Meet Our Team

Our team of dedicated and enthusiastic coaches are a core component of Advance LA’s success. Advance LA coaches receive ongoing training and continuous professional development. They are individually supervised by a licensed psychologist on a weekly basis; they participate in group supervision led by a licensed psychologist; and they regularly take part in trainings on special topics. Our program of rigorous training, observation, and management ensures that our life skills coaches provide high quality, clinically-sensitive, and individualized support to each client.

Administration & Staff

Laurie Stephens, Ph.D. PSY1852
Senior Director of Autism and LGBTQ+ Programs

Dr. Laurie Stephens is a developmental psychologist who has been working with children, teens, and young adults on the autism spectrum for nearly 30 years. She currently serves as The Help Group’s Senior Director of Autism and LGBTQ+ Programs. Dr. Stephens previously served as the Director of Autism Spectrum Disorder Programs with The Help Group for 12 years.

Her primary area of focus has been in designing and implementing social skill curriculum from the preschool level through young adulthood. She also provides individual therapy to young adults on the spectrum who have “failed to launch” or present with high levels of anxiety. Dr. Stephens has a specialty in helping clients develop and improve their theory of mind (“social thinking”).

Bonnie Auerbach, PhD, Clinical Director

Dr. Auerbach has spent over twenty years at The Help Group working with children, teens, and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Long Island University in New York and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Auerbach’s professional background includes overseeing The Help Group’s Project Six Residential Program, where she helped adults with developmental disabilities build the skills needed to live more independently; supervising therapists in The Help Group’s school programs on the Sherman Oaks campus; and participating in the doctoral intern Training Committee.

During her time at Advance LA, Dr. Auerbach has enjoyed developing relationships with Live. Advance. LA. residents and their families. She believes that Advance LA truly helps young adults achieve goals they have difficulty accomplishing on their own, and allows them to turn their dreams into reality. In her free time, you can find Dr. Auerbach reading, knitting, and cooking.

Jeri began her career as an attorney with the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and became involved in the field of education when her children started school. She earned a Masters Degree in School Counseling and joined Westmark School as the School Counselor. In this role, Jeri assisted students and their families to manage challenging academic, social, and emotional issues. She is a National Board Certified Counselor and a Certified Parent Educator.

Jeri is the Parent Support Group Facilitator for the International Dyslexia Association of Los Angeles as well as a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line. She is excited to share her professional skills, as well as her personal experience as a parent of three young adults, with Advance LA. Her goal is for Advance LA clients to find happiness and success in their academics, their employment, and in their relationships with family and friends.

Coaches

Pavan has always enjoyed assisting young adults to achieve their goals ranging from academics and careers to personal goals such as relationship enhancements and confidence. Pavan is passionate about helping those around her build confidence and be the best version of themselves. This passion led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA as well as a Master of Arts degree in couple and family therapy.

While previously working with adolescents and young adults, she has learned that confidence and self-awareness does not happen over night. However, assistance with a compassionate, determined, and supportive helping-hand can have astounding effects.

Theresa earned her Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology degree from National University and a Bachelor of Arts, Sociology degree from Hofstra University. She has over 13 years of experience working with children and young adults in the foster care and juvenile justice systems providing case management, service coordination, and supervisory oversight at a private nonprofit organization.

Theresa has worked with various populations of different ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and developmental backgrounds. In her most recent position, she provided in-home supportive services for her clients to remain stable in their communities and to avoid a higher level of care. Theresa believes that supporting children and young adults in building a strong and stable foundation can assist in a successful future. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Laura serves as Kaleidoscope’s Program Coordinator, and Individual Client Coach in partnership with Advance LA. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from UC Santa Barbara in Literature with a Minor in Feminist Studies. Her passion for helping people and fostering community spaces began in college, where she worked at the LGBTQ+ resource center on her campus.

Laura has spent the last two years at The Help Group’s STEM3 Academy, where she served as the Student Success and Engagement Coordinator. She has experience with children of all ages in educational contexts. Laura currently splits her time between planning community events, and providing coaching services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.

Raj began her career co-operating three restaurants with her husband which provided her flexible hours to be involved in their four children’s lives. She has a BA in Sociology from California State University of Northridge (CSUN) and a Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Over the years, she has gained many hours of experience in working with young adults, adults, couples and families in various settings with emphasis on specializing in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, parenting, behavioral issues, as well as advocating for marginalized groups.

Raj speaks fluent Punjabi and Hindi and is a culturally sensitive provider. She draws upon each individual’s unique strengths while simultaneously working with clients to identify their barriers, then collaborating with clients to overcome these barriers to achieve success. Raj uses a holistic approach to tackle various obstacles that can impact life such as, financial stress, relationship problems, lifespan stages, work issues, family dynamics, and overall stressors.

Raj’s free time consists of spending quality time with her family, their dog, and friends. Raj looks for any opportunity to hike or indulge in being around nature, attending mindfulness-type retreats, healthy cooking, reading and surrounding herself with people that inspire her.

Sophia has always had a passion for helping others in their time of need. With her interest in Psychology and human behavior, it has led her to gain a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University. Sophia has previously worked with teenagers and young adults who struggle with eating disorders, depression and anxiety. Sophia loved guiding her clients and seeing them achieve their goals and improve their lifestyle. She continues to work with individuals of all ages and backgrounds to help them gain confidence and become the best version of themselves.

Sophia believes addressing the individual as a whole, which includes their physical, mental and emotional health is the best way to provide the best outcome for her clients. On her free time, Sophia enjoys spending time with her friends and loved ones. She enjoys traveling to a new country every year to learn about different cultures. Sophia loves to workout and go hiking, and especially loves playing and cuddling with her cats.

Laurie Stephens, Ph.D. PSY1852
Senior Director of Autism and LGBTQ+ Programs

Bonnie Auerbach, PhD, Clinical Director

Jeri Rochman, MS, Director of Community Outreach

Pavan Kaur, M.A.

Theresa Bennett, M.A.

Laura Harwood, Kaleidoscope Program Coordinator

Raj Basra, M.S.

Sophia Saraie, M.A.

Advance LA

The Help Group

About Us

Our Services

Events

Laurie Stephens, Ph.D. PSY1852 Senior Director of Autism and LGBTQ+ Programs

Bonnie Auerbach, PhD, Clinical Director

Jeri Rochman, MS, Director of Community Outreach

Pavan Kaur, M.A.

Theresa Bennett, M.A.

Laura Harwood, Kaleidoscope Program Coordinator

Raj Basra, M.S.

Sophia Saraie, M.A.

Advance LA

The Help Group

About Us

Our Services

Events

Laurie Stephens, Ph.D. PSY1852
Senior Director of Autism and LGBTQ+ Programs