Pasadena Mental Health Center - Providing Services to the Community Since 1965
 
Staff Biographies
 
 
Executive Director : Chanel Wen Boutakidis, MA, LMFT has worked in administration and direct services for the child welfare and health care fields for over 17 years. She has extensive experience in programming and strengths based leadership in agencies and programs serving children and families. She is currently Executive Director of Pasadena Mental Health Center and Director of Permanency Programs of Five Acres – The Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society of Los Angeles County.
Executive Director
Chanel Wen Boutakidis, MA, LMFT has worked in administration and direct services for the child welfare and health care fields for over 17 years. She has extensive experience in programming and strengths based leadership in agencies and programs serving children and families. She is currently Executive Director of Pasadena Mental Health Center and Director of Permanency Programs of Five Acres – The Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society of Los Angeles County.
Clinical Director : Nicole Bonassi Shannon received her Masters in Social Work from Columbia University. She has been practicing as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the past 8 years and has worked in community mental health for 12 years. Nicole has been affiliated with PMHC since 2003. She has served as the Clinical Director, Supervisor and for a short time the Interim Executive Director. Nicole has well established relationships with the schools she takes students from. She oversees the Center’s clinical program and coordinates training and supervision for the students. Nicole enjoys being a part of this very exciting time in a student’s career where they are just getting used to navigating the field, learning about the valuable service we provide to the community and learning about themselves as young therapists.
Clinical Director
Nicole Bonassi Shannon received her Masters in Social Work from Columbia University. She has been practicing as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the past 8 years and has worked in community mental health for 12 years.
Nicole has been affiliated with PMHC since 2003. She has served as the Clinical Director, Supervisor and for a short time the Interim Executive Director. Nicole has well established relationships with the schools she takes students from. She oversees the Center’s clinical program and coordinates training and supervision for the students. Nicole enjoys being a part of this very exciting time in a student’s career where they are just getting used to navigating the field, learning about the valuable service we provide to the community and learning about themselves as young therapists.
Program Supervisor : Eden Garcia-Balis, MS, LMFT has been in the mental health field for 10 years in a variety of capacities. She is a bilingual, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a strong commitment to supporting the healthy development to adults, teenagers and children. Eden has counseled children and teens in a clinic, school based setting and private practice. Currently she oversees the Second Tier Clinicians, Family Preservation Program and Victims of Crime Program at the Center. Eden is passionate about her work at PMHC, enjoying the time she spends with interns, assisting them in navigating and balancing the everyday pressures they experience at a mental health agency.
Program Supervisor
Eden Garcia-Balis, MS, LMFT has been in the mental health field for 10 years in a variety of capacities. She is a bilingual, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a strong commitment to supporting the healthy development to adults, teenagers and children. Eden has counseled children and teens in a clinic, school based setting and private practice. Currently she oversees the Second Tier Clinicians, Family Preservation Program and Victims of Crime Program at the Center. Eden is passionate about her work at PMHC, enjoying the time she spends with interns, assisting them in navigating and balancing the everyday pressures they experience at a mental health agency.
Outreach Coordinator/Clinician : Alina Sgattoni, M.S., MFT Intern, earned her B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and her M.S. in counseling from the Marriage and Family Therapy program at California State University, Long Beach. She oversees outreach programs including, the Apprenticeship Preparation Program and Youth Accountability Program. Alina also works as a Second-Tier Clinician counseling individuals, couples, and families. Alina has extensive experience working with parents of infants and toddlers to help them strengthen their parenting skills and promote a healthy attachment with their children. Alina grew up in a small city on the Adriatic Coast of Italy and, in her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Outreach Coordinator/Clinician
Alina Sgattoni, M.S., MFT Intern, earned her B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and her M.S. in counseling from the Marriage and Family Therapy program at California State University, Long Beach. She oversees outreach programs including, the Apprenticeship Preparation Program and Youth Accountability Program. Alina also works as a Second-Tier Clinician counseling individuals, couples, and families. Alina has extensive experience working with parents of infants and toddlers to help them strengthen their parenting skills and promote a healthy attachment with their children. Alina grew up in a small city on the Adriatic Coast of Italy and, in her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Office Manager : Gabriela Martinez-Huerta, Office Manager, and better known as "Gabby" makes sure that the agency is organized. She helps to coordinate all front office functions. She has been a part of Pasadena Mental Health for over 3 years. Gabby states, "I have enjoyed working for a center that offers affordable counseling for our low income families in our community and the great work and devotion of our therapist."
