People often ask how are we able to provide our services for such affordable fees. One of the ways that makes this possible is our staff of volunteer clinicians. All of the clinicians provide therapy in order to receive hours toward graduation or their state license. They don’t receive monetary compensation, they get many hours of diverse experience and specialized training. They often start with the Counseling Center as graduate students in a Masters Program at one of the many local universities like: Alliant International University, Pepperdine University, California State University at Fullerton, National University, Chapman University, Vanguard University, Webster University, of Southern California University.
Every clinician must be supervised weekly. Supervisors at the Living Success Counseling Center meet individually and in group with every clinician. The Counseling Center's supervisors are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists who have taken special training to be Certified by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. This Certification takes 2 years to complete and shows the commitment the Center has to providing the highest level of supervision and training.
After they graduate from their Masters Program, they register with the State of California as Associates. They now will have to accumulate 3,000 hours of experience in order to take the state licensing exam. When they pass the exam, they are licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and are able to set up their own private practice and receive payment for their services. This process can take 2-6 years and is difficult to manage. By the time they get licensed, we have ensured that they are well trained, ethical therapists.
Clinicians
Adam Deutsch:
Hello, and welcome to Living Success Center. My name is Adam Deutsch, and I am a Therapy Trainee at the LSC Santa Ana location. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology at UCLA and am currently finishing my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling (MFT) from Pepperdine University. After a previous career working in the business world, I was drawn to becoming a therapist as more of a calling than a vocation. I have struggled with acute psychological issues myself, and was able to find my way back to strength and resiliency with the help of a dedicated and compassionate therapist. Similarly, I am highly motivated to help those who are contending with mental health issues that impair their lives. The decision to participate in therapy is not an easy one, but one that is ultimately beneficial. I believe that everyone possesses an innate propensity toward healthy mental functioning. If roadblocks are removed, a person can become a mature, self-actualized adult—just as an acorn will naturally develop into an oak tree given the right conditions. I employ techniques and theories from Psychodynamic Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Attachment-Based Therapy to help facilitate personal growth and self-awareness. Additionally, I work with clients to create a respectful and mutually collaborative environment where obstacles can be safely explored and dismantled, leading to a more authentic and contented self. I wish you well on your search to find relief from your struggles, and hope that I can be of help along the way.
Allison Beauchamp:
Hi! My name is Allison Beauchamp and I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and recent Pepperdine Graduate. I provide clients with authentic and compassionate therapy and I aim to create a safe space to explore family and social relationships, past traumas, and ongoing sources of distress. Fostering a strong therapeutic relationship is essential to healing and I make every effort to build that firm foundation with my clients. Every person is unique in their values and personal experiences and I draw upon many different therapeutic approaches to individualize treatment. These approaches often include CBT, ACT, family systems, and attachment-based techniques. I strongly believe that as clients learn to recognize their inner strengths and resilience, they can regain control over their lives and open the door to new opportunities.
Brenda Diaz:
Hello! My name is Brenda Diaz, and I am currently a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate at Living Success Center. I have received my graduate education from Pepperdine University with a specialization in addressing the individual and communal mental health needs of Latinx communities. Yo hablo Español! I have been trained through the lens of Liberation Psychology, which emphasizes the importance of social, political, and cultural contexts in shaping individual experiences, particularly within Latinx and BIPOC communities. I am passionate about empowering my clients to see the beauty in their resilience and meeting them where they are. My therapeutic approach is rooted in collaboration, with a focus on the therapeutic relationship and viewing clients as experts in their own lives. I have a particular interest in Radical Healing, a framework for promoting wellness and addressing the psychological impact of social injustice and oppression. I appreciate the diverse backgrounds and experiences that everyone brings into the therapy room. My goal is to create a warm and welcoming space in every session, where you can feel safe, respected, and valued.
Brooke Kirchner:
Hi! My name is Brooke Kirchner, and I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Living Success Center. I work with individuals, couples, and families who are navigating challenges like trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and major life transitions. My approach is client-centered and trauma-informed, grounded in empathy, curiosity, and a deep respect for your unique story. I use a range of evidence-based therapies—including Attachment Theory, IFS, ACT, CBT, and DBT—to tailor the therapeutic experience to your specific needs while supporting you in feeling more empowered and at ease within yourself. I believe that healing happens in safe, supportive, and collaborative relationships, and my goal is to create a space where you feel truly seen, heard, and supported as you move toward meaningful, lasting change. I look forward to meeting you!
