Meet Our Care Team

You’re in good hands

Neuro Wellness Spa was founded by Dr. Martha Koo, a double-board-certified psychiatrist with decades of experience working in hospitals and private practice. At Neuro Wellness Spa, we believe complete mental wellbeing is attainable, sustainable, and should be prioritized and valued as much as physical health. When you partner with our team, you’ll experience exemplary care led by experts in the field, compassionate treatment and a thriving mental health community. 

Medical Directors

Dr. Martha Koo, M.D.

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Martha B. Koo, M.D., completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, and her medical training at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where she earned membership to the AOA and Sigma Xi Society for academic excellence. Dr. Koo obtained her psychiatry residency training at the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA and her subsequent psychoanalytic training at the New Center for Psychoanalysis. She is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Board Certified in Addiction Medicine. For over twenty years Dr. Koo has enjoyed her private practice, providing outpatient psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and pharmacological treatment for individuals, couples and families. A pioneer in the development and application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), Dr. Koo opened the South Bay TMS Therapy Center in 2009. She is certified in the application of Neurostar rTMS, Brainsway Deep TMS and MagVenture rTMS Therapy. South Bay TMS has evolved into the Neuro Wellness Spa, where Dr. Koo is Medical Director and offers iv ketamine, iv nutrition and photobiomodulation along with rTMS therapy. She is on the Board of Directors of the Clinical TMS Society. Additionally, Dr. Koo is the Medical Director and Clinical Supervisor at  Clear Recovery Center. She is an active member of the American Psychiatric Association, the New Center for Psychoanalysis, the Clinical TMS Society, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, the California Psychiatric Society and the Southern California Psychiatric Society. She is also a guest lecturer at the New Center for Psychoanalysis and the Los Angeles Psychoanalytic Society and Institute.

Dr. Simon Faynboym, M.D.

Medical Director South Torrance & Long Beach

Dr. Simon Faynboym was born in Ukraine and immigrated to California at a very young age. Growing up in California, he had a drive to serve the underprivileged and decided to become a physician. Dr. Faynboym currently practices Psychiatry and TMS at Neuro Wellness Spa. Dr. Faynboym earned two Bachelor of Science Degrees, his first in Genetics and the second in Food Biochemistry. He graduated in the top of his class and continued thereafter to get his masters training in Biomedical Sciences at Midwestern University for a year, before heading off to Medical School.

Dr. Faynboym attended Medical School at SGU School of Medicine with clinical rotations in New York and California. Dr. Faynboym then attended Indiana University School of Medicine-Purdue University Indianapolis Hospital System for his internship and residency in Psychiatry.

Dr. Faynboym has been politically involved in Indiana State Medical Association leading to his service as a Trustee for several years along with sitting in the House of Delegates for the American Medical Association. Currently he is involved with the Los Angeles County Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association and is a delegate to the California Medical Association.

Dr. Faynboym enjoys being active out doors, in his free time, he likes to go hiking, mountain biking, and doing water activities.

Dr. Josh Lichtman, D.O.

Medical Director Manhattan Beach & North Torrance

Dr. Josh Lichtman has been practicing psychiatry for almost two decades. He is dual board certified in both adult psychiatry and addiction medicine.

He is passionate about mindfulness practice and psychiatry and is constantly trying to blend the two. Although he primarily focuses on TMS and psychopharmacology, he is trained in various modalities of psychotherapy including CBT, DBT, EMDR, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. He is a clinical instructor at UCLA, and has been selected to be on the list for Southern California Super Doctors for 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015.

Dr. Todd Hill, D.O.

Medical Director Westlake Village

While Dr. Todd 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. Alexa Hall, M.D.

Medical Director Santa Monica & Beverly Hills

Dr. Alexa Hall, M.D. was born and raised in New England. She obtained her B.S. in Biology from Providence College and her M.D. from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She then completed her general psychiatry residency at Harvard South Shore in Massachusetts with clinical training throughout many affiliated hospitals of Harvard Medical School and the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System.

During her residency training, Dr. Hall developed a strong interest in providing high quality, evidence-based care for her patients and spent significant time mentoring and teaching peers. She understands mental health care is not one-size-fits-all, and while collaborating with a patient and the rest of their care team, she helps create for them a personalized treatment plan in line with their values.

