Healthcare Partners
Our licensed-contracted therapists have years of experience in research and clinical care of patients with MCI, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and hands-on implementation of evidence-based interventions. All therapists are independent contractors representing Cognitive Care Solutions.
Jacqueline Koppers, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Koppers earned her B.A. degree in Psychology at California State University, Fullerton, where she collected data and did research in the area of state vs. trait anxiety in seniors at CSUF’s Ruby Gerontology Center. She later earned her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles. While there, she completed her doctoral project entitled, “A Tapestry of Meaning: A Phenomenological Approach Into the Experience of Creativity in the Lives of Older Adults.” Subsequent to earning her Doctorate of Psychology, Dr. Koppers trained and completed a postgraduate fellowship at the prestigious Wright Institute of Los Angeles, earning a certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.
Dr. Koppers has worked in both clinical and administrative capacities at The HELP Group in Sherman Oaks, working with children, teens, and their families, and participating on task forces with Find the Children and Children of the Night. She later went on to provide therapy and assessment services in a private practice setting with foster and probation youth throughout Los Angeles County.
Dr. Koppers has come full circle, once again working with older adults, bringing her clinical expertise, compassion, and personal experience growing up in a multigenerational family, to individuals with cognitive impairments.
Richard Beuttler, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Beuttler earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology and his Master’s in computational science from Chapman University. He works part-time as an independent consultative examiner for Medical Support LA conducting evaluations for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Dr. Beuttler is an adjunct faculty professor at Chapman University teaching courses in the Psychology of Healthcare and Scientific Inquiries to doctoral level students. He also enjoys analyzing research data and using innovative statistical models, as well as mentoring students. At Cognitive Care Solutions, Dr. Beuttler conducts group and individual cognitive enhancement therapy, as well as participating in our longitudinal research evaluations of clients.
Kevin Thomas, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Thomas is a Clinical Psychologist and a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist who has worked in the field of mental/behavioral health in various capacities for over 20 years. He earned his Master’s degree in Psychology at California State University, Fullerton, as well as his Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego. He has substantial depth and breadth of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults suffering from a wide range of mental illnesses and disorders (e.g., Depression, Anxiety, Age-Related Transition of Life) in equally diverse inpatient/outpatient settings.
Dr. Thomas is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. His therapeutic approach is to provide support, practical feedback, and skills to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. He integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, he works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing. Dr. Thomas is deeply committed to providing the tools and building blocks for success, enabling clients to take charge of their comprehensive cognitive wellness and enhance their quality of living.
Chase Espinoza, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Chase Espinoza is a cross-disciplinary psychologist with diverse education, training, and experience. He practices in psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, neurocognitive training, neurofeedback, and consulting. He has worked in school-based, forensic, substance abuse, residential behavioral health, and county mental health settings. Dr. Chase also provides neuropsychological services for neurology patients in a hospital setting. He is published in multiple subject areas of psychology and presents on many topics at conferences and summits. He is an adjunct professor of psychology and research advisor in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs at four universities. A self-described “lifelong learner,” Dr. Chase is energized, expressive, and passionate about his work.
Iris Lopez Luthi, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Luthi is a bilingual Spanish and English speaking licensed clinical psychologist. She received her masters and doctorate degrees in clinical-community psychology from the University of La Verne. Dr. Luthi has worked with various age groups (children to older adults) in inpatient and outpatient hospital settings and private practice. In particular, she has provided psychotherapy and neuropsychological services to populations with chronic health issues, spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries (strokes, traumatic brain injuries), degenerative illnesses, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. These services include the evaluation of an individual’s cognitive, behavioral and emotional status with a primarily Cognitive Behavioral approach. Treatment has focused on improving symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, assisting in the adjustment of new diagnosis, as well as strategies for attention, memory, and problem-solving.
Christina Averill, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Averill earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University and worked in private practice before obtaining her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from California Graduate Institute. She has been a licensed clinical psychologist for over 25 years serving the South Bay community.
Throughout her career, Dr. Averill has worked with a variety of age groups having performed numerous assessment batteries to children and adolescents prior to working in concert with a neuropsychologist in the geriatric community for several years. She has worked with the aging population in both subacute and skilled nursing facilities and was responsible for overseeing and coordinating the provision of specialized geriatric psychological services to several subacute medical facilities in order to assist in the evaluation, care planning and treatment of acute and long-term patients. She also provided clinical in-service training for medical staff and functioned as a liaison between nursing, medical and administrative staff.
Dr. Averill has also maintained a private practice providing psychotherapy to adult patients working on the areas of loss, mourning, life transitions and the impact of chronic depression and anxiety. She has had training in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches but brings cognitive behavioral techniques into her treatment regimen. She has extensive experience in psychological assessment in both an inpatient and outpatient setting.
Dr. Averill has also worked as a Qualified Medical Examiner for the last ten years providing independent and neutral psychological evaluations in the medical-legal field.
Kathy McCaleb, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Kathy McCaleb, MSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine, and a Masters degree in Social Work from San Diego State University. She has over 25 years of experience working with older adults, as well as chronically or terminally ill adults and children. Kathy’s work has concentrated on older adults coping with memory loss and issues of aging. In recent years, Kathy has volunteered with the Orange County Alzheimer’s Association as a member of their Ethics Committee and led support groups focusing on memory loss.
Kathy works as a clinical consultant in health and mental health settings, including hospice and home care. She provides clinical supervision and training to staff and direct services to individuals and groups. Kathy has taught courses in ethics, communication skills, bereavement, loss, and end-of-life issues, and has co-authored a training manual about bereavement groups for children and families.
