Our practitioners.

Bram is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with many years of professional experience. He holds Masters degrees in Counseling and Psychology and completed post-graduate training in cognitive behavioral and mindfulness based psychotherapy. His professional experience includes positions as a clinician and supervisor in higher education, community mental health agencies, and in private practice. Bram is valued by his clients for his compassion, for his ability to be “with them” in their healing, and for having the skills and knowledge to help them make profound changes in the way they feel and live.

Bram received an M.S. in Psychology/Family Therapy from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia and an M.A. in Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was Counselor/Associate Professor at Ocean County College in Toms River, NJ for 14 years and Director of Adult Outpatient Programs at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Los Angeles for 10 years.

Dr. Connors obtained her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of La Verne, and has worked in various clinical settings including academic medical centers, children’s hospitals, correctional facilities, and community mental health agencies. She has conducted research in trauma & women’s health issues, and has extensive training in personality, cognitive, and risk evaluations. Her field training included providing CBT and mindfulness based treatment to clients suffering from extreme anxiety and mood disorders. Dr. Connors received specialized training in trauma focused cognitive-behavior therapy, as well as training in assessment and psychotherapy with clients who experience symptoms of psychosis. In addition, she obtained special training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which targets dysregulated and overwhelming thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. She is an adjunct professor at The University of La Verne, teaching coursework on both Child Abuse & Intimate Partner Violence topics.

In her practice, Dr. Connors specializes in:

– treatment of anxiety and mood disorders including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and bipolar disorder in teens and adults

– treatment of PTSD

– early and ongoing psychosis symptoms

– unique challenges of the LGBTQIA+ community

– life transitions and relationship patterns

Dr. Connors integrates two empirically-based treatments—cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness—in order to connect thoughts with behavior and emotion patterns, evaluate effectiveness and values, and control impulses and urges.

Shira, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializes in treating relationship distress, anxiety, depression, OCD, BPD, and other related conditions. She has expertise in evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, ERP, and EFT. Clients describe Shira as warm, validating, and non-judgmental. She works with individuals and couples to give them tangible tools that help them feel empowered and effective. Shira will help you create a “challenge toolkit”, a collection of effective strategies for confronting and overcoming challenges.

Shira grew up in Los Angeles and spent time in New York to earn her undergraduate degree at Columbia. After a decade in non-profit fundraising, Shira switched careers to pursue her passion for helping others achieve the change they want to see. When she’s not working, you can find Shira experimenting with new recipes, chasing after her two kids, and raising funds for cancer research.

Talia Fiance is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #161215). She holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University and a B.A. from the University of Southern California.

Talia has a warm, engaging presence that helps clients feel comfortable being themselves. She believes meaningful therapy begins with a strong therapeutic relationship and approaches each client with genuine curiosity, compassion, and respect. Her goal is to create a space where clients feel safe, supported, and understood as they navigate life's challenges and work toward meaningful change.

Drawing from mindfulness and CBT-informed practices, Talia helps clients better understand their thoughts, emotions, and patterns while developing practical coping tools and greater self-awareness. She believes healing and growth are always possible and is passionate about helping clients build resilience, strengthen confidence, and cultivate a more empowered relationship with themselves.

Talia works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigating anxiety, OCD, depression, ADHD and neurodivergence, self-esteem challenges, relationship concerns, family conflict, trauma, and life transitions.

Before becoming a therapist, Talia worked in business development, marketing, and relationship-centered roles in Los Angeles and New York. Outside of therapy, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, and being by the ocean.

Renee Garett is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing therapeutic services to adults, children, adolescents, and families. Renee graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of Southern California with a BA degree and then continued her education at the University of California, Los Angeles where she completed her Masters Degree in Social Welfare (MSW).

Renee has worked in various capacities as a therapist; at the Child and Family Guidance Center, at Women Helping Women Counseling and Support Services, at Lamp Community, and in private practice. Renee previously worked as a Clinical Supervisor and the Co-Coordinator of the Adolescent and Child Therapy Program at the Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills. Renee has been trained and certified in several evidenced based treatment models. Renee also specializes in supporting clients through difficult life transitions as well as working with high functioning “Type A” individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community. She an expert in working with clients experiencing a variety of clinical issues including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, trauma, parenting struggles, childhood behavioral difficulties, and family conflict.

Claudia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Claudia received both her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and her Master’s Degree in Social Welfare (MSW) from UCLA. Claudia is fluent in English and Portuguese.

Claudia is trained in several evidence-based practices, including Family Structural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), and Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP). Claudia helps people who suffer from anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment disorders, relationship problems, low self-esteem, parenting and the stress of everyday life.

One of Claudia’s favorite quotes in life is “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Claudia believes that every person has a gift, a talent, or something unique that they can offer and use to change their lives, their community, and eventually their environment. Claudia supports her clients to “discover” and “empower” themselves so that they can create the life that they have always dreamed of. With a thorough understanding of the human condition and genuine compassion, Claudia guides her clients to transform their own lives so that they can reach their full potential.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from UCLA, Dr. Gisis received his doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Gisis conducted neuropsychological research at UCLA and studied trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute.

Since 2005, Dr. Gisis has provided psychotherapy to diverse clients (adults, children, adolescents, families and groups) experiencing various conditions (depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, adjustment disorders and many others). He has worked at various sites in Los Angeles, including The Maple Counseling Center, Hollywood Mental Health Center, Vista Del Mar and UCLA (Office for Students with Disabilities).

Dr. Gisis’s clinical approach spans multiple theoretical orientations (cognitive behavioral therapy, positive clinical psychology, mindfulness and more) to provide his clients with individually tailored, empirically-supported treatments.

Dr. Hossepian is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the PGSP-Stanford Consortium and completed his internship at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Dr. Hossepian is trained in multiple theoretical orientations, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). He also integrates mindfulness practices and existential-humanistic therapy to provide clients with individualized, evidence-based treatments.

With extensive experience in both medical and mental health care, Dr. Hossepian specializes in treating individuals with complex medical conditions, such as chronic pain and terminal illnesses, in addition to providing psychotherapy for a wide range of mental health issues. He has worked with diverse individuals and couples, addressing conditions such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social phobia. Dr. Hossepian’s holistic approach emphasizes the integration of mind and body, tailoring care to meet the unique needs of each client.

Esther is a licensed clinical social worker (L.C.S.W.). After graduating from Ithaca College with a B.A. in Psychology, she earned her Masters of Social Work from Adelphi University. Esther is also a Certified Divorce Coach and has been supporting individuals and couples in the divorce process.

Esther has extensive experience working with adults at Bellevue, Long Island Jewish and Jamaica Hospitals in New York. She also worked with adolescents individually and in groups during her internship at New Hyde Park Memorial High School on Long Island.

Esther has combined her passion for coaching and therapy and works with a variety of therapeutic modalities. She has a solution based, forward focused approach. She specializes in issues related to feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, depression, divorce, parenting and co-parenting. She deals with communication issues in all forms of relationships. Her goal is to make clients feel heard and understood in a safe space in order for them to reach their desired goals.

Dr. Carolyn Kim has been specializing in anxiety, OCD, eating disorders and ADHD since 2011. She has extensive clinical training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) including from Monte Nido Eating Disorders Treatment Centers, and most recently as the Master Therapist for the intensive outpatient program (IOP) for OCD at the Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders. Dr. Kim has been working at David Plotkin, Ph.D. & Associates since 2015.

With her extensive CBT training in anxiety and its various forms (e.g. social anxiety, specific phobias, generalized anxiety, nail biting, OCD and eating disorders), Dr. Kim strives for a strong collaboration with clients and infuses her sessions with connectedness, compassion and levity through humor and metaphors. She is always herself, and clients can expect her to be authentic, curious and respectful. She believes it an honor to be entrusted with the private struggles of her clients and finds her work very meaningful.

As a daughter of non-English speaking immigrants, who, as a young girl, struggled with challenges that were outsized for her age, she brings wisdom, experience and confidence in the power of therapy to help people arrive at freedom and fulfillment in their lives.

Dr. Kim received her Doctorate in Psychology from Ryokan College, Master in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a BA in Literature from the University of California, San Diego. In her free time, she loves being with family and friends, spending time outdoors and visiting places she’s never seen before.

Hans Kulla-Mader received his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, as well as a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College. In the years between obtaining his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, Hans worked primarily in the entertainment industry. Most recently, he provided therapy through the Antioch Community Therapy Services clinic, working with clients of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations.

Hans likes to think of therapy in the simplest of terms: a conversation between two people. It is increasingly rare to sit, talk, and listen in an environment free of distraction, and Hans hopes to provide a space for his clients to feel heard, safe, and respected. He implements Evidence-Based Practices based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness, along with the fostering of a genuine relationship. Hans aims to form a true partnership with each of his clients, creating a therapeutic plan tailored to each individual client’s needs.

Andrew Lavick is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. After graduating with a BA in Psychology from UCLA, he earned a Master’s degree in Marriage, Family, & Child Counseling as well as a MBA from the University of Southern California. Andrew has also attended trainings at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy and the Awakened Potential seminars at Lifeforce Education. He incorporates these and other treatment approaches to best meet the individual needs of his clients

Prior to joining David Plotkin and Associates, Andrew spent 20+ years as a Management Consultant, providing compensation related recommendations to Fortune 500 companies. After transitioning his career to pursue his true passion, Andrew spent three years at Jewish Family Service, working with adult and elder populations and their families. In addition, he facilitated a men’s Holocaust survivor support group and has been a co-facilitator for an Alzheimer’s caregiver support group.

