Meet Our Therapists

Areas of Expertise: Couples & Relationships • ADHD • Overcoming Shame

I am Kat Valentine (she/they) and I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working under the supervision of Pam Shaffer LMFT #91321. I am a LGBTQIA+, kink, and non-monogamy-affirmative therapist, who provides online therapy for adults, romantic partners, and chosen family.  I specialize in empowering people to work through shame, anxiety, depression, ADHD, coming out, and relational issues. I take a humanist, collaborative, attachment-focused approach in my therapeutic work and believe it’s often useful to examine the stories we tell about ourselves and our relationships in order to weave new narratives that better serve us. Currently, I am working towards becoming a certified Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT) and have completed my EFT Core Skills Training. 

AMFT #131427

Areas of Expertise: Chronic Illness & Chronic Pain • Grief & Loss • Life Transitions

I am Allyson Byers (she/her) and I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist under the supervision of Pam Shaffer LMFT #91321 and I provide online therapy to both individuals and couples in California. I work with couples and those in platonic relationships in all different stages—maybe you and your partner(s) want a dedicated space and time to connect and focus on your relationship or would like to work through challenges and issues as they arise or you’re going through a major life transition (like a new health diagnosis or moving in together) and need some additional support. Maybe you’re interested in opening up your relationship and want to explore ethical non-monogamy or polyamory. Or you and your best friend had some recent ruptures you’d like to try and repair with the help of someone else. That’s where I come in.

Relationships of all kinds—whether they are romantic or platonic—are more important than ever given the current state of the world. We heal in relation to others. But sometimes these relationships can cause pain, stress, and even trauma. I am an active therapist in the room, which means I like to provide psychoeducation when appropriate and gently challenge my couples to see things from a different perspective or dig deeper. Autonomy and self-determination are two of my most important values, which means I will support you no matter what the outcome is.

As a queer therapist with chronic illness, I am passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ couples and those in a relationship in which one person lives with chronic illness/is disabled. I also love working with couples where neurodivergence is present.

AMFT #135025

Areas of Expertise: Sex & Intimacy • Chronic Pain & Illness • Life Transitions • Anxiety

I am Savannah Fine (she/her) and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT #139871. I am polyam, ENM, kink and LGBTQ+ affirming and I work with individuals and couples who are looking to form a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationships, and their communities. My specialities include: sex & sexuality, intimacy, relationships, chronic pain & chronic illness, anxiety, and life transitions

My approach to therapy is rooted in curiosity and non-judgment, incorporating embodiment, mindfulness, humor, and collaboration. I understand that healing and growth looks different for each individual and hope to provide the support necessary for your mind, body, and soul. I strive to provide a safe, comfortable, and productive environment for my clients so that we may explore the past, present, and future together.

LMFT #139871

Areas of Expertise: Queer Identity • Trauma • Life Transitions • Unmasking ADHD/autism

I am Rachelle Ramos (they/them) and I am Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT #149942. I come from a Pilipino immigrant background and am first generation born in New York. I have a Masters of Science degree in Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy from San Diego State University. I belong to the LGBTQIA+ community as a queer genderqueer they/them femme individual. I am an active advocate for those who belong to sex and gender marginalized communities in my social justice work outside of therapy and have worked in sex education for over 7 years.

I often work with individual and relationship clients who face different challenges, which can range from depression, anxiety, gender exploration, life stage transitions, unmasking with their neurotype like ADHD/Autism/AuHD, reclaiming sexuality after life transitions such as break ups, trauma, or disability, and difficulties stemming from family of origin trauma.

I am passionate about therapy because sometimes it feels like change is impossible and I want to support people to make the changes they want in their lives to live closer to the ways that they prefer.

LMFT #149942

Areas of Expertise: Kink • Chronic Pain • Neurodivergence

I am Michal (Rogers) Lepley (she/her) and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW #117596. I work with individuals and couples. I have experience working with chronic pain patients, the LGBTQIA+ community, ADHD and ASD.

My approach is strengths-based, client-centered, and evidence-based. That means I help co-create personalized solutions for you based on the science of mental health. Therapy is a process. I believe there is no one size fits all solution. As a result, I approach each situation with curiosity and openness. I became a therapist because I am passionate about supporting others through their individual journeys in a kink, poly, & LGBTQIA+ affirmative way. My goal with clients is to provide a space to be unapologetically yourself and gain personal mastery.

LCSW #117596

Areas of Expertise: ADHD • Couples & Relationships • Burnout

I am Krista Frank (she/her) and I am an Associate Clinical Social Worker under the supervision of Pam Shaffer LMFT #91321. I provide online therapy to individuals, couples, and other dyadic formations in a non-judgmental environment. I am CNM/ENM/Poly, LGBTQIA+, kink, and sex work affirming as well as MAP aware, sex-positive and I work with an intersectional lens. My specialties include working with neurodiverse clients, particularly those in the ADHD community. My experience working with familial crisis intervention, domestic violence, and the juvenile justice system has given me a trauma-informed therapeutic style that I bring into our work together.

As a therapist, I believe that you, the client, are the best narrator of your own story. My goal is to collaborate with you when life is feeling overwhelming, when your anxiety, depression, or past traumas are impacting your current life, when you’re feeling burn-out, when you’re going through a significant life transition, or when you want to make a big change. Together we can troubleshoot relationship challenges and create a personalized relationship structure whether it is monogamous, non-monogamous, or anything in-between. I love working with clients to find their voice and tell their story in their own words while providing a space for them to address the issues that matter most to them.

ACSW #94322

Areas of Expertise: Creativity • ENM • C-PTSD • ADHD/autism

I am Pam Shaffer (she/her) and I am a licensed marriage and family psychotherapist. As the founder of Best Self Psych, I provide supervision and guidance to our staff of therapists. As a therapist, I offer individual and couples sessions online for California residents using a secure video platform as well as coaching sessions to individuals around the world. 

You may also call me a compassionate guide that helps you through the ups and downs of life with pragmatism and a bit of magic. I am poly/ENM, kink, and LGBTQIA+ affirmative and I love to help people who are experiencing difficulty in their relationships or feel stuck in their professional and creative lives. My specialties include helping people who are struggling with the effects of depression, anxiety, C-PTSD, and ADHD. 

As quoted in Slate, Inside Hook, Oprah Magazine, Forbes, BBC, Men’s Health Magazine, Women’s Health, Mind Body Green, and Dame.

LMFT #91321