OUR STAFF

Our Staff
Ryan Janis, Psychologist & Supervisor
I founded Downtown Mind Wellness in 2013 with the idea to offer high quality psychotherapy services. My intern at the time, Dr. Lindsay Kramer, and I opened a tiny office with a window facing a giant concrete wall in the middle of DTLA. We were informed by the property manager that our “office” was meant to be a supply closet. We made it work, and sure enough, word spread quickly about the level of services we were providing. We worked hard, and our reputation for being a super reliable, solid, and modern psychotherapy practice grew. Fast forward to today — We now have 11 offices and over 20 clinicians providing psychotherapy, medication management, and testing & assessment services. Dr. Lindsay became a licensed psychologist years ago. She is still with our practice, and she now has a few interns of her own. I’m confident you will find your therapist to be extraordinarily reliable, experienced, and active in helping you overcome personal obstacles to become your best self. Frankly, I’m very proud of the team here at DMW. We are a team, a family, and best of all, we challenge one another to become better and better through a collaborative approach. Plus, if you’re in need of psychiatric medication, we have Nurse Practitioners on staff who are in regular coordination with our therapists to ensure your optimal care. If you ever have a concern or question, please feel free to contact me directly.

Lindsay Kramer, Psychologist
Whenever someone asks me why I chose to be a therapist, I always respond, “It chose me.” From a very young age, I was fascinated with feelings—for instance, why did I cry when I was overjoyed? As I completed my way through six years of graduate education in psychology, I became curious about other things—avoidance of feelings, motivation behind behaviors, and the complications of relationships. My clinical training and my own personal journey into therapy taught me about needs, vulnerabilities, and fears. My goal as a therapist is to help others identify and accept these needs and fears in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. I received my doctorate degree in psychology, and I am highly trained in the areas of relationship difficulties, identity issues, attachment, adoption, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.

Dylan Ramos, Psychologist
I believe that relationships, with others and with oneself, are essential to living a rewarding and enjoyable life. Healthy relationships and deep self-knowledge can be the remedy to our distress and the key to our healing. My approach is collaborative— I do not expect you to enter my office and “fix” yourself, but rather to work alongside me to cultivate insight, deepen relationships, and develop a stronger sense of self. Often we walk through life being merely existing—my goal is to help you thrive. I am confident that my diverse experience and training can aid you in overcoming any obstacle so that you can live a well-balanced and joyful life.

Nicole Hendrickson, Psychiatric Intake Coordinator, LPCC
Many of us walk around every day wearing some version of a mask. Some of us do so to protect or take care of others, some of us wear the mask to fit in, and some of us wear it because of shame. My hope is that everyone I work with becomes a little bit more comfortable with the person underneath the mask– their true authentic self. Whether you struggle with depression, anxiety, the effects of trauma, addiction, or difficulty in relationships with others, I truly believe the therapeutic relationship can be a healing one, and be the first step in taking off your mask.

Michelle Farivar, Psychologist
I believe that each person has an inborn “lifeforce” that naturally guides us towards wellness and vitality; it’s the inner wisdom, intuition and passion, the push that sends us towards “the answer”. Unfortunately, some hurtful experiences may come to block access to the lifeforce. As a result, we may feel trapped in a ‘deja-vu’-like repetition of unwanted experiences, be they unwanted relationships, a common feeling of depletion, or stubborn behaviors and habits.

Morgan Bogad, MFT
Something in your life has become enough of a problem that you are seeking help. When things don’t turn out the way you imagined, or you find yourself repeating the same patterns that keep you working against yourself, it is only natural to feel anxious, depressed, and/or overwhelmed. You might feel blindsided by a big life transition, paralyzed by shame or fear, or as if you are constantly fighting an uphill battle. Whatever the issue, you are capable of making change, and I am here to help.

