Meet the Team at Pacific Mind Health
The team at Pacific Mind Health is uniquely built to provide a range of mental health services. Comprised of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, therapists, nurses, patient care coordinators, and treatment technicians, Pacific Mind Health can provide all necessary evaluations and therapies from a single office. Our providers are also specialized in telepsychiatry, which adds an extra element of convenience for our patients.
Joshua Flatow, MD
Medical Director and Chief Psychiatrist
Medical Director and Chief Psychiatrist
Dr. Flatow is a board-certified psychiatrist who trained at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and completed Medical School at Medical College of Georgia. His experience includes crisis stabilization in the emergency setting, inpatient management, outpatient medication management, psychotherapy, and substance abuse treatment. He is certified in the administration of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Deep-Brain Theta Stimulation, and Ketamine infusions. Dr. Flatow is warm, compassionate, and enjoys working with his patients. He uses a collaborative, non-judgmental approach and is an outstanding listener.
Assal Tavakoli, MPAS, PA-C
Psychiatric Physician Assistant Assal is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in psychiatry with a diverse background working in a variety of clinical settings, including family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and urgent care. Assal graduated from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Healthcare and Social Issues. She later received her Master’s from Case Western Reserve University in PA studies while completing her clinicals at the Cleveland Clinic. Assal enjoys working with her patients directly to understand their goals with a strong sense of compassion and empathy.
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Alexandra Presler, MPAS, PA-C
Psychiatric Physician Assistant Alex is a board certified Psychiatric Physician Assistant with experience in inpatient and outpatient psychiatry. Alex was drawn to psychiatry because she deeply values taking the time to connect with her patients. She uses a holistic approach; taking into account environmental, biological, and social factors that all play a role in mental wellness. Alex got her Bachelor’s degree in Physiology from the University of Arizona and graduated from Northern Arizona University’s Physician Assistant program in 2015. She moved from Phoenix to SoCal in 2020 and has loved exploring the trails and the food scene in and around LA.
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Martina Nankivell, PA-C
Psychiatric Physician Assistant As a board certified physician assistant, Martina is passionate about helping people live their best life now. Martina is known for being an empathetic provider, a good listener and a caring practitioner. She received her physician assistant Master of Medical Science from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Martina is a Southern California native who is fluent in Spanish and has over a decade of experience working as a physician assistant. She is committed to coming alongside her patients to assist them in achieving a healthy mental and emotional state, to help them thrive and attain a better quality of life.
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Esther Choi, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Esther is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, who is passionate about reducing mental health stigma and improving mental health literacy among different subpopulation groups. She enjoys building intentional relationships and working collaboratively with her clients to devise a treatment modality that is tailored to meet their needs. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health Policy at the University of California, Irvine and both her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctorate in Nursing Practice at the University of Arizona. She currently teaches nursing students as a faculty adjunct and loves to travel.
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Simon Ordonez, PA-C
Psychiatric Physician Assistant Simon Ordonez, PA-C, is a Dallas, TX native who graduated in 2016 with his Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. As a Certified Physician Assistant (or Associate since they recently changed the name), Simon has spent the last five years practicing psychiatric medicine for a private practice in Dallas. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his daughter, taking his dog on walks, exercising, and reading science fiction novels.
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Mae Caragay, PA-C, MMS
Psychiatric Physician Assistant My name is Mae Caragay and I'm a Psychiatric Physician Assistant. I've practiced in the field of psychiatry for the past 6 years and before in family medicine for 7 years. I absolutely loved participating in medical missions in Mexico and the Philippines giving free healthcare services to the underserved population. I grew up in Northern California and am now raising my 2 daughters in Orange County.
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Nazish Siddiqui, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Nazish obtained her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and completed her Master of Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Wayne State University. She most recently worked at Dartmouth University Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. She has also worked in a variety of settings including inpatient, private practice, and partial hospitalization programs. She will be working in our Downtown Long Beach office to see patients in-person and assist with our Ketamine program. She is friendly, warm, non-judgmental, and a wonderful personality!
