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! 

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.

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)!

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.