Psychotherapy & Psychiatry in Encino, CA

While Dr. Hill may be new to Southern California, he has been practicing psychiatry for nearly 20 years and is board certified in General Psychiatry by the American Academy of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Hill received his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and a Master’s in Biology from the University of New Mexico. After meeting his wife Viola, and starting a family of two daughters, Dr. Hill came back to the Midwest where he received his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine Kansas City. He then attended and completed his residency in General Psychiatry at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Throughout his medical career, Dr. Hill owned his own private practice for 10 years, was on staff as a consultation psychiatrist for multiple Kansas City hospitals, and served as the Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at one of the largest hospitals in the Kansas City Metro area. Additionally, Dr. Hill served as Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Psychiatry at his alma mater, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

Dr. Hill believes in common sense psychiatry and cutting-edge treatment alternatives, which includes providing patients with as much information as possible about their illness. His own personal philosophy when approaching patient care is “with more education, there would be less medication.”

Dr. Hill is passionate about removing the stigma that surrounds mental health and has often had the opportunity to spread his message through local television appearances and a recent PBS documentary about mental health in the Midwest titled The Hidden Pandemic. In his free time, Dr. Hill can be found spending time with his family as well as playing and performing music.

Dr. Baback “Bob” Gabbay received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Economics at UCLA. After obtaining his medical degree (M.D.) at UCLA, he completed residency training in Adult Psychiatry and additional subspecialty training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, CA. Throughout his professional clear he has garnered extensive experience in Women’s Mental Health and Geriatric Psychiatry, in addition to formal fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Over the past 12 years, he has treated diverse patient populations through the UCLA Women’s Clinic, The Help Group, Penny Lane Family treatment centers, Jewish Family Services, Center for Discovery, and most recently has served as the full time Chief Medical Director/Attending Psychiatrist at Destinations for Teens.

His training encompasses the fields of psychotherapy, family therapy, as well as medication assistant management to treat substance use disorders.

In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, jogging with his puppy (Joey), singing karaoke, public speaking, and spending time with his family. His children have been known to chuckle at his eclectic Spotify playlist.

Esther Lee is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master’s of Science in Nursing from California State University, Dominguez Hills and post master’s degree from West Coast University. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology at University of California, San Diego and Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Mount St. Mary’s University. Esther has extensive experience in inpatient and outpatient care of all ages. She has worked in a variety of settings with a strong critical care background, working with cardiac and pre/post transplant patients. 

Growing up in Los Angeles as a first generation Asian American, Esther understands the significance of how a person’s racial, cultural, economic and sexual identity affects their mental health care. She advocates for cultivating a generation of culturally sensitive and knowledgeable providers. She is a strong advocate for making premium mental health care accessible and affordable. Esther embraces a comprehensive approach to patient care and is dedicated to patient-centered care. She is committed to providing holistic care through collaborative and integrative treatments. She hopes to empower patients by working closely with them to achieve their goals.

During her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities with her dog and spending quality time with family and friends.

Halim Shariff is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a passion for providing comprehensive mental health care to individuals across the lifespan. With a strong foundation in both nursing and psychiatry, Halim offers evidence-based treatment for a variety of mental health concerns, including mood disorders, anxiety, major depressive disorder, trauma, and substance use disorders.

Halim graduated Magna Cum Laude from Maryville University and earned a Master’s degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. Halim also has a Masters of Nursing Leadership from Western Governors University and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Oakland University. Halim is committed to a holistic approach to mental health care, emphasizing collaboration with patients and other healthcare providers to create individualized treatment plans that promote long-term well-being.

Halim Shariff is also dedicated to staying current with advancements in psychiatric care, attending ongoing professional development opportunities and engaging in research to ensure the highest quality care for patients. As a compassionate and patient-centered provider, Halim Shariff works closely with patients to foster trust and support their journey toward mental wellness.

Michael is a licensed marriage family therapist, earning a master’s degree from Antioch University. Michael has over 9 years of experience working in the mental health and addiction fields- spending time working with clients in long-term residential addiction treatment, PHP/IOP, and detox settings. In addition to his work as an addiction therapist, Michael also started a private practice in March, 2022, as an associate therapist and under licensed supervision and has worked as a contracted therapist for addiction treatment centers. 

Michael practices therapy through the use of empathetic understanding, malleability, and by taking a “one size does NOT fit all” approach. Michael seeks to help each client strengthen intrapersonal insight and awareness by providing an alternative lens or perspective by which the client may conceptualize his or her past, present, and future. It is Michael’s philosophy that by exploring the past, we may understand the present, and better plan for the future. 

In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his two dogs, exercising, cooking, reading, and traveling.

License #LMFT146241

Sydney Klatt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Her areas of focus are the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression as well as psychedelic integration. Sydney approaches her work from a place of wholeheartedness and compassion, and she believes that the therapy space provides a valuable opportunity to process life’s challenges and integrate life’s lessons.

Sydney is trained in Somatic Experiencing, Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT, and Trauma-Focused CBT modalities, as well as Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Her work centers the LGBTQIA+ community by providing gender-affirming and queer-positive care. Sydney graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from CSU Sacramento in 2020 with a previous Bachelor’s in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara. Outside of the therapy room, she facilitated trauma-focused yoga for 6 years in mental health settings. Sydney brings the principals of yoga and mindfulness into the therapy space by inviting clients to connect with themselves through presence and awareness of physical body and breath. She values the expertise of each person’s lived experience and strives to center clients’ wisdom of their own unique needs.  She deeply respects the dignity and worthiness of every human and believes firmly in each person’s innate capacity for growth and healing.

