Harmony Professional Team

The Professional Team at Harmony Heals

Farid Tabrizy, President

Farid Tabrizy holds an Honorary Doctorate in Human Resources Management, is a Certified Massage Therapist in Acupressure/Shaitzu with over 20 years experience. He is a Yoga Practitioner, Tai Chi Instructor, and Grand Master 7th Degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo, Kenpo Karate, HapKido , and Tae Kwon Do. He is a Board Member of the Masters Hall of Fame, with a World Master Title from WLOP. Farid also is an acting Board Member of the Martial Arts Division of WLOP, and Advisor of the Power Lifting Division.

Farid has a passion for motivating and advising people to become their very best. In his travels he has sought out the most challenging physical and spiritual experiences in order to become a more positive and constructive person in life. He had a vision to create a center where he could integrate the Body, Mind and Spirit with the belief that you cannot heal one without the other. In 1994 along with his wife he created Harmony Heals Inc., fulfilling his vision to bring this care to all clients. He has been acting Executive director and Chief Financial Officer of operations ever since.

On a daily basis he gives people advice on Nutrition, Fitness, and Alternate Medicine. He also provides combat training to local law enforcement and the military throughout the USA, as a Security Specialist for KI International. He holds several consulting positions in Human Resources and Recruitment Management.

He actively participates in Local and National Tournaments in Power Lifting and Martial Arts holding many titles for his weight class divisions. At present he holds demonstrations to raise awareness to children and adults on the Mental and Physical Health benefits of Nutrition and Fitness as a way of life.

Farid has published training manuals and techniques in Tae Kwon Do and Shaolin Kempo, as well he has been featured in many publications. He is also the proud father of two children whom he considers his greatest accomplishment and joy in his life.

Gina H Tabrizy, MS, MFT, Executive Clinical Director

Gina H. Tabrizy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over twenty years of experience, knowledge, and expertise in the areas of Addiction, Trauma, and Codependency.

From a very young age she was driven by a passion to help people. She had the gift of seeing the good in everyone and supporting them in bringing that part of themselves back into their lives. In junior high school she was nicknamed “the shrink”. In 1994, along with her husband Farid Tabrizy, she founded Harmony of Body, Mind, and Spirit Counseling Center, now known as “Harmony Heals” Inc. Their vision was to create a holistic center where the traditional Western practice of therapy could join with the more non-traditional practices of the Eastern philosophies of healing: mentally, physically, and spiritually.

She has appeared on Local and National Television Programs, such as Montell Williams, speaking about the impact of Childhood Trauma/abuse and Addiction in Families. Gina has been a guest on several talk radio programs, including KEZY, and moderated programs on the Internet. She has presented at the National Conference on Codependency and given hundreds of lectures at Agencies, Corporations, Schools, Colleges and Universities. Gina has written feature articles for numerous publications.

Currently she is the Clinical Director for the Pat Moore Foundation, and holds consulting positions for several other treatment and residential recovery programs. She enjoys a reputation for providing excellent clinical care with a high success rate. She is known for being direct, passionate, and loving in the art of practicing psychotherapy. She is blessed with a thriving practice, supervising interns and a staff of 10 therapists all providing care at Harmony Heals Inc. in Laguna Woods, Ca.

In her desire to deliver the best possible care she gained several specialties: E.M.D.R., Certified Hypnotherapist, Director of Psychodrama, Inner Child Work, and P.I.T. ( Pia Mellody Training).She acts as a part time Professor at Cal State Long Beach, teaching Introduction to and Advanced Techniques in Psychodrama. Gina is a proud mother of two children whom she considers her greatest accomplishment and joy.

Sulabha (Su) Abhyankar, MSW, LCSW

Sulabha (Su) Abhyankar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive clinical experience of 20 years working with trauma, addictions and codependency issues. She is trained in EMDR( Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), and utilizes Sand tray and Psychodrama techniques in individual and group therapy. She is currently being trained by Dr. Dorothy Satten in psychodrama. Sulabha (Su) was born and brought up in India and received her Masters in Social Work from College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Bombay University. She brings her eastern philosophy and spirituality along with her western clinical training together in her work to nurture the healing process.

