Meet our Providers

Dr. Maureen Okereke, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care 

Dr Maureen Okereke is a dual board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner  (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C). She earned her Doctorate Degree with  specialty in psychiatric and Mental Health from Brandman University Irvine, California in 2020.  She also obtained a master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Charles R Drew  University, Los Angeles California in 2018. Ms Okereke earned a Master of Science of Nursing  Degree/ Registered Nurse through an entry level nursing program to master’s degree from  Charles R Drew University, Los Angeles, California in 2016. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society.

Maureen is committed to providing individualized evidenced based patient’s care that  combines the most effective tools including comprehensive assessment, medication  management and supportive therapies. Maureen has vast experience working with individuals with depression, grief, anxiety, insomnia,  schizophrenia, PTSD, mood disorders and OCD. She also has a passion for working with  vulnerable populations and people with comorbid conditions and substance abuse. 

Maureen strives to establish a warm and caring relationship with you to help in overcoming your obstacles and setbacks and work together towards achieving your goals and living  according to what holds the greatest value in your life. 

Education 

Brandman University, Irvine California
Masters of Science of Nursing in Family Nurse Practice 

Specialties 

• Depression Disorder 
• Anxiety Disorder 
• Mood Disorder 
• PTSD  
• Stress management 
• LGBTQ 
• • OCD

Gail Lewis, LMFT

Philosophy of Care

Hi my name is Gail Lewis and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 38033).

As a therapist, my passion is to help people connect to their own inner wisdom and guidance. Developing awareness and listening to our inner guidance helps us to figure out who we are, what our path is in this life, and guides us to achieve our potential! We can then takes the steps to be the best version of ourselves and create a life of our dreams! When we live with constant stress and have not healed from childhood or adult trauma, the stress hormone cortisol is released and continually bathes our nervous system with the energy for “fight or flight”. We find ourselves often “triggered” by memories and overwhelming feelings. In addition, many of us are walking around with fearful, negative thoughts and anxiety from exposure to the media and the “crisis of the day”! Under these circumstances, it becomes difficult to think clearly and we don’t make good decisions.

One of the ways I help my clients to deal effectively with anxious and disturbing thoughts is to use our BREATH. This helps to lower blood pressure and brings the mind under OUR control instead of our mind and emotions controlling us! When we do this, we slow down the racing and confusing thoughts and can access our higher intelligence and guidance! When this happens, we are able to follow our inner wisdom, sometimes called “ Wise Mind ”, which will guide us to the next right action to take.

Please contact me if you would like to have an initial session to see if we are a good fit!

Education

John F. Kennedy University
Masters in Clinical Psychology

Specialties

• EMDR
• DBT
• Brief Solution Focused Therapy
• Addictions/Recovery using evidence based modalities
• Depression and Anxiety
• Addictions and Codependency
• Trauma
• Communication
• Life Skills Building
• Self-Advocacy
• Relationships and Attachment issues

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

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

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

Zerreniah Tran, LMFT

Philosophy of Care

Zerreniah Tran is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California and has been working in the mental health field for over 8 years. She has extensive experience in providing individual and group therapy for a diverse population and offers psychotherapy in English and Tagalog languages. Her work has involved counseling survivors of domestic violence, adolescents presented with transitional challenges, adults with relationship issues, seniors experiencing difficulties with aging, and foster youths in need of support with healthy coping and independent living.

Zerreniah believes that each of us possess inner wisdom, hence, she helps individuals from life challenges by drawing from their strenghts, internal resources and a balance of evidence-based practice. Her therapeutic approach is interactive and collaborative that includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and mindfulness practice.

Zerreniah acknowledges that part of the human experience is to face several challenges in our lifetime. By the same token, humans are wired to be resilient and can thrive in any circumstances. Living in an imperfect world it makes perfect sense to seek guidance from time to time. Whether you are feeling lost or stuck, she can teach you the tools to help you find relief and/or search for clarity in the life that you want to live.

Education

Argosy University
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology/Marriage & Family Therapy

Specialties

• Domestic Violence
• Life Transitions
• Relationship Issues
• Mindfulness
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)