Meet Our Staff
- » Jenny C. Yip, Psy.D., Executive Director
- » Sarah A. Haider, Psy.D., Director of Training
- » Max G. Feirstein, Ph.D.
- » Lauren Stutman, Psy.D.
- » Kay Ramsey, MBA
- » Julius Mariano, B.S.
- » Jake Knapik, B.S.
- » Katrina Rydzewski, B.A.
More About Us
About
When treating children, our philosophy is to involve the family or primary caretakers. In our experience, treating only the child, without attending to family members, resembles treating within a vacuum. Oftentimes, family members are reluctantly involved in and affected by the child’s behaviors or rituals. When these dynamics within the family system are unaddressed, the results of treatment are limited. It is also unproductive to treat a child who does not feel the need for treatment. Treatment will require work, and weekly assignments will be given to reinforce the tools and skills learned from the week’s session. Thus, without motivation and effort, treatment will likely fail, which will only demoralize the child’s ability to succeed and overcome his/her symptoms in the future.
Our director, Dr. Yip’s own struggles and triumph with obsessive-compulsive disorder since childhood have inspired many patients in their beliefs of their own ability to overcome their conditions. Dr. Yip’s own experiences have allowed her to fully understand where patients are coming from in dealing with their obstacles. This allows her the ability to creatively tailor treatment to each individual’s specific needs to ensure the most beneficial outcome. Rather than viewing a condition as a handicap, we perceive it as an advantage that enhances our skills and capacity to help other sufferers.
Finally, as a researcher, clinician, and educator, it is Dr. Yip’s mission to continually improve treatment through rigorous research, disseminate knowledge through public education, eliminate stigmas through media consultations, and train other professionals to be effective clinicians.
Jenny C. Yip, Psy.D. Executive Director – Licensed Psychologist (PSY22024)
Dr. Yip is an Institutional Member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), a Clinical Member of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), and a Clinical Member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). She is on the Board of Directors at the Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA) where she chairs the Membership Committee and the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Special Interest Group (CBT SIG).
Dr. Yip is a distinguished innovator and educator of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) treatment within the family system. She has been extensively trained by nationally recognized clinical and research experts in the field of OCD, Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders, and Strategic Family Therapy. In 1999, she joined Dr. Charles S. Mansueto, Director of the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington, and gained intensive training and understanding of OCD and its treatment. During her years working with OCD patients and their families, she received mentoring from Cloe Madanes, Co-Founder of the Strategic Approach to Family Therapy, on the use of paradoxical techniques and its application with resistant patients and families. In 2004, she joined forces with Dr. Eda Gorbis to develop a ground-breaking treatment protocol for patients with body image issues, such as BDD and Eating Disorders.
Through her years of training in traditional Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Strategic Family Approaches, Dr. Yip has developed her own innovative treatment modality integrating Strategic Paradoxical Techniques with CBT in the treatment of family and individuals with severe OCD, body image issues, emotional eating, and related anxiety disorders. She has presented her work at national and international conferences, and continually provides training in her areas of expertise to other treatment professionals. She has published articles, and has consulted on documentaries and major film productions on OCD in children and adolescents.
In an effort to increase public awareness and eliminate negative stigmas, Dr. Yip continually speaks at various organizational, educational, and media venues about effective coping strategies to beat debilitating anxiety symptoms. To inquire about Dr. Yip’s availability for speaking engagements, please contact us directly.
Sarah A. Haider, Psy.D. Director of Training – Licensed Psychologist (PSY24600)
Dr. Haider has worked extensively with young children, adolescents and adults suffering from severe anxiety disorders. She earned her doctorate from The Institute of Graduate Clinical Psychology at Widener University. She primarily employs cognitive-behavioral techniques integrated with mindfulness to aid her patients in their recovery. Dr. Haider was trained in biofeedback by Dr. Celeste DeBease, the former chair of BCIA; this practice helps patients understand their mind-body connection to anxiety.
Dr. Haider’s background in school psychology gives her a unique perspective in working with patients. She utilizes behavioral techniques to decrease ritualistic behaviors with children suffering from social and other anxiety disorders. In addition to therapy, Dr. Haider regularly conducts highly individualized, comprehensive assessment batteries, and helps patients and their families understand the testing results. Based on her experience as an academic coach, college professor and family therapist, Dr. Haider is skilled at helping parents and school staff understand the impact of OCD and other anxiety disorders on academic functioning. She regularly presents at conferences and has authored papers on how to best help children with anxiety.
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Max G. Feirstein, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist (PSY24699)
Dr. Feirstein received his Bachelor’s in Psychology from Stanford University, his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, and was Visiting Scholar in Psychology at Oxford University in England. Dr. Feirstein has clinical experience from the Palo Alto Veterans Administration, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, Pasadena City College, and the Wright Institute Los Angeles. Dr. Feirstein’s research interests include studying relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and his research findings were presented at the California Psychological Association’s Annual Convention. Dr. Feirstein has experience working with the full range of anxiety disorders and has received specialized training from the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Research Center. Dr. Feirstein is highly versed in cognitive behavioral, social cognitive, relational psychodynamic, positive psychology, and solution focused therapeutic approaches. He frequently lectures to the professional community in these areas.