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Christine Lafferty, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Christine Lafferty is a Nurse Practitioner (NP) dually certified in Psychiatric Mental Health and Pediatric acute care. She is passionate about incorporating mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, sleep hygiene, and other complementary therapies into her practice to help her clients achieve their optimal level of thriving. Christine has over 8 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in community based clinics, academic medical centers and inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Christine earned a Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania and a Post Master's Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health at Duke University. Christine loves spending time with friends and family at the beach, listening to Taylor Swift music and loving all the food that LA has to offer.
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Veronica Ramirez, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Veronica Ramirez is a nurse practitioner (NP) certified in primary care and psychiatric mental health. Veronica has a passion for helping individuals live a meaningful life, she is fluent in Spanish. Veronica has held NP positions in primary care, urgent care, employee health, research and addiction medicine. Veronica earned a Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Post Master's Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA).
Veronica Calkins, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Supervising Clinical Psychotherapist A Licensed Psychotherapist specializing in trauma, crisis, grief, anxiety, depression, and relationships. Veronica provides an empathetic and caring environment to work through challenges without judgment. Veronica obtained her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology and Master’s in Social Welfare at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
She is trained in CBT, DBT, and family and couples therapy. She is also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the administration of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Deep-Brain Theta Stimulation. Veronica is also a pioneer and clinical instructor in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAT). She is an expert consultant and Board of Behavioral Sciences clinical supervisor. Her work and training includes Harbor UCLA, Men and Women’s Jail, Kaiser Permanente, and the Los Angeles County Psychiatric Mobile Response Team. |
Bahareh Saidian, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Psychotherapist Bahareh is a licensed psychotherapist with more than 20 years experience with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings. She has worked in schools, forensic settings, residential treatment, and outpatient mental health treatment.
Bahareh obtained her Bachelor in Arts in Psychology from California State University Fullerton and obtained her Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She specializes in addiction-related issues (addiction, transition from residential treatment, family support), adolescents and parenting, codependency, relationship issues, depression, trauma, anxiety, life stressors, and grief/loss. She is a Grief Recovery Specialist where treatment is focused on helping grievers deal with the pain of emotional loss in any relationship. Her experience has taught her to be patient and trust the process. She firmly believes that successful treatment involves creating a safe space for patients with empathy, authenticity, and compassion. |
Kali Riley, LCSW, CATP, CGP
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Psychotherapist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Psychotherapist
Kali is a Licensed Psychotherapist who obtained her Bachelor's of Social Work and Master's of Social Work at the University of Southern Indiana. Kali specializes in adolescents and adults with trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and grief. Kali is a Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional (CATP) and Certified Grief Informed Professional (CGP).
Some modalities Kali is trained in are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Individual Family Systems (IFS). Kali believes that each client is unique and requires an individualized treatment approach. She has worked with diverse populations and in multiple settings such as school, outpatient, home-based, and teletherapy.
Kali is passionate about building trust and connection with her patients in order to provide a safe and secure space that allows for the healing journey.
Some modalities Kali is trained in are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Individual Family Systems (IFS). Kali believes that each client is unique and requires an individualized treatment approach. She has worked with diverse populations and in multiple settings such as school, outpatient, home-based, and teletherapy.
Kali is passionate about building trust and connection with her patients in order to provide a safe and secure space that allows for the healing journey.
Associate Psychotherapists & Clinical Interns
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Alysia St. Clair, ACSW
Associate Clinical Psychotherapist 
Therapy Specialization: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Carly Compton, ACSW
Associate Clinical Psychotherapist 
Therapy Specialization: Body image, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Briana Barrera, ACSW
Associate Clinical Psychotherapist 
Therapy Specialization: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic
Yasmine Shahbaz, ACSW
Associate Clinical Psychotherapist 
Therapy Specialization: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Brainspotting
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Cristina Lee-Castro
Psychotherapy Master's Intern
Psychotherapy Master's Intern
Therapy modalities: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), FLASH Therapy for Trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)