Edgar Rivera, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Edgar Rivera, MSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Bachelor’s degree from California State University Fullerton in Human Services, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from California State University Long Beach. He has over 10 years of experience working with adults and older adults coping with severe and persistent mental illness, as well as older adults coping with memory loss and other aging-related issues. He most currently serves as a Regional Director for a non-profit mental health organization serving Orange County residents who benefit from specialized recovery-based mental health services. Edgar is passionate about encouraging, empowering and instilling hope in others to consistently practice persistence to improve one’s quality of life.
Marlene Bugh, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Marlene has been a licensed clinical social worker since 1998. She enjoys working with adults and older adults with dementia, mood disorders, and the chronically mentally ill. She utilizes Cognitive Enhancement Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Emi Tanaka, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Emi Tanaka is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been licensed since 2013. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California and has worked in a variety of settings. Emi has experience providing psychotherapy and case management services to older adults with early stages of Dementia and Alzheimer’s. She has also worked with children and adolescents as well as individuals in substance use treatment facilities. Emi enjoys helping others and having the privilege to walk with others in their journey to healing and restoration. She is dedicated to fostering a non-judgmental, safe, and empowering therapeutic atmosphere where individuals can be open to freely express their concerns.
Sonja Carter, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Sonja Carter, LCSW earned her Masters of Social Work Degree from San Jose State University. She has 18 years experience in social work with the last 11 years focused on mental health. Sonja became an LCSW in 2009. While Sonja’s primary work has been providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents and families, she has extensive experience working with clients of all ages and with varying diagnoses. Sonja currently works on a mobile crisis mental health team. Sonja has also worked as a therapist in private practice, Adult Day Health Centers and Partial Hospitalization Programs.
Through her work and personal life, Sonja has developed a special interest in working with older adult clients experiencing mood disorders and/or anxiety, dementia and the chronically mentally ill. Sonja provides compassion, understanding, therapeutic support and interventions to older adults as they experience challenging life stages that can lead to or exacerbate depression and anxiety due to various stressors. Sonja uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a combination of other therapeutic approaches individualized to each client’s needs to enhance their mood and functioning.
Lauren Stockdale, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Lauren received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Lauren has a strong background in the mental health field, working with active military service men and women, couples, and their families, as well as counseling those suffering from chronic mental illness. She served as the Director of Resident and Family Services and Administrator in a 122-bed specialized dementia care community for over six years. She now serves as the Owner and Operating Director of a Visiting Angels Home Care agency in the greater San Diego area. Lauren enjoys counseling others, especially older adults, and has a particular passion working with those experiencing cognitive impairments. She grew up in San Diego, with strong family roots in the Mid West. In Lauren’s spare time you’ll find her spending time with loved ones, enjoying the outdoors, practicing yoga, and traveling.
Holly Stefani, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Holly Stefani is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s in Social Work from the California State University of Long Beach with an emphasis in Older Adults. She received her LCSW in 1997 and has worked in a variety of healthcare settings throughout California. Currently, she provides support group services for clients of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Additionally, for 10 years Holly assisted families and older adults in multiple hospitals and skilled nursing units. She handled patients difficult individual and family issues surrounding complex medical needs and treatments involving rehabilitation and or end of life issues. It was here that Holly provided counseling and education when life-changing events were happening. She specialized as a supportive resource to help examine all the options and possible outcomes. She also was the Director of Social Services for VitalCare America and provided management oversight to the social service and activity staff, assisting with compliance and well as continued growth to the onsite staff within skilled nursing facilities. Holly has always enjoyed serving the older adult population and did her Master’s thesis with the Orange County Adult Protective Services, exploring elder abuse. Orange County has always been her home and she enjoys spending time with her support network of husband, daughter, son, family dog and longtime family and friends.
Nadia Shah, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Nadia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton in Speech Communications with a focus on intercultural relationships, and minored in Human Services. She received her Masters from California State University, Long Beach in Social Work with a focus on Older Adults and Families. Nadia has over 10 years of experience in the field of mental health and aging-related issues. Most recently she has been working in the field of Hospice and Home Health. Nadia is committed to providing her clients with a safe and understanding environment where they can work toward achieving their goals.
Ashley Carney, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Ashley Carney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and therapist with over 9 years experience in the field of mental health. Ashley earned her Masters in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach.
Ashley integrates various therapeutic methods and techniques to offer a warm, highly personalized, and collaborative approach. Ashley previously worked for social services, residential treatment facilities, a psychiatric hospital, and in private practice. Ashley’s experience includes working with adults, teens, and families struggling with depression, anxiety, crisis, trauma, and difficult transitions.
Ashley hopes to help you and your family achieve your individualized goals and embrace this journey together.
Lynne Fleming-Conger, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Lynne Fleming-Conger, LCSW, CCM is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach and a Master’s degree in Social Work and Aging from San Diego State University. She has over 30 years of experience assisting older adults in community and health care settings.
Lynne is a skilled and compassionate counselor, providing support to individuals experiencing cognitive and age-related challenges. Previously, Lynne worked as a Care Consultant for the Alzheimer’s Association, and as an Instructor with the Acquired Brain Injury Program at Coastline College. Lynne is committed to promoting independence, dignity, and quality of life for mature adults.
Marie Bonovitz, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Marie Bonovitz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Human Development and Family Studies. She earned her Masters in Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Marie’s experience includes working with older adults, adults, and children in the medical (hospice and hospital), education, and private practice settings. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor and currently as a Clinical Supervisor.