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

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.

Candice Courtney McFadyen is a native Angelino and earned her undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University, her Master’s from Pepperdine University, and her life coaching certification from JRNI. She believes that there is much to be gained from challenge. She’s certainly confronted a number of obstacles in her life, ranging from her first struggle (math!) to overcoming perfectionism. But Candice has learned to shift her perceptions—seeing these circumstances not as difficulties, but as opportunities that ultimately led her to exactly where she’s supposed to be in life. Her path now drives her to connect with people one-on-one, guiding them through their struggles, careers, and personal relationships.

Candice is a compassionate and driven advocate who works from a place of understanding with each client, helping them find their strengths and develop their own unique sense of self. She utilizes her background in communications and goal-oriented nature to support each client as they achieve their aspirations. Her approach is positive, supportive, and respects each individual’s journey. She aims to shape her clients’ possibility-filled futures.

Kelly Ramnarine is a community organizer with a background in psychology and primatology. She is a certified SafeZone trainer and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Kelly is passionate about minority inclusion and social support systems as a means of building psychological resilience.

Since 2018, Kelly has focused her efforts on creating inclusive, intersectional events and spaces for the LGBTQ+ population of Southern California and is excited to bring that experience and energy to The Help Group’s Kaleidoscope team.

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

Theresa Bennett, M.A.

Candice Courtney McFadyen

Kelly Ramnarine, PgC

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

Theresa Bennett, M.A.

Candice Courtney McFadyen

Kelly Ramnarine, PgC

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