Meet our Providers

Janeen Vieira Taylor, LMFT

Philosophy of Care 

Janeen Vieira Taylor is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has more than 10 years of experience in clinical settings, where she has been responsible for assessment, the creation of individualized treatment plans, providing one-on-one as well as group counseling, coordinating care with various support agencies, and helping clients to develop strategies for their ongoing success. Janeen has worked with individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depression, bipolar I, anxiety/panic disorders, substance abuse, and many other conditions.

Janeen completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology at Sonoma State University and her Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco.

Janeen believes strongly in an individualized approach and tailoring her care to the specific needs of her clients, rather than using a “one-size-fits-all” model. She is truly client-centered, and uses an empathetic, collaborative approach based on the idea that the client is the expert on their own experience. Janeen sees her role primarily as that of a facilitator: someone who helps the client in their journey towards becoming healthier and more satisfied in their day-to-day life. She looks forward to developing a trusting, nonjudgmental relationship with her clients, which she believes is the best instrument for positive change.

Education

University of San Francisco
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Specialties

• Bipolar disorder
• Chronic mental disorders
• Crisis intervention/stabilization
• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Panic disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Sleep disorders

Jude Levasseur, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Jude Levasseur is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the state of California. He has been a health care executive for more than 20 years with broad experience in clinical, medical, nursing relations, utilization management, quality assessment, business development, regulatory compliance, and nursing practice. Jude has a successful track record of implementing changes to maintain sustainable profits, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction. He demonstrates a strong result orientation, combined with interpersonal and leadership abilities to attain patients and team-oriented outcomes.

Jude’s educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in nursing and an MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix as well as a Master's degree in nursing from Walden University. Jude’s previous roles include Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Newport Academy, Region Sr. Director of Clinical Operations for Kindred Healthcare, and the Chief Nursing Officer at Huntington Beach Hospital.

Jude lives in Orange County, California with his wife Brooke and his daughter Preslie. His hobbies include hiking and boating on the beautiful coastlines of Southern California. Catalina Islands is Jude’s preferred spot for fishing, boating, and hiking.

Education

Master of Science in Nursing
Walden University

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar
• ADHD
• OCD

Samaneh Ferdosian, PMHNP

**Samaneh offers therapy services in English and Farsi***

Philosophy of Care

Samaneh Ferdowsian is a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in the state of California, who graduated from Walden University. Samaneh has been in the mental health field for over five years and has experience working with both adolescents and adults. She completed her Bachelors of Science at Chamberlain University and received her Masters of Science in Psychiatry from Walden University.

Samaneh uses a collaborative and holistic approach to address biological, psychological, and social factors that impact a client’s health. She utilizes mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy to meet the needs of every client in their own unique way. In addition, she is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Samaneh believes that one of the most crucial factors in becoming an effective Advanced Practice Nurse is promoting hope to individuals and families with mental illnesses, to instill self-responsibility and empowerment, and in helping individuals living with mental illness seek a meaningful role in life. With this, she hopes to help clients meet their goals in order to live the life they value and desire. 

Education

Walden University
Masters of Science in Psychiatry

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• OCD
• PTSD
• Eating Disorders
• Self-esteem
• ADHD

Susan Terris, LMFT

Philosophy of Care

Susan C. Terris is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of experience in the mental health field. For 14 years Susan was a psych social worker/group psychotherapist at Herrick Hospital’s Partial Hospitalization Program/Intensive Outpatient Program in Berkeley, California. She evaluated and treated young adults and adults of all ages seeking help with mood, anxiety, and thought disorders, and worked with many families in support of the treatment process.

Susan completed her Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology at John F. Kennedy University. She has been strengthening her understanding about culturally-sensitive issues, such as race-based and minority stress, social justice, and equity. Susan will help her clients find a better fit if a therapist matching their own culture is preferred. Susan identifies as cisgender, is gender-affirming and accepting of your sexual orientation and/or questioning. She is especially interested in helping clients to get in touch with their own feelings or learn how to contain them as needed. Susan feels one of her strengths is helping clients to decrease anxiety and depression and increase coping skills. She collaborates with each client to find the therapeutic skills they find most helpful. Susan is a sought-after consultant to help others find appropriate community resources and referrals.

Together you and Susan can learn how to tenderly hold any disowned parts of yourself, and help you navigate relationship issues. She understands how to help you approach healing grief, including complicated and/or traumatic grief, and feels deep empathy with this process. Susan uses creative skills such as mindfulness, poetry, or art when clients indicate their desire to explore therapy in this way. She teaches cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and enjoys helping clients work through grief, using grounding and trauma-informed methods. Susan would like the chance to get to know you in a nonjudgmental environment. She knows it is hard to tell your story to someone new, so please pace yourself and tell only what you are comfortable with. Like the Rumi poem, “Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there…”

Education

JFK University
Master of Arts Counseling Psychology

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Coping Skills
• Grief
• Sleep or Insomnia
• Women’s Issues
• Integrating one's own spiritual practice as a strength-based tool

Joseph Derije, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Joseph is board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, he graduated from Gonzaga University with a Master’s in Nursing. He completed his undergraduate degree from Ohio University. Upon graduation, he trained under Exodus Recovery Foundation. Currently, he provides care for clients in his local community with a focus on team based approach and patient centered care.

Education

Gonzaga University
Master’s of Science in Nursing

Specialties

• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia

Leana Smith, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Leana Smith is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with a certificate of additional qualifications in addiction. She offers expertise in the treatment of adult and adolescent ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and PTSD with experience in treating the full range of psychiatric disorders. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings including public and private inpatient and outpatient settings.

Leana received her Master of Science in nursing at the University of California—San Francisco. Having earned a minor in genomics and currently conducting research, she is also now also seeing clients at Thriveworks.

Leana's clinical approach is steeped in the importance of a thorough patient-centered psychiatric evaluation. She practices conservative medication management and values the importance of utilizing various forms of psychotherapy. She adopts a structured approach with regular follow-up to anticipate interventions to optimize my patient’s mental health.

As a working mother of five children, Leana understands that life doesn’t always go as planned and can leave you feeling stressed out, irritated, tired, and lonely. It’s time to normalize the human condition. Caring for your thoughts and emotions shouldn’t be an afterthought. We have primary providers for our physical well-being, and we all deserve a primary provider for our mental well-being. Leana thanks you for choosing her to care for you on your journey to holistic health.

Education

University of California - San Francisco
Master of Science in Nursing

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Anger
• Relationships
• ADHD
• Behavioral Issues
• Coping Skills
• Eating Disorders
• Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
• Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
• Sleep or Insomnia
• Stress
• Trauma and PTSD

Michelle Chieme, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Michelle Chieme is a Nurse Practitioner in the state of California who specializes in the field of psychiatry.  Michelle has a wealth of experience treating adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, and life adjustments. She completed her Master’s Degree of Science In Nursing at Azusa Pacific University. She is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and is credentialed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Michelle incorporates a nursing-based approach that is patient focused while also taking into consideration the individual’s environment as a whole. She works collaboratively with clients to determine the best form of treatment that will meet their unique needs while also promoting mindfulness and introspection.

Michelle is passionate about destigmatizing mental health. She especially enjoys working with clients who have been silently suffering from depression/anxiety and are ready to take the first step towards getting treatment. Michelle looks forward to connecting with you in a safe and nonjudgmental space, where together we can work towards building resiliency and getting you back to your best life.

Education

Azusa Pacific University
MSN In Nursing

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Life Adjustments
• Mood Disorders
• Stress Management