Andrew is also active in the community. He is currently interning at a counseling center in the San Fernando Valley that provides psychotherapy for those with limited financial resources. Additionally, Andrew is a weekly volunteer at the Sova Food Pantry in Van Nuys.

Dr. Levy is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist having received her doctorate from Purdue University, with emphasis on pediatric behavioral health, anxiety and depression in children and adults, and child disruptive behavior. Her internship was completed at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine where she focused on child anxiety and depression, disruptive behavior and parent management training, neuropsychology, and pediatric psychology. Dr. Levy completed her postdoctoral work at the University of California, Los Angeles where she served as a co-director for the Child STEPs Project focused on the implementation of evidence-based practice in community mental health settings.

Dr. Levy’s clinical interests include child mental health, with a specific focus on anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior, and traumatic stress; parenting support training; and cultivating individual emotional attunement and attunement between family members. In working with individuals and families, she uses a cognitive behavioral therapy approach, integrating in mindfulness work and body-centered techniques to help clients gain greater self-awareness, self-agency, and connection to self and others.

Additionally, Dr. Levy trains therapists across the country in an evidence-informed system of treatment, Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP), designed to service children and families with a broad range of diagnoses and problem areas in a variety of service settings.

Rebecca is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s degree in Social Welfare (MSW) from UCLA. Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), she is a diplomate and member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and is trained in several other evidenced- based therapy models as well, including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Seeking Safety, and Managing and Adapting Practice.

Rebecca served as a Therapist, Intake Supervisor and Clinical Supervisor at Child and Family Guidance Center where she specialized in working with children, adolescents and families in both English and Spanish. Rebecca has extensive experience treating depression, anxiety disorders and trauma as well as helping clients of all ages cope with a variety of challenging life transitions and stressors.

While the needs of each individual client vary, Rebecca favors a non-judgemental, empathic approach, collaborating with clients to achieve positive change.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Candace McKenzie believes in offering individualized, evidence based treatment to support your goals. By focusing on building your strengths to shift emotional blocks that no longer serve you, Candace McKenzie, LMFT, compassionately values meeting you where you are at, but also offers a tailored approach that strives to focus on active outcomes.

By utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Candace supports clients to reframe destructive thought patterns that affect their negative behaviors. In addition to CBT, Candace will incorporate Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in ways to introduce the removal of judgement to breathe through reactions, move through or tolerate emotions, and focus on the here and now.

Communities that Candace McKenzie , LMFT is passionate to work with are those who are suffering from: Anxiety Disorders, OCD, Body Dysmorphia, Depressive Disorders, Insomnia, Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating Behaviors, Relational Issues, Adjustment Disorders, Grief, Life Transitions, and somatic and emotional issues surrounding Menopause.

Candace McKenzie, LMFT, also proudly supports the LGBTQIA community as well as Health at Every Size (HAES), Intuitive Eating, and Brené Brown’s Shame Resilience Theory (SRT).

Dr. Navarro received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Southern California, with a specialization in children, adolescents, and families. As a developmental psychopathologist, her education focused on how cognitive/neuro factors influenced the developing brain. In her clinical work, Dr. Navarro utilizes bio-psycho-social models of intervention when working with adolescents and adults. Her internship was at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Navarro completed a two year postdoctoral fellowship in the Stress and Mood Program at UCLA and then became the director of the Youth Depression & Suicide Program. She oversaw a number of research grants and a drug trial on SSRIs for treatment resistant depression. These research experiences then implemented a family focused and in-home treatment program combining techniques from cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), and Multisystemic Therapy (MST), to target teen suicide.

Dr. Navarro has also been a clinical instructor in the Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA Semel Institute and Hospital. She also taught and supervised psychiatry residents in the administration of cognitive behavioral therapy for children and their families. In addition, Dr. Navarro was also an adjunct professor in the department of psychology at both UCLA, USC, CSULA, CSUN, and Santa Monica College. She taught Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal psychology, Neuropsychology, Statistics, and Child Development.

Dr. Navarro’s research and treatment interests include working in the area of emotional/behavioral dysregulation, anxiety, depression, substance use, ADHD, NLD, various medical conditions (e.g. IBS, Crohn’s, Diabetes) and other family based issues. She has conducted research and coauthored several studies in the areas of childhood depression & anxiety, PTSD, substance use, and ethnic identity. In addition, Dr. Navarro conducts training seminars on how to implement evidence based protocols when treating adolescents, gang youth, and their families. Parent Training and Contingency Management are areas of training Dr. Navarro provides to her families.