Pam G. Johnson, MS, MFT

Pamela Johnson, MS, LMFT received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University Long Beach in 1999. In the spring of 2003, she received her Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Long Beach. Pamela has provided services to a wide variety of clientele while working in several distinctive therapeutic arenas, including: elementary schools, outpatient treatment centers, inpatient drug/alcohol treatment centers, sober living facilities and hospital day treatment programs. Pamela’s areas of expertise include substance abuse, eating disorders and self-mutilation.

La Rhea U. Steindler, MSW, LCSW

La Rhea U. Steindler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a decade of experience in dealing with a variety of difficult clinical problems including homelessness, financial/vocational insufficiency, domestic violence, addiction, major life transition, identification of special needs, family grief counseling, and the “acting out teen”. She has given numerous talks to therapists, teachers, camp counselors and lay people on many subjects including addiction, eating disorders, cutting, learning disabilities and other special needs, parenting and domestic violence.

La Rhea has a special interest in addiction and she published her original research on family relationships of addicted men in 2001, Parental Relationships of Substance Abusing Men. Because she believes strongly in the premise that addiction is a disease that involves the entire family, La Rhea has been active in developing family programming at Pat Moore Foundation, a non-profit inpatient treatment center, and in working with addicted families at Harmony. She is currently involved in planning new outpatient treatment programs for addiction at Harmony for both addicts and alcoholics, and their family members.

Elizabeth Joy Stipher, MFT Intern

Elizabeth J. Stipher is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern who received her Bachelor’s degree from California State University Fullerton and her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from National University.

She has experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families from a variety of backgrounds throughout the Orange County area. Elizabeth also has experience in working with addiction, survivors of abuse and trauma, and eating disorders.

Sandra J Hanna, DC, LAc

A native to Orange County, Dr. Hanna practices Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, and Holistic Chiropractic. She was a Presidential Scholar at the University of San Diego, earning degrees in Biology, Chemistry, and English Literature. She later graduated from the Southern California University of Health Sciences with a Doctorate in Chiropractic and Masters in Oriental Medicine.

She is certified in Yoga Instruction, Applied Kinesiology, Hypnotherapy, and is also a Reiki Master. Dr. Hanna’s mission is to help heal the body through holistic natural means.

Kristin Briscoe, PsyD, MFT Intern

Dr. Kristin Briscoe, PsyD has extensive experience assisting individuals, families, and groups achieve optimal wellness. Kristin has a natural and relaxed way of assessing the needs of her clients and employing a range of therapeutic techniques that are most suited for them. She has worked in numerous treatment centers in Southern California assisting individuals struggling with substance abuse and co-ocurring disorders. Utilizing a psychospiritual approach she has helped many make profound mental, emotional, and behavioral shifts so that effective change both personally and professionally is experienced. Her diverse background of working in both the clinical and emergency medical services/ crisis intervention setting allows her to readily recognize and help those experiencing physiological and psychological stressors and distress as they manifest in the moment.

For the last six years she has concentrated in the areas of stress management and relapse prevention. Assisting individuals and families understand the driving force underneath obsessive/compulsive and high risk behaviors, so that one may experience freedom from such preoccupation and the numerous compromises that are a result from such behavior, is the primary focus that Kristin brings to the recovery process for her clients. Developing a healthier view of one’s self, releasing limited thinking patterns, overcoming resistance and emotional blocks, and experiencing more peace are some of what one can expect from sessions with Kristin.

Kristin holds a Doctorate in Clinical psychology, a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology, A Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders, and a certification in Kundalini Yoga.

Dr. Elahe Sagart: Psychiatrist

Diplomat of and Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Clinical Area of Interest: General Psychiatric Disorders (Mood, Anxiety, Psychotic, Personality and Substance Abuse disorders: ages 18 and up) Psychoanalysis and Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

Clinical Orientation: Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic and Bio-Psycho-Social Model

Dr. Sagart is a diplomat of and certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She finished her psychiatric residency training at the University of Virginia and has worked in the private sector as well as the public health systems providing psychiatric care for severely mentally ill patients. She is also in psychoanalytic training at the New Center for Psychoanalysis (formerly known as LAPSI, Los Angeles Psychoanalytic Society and Institute). Dr. Sagart is a member of American Psychiatric Association and strongly believes in integrating medication management with psychotherapy.

