Meet The Team

Mycah McNamara, MA, AMFT

Mycah is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #130810). She was born and raised in Michigan and moved to Chicago, Illinois where she received her Bachelors degree in Psychology (B.A.) from DePaul University. Mycah then moved to California where she received her Masters degree (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. 

While living in Chicago, Mycah volunteered at various sites gaining experiencing working with high risk children and adolescents. At these sites, Mycah worked in group settings to help decrease problematic behaviors (verbal/physical aggression, isolation, crossing boundaries).  Once in California, she continued her experience working with adolescents. Mycah worked at a residential facility that catered to 12-17 year-olds who were struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, bipolar disorders, family conflict, and PTSD. She also worked with adolescents who are gang affiliated and have been in and out of the system. Additional, Mycah is certified in advocacy for those struggling with domestic violence. 

Mycah uses an integrative approach when treating individuals or families. She believes that each situation or struggle is unique to each person that she treats. With that being said, she pulls mainly from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Humanistic Therapy, strength-based approaches, solution-focused techniques, and mindfulness practices.  

Mycah believes that is important for the family or individual receiving therapy to feel comfortable, safe and not judged throughout each session. She aims to create an environment that emits this by focusing on building trust, respect, and openness between both sides. Mycah will be there for wherever you or your loved ones are at in life’s adventure to help and support throughout. 

Mycah focuses on her own self-care by partaking in activities she enjoys deeply! She loves taking her pup to the dog park or long walks. You can find her writing poetry, hanging with friends, choreographing dances, or laying out in the sun on beautiful days! 

Mary Donaldson, MA, AMFT

Mary is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #126841). She graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s degree in both Psychology and English. She then earned a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California, where she also completed a Clinical Fellowship. 

At New Opportunities Organization (NOO), Mary worked with those navigating the transition out of prison and other system-impacted clients. This position challenged her to advocate for clients across several systems, while recognizing the complex trauma these systems reinforce. Later as a Clinical Fellow at USC Counseling and Mental Health, Mary gained extensive experience with crisis work and suicide prevention, and she especially enjoyed supporting students with their identity, relationships, anxiety, and life transitions. Since joining private practice last year, Mary continues to invest in the South Bay community through client advocacy and speaking engagements.

Mary offers in-person and online therapy to Teens, Adults, Romantic Partnerships, and Families, who are navigating…

• Relationships – building meaningful connections & healing from hurt
• Family – communicating needs and boundaries between roles and across generations
• Sense of Self – unpacking who you are, who you’ve been, and what you value
• Trauma – building safety in your mind and body to process at your own pace
• Anger – understanding its function and managing its impact
• Suicidal Thoughts – learning to self-soothe and keep yourself safe
• Substances – looking closer at their role in your past and present

Mary specializes in relationships – the ones between you and the world, you and others, you and yourself, and even the one between you and her. Research has shown that the best predictor of positive outcomes in therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. With this at the center of your work, her hope is for you to feel safe, supported, and understood.

Using Attachment-Based, Person-Centered, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral frameworks, Mary integrates interventions to meet your unique needs. She also uses a multicultural lens; this means she attends to cultural and systemic factors, such as race, gender, class, size, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and contexts of power, oppression, and privilege. With a collaborative and authentic approach, she’ll both challenge you and honor your pace. She’s not a fixer, but she will draw from evidence-based and trauma-informed care to help you help yourself.

Outside the office, you might find Mary… playing board games, Facetiming her sisters, thrifting for furniture she doesn’t have the space for, procrastinating laundry, playing soccer, becoming more like her mother, and asking to pet someone’s dog. 

Chris Calandra, MA, AMFT

Chris is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #129479). Born & raised in New England, Chris moved to Los Angeles and graduated from Antioch University Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s degree in Business & Psychology. He then earned his Master’s degree at Antioch University Los Angeles in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Addiction.

Chris began his therapeutic career working at Southern California Counseling Center (SCCC). While at SCCC, Chris worked with a diverse population of clients and furthered his education and training utilizing a client-centered therapeutic approach, applying techniques such as: Solution-focused therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative therapy, and the Gottman Method.

While at Tribute Counseling & Psychotherapy Services, Chris worked with kids (6-15), individual adults, couples and families where he employed similar techniques along with mindfulness based therapy, attachment theory, 12-step therapy and harm-reduction therapy.

Chris’ personal experiences identifying the benefits of therapy is a large reason why he became a therapist. Specifically, his passion advocating acceptance and vulnerability for men led him to create The Therapy Bro: A business with the central ideal that men have feelings outside of joy, hunger and anger, and the importance of expressing all emotions in a healthy, effective way. With a strong passion to help others in ways people helped him along his journey, he doesn’t approach therapy with an autonomous perspective. Instead, he employs a collaborative approach where the client is in the driver seat, and Chris is an attentive passenger.

In his spare time, Chris watches the Yankees, Falcons & AC Milan. On weekends, he plays as much golf as possible, as well as a charity softball league.

Hayley Willis, MA, AMFT

Hayley Willis (she/her) is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (#132776). She received her double Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and in Deaf Studies from California State University Northridge (CSUN), and received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Pepperdine University. Hayley is also a certified advocate for domestic violence survivors.

Hayley has gained experience working with at-risk youth and their families, including human trafficking survivors, incarcerated youth affiliated with gangs, where she facilitates groups, and individuals experiencing a range of symptoms, such as dissociative disorders, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, depression, PTSD, personality disorders, and substance use.

Hayley utilizes an integrative, strength-based approach, which includes narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, feminist therapy, and mindfulness techniques. Using an integrative approach allows Hayley to tailor treatment uniquely to the individual.

