Dr. Frances Thompson is a licensed clinical psychologist (UT#7538970-2501) with extensive training and experience working with children presenting with an array of emotional, developmental, social, and educational challenges. Dr. Thompson’s expertise lies in performing pediatric neuropsychological evaluations that assess for ADHD, personality abnormalities, learning disabilities, and other childhood developmental disorders. Dr. Thompson is also a certified youth trauma clinician and an expert in PCIT (Parent-Child Interactive Therapy). She is a favorite amongst local family law attorneys who seek down to earth, expert-level testimony in Utah’s District Courts regarding a wide range of areas pertaining to pediatric clinical psychology.

Dr. Thompson received both her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD.) and Master’s Degree (M.A.) in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in Los Angeles, California, and completed her award-winning Internship and Doctoral Residency requirements at A Better Way Child & Family Services located in Berkeley, California. Prior to completing her graduate studies, Dr. Thompson graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Thompson is an active member in good standing with the Utah State Board of Psychology, Utah Psychological Association, and the American Psychological Association.

Jennifer Zeuschner was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She completed her undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University In Cultural Anthropology. It was during this time her love for people became apparent. During her studies, she worked with children with physical and mental disabilities. She then moved to Utah and attended the University of Phoenix where she gained her Masters of Science in Counseling Mental Health Counseling. Jenn is currently completing her Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision.
Jenn has had the opportunity to work with a variety of population groups including children, and teens, severely mentally ill adults and children, persons on the autism spectrum, reactive attachment, adults and teens with addiction, mental health and substance abuse groups and community mental health and drug courts. She has received special training and certification in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, Motivational Interviewing, CBT, anxiety and depression, anger management, and play therapy.
In her free time, Jenn enjoys playing guitar, doing homework, working on her ceramics wheel, and hanging with her dogs.

Jarom was born and raised in Ventura, California. He completed his undergrad from the University of Utah in Sociology. While working on is undergrad, Jarom gained a love for working with people having volunteered for a rape crisis team and crisis line in Utah County. Due to this experience it encouraged him to further his academic career at the University of Phoenix in Mental Health Counseling and later obtain his license as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. 

Jarom has experience in suicidal ideation and attempts, substance dependency, trauma informed care, couples counseling, family counseling, adolescents, depression, anxiety, and domestic violence. 

Jarom specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Trauma Focused therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Solution Focused therapy, Motivational Interviewing Therapy, and Play.

Jarom’s philosophy within stems from one of his favorite quotes by Nelson Mandela, “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”

Jordan has been a cognitive tutor for Early Life for almost three years; In our education center, she works with children who have cognitive and academic difficulties, and helps them to be successful in their daily lives.

She loves to spend her free time outdoors!

Dr. David Judd is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Judd is the President and CEO of the Early Life Child Psychology and Education Center in the Santa Clarita Valley in Southern California. He is a long-time resident of Valencia, CA, where he resides with his wife and five children. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching or playing sports, especially basketball, and interacting with his friends. He actively participates in his local church. Both he and his wife, who is a Family Medicine physician, are committed to serving the people of the Santa Clarita Valley. Dr. Judd is excited to help families and individuals with their psychological and educational needs in and around the Valencia area.
David received his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University and his Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Utah. David’s previous clinical experience and training include individual, group, couples, and family counseling, along with testing and assessment services with both English and Spanish speaking children, adolescents, and adults. Over the past several years, David has administered over 100 educational, psychological, and psycho-educational assessments for school-aged children, adolescents, and adults. More recently, David has been able to coordinate, supervise, and conduct special education assessments for a group of charter schools throughout the Los Angeles area. As part of his work with the group of charter schools, David has attended numerous Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings in order to coordinate and advocate services for students with special education needs. In addition to assessment services, he has also conducted individual and family psychotherapeutic services for children, adolescents, and adults, including couples. David has worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community clinics, university counseling centers, detention facilities, and in private practice. While completing his pre-doctoral internship from 2009 to 2010 with the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) in Tarzana, CA, David was able to perform psycho-educational assessments and behaviorally based in-home therapy with children with Autism. David also has experience providing services to clients on issues related to substance abuse, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, personality disorders, relational difficulties, learning disorders, and Autism.
Dr. Judd is excited to provide a truly unique, culturally sensitive, scientifically dynamic treatment approach to the children, students, adults, and families located in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Camille is our Office Manager and has been here for just under a year. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her daughter and reading. Please don't hesitate to ask her any questions you might have!

Dr. Elani Tuchman is part of the Early Life Child Psychology and Education Center team in Valencia, California. From early on, psychology, and helping others, has always been a passion of hers. After minoring in psychology at Florida State University, Dr. Tuchman received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy from Philips Graduate Institute in Encino, California. She continued her education at the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, California, where she earned a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in working with families, couples, and children.