Office Manager
Gabriela Martinez-Huerta, Office Manager, and better known as "Gabby" makes sure that the agency is organized. She helps to coordinate all front office functions. She has been a part of Pasadena Mental Health for over 3 years. Gabby states, "I have enjoyed working for a center that offers affordable counseling for our low income families in our community and the great work and devotion of our therapist."
Executive Assistant : Kelly Evans earned her B.S. in Health Education at East Carolina University and her M.A. in Cross-cultural Studies at Fuller Seminary. She has over 7 years experience in administration & management. She has a passion for social work and is specifically interested in domestic violence and sex trafficking issues. Kelly strongly believes in the work that PMHC is doing and is excited to be a part of an organization that offers invaluable services to those in need. She is a “southern gal” from NC who enjoys spending time with friends and family, taking naps and eating delicious food.
Executive Assistant
Kelly Evans earned her B.S. in Health Education at East Carolina University and her M.A. in Cross-cultural Studies at Fuller Seminary. She has over 7 years experience in administration & management. She has a passion for social work and is specifically interested in domestic violence and sex trafficking issues. Kelly strongly believes in the work that PMHC is doing and is excited to be a part of an organization that offers invaluable services to those in need. She is a “southern gal” from NC who enjoys spending time with friends and family, taking naps and eating delicious food.
Clinician : Gordon Sheldall, MFT Intern, earned his MA in Marital and Family Therapy from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. He is currently providing second-tier clinical support by counseling individuals, couples and families at PMHC. His experience working with adults who have developmental disabilities has been enlightening and rewarding. When not counseling, Gordon likes to get involved in community, church and political pursuits. Playing tennis is one of his ways to practice self-care.
Clinician
Gordon Sheldall, MFT Intern, earned his MA in Marital and Family Therapy from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. He is currently providing second-tier clinical support by counseling individuals, couples and families at PMHC. His experience working with adults who have developmental disabilities has been enlightening and rewarding. When not counseling, Gordon likes to get involved in community, church and political pursuits. Playing tennis is one of his ways to practice self-care.
Clinician : Maxx Ruiz, M.A. , MFT Intern, earned his B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and his M.A. in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute. Maxx has 3 years of experience working in the mental health field, providing behavioral rehabilitation to school-aged children, parenting, communication, and conflict resolution skills to teachers, parents and families. Maxx has also facilitated communication skills and parenting groups, and is currently providing therapy services to individuals and families
Clinician
Maxx Ruiz, M.A. , MFT Intern, earned his B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and his M.A. in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute. Maxx has 3 years of experience working in the mental health field, providing behavioral rehabilitation to school-aged children, parenting, communication, and conflict resolution skills to teachers, parents and families. Maxx has also facilitated communication skills and parenting groups, and is currently providing therapy services to individuals and families
Clinician : Sherry Wait, M.A.P, MFT Intern earned her Masters in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino, completed her traineeship at PMHC and is currently participating as a Second-Tier Clinician counseling individuals, couples, children and families. Sherry has extensive experience in the health-care industry as a Registered Nurse and employs the concept of wellness and Humanistic/Existential theories as her core base of support when exploring basic themes, issues and concerns with her clients. She believes in the inherent strength within an individual and in the potential we all have to rise above our problems and live successful, authentic and happy lives. When not working, Sherry loves to dig around in the garden, play with the dogs, read and spend time with her family and friends.
Clinician
Sherry Wait, M.A.P, MFT Intern earned her Masters in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino, completed her traineeship at PMHC and is currently participating as a Second-Tier Clinician counseling individuals, couples, children and families. Sherry has extensive experience in the health-care industry as a Registered Nurse and employs the concept of wellness and Humanistic/Existential theories as her core base of support when exploring basic themes, issues and concerns with her clients. She believes in the inherent strength within an individual and in the potential we all have to rise above our problems and live successful, authentic and happy lives. When not working, Sherry loves to dig around in the garden, play with the dogs, read and spend time with her family and friends.
Clinician : Natasha Morisawa is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in the Second Tier program at PMHC. She is a graduate of Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena and has 2 decades of experience working for non-profit organizations and local governments in the San Gabriel Valley. Her experience working in a therapeutic setting with individuals who struggle with anxiety, who are experiencing life transitions, and with people working to deepen their relationships with others has been very rewarding. Natasha also enjoys spending copious amounts of time reading, sharing delicious food, playing with family and friends and exploring the outdoors.
