Meet the Titan Wellness Center Team
Tonya El-Hendi, LCSW63584, PPS
I have 23 years of experience in education and it's my 5th year here at San Marino H.S.
My passion is school-based mental health to support every student’s overall wellness to further THEIR individual goals both academically and as people.
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” ~ Edith Wharton
If you have concerns or are not sure if you should be concerned about your child feel free to contact me via email or phone to have a confidential conversation of ways to support your child. We may be in different boats but we are in the same storm.
Jacqueline Chan
Data Technician
Hi, I'm Jacqueline and am the Data Technician here at the Titans Wellness Center. I have a degree in Piano Performance and a Master’s degree in Marketing Communication Management. As a parent of two young kids, I'm excited to be here to help support the team and am grateful to have the privilege to be part of the community. Outside of work, I enjoy trying new restaurants, watching movies and dramas, and traveling.
Hi! I'm Peijen, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist bilingual in Chinese (Mandarin) and English. This is my fourth year at San Marino and I am grateful to have the privilege of working with the students and families in our community. My work focuses on adolescents and comes from a place of respect and admiration - it's not easy growing up in this day and age! And as a parent of adolescents myself, I deeply understand the complex challenges modern parenting brings. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, trying new (vegetarian) foods, going to concerts, watching k-dramas and hanging with my pup.
Frank Costello
MFT Trainee
My name is Frank Costello, and I am a student trainee therapist from Pepperdine University of Malibu completing my practicum year here at TWC. I am a returning student who is coming from a corporate setting and in the middle of a career change. I received my bachelor’s of arts degree from the UCLA, where I majored in sociology and minored in education. Switching careers for me was a conscious decision based on my love for helping others and human interaction. Psychoeducation and learning about better ways to practice emotional intelligence are aspects of therapy that are very important to me. In my free time I enjoy going to the gym, binge watching Netflix shows and playing video games with my two teenage children. It is my hope that during my time here at TWC I can get to know each one of my clients on a deeper level in order to better assist them with moving forward positively as their best self.
Hi! my name is Simon, and I am a current graduate student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at California State University, Northridge. I come from a community that values achievement, and after working in business for so many years (and watching the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once), I recognized the values I wanted to emulate: kindness, empathy, acceptance, and connection with others. These values led me to Marriage and Family Therapy, a career path that aligns with what I believe in.
I love the MFT community I'm part of today, enjoy what I'm learning as a student, and appreciate the opportunity to connect with others. I value creating a warm, validating, safe, and collaborative space for students to manage life's challenges. In my free time, I enjoy supporting Oklahoma City Thunder basketball, refreshing Facebook Marketplace for deals, recreating Korean dishes from YouTube, and taking long strolls at the Huntington Library.
Jamie Stokes
MFT Trainee
Hi, I am Jamie Stokes, a neurodivergent, chronically ill therapist trainee with a deep commitment to helping individuals advocate for their needs and grow in self-acceptance and self-love. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and am currently pursuing a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Azusa Pacific University. I have experience working with the neurodivergent community, including classroom observations and school visits to support clients' sensory needs, emotional regulation, and self-expression. I've provided emotional support for students to pursue academic success, motivation, and personal development. My therapeutic approach incorporates evidence-based practices such as play therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and narrative therapy. Outside of work, I enjoy being in nature, learning new things, and rock climbing. As I often say, "The opposite of chaos is not constant calm, but more space to move through emotions without escaping or covering up.”
Miriam Zinukova
MFT Trainee
Hi! I’m Miriam, a Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee studying at California State University, Northridge. After 9 years of being an executive sous chef and private chef, I made the transition back to my first passion, mental health. As a mother of two small children, I understand the challenges and constant pivoting of parenthood and the additional pressures children are experiencing growing up in a technology and social media-driven world. I know every family has unique strengths and goals, and I’m interested in building those up by your side. I am excited to work with a tight-knit community at Titan Wellness Center and grateful for the opportunity to meet and support all you wonderful families, teens, and children! In my free time, I love going on food adventures, camping with my family, working out, and watching shows or movies!