Bryan Hamilton (he/him) earned his Master of Social Work degree - Advance Standing MSW Program with a focus on serving individuals, groups, and community members in urban/metropolitan areas at Cal State University Los Angeles. In his early career, Bryan worked directly with and deeply understands the knowledge base of individuals belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community. He brings almost 2 decades of hands-on supportive efforts through his non-profit work, which included HIV testing, counseling, and linkage to care experience. Bryan utilizes a community-focused lens he gained from his long history working with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a non-profit in Los Angeles for over 17 years. Bryan worked in providing mobile HIV clinical healthcare services and outreach efforts to the general public including sensitive populations in the (LGBTQIA+/Homeless population/Older adults/At-risk youth) communities. He bridged his passion to help others in the direct service arena with his MSW internship at Silverado Memory Care Community supporting those challenged with dementia-related conditions and disorders including family support in a residential facility in the greater Los Angeles area.
Bryan’s client-centered and non-profit grassroots approach integrated with his academic training is based on a self-empowering and community-based model. He has taken his background in public health, positive psychology, and somatic therapy and integrated what he considers highly impactful and supports healing to those in the community through a self-empowerment-rooted approach - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Therapy, and Somatic Therapy including Breathwork Facilitation and other Meditative and Holistic Practices.
Victor Constantino obtained his Bachelors of Arts in Family Consumer Sciences from the California State University Northridge. He gained experience working with seniors who were homeless in skid row, downtown Los Angeles. He worked with clients to obtain permanent housing, transportation and nutritious meals.
After completing his professional goal, Victor went back to school to obtain his Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Oaks College. Victor was trained in providing psychotherapy with people living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ issues, Substance Abuse. And Transgender Care. Victor continues to have the passion and drive to help others in the community.
Victor believes in a client centered, empathetic, and caring approach. In session, he creates a safe space to process feelings in a neutral environment. At each session, working together to achieve the skills to help patients regain their confidence.
Jolene Bastas (they/them/theirs) is a non-binary queer associate social worker who obtained their master’s degree in clinical social work from New York University (NYU) in 2008. They are pursuing a PhD in human sexuality from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. As a first-generation non-traditional college graduate, they understand the difficulties of navigating how to break generational cycles and the privilege of continuing to access higher education.
With 19 years of LGBTQIA+ and HIV healthcare/leadership experience, they are dedicated to advocating for significant changes to oppressive and harmful institutional systems and promoting equitable healthcare practices for all using an affirming approach and intersectional lens. Jolene joined the APLA’s behavioral health team in May 2024 to focus on providing direct therapeutic support to patients utilizing a strength-based, empathetic, and non-judgmental style.
Jolene is committed to providing affirming therapy to the Los Angeles community, firmly believing in every individual's inherent dignity and worth. They will create a safe and inclusive therapeutic space where individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations can explore, heal, and thrive. They aim to empower their clients to embrace their authentic selves, navigate life’s challenges, understand thoughts do not define a person, and cultivate resilience in a challenging world.
Shannen Isabelle Mosqueda, LCSW, earned her Master of Social Work degree from the Suzanne Deworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California in 2018. Throughout graduate school, she provided community mental health services to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, specifically in Orange County and Los Angeles County. She learned that resilience and kindness are hard fought rewards in times of crisis. While pursing licensure, Shannen served the TAY population of Los Angeles as a case manager for an independent housing and education program where compassion and patience are the most paramount for building rapport. Throughout the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, she advocated for patients at a local psychiatric hospital as an on-ground case manager, working closely with medical and psychiatric treatment teams. After several years of arduous work and study, Shannen received her licensure as an LCSW in 2023.
As a licensed clinician, Shannen practices a trauma-focused and strength-based approach to therapy with emphasis on intergenerational trauma, bolstering the inner child, and self-empowerment. She utilizes techniques based in CBT and DBT, as well as somatic practices and mindfulness to encourage deeper understand of self and to build effective boundaries. She believes that the heart of the therapeutic experience is self-love and honest collaboration. It is an honor and a privilege to hold space for those seeking guidance and peace. She is excited to serve the community as a growing clinician and fellow human being.
Outside of session, Shannen enjoys volunteering at the local aquarium to advocate for Southern Sea Otters; convincing naysayers that Hufflepuffs are “particularly good finders”; and drinking copious amounts of iced oolong tea.
Manny Zermeño is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Manny received his Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles in 2013.
Manny is a first generation, Latino, bilingual, Gay Angelino and has over a decade of working in community mental health and private practice settings. Manny has strong roots to Los Angeles and is connected to his community and the LGBTQIA+ population. He works with individuals, couples and families ranging in ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic status addressing anxiety, depression, internalized homophobia, acceptance and coming out issues.
Through his own mental health experiences, Manny is aware of the importance of building trust, rapport, feeling safe, connected and validated, he believes that self- care and mindfulness are an important part of the therapeutic process. Manny is client centered LGBTQIA+ affirming cognitive behavioral clinician.
Kyle Shepard is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Kyle received their Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University with a focus on LGBTQ Affirmative therapy in conjunction with Multi-Ethnic Theoretical Approaches.
During their schooling, Kyle studied abroad in South Africa learning more worldly approaches to therapy. Kyle began their clinical work at Star View Adolescent Treatment Center, a level 14 locked Psychiatric Hospital for troubled youth. During that time Kyle worked with many LGBTQ+ youth and families. Following that Kyle began working directly with high at risk adults in south Los Angeles at SHIELDS For Families.
Kyle enjoys working with clients to better understand themselves while improving their communication and relationships. They work with adults, couples and families through life transitions, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, gender/sexual identity and relational struggles. Kyle offers a warm, accepting and flexible approach to therapy and believes communication is key. Kyle specializes in working with LGBTQ+ populations. They understand the complexities that come with gender and sexual identity.
Kyle is a queer pansexual gender-expansive person who is in a same-sex mixed race marriage. They are originally from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where they obtained their bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts with concentration in musical theater. Kyle was a former gymnast and national competitive cheerleader. They enjoy drag queens/drag culture, outdoors, movies, theatre, shopping and social gatherings.
