Let's work together

Compassionate, science-based treatment for individuals, couples and families who are ready to make a change.

What You Can Expect

Our team of highly trained clinicians offer extensive treatment and support. Here is what you can expect to receive under our care.

COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

A Complete Diagnostic Assessment of each individual and thorough assessment of accommodating behaviors

A Thorough Review of the individual’s Medical History including medication history, past, and current medical illnesses, and review of the individual’s genetic medical history.

Compassionate and careful review, explanation, and Interpretation of all diagnoses.

Creation of a Collaborative Treatment Plan that considers the clinician’s treatment goals and the individual’s personal recovery goals.

Recommendations for treatment options and psycho-education about the diagnosis, treatment plan, and treatment modality chosen.

Coordination with current and previous treatment providers (including medical specialists as well as therapists), schools (including teachers, school psychologists, and administrators when appropriate), family members, and others who may be an important component of the individual’s recovery. All coordination will be performed after the clinician has been given full written consent.

Our Mission

At Joyful Marriage and Family Therapy Inc, we use an integrative model of treatment that is targeted to meet your needs. We see you as a whole person, deserving of good care and compassion as you heal. We will work hard to earn your trust and ensure that you get taken care of. Our mission is to help you embrace your healthiest, most authentic self. The world needs you at best, it would be an honor for us to be a part of your journey.

Our Team

Our team is comprised of licensed specialists as well as pre-licensed therapists who are under the supervision of an experienced supervisor. We each specialize in different issues. Please contact us to find out who might be the best fit for your needs.

Dr. Moreen Rubin

Dr. Moreen Rubin has over 15 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families. She is a board approved supervisor and the owner of the practice. She is affectionately referred to as "Dr. Mo" by her clients and has been described as having a warm, non-judgemental and compassionate approach. Although she specializes in treating eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, depression, trauma and healthy relationships, she works with many other issues facing adults and couples today. Prior to expanding her solo practice to a group practice, Dr. Moreen Rubin served as the Senior Clinical Director of several mental health treatment centers in Southern California.

Amanda Avila LMFT

Amanda Avila is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist. Prior to joining Joyful Marriage and Family Therapy, Amanda was an Assistant Clinical Director at a prominent treatment center in Southern California. Amanda's uses an approach that is integrative to treat each client's individual concern. She is described by her clients as humorous and empathic. She specializes in treating eating disorders, body image issues, life transitions, mood disorders like depression and anxiety, as well as trauma and PTSD. Amanda is a board approved supervisor for pre-licensed therapists and works with individuals, couples and families.

Abby Rock LMFT

Abby Rock is a licensed therapist with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in treating eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and trauma as well as many other mental health issues. She works with individuals, couples and families. Prior to joining Joyful Marriage and Family Therapy, Abby served as the Clinical Director of a prominent eating disorder treatment center in Southern California. Abby knows that the road to recovery from an eating disorder can be long, being recovered herself she takes great pride in understanding the mental and physical energy needed to do the healing journey. Abby is a board approved supervisor for pre-licensed therapists and many have described her therapeutic approach as gentle, compassionate and nurturing. Please reach out to us today to see if Abby might be a good fit for you or your loved one.

Megan Poupard LMFT

Megan Poupard is a licensed therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, OCD, trauma, and various anxiety and mood disorders. She previously served as Clinical Director of a prominent eating disorder facility in Southern California, where she oversaw all clinical programming and provided training and supervision for pre-licensed therapists. Megan enjoys using a humanistic-existential approach with clients while also incorporating evidence-based practices, such as Exposure and Response Prevention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. Megan strives to create an authentic and non-judgmental space for each client with whom she has the honor of working.

Cory Candelas LMFT

Cory is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years experience working with Individuals, couples, and families. She has been married 23 years and has a son who began his first year of college. She am an adjunct professor at California Baptist University in the Behavioral Science Department. Cory have an emphasis in trauma work and was trained through EMDRIA in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Often times clients come to her when they are feeling numb, stuck, or reacting to situations in ways they do not fully understand. Often things happen within our life that shape us in ways we are not aware of and those maladaptive memory networks can sabotage or derail us when they were originally formed as a means of protection. Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) through EMDR, can reduce the disturbance in our bodies and eliminate the maladaptive memory network to help bring balance and joy back into your life. When working with couples, Cory assists them in listening to understand the other person, rather than listening to refute or rebut what their partner is saying. Everyone has a desire to be understood and cared for. She takes careful note of how attachment was formed for both people growing up and work with each of them to provide insight not only for their partner, but also for themselves, so they can better articulate and meet each other’s needs.

