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Pacific Clinics employees, clients and families we serve have been impacted by the Southern California fires. For ways to give, click here: Donate to Pacific Clinics Assistance Fund

877-PC-CARES (722-2737)

Main Services Area

Behavioral Health

Pacific Clinics delivers high-quality behavioral health and social services to advance health equity and well-being for children, adults and families. Learn more about our life-affirming services offered on-site, at home, virtual and in the community.

Los Angeles

Educational Programs

Educational Programs provide students with the skills they need to live successful lives. Our robust programs include early childhood development, classroom consultations in partnership with school districts, adult continuing education programs and parent workshops.

Up to Age 5

Head Start

Ages 6–18

Hollygrove
School-Based Intervention Team

Ages 18+

Recovery Education Institute (REI)
Pacific Clinics Training Institute (PCTI)
Hollygrove
Parent Institute

Support Services

Support Services offer various programs to address social determinants of health, including housing and employment coaching and placement, among other critically needed services.

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Purpose and Vision

Our Center’s Purpose

The Center for Divergent Connections uses the power of interpersonal neurobiology, trauma-informed care and neurodiversity-affirming practices to provide treatment, training and research to the disabled community.

Our Center’s Vision

To impact neurodivergent and disabled communities by providing local and global treatment, training, and research that celebrates and honors their unique contributions. To promote a world in which resilient, self-determined individuals are supported by authentic, compassionate and connected communities.

Clinical Approaches

Neurodiversity Affirming

We celebrate individual differences and how each person interacts with the world. Our goal is to use a strengths-based approach to help each person recognize their own value and embrace their difference in neurobiology.

Trauma-Informed

We recognize the impact that traumatic experiences have on people, especially those who are neurodivergent. We seek to integrate knowledge and understanding of trauma into all levels of service, as well as teaching the community how to promote safety for our clients.

Interpersonal Neurobiology

We value safety in relationships. Above all, we ensure that the relational process comes first when helping to regulate and relearn new patterns.

Providers

Kathryne-Krueger

Kelley Krueger, PhD, BCBA,
Lic. Psych. #32437

Senior Clinical Director

Dr. Kelley Krueger, PhD, BCBA is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 17 years of experience working with neurodivergent populations. Dr. Krueger is the Senior Clinical Director of Neurodevelopmental Services, Southern California Region for Pacific Clinics and the Center for Divergent Connections. She started her career as a behavior therapist and instructional aide before receiving her BA in Psychology and Social Behavior at the University of California, Irvine. She earned her MA and PhD in Psychological Studies in Education at the University of California, Los Angeles under the mentorship of Dr. Connie Kasari.

Dr. Krueger is passionate about supporting neurodivergent populations to achieve self-determined, authentic, and enriched lives. She uses a strengths-based, neurobiologically-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approach to assessment, diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Krueger’s primary research interests include promoting engagement and communication development in minimally verbal autistic populations, augmentative and assistive communication systems, and neurodiversity-affirming practices.

Sabrina-Thakur

Sabrina Thakur, LMFT, RPT-S
Lic. #85605

Clinical Director

Sabrina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor™ with over 15 years of experience working with neurodivergent children and caregivers. She is passionate about using developmentally appropriate approaches when working with young children and families with a history of complex trauma. Sabrina has extensive training and expertise in trauma therapy; she is a Certified EMDR therapist, an endorsed Unyte Mentor in Safe and Sound Protocol, and a Level 2 Trainer for the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. Sabrina also has completed training in LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System), Brainspotting, and Exposure Response Prevention.

Sabrina is dedicated to advocating for the needs of the neurodivergent community and best practices in the mental health profession. She enjoys providing play therapy supervision and professional consultation to mental health providers. She also enjoys training opportunities within the community. Sabrina previously served as president and founding board member for the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals and as a board member for California Association for Play Therapy.

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James Doyle, #LPCC16670

Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist

James Doyle is a neurodiversity affirming therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor where he specializes in providing client-centered, trauma-informed therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. James utilizes a variety of approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to support clients in processing trauma and enhancing personal strengths. 

With more than eight years of experience, James has worked as a therapist with Seneca Family of Agencies, focusing on wraparound services, and as an adjunct professor at Hope International University, teaching trauma-informed care and child development courses. 