Ellis M. Schwied, M.D. Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry

Dr. Schwied treats children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of disorders. His approach to therapy is eclectic, and he incorporates his own unique personality in his treatment. In addition to doing medication evaluations and medication monitoring, he enjoys the more traditional role of working with patients in weekly psychotherapy sessions.

Dr. Schwied’s experience with psychiatric diagnoses extends (but is not limited to) the following:

• Major mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)
• Behavior/Conduct disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder
• Pervasive Developmental Disorders
• Chemical Dependency Issues

Dr. Schwied completed both an adult residency and a child and adolescent fellowship at the University of California Irvine medical center in Orange. He has been in private practice for over 20 years. His outside interests include music, literature, theater, and raising his three daughters.

When not working, Dr. Schwied plays violin/fiddle with several musical groups, including the Laguna Woods Orchestra, The Freewheelin’ Bluegrass Band, a country/rock band, and a folk rock band.

Dr. Shahrokh Poormehr, D.O.

I graduated from the University of Illinois in Biological Sciences, followed by a Master’s Degree in Medical Sociology. Four years later, I received a Doctoral Degree in Medicine from the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, MO. I continued my journey in a year of internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign. I then moved to California to be close to my family and friends, and finished my second internship in Family Practice at one of the leading bloodless surgical centers in the country: Coast Plaza Doctor’s Hospital. After being licensed by the California Board of Licensure, I joined the Department of Family Medicine at the University of California in Irvine and received my specialty in Family Practice. I believe this community needs a medical facility in which patients can have access to prompt medical care when they need it, at a fraction of the cost, without waiting days or weeks for an appointment or hours in emergency rooms. My family and I have lived in Orange County since 1990. We think this community is a great place to raise a family. We love this area because of its diversity, tranquility, friendliness, safety and, last but not least, the beautiful beaches.

Yi Jin, M.D.

Dr. Jin is a neuroscientist with over 25 years of experience in clinical psychiatric and electrophysiological research. His specialty in electroencephalogram (EEG) is particularly suitable to the work at Harmony Heals. His electrophysiological works included the studies of neural perceptual coding, mental disorders, substances abuse, genetics, and psychopharmacology. His research of mind has been extended to the study of harmonic coherence among all rhythmic organs in the body in the context of system stability. His recent findings have shown that a healthy mind depends not only on the healthy brain but also other parts of body as well as their harmonic relationships with the brain. Dr. Jin is a clinical professor and director of Behavioral EEG Lab of the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine. He is also an executive board member of the International EEG & Clinical Neuroscience Society (ECNS). He has served as director of Neuroscience Center at the Brookside Institute for two years. He is founder and director of The Brain Treatment Center and NeoSync Inc.

Stacey Jacobi, Interventionist, Certified Parent Educator & Anger Management

Stacey Jacobi is a Certified Addiction Specialist with over 20 years of experience working in the chemical addiction field. Stacey has worked at several treatment centers in Orange and Riverside Counties specializing in Relapse Prevention. She facilitates a wide array of groups, including assessment and acknowledgement of the addiction process, meditation and relaxation techniques, family and support group services, and 12-step tools for recovery. Stacey’s ability to assist individuals in developing supportive case management plans and individual counseling sessions creates an environment for the individual to maintain long-term success in the recovery community.

Stacey is also a Certified Parenting Instructor and teaches the Parent Project course for parents or guardians of High Risk Adolescents. In addition, she offers a Loving Solutions training program for parents of children 2 to 12.

Cindy Dupuie, B.C., C.N., (Nutritionist & Yoga Practitioner)

Cindy has always felt that the human body is an absolutely amazing machine with its own innate ability to heal itself given the right tools. Her focus encompasses not only nutritional guidance and therapy but also includes other healing modalities to support the health of the mind as well as the body.