Lena Narine AMFT

Lena Narine obtained her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, and is currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. Lena works with individuals, couples, children, and families with an array of therapeutic needs. Lena is dedicated to helping those seeking therapeutic services to move through difficult conflicts, deepen personal relationships with self and others to create a life that is more fulfilling. By creating an emotionally safe environment, Lena helps clients move towards a deeper understanding of their choices, life patterns, and unhealthy relationships or behaviors. With a kind heart, open mind, and empathetic ear to each and every client, Lena helps guide the client to a new level of self-awareness, and help the client achieve their desired goals. Lena has been described as easy to talk to and compassionate. She is being supervised by Dr. Moreen Rubin

Kristen Ellis AMFT, CEDS

Kristi Ellis holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and is currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, a registered dietitian, as well as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). Kristi has a passion for supporting individuals struggling with a myriad of concerns including: anxiety, depression, complex childhood trauma, relationships, eating concerns and […]

Kellie Brown AMFT

My mission is to walk alongside individuals and families as they strive toward connection. I believe that connection comes from finding hope, from authentic communication, and from learning to trust one's self. Humans are wired for connection. Connection leads to lower anxiety and depression, higher trust and empathy, and consequently, higher intimacy. Lack of connection is the source of pain that can cause addiction, infidelity, depression, anxiety, and a host of mental disorders. Connection has even been proven to improve physical symptoms. I can't wait to explore with you and to see what connection can do for your life! Are you in a relationship? The answer is "yes, of course". Marriage and Family Therapists are clinicians who help others with their goals within the context of how those goals improve relationship. We all want to improve our relationships. What do you want from your relationships? individuals - parents - couples - blended, separated, divorced families I work with clients of all ages and backgrounds. It is my privilege to get to serve individuals from all walks of life, and every age bracket. Each person has their own story and I consider it a privilege when you choose to share yours with me. Kellie is being supervised by Dr. Moreen Rubin.

Madeline Reams AMFT

Madeline Reams is currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working towards her licensure. Madeline holds a Master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Madeline is devoted to holding a safe space for individuals, couples, and families to break down their thoughts, emotions, and struggles and then […]

Office Administrative Assistant

Danielle is our administrative assistant. She helps with scheduling appointments and general inquiries. She has a deep interest in helping others and is thrilled to be a part of such a caring team.

Amy Ryk LMFT

Amy received her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. She has worked in the mental health field as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializing in eating disorders, anxiety disorders, couple’s dynamics and trauma, since 2006. Her roles have included facilitating individual, group and family therapy and has supported clients through challenges around distress tolerance, emotion regulation, attachment-related trauma and disordered eating/eating disorders. Amy is a certified Complex Trauma practitioner, certified in the DARe therapeutic Model (Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience) as well as trained in DBT, CBT, Mindfulness, Intuitive eating, and somatic healing modalities. I work with Eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Relationship issues, Career difficulties, Life changes, Attachment issues, Codependency, Communication Problems, Divorce and Separation, Family of Origin Issues, Guilt and Shame, HSP, Impulsivity, Isolation/Loneliness, Life Purpose Struggles, Post-traumatic Stress, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues, and Young Adult Issues.

Reach out to us today!

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What our clients have to say

We ourselves have healed through good therapy. We believe in your ability to change and grow.

“Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.”

