Expert Mental Health Team for Teens & Families in Los Angele

A young woman with long brown hair smiling, wearing a denim shirt, standing outdoors with green plants and a white wall behind her.

Emily Waitt

Emily’s path to becoming a therapist started with a surprising turn from studying business at Brown University to discovering a deep passion for mental health. It was her own experiences in therapy as a teen (the good and the not-so-good) that sparked a commitment to making support more accessible, relatable, and healing for young people and their families.
She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and went on to complete advanced training in adolescent therapy, including two years in the Adolescent Counseling Program at Maple Counseling. Over the years, she’s worked with teens and young adults in a range of settings, from school-based programs to intensive treatment centers—helping clients navigate anxiety, identity, relationships, and the challenges that come with growing up.
Emily takes an integrative approach to therapy, combining evidence-based practices with a deep respect for each client’s inner world and developmental journey. She’s especially interested in how early relationships shape the way we relate to ourselves and others, and how therapy can help shift those patterns with care and curiosity.
She is currently pursuing a doctorate inPsychodynamic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, further deepening her understanding of youth development and the mind-body connection.

LMFT | CLINICAL DIRECTOR

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a checked blazer and layered necklaces, smiling outdoors with green plants in the background.

Sophia Waitt

PSYCHOTHERAPIST | OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Sophia is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who works primarily with teens, young adults, and their families, bringing curiosity, warmth, and a thoughtful, down to earth presence to her work. As a teenager, she remembers how difficult it could be to find a therapist who truly felt like the right fit and how meaningful it was when someone genuinely listened and understood. That experience continues to shape the way she approaches therapy today and drives her passion for supporting young people as they navigate a stage of life that is both formative and often overwhelming.
Sophia earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Psychology from the University of Southern California (USC) and went on to receive her master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She completed two years of specialized training through Maple Counseling’s Adolescent Therapy Program and has experience in residential treatment, including at Paradigm Treatment Center, where she supported adolescents with complex mental health and substance use challenges.
Sophia specializes in working with teens and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma and other difficult life experiences, emotional regulation challenges, identity development, gender and sexuality, perfectionism, neurodivergence, and complex family dynamics. She also has experience supporting adolescents and their families during transitions from higher levels of care back into everyday life.
Her approach is warm, collaborative, and direct. Sophia helps clients slow down, develop a deeper understanding of themselves, recognize patterns that may be getting in their way, and build practical tools for navigating relationships, challenges, and life transitions with greater self awareness, confidence, and emotional resilience.

A young woman with long, wavy blonde hair, smiling, standing outdoors in front of green shrubbery, wearing a white sweater.

Bella Wilson

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Bella is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who believes meaningful change happens when people feel truly seen, understood, and connected. She is passionate about building genuine, trusting relationships and creating a space where clients can slow down, explore their experiences, and feel a deeper sense of belonging, both within themselves and in their relationships.
She earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and has worked across a variety of treatment settings. Bella currently practices in a trauma-focused residential program and works with teens and adults navigating anxiety, relationship issues, perfectionism, life transitions, and emotional challenges. She brings warmth, compassion, and honesty to help clients understand patterns that may be keeping them stuck and take meaningful steps toward a more balanced, fulfilling lives. Her style is collaborative and relational, often finding room for humor and authentic human connection.
Bella takes a holistic, strengths-based approach and is trained in EMDR, which can support the processing of difficult memories and experiences. Her goal is for clients to feel more connected to themselves, more confident in their strengths, and empowered to advocate for their needs both within and beyond the therapy space.

Young man with short light brown hair and fair skin, wearing a black collared shirt, standing outdoors with a blurred background of white wall and green plants.

Nick Johnson

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Before becoming a therapist, Nick worked in both the arts and psychological research, two fields that explore how we make sense of ourselves and the world around us. In film and television, he collaborated with writers and directors to develop character driven stories. At Harvard’s Department of Psychology, he worked with Dr. Daniel Gilbert and Dr. Bethany Burum on research exploring how people anticipate emotions, make decisions, and imagine the future.
To Nick, therapy is where science and storytelling meet. His research background gave him a strong foundation in understanding behavior, while his creative work deepened his awareness of the personal narratives people carry. He sees therapy as a space to step back, reflect, and ask whether these stories are still serving growth and well being.
Nick trained at The Maple Counseling Center, where he supported teens navigating anxiety, identity, family dynamics, and self doubt. During this time, he also served as a wellness counselor at Beverly Hills High School. He currently leads process groups in residential treatment settings for adults in recovery, helping clients build emotional regulation, self trust, and more authentic ways of relating.
His style is relational, collaborative, and insight driven. Nick works best with clients who are curious about themselves and motivated to make meaning of their experiences and move forward with intention.
You can learn more at nicholasjtherapy.com.

Close-up of a woman with long, wavy, reddish-brown hair, smiling and wearing gold hoop earrings and a black top.

Opal Anchel

Opal helps parents build a more connected and harmonious home environment as they navigate the challenges of family life.
With a strong understanding of how words, emotions, and behaviors shape relationships, Opal combines compassion and expertise to improve communication, overcome conflicts, and foster greater understanding and teamwork within the family.
Opal is passionate about giving parents practical tools and guidance to support their children's emotional well-being, set healthy boundaries, and raise confident, well-adjusted kids.
Areas of Support:
- Individual Parent Coaching
- Couples Support
- Co-Parenting Guidance
- Group Coaching
- Virtual Sessions Available
Click to visit Opal’s website.