Her educational background includes a B.S. in Dietetics and Food Administration in 1985 along with many advanced courses in nutrition as it relates to addictions/recovery, depression and cancer. She recently received a certificate from the Institute of Functional Medicine to bring Functional Medicine into her practice in order to facilitate healing from the inside out. She continues to increase her expertise with on going classes mainly through the Institute of Functional Medicine. Cindy has also been a certified Bikram Yoga Instructor since 2003.

Cindy’s professional background includes helping numerous individuals in their recovery from addictions, anxiety, their desire to lose weight, repair digestion, fatigue, allergies, type II diabetes, fibromalgia, migraines and more. She specializes in a detox /elimination protocol. She has taught nutrition and cooking in drug and alcohol recovery centers and various high schools. She has worked closely with the American Stroke Association as well as with the City of Newport Beach in developing an after school nutrition program. Guiding individuals to feel and look their best through balancing the body is her focus. She does this through individual counseling, workshops, as well as lectures.

Cindy has two grown sons who bring lightness and joy.

Elise Soboleske, MS, MFT Intern

Elise Soboleske is a Marriage and Family Therapist intern whose main focus is in the treatment of substance abuse and trauma, in addition to family/couple issues, depression and anxiety. Elise graduated from CSULB with a bachelors degree in psychology and a masters degree in counseling-MFT. She completed her pre-internship training at Health View Behavioral where she treated individuals suffering from severe mental illness combined with substance abuse and trauma issues.

Elise uses an eclectic approach combining the insight of Psychodynamic therapy, with the techniques of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, Art/Play therapy, and Gestalt therapy. She has experience and is passionate about further aiding people in their journey to healing by integrating successful spiritual principles with their real life issues. These, along with her creativity and innate compassion, combine to make her an effective conduit of change for her clients.

Farnaz Kalbassi, Personal Trainer

Farnaz has been a full-time certified personal trainer since February 2000. She currently trains her clients at Family Fitness & 24 Hour Fitness and does home trainings in the South County area. Farnaz has over 12 years of exercise and nutritional experience. She has experience training people with different goals, limitations and individuals ranging from age 12 to 88.

Farnaz enjoys making custom workout programs for the different goals and needs of her clients. She offers help with their exercise program when they are not training with her as well as advice with supplements and nutrition. She believes that weight training and cardiovascular training are part of a healthy lifestyle and keep you feeling young and energized. Her passion is helping people reach their fitness goals

Lou Cirgnano, CR, Equine Practitioner

Lou Cirignano is a horse enthusiast whose riding experience and love for animals led her naturally to the equine healing world. Although she is not a professional therapist, Lou has found a great inner strength using horses as a catalyst for personal growth and success. Along with almost twenty years worth of experience with horses, she continues to nurture a 27 year long marriage, has raised two confident, well adjusted daughters, and has found deep fulfillment in her life.

Horses act as mirrors for the soul: they mirror body language, emotions and energy. Interacting in a safe space with the horses can help us access what is often lying hidden or dormant within ourselves, or witness habits and patterns that no longer serve us; what is revealed is the possibility for more freedom of expression in our day-to-day lives.

Horses possess power and healing energy; interacting with them is a great alternative resource for therapy. They are extremely responsive to human emotion and action, and will sense and respond accordingly, but, unlike humans, horses have no hidden agenda or conflicting feelings. Horses never lie. They do not respond to contradictory forms of communication such as manipulation, anger, or passive/aggressive behavior. To work with a horse, controlled and effective body language is essential, thus, the student must be aware of how they communicate and be able to problem solve if their usual methods of communication don’t work.

The size and power of horses is naturally intimidating, so accomplishing a task with one of them in spite of fear helps develop confidence and promotes self-growth. Horses are non-judgmental and have no expectations or motives. The horse helps bring awareness to your emotional state as she reacts to your behavior. Working with a horse, you will naturally gain insight into your feelings, behaviors, patterns, boundaries and stumbling blocks to recovery. The process can be very effective in addition to your primary therapy.