Her passion for outpatient psychiatry has led her to the West Coast and Neuro Wellness Spa.

Dr. Frances Javier, M.D.

Medical Director Marina del Rey

Dr. Frances Javier graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychobiology, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Departmental Highest Honors. She then spent a decade at the Yale School of Medicine for her medical education and training and currently holds a Community Faculty position at the Yale Child Study Center.

After earning her MD with thesis degree, Dr. Javier joined the Yale Solnit Integrated Child/Adult Psychiatry Program for a combined adult psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship. She was the first Solnit Integrated fellow to complete an additional fellowship in interventional psychiatry with the Yale Interventional Psychiatry Service, receiving subspecialized training in TMS, IV ketamine, intranasal esketamine and ECT. On her final year of training, Dr. Javier was conferred the John E. Schowalter Chief Resident Award for outstanding service as a chief resident. It is her hope that being dual fellowship-trained in child/adolescent and interventional psychiatry would broaden her expertise in extending non-pharmacological, biological therapies to those in need across the lifespan.

Dr. Javier aims to decrease the stigma and barriers to care for some of the most effective and cutting-edge treatments available in psychiatry (i.e., TMS, ketamine, esketamine, etc.), which is a shared goal of Neuro Wellness Spa. Having grown up in Los Angeles, this is homecoming for Dr. Javier after a stint in the Northeast.

Clinical Team

Quy Pham, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner South Torrance

Quy Pham was born and raised in Orange County, California. His parents immigrated from Vietnam in 1984 and they taught him the importance of service and working with underserved populations. Quy has been practicing in the mental health field for over seven years. He believes in the importance of dispelling the shame and stigma that has been attached to mental health through education and advocacy. Quy’s goal as a practitioner is to help patients reach their goals and achieve a higher quality of life. In his free time, Quy enjoys traveling and trying new food. He strives to visit as many countries as he can and take advantage of what life has to offer.

Samaneh Fanaeian, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner Santa Monica

Samaneh Fanaeian is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, who graduated from Walden University. Samaneh has been in the mental health field for over five years has experience working with both adolescents and adults. She completed her Bachelors of Science at Chamberlain University and received her Masters of Science in Psychiatry from Walden University.

Samaneh uses a collaborative and holistic approach to address biological, psychological, and social factors that impact a client’s health. She utilizes mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy to meet the needs of every client in their own unique way. In addition, she is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Samaneh believes that one of the most crucial factors in becoming an effective Advanced Practice Nurse is promoting hope to individuals and families with mental illnesses, to instill self-responsibility and empowerment, and in helping individuals living with mental illness seek a meaningful role in life. With this, she hopes to help clients meet their goals and live the life they value and desire. Samaneh offers services in English and Farsi.

Paul Choi, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner Manhattan Beach

Paul Choi is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and also holds a Board Certification for Family Practice. With over a decade of experience as a nurse practitioner and registered nurse, Paul brings a holistic approach to patients of all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual identities. He firmly believes that quality mental health needs to be easily accessible. Paul emphasizes the importance of incorporating the recovery model into his day-to-day practice. He provides compassionate care that is evidence-based and personalized to each client’s needs.
Paul speaks fluent Korean and enjoys playing with his child in his free time.

Anthony Marcaida, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner Beverly Hills

Anthony Marcaida is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse practitioner with a Master’s degree from Walden University. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Anthony has a professional healthcare background spanning almost 15 years of adult and geriatric nursing between various settings from emergency to critical care, and in recent years focusing on mental health.

As a Los Angeles native, he witnessed first hand how the drastic lack of attention towards mental health within the community can lead to unnecessary physical and mental disability resulting in a poor quality of life. With a passion and dedication towards the field of mental health, Anthony’s goal is to greatly improve society with each patient encounter.

In his free time, Anthony enjoys exercising, seasonal outdoor activities and being one with nature.