Throughout Dr. Tuchman’s educational training, she has worked in elementary and K-8 schools, providing individual therapy and group therapy to children of all ages. With a love for arts and crafts and board games, she is easily able to connect with her young clients while doing play and art therapy. Dr. Tuchman completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Pasadena Rehabilitation Institute where her training was focused on neuropsychology and behavioral medicine. Throughout her internship, she conducted neuropsychological assessments as well as psychological testing. Her training and education have highlighted the importance of testing to inform the best direction of treatment. With Dr. Tuchman’s extensive experience working with children and their families, as well as in psychological testing, she is a valuable part of the Early Life team.

Dr. Donna Truong is part of the Early Life Child Psychology and Education Center team in the Santa Clarita Valley in Southern California. Prior to her career in psychology, Dr. Truong was a grade school teacher. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Women Studies and a Master's degree in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has over 6 years of experience teaching elementary-aged children in low socio-economic areas of the San Fernando Valley. Dr. Truong has extensive experience as a master teacher and writing curriculum for charter schools. She assisted in writing the curriculum for “I’m Going to College,” a program dedicated to teaching and helping parents learn to save for their children’s college education.
Dr. Truong received both her Master’s and Doctoral Degree in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in Los Angeles, California. She completed her first pre-doctoral internships at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Neuropsychology where she assessed patients for pre and post-surgical cognitive and personality assessments. She co-lead a Fibromyalgia therapy group and assessed stroke and brain tumor patients. Dr. Truong completed her second pre-doctoral internship at Mount St. Mary’s College where completed cognitive assessments for college women, lead group therapy sessions, provided educational services and saw her own patients in private sessions. Dr. Truong also has extensive experience working with children in during play therapy and family counseling. She is an active member of the Los Angeles Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association. As a parent of two and former teacher, Dr. Truong is empathetic to challenges parents face when navigating the school system. Having had experience working as a shadow for a child with Autism, she is also culturally sensitive to the family with special needs. Dr. Truong is well respected in her community.

Dr. Chelsea Smith is part of the Early Life Child Psychology and Education Center Team in Valencia, California.  Dr. Smith has always had a passion for helping others. That passion, along with her natural curiosity regarding human thought and behavior, led her to the field of psychology.  She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California Lutheran University in 2011 in Thousand Oaks, California.  In 2012, she enrolled in the California School of Forensic Studies in Los Angeles, California, where she earned her Master’s in Clinical Forensic Psychology in 2014, and her Doctorate degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology in 2017.

In between degrees, Dr. Smith worked with children on the autism spectrum in the home and school.  She also completed her first practicum at a continuation high school in Alhambra, California where she gained additional experience working with adolescent students.  Her second practicum was in a drug rehabilitation facility where she provided individual and group counseling to those experiencing drug addiction and co-occurring mental disorders. Dr. Smith completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Pasadena Rehabilitation Institute where she was able to gain extensive experience administering, scoring, and interpreting neuropsychological batteries, as well as delivering behavioral medicine interventions to a chronic pain population.  Dr. Smith believes that we can obtain important clinical information through the use of psychological testing in order to make the most informed decisions regarding treatment.  As a parent, it is important to Dr. Smith that she provides the families she meets with the same compassion and understanding she would expect for her own family. Her experience working with children and their families, and administering psychological tests drew her to Early Life, and she is proud to be a part of such an outstanding team of professionals.

Dr. Deena Esmeirat is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with children, adolescents and families. Dr. Esmeirat received her Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Martial and Family Therapy from the California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Esmeirat also received her Masters degree in Marital and Family Therapy from the California School of Professional Psychology and her Bachelors degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Family and Child Psychology from Azusa Pacific University.

Since 2013, Dr. Esmeirat has worked with children, adolescents and families in the school setting in multiple school districts across Los Angeles and Orange counties. Dr. Esmeirat provides individual, group and family mental health services for a wide range of presenting concerns including adjustment difficulties, anger management, anxiety, behavioral problems, communication skills, conflict mediation, crisis, divorce, trauma, grief and loss.

In the Santa Clarita Valley, Dr. Esmeirat has served as a member of the clinical counseling team at the William S. Hart Union High School District, supporting both students and their families on a wide-range of topics, guiding them to their goals of both academic success and well-being.

In her clinical approach, Dr. Esmeirat works to establish a collaborative, warm, hopeful, safe and supportive therapeutic environment, inclusive and engaging of all members of a family dynamic. Dr. Esmeirat incorporates each client’s unique characteristics, elements of diversity and strengths in meeting clients where they are in navigating through the therapeutic process, working towards positive change.