Mahastee Mehdizadeh, M.S., M.F.T., C.Ht.

Mahastee Mehdizadeh, M.S., M.F.T., C.Ht., is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Clinical Hypnotherapist. Mahastee received her B.A. in Psychology from UCLA, her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from CSUN, and her diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy from HMI. Mahastee has been providing therapy/coaching for over 10 years for people of various ages and issues ranging from 4-90 years of age, specializing in reducing anxiety, fears, and improving relationships. Mahastee has her own private practice since 2006 in Long Beach, CA.

Mahastee is known as the “Stop Sabotaging Expert”, and helps people overcome blocks, negative beliefs, habits, and behaviors in relationships, finances, health, and happiness, so they can successfully achieve their goals, and create the life they want.

Mahastee provides individual, family, couples, and group therapy. Mahastee also teaches workshops and classes on various topics including Attracting Your Ideal Mate, Stop Sabotaging Your Success, Design Your Destiny, Attracting Abundance, Overcoming Soft Addictions, Improve Your Communication Skills and more. Mahastee provides Psychotherapy/Coaching with a powerful combination of tools including Hypnotherapy, Nero-Linguistics programming, Emotional Release Work etc. that is specific to each person’s goals and needs, creating amazing results.

Mahastee believes that people’s inability to say no, and set boundaries is one of the main causes of stress, and anxiety that we experience. Due to her own experience and insight in her own life, Mahastee focuses on helping people set healthy boundaries, and increases confidence for people to have a stronger sense of self and control.

What makes Mahastee unique is that she provides tools, and techniques for clients to use on their own to reinforce and maintain healthy boundaries and positive habits, including communication skills, relaxation techniques, and self-hypnosis tools.

Nicole Buckley, MA, MFT Intern

Nikki Buckley began working with Harmony Heals in June of 2010. Nikki received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Western Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.

Nikki’s experience as a counselor began in 2008 when she worked as a Counseling Intern at The Anixter Center where she provided services to a wide range of clientele. While at The Anixter Center Nikki provided group and individual counseling to those 21 years of age and older. The clients she worked with suffered from severe mental illness including Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Bi-Polar I and II, and Major Depressive Disorders. During Nikki’s one year at The Anixter Center she worked with clients on anger management, self-esteem, budgeting methods, social skills, cognitive behavioral thinking, recovery maintenance and holistic well-being. Nikki felt education and empowerment were crucial to reducing isolation in her clients in order to enrich their lives.

After receiving her Masters, Nikki also worked with young adults, ages 14-19, at a recovery high school for those addicted to alcohol and other drugs. At this high school, Nikki provided individual and group therapy to students, equine therapy, and family group therapy for parents. Nikki enjoys working with young adults and families as she has a passion for working within the family system.

Through Harmony Heals, Nikki has completed 28 hours of training in psychodrama, and has gained a solid range of clientele. Nikki also hopes to continue to co-facilitate multi-family group therapy, and work with individuals, families, couples and teens in areas that include relationship difficulties, trauma, alcohol and other drug dependency, eating disorders, and co-dependency issues.

Solara Vayanian, BA, Movement & Energy Practitioner

During her time at San Diego State University, Solara did a research project for her degree in Physical Education and Dance, The Relationship of Movement to the Human Psyche, which became the basis of her life’s work. After graduation she moved to Sedona, Arizona, where she was mentored by Blanche Evan, one of the two founders of Dance Therapy in the United States, in Dance-Movement-Word Therapy. Solara went on to develop her own system of healing through movement, Kinesio-Emotional Release System, to release frozen and stagnant emotion and trauma from the cellular level of the body. She has been facilitating both private sessions and group workshops based on KERS for thirty years. The most recent version of this is the MOVE IT! Workshops.

In her development of the art of transformation, Solara also founded and is director of Winged Fire Productions, a multimedia, transformational theatre company producing original material. Also based on Solara’s developing work in education and healing through the arts, Winged Fire has produced hundreds of thought-provoking and emotion-purging performances and workshops in the spirit of the ancient purpose of theatre: to heal and to reveal, to enlighten and to celebrate life.

