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BREN M. CHASSE, FOUNDER & LMFT

Therapist in Pasadena, California

Bren is a leading therapist in Pasadena, California, who specializes in working with clients that have experienced trauma. In conjunction to her psychodynamic approach, Bren is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which allows clients to rapidly process the trauma of their past and regain a feeling of control over intrusive traumatic memories, feelings of dissociation or disconnection with their body, and re-establish a feeling of being fully embodied.  In addition to being EMDR certified, Bren has trained at the master level in Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR), and is an Approved Consultant by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). Bren places great value on the neurophysiology of trauma. Specifically, Bren believes that effective trauma work requires a concrete understanding for the bidirectional impact of trauma on the brain-body connection, particularly through the vagus nerve.

Complimenting her work with trauma, Bren specializes in working with children and families experiencing high-conflict divorce, family violence, and those with DCFS and family court involvement. Further, Bren has worked extensively on high-profile cases, that, by their very nature, require a level of understanding of the legal system that can, otherwise be challenging to find within the field of psychology. Additionally, Bren has been a guest lecturer at several universities, clinical organizations, and the Department of Mental Health (DMH).

Bren is a licensed marriage and family therapist who provides in-person and telehealth sessions. Bren works with individuals of all ages and has specialized training in working with children 0-5 years of age. Bren provides her clients with a safe space to explore their past experiences, gain greater insight into the impact of those experiences, strengthen their relationships, increase resilience, and heal the painful wounds of their past.

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ALISON LIEBER, AMFT

Marriage and Family Therapist in Pasadena, California

Alison is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #136606 in Pasadena, California, specializing in infant and child development, parenting, high-conflict family dynamics, narcissistic abuse, and complex trauma.  Working from an attachment-based lens, Alison is passionate about supporting families and children experiencing conflict and a variety of stressors, including high conflict family dynamics.

 Alison has a strong appreciation for the mind-body relationship and holistic healing, and integrates mindfulness, self-regulation, and other somatic-based modalities throughout her clinical work.  Alison is trained in both EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and Brainspotting, which she interweaves along with mindfulness practices and somatic-based training in her work with children of all ages, adults, couples, and families.  

 In addition to her work above, Alison has extensive experience providing LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy.  Alison believes providing a safe and affirming environment is critical to providing clients with the space necessary for them to begin to process past trauma and address the challenges preventing them from building the life and affirming relationships they seek.

Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Alison worked for many years at a preschool, where she developed a unique appreciation for the way in which children express their thoughts, feelings, and how they respond to critical life events.  Alison brings a warm demeanor to the therapeutic relationship.  With a background in music, she employs a creative, intuitive, empathic, and integrative approach, which can include a blend of songs, art, play and narrative work.  Alison meets clients where they are at and creates a welcoming and cozy atmosphere where all clients can safely explore their inner worlds. Recognizing the therapeutic relationship is a sacred and heartfelt bond, Alison is committed to being a partner in healing along with her clients. She strives to help her clients find their voice, increase inner peace, and build the skills to cope with the ups and downs of life. Alison is currently providing in-person and telehealth services, and is supervised by Bren M. Chasse, LMFT #94662.

DANIELLE PALOMARES, AMFT

Marriage and Family Therapist in Pasadena, California

Danielle Palomares is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #137663 based in Pasadena, CA, specializing in trauma, C-PTSD, sexual and domestic violence, couple’s work, and LGBTQIA+ issues, including consensual non-monogamy, sexuality, gender, and identity. With over 15 years of experience as a musician, educator, and coach, Danielle found her way to psychotherapy through providing emotion-focused music education to clients of all ages. Through this work, she discovered the therapeutic value of somatic body-based practices, such as music, for processing difficult emotions, life experiences, and trauma.

Danielle adopts a creative, integrative, and trauma-informed approach, tailoring therapy to each client’s unique needs, while affirming that her clients are the experts of their own lives. Drawing on her background in trauma and music, Danielle has a deep appreciation for the fact that humans often grapple with conflicting feelings, beliefs, and parts. To help clients navigate these complex internal dynamics, Danielle often adopts an Internal Family Systems (IFS) lens, working with the symphony of internal voices, critics, and inner children that can fan cognitive dissonance, confusion, and pain. She invites clients to reflect on attachments and childhood experiences that may have contributed to the creation of core belief narratives that they long to unpack and re-author. These narratives often include assumed and prescribed beliefs around gender, ethnicity, identity, sexuality, relationship structures, boundaries, and tradition.

In addition to talk therapy, Danielle incorporates Eye Motion Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), music interventions, grounding practices, Havening, and guided meditations in sessions. For clients with C-PTSD, trauma histories, and survivors of abuse, somatic practices are helpful in addressing symptoms like dissociation, hypervigilance, and dysregulation, and can help clients anchor into their bodies.  Danielle beautifully integrates her passion for clinical work with her love for music through her Music Processing Group.

Danielle enjoys working with clients of all ages and backgrounds, and has a particular passion for couples and polycules navigating relationship dynamics, survivors, performing artists, creatives, and medical professionals and their families.  Danielle is supervised by Bren Chasse, LMFT #94662 and is currently accepting clients in-person and telehealth. 

LAYLA SUMMERS, AMFT

Marriage and Family Therapist in Pasadena, California

Layla is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #139715 based in Pasadena, CA, specializing in providing compassionate care for children, teens, adults, high-conflict family dynamics, and court-involved families. With a primary focus on child trauma, including child sexual abuse, high-conflict custody and divorce cases, intimate partner violence, and emotional abuse and neglect, Layla is dedicated to helping her clients process and heal from their painful experiences. Through her strengths in creating a warm and accepting environment, Layla ensures that her clients have the space they need to navigate their journey towards healing.

Layla’s passion lies in understanding the intricate relationship between neurophysiology, neurodevelopment, and trauma. She believes in the power of psychodynamic and attachment-based therapies to promote deep healing and personal growth. Layla’s unique background includes a California bar license and 16 years of experience as an attorney, where she ran her own law practice specializing in high-conflict custody and child abuse cases. This experience equips her with invaluable insights into the family court and DCFS systems, which greatly benefits her work with children and families navigating these complex systems. With a foundation in community mental health and her prior role working closely with the Department of Mental Health, Layla possesses a deep understanding of the mental health landscape and its intersection with DCFS and the Court, allowing her to provide holistic and comprehensive support to her clients. 

Layla’s expertise extends to various therapeutic modalities, including previous training in 0-5 therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), and current training in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), developed by Dr. Bruce Perry. This specialized training enhances Layla’s ability to provide tailored and effective interventions for her clients.

Layla is committed to empowering her clients to reclaim their lives, heal from their past traumas, and build healthier, more fulfilling futures. She looks forward to working collaboratively with individuals and families on their unique paths to growth and well-being. Layla is supervised by Bren M. Chasse, LMFT #94662 and is currently providing in-person and telehealth services.