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.
