About Us
Who we are. We are a multidisciplinary group practice located in Encino, California. We see a variety of ages and presenting issues. Outside of our Encino offices, we offer field based (i.e. at homes or schools) support to our clients as well as video therapy sessions to clients throughout the state of California. Our team of committed, qualified clinicians is here to help you!
Hi There,
I’m Dr. Sharon Arbel
The practice is headed by Dr. Sharon Arbel, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY 24146) with years of experience in treating families, couples, and individuals. Dr. Arbel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UCLA and then her Master’s and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. Prior to opening her private practice, Dr. Arbel worked for many years in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, providing support to families whose children manage intense behavior challenges. In her role as Clinical Director, she was responsible for overseeing the clinical work of the entire agency with whom she worked. In the process of obtaining her doctorate, she was trained in psychological testing, couples and sex therapy, family therapy, and domestic violence, among other areas of focus, and worked in several community mental health clinics around the Los Angeles area. For several years post licensure, she held a position as an adjunct professor, teaching graduate students pursuing a psychology degree at the Master’s and Doctoral levels. She is widely involved in the community via the creation of community programs for children and teens with special needs, frequent speaking events for parents about a variety of topics, as well as staff development workshops for teachers and administrators. She is now in full time private practice, where she trains and supervises interns in their clinical work.
Dr. Arbel provides both testing and therapy services. Those two elements keep both her right brain and left brain happy and balanced. In therapy, she prides herself in being able to deeply connect with people and take them through what is sometimes a difficult and painful process of change and growth. Always believing in the strength and resilience of people, even in times of great difficulty, allows her to remain nonjudgmental and non-pathological, leading her clients in their journey of self-exploration. Using an eclectic approach largely based in the work of differentiation of self, she empowers people to create the lives they want.
Gitty Meyers, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Gitty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She works with children, teens, young adults, and families in both private practice and school based settings across the LA basin. Prior to earning her Master’s of Social Work at the University of Southern California, Gitty spent more than 15 years at various roles in education, always trying to foster a sense of wellness and connection between students, families, staff, and the wider community. In addition to her clinical work, Gitty leads parenting workshops and provides ongoing staff development workshops for teachers and school administrators. Gitty approaches her clients with curiosity, humor, hope, and a down to earth, practical mindset.
Adi Soffer, PsyD
Psychological Associate
Adi Soffer holds a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the State of California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. She joined our practice in 2021 and has been seeing clients in therapy as well as co ducting Psychoeducational and neuropsychological assessments under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Sharon Arbel.
Adi Soffer also earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine. Her experience includes administering full batteries of psychological testing to children, adolescence, and adults in order to determine diagnoses and social and emotional functioning.
In addition, she worked with children in the foster care system and their families using trauma-focused therapy, the family system approach, and parent training. Adi has specialized in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) treatment for children and adults who suffer from Obsession Compulsion Disorder (OCD) and other anxiety-related disorders. In addition, she worked as a behavioral therapist and provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and other developmental disorders. Finally, Adi conducted group therapy in a forensic setting at Gateways Hospital. Adi is passionate about working with children, families, and parents, by educating and helping them with behavioral, social, and emotional competencies required for their cognitive psychological development.
Michelle David, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Michelle holds two Bachelor’s degrees in Child Development and Psychology and a Master’s in Educational Psychology. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who works with children and their families in the child’s natural environment (home and/or school) to teach better behavior management skills to parents and increase more pro-social behaviors with children. Her passion is to make a positive impact in the lives of children and their families.
With over 20 years of experience supporting children with special needs and their families, she has made a niche out of turning around the behaviors of even the most aggressive and noncompliant children. She has not yet met a behavior issue that she didn’t conquer. She always succeeds. She does this through creative, research-based behavior interventions that have proven themselves through the years.
Alex Cooperman, MA
Associate Clinical Social Worker
Alex is an Associate Clinical Social Worker under the supervision of Dr. Sharon Arbel. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from the Oakwood School in North Hollywood. She continued her education at Skidmore College, at which she received her Bachelor’s in Psychology, and then received her Master of Social Work from Columbia University the following year with a specialization in clinical practice with families. As the granddaughter of two Holocaust Survivors, Alex has always felt strongly about helping others create a life worth meaning, especially considering the impact of trauma on the lives of individuals and their families. She has previously worked with children and teens of all ages in both private practice and community mental health settings as well as high-risk youth in the foster care system. She has a passion for working with children, families, and parents through the use of research based, creative interventions. Her therapeutic style is described as warm, compassionate, client-centered, and strengths-based, where the individual’s self-determination and strengths are highly emphasized.
Alex supports some of the children and families in our practice as a behavioral technician working one on one with them in their home in school settings.
What We Offer
Psychotherapy
Psychological Testing
Field Based Behavior Support
Training and Education
Parenting seminars
Teacher and staff in-service