Juyeon Shin, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner North Torrance

Juyeon Shin has been practicing as a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner since 2015 after graduating from University of Florida. She brings over a decade of experience treating mild to severe psychiatric disorders in several settings including, outpatient, inpatient, residential programs and long-term care. Juyeon also has experience as a lecturer at nursing schools, a clinical preceptor for nurse practitioner students, and a research assistant in psychiatry. She is an active board member of California Association for Nurse Practitioners.

Juyeon strongly believes in the highest quality, patient-centered care and providing patients with collaborative and integrative treatments. She speaks English and Korean fluently.

Araceli Lozano, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner North Torrance

Araceli Lozano is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with a Master and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University. Before pursuing nursing, she served on active duty in the U.S. Army after which she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from New Mexico State University.

As a combat veteran and first-generation Mexican American, Araceli has lived through unique experiences which have helped her develop a solid understanding of the diverse needs of people from various cultures and backgrounds. Her passion is working in mental health and helping people meet their goals through individualized pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

Prior to earning her degree as a nurse practitioner, Araceli worked as a registered nurse in an inpatient psychiatric hospital and on medical-surgical units in Indiana. Her clinical experience as a nurse practitioner started with the geriatric population in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and has more recently been in the outpatient setting providing treatment for individuals with a wide range of psychiatric comorbidities.

AJ Kiefer, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner Encino

AJ Kiefer is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a master’s degree in nursing education from Western Governor University and post master’s degree from Maryville University St. Louis. AJ is also board certified in Ambulatory Care and has been taking care of patients with mental health issues in the inpatient and outpatient setting for over sixteen years. He has a strong critical care background and spent a great part of his nurse practitioner training in addiction medicine.

Born in Brazil and raised in South Florida, AJ is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and always strives for diversity and culturally competent care. He welcomes all clients and is certified to care for persons across the lifespan. He believes in providing a judgment free space for patients to seek help and end the stigma towards mental health. His focus is to help clients improve their quality-of-life and reach optimal well-being.

In his free time, AJ enjoys going to the movies, likes comic books and miniature railroading which is a family hobby tradition. He believes in staying mentally strong and physically healthy and likes to stay active by doing OrangeTheory Fitness, Pilates, and outdoor activities. He also likes traveling the world, seeing new cultures, and enjoying new experiences during his travels.

Izunna Ewudo, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner Marina del Rey

Dr. Izunna Ewudo is a doctoral-prepared, dually Board-Certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who embodies a unique blend of expertise and genuine care in his patient interactions. Born and raised in Los Angeles and with a rich heritage as a Nigerian-American, Dr. Ewudo brings a unique perspective to his practice, embracing cultural diversity and valuing the experiences it offers. He obtained his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Brandman University, his Master of Science in Nursing and post-master certification in Family Nurse Practitioner from Charles Drew University, and his Bachelor of Science in Health Science from California State University, Los Angeles.

Dr. Ewudo has been in healthcare since 2015 and has a broad background in treating mild to severe psychiatric disorders in various settings, including inpatient psychiatry, intensive outpatient psychiatry, telemedicine, and primary care, serving patients from all walks of life.

Dr. Ewudo’s whole-person approach to patient care is marked by a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of the client’s mental, physical, and social well-being. He is passionate about quality patient care and collaboratively develops tailored treatment plans for clients’ specific needs. He focuses on actively involving clients in their healthcare decisions to help them think, feel, and be at their best so they may continue to thrive in life.

Dr. Ewudo is active in the California and American Association of Nurse Practitioners and speaks Igbo. In his free time, you can find him either at the gym working towards his new physical goal, traveling,  spending time with his friends and family, dancing to music, or outdoors holding up a camera.

Christianne Zah-Weber, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner Long Beach

Christianne Zah-Weber, PMHNP is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and has experience providing psychiatric care across the lifespan. She works collaboratively with patients to determine goals for treatment and interventions that are based on individual needs. She approaches patient care from a whole-person perspective and recognizes how lifestyle, environment, systems, and situational factors influence individual states of well-being. She provides supportive psychotherapy and includes elements of mindfulness and various modalities including psychodynamic, somatic, and cognitive behavioral therapy. She enjoys working with a diverse patient population and providing care from an inclusive framework that honors cultures and traditions that are valued by patients. She has provided medication management for individuals with PTSD and other trauma-related disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar and related disorders, OCD, ADHD, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and substance use disorders. She began working in mental health in 2010 as an intern and subsequently as a Mental Health Technician. Upon completion of her Associates Degree in Nursing from Glendale Community College in 2011, she worked as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse while simultaneously working on her Bachelors in the Science of Nursing at Sacred Heart University. Upon completion of my BSN in 2013, she attended a Doctor of Nursing Practice program at University of Minnesota. While working on her DNP, she gained additional professional experience in psychiatric nursing, detox, and as a nursing educator. Since graduating from University of Minnesota with her DNP, she has been working in private practice. She enjoys the arts and spending time in nature.

