Affordable, Effective Counseling:
Improve Your Mood & Reach Your Goals
Life Achievement Center
Helping You to Improve Your Mood & Reach Your Goals
Our mission is to provide effective, affordable, mental health and skill building services. We operate with a holistic approach inclusive of the body, mind and spirit. Our goal is to empower anxious, depressed, and traumatized individuals to achieve their fullest potential through collaborative work with experienced supervised mental health associates working toward licensure.
Our Staff
At Life Achievement Center we provide quality supervision in a multi-cultural environment that enhances our associate’s clinical and administrative growth while on the path to licensure. Through experience and training the Associate is encouraged to identify an area of interest that may lead to specialization.
Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” - Booker T. Washington
In the 1980's with a new Master’s degree in Social Work from USC I had a dream of continuing my work of helping others through providing mental health services. I was a dreamer and although I was not the smartest kid in the class, and definitely not business savvy, I did exceed in one thing: a strong passion to be of help to those in need. I opened Life Focus Center in order to do just that.
One day, Aaron T. Beck, M.D., father of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) came to town, and he and his young protege, Christine Padesky, PhD. spoke to us about his new therapy. I was smitten. It made sense. Christine Padesky offered a nine month course on CBT and I signed up to learn more. At the end of the course I took part in her ongoing CBT supervision group for licensed therapists for several years.
Our founder shares her story, Dr. Elaine Kindle
_edited.jpg)
In the early 90's at a clinical therapists meeting, I heard about a new therapy that had to do with moving your eyes back and forth and presto a change happened! Well you might just guess what my automatic thoughts were about that. Dubious.
This new therapy was called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) begun by Francine Shapiro. Have you ever noticed that we tend to remember weird stuff? So too, it got tucked somewhere in my brain, life went on.
As Life Focus Center grew, someone asked me when I was going to get my Ph.D. Me?!? You must be kidding. Themes of core beliefs overflowed – you might know exactly what I mean…
"I'm not smart enough", "not good enough" underscored (of course) with logical worries? How will I manage five years of full-time school and keep Life Focus Center running?
Good ol' core beliefs blocking the path...
Then it hit me: I didn't need to know all the answers. I just needed to take it one day at a time. One foot in front of the other, slowly and steadily, one class at a time, one semester at a time...
I pushed through my fears and doubts and returned to school for my PhD in Clinical Psychology.
But what does that have to do with EMDR?
“Let us do something, while we have the chance!...At this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Let us make the most of it, before it is too late!” - Samuel Beckett
In the second year we were told we had to attend mandatory counseling. You might guess, and you'd be right, more unkind automatic thoughts followed that announcement. At the same time, we had a major exam to conquer to move into the PhD part of the program. I figured if I had to go to counseling I'd find someone trained in EMDR and find out for myself what it was all about. After all, I had heard it helped with anxiety and I excelled in exam anxiety!
If I had to go to counseling, I was determined to get a "two-fer" out of it :
1) Find out about EMDR
2) Get help with my exam anxiety
I was fortunate to find a person trained in EMDR and it was Francine Shapiro herself! SO off I went for my "two-fer", and a "two-fer" it turned out to be!
I passed my exam! I got my mandatory counseling done! But I also noticed that some other disturbances that had come up during the eye movements had gone away! I guess that made it a "three-fer"!
I went on to get trained in EMDR myself, all the way through the consultant level so that I can supervise EMDR practitioners moving up through their training. In 1997 I graduated with a PhD from California School of Professional Psychology (later renamed Alliant International University)! Not only that, but Life Focus Center was still standing, maybe a bit shaky, but standing.
Being someone who loves to help others succeed, I wanted to teach as well. After all, if I could get through school while seeing clients, I certainly could teach a class. In 2000, I became an adjunct at Alliant International University until 2013. Primarily, I taught CBT but I also sat in on many student dissertation and oral exam committees that were required for students to move to the next level. I learned so much from my students and have a deep love for many of them and still in contact with them today.