Candice Lin:
Hi! My name is Candice and I am an attachment-based, relationally-focused, trauma-aware clinician. This means that my therapeutic approach is to help you understand how individual and relational struggles came to be by connecting past relationship experiences, cultural patterns, and primary injuries to those in the present. This is especially relevant in couples’ therapy through which I believe much soul-healing can occur. I also utilize somatic and grounding techniques to reconnect mind and body in order to help you self-regulate through difficult moments. My hope is that here at LSC, you will find a genuine and compassionate helper to strengthen your core self so that you can live the healthier, braver, and more authentic life you have been longing for. I look forward to speaking with you and getting to know you! Theoretical Frameworks: Psychodynamic, Attachment-Based, Somatic Experiencing, Imago Therapy, Gottman Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy for Couples and Individuals (EFT and EFIT) Areas of Interest: Couples (dating, pre-marital, and long-term), narcissistic abuse, complex PTSD, multi-generational and cultural trauma, life transitions, and spiritual issues.
Chris Lambert:
My name is Chris Lambert and I’m a marriage and family therapy associate at the Living Success Center. I I completed Cal State Fullerton’s master’s in counseling program. I moved to Orange County three years ago after spending eight years working as a music psychotherapist in New York City with at-risk and incarcerated youth. I have a master’s degree in music therapy from NYU and practice throughout Orange County and through telehealth with clients in New York. My interests as a therapist include identity development, meaning-making, substance abuse and recovery, effective communication in relationships, and men’s issues. My approach to therapy is collaborative and I aim to work with the client to discover the optimal path to growth in their unique circumstance.
Deborah Hotchkiss:
I am a Counseling Trainee finishing my Masters in Counseling at California State University, Fullerton. My goal is to collaborate with clients to establish a warm, genuine therapeutic relationship that creates safety and trust. I approach clients through feminist-multicultural and existential lenses, helping them accept and celebrate the reality of what it means to be human in their particular context while uncovering the possibilities for growth within. I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients strengthen their sense of Self and to soothe protective parts that are no longer adaptive. I especially enjoy working with clients in the areas of immigration and acculturation, parenting, life stage transition, existential anxiety, religious trauma and faith transition.
Christina Montana:
Hi! My name is Christina Montana. As a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, I’m dedicated to fostering a compassionate therapeutic environment where clients can experience healing, growth, and transformation. Meeting clients where they are, I am committed to understanding each client's unique experience and how it has shaped them. I strive to create a safe space where clients can gain insight into the root causes of their current struggles, develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others, and create meaningful shifts in their lives. My trauma-informed therapeutic approach is rooted in attachment theory and Gestalt therapy. I also draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and parts work. My areas of specialty are complex trauma, relationship issues, grief, anxiety, depression, and addiction recovery.
Grace Drumm
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Family Science and Human Development and am currently completing my Master's Counseling Program at Point Loma Nazarene University. I am passionate about supporting individuals navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, life transitions and relationship difficulties. I approach therapy with a genuine commitment to understanding each client's unique story and perspective, meeting you exactly where you are on your journey. My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate and collaborative space where growth, healing and self-discovery are possible.
Heather Orrantia:
I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor who helps guide individuals, couples, and families on their journey toward emotional well-being and personal growth. With a compassionate and client-centered focus, I provide a safe and supportive space for my clients to explore and understand their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I tailor my approach to the unique needs of each client, leveraging techniques from various modalities, including Psychodynamic, CBT, Narrative, Somatic, and Family Systems. I have experience working with a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, personality disorders, and more. I believe in the power of collaboration and view therapy as a partnership between therapist and client. Together, we can work to identify strengths, explore underlying patterns, and develop personalized strategies to promote growth and resilience.
Kimberly Kitchen:
Hello! My name is Kimberly Kitchen and I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University. I am a member of the California Associate of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) have training in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. I have experience working with adolescents, adults, and couples struggling with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, communication difficulties, infertility and pregnancy loss, and phase of life difficulties. I walk alongside my clients to encourage and empower them as they face their struggles. I work to provide a safe environment where these troubles can be explored and healing and inner peace can be found.