Clinician
Natasha Morisawa is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in the Second Tier program at PMHC. She is a graduate of Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena and has 2 decades of experience working for non-profit organizations and local governments in the San Gabriel Valley. Her experience working in a therapeutic setting with individuals who struggle with anxiety, who are experiencing life transitions, and with people working to deepen their relationships with others has been very rewarding. Natasha also enjoys spending copious amounts of time reading, sharing delicious food, playing with family and friends and exploring the outdoors.
Clinician : Joanna McNeil, MFT Intern, earned her B.A. in Psychology at Cornell University and her M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy at Pacific Oaks College. In 2008-2009, she completed a dual traineeship with Pasadena Mental Health Center and Five Acres' School-Based/Community-Based Program. Thrilled to be back as a Second-Tier Clinician at PMHC, Joanna works with individual adults, children, couples, and families. She is particularly interested in parenting issues, the concerns of young families, relationship struggles, and the role of childhood experiences throughout the lifespan. Outside of work, Joanna enjoys connecting with friends and family, and getting outdoors with her French Bulldog, Stellaluna.
Clinician
Joanna McNeil, MFT Intern, earned her B.A. in Psychology at Cornell University and her M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy at Pacific Oaks College. In 2008-2009, she completed a dual traineeship with Pasadena Mental Health Center and Five Acres' School-Based/Community-Based Program. Thrilled to be back as a Second-Tier Clinician at PMHC, Joanna works with individual adults, children, couples, and families. She is particularly interested in parenting issues, the concerns of young families, relationship struggles, and the role of childhood experiences throughout the lifespan. Outside of work, Joanna enjoys connecting with friends and family, and getting outdoors with her French Bulldog, Stellaluna.
UNI Supervisor Case Management : Hector supervises PMHC’s United to Nurture Individuals (UNI) Program. He does case management and works with local youth in gang prevention and intervention. He is certified in professional community intervention, community counseling and gang awareness therapeutic education. As a former gang member he has over 17 years of personal experience dealing with gangs. Hector also works with the Neighborhood Outreach Workers (N.O.W.) Program and Journey House where he assists the youth and their families by providing resource services and hope.
UNI Supervisor Case Management
Hector supervises PMHC’s United to Nurture Individuals (UNI) Program. He does case management and works with local youth in gang prevention and intervention. He is certified in professional community intervention, community counseling and gang awareness therapeutic education. As a former gang member he has over 17 years of personal experience dealing with gangs. Hector also works with the Neighborhood Outreach Workers (N.O.W.) Program and Journey House where he assists the youth and their families by providing resource services and hope.
UNI Case Manager : Sean Davis has worked in the mental health field for a short time but is quickly making a name for himself as a Case Manager for the United to Nurture Individuals (UNI) Program. The program helps to empower young people and their families by providing them with the resources they need to make positive life choices. Sean mentors the youth and their families, encouraging them to reach their personal goals and in return inspiring those around them to do the same. Sean loves music, hanging out with his folks and helping others.
UNI Case Manager
Sean Davis has worked in the mental health field for a short time but is quickly making a name for himself as a Case Manager for the United to Nurture Individuals (UNI) Program. The program helps to empower young people and their families by providing them with the resources they need to make positive life choices. Sean mentors the youth and their families, encouraging them to reach their personal goals and in return inspiring those around them to do the same. Sean loves music, hanging out with his folks and helping others.
Administrative Assistant : Estephani Casas is the evening and weekend receptionist and in the past has filled in for the Office Manager. She is very familiar with our front office procedures and works diligently to support our staff. Her primary role is receiving clients and collecting fees. She is popular with the interns and clients alike for her smile, warmth and friendly personality. In her spare time she enjoys, hanging out with friends at Happy Hour and going to the beach.
Administrative Assistant
Estephani Casas is the evening and weekend receptionist and in the past has filled in for the Office Manager. She is very familiar with our front office procedures and works diligently to support our staff. Her primary role is receiving clients and collecting fees. She is popular with the interns and clients alike for her smile, warmth and friendly personality. In her spare time she enjoys, hanging out with friends at Happy Hour and going to the beach.
Website provided by Vistaprint
Website
provided by Vistaprint