Ian Mojica, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner South Torrance

Ian Mojica is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner with a Masters in Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner from Cal State University Long Beach and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from UC Irvine. Growing up in Orange County, Ian quickly learned about the existence of healthcare disparities within his community. He strongly believes that it is imperative to make mental health treatment more accessible to the greater population while reducing the stigma that accompanies psychiatric diagnoses. Ian has extensive experience in street medicine, working with the underprivileged population in Skid Row and Orange County. He utilizes a patient-centered, individualized, and collaborative practice where clients are fully involved in the formulation of a treatment plan.

Marissa Chantorn, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner Pasadena

Marissa Chantorn is a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a Master of Science degree from Yale University and a Bachelor of Science in General Biology from University of California, San Diego. She has inpatient psychiatric nursing experience in dual diagnosis, adult, and pediatric populations. Her clinical experience includes consult psychiatry for the medical floors of Yale New Haven Hospital and medication management for a pediatric outpatient FQHC in Hartford, CT.

As a first generation Asian American, Marissa recognizes the importance of understanding the roles a person’s ethnic, racial, sexual, and gender identity play in caring for their mental health. She believes in the necessity of fostering a generation of providers who are culturally sensitive and informed. She is honored to be a part of the complex journey towards mental wellness and clarity.

Marissa is an active member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honors Society and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. In her free time she enjoys frequenting cafes, trying new restaurants, reading contemporary fiction, and spending time with her two cozy cats.

Ranita Hahm, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner Westlake Village

Ranita Hahm is a Dual Board Certified Adult-Gerontology and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She received her post-master’s certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and her nurse practitioner master’s degree from the University of California of Los Angeles (UCLA). Her bachelor’s degree is from Mount St. Mary’s University. She practiced in primary care and occupational health for seven years before transitioning to mental health.

She is committed to patient-centered care and hopes to provide support and insight to patients to manage their mental health conditions through collaborative teamwork.  She believes in holistic care and understands that physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being are rarely separated; she hopes to understand the interrelationship among every person’s dimensions to bring the best opportunity for health and recovery.

Ranita enjoys walks, hiking, traveling, fantasy-action adventure films, and small dinner parties. Ranita emigrated from Korea when she was six and was raised in Los Angeles.  She speaks conversational Korean.

Esther Lee, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner Encino

Esther Lee, PMHNP 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.

Paula Martin, PMHNP

Nurse Practitioner

Paula Martin is a compassionate Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with experience spanning diverse settings and a have solid foundation in trauma-informed practices.

She initiated her professional journey in the field of Behavioral and Mental Health in an acute inpatient setting where she gained experience in caring for adult individuals suffering from psychiatric and substance use disorders. She furthered her expertise and practical skills and subsequently joined a team at a children’s hospital in an inpatient mental health unit specializing in delivering trauma-informed care to children and adolescents grappling with psychiatric disorders and/or adverse childhood experiences. In addition, she gained some experience in a crisis stabilization unit working with adults and adolescents. The experience gained at these facilities served as her primary motivation to pursue graduate studies and become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to better care and advocate for those with mental health disorders. Afterwards, she then proceeded to work as a PMHNP with adults in detox, residential, PHP/IOP, and outpatient settings helping those with mental health and substance use disorders. 

Paula believes that collaborative treatment with psychiatrists and other mental health care providers is critical to a holistic treatment strategy. She also believes that it is very vital to serve every client and their loved ones with the utmost respect and dignity. 