Being present with people during their most trying times and witnessing their transformation is what Hayley is most passionate about. Her goal is to give people a chance to be seen, to be heard, to utilize their unique strengths and resources, and to ultimately thrive.

Hayley’s free time and self-care mostly involves spending time outdoors. The mountains and forests are always calling her name. She also enjoys video games, going to the gym, laying on the beach, socializing with friends and family, and traveling (typically to Big Bear or the Redwood forests)!

David Samuel, Successful Mindset Coach & Spiritual Mentor

David is an American Singer/Songwriter, Producer, Author, Mental Performance Coach, Life Coach, Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, and Educator who has dedicated his life to exploring the human mind, heart, and spirit.

He has over 25 years of experience in coaching, counseling, and teaching various modalities of personal growth and spiritual development.

David is the founder & CEO of David Samuel Studios, and Soulcraft LLC a company that helps people transform their lives through abundance in professional endeavors, finances, relationships, health, and time.  He is also the creator of the highly acclaimed Successful Mindset Series.

His one-of-a-kind Successful Mindset Series has helped thousands of people create positive changes in their lives both personally and professionally by learning how to dream without limits and implementing a detailed personal strategy to execute and manifest those dreams into reality.

David will help you:

• Identify and clarify your vision, values, and mission in life
• Set and achieve realistic and meaningful goals that align with your true self
• Develop a positive mindset and attitude that will empower you to overcome any challenge (career, relationships, health/fitness, finances, etc)
• Learn effective strategies and techniques to manage your emotions, stress, and anxiety
• Discover and unleash your hidden potential and talents
• Enhance your self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-love
• Cultivate a deeper connection with yourself, others, and the universe
• Explore and expand your spirituality and awareness
• And much more!

David offers one-on-one coaching sessions, group coaching programs, online courses, workshops, retreats, and events.

He also provides free resources such as blogs, podcasts, videos, eBooks, and newsletters that will inspire and motivate you to live your best life.

David has custom tailored his Successful Mindset Series, that has helped so many professionals, to meet the growing needs of our Soul 2 Soul Healing, LLC clients.

Now introducing a Masterclass Coaching Program to support clients in taking their personal and professional goals to the next level.

He is a visionary leader whose hope is to inspire millions of people to awaken their true divine potential and live a more fulfilling and joyful life.

When David is not helping others in any way he possibly can, you will find him taking long walks in nature, playing guitar, painting, or recharging by taking trips to the mountains.

Niki Payne, MA, AMFT, CHT,

Niki is a native of South Bay Los Angeles and an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT#132012). She received her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles campus, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from California State University, Long Beach. She is also an honor’s graduate of, and associate staff instructor at, the nationally-accredited Hypnosis Motivation Institute where she studied Clinical Hypnotherapy for one year, including an intensive 6-month residency as a Hypnotherapy Intern.

Niki gained most of her clinical experience at Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse. There she worked with individuals to address addiction, trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression. Facilitating group programs has also been a part of her practice, with an emphasis on anger management and Nurturing Parenting® groups. She also volunteers at Peace Over Violence where she provides emotional support, advocacy, and referrals to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault as a Counselor Advocate on a local crisis hotline. Additionally, Niki has been trained and certified in clinical hypnotherapy, also known as therapeutic hypnosis, a form of therapy that engages the subconscious mind to create lasting changes in the way we think, feel, and behave.

She has a particular interest in how couples navigate and negotiate consensual nonmonogamy. Together, you and Niki can explore the terrains of your innermost thoughts to better understand yourself in the context of your most intimate relationships, especially the one you have with yourself. By doing so, Niki can help you develop the coping skills you need to lay personal insecurities to rest while handling everyday challenges with confidence and self-compassion.

Niki’s treatment style is rooted in depth psychology and includes an intuitive mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), positive psychology, family systems, and guided imagery practices. She also draws from dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). She uses a values-aligned and strengths-based approach to building trust and creating safety in the therapeutic relationship with respect to your specific concerns.

Whether you have been impacted by past trauma, relational distress, occupational burnout, or other significant life changes, Niki will work with you to improve your mood, relationships, and habits in support of your mental health and overall wellbeing.

During her free time, Niki enjoys singing, practicing yoga, connecting with friends, and learning about the world through music, film, art, and travel.

Daniel Ahearn, MA, AMFT

Daniel (he/him), is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT#126613) (supervised by Elizabeth Cannom Fong, LCSW LIC #22048) with a counseling degree in addiction (CADAC). Daniel started Pthwrk in 2015 to share meditation practice and counseling with at-risk populations in treatment centers, trauma clinics, jails, prisons, hospice and private practice. He enjoys working with teens, adults, couples and families.

As a facilitator, Daniel offers mindfulness/meditation training. His perspective is formed from a synthesis of Attachment theory, Neurology, Buddhist strategies, Spiritual and Depth Psychology and the social justice framing of Applied Community Psychology. The modality he mainly works with is the 3 Pillar mode of Attachment Repair, which is often called IPF (Ideal Parent Figure).

He has over 18 years of meditation studies and an undergraduate degree in Poetry/Philosophy from Sarah Lawrence College.  Currently, Daniel is pursuing his doctorate (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica. He pulls from his experience in the arts as well as psychology, and the session work he does is guided by a collaboration discerning what is needed. Therapeutic work is an evolving experience that lives in the space between science and the humanities, and his work strives for this balance.

Daniel’s community based work includes being co-founder of the Wellness Community Your Zen Life with Teresa Palmer and Mark Webber, and working with a non-profit organization called Peanut Butter Sundays.