Insight to Teen Culture

who we are

Insight to teen culture is an organization of diverse and dedicated professionals who are constructively working with tweens, teens, young adults and their families.

Our intention is to share information, offer support and solutions to the challenges that our community encounters.

Meet Us

We're the team who makes great things happen.
Our team is creative, collaborative and passionate about supporting our community of youth and their families.

Founder

Stephanie Bien, LMFT, LPCC has been a licensed psychotherapist since 1992. Families are my specialty: Using play therapy with children, connecting and guiding teens, teaching “Parent Effectiveness Training” skills to adults, running groups for “Parent’s of Teens”, educating about “Co-Parenting through Divorce” and enabling families to build a stronger foundation through communication.
New group starting for parents of children, tweens and teens to handle their frustration and P.E.T. "Parenting Class : Raising Cooperative Kids" in Agoura Hills/Calabasas. Ms. Bien is the co-author of "Bully Prevention Tips for Teens: 18 Powerful Ways to Protect Yourself through High School" and speaks and teaches about Bully Prevention.
Stephanie also specializes in hospice care and counseling as well, enabling families to sort through and communicate about end of life issues. Helping the family to resolve the old issues, helps ease the way through the grief process. She is the founder of Insight to Teen Culture and co-founder of Get it Out!
Please visit https://www.stephaniebien.com for more information.

Professional Board

Robin Gingold, MD has been a pediatrician at Agoura West Valley Pediatrics since 1995. Dr. Gingold was born and raised in Los Angeles. She graduated with honors from Brown University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then attended University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine and completed her pediatric internship and residency at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Dr. Gingold specializes in patients from birth until 21 years of age. She has developed a personal interest in adolescent development. Dr. Gingold has two offices, one in West Hills and one in Agoura Hills. She is a member of the AMA, AAP, CMA and LAPDS societies. Besides being a founding member of the Insight to Teen Culture, she is a board member of the Muses of the California Science Center, runs a book club and enjoys exercise, cooking and gardening. For more information, please visit www.agourawestvalleypeds.com or join her facebook page or Instagram site at Agoura-West Valley Pediatric Medical Group.

Sharon Volner, LMFT “My philosophy is that people, whether they are struggling with mental health or addiction issues, need to know their reality.”
Sharon brings a broad range of experience to her role as the Chief Clinical Officer of La Ventana Treatment Program. She has over twenty years experience working with at-risk youth, couples, families, and adults in the field of mental health and addiction. She has worked at various rehabilitation centers with youth and adults struggling with issues of addiction and their underlying psychological causes. Sharon has worked as a trainer and operator on a crisis suicide hotline. Sharon has worked directly with the homeless population in assisting them in stabilizing laventanatreatment.com severe and persistent mental health and substance dependence as well as gaining housing and employment. Sharon maintains a private practice in Westlake and is a Clinical Supervisor to registered interns working towards their licensure. Sharon’s approach is multi-modal: she addresses the biological, psychosocial, spiritual, and nutritional aspects of addiction and treatment.
Sharon earned her MS in Counseling with Distinction from California State University. She is a member of CAMFT, and a Co-Leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop in efforts to help young girls develop empowerment and leadership. Sharon is also the Vice President of Fundraising for the Theatre Boosters at her daughter high school

Maggie Spoonerow at Lightfully is woman-founded and woman-led. This is unique in the behavioral healthcare industry. Focused on changing lives, compassionately, welightfully.com leverage our clinical and leadership experience to create unprecedented programs, facilities, and therapeutic treatment opportunities for each human to grow and thrive. Lightfully offers Residential, Outpatient and Virtual Treatment for adults and
teens struggling with mental health concerns. Lightfully operates 18 programs across California. Lightfully Teen works with students of all genders, ages 12-17. Unlike other companies, Lightfully’s focus on primary mental healthcare is centered on these experiences: Depression and Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Personality Disorders and Trauma Related Disorders. For more information, call Maggie Spoonerow 818.651.6798 or go to https://lightfully.com

Monica Craven at Evolve Adolescent Behavioral Health Evolve offers evidence-based treatment for teens, all genders, 12 to 17 years old, who struggle with mental health, substance abuse, and/or behavioral issues. DBT is in our DNA! We have and adolescent comprehensive DBT proevolvetreatment.comgram and our standard residential program. All programs across all levels of care have adherent DBT skills training. Evolve offers a full continuum of care, including Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Residential Treatment Centers (RTC). To learn more, visit evolvetreatment.com or call 877-620-4598.