“Moreen was compassionate, reassuring and listened very carefully. She could hear what I wasn’t saying and see in me what I couldn’t see in myself. I remember her telling me that I was in the right place and she would take care of me. No one had ever made me feel so safe, held and seen. I knew my work with her would be life-changing.I am definitely a work in progress, but I have changed in the sense that I have developed compassion for myself. In the past, self love meant self-preservation, survival and fitting in. Now, self-love means embracing all parts of myself, withholding judgement and shame and surrendering to healing, transformation and love. I am learning how to be there for myself- to hold the parts of me that feel very young and need compassion. As I begin to heal, I am reclaiming my power, my voice and the ability to choose the life I want and deserve for myself.I would recommend Dr. Moreen Rubin to other patients for many reasons. I think she has the unique ability of making meaningful connections with people quickly. She is calm, genuinely caring and sees the best in people. Dr. Moreen exudes a warmth that is like no other; I always feel seen and understood by her. She provokes thought and self-reflection and helps me come to my own answers, which helps me build trust in myself..”

Client in recovery from an eating disorder

“I didn’t have too much therapy experience prior to Dr. Rubin. The last therapist I saw lasted one session, and he seemed nervous and out of his depth, and was unable to address the issue I had. In our first session, she seemed gentle and compassionate and genuinely interested in my troubles. Because of my sessions, I was able to make difficult decisions regarding my relationship, and I now feel more comfortable expressing my needs. She’s a great listener and skilled at giving you gentle nudges in the right direction while letting you move at your own pace. Not to mention, I was very surprised with how easy it is to do virtual therapy through video chat!”

Client who was experiencing loneliness in relationship

“I found Dr. Moreen Rubin by doing Research on Google. I wanted help for myself and my daughter. When I first met Dr. Moreen, I felt the warmth in her and at the same time, it was obvious that she knew exactly what would help me and my daughter to improve our relationship and specifically help my daughter come out of childhood trauma and many other challenges. Dr. Moreen has helped me validate my daughter’s emotions (she has helped me realize the importance of validation) and has helped her regulate her emotions to a great extent. I would highly recommend Dr.Moreen to anyone who can benefit from Therapy and Counseling because she uses a variety of methods to help solve the problem instead of limiting to one or two methods. Dr. Moreen has definitely been a blessing and I am thankful for her accessibility and Compassion and also due to the fact that at the end of every session,I feel she has made a positive impact in improvement of thought process and Regulation of Emotions.”

Client whose daughter was struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder and trauma

My mother found Mo online and introduced me to her when I was visiting home in Calabasas. I had seen 12 psychologists/psychiatrists/therapists before I came across Mo. They all had knowledge, but I was not satisfied with the method they used to put forward the information to me. I remember I did not want to see Mo during my first appointment because I was so disheartened from my previous therapy experiences. I walked in reluctantly because my mother forced me to, as every young adult’s parent would, but it all changed the moment she spoke to me. The main qualities that I felt set her aside from old previous therapists was that she was empathetic, unbiased and made sense without using too many difficult technical terms. Mo has impacted all aspects of my life greatly. As stubborn as I was to not see a therapist after many failed visits to several others, I believe from the bottom of my heart that whether you face issues in your marital life, professional life, with your parents or children, give Mo a try. Although I lived in denial, all of us have baggage from our past that we may not even be aware of. After Mo explained and gave names to the feelings I feel, it made me feel less ‘insane’ and more compassionate to myself, a feeling that was foreign to me. Seeing me go to Mo and the transformation it has brought to my life, my mother now sees Mo as well to help build a conducive environment for me to grow in. Nobody loses anything and there is nothing wrong in seeking professional help. We get help from consultants for our businesses all the time; no harm in visiting Mo a couple times a week.”

Client with extensive trauma and an eating disorder

“I met Moreen when I went to eating disorder treatment at Alsana where Moreen was the Senior Director of Clinical Services. I started therapy several months before meeting Dr. Moreen Rubin. My experience with my therapists beforehand were all positive, supportive, and secure. It was refreshing to experience and witness Dr. Moreen’s character and approach–she is grounded, down-to-earth, warm, extremely honest, and a fantastic listener/validator. She knows how to read the energy in the room and somehow offer exactly what is needed in the moment–whether it’s mindful breathing, processing, psycho-education, validation, etc. Thus, I felt safe, seen, and heard in her presence at all times. A significant experience in my daily life is waking up stressed, tense, and unhappy. She was the first therapist to notice and address the fact that I start my days in this manner. To this day, I use the loving words she offered as a mantra in my mind when I wake up to put in the work of starting my days in a more positive and loving mindset. I am also reminded of the kindness she offered me during difficult times, and I work hard to provide myself with this level of compassion on a daily basis. I was fortunate to receive the genuine level of care and compassion Dr. Moreen provided myself and others. She helped make the atmosphere comfortable and safe in order to create a communicative environment, and she showed up for her patients with 100% of her energy, focus, and zeal every day that we met with her. I know that future patients will benefit and improve from the wisdom and attentiveness that Dr. Moreen has to offer. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of honesty and frankness Dr. Moreen presented to her patients from the first session. She made therapy enjoyable when appropriate and earnest at all times. She has a level of confidence in her knowledge and experience with therapy that absolutely translates to the effectiveness of her therapeutic skills.”