Liana Resnik is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who provides therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. A proud Double Bruin, Liana earned both her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master of Social Welfare (MSW) from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Liana has worked with children, adolescents, and adults across school-based, community mental health, and supportive housing settings. She supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, family and relationship difficulties, life transitions, behavioral challenges, school-related stress, and difficulties with emotional regulation. Liana meets clients where they are, helping them recognize their strengths, develop greater self-awareness, and build practical skills to approach life’s challenges with greater confidence and resilience.

Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and other evidence-based approaches, Liana helps clients better understand the connections among their thoughts, emotions, experiences, and behaviors. She tailors therapy to each client, recognizing that every person brings their own experiences, strengths, needs, and goals into the therapeutic relationship.

Outside of therapy, Liana enjoys exploring Los Angeles one coffee shop at a time, getting lost in a good book or article, listening to podcasts, staying active, and spending time with the people she loves. She is also a sucker for a good Pinterest quote and will almost certainly find a way to work one into the conversation.

Alanah Roy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #110937) providing therapy to adults, teens, and children. Passionate about supporting individuals and families as they navigate anxiety, grief, and trauma, her clinical specialties include perinatal mental health, coping with serious illness, health anxiety, and grief.

Alanah graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles Masters of Social Welfare (MSW) program following a career as a birth doula and health educator in New York City. In addition to her involvement with David Plotkin Ph.D. and Associates, Alanah is proud to have worked in various community and hospital settings including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Jewish Family Service’s New Parents Connect program, Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, and provided crisis-response services following traumatic incidents throughout the greater Los Angeles community.

A committed community health advocate, in 2018 Alanah received a Certificate of Recognition presented by Councilmember 1st District Gilbert A. Cedillo of Los Angeles for her leadership and involvement in harm reduction programming for incarcerated individuals experiencing homelessness. She enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge through education. Alanah has served as a corporate consultant for families coping with serious illness and has trained medical students in trauma-informed care and the prevention of vicarious trauma.

Dr. Sara Simpson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has worked with clients for over 20 years and specializes in anxiety, stress, and wellbeing. In graduate school, Dr. Simpson wrote her dissertation on self-care for stress reduction. Over the course of her career, she has helped many clients with various forms of anxiety significantly reduce their symptoms. Dr. Simpson often focuses on work-related or relational stressors and uses various Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills and strategies. She has expertise in women’s issues and works with mothers around the stressors of motherhood and child rearing, and how to increase balance and wellbeing.

Dr. Simpson received her doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco where she studied a holistic approach to clinical psychology. Upon graduating, she joined Dr. Plotkin and Associates for training and practice in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while also completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Cedars Sinai Thalians Psychiatry Department. Soon after finishing her fellowship, Dr. Simpson became a part-time professor while continuing to work at Dr. Plotkin and Associates. She later became a full-time professor as Director of Clinical Training at Antioch University Los Angeles, overseeing and developing the clinical training and related curriculum for all master’s in psychology students. She also taught undergraduate courses at Loyola Marymount University during this time while maintaining a small private practice. Dr. Simpson recently returned to Dr. Plotkin and Associates and is thrilled to be back.

Dr. Spiegel is a licensed clinical psychologist. He has extensive experience providing individual psychotherapy for adolescents, college students, and adults with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, learning disabilities, and life stressors. Dr. Spiegel has worked in a variety of mental health settings including college counseling centers at the University of Pennsylvania, West Chester University, and the University of Southern California.

Dr. Spiegel also has a special interest in the relationship between physical health/wellness and emotional well-being. He is both a Certified Personal Trainer (Aerobic and Fitness Association of America) and a Spinning Instructor. Dr. Spiegel has helped individuals overcome motivational barriers in order to reduce stress while achieving their exercise and wellness goals.

Originally from Washington D.C., Dr. Spiegel completed his academic training on the east coast. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Maryland. He completed his doctoral degree in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) from Widener University, located outside of Philadelphia.

Judy Victor received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New York University.

For several years, Judy interned at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, working with individuals and couples, as well as co-facilitating a weekly process group for women. Judy also interned for Burbank Family Services where she counseled at-risk teenagers in a transitional high school in Burbank. Currently, Judy is a Resource Associate at Teen Line, which is associated with Cedars- Sinai Hospital.

Judy is passionate about the possibility of healing and growth through the therapeutic process. Her motivation comes from a deep belief that every person needs and deserves a place where they feel safe and heard without fear of judgment. Utilizing Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Judy collaborates with her clients to create a therapeutic plan for each client to maximize their potential for healing.