Adelina and Blake Brisbois at Engage Treatment, a Joint Commission Accredited professional psychological practice. We serve children, teens, and young adults struggling with depression and anxiety through a combination of therapeutic practices and community-focused treatment plans in three separate Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Preteen (10-12 year olds), Teen (13-17 year olds) and Young Adults (18-25). Engage Treatment also offers limited outpatient services to support families, parents, and youth through the Reflective Parenting Program, free virtual Parent Support Group, weekly support groups for youth, and support groups for youth identifying as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
We believe that it is our role to help lift the weight of the work that comes with depression and anxiety, so our clients can feel relief, be vulnerable and discover the incredible things that happen when they engage fully. At Engage Treatment, we embrace our commitments – to care, to help in any capacity we are able, and to improve every day. We are proud of our collaborative and growing community. We are honored to use our experience and expertise to help others and grateful to be part of communities such as Insight to Teen Culture. https://engagetherapy.com/about/

Bella Mahl is at Muir Wood Adolescent and family services, we offer teen (ages 12-17) residential programs in Riverside, Clovis, and Sonoma county. We offer both primary mental health and substance abuse treatment; as an accredited dual-diagnosis program, we offer addiction recovery support with LADACs/CADACs as recovery counselors. For more information, contact Bella Mahl at 213-604-7553 or [email protected]

Lyle Wick McClain and Sally McClain at Bridge The Gap partners with your therapist, doctor, or treatment team to take action on your therapy skills. We serve individuals with addiction or mental health issues. You will be paired with a therapeutic mentor to develop a comprehensive plan of action. Some mentors help clients apply to jobs or organize their living space, while other mentors help clients manage their work or school responsibilities and stay on top of tasks or appointments. For families, the therapeutic mentor will act as a liaison between the therapy team, your loved one, and you. For therapists and treatment providers, the mentor will meet with clients in real world settings to put therapy homework into action and take case management out of the therapy room. https://www.bridgethegapservices.com/

Alissa Whiteley at ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers and ROWI Kids is a comprehensive mental health facility for kids ages 8-12 and teens ages 12-17. We are clinician-owned and operated, with 18 locations across Southern California - and growing! We offer full-day (Partial Hospitalization) and after-school (Intensive Outpatient) services for teens experiencing depression, anxiety, mood disorders, suicidal ideation, self-harm, school avoidance, ADD/ADHD, trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and more. Our program includes individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and psychiatric care (PHP only) with therapeutic groups such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and the UCLA "PEERS" social skills program. We provide a holistic approach to care, and includes experiential groups such as art therapy, music therapy, yoga/fitness, mindfulness and meditation, improv, creative writing, and more. ROWI is in-network with most insurance providers. https://rowiteen.com/

Joey Chait is the Director of Outreach and Business Development at BNI Treatment centers. Joey has worked in the behavioral health industry for nearly 7 years, working at several facilities in the Discovery Behavioral Health network before joining the BNI Team. BNI Treatment offers detox and residential treatment for teens ages 12 to 17, with two luxury residential homes in Calabasas, and Agoura Hills, California. We have a team of expert psychiatrists, pharmacologists and doctorate level therapists to serve our patients with mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse issues, including high acuity mental health cases that are in need of stabilization. BNI Treatment Centers For information call Joey Chait at (310) 920-6070 or email [email protected]

Jordyn Shapiro at Just Start LA is an educational organization based in Calabasas, dedicated to empowering preteens to young adults through executive function coaching and personalized academic support. We address the growing need for holistic, student-centered learning by focusing on both academic and personal growth. With a mission to empower students to overcome educational obstacles, Just Start LA collaborates closely with families to help students build confidence, structure, and independence throughout every step of their path towards success. https://www.juststartla.com/