Nikki Guzofsky, MFT
Nikki Guzofsky, MFT
So much of life is about relationships. This begins with the relationship with oneself, which is the foundation upon which people thrive. I believe the therapeutic relationship is at the crux of self-discovery and personal growth, and through this connection, individuals begin to develop a greater understanding of themselves, their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, motivations and desires.

Gita Donovan, Psy.D
Gita Donovan, Psychologist
We all have ideals– how we think we should feel, how we feel we should think, how we want others to behave towards us, how we want our life to unfold. When reality doesn’t match our ideals, it can bring confusion, frustration, even despair. We may feel trapped between our ideals and reality, leading us to believe we are spinning in circles.

Aaron Jones, MFT
Humans are diverse and gloriously complex creatures. Whether it be our successes, failures, hopes, fears, trauma in our family or origins, or any one diagnosis—we are much more than the total sum of all equal parts. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we get lost along the path towards health and happiness. Even the best of us need a little help from time to time. Healing happens within relationships; relationships we have to ourselves, to our beloved others, our careers, family, and even the relationship we have with the words that describe our suffering.

Elizabeth (Beth) Doddato, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
My goal is to help you achieve a more balanced, authentic, and fulfilling life. If you’re apprehensive about taking medication or have felt pressured into believing that medication is the only means of achieving a healthy and balanced life, it is not. Medication is just one of many tools available to aid in the management of symptoms, on the journey to achieving your treatment goals. My aim is to show you multiple ways to achieve a rewarding and gratifying life and provide you with resources to succeed along the way.

Cheryl Felix, Psy.D.
Cheryl Felix, Psychologist
Vulnerability is a form of strength that allows for exploration and discovery. To sit with somebody to allow space for the vulnerable takes courage and the intuition to know that circumstances can change. I know this process to be as rewarding as it is harrowing. My role as a therapist is to be present and provide a place of safety, listening, truth, and guidance.

Brian Bajah, Psy.D.
The body grows sequentially from young to old; aging is predetermined, but the information a person acquires while aging is not predetermined. We owe it to ourselves to work on ourselves as we strive to grasp every piece of information that is instrumental to our growth.
We are born with a clean slate; even though our parents do a lot of imprinting, what we continue to feed our minds with goes a long way in shaping who we become. A lot of us have blind spots when it comes to self-reflection. How often have we looked at ourselves inwardly and accepted that a part of us needs change? This is harder for some of us than it is for others. Deciding to better oneself is an excellent step toward self-actualization; not everyone has taken this step. I have sought therapy myself and appreciate the healing that comes from it. The healthiest path to recovery is processing your feelings; no matter how severe your injuries are, processing them prevents long-term emotional effects. The unhealthy path would be to repress those feelings. You can never underestimate the importance of self-care.

Ivan Gonzalez, LCSW
Ivan Gonzalez, LCSW
Sometimes in life, we come across obstacles that prevent us from living our day to day life. Therapy is available as a tool to help us manage those life stressors. Seeking a therapist is the first step in prioritizing your mental health. My job as a therapist is to work collaboratively with you in a safe, open, and nonjudgmental space to help you reach your goals.

Jordan Swiskow, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Jordan Swiskow, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
My professional journey has taken me to a variety of settings and given me the opportunity engage with diverse communities and cultures. But despite my many years of experience in the medical field, my roots are in my yoga training. I have found that when I’m able to combine the right medication with a mindfulness practice, our work together may not only be about symptom management, but also about developing and enriching one’s life.

Chloe Kim, M.A.
Chloe Kim, M.A.
Healing, transitions, and self-discovery are all part of personal growth. Personal growth is oftentimes a slow and steady process that requires vulnerability, self-reflection, patience, and acceptance. This journey is unique to each person. I believe our life journeys are not meant to be walked alone. As a therapist, I aim to be present with you and support you wherever you are in your journey, while seeking to understand your past, cultural and family background, beliefs, and goals.

