’s clients are active providers, vendors and care facilities in the Healthcare Industry. He also prosecutes and defends commercial claims in all counties of Southern California and Bay Area, including jury and bench trail matters in California State and Federal Courts.

Mr. DiMonte graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois with a Bachelor’s of Arts in History and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. DiMonte is committed to helping clients and providing them efficient and effective representation to resolve all complex business-transactional, regulatory compliance, corporate and civil litigation matters in a manner that is both expeditious and sensitive to the needs of modern investors, principals, and entrepreneurs.