OUR TEAM
Allyn Rodriguez, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
PSY 27459
Dr. Rodriguez earned both her Masters in Counseling and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, IL. She has worked in a variety of different clinical settings including inpatient, residential, community mental health, and private practice. She has also worked with a diverse group of clients with regard to ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and age. Although she now works mainly with adults, she also has extensive experience working in early childhood education. Her special interests include group therapy, identity issues, and working with survivors of trauma. In addition to her clinical work she has worked as an adjunct professor at both the Chicago School of Professional Psychology - LA Campus and University of the West in Rosemead, CA. She has taught courses in Group Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy and Diversity, as well as Professional Development. She is a former board member of the Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles and a member of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. She now trains pre-licensed clinicians in her private practice to provide integrative, trauma-informed care. Dr. Rodriguez's statement on her clinical work: "As a psychologist, I see mental health as inherently linked to our earliest experiences with care giving. From my perspective, patterns developed within early relationships are adaptations to one’s original environment, but may become problematic later in life if inflexible. In my experience, this inflexibility often leads to psychological symptoms. Therefore, I believe that change occurs through the exploration of past relationships patterns within the context of a uniquely supportive relationship that can serve as a new model for relating to self and others, and a new way of understanding your symptoms. Because we become who we are through relationships, discussing interactions and making meaning of how others perceive us is an important focus of therapy. This involves reconstructing personal experience in a way that helps individuals move towards accepting all parts of themselves, both “good” and “bad.” Although thoughtful exploration of past experiences can be an important and powerful aspect of therapy, I also encourage my clients to consider ways in which they would like to develop in the future, including but not limited to, feeling more able to handle life’s challenges. In particular, the knowledge and skills I have learned from the DBT approach are aimed at strengthening an internal foundation from which to help this part of you evolve. Ideally, this combination of future and past focus helps pave the way for a more authentic version of your self to emerge."
(504) 408-1762
Talia Banayan, Psy.D.
Psychological Associate
PSB 94027918
Dr. Banayan received her PsyD at Loma Linda University with focused training on chronic stress and child psychology. Dr. Banayan went on to an APA accredited doctoral internship at Louisiana State University Health New Orleans with specialized training in infant and child mental health and trauma psychology. Dr. Banayan has a passion for working with individuals from infancy through adulthood with a keen interest to support individuals as they navigate ongoing stress, parenting difficulties, ADHD symptoms, and life transitions during emerging adulthood. Dr. Banayan’s in-depth training has prepared her to offer a spectrum of empirically supported interventions including but not limited to: · Child Parent Psychotherapy (0-5 yrs old) · Watch, Wait, Wonder (0-5 yrs old) · Behavior Parent Training · Managing and Adapting Practices · Mindfulness training · Community Resiliency Model · Dialectical Behavior Therapy · Cognitive Behavior Therapy · Psychodynamic Therapy · Prolonged Exposure · Emotion Focused Therapy (a gold standard for couples) Dr. Banayan’s statement on her clinical work: “As a psychologist, I see therapy as an extremely personalized journey; a client-centered experience. I have passion for integrating neurobiological understanding into therapy in a concrete and accessible way for my clients to feel empowered in their own understanding of their actions and somatic responses. I strive to make therapy a safe place for emotional exploration, especially when you may not have felt that in your childhood or family of origin. I work with each client to build a personalized roadmap to achieve your therapeutic goals and dreams, making my work particularly welcoming to therapy first-timers. I hope to support each individual I work with to feel authentically connected to their own strengths and inner joy.”
(504) 383-3626
Camille Laksman, MA
Doctoral Practicum Student
Camille holds a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science and Philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master's in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. She is currently an advanced practicum student working on her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Camille’s clinical experience includes working in outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, and private practice settings with diverse clientele, providing both psychotherapy and psychodiagnostic assessments. She has experience working with individuals, groups, and families. Her approach is neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQ+ affirming, and trauma-informed. She is passionate about providing low-fee sessions to make therapy more accessible. Camille particularly enjoys working with clients looking to explore their identity, in the midst of life transitions, and/or struggling relationally. Camille’s statement on her clinical work: “As a therapist, I believe that true healing unfolds within the depth of our trust and connection. I value the therapeutic healing that occurs during moments of uncertainty, such as experiencing loss, change in life direction, or the end of a relationship. These transitions are a pivotal time for self discovery and self creation. The therapeutic relationship is paramount, providing a safe and nurturing space where we can gently uncover and transform the longstanding patterns that may be holding you back. I view therapy as a collaborative journey, where we work together over time to explore your inner world at your own pace, guided by warmth, empathy, and curiosity. My approach is rooted in attachment-based psychodynamic therapy, which emphasizes the profound impact of early relationships and experiences on your current emotional and psychological state. This framework allows us to understand how past dynamics influence your present life, shedding light on unconscious patterns that shape your behaviors and relationships. To create a tailored and holistic therapeutic experience, I integrate techniques from various modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Gestalt therapy. With this integrative approach, we will create a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of your experiences and by viewing your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors as interwoven aspects of your overall being. Through this process, my aim is to support you in building a more integrated and empowered sense of self, ultimately enhancing your capacity for meaningful connections and personal growth.”
call Dr. Talia at (504) 383-3626