Shaina Goelman, LMFT

Care Coordinator

Shaina Goelman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Shaina was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She got her BA from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Shaina worked in the entertainment industry for eight years before going back to school to study Psychology. Shaina received her masters from Pepperdine University in Clinical Psychology.

Shaina has gained experience as a therapist in residential treatment centers, IOP and PHP programs. Most recently, she was seeing clients in a private practice setting. Shaina believes in a client centered approach and advocates for her clients to ensure they’re receiving the best care possible. Shaina is trained in EMDR and specializes in perinatal mental health.

In her free time, Shaina enjoys spending time with her baby and dog.

Kristin Robbins

Lead TMS Technician South Torrance

Kristin was born and raised in the South Bay. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Southern California. She has over 20 years of management experience in small business and has worked in a variety of industries with customer care as her highest priority. She has mentored and supervised many people, and truly enjoys the process of helping others pursue their unique personal development.

She is passionate about teaching natural solutions that support both physical and emotional wellness. She is an essential oil educator and wellness advocate with a special interest in how essential oils assist in healing. She is a fully certified Mag Venture Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Technician, treating patients with a conscious understanding of Neuro-wellness. She is honored and excited to grow with the team at Neuro Wellness Spa.

Jennifer Barajas

Lead TMS Technician Santa Monica

Jennifer joins Neuro Wellness Spa with a passion for helping others. With over 15 years of customer service experience, six of those in the medical field, she finds joy in helping others recover with a compassionate and personal understanding of their journey.

When she is not working, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, her friends and her pug, Peggy Sue. She loves to cook, and as a Southern California native, she loves the beach, live music and theme parks, especially Disneyland.

Jennifer is excited to bring her drive and understanding to the position and grow with the Neuro Wellness Spa team.

Juan Sarmiento

Lead TMS Technician North Torrance

Juan is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, where he earned his B.A. in Public Relations with an emphasis in Marketing. Juan is passionate about helping others and loves nothing more than being able to see the positive impact of his work as both a high school football coach and a lead TMS technician. In the future, Juan hopes to continue to serve the healthcare industry through marketing and help increase access to care for those in need. In his free time, Juan enjoys talking, playing and coaching football and eating delicious foods.

John Lauder

Lead TMS Technician Beverly Hills

John was born in the Philippines and grew up in the Bay Area. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego, and earned his BS in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. His goal since graduating college has been to address the stigmas surrounding mental health within his culture and provide high-quality care to patients in need. With that goal in mind, he hopes to continue serving the mental health care industry as a TMS technician by addressing the barriers that prevent one from receiving treatment and promoting self-advocacy for a higher quality of life. 
 
During his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, trying new foods, spending time with friends, and traveling.

Tyler Perron

Lead TMS Technician Manhattan Beach

Tyler is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He is currently pursuing a Master’s to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. Compassionate care and a patient-first approach are Tyler’s highest priorities. His interests included meditation, mindfulness, fitness, and spending time with his partner and 12-year-old daughter.
Tyler is excited to share different treatment modalities for depression and loves watching the progression of patients through treatment.

Nyla Jacobs

Lead TMS Technician Marina del Rey

Nyla, a Los Angeles native, pursued dual majors in psychology and creative studies during college. With over a decade of administrative expertise, she began as an Admin at her current company and advanced to the role of Lead TMS tech. Outside of work, Nyla finds joy in watching superhero movies and crafting engaging social media content.

Guadelupe Menchaca

Lead TMS Technician Westlake Village

Lupe was born and raised in Southern California. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from California State University Channel Islands. She completed 2 years of a Master of Social Work at Western New Mexico University. She has 10 years of experience working for nonprofits, the public sector, and private in behavioral health, social work, and technology solutions/software in California and Hawai’i.

She brings a compassionate approach and is passionate for mental health advocacy. She loves helping people heal by giving empathic listening and a safe space for all walks of life.

In her free time, she loves to go on hikes, road trips on her Jeep, read books, go to the gym, and spend time with her cat, Muffin.

Hamilton Lichtman

TMS Apprentice

Hamilton ‘Hami’ Lichtman is the North Torrance center’s therapy dog and is just as passionate about mental health and wellness as the rest of our human staff. Hami is 3.5 years old and is an Australian Shepherd. When he is not in the office helping with patient care, he loves to go swimming and watch Netflix.