Kurt Anderson:
I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and I have a Master of Arts from the Chicago School where I am continuing to pursue my doctorate. I have a deep passion for family systems theory and how it views us all as moving pieces affecting and being affected by each other, our families of origin, or our families of choice. I like working with clients to help improve their self-awareness and self-confidence, hoping it will benefit their personal relationships. I value transparency in the therapeutic relationship while building trust and providing a comfortable and safe environment. I am well-versed in AA culture and terminology and have worked with many clients in recovery from alcohol and/or substance abuse. I have also completed the externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and relationship repair.
Michele Gillman:
I work with individuals, couples, and families using a collaborative approach that creates a safe and accepting environment where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. I help clients gain a better understanding of themselves, how they relate to others, and explore the obstacles and barriers holding them back. My therapeutic approach supports clients in resolving their individual challenges, increasing personal awareness, and understanding how their past experiences relate to their current issues. With compassion and respect, I help clients create powerful changes in a way that honors their individual values, beliefs, and culture. My clinical work addresses a wide range of concerns including boundary and relationship issues, increasing self-worth and confidence, life transitions, anxiety, depression, sexual and gender identity concerns, substance abuse, grief, trauma, and family conflict.
Michelle Pollok:
My goal in counseling is to create a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their feelings and embark on a journey of personal growth. I am passionate about social justice and utilize an intersectional lens as a core clinical framework, recognizing and honoring the diverse experiences of my clients. As a published researcher, my therapeutic approach is enriched from my experiences exploring diverse populations using artistic modalities. My research background equips me to provide evidence-informed care with creative and innovative approaches. My therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centered theory, a client-led model that empowers individuals to be the experts of their own experiences and be the leader of their therapeutic journey. By allowing self-insight to guide the process, therapy becomes deeply attuned to the client’s unique experiences and sense of self. My aim is to help clients honor their innate capacity for growth. I firmly believe that a warm, trusting therapeutic relationship is the foundation for healing. In my practice, I integrate a somatic approach, helping clients connect their emotions to bodily awareness to enhance mental well-being. This holistic approach supports a deeper understanding and integration of mind and body. My areas of interest include expressive arts therapy, child play therapy, relational issues, depression, and trauma.
Rob Andolina:
My name is Rob Andolina and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee working with individuals and couples who want to better understand the challenges they face and the emotional patterns that shape their lives. My approach is psychodynamic at its core and informed by evidence-based practices, including Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment Theory, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I work collaboratively and with intention, honoring your time and focusing on what will be most helpful for you. Healing happens when the emotional roots of our struggles are given room to emerge and be understood, and I would be honored to walk alongside you in that process.
Sergio M Veloso Brilhante:
Are you tired of having the same arguments with your loved one, leaving you both feeling alone and misunderstood? I help couples and families slow things down and understand what’s happening underneath conflict. Together, we focus on emotional patterns and reactions that keep you stuck — often patterns learned earlier in life that once helped you cope, but no longer serve you. If you’re ready for clearer communication, greater emotional safety, and a deeper sense of reconnection, I’d be glad to support you. I offer a warm, empathetic space where you'll be both supported and challenged to reflect, grow, and move forward at your own pace. Originally from Portugal, and with a previous background in psychology, I speak also Portuguese and Spanish, and I deeply appreciate cultural differences and their impact on our shared human need for connection.
Trisha Tiamzon:
My approach to therapy starts with the relationship. I come to sessions with curiosity and authenticity to cultivate an environment for connection, exploration, introspection, and re-creation. Our work will be collaborative, individualized, and evolve as you do. What might our sessions look like? We may explore the relationship between past experiences, unconscious beliefs, and present patterns. We may dig deeper into your identity and sense of purpose, uncover stories that may be holding you back, and identify forgotten strengths. We may develop strategies to move you closer to the life you want. We may even share some laughs! My hope is to enliven the connections between mind-body-heart; I believe this process fosters the self-awareness, creativity, and resilience we need to face everyday and long-standing challenges. It would be an honor to journey with you as you become who you are. I'm open to working with all individuals and have particular interest in working with men, neuro-diverse people, and couples, and strive for an inclusive and affirming practice. Inspired by: Psychodynamic/attachment-based theories, narrative therapy, emotionally focused therapy, mindfulness traditions, acceptance and commitment therapy, expressive arts, and solutions-focused therapy.