Quentin Dunne is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a passion for helping children, adolescents and adults recover from trauma, grief, pet loss, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
He received his master’s degree in psychology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2008 and became licensed in 2011. He is a certified cognitive-behavioral therapist through the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, but he also incorporates other modalities of healing into his approach as he believes in respecting the unique needs and gifts of each client. A member of the Ecopsychology Network for Clinicians and The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, he believes the integration of natural landscape into the therapeutic process, through such practices as gardening and nature walks, can be deeply nourishing and nurturing.
Deeply committed to the values of human dignity and equality, he provides affirmative therapy to people of all ethnicities, spiritualities and sexual orientations. He considers himself very fortunate to have work that feels more like a calling than a career and believes the first step of healing and renewal lies within the client’s quiet but very real courage to come in for a session. If you believe therapy would help you or your child at this point in your life’s journey, he would be honored to meet with you.

Carol Tyree is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with experience helping clients build new skills to improve overall well-being. She uses a holistic approach utilizing evidence-based practices and treatments to assist clients in dealing with challenges and changes in life. Carol has experience helping clients with anxiety, depression, mindfulness, relational issues, anger management, trauma, and life transitions.

Carol graduated from National University with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Her work experience includes over ten years in health insurance administration, and more recently, she worked at California Family Counseling Center with individuals, children, and couples. Carol has extensive experience working with Autism and understands the unique challenges faced by families with children on the spectrum.

Carol enjoys spending time in nature with her dog, hiking, and pickleball. She loves listening to and playing music and traveling. She offers a caring, person-centered approach, seeks to listen, understand, and learn from clients about their culture and values, and believes all clients deserve kindness, sensitivity, and compassion.

Angie Douma is a Licensed Marriage, and Family Therapist (LMFT) who believes the approach to your psychotherapy should be as dynamic as you are and shouldn't be limited to a "one theory fits all" methodology. With this in mind, she draws from many psychotherapeutic theories such as Cognitive Behavioral, Existential Gestalt, Family Systems, Postmodernism, and others. Her method is a collaborative endeavor of client and therapist, rooted in both evidence and philosophical-based theories.

Angie's specialty areas include sexual and gender identity, overcoming anxiety and depression, building self-esteem, establishing boundaries, and navigating life transitions.

She earned an undergrad in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Masters Degree in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute, California. In addition, she has over five years of experience as a school-based therapist in the William S. Hart District.

Joanne Sabolic is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She received her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from San Diego State University while training in the field of Biofeedback and Stress Management therapies for panic and anxiety disorders, depression, and pain management. Joanne earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling from California State University, Northridge. Her professional experience includes both educational and private settings.
Joanne has extensive experience with special education high school students within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) with academic competence issues and IMPACT crisis counseling. Along with her extensive clinical private practice experience, Joanne has been an Adjunct Professor of Psychology for nine years at National University.
Joanne specializes in therapy with adolescents - teen issues: peer pressure and self-esteem; adults – individual, couples, maturity and aging issues; families; anger and stress management issues.
Joanne honors each client’s uniqueness and works collaboratively with her clients to decide which therapy fits their needs. She uses a blend of Cognitive Behavior therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Mindfulness, and Holistic approaches. Her use of empathy, genuine compassion and experience provides a safe environment for each person to find their strengths and courage to nurture change and personal growth.

Shari Manculich holds a B.S. in Business, Marketing, from California State University, Northridge, and an M.S. in Counseling, Marriage and Family Child Therapy, from the University of Phoenix. Shari has a business background in Consumer Packaged Goods where she previously worked for a large Fortune 500 Corporation. Shari most recently worked as a School Based Therapist with William S. Hart Union High School District working with K – 6, Special Education students and school based referrals. In addition to Early Life, Shari has private practice experience where she works with children, teens, young adults, adults, Victims of Crime, Managed Care, and cash patients. Shari's modalities are primarily Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy. In her spare time, Shari enjoys training and competing in half marathons, Zumba dance fitness, and has recently started practicing Yoga. I am especially passionate about the school setting, working with both special education students with IEP’s and general education students and their families. My goal is to help my clients find solutions as well as a more peaceful and joyful existence. Shari is currently accepting new clients.

My goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. We can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from therapy for depression and grief counseling to parenting support, couples counseling and beyond. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of my clients individual needs.

