Registered Psychological Associate #94029196

Meet Irene Akther, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a third-year Clinical Psychology doctoral student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Mount St. Mary’s University. Irene works under the direct supervision of seasoned professionals, Heather Hettinger, Psy.D. #PSY35580 and Neda Safvati, Psy.D. #PSY25346.

With clinical experience in community mental health, residential treatment, and private practice, Irene has supported clients across the lifespan—from adolescents to older adults. She works with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, life transitions, identity development, and relationship challenges.

Irene believes that clients are the best authors of their own lives. Her role as a therapist is to offer warmth, curiosity, and collaboration, while also gently challenging clients to recognize their resilience and capacity for change. She integrates a humanistic foundation with evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Through this integrative style, she helps clients embrace authenticity, build resilience, and break free from patterns that no longer serve them.

As a South Asian therapist, Irene is especially passionate about reducing cultural stigma around mental health. She empowers women to move beyond traditional expectations, embrace independence, and build self-confidence. Her goal is to help every client align their choices with their values, navigate uncertainty, and move toward meaningful growth and self-actualization. Dedicated to her ongoing development as a clinician, Irene is committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and empowering space where clients feel understood, supported, and capable of lasting change.

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Registered Psychological Associate #94029203

Meet Erin Khodaverdin, a clinical psychology doctoral student dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centered care. Erin holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is currently pursuing her Psy.D., combining advanced academic training with hands-on clinical experience in therapy and psychological assessment. Erin works under the direct supervision of seasoned professionals, Azeen Nafisi, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist #PSY34508 and Neda Safvati, Psy.D. #PSY25346.

Erin’s clinical background spans mental health counseling, couples therapy, addiction recovery, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with children on the autism spectrum. With over two years of experience in ABA and extensive work across developmental stages, she is skilled at tailoring her therapeutic approach to meet each client’s unique needs.

Her integrative, multidisciplinary style draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based practices within a client-centered framework. Erin also emphasizes the role of the body in healing, incorporating somatic awareness to help clients regulate emotions, restore balance, and build resilience. Her areas of clinical focus include anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and neurodiversity.

As a first-generation Armenian American, Erin is passionate about reducing stigma around mental health and normalizing therapy within diverse communities. She has volunteered as a Psychological First Aid provider during the Los Angeles fires and organized community events promoting autism awareness. Currently, she is developing her doctoral dissertation on how acculturation influences parenting behaviors among Armenian American parents of autistic children.

Above all, Erin is committed to empowering clients from all backgrounds to access quality mental health care, strengthen their well-being, and move toward healing in a collaborative and supportive environment.

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Registered Psychological Associate #94029205

Meet Lauren Ziyaaein, a therapist-in-training and a doctoral student pursuing her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School. Lauren works under the direct supervision of seasoned professionals, Azeen Nafisi, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist #PSY34508 and Neda Safvati, Psy.D. #PSY25346.

Lauren began her clinical journey in an Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Program (IOP/PHP) for adolescents, where she supported teens ages 12–18 and their families through both in-person and Telehealth sessions. She has experience working with clients from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and gender-identity backgrounds on challenges such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, neurodivergence, and major life transitions. In addition to individual therapy, she has facilitated group therapy sessions designed to build coping skills and strengthen peer connection.

Drawing from a multidisciplinary approach, Lauren integrates evidence-based strategies within a collaborative, person-centered framework. She strives to create a safe, affirming environment where clients can explore their identities, cultivate resilience, and develop effective coping tools. She often incorporates mindfulness and body-based practices to support regulation of the nervous system and reduce distress.

As a second-generation Persian Moroccan American, Lauren is deeply committed to reducing stigma around mental health and increasing access to care in diverse communities. She is especially passionate about empowering clients to embrace their identities, achieve personal goals, and enhance their overall quality of life. Alongside her clinical training, Lauren is developing her doctoral dissertation exploring the intersections of Jewish identity, gender identity, and birth order—and their influence on individual identity and life satisfaction.

Registered Psychological Associate #94029205 Meet Lauren Ziyaaein, a therapist-in-training and a... Read More

Licensed Clinical Psychologist PSY 34508 Meet Dr. Nafisi, a dedicated Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in assessment and individual therapy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA, a Master’s degree in psychology from Cal State University, Northridge, and both Master’s and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Azusa Pacific University.

With a rich background spanning community mental health, college counseling, inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, and private practice, Dr. Nafisi is committed to fostering social justice in her work. She prioritizes a warm, personable approach, ensuring individuals feel genuinely supported as they navigate their mental health journey- working with Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Adjustment Related Issues, Communication Challenges and Relationship Skill Building.

Utilizing an Integrative and Strengths-Based therapeutic approach, Dr. Nafisi draws from Interpersonal Relational Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered modalities and Mindfulness to facilitate personal growth and foster meaningful relationships.

Embark on your path to self-discovery and transformation alongside Dr. Nafisi.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist PSY 34508 Meet Dr. Nafisi, a dedicated Licensed Clinical Psycholog... Read More

Clinical Operations Manager and Licensed Clinical Psychologist PSY35580

Dr. Hettinger is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 20 years of expertise in the behavioral health field. Dr. Hettinger was recently promoted to the role of Clinical Operations Manager at Tiny Step’s as a result of vast past expertise in clinical operations mangement, including reaching the level of VP of Clinical Operations at two of the largest ABA companies in America. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Learning Differences and provides care to individuals of all ages, from children to adults.

Dr. Hettinger’s therapeutic approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Concepts, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic work, Parent Coaching, Family Systems, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Trauma-Informed Care and Mindfulness-Based techniques, all tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. She works with Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Mild Depression, Relationship Difficulties, Life Changes and ADHD.

Dr. Hettinger holds a Doctorate in Psychology from California Southern University and earned both her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Special Education from Florida State University. With a strong foundation in family dynamics and individualized care, she is dedicated to developing personalized treatment plans that foster positive growth and optimal outcomes for her clients.

Clinical Operations Manager and Licensed Clinical Psychologist PSY35580 Dr. Hettinger is a Licen... Read More