I share this story, to demonstrate that helping others is core to my life. We do not need to be "The Best" or "The Smartest" we just need to step out in faith, with passion and courage and the rest will fall in line.
You really can become better than you thought possible!
This is and has been a central tenant at Life Focus Center, and now, Life Achievement Center. We welcome all. We welcome and are accepting of all kinds of people. We are here to help you move forward in challenging your self on your journey to becoming more...
“One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.” -Thich Nhat Hanh
Our Therapists
Dr. Elaine Kindle, Ph.D, LCSW, Board Certified Diplomat
Clinical:
My approach is holistic which recognizes the interconnection among mind-body-spirit within each individual and within the larger context of our environments. Within that framework, CBT, EMDR, and Positive Therapy are powerful therapies for helping you reach your goals in the least amount of time. If you are experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety and feel you are not reaching your potential, please give us a call. I am a consultant level EMDR Practitioner & a Certified Trauma Specialist.
Clinical Supervision:
I provide Clinical Supervision to Master level Associates seeking to complete their hours toward licensure within a framework of evidence-based practices to insure professional growth.
I was Adjunct Faculty for 12 years at Alliant International University teaching CBT, Clinical Interviewing, and Professional Roles to PhD and PsyD students and sat on many doctoral dissertation committees and as an examiner for oral exams.
Theresa Mary Offenback, MA Marriage & Family Therapy; LMFT Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Theresa Mary has over 8 years of experience as a therapist working with clients from children to seniors, hospice patients & their families, individuals, and families. She received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of California Riverside in 2006 and Master’s Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute in 2012. Theresa works with many diverse and ethnic populations. She is experienced with clients suffering from drug addiction participating in medication assisted treatment for 4 years. She is also a Certified Infant Massage Instructor that helps parents improve parenting skills and bonding through massage. Theresa incorporates an eclectic approach of therapy specializing and utilizing Cognitive-Behavioral and Solution Focused Therapy techniques. Theresa employs a humanistic / person-centered approach in order to motivate the client toward his/her goals and become accountable for his/her own behavior(s).
As an extension of her work, Theresa shares her knowledge of additional community resources with clients as a further means of assistance. These resources and additional referrals are offered in order to further empower the client and assure a positive outcome and experience from the therapeutic relationship.
Theresa embraces respect for each client; high standards and ethics of practice; and uses the most effective treatment methods to help individuals and their families survive, recover, and deepen personal awareness of life’s challenges.
Jane Wang,
M. Psych. Clinical Psychology
Jane holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College in Illinois. She has worked as a Field-based VOC Therapist where she counseled teen and adult crime victims providing trauma therapy to promote healing and recovery. Jane has led court-ordered classes for anger management and parenting for individuals in high conflict cases and co-managed the Seeking Safety group for clients with substance abuse problems. Jane interned at West Angeles Counseling Center where she worked with clients from diverse backgrounds and cultures and integrated spiritual and psychological practices for improved outcomes.
Colleen Ohlman is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Life Focus Center. She completed her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling and is working toward her hours for licensure. Colleen received her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and enjoyed teaching young children for many years.
Today Colleen’s focus is working with young children, adolescents, teens and young adults with the difficult issues that they navigate through those years. She feels that her background in education and her experience with children can be very helpful to our struggling youth. She is also available to work with parents who are having trouble connecting with or parenting their children who may be lashing out or withdrawing. Colleen has experience working with clients in the LGBTQ community and clients with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, low self-esteem, self-harm and more. Colleen has found that an empathetic, non-judgmental and affirming approach empowers and motivates the client in the therapeutic process. She enjoys volunteering her time at numerous philanthropies throughout the surrounding area. She especially enjoys her work with the National Charity League and the Special Olympics of Southern California.