Jennifer Crockett is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who believes the proverbs that it takes a village to raise a child. Jennifer has been providing child therapy services to the community since 2008. She has a MA in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. She has worked as a Behavior Therapist, a School-Based Therapist, Substance Abuse Counselor, and Mental Health Therapist. She has worked extensively in the areas of Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Substance Abuse Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, and Mood Disorders. As well as facilitating parenting classes, support groups, Child-Family Team meetings, and participating in Individualized Education Plan meetings with school staff. Jennifer has provided therapeutic services to clients ranging in age from birth to late adulthood. Her passion is providing therapy to children using play therapy, arts (art, dance, music, creative writing), and other effective therapeutic interventions. Her therapeutic approaches are Solution-Focused, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Family Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. Jennifer provides support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life changes. She works with each individual to help them build on their own strengths and attain personal growth. She recognizes potential in clients and helps build their purpose in life. She has an authentic, positive, compassionate, and calm nature that connects well with clients.

Cybrina Lopez is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist passionate about serving as a guide and support system for individuals and families to improve their overall quality of life. Mrs. Lopez has been in the helping field since 2016, where she primarily worked with at-promise youth, young adults, and families. Mrs. Lopez has worked as a school-based therapist with the Willliam S. Hart school district, where she gained experience working with adolescents with Autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Lauren Fractor is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who is passionate about working with teenagers, young adults and adults around a variety of life challenges. She works with clients from a humanistic and client-centered lens, making sure they feel supported, respected, and heard. She specializes in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships, and life transitions.

Lauren received her Masters in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Northridge (CSUN) in 2017. Lauren started working shortly after as an associate with the Hart School District for 3 years, as a school based therapist at Valencia High School. She realized that she had a passion for working with teenagers and wanted to support their autonomy as they navigate and prepare for adulthood.

Lauren works from a collaborative perspective and focuses on the relationship between client and therapist. Through empathy, self-awareness, and identifying client’s unique strengths, Lauren’s goal in working with clients is to support them from a non-judgmental perspective on life’s greatest challenges. Lauren’s primary modalities are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Brief (SBT), Strength Based and Person-Centered.

Tracie Tewksbury is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) as well as a certified addiction counselor (CATC -IV) who has been working in the mental health field for over 15 years.
She began her mental health work in the field of addiction working for some of the best-known and highly regarded treatment facilities in the Los Angeles area with a focus on the LGBTQ+ populations and the formerly incarcerated.

Tracie received her bachelor’s degree from Brandman University in Social Science with an emphasis on criminal justice and received her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University. She became a certified addiction treatment counselor in 2009 and became a licensed marriage and family therapist in 2016.

Tracie has extensive experience with addiction, ADHD, Autism, Depression, Anxiety, ODD, Conduct Disorders, Anger Management, as well as building social and academic competence. Tracie began her mental health training and experience working at some of the best treatment facilities in the Los Angeles area as well as local organizations such as The Child and Family Center of Santa Clarita, and the Hart School District. It was during her tenure with the Hart School District that she found her passion for working with teens.

Tracie is passionate about helping children, teens, adults, and their families become the strongest and best versions of themselves that they can be. She is especially focused on aiding teens to navigate the complicated and overwhelming situations that they face in today’s world. She is a client-centered therapist who utilizes many theoretical orientations and tools believing that treatment is not a “one size fits all” endeavor. She has extensive training and experience with psychodynamic play, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Seeking Safety (PTSD and Addiction Focused), and Solution Focused Therapy to name but a few. She believes that therapy is a collaborative relationship where healing starts by giving the client a place where they are heard, accepted, and supported while providing tools and education so the client can grow and thrive.

Ashley Duckgeischel is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has a deep desire to help adolescents, couples, and families navigate the challenges of life. She possesses the ability to meet people where they are, helping them feel heard and safe while starting the new relationship that begins in counseling.

Ashley graduated from Azusa Pacific University with her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She enjoys working with adolescents, adults, families, and couples helping them to manage and overcome symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma and personality disorders. Her experience of working for the Hart District gave Ashley a special love for working with students who have learning challenges, and severe emotional disturbance who daily experience stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
As each person is complex, Ashley’s goal is to assist those who are searching for practical help to find meaning and individual spirituality by applying their beliefs in their everyday lives. While increasing self-awareness and personal acceptance, she helps people at each stage of life gain a healthy, balanced perspective of who they are and realize their full potential. Ashley believes that meeting with her clients is a privilege and a calling. She aspires that each person she meets with will have a positive therapy experience.

Farnaz Salahi works at our Valencia, California clinic as our Director of Education Services in charge of the training and supervision of our in-home tutors. She works closely with our clinicians and psychologists with the goal of integrating cognitive, achievement, and emotional assessment findings into a cohesive, and effective specialized tutoring treatment plan. Farnaz has a Master’s of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology.

Traci is an administrative assistant in the California office.  Her career has always focused on helping people in some form from working with Comfort Keepers here in Santa Clarita, to assisting here at Early Life.  Traci has lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for the past 27 years and enjoys camping and spending time at the desert.  Most of all she enjoys spending time with her 2 yr old grandson.