Dr. Mark Stein is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Stein received his doctorate from Alliant University (CSPP-SD) in 1997. In 1999, he became licensed. Over the next 6 years he had both clinical and administrative positions working for numerous non-profit organizations with different systems of care. In 2004, he decided to leave the non-profit sector and start a private practice that focused on assessment and therapy. Since that time, Dr. Stein, Ph.D. has honed his skills in testing and assessment of children, adolescents, and adults through direct service and consultation with a multitude of professionals in related fields (i.e. Developmental Optometry, Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy). Even though his focus has been on testing and assessment, Dr. Stein is often hired as a consultant to other organizations that wish to add assessment services to their various programs. Lastly, he has served as an adjunct faculty member at Phillips Graduate Institute and has taught at Mt. St. Mary College.

Dr. “V” has been teaching for over 20 years. Her passion for reading led to training in assessing and addressing the needs of students with language-based disorders. She designed and implemented the inclusion program at a K through 8th grade school that included small group strategies within the classroom or a resource room, study skills classes, professional development for teachers, and collaboration with parents on how to support their children. In addition, she implemented a study skills program for middle school students who also required support in executive functioning skills. This included work in organization, research, note taking, learning techniques, time management, and test taking. She has also taught and supervised pre-service elementary and high school teachers in Los Angeles. Her teaching focuses on helping students succeed academically as well as achieving satisfying and rewarding lives. Her philosophy mirrors the words of John Wooden, “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”

Laura E. Rold, PsyD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Laura received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Pasadena, CA. Laura has several years of experience providing testing and psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, and families in various settings, including private practice, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, and schools ranging from pre-K to college. During her predoctoral training at Stein Psych, Laura completed in-depth psychoeducational reports, which successfully guided future treatment for those with learning disabilities, ADHD, behavioral concerns, and coexisting psychological distress. With a psychodynamic approach to treatment, Laura enjoys interacting with diverse individuals and concerns, promoting growth, meaning, and connection in those she has the opportunity to work with. She has extensive experience supporting those with issues related to anxiety, depression, interpersonal difficulties, OCD, ADHD, Bipolar disorder, grief, trauma, negative behavioral patterns, and those generally seeking understanding and growth in their identity and approach to life. Laura received specialized training in the DIR/Floortime model of treatment with children and teens on the autism spectrum and those with other developmental issues.

Donna Sandford, PsyD, (PSY27327) is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned her doctorate degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2012. Donna has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, residential programs, intensive treatment programs, community mental health clinics, and substance abuse programs. She has received extensive training in the areas of depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol addiction, parenting strategies, attention issues, and learning differences. Donna provides a warm, safe environment and enjoys connecting with clients of all ages, identities, and backgrounds. Her clinical approach is integrative, including aspects from psychodynamic therapy, family systems, mindfulness, and interpersonal neurobiology. Donna provides an individualized approach to each of her clients based on their personal strengths and needs. As an experienced parent to three boys, Donna aims to help families by offering well-researched recommendations that are also realistic for their unique daily lives.

Lisa has gained extensive experience in working with a wide range of age groups conducting clinical assessments and therapeutic treatment, as well as having a strong background in neuropsychological assessment through UCLA. Her particular areas of expertise include learning disorders, ADHD, and age related cognitive decline. Lisa has a passion for working with children, adolescents, and adults in promoting full and healthy lives through psychological assessment and intervention.

Zachary has been providing students with the tools and support to help them achieve their academic and test taking goals since 2015. Having scored in the 99th percentile of his own standardized test in high school, he got his start leading test prep courses. He quickly transitioned to providing one-on-one support for both standardized exams and academic courses, working directly with students and their families to craft an individualized program tailored to a student’s unique learning style and needs. Having worked in schools, outpatient healthcare facilities, and with families directly, he marries an academic background in psychology and neuroscience with a wealth of teaching and tutoring experience to provide multi-faceted support, helping students master the content while simultaneously cultivating executive functioning skills and work habits crucial to success beyond any standardized test or class final. Providing robust support services including personalized instruction, thoughtful testing or course guidance, and detailed study plans, Zachary’s programs emphasize organization, consistency, and preparation with intention. He aims for students to achieve results while maintaining a healthy perspective and focus on learning and growth.

Ripsime began her journey as an educator while still in high school, tutoring other students after school and quickly recognizing that she had a knack for communicating complex and abstract ideas in an easy-to-understand way and a passion for tailoring her efforts to each individual in a way that inspired interest, confidence, and a desire to advance learning. Ripsime has worked in both the public sector, as a teacher and Math Department chair, and the private sector, as an education business owner and one-on-one and small-group tutor -- providing compassionate support and empowerment to students from diverse educational backgrounds and abilities. Her overarching goal is to aid her students in building the capacity to withstand failure, the persistence to interrogate and iterate until they find success, and the knowledge that they are intellectually capable. She specializes in all levels of K-12 math and math SAT/ACT/ISEE and other Test-Prep programs that reinforce conceptual understanding while improving confidence and test scores. In addition, she works to strengthen executive functioning abilities through developing analysis, synthesis, problem-solving, organization, and follow-through skills that are fundamental for lifelong achievement.
Ripsime studied mathematics at California State University Northridge before transferring to the University of Science, Arts, and Technology and earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Math Education. In 2022 she earned a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard Kennedy School, a program focusing on adaptive/motivational leadership that inspires actions and solutions. She loves integrating her knowledge of mathematics and leadership with her extensive experience in education to help students make notable and sustainable academic progress.

Heather Hettinger, PsyD, (PSB 94027021) is a registered postdoctoral psychology fellow who earned her doctorate degree from California Southern University in 2020. Dr. Hettinger specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, parenting skills and learning differences. She uses an integrative clinical approach, including aspects from psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic therapy, floor time and practicing mindfulness. Her philosophy when working with children and families is that every person is unique so a tailored approach to the individual is a key to success. Additionally she believes that a holistic approach encompassing the whole family will provide the best support and training for all in order to foster a more cohesive family structure. In her sessions she provides a secure, caring, and safe space for her clients to grow and mature emotionally and socially. Having spent 20 years working with children and families on the autism and related spectrums she is also a board certified behavior analyst who is trained in ABA using Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Verbal Behavior (VB), Pivotal Response Training (PRT), and Natural Environment Training (NET) methods.  She is supervised by Mark L. Stein, Ph.D., PSY16135.

As our clinical care coordinator, Galia is responsible for organizing and overseeing operational and billing services. She is currently completing a Bachelors of Science in Biopsychology and Technological Management at UC Santa Barbara. Being bilingual in both English and Spanish has bolstered her experience working on behavioral research in the Psychological & Brain Sciences Department.