Colleen has been married for 23 years and is the mother of three wonderful children. She enjoys volunteering her time at numerous philanthropies throughout the surrounding area, spoiling her two dogs, traveling and spending time with her family.
If your child or teen is struggling, connect with Colleen now.
Fun fact: She spent the night in Dracula’s castle in Transylvania, Romania as a contestant on a reality show! :-) She also tried out to be on Survivor, but wasn’t chosen. Colleen loves adventure!
Colleen Ohlman, MA Professional Counseling; APCC Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Tanya Bartholomew, B.S. Psychology;
PCCT Professional Clinical Counselor Trainee
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein
My Child has Anxiety Workshop
A sense for what my child is feeling…
●Understanding how your child feels
●Identifying triggers
●How a parent can help
●Coping skills
●Gaining support
Tanya Bartholomew received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has extensive experience with children of all ages. Her experience includes teaching, raising her own children, and when not working on her degree, she works in school administration. She is often called into classrooms during a crisis to assist in de-escalation with coping skills for students with special needs.
She also was a counselor at McKinley Children’s Center where she participated in group therapy, family therapy, crisis intervention. She also has worked at Pacific Clinic’s outpatient facility where her work included art therapy. With all her experience, it is not wonder she currently is working towards her master’s degree in social work at Grand Canyon University.
It is our good fortune to have Tanya begin work counseling children and adults at Life Achievement Center, Inc.,(LAC) the non-profit arm of Life Focus Center that has been serving the Community since 1981. LAC is a diversity- oriented practice: all are welcome.
Tanya will work under supervision with clients of all ages who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma, primarily with evidence-based therapies/methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy including Trauma-focused CBT, Dialectical behavior therapy, Motivational Interviewing For clients interested, Tanya also will be working with faith-based therapy to allow healing through God, worship and scripture. Tanya also will be providing brief workshops in person and on line for adults and for children.
Look for interesting and relevant upcoming parenting workshops, goal setting workshops for adolescents and adults!
Join Tanya on her journey! We look forward to having her be part of the team of amazing, talented, and diverse women of Life Focus Center and Life Achievement Center. Please give us a call now if we can assist you.
Welcome, Daisy!
Daisy's focus is to provide supportive counseling to anyone experiencing difficult life challenges. Her goal is to create a safe space where all can feel free to talk about their feelings, struggles and how to create a positive change in their life.
Daisy is a bilingual (English/ Spanish) pre-licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in the medical and mental health field. She has experience in working with post-partum depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, caregivers, geriatric therapy, and end- of- life/grief.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Daisy, please call us at 626-330-7990 and leave your phone number and/or email so Daisy can get in touch with you. She looks forward to helping you achieve more in life. Appointments are available virtually and in person.
Daisy Rios MSW, ACSW Associate Clinical Social Worker
Jessica Carrillo BS, Human Development & Family Studies; PCCT, Professional Clinical Counselor Trainee
Welcome, Jessica!
Jessica Carrillo obtained her B.S. degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Hope International University and has been teaching preschool for the past eight years. In addition to teaching, she currently is pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University.
At Life Achievement Center, Jessica works with children who are experiencing life challenges such as separation anxiety, sadness, ADHD, behavioral and family issues.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Jessica, please call us at 626-330-7990 and leave your phone number and/or email so Jessica can get in touch with you. She looks forward to helping you and your children. Appointments are available virtually and in person.
Anasa holds two master’s degrees in social work and public health from the University of Southern California. Over the past 7 years, Anasa has been working in administrative, managerial, and clinical roles in the mental health and substance use realms. As a child, Anasa knew she wanted to work in mental health and many years later, here she is! Anasa feels honored to be in the mental health field and believes that God has placed her in a unique position to not only to provide direct services and understand the needs of clients, but to translate that into workflows, manuals, and policies to help organizations run effectively and efficiently, for the greater community being served.
_edited.jpg)
Anasa Billingsly, MSW/MPH Clinical Operations Consultant
