Our Allied Professionals Team
Bernadette Di Toro, Pys.D.
Dr. Di Toro is a CA-licensed Clinical Psychologist and Gerontologist (Aging specialist). She is integrative in her approach and works with children, adolescents, individuals, couples and families. Dr. DI Toro earned a Bachelor degree from Lehigh University in psychology, anthropology, and health and human development, a Master's of Science degree from San Diego State University in Gerontology, a Master's of Arts degree and Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. She has specializations working with complex trauma, nutritional psychology, and the impact of immersive experiences in nature on mental health and overall well -being. Her experience includes forensic work, Alzheimer's Disease research at UCSD, and she has been learning and working within the field of mental health in academic, research and clinical settings for over 25 years. Dr. Di Toro spent almost 10 years in clinical drug research of psychiatric and central nervous system medications and this experience served to motivate her toward more efficacious approaches to treat mental disorders from a whole-person perspective and harm reduction approaches to treatment. She seeks to inspire and empower each person she encounters to become their own healers utilizing holistic practices such as Mindfulness-Based therapies and nutritional therapies to include a complete approach to emotional, mental, somatic and spiritual healing. She seeks to support and inspire each individual to come into alignment through their realizations of self -understanding, identification and impact of traumatic experiences and early conditioning, increasing their overall sense of peace, joy ,and personal fulfillment in their lives. Dr. Di Toro has an intuitive approach to understanding people and the world around her. Her other interests include plants, regenerative agriculture, somatic healing therapies, nature, art and music therapies, breathwork, and psychonutrition (the effect of diet and nutrition on microbiome health and emotional and mental health. She has worked to rehabilitate trauma dogs over the past 15 years and her latest adoptees are twin pups (brother and sister) Oyster and Pearl.
Education
Psy.D in Clinical Psychology - California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University
M.S. in Clinical Psychology - California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University
M.A. in Science Gerontology - San Diego State University
B.A. in Psychology - Lehigh University
Erinn Askin, M.A. - Licensed Occupational Therapist
Erinn Askin, a distinguished Pediatric Occupational Therapist, has dedicated her career to aiding children in overcoming physical impairments, injuries, developmental delays, and other challenges that may hinder their ability to perform age-appropriate tasks and progress through common developmental phases. At the heart of pediatric occupational therapy, Erinn's work focuses on nurturing the essential skills children need to grow into healthy, independent adults. From mastering self-care routines to developing social skills, her approach is holistic and child-centered, emphasizing a comprehensive evaluation of each child's unique needs.
Erinn's journey into occupational therapy is marked by her extensive certifications and specialized training, making her a leading expert in her field. Among her qualifications are her status as an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS), certification in Handwriting Without Tears, Interactive Metronome, SOS Feeding Therapy, and expertise in sensory processing and motor planning, to name a few. These credentials reflect her commitment to employing a wide range of therapeutic techniques tailored to each child's needs. Erinn specializes in seeing children from the ages of 6-12 years of age.
Her services include a; therapeutic preschool preparatory program, early intervention for children aged 0-3, and successful interventions for children diagnosed with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Additionally, the incorporation of biofeedback and ADHD coaching into its therapeutic repertoire underscores the clinic's holistic and multifaceted approach to pediatric care.
Perhaps most notably, she offers therapeutic surfing, an inventive method that leverages the physical, sensory, and emotional benefits of surfing to support children's developmental progress. This unique approach highlights the clinic's dedication to exploring and integrating unconventional therapeutic modalities that enrich the therapy experience and foster holistic development.
Our Allied Professionals Team
Dr. Stephanie Davis, Ph.D.
Dr. Stephanie Davis is a licensed Counseling Psychologist, with a specialization in anxiety disorders, OCD, ARFID, and misophonia. She received her doctoral degree from Brigham Young University (BYU), where she cultivated a deep interest and specialization in anxiety concerns from a young age. Dr. Davis has pursued extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), guided by supervisors renowned in these methodologies.
Throughout her academic and professional journey, Dr. Davis has dedicated significant effort to working with children through adult populations, with a particular focus on the young adult demographic within university settings. Her experience spans roles as a mental health counselor at Brigham Young University, Texas A&M University, and St. Edward’s University. She has led numerous anxiety and OCD groups, provided supervision to graduate students in clinical work, and oversaw a university crisis hotline, enhancing her skills in navigating young adults through their anxiety and life decisions.
Following her passion for anxiety disorders and OCD, Dr. Davis completed a secondary post-doctoral training at the Orange County Anxiety Center, where she honed her expertise over five years. Her practice encompasses a broad spectrum of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, specific phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, ARFID, and misophonia. She maintains a collaborative relationship with the center, often referring individuals for in-person work when appropriate.
Dr. Davis’s research endeavors have significantly contributed to the field, focusing on the identification and treatment of mental health concerns in childhood and adolescence. Her undergraduate and graduate research explored the impact of parental symptoms, stress, and motivation on youth treatment outcomes, and developed efficient methodologies for identifying at-risk youth with anxiety and depressive disorders in middle schools.
An active participant in the anxiety and OCD community, Dr. Davis stays abreast of the latest research, participates in consult groups, and regularly presents at conferences and community events. Her selected presentations cover a range of topics, from family accommodation in OCD and anxiety to innovative treatments like I-CBT for OCD. Dr. Davis is certified through the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, the premier OCD training program of the International OCD Foundation.
Beyond her professional accolades, Dr. Davis values creating an empathetic environment where individuals can comfortably share and collaborate on their journey towards wellness. Born and raised in Orange County, she enjoys spending time outside of work with her husband and three children, indulging in reading, outdoor activities, and exploring new gadgets.
Dr. Stephanie Davis is not just a clinician but a compassionate advocate for her clients, dedicating her career to empowering individuals with anxiety and OCD to lead fulfilling lives.
Patricia Zielenski, MA, LMFT Certified EMDR Therapist
Patricia Zielenski's journey into the world of therapy was fueled by a bold decision to leave a successful career in marketing and sales behind and follow her heart. Her passion for helping others led her to Azusa Pacific University, where she earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and subsequently became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Located in Mission Viejo, CA, Patricia's private practice serves individuals, couples, and families of all ages, including children, teens, and seniors. Before venturing into private practice, she amassed a wealth of experience working in various settings such as psychiatric hospitals, domestic violence shelters, grief support organizations, the Orange County foster care system, and inpatient and outpatient counseling centers. This diverse background has equipped Patricia with a deep understanding of the complex dynamics that affect mental and emotional well-being.
As an active member of the Orange County Trauma Resource Network, Patricia dedicates her time to volunteering and assisting individuals in the community who have experienced traumatic events. She is also involved in several professional organizations, hosts and participates in consultation groups with peers, and mentors students pursuing careers in therapy.
Beyond her professional life, Patricia is a devoted wife and mother to two adult daughters and two beloved dogs, whom she affectionately considers part of the family. Inspired by the time spent reading to her daughters during their childhood, Patricia authored and published two children's books that address grief and self-esteem. Her work caught the attention of Dr. Laura, who featured and promoted one of her books on her radio show.
Patricia's faith and family are the cornerstones of her life, providing her with the foundation and support needed for her demanding but rewarding work.