Meet the Joyful Therapy Group Team

Dr. Moreen Rubin

Dr. Moreen Rubin is a highly esteemed therapist with a rich experience of over 15 years, dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate through life's complexities. Her credentials as a board-approved supervisor and the owner of the practice elevate her reputation, presenting her as a leader in her field.

Her clients, who affectionately refer to her as "Dr. Mo” unanimously speaks of her warm, non-judgmental, and compassionate approach. This inviting and nurturing attitude, coupled with her vast professional expertise, creates an environment of trust and open communication.

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.

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.

Madeline Reams AMFT

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 guiding them to rebuild their lives and relationships using new scaffolding.

Because she trusts that everyone has the answers within them, and it is her role to guide you to those answers. She attends every session with full presence and dedication to collaboratively working with you on your journey, whatever that may be for you.

Amy

Amy graduated from Touro University with a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She believes that therapy is a collaborative, creative process that can help people live more freely and find more fulfilling ways to love, work, and play. Her practice style is warm, conversational, and direct, providing a safe and supportive space for people to explore, experiment, and surprise themselves as they release old patterns and grow into new parts of who they are. She has experience working with people struggling with a range of issues including personal & professional transitions, anxiety, depression, self-doubt & internal conflict, challenging relationships, creative & artistic difficulties, living with chronic illness, and recovering from trauma & loss.

Amy’s approach is non-pathologizing and affirming of diverse sexualities, gender identities & expressions, and ways of being in community & relationship with others. Her goal is to help people feel more alive, aware, and authentic in their everyday lives. Amy is supervised by Dr. Moreen Rubin.

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.

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 body image issues. Her work is rooted in principles and ideals of social justice and strives to create a safe and welcoming environment for all bodies.

Curiosity, openness, and non-judgment are cornerstones of Kristi’s practice. She focuses on increasing awareness of patterns and self-understanding while building empathy and compassion to increase self-worth, self-efficacy, and emotional wellbeing. Kristi is described by her clients as easy to talk to, genuine, and non-judgmental. Kristi is under the supervision of Dr. Moreen Rubin.

Abby Rock LFMT

Abby is a licenced clinical therapist with over a decade of experience. She is also a board approved supervisor for other therapists.

“The world often paints those with eating disorders with a wide brush. But I recognize different people come to their eating disorder by different roads, and living with an eating disorder means the road you travel is a lonely one. This disconnection can lead you to believe you can’t enjoy what others take for granted – friends, family, food, life. I am passionate about showing you that you are not alone and that each of us has the strength, courage, and wisdom to live a fully recovered life.

Lisa Strawn AMFT

Lisa is a therapist who believes that the journey from the head to heart can be a profound one. She understands that learning to feel and connect with emotions can be overwhelming at times, but she sees life as a constant exploration where the destination is unknown, traversing through realms of love, pain, redemption, and healing. Lisa’s greatest joy is often found in relation to others, and she walks alongside her clients as they identify and embody the values they wish to live by.

Hannah Cobb, LMFT

Hannah is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. She has most recently worked as the Director of Clinical Services for an eating disorder treatment center in Southern California where she oversaw clinical programming. She is a board approved supervisor for other therapists and gained her Masters in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University.

“I use a collaborative approach in regard to treatment because I believe that you are the expert of your own experiences. I will meet you where you are at and help you to approach your goals through compassion, empathy, and humor. I hope to help you have a better understanding of your life’s circumstances and how you cope with everyday stressors. I look forward to aiding you in establishing a healthier relationship with food, exercise, and body image.”

Hannah also loves to spend her time singing in a local gospel choir, boxing, swimming,shopping, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.

Claudia Hammerschmidt AMFT

Claudia Hammerschmidt, an AMFT, champions the importance of open conversations around mental health. With extensive experience supporting couples, children, adolescents, and individuals navigating addiction, grief, chronic illnesses, and pivotal life transitions, she brings a wealth of understanding to her clients' unique journeys. Drawing from a rich tapestry of therapeutic modalities—ranging from depth psychology and CBT to somatic therapy and family systems—Claudia offers tailored approaches to each individual's needs.

Her deep-rooted passion for yoga, particularly the invigorating hot 26+2 style, is seamlessly integrated into her practice. Through this, she emphasizes a holistic, person-centered approach, ensuring that her clients experience mental health care that's both nurturing and transformative. She is supervised by Dr. Moreen Rubin