Administrative Team

Michael Joly

Chief Executive Officer

Michael Joly is the COO of Neuro Wellness Spa, with over 20 years of experience in mental health recovery. Mike has devoted his entire career to helping individuals and their families heal and recover from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.

His passion for recovery is unparalleled. He has built a wealth of knowledge and experience that translates across many disciplines.

Mike is actively involved in bringing community awareness to living a positive and healthy lifestyle by working as a substance abuse and prevention consultant to various educational and healthcare systems. His expertise has provided him guest appearances in major media outlets throughout the United States. Mike is also a prominent figure in the South Bay recovery community. He is heavily involved with numerous non-profits and gives back through a variety of impactful organizations. Mike’s experience and love of helping others allow him to bring his own unique brand of passion, enthusiasm and warmth to prospective clients and their families.

Jennifer Carvalho

Chief Operating Officer

Jen Carvalho brings 20+ years of industry leadership to the table, namely as a Market and Hospital CEO, focusing on successful operations of diverse treatment programs.
Patient access to care, stigma reduction and workforce development are of particular focus for Jen and guide her advocacy efforts. To that end, she has served on the Executive Committee of CA Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals for many years and was recently elected to the Board of Directors of National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.

Jen’s passion expands to professional mentorship, and she is proud to inspire her teams to lead with integrity. A speaker on Visionary & Empowered Leadership, Jen is comfortable sharing her experience, strength and hope with others. As a woman in long term recovery, her focus on providing options for care is both personal and priority.

Chris Mijares

Chief Financial Officer

Emily Pedersen, MPH, MEd

Executive Director of Operations

Emily Pedersen is the Director of Clinical Development for Neuro Wellness Spa. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and a Master of Public Health degree with a certificate in health inequities from Johns Hopkins University.

As a former educator with a strong professional background in public health research, Emily has extensive experience partnering with communities to improve health and educational outcomes. She has served as a teacher, team-lead and professional curriculum developer for Baltimore City Public Schools as well as a senior research coordinator for the Johns Hopkins Department of Epidemiology.

Emily is passionate about reducing disparities in health care. She finds nothing more rewarding than meeting with local practitioners, developing partnerships, solving problems and increasing access to services, particularly for those in need of compassionate mental health treatment.

Greg Kettelkamp

Admissions Director

Greg Kettelkamp attended Chico State University with a focus on Mechanical Engineering. He found himself drawn to helping people rather than engineering after he left college.

Greg has many years of experience in both business and customer service that make him very effective with both clients and problem-solving day to day business matters. He believes that a personal touch is necessary to make sure that all customers feel they are heard and well taken care of.

In his free time Greg enjoys going to the gym, spending time with family and loved ones, and anything that has to do with sports. The greatest joy in his life is spending time with his wife Jessica, and her daughter Skylar.

Howard Barker, B.S.

Director of Business Development

Howard Barker works to engage, educate, and support the South Bay community for Neuro Wellness Spa. He is focused on spreading education and awareness on issues surrounding mental health and substance abuse as well as helping families navigate the difficult waters of getting a loved one help. Howard has spent the past 7 years working with young adults and their families, being a support during times of crisis.

Alex Salman, MBA, MPH

Director of Digital Marketing

At the intersection of healthcare, business, and technology, Alex is driving a revolution in mental healthcare access at Neuro Wellness Spa. With a unique blend of business and public health expertise, Alex is reshaping the way we approach mental health and well-being in the digital age.

Recognizing the pivotal role of technology in making mental healthcare more accessible and stigma-free, Alex harnesses innovative digital marketing techniques to connect those in need with essential support.

He believes that true progress comes through partnership and advocacy. He actively collaborates with mental health advocates, clinicians, and tech innovators to foster a comprehensive ecosystem for mental wellness. His commitment to destigmatizing mental health and making it a central conversation is unwavering.

Jennifer Minton

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Jennifer Minton is the Talent Acquisition Specialist at Neuro Wellness Spa. A native of Southern California, Jen graduated from Harbor College and brings over 20 years of clinical care experience as a dental, medical and surgical assistant to her role.

Having worked in both private practice and hospital settings with diverse patient populations, Jennifer is an expert in comprehensive patient care.