Contact Dr. Feirstein: DrFeirstein@RenewedFreedomCenter.comReturn to top
Lauren Stutman, Psy.D. Psychological Fellow (PSB36177)
Dr. Stutman received a dual-doctorate in Clinical and School Psychology from APA accredited program, Yeshiva University of Albert Einstein School of Medicine. She is particularly skilled in incorporating mindfulness training into the therapeutic process. She trained in meditation practices with Dr. Alan Wallace, world-renowned founder of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies.
Dr. Stutman also received specialized training in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and impulsive/compulsive disorders from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine with Dr. Eric Hollander, a leader in the research and treatment of OCD and other anxiety disorders. Additionally, she has extensive experience working with anxiety and chronic pain disorders in outpatient clinics, private practice, hospital, and school settings. Her accomplishments were recognized by the world’s largest chronic pain network for Interstitial Cystitis (ICN), where she was asked to speak on this topic.
Dr. Stutman’s services at the Renewed Freedom Center are provided under the license and supervision of Jenny C. Yip, Psy.D. (PSY22024).
Contact Dr. Stutman: DrStutman@RenewedFreedomCenter.comReturn to top
Kay Ramsey, MBA Operations Manager
Kay Ramsey is a fresh mind that aspires to work with the underprivileged population where many lack access to much needed social and mental health services. Prior to her coming aboard with Renewed Freedom Center, she spent over 10 years in social services. Her experiences include family support/preservation services, life coaching and mentoring for at-risk youth, as well as marketing and event planning for several non profits and small businesses. Her eye for detail and her inquisitive nature has inspired her to study psychology at Pepperdine University, where currently she is a 3rd year MFT candidate. Her independence, thoroughness, and ambition make her an ideal addition to our staff.
Contact Kay: KayRamsey@RenewedFreedomCenter.com
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Julius Mariano, B.S. Patient Coordinator
Julius Mariano is a bright, young man who graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science – Community Health. Before joining the Renewed Freedom Center, Julius interned at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles and at the CSULA Student Health Center where he created, developed, and implemented student health programs. Furthermore, he has experience in planning and coordinating various activities and community outreach projects for his church. Julius aspires to become a health administrator and develop programs that raise awareness and educate the public about various health issues. His enthusiasm, creativity, and heart make him a fine addition to our staff.
Contact Julius: JuliusMariano@RenewedFreedomCenter.com
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Jake Knapik, B.S. Psychology Intern
Jake Knapik received his Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Psychology at Northern Michigan University. He is in the process of earning his Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Los Angeles. Jake has years of experience working with children suffering from Autism and anxiety disorders. Having worked in many settings, ranging from schools to psychiatric units, have provided him the facility to be amendable to many unique situations. Jake has an overall passion for helping children challenge and overcome their anxieties, and treating trauma in children and families as well as recent returning veterans.
Contact Jake: JakeKnapik@RenewedFreedomCenter.com
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Katrina Rydzewski, B.A. Psychology Intern
Katrina Rydzewski is a second year doctoral student in the Clinical Program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles. She received her Bachelor of Art in both Psychology and Sociology at the University of Hawaii. During her undergraduate training, she worked as a Research Assistant at the John Burn’s Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Honolulu, HI, which initially sparked her interest in CBT. Katrina aspires to work with trauma patients, as well as adults and adolescents suffering from eating and body image disorders.
Contact Katrina: KatrinaRydzewski@RenewedFreedomCenter.com
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Our Mission Statement
In patient care, the Strategic Cognitive Behavioral Institute’s mission is to provide the most effective, state-of-the-art, brief treatment with benefits that last beyond the termination of therapy. We see our patients as students learning to master a set of skills to manage their distressing symptoms that interfere with their daily functioning. In order to decrease the discomfort generated from various sources of anxiety, we need to understand how errors in our thinking trigger emotional imbalances that determine our behaviors. Knowledge and understanding gained through treatment will allow an individual the ability to identify these negative thinking patterns, evaluate it properly, and adjust faulty thinking patterns to reflect the circumstance more accurately. Consequently, anxiety and discomfort will be significantly reduced, which will improve our overall functioning. In a sense, as in managing diabetes or heart disease, learning to manage and correct our distorted thinking patterns that trigger anxiety and distress is a long-term lifestyle adjustment. Treatment is direct, brief, and focuses on the here-and-now, which usually spans no more than 4-6 months. The success of treatment is dependent upon the individual’s level of motivation and effort. As in any teacher-student relationship, our role is to educate and guide the student, while the individual’s role is to learn and actually do the work that is assigned. The goal is to equip the individual with the necessary skills to be capable of managing his/her own symptoms. With the tools acquired through treatment, patients are able to apply them to other situations and future circumstances.
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