Solara’s personal specialty as a dancer is the Ancient Temple Dance, an alchemical form of sacred dance for the transmutation of heavy, stuck or negative energy. The performance is at once beautiful, powerful and transformational. It has been used to shift and lift people of all kinds, as everyone, regardless of background, is affected by this universal form of transmutation of energy. It speaks to the ancient racial memory we all carry deep within us.

Solara’s work is focused on the healing of the human heart, memory and spirit. Often the heart is wounded on very deep emotional levels by various kinds of trauma, which interfere with our ability to fully empower our dreams and live joyfully. Through the healing of her own broken heart emerged the interwoven body of Solara’s work.

Andrea Brokaw, Certified Neurofeedback Specialist

Andrea Brokaw who has worked with addiction, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. She completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Arizona, where her interest in understanding the workings of the brain and how it relates to a person’s psychological health began. There she worked as a research assistant studying depression and using EEG, or brainwave recordings, to determine changes in brain function for those who were diagnosed with depression. Following graduation, Andrea began working as a research assistant at UCI Medical Center in Orange where she studied Alzheimer’s disease, Schizophrenia, and Bi-Polar Disorder.

Andrea soon took her interest in science and the brain and melded it with her interest in psychology and began to study neurofeedback in 2007. She worked with substance abuse clients at a treatment center in Orange County, helping them with addiction and co-occurring disorders. Our brain function often reflects how we feel, and neurofeedback allows the client to see and hear a representation of their individual brain function and effectively make changes over time. Andrea enjoys working with each client to guide the process of training the brain and the mind through neurofeedback techniques. She focuses on helping her clients to become aware of their thoughts and learn to control stress, reduce anxiety, improve concentration, improve relaxation, and more.

Arash Shahangian, M.A., M.F.T., C.Ht.

Arash is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Hypnotherapist and has been working in the field of therapy since 1999. Arash has worked with children, adolescents, and adults up to age 80, across a wide range of socio-economic strata. He has helped people with a variety of challenges from depression, anxiety, phobias, behavioral issues, addictions, severe mental illness, and developmentally disabilities, as well as having extensive experience working with families.

Arash uses a genuine, compassionate, eclectic, clinical approach in helping the client according to their individual needs and motivations, working towards solutions. He also has extensive training in hypnotherapy, direct and indirect, as well as being a certified Master of Therapeutic Imagery.

A lifetime of spiritual exploration and research has led Arash to an ever-deepening understanding and experience of the profound importance of one’s personal spirituality in their growth and recovery. His experience as an immigrant raised from early youth in this country has also given him insight into the complexities inherent in a multi-cultural existence and has made him more aware of diversity challenges in this society.

For Arash, one of the great appeals of working at Harmony Heals is their holistic approach, encouraging clients’ access to out-of-the-standard-clinical-box methodologies to help address their needs on multiple levels simultaneously.

Rachel A. Dunton, MA, CMT, HHP

Rachel A. Dunton is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Holistic Health Practitioner with over 1000 hours of Massage and Bodywork Training. Rachel is a graduate of Healing Hands School of Holistic Health, and holds a Masters Degree in Education from Pepperdine University. Rachel was an elementary school teacher prior to discovering her passion for the healing arts. Rachel currently combines her love for teaching and her massage training as an instructor at Healing Hands School in Laguna Hills. Additionally, Rachel enjoys working at a spa in Laguna Beach, and is grateful to assist her client’s in the art of relaxation. Rachel is proficient in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Tui Na Chinese Acupressure, Hot Stone, and Sports Massage. Rachel has also had training in Craniosacral, and many other massage modalities, including energy healing and certification in Usui Reiki. Rachel is excited to begin this journey with Harmony Heals, as it allows her to utilize her BA in Psychology and to continue learning about holistic health and healing.

