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 in both California and New York with years of experience in treating families, couples, groups, 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 families 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.
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, AMFT
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.
Shelly Elia-Shaul, MA, AMFT
Associate Clinical Social Worker
Shelly Elia-Shaul is an associate marriage and family therapist working under the supervision of Dr. Sharon Arbel. She was born and raised in Israel and moved to the US in 2018 after earning her master’s degree in psychology. Prior to that, Shelly has completed a previous master’s degree in history from Tel Aviv University for which she conducted ethnographic research with immigrants from North Africa. During her time in academia, she was also involved in education and community organizing.
Currently, Shelly works with children, families, teens and adults dealing with trauma, anxiety, identity issues, emotional disturbance and eating disorders. She previously worked in community mental health providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in Monterey County. Working outside with the horses has taught her the importance of mindfulness, which she integrates into her work with clients. Shelly is passionate about helping her clients unpack early-life experiences and developing new ways of relating to themselves and others. Her therapeutic style is analytical, empathetic and trauma-informed, with an emphasis on how social and cultural factors influence mental health.
Tanisha Marx
Behavior Technician
Tanisha is native to the Los Angeles area. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a concentration in mental health cum laude. She has worked with children and adolescents with their families for many years. She looks forward to furthering her education in clinical psychology in the near future.
Hanna Friedman
Behavior Technician
Hanna is a dedicated student at Pierce College, majoring in Child Development. She has a lot of experience working with young children and hopes to make a difference in her community. She is fluent in both English and Hebrew and is excited to learn and grow.
Leilani Fischbeck, MA, CTRS
Recreation Therapist, Social Media Manager
Leilani is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist (CTRS) and an experienced creative social media manager. She is a Los Angeles native who loves to travel the world and has close ties to Hawai’i. Her experience includes working with children, adults, and seniors in the Recreation Therapy field while promoting the importance of leisure awareness and integration into the mental health space. Her passion lies in helping individuals find purpose and connection through leisure activities, socialization, creativity, and adventure.
Johannah Walton
Registered Psychological Associate
Johannah is a registered psychological associate with her doctorate in clinical psychology from Biola University. Originally from Pennsylvania, she moved to California in 2018 to complete her terminal degree and has settled in Los Angeles since then. Her experience includes psychodiagnostic testing and therapy across the lifespan. Johannah is passionate about the field of psychology and supporting individuals as they seek to understand more about themselves and improve their quality of life.
What We Offer
Psychotherapy
Psychological Testing
Field Based Behavior Support
Training and Education
Parenting seminars
Teacher and staff in-service