James is EMDR trained and certified, including sand tray techniques and parent/child attachment modalities. He earned his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Capella University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Fullerton. 

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Ryan GrosJean, LMFT #155216

Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist

If you are looking for a therapist, it likely means that you have a long list of things you need, and it can vary day by day. Sometimes you need to process and sit in discomfort to heal from past trauma. Sometimes you need to talk at someone just to have them listen. Sometimes you need to be challenged and held accountable to grow. Sometimes you just need a good laugh. And sometimes you need to have a place where you can just exist, fully and authentically. Whatever it is you need, there’s a good chance you’ll find it in the safe space Ryan provides in therapy.

Ryan GrosJean is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adolescents and young adults. In this role, he provides neurodivergent and LGBTQ+-affirming services, utilizing trauma-focused and standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, person-centered therapy, family systems, the Safe and Sound Protocol, and the Health At Every Size (HAES) approach. This means he individualizes his care plans to each person and their needs. Previously, as a marriage and family therapy trainee at the LGBTQ+ Center of Orange County, he provided therapy services to those in crisis who experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety and trauma.

Ryan earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Christie Byrd

Christie Byrd, LCSW #24496

Clinical Coordinator

Therapist • Clinical Supervisor/Coordinator • Former Educator • Social Justice Advocate

Christie Byrd is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and communities through life’s most meaningful and challenging transitions. Her work is grounded in compassion, cultural humility, and a deep belief in each person’s innate capacity for healing and growth. Christie has served diverse populations across California and Connecticut, including children, adolescents, adults, justice-involved women, military-connected families, neurodiverse and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. She specializes in trauma recovery, ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, identity development, relationship dynamics, and the impact of racism and systemic injustice. Her therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered, drawing from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Seeking Safety, Mult-Systemic Therapy, FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress), Motivational Interviewing, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, narrative, existential and attachment-based therapies. In addition to her clinical work, Christie has mentored and supervised emerging therapists for over a decade. She served as an Assistant Professor and Practicum Liaison in a Master of Social Work program, where she integrated intersectionality, cultural diversity and anti-racism into curriculum and clinical training. Whether in the therapy room, classroom, or community, Christie creates safe, affirming spaces where people feel seen, heard, valued and empowered. She is passionate about walking alongside others as they navigate life’s complexities and reconnect with their resilience, purpose, and authentic self.

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Starla Hendrix, MSW, LCSW #134453

Program Coordinator

Starla Hendrix is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families across a wide range of ages and backgrounds. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California Baptist University and brings a strong foundation of clinical knowledge, practical experience, and cultural sensitivity to her work.

Starla’s approach is rooted in whole-person, strength-based care—believing that healing begins by honoring each client’s unique story, identity, and resilience. Her practice draws from a diverse blend of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. This integrative framework allows her to tailor treatment to meet the unique needs of each individual and family.

She has extensive experience treating a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, suicidal ideation, mood disorders, attachment challenges, and relational/family conflicts. Starla has worked in a wide array of settings, including residential treatment centers, in-home services, school-based programs, and outpatient clinics. This range of experience gives her a flexible, empathetic, and practical approach to helping clients build insight, develop coping skills, and foster emotional wellness.

With a calm and grounded presence, Starla creates a supportive therapeutic environment where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered to take meaningful steps toward healing and growth.

Evonne Pina

Neurofeedback Technician

Evonne Pina earned a B.A. in Art with a minor in Child development, that she skillfully incorporates into Neurofeedback services with diverse populations. Evonne is trained in Low Energy Neurofeedback (LENS) designed to regulate the brain and improve emotional and behavioral regulation. Evonne has 10 years of experience providing supportive, empowering, and client tailored services to individuals across the neurodevelopmental spectrum including those with co-occurring diagnoses and complex behavioral challenges. She utilizes trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approaches that prioritize client’s goals for care and honors each client's unique cultural identity and neurological profile. She is skilled in mindfulness meditation/coping skills, expressive arts and brings a creative, empathic approach to engaging with clients to develop an understanding of who the person is and how to incorporate client’s strengths, interests, and social supports.

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