Lauren Cirgnano

Lauren Cirignano grew up in southern California, where at a young age she developed a strong affection and passion for horses. For her birthday when she was seven she was given horseback riding lessons and has been hooked ever since. She has been professionally trained in many different disciplines of riding including, hunter jumper, dressage, and saddleseat. She now trains hunt seat and hunter jumpers over fences and keeps her horses at Serrano Creek Ranch in Lake Forest California. “Horses bring so much peace and joy to my life, they are not my hobby, my horses are my heart and soul.”

Robert Bombalier (‘Master Bob’)

Master Bob first took martial arts with Villari’s after a playground bullying incident where he was beaten up by six other children. He went on to teach at Villari’s full time since 1986, and is one of the youngest students to get a Black Belt in the Villari system as well as the youngest to earn the title/rank of “Master”. Master Bob is one of the seven foremost authorities in the Shaolin Kempo Karate (“the Seven Dragons”).

Master Bob also teaches karate and magic in the Irvine School district as part of their Afterschool Class Enrichment program.

Master Bob started his Qigong training in 1987. He became the first InnerChi T’ai Chi and Taoist Yoga instructor on the West Coast. On May 1st 1997 Master Bob became a Level 3 instructor.

Master Bob also received the certification “Treatment of Canter with Medical Qigong Therapy” on October 15th 2006. In addition, Master Bob is a certified First Aid/AED instructor with the American Red Cross.

For over 20 years Master Bob volunteers in Orange County’s official toy drive, Operation Santa Claus. He also serves on the City of Mission Viejo’s Character Committee and in October 2010 was featured in the city’s posters and publications highlighting the character of ‘Respect’.

Whatever you think about expands. Master Bob believes that the mind is greatly underestimated in making things happen. A change of mindset is necessary to take the lead in improving one’s life. What we think, good or bad, has a likely chance of being realized: one might as well have positive thoughts than waste precious energy on negative ones.

Meditate every day so that calmness and tranquility is a natural part of you. Take a few minutes every day in prayer or during a lull until your breathing is even and unhurried—you’d be amazed at how recharged you will feel after even a short session.

Annie Greynald, MA, MFT Intern

As a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, Annie Greynald has assisted many families and individuals in working through a wide range of issues to achieve greater satisfaction with themselves and others. Annie has been passionate about pursing a career in this healing profession from a young age and she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University. She then went on to earn her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University, at which time she completed extensive training hours working with the ‘at risk’ youth population at the Alternative, Community, and Correctional Education Schools and Services programs in Orange County, Ca.

Annie primarily assists individuals and families in addressing multiple forms of addiction and the unhealthy relationships that may form as a result of one more addicted family members. She has had a great deal of success working with those struggling with love addiction, sex addiction, substance abuse, codependency and trauma. Annie often utilizes a combination of therapeutic theories including Psychodynamic and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, however, she believes that each client and family is unique and will need a tailored approach to healing.

Dava Brown, MA, MFT Intern

Dava Brown is a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern whose main focus is treating eating disorders, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders including bipolar, depression, and ADHD. Dava graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and Alliant International University with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). She completed her pre-internship training at Chino Human Services and Chino Valley Unified School District. While with the City of Chino, she treated children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families with a variety of mental health issues.

Dava uses a combination of Bowenian Family therapy, Solution-focused therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral therapy. She employs a combination of personal experience, advanced education, and passion for the MFT field in treating her clients and their families.

Denise Sher Rassp, Certified Nutritionist

Denise Sher Rassp is a certified nutritionist and recovered yoyo dieter who delivers crucial and timely message with passion, energy, and insight that transforms the way her audiences and clients view weight management.

Denise’s interest and expertise stem from her personal struggle with weight and negative body image. First she resolved her own weight issues, (maintaining an 80 pound loss for more than 20 years), and now she dedicates herself to helping others.

Through the years, Denise has shared a results oriented, compassionate and constructive approach to optimal nutrition and weight management with over 4,000 satisfied clients. Those who’ve had the pleasure of working with Denise say she has a talent for empowering individuals to take charge of their eating, their health and their lives.

Whether your goal is to shed 100 pounds or just a few, you can count on Denise Sher Rassp to design a program tailored specifically to meet your individual nutrition and weight management needs.