As a former clinical manager and rTMS Technician she has over 10 years of experience with rTMS. She is fully trained in the application of Magventure, Neurostar TMS and Brainsway deep TMS Therapy as well as MeRT TMS therapy. Jennifer is ACLS, BLS and CPR certified.

She finds nothing more rewarding than meeting with local practitioners, developing partnerships, solving problems and increasing access to services, particularly for those in need of compassionate mental health treatment.

In her free time, she spends time with her family including her senior pit bull, Athena. She loves spending time outdoors and traveling.

Daisy Lengkong

Community Relations Manager

Daisy Lengkong has nearly two decades of extensive experience in the medical field. Her background encompasses various specialties in the healthcare arena–from Cedars-Sinai, Sollis Health, Glendale Adventist, among many others. From orthopedic spine, bone cancer surgery, bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal diseases to urgent care/ER clinics, she possesses wide-ranging knowledge of diseases and care. In addition, she has managed operations for various specialty offices. Her commitment to high-touch customer service combined with her experience in managing operations has given her a broader view of the comprehensive plan and quality of care necessary for patients from all walks of life.

She shares the same beliefs of Jay Shetty in which he says, “Your passion becomes a purpose when you use it to serve others.”

Daisy loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends. Anywhere with a warm climate-like the Caribbean-are her favorite places to visit. She also enjoys trying new restaurants, hiking Runyon Canyon, and touring museums and galleries whenever she can.

Pamela Corey

Community Relations Manager

Pamela Corey earned her degree in Communications from USC, after which she took four years to travel and work around the world with a total of over 40 countries visited to date. She has a rich and diverse background in business spanning from domestic and international marketing at 20th Century Fox to owning her own photography business for 14 years.

Pamela is new to the clinical world, and finds great satisfaction working with the South Bay community. She brings to the position her passion, attention to detail, and belief in providing outstanding service no matter what the circumstances are. She thrives on helping people on their journey in life, and has referred to herself as a “serendipity facilitator” for many years.

In her spare time Pamela volunteers with multiple animal rescue organizations, goes to see live music in intimate venues, and continues to love adding stamps to her passport.

• • Testimonials • •

What Our Patients Are Saying

  • My Life Started To Turn Around

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    Within just a couple of weeks of TMS treatment, my life started to turn around. I felt in more control of my emotions and that led to better life decisions & a healthier lifestyle.

    John
  • Incredible Progress In A Short Amount Of Time

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    My life has completely changed with ketamine therapy. My therapist even said she had never seen such incredible progress in such a short amount of time.

    Shannon
  • We Got Our Son Back

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    After eight weeks of MeRT treatments, our son is now more verbal and much happier. He started communicating with us and making jokes.

    MeRT Patient
  • A Game Changer

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    IV nutrition has been a game changer and a great way to start my week. I love how I instantly have more focus, energy and I feel like I can tackle anything.

    Amber
  • Got The RIGHT Meds

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    Spent decades on meds that weren’t right for me. Took the genetic test, learned about what would work for me and got the RIGHT meds. Has made such a difference for me.

    Jean
  • TMS Changed Everything

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    I was so low on energy and TMS changed everything. Now, I look forward to starting my days. My focus has improved. I appreciate things I couldn’t even notice before.

    Rob
  • Relieved My Symptoms After A Lifetime of Struggle

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    I was amazed that Spravato relieved my symptoms after a lifetime of struggle. Today, I’m leading a class in mental health, working in my greenhouse & spending time at the beach with my dog, Oshi.

    Robin
  • It Gave Me A Bigger Picture

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    It was interesting to see that according to the genetic test, I’m a fast metabolizer of that particular pain medication. It gave me a bigger picture of how my genes work.

    Rachel
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Contact Us


    Could TMS Therapy Be Right For You?

    I struggle with depression, OCD or anxiety.

    I am experiencing sadness, low energy, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, appetite changes, irritability or weight gain/loss.

    I have tried, or am currently on, 1 or more antidepressant medications.

    I have tried talk therapy

    Has your doctor/therapist suggested you try TMS?

    Mental Health, Reimagined.
    Call Us Today

    Call Us Today