When Sydney isn’t working, she loves to practice yoga, create textile art, and spend as much time around animals as possible.

License #LCSW117736

Mava is a compassionate and dedicated psychotherapist committed to guiding clients through their transformative journeys with empathy and understanding. With four years of specialized training in psychoanalysis, she brings knowledge and firsthand experience to every therapeutic interaction.

Mava has had roles as a sexual assault and domestic violence counselor. She aims to provide a safe and supportive space for her clients, enabling them to reconnect with their inner selves. Utilizing psychodynamic therapy, CBT, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and DBT, Mava tailors each session to meet the unique needs of her clients. She is a skilled hypnotherapist and has also received specialized training at the Dr. Sue Johnson Institute for Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT).

Mava serves both English and Farsi-speaking clients and in addition to traditional therapeutic approaches, she incorporates somatic interventions to address the mind-body connection and promote holistic healing.  Believing in the innate resilience of individuals, she strives to empower clients to tap into their inner strength and find healing from within.

License #AMFT146156
Supervised by Sophia Galano, LCSW #LCSW87234

Jak Vargas (they/them) is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in treating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, heartbreak, phase-of-life stressors, and LGBTQIA+-related trauma. They are trained in Attachment-Focused EMDR, Individual CBT and Family Systems Therapy. 

With 13 years of clinical experience, Jak has worked extensively with communities of color and the LGBTQIA+ community. They utilize culture, equity, empowerment, and self-exploration to help clients identify their strengths and promote meaningful change. They believe that being open to learning and self-examination can be a vulnerable yet rewarding journey. Jak also incorporates humor into their sessions, recognizing the healing power of laughter. 

They hold a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Latino Mental Health from Antioch University, Santa Barbara.  

Jak’s professional interests and expertise include ethnic identity, intersectionality, the first-generation experience, media influence, and the psychology of LGBTQIA+ identity. 

When Jak isn’t in the therapy room, they enjoy live music and spending quality time with their wife and cat.  

Andy Dukeshire is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is also Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). Andy has over 17 years of experience in the mental health and substance abuse field, which includes the following settings: Medical Detoxification, Residential and PHP/IOP. In addition to working in the above settings, Andy has his own private practice. Andy has much experience in treating depression, bipolar, anxiety, trauma, life changes, relationship and family issues as well as addictive and other disorders. Andy completed his Bachelor’s in Psychology at Woodbury University and his Master’s in Social Work at the University of Southern California.

Andy believes therapy is about treating the whole person and the more we can improve each area of a person’s life, the more successful and happier they will be. Andy also believes in utilizing multiple approaches in therapy to not only have his patients receive the most they can, but to also provide relief right away. Types of therapy approaches Andy utilizes is CBT, DBT, Solution Focused/Problem Solving, Self-Care/Coping Strategies, Trauma Resiliency, Psycho-Educational, Process and Insight Orientated, Motivational Interviewing and Grief/Loss.

When Andy isn’t working, he enjoys cooking, roller skating, the arts, watching sports, spending time with friends and family.

When life feels overwhelming and isolation creeps in through self-doubt, it’s easy to lose sight of hope. Arianna believes healing begins with connection—to one’s past, present, and with someone who sees them fully. She is guided by the Ghanaian word, Sankofa, meaning “Go back and fetch it.” This spirit of reflection guides her work. In therapy, she explores the parts of her clients that have been silenced or wounded, reclaiming their wisdom to create a more fulfilling future.

Arianna is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Drama Therapist, and storyteller. Her work focuses on elevating the voices of individuals navigating systemic oppression, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and fat-identified folx. Using experiential therapy and creative approaches, she helps clients shed negative self-talk and envision lives filled with self-compassion and joy.

Her clients are courageous individuals who value self-discovery and connection. Together, they use metaphor, symbolism, and play to explore what serves them, release what doesn’t, and nurture the possibility of tomorrow being different from today.

In her free time, Arianna enjoys reading fiction, playing DnD, and going on artist dates. She believes that every life matters, and every story deserves to be heard. She invites clients to write their next chapter together.

Halle Guidi is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Halle focuses on improving an individual’s overall quality of life, and approaches her work from a place of genuineness and compassion. Halle believes that every human being is capable of change and has the opportunity to live out their dreams. It is an honor as a therapist to assist others in the discovery of self. She believes that each human has a unique understanding of self through life experiences, with the ability to discover balance within life while being able to flourish through genuine self-expression.

Halle’s approach as a therapist focuses on understanding the personalized challenges of the individual, couple, and/or family. Her approach is tailored to meeting each person where they are in their journey through empathy, curiosity, education, trust, and safety. She focuses and specializes in Trauma, Grief Therapy, Eating Disorders, and Substance Use/Addiction. Halle conceptualizes these disorders as a result of relational/attachment challenges that result in maladaptive coping and functioning. She collaborates with all clients to foster increased awareness and adaptive ways of living and relating to the world around them, while also fostering a true connection to self.

Halle graduated with her Master’s Degree in Clinical and Community Mental Health Counseling from Saint Bonaventure University in 2019. Previously, she obtained her Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts Psychology Degree for D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York. In conjunction with Halle’s educational and professional attainment, she is also a certified Reiki and Theta Healing Practitioner. Halle brings these aspects of holistic healing into her work as a Clinical Therapist. She believes in a wholesome, holistic, and individualistic approach with all of her clients.

When Halle isn’t working, she enjoys practicing yoga, hiking new trails, spending time with her dog, and trying new foods.