Client in recovery from an eating disorder, anxiety and depression

Client with severe eating disorder and anxiety

“I met Mo when she worked as the Clinical Director at Alsana Eating Disorder Treatment Center. I have been in therapy before but nothing stuck. I never felt like I connected with a therapist before I met Mo. Therapy works because of open communication, and Mo provides the necessary reassurance and comfort which allows this. I have never experienced so many “ah-hah” moments before meeting Mo. She is the best of the best. When I first met Mo I immediately felt like she knew what she was doing. Her confidence in her knowledge and experience shines. She makes therapy feel like a safe place to explore your hardest struggles. My life has changed exponentially, for the better. I feel more in tune with myself than ever before. I am recognizing my needs. I feel comfortable talking about anything and everything with Mo. My sessions with her always leave me feeling enlightened and appreciative. She truly knows what she is doing. She genuinely cares about her patients. Mo has easily become one of the most important people in my life.

Client who recovered from eating disorder and OCD

“I met Dr. Rubin through a professional contact. I had never been to therapy before. Her warmth, rapport, flexibility and therapy style stood out to me right away. Since starting therapy, I feel more together. I have started to appreciate my uniqueness as strengths and feel more confident in talking about my vulnerability. I have also witnessed an increase in my self-esteem and assertiveness. Dr. Rubin is warm and compassionate. She is not afraid to ask the tough questions and help the client approach a problem with a different perspective. She also uses incredible metaphors and other visual tools to enhance the client’s understanding. I would recommend and do recommend her to everyone I know.

Client going through a major life transition and change

“I worked with Amanda while I was in treatment for an Eating Disorder. She is very caring and easy to talk to. She really gets it. As a recovered person herself, she could easily understand why I was so afraid of gaining weight and really helped me move past that fear. I am now in recovery thanks to her and I have my life back. She saved my life.”

Client in recovery from an eating disorder and anxiety

“Amanda is an incredible therapist. She is funny and sweet. I could occasionally hear my daughter laughing in sessions with her. That was great, especially since my daughter was going through a major depression at that time. I would recommend the team at Joyful without hesitation. They really care.“

Mother of a teen struggling with depression and self harm

“Amanda is an amazing therapist. She is a great listener and I could open up to her about anything. I highly recommend going to her if you can, she is very helpful.”

Client struggling with a major life transition

“I worked with Abby for several months and had a great experience. Abby is patient and understanding. Her gentle way of communicating hard truths helped me to be more honest with myself and others. I am very grateful for the impact Abby has had on me. She helped me recover and now I have a beautiful family and a loving partner. “

Client in recovery from eating disorder and substance use

“I didn’t know what to expect in therapy. I thought therapy was for people with serious mental health issues. My parents initially forced me into treatment and I was against it. Abby understood that. She immediately got that I was not ready and shared with me about her own recovery story. I instantly felt comfortable opening up to her. It’s been 5 months and I am doing so much better. Abby helped me move through my fears and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Teen struggling with bulimia and depression

“Kellie Brown has helped me immensely throughout our time working together and I am so grateful I found her. The journey to personal work and growth can often be uncomfortable and terrifying, but Kellie has been a beacon of guiding light within that and I look forward to our sessions each week.”

Client struggling with a major life transition

The flexibility in organizing a routine schedule was excellent. Madeline has been very thoughtful and thorough in dialogues during our sessions. I feel comfortable and at ease opening up and being vulnerable because of how safe I feel speaking with Madeline.

Client struggling with anxiety