Asil Yassine, Ed.M., M.A.
We are creatures incredibly capable of both tuning out and tuning in. We can be masters at suppressing thoughts and feelings — and alternatively, we can be superb at actually listening to ourselves, even the most subtle of sensations. And often, the better we get at listening, the more we realize that we hold contradictions within ourselves. “I really want this, but I’m expected to be that” or “This relationship never felt right, but it’s all I’ve ever known”.

Shemiah Sullivan, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
I like to think of a healthy mind as one’s source of life. It is the foundation to which everything else can be accomplished. Think about it. When our mental health is struggling and we are not operating at our fullest potential, while not impossible, it is certainly a challenge to focus on other areas in our life. This can manifest itself in difficulties tending to our physical health. Or the inability to show up as our best self at school and work. Or possibly resulting in strained interpersonal relationships. But when we seek assistance for our mental health needs, be it psychotherapy, medication management, or a combination of both, we can get to a place of living and flourishing, not just existing.

Shima Taghavi, Psy.D.
We face obstacles on every journey we make; my role as a therapist is to help guide you through a more fulfilling life, inspire you to do things that matter to you, and help you navigate and eliminate obstacles blocking your path.

Samantha Almario, M.A.
Samantha Almario, M.A.
Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, said, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.” I believe that learning how a person understands themselves in their environment can be the first step in a person becoming more empowered in their authentic self. I understand that seeking out mental health services can be a scary and vulnerable process, and I applaud you for taking this brave step in your healing journey.

Brittany Magid
Brittany Magid
We live in a complex and challenging world, and embracing vulnerability can be intimidating, so I commend you for taking this first step! Drawing inspiration from the profound words of Carl Jung, who once said, “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes,” I believe that the journey of growth begins by directing our attention inward.

Lydia Gaid, M.A.
Lydia Gaid, M.A.
Establishing meaningful relationships with others and oneself is essential for a satisfying life. We can overcome challenges and heal emotional wounds by fostering deep self-awareness and healthy connections. My therapy approach is collaborative, and we work together to gain insights, build stronger relationships, and develop a greater sense of self.

Lauren Van Vranken, M.A.
It is often said that we are our own worst critic. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in life is to be curious, not judgmental – especially toward myself. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?”, I believe it’s more important to explore what’s happening inside of you with gentleness and curiosity.

Juliana D’Aoust, M.A.
Juliana D’Aoust, M.A.
I love how our current use of the term “therapy” derives from the Greek word, therapeia, meaning healing. We all might have different reasons to seek out healing, but sometimes we encounter something more than curative when we finally find a safe, welcoming environment to open up and explore ourselves;

Vanessa Rodriguez, M.A.
Vanessa Rodriguez, M.A.
I love how our current use of the term “therapy” derives from the Greek word, therapeia, meaning healing. We all might have different reasons to seek out healing, but sometimes we encounter something more than curative when we finally find a safe, welcoming environment to open up and explore ourselves;

Gautami Ashok, Psy.D.
Gautami Ashok, Psychologist
In dealing with stressors, life events, challenging relationships, and traumatic experiences we develop patterns to keep ourselves safe and sane; which often also limits us. The challenge is unlearning these narratives and trusting our innate wisdom. When we feel safe, secure, and accepted for who we are we can begin the process of shedding what doesn’t work for us, while exploring our untapped potential.

Shake Hovhannisyan
Shake Hovhannisyan
Are you stressed and overwhelmed by difficulties with relationships or purpose in life? I understand that recognizing and navigating your true feelings can be both liberating and challenging. However, it is in this exploration that growth occurs. My goal is to empower individuals to build resilience and confidence, fostering a positive self-image. I assist my clients to address relationship issues, enhance communication, and build stronger connections.

Daniel Gonzalez
Therapy is a unique space where you can be yourself and be supported unconditionally. Regardless, being in therapy takes an immense amount of courage and vulnerability to share one’s hopes, insecurities, and losses with a therapist. After some years of experience as a therapist, I firmly believe in the transformative and potentially life-altering gifts therapy can bestow upon a person.