Hannah Maxson at Centered Health is a leading provider of mental health services with a commitment to helping adolescents thrive. Our specialized teen centers in Malibu and Agoura Hills, CA offer personalized, evidence-based treatment programs designed to support teens through their most challenging times. With a compassionate team of therapists, counselors, and educators, we focus on a holistic approach that addresses mental, emotional, and academic needs.
At Beachside, teens benefit from a serene environment in Malibu, where the healing process is complemented by structured academic support, life skills development, and therapy. Hillcrest, nestled in a calming, supportive atmosphere, provides an integrated approach to treatment with a focus on long-term wellness and personal growth.
Whether through individual therapy, group support, or family counseling, Centered Health strives to guide teens toward mental clarity and emotional resilience, empowering them to lead fulfilling, balanced lives. Learn more at CenteredHealth.com.

Youth Board

Katya Clark and is a student at Oak Park high school. i’m currently a junior and have struggled with a lot of mental health such as depression, body stigma, eating troubles, and anxiety. I’ve learned to manage it through energy redirection such as playing sports or going to the gym and therapy. I’ve tried to advocate for mental health and help prevent other young people from experiencing the same things. For my girl scout silver award, I created a mental health website for other teens struggling, I also spend my free time with my friends, going to the beach, baking, and making pinterest inspired crafts.

Jack Storch is an Insight Treatment alumni and a senior at Valencia High School. He struggled with depression and anxiety, as well as addiction, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. He grew up in Santa Clarita, where most of his non-immediate family members were active drug addicts. He began his journey with addiction and mental health disorders at the age of 15. He has been clean and sober for well over a year and plans to help his community in any means possible. He is an active member of the recovery community and plans to get certified as a drug and alcohol counselor after high school. In his free time, he spends most of his days making music, attending meetings, and enjoying activities like surfing, skiing, and rock climbing.

Marina is a sophomore at Oak Park High School. She moved frequently, and her last home was located in Turkey. She went to an international school, meeting people who were placed under similar circumstances, with many of her friends battling depression and various eating disorders. Marina built a strong interest in sociology and psychology, currently attending a peer counseling group at her school. She also enjoys writing short stories and playing with her cat during her free time.

Maximus Beatty is a junior at Oak Park High School who has faced the challenges of anxiety, particularly from the pressures of academics. Over time, he has learned to manage these struggles through outdoor activities, with a special passion for surfing and hiking. His friends have also played a crucial role in his journey, providing support and encouragement. Maximus is deeply interested in both mental and physical health, and as an aspiring medical professional, he is working to build a better understanding of how the two are interconnected. Currently, he is researching mental health’s impact on physical health at Los Robles Hospital. Outside of his academic and research pursuits, Maximus enjoys spending his free time in nature, exploring new outdoor activities, and playing lots of video games. His goal is to use his knowledge and experiences to help others understand and address the mental health challenges that so many face today.

Daniela Trivelli is a sophomore at Oak Park High School. Although she has never had any mental health challenges, she has been surrounded by friends and family who have. This has inspired her to pursue psychology (in college in the future) and helping families manage their mental health. Currently, she holds a leadership position as an Advanced Peer Counselor at her high school. Her role is to make the school more inclusive and help individual students meet their needs, whether it be about stress from school or challenges with family, friends, and even depression and self harm. Aside from her interest in mental health and psychology, Daniela enjoys being involved in her many music and sports programs, and, of course, spending time with her lovely family and cat.

Lyla Cracchiola is a student at Oak Park High School who has struggled with personal insecurities, school pressures, and self-negativity. She’s overcome these obstacles through weightlifting, yoga, meditation, outdoor activities, and personal expression through art and writing. She values the importance of a growth mindset in every aspect of life. Lyla is surrounded by incredibly supportive friends and family who uplift and encourage her, and she does her best to reciprocate that energy—especially during their difficult times. Through programs like Youth & Government, Lyla explores the importance of unity and understanding in situations of conflict, whether political, social, or personal. In her free time, you can find her with friends and family, at the beach, staying active, or enjoying some retail therapy.

LET'S TALK ABOUT

CHALLENGES

Screens and Teens
Preventing Bullying
Addiction Awareness
Anxiety and Stress Concerns
Gender Identity Issues

IT'S ALL ABOUT

SOLUTIONS

Events
Classes
Resources
Community Support

WHO WE

SUPPORT

Parents
Teens
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