Stara Shakti, LMFT
Diversity Committee Chair

Stara Shakti, LMFT, has a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and specialization in Trauma Studies from Antioch University-LA. With a private practice in West L.A, Stara works with young adults in their 20s/30s and specializes in: Trauma and Intersectionality, LGBTQIA+ and POC/BIPOC folks, Neurodivergents, and first-generation Americans (especially from East / South Asian communities). Stara also helps survivors of narcissistic abuse heal from their past trauma. A founding member of LA-CAMFT’s Diversity Committee (since its origin in 2017), Stara is excited to be 2024 Chair of the Diversity Committee to highlight intersectionality—the “diversity within diversity. Website: www.starashaktilmft.com

Phone: 310.694.2396
Email: DiversityCommittee@lacamft.org
Work/Private Practice Email: StaraShaktiLMFT@gmail.com
Instagram: @StaraShaktiLMFT
Facebook: Stara Shakti, LMFT
LinkedIn: Stara Shakti LMFT

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 

Keonna Robinson, MA, LMFT
TOC Mentorship Committee Chair

As a native of Northern California, Keonna Robinson, MA, LMFT, moved to Los Angeles in 2013 to pursue her calling as a therapist. She completed her studies at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. With over 11 years of collective experience as a psychotherapist, assistant professor, clinical trainer, and mentor, Keonna has worked within multiple community mental health settings including: residential programs, school-based, in and outpatient care. She has an extensive background working in collaborative care with DCFS, Regional Center, and LA County probation offices.  As the founder and co-owner of her private practice, P.E.A.C.E. Wellness Collective: Individual & Family Therapy Center, she currently works with individuals and couples of color navigating grief and traumatic loss, life transitions, and strengthening communication patterns. She supports her clients using the methodology of Ubuntu, meaning “I am because we are”, and conceptualizes trauma from a place of seeking to understand what happened to a person, rather than what is wrong with them. Website: pwcla.com.

Contact Information
Phone: 510.927.4202
LA-CAMFT Email: tocmentorshipprogram@lacamft.org
Work/Private Practice Email:  kikir@peacewc.com

Preferred pronouns: She/Her/Hers 

Elizabeth Sterbenz, LMFT
Speaker Committee Chair

Pronouns: She/Her

Elizabeth Sterbenz, LMFT, is in private practice in the Beverly Grove — Fairfax area of Los Angeles where she works with individuals, couples, and adolescents navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and life transitions. Trained in evidence-based treatments for trauma including EMDR, cognitive processing therapy, and prolonged exposure, Elizabeth helps clients using a solution-focused approach as well as drawing from elements of existential, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavior therapy. Her practice includes a specialization in working with clients to explore their relationship with money and finances as she is trained in, and holds a certificate in, Financial Therapy. Website: www.elizabethsterbenz.com/.

Contact Information
Phone: 323.546.4947 | LA-CAMFT Email: speakerchair@lacamft.org
Work/Private Practice Email: elizabeth@elizabethsterbenz.com

Vacant
Membership Chair

Brian Hart, AMFT
Sponsorship Chair

On a distant planet, around a dying Red Sun, a scientist and his wife bundled their infant son into an experimental rocket, and launched him towards Earth. Unfortunately, this is NOT the story of Brian Hart, but I always hoped it might be true. Later in life, I decided to become a Marriage and Family Therapist in order to work with others. I graduated from Antioch Los Angeles with a Master’s degree in psychology. Currently, I am now an associate MFT working on completing my hours for licensure. If you are an individual, couple or adolescent who seeks a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships, together we can create a healing narrative that allows for change and growth. Website: www.brianharttherapy.com.

Contact Information
Phone: 657.215.5589
LA-CAMFT Email: sponsorshipchair@lacamft.org
Work/Private Practice Email: brian@brianharttherapy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brianhart.attack/

Javan Taherkhani, AMFT
Pre-Licensed Representative
3000 Club Chair

Javan Taherkhani, AMFT, is a pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist native to and based in Los Angeles, specializing in treating young individual adults and couples. Javan believes in a highly collaborative approach to therapy and operates primarily from a postmodern perspective, utilizing a blend of Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Person-Centered approach to work alongside clients toward re-authoring stories for their lives by their choice and voice. He received a Bachelor’s of Arts in psychology and film studies from Claremont McKenna College and a Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. Website: Psychology Today.

Pronouns: He/Him. 

Contact Information
Phone: 424.330.7545
LA-CAMFT Email: prelicensed@lacamft.org
Work/Private Practice Email:  javantaherkhani@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/javantaherkhani

Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT
Voices Editor & Newsletter Committee Chair

Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, supports and coaches licensed therapists, associates, and students in creating, maintaining or revitalizing a successful, thriving clinical practice, and a profitable career. Based in Santa Monica, Lynne does coaching and psychotherapy locally and internationally with Gifted, Talented & Creative adults, couples, and families locally and internationally, in person, and by phone or video—and provides supervision, consultation & training to licensed and pre-licensed therapists and supervisors. A Professor Emeritus of Phillips Graduate University, Lynne’s a popular speaker, clinical practice coach, and workshop leader, well known for her practical, useful, cutting-edge advice—and is nationally recognized for her skillful, innovative training and extensive knowledge of Virginia Satir’s work. Websites: www.Gifted-Adults.com,  www.LAPracticeDevelopment.com, www.LynneAzpeitia.com. 

Contact Information
Phone: 310.828.7121 | LA-CAMFT Email: lynnemazpeitia@yahoo.com
Work/Private Practice Email: lynne@gifted-adults.com
Facebook: Lynne Azpeitia and LA Practice Development
Instagram: Daily Gifted 
LinkedIn: Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT