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Our Amazing Team

Meet the Board

Anna Grigorian-Routon, Psy.D.

PRESIDENT
Anna Grigorian-Routon holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. She has broad experience working in mental health settings, having worked at several school districts, counseling centers, and agencies in Southern California, providing school-based counseling services, neuropsychological assessment, and psychotherapy.
Anna’s clinical work and research focuses on children, parents, and teachers, and she has developed and executed bullying-prevention and mental health-focused programming geared toward elementary and middle-school students and their parents.
Anna is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology and serves as Co-Director of Clinical Training for the MS Counseling Psychology program at California Baptist University. Anna is passionate about promoting and destigmatizing mental health treatment in the Armenian community and providing support for mental health professionals in Armenia.

GEORGE GHARIBIAN, Ph.D., MFT

VICE PRESIDENT
Dr. George Gharibian has a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Northridge. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of California and provides psychotherapy in a private practice setting.
In addition, Dr. Gharibian is a core faculty member in the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program at the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles.
His teaching and research interests include Intercultural Psychology, Immigration and Mental Health, Clinical Intervention, Trauma, Mindfulness and Family dynamics.

Amalya Tagakchyan, M.A., LCSW

Secretary
Amalya Tagakchyan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing for the last 11 years in Los Angeles, CA and the last six years in private practice. As of 2023, Amalya has started her own solo private practice, Untangled Path Therapy.
Amalya primarily works with adults (individual therapy) and couples, integrating evidence-based practices and supporting people through a person-centered and multicultural lens. As of the last year, the focus on working with women through their postpartum journey has come to the forefront after becoming a mom herself and recognizing the need for supporting this population.
Primarily specializing in anxiety, mood disorders, relationships, women’s issues, stress, burnout, cultural issues/assimilation, and stages of life changes -the goal has always been and continues to be to normalize mental health and remove the stigma of going to therapy.

Misak Khachatryan, Psy.D.

Treasurer

Misak Khachatryan is a psychological associate at the Psychological Care Institute, providing individual and group psychotherapy for adults in an intensive outpatient program. He completed his American Psychological Association (APA) accredited clinical internship and post-doctoral fellowship at an inpatient mental health and substance use treatment center in Los Angeles.

Misak previously served in leadership roles for nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups, including two elected roles through the California Psychological Association. In addition to clinical and organizational experience, Misak has broad exposure to laboratory research, scholarly presentations/publications, and mentorship of beginning clinicians. He received master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the APA-accredited Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Armenian American Mental Health Association. Misak is committed to the advancement of mental health services, resources, advocacy, and education in the Armenian diaspora and homeland.

ERIC CHAMBRASI, AMFT

Educational Committee Chair
Eric Chambrasi received his Master’s level Clinical Psychology degree from Pepperdine University and got his start in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine.
He is currently in the process of completing the licensure requirements at West Valley Counseling Center. He currently provides affordable mental health services at this counseling center, where he gets to be a dedicated and passionate advocate for mental health within the Armenian American community.
He gets to work with elementary schools across LAUSD and works in a private practice setting, working with individuals and families, focusing on a trauma-focused approach to mental health with an emphasis on Psychoanalysis. During his free time, he enjoys traveling, camping, and cooking.

Yeva Ghrjyan, Psy.D.

Social Events Committee Chair
Yeva Ghrjyan, PsyD is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Wright Institute Los Angeles where she provides long-term psychotherapy to adults and couples. She is passionate about understanding how our psychological history and resilience can help us make meaning from our lives.
Yeva also provides parent-child dyadic play therapy at a private practice in Pasadena to continue working with young children and families which brings her a great deal of joy. She has conducted research on intergenerational trauma within the Armenian American population and hopes to strengthen community bonds. Outside of work, she loves photography, traveling, rock climbing, hiking, reading, and takes every opportunity for a beach day.

Lena S. Magardechian, PSYD-MFT

Membership Committee Chair
Lena Magardechian, PsyD-MFT is an Armenian American cis-gender female who received her Doctoral Degree in Psychology specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) in 2017 from the University of Alliant/CSPP, located in Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Magardechian is currently teaching as an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University for the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program with Marriage and Family Emphasis for the Mental Health Systems, Practice, and Advocacy classes.  In addition, she also works as a Registered Psychological Associate and is preparing to pass her Board Exams to become a Psychologist.

Dr. Magardechian has been involved for over 15 years working in the mental health field and is currently working as an OCD, fear, and anxiety specialist in private practice both remotely and in-person. During her free time, Dr. Magardechian is committed to her 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Charities called Women’s Advocacy Club (WAC) and Men’s Advocacy Club (MAC). These organizations were built with the vision to diminish injustice acts, stigma, prejudice, bullying, stereotyping, harassment, hate crimes and taboo involving gender, mental health, and social justice matters. She also loves and enjoys swimming, hiking, doing art, playing tennis and spending time with family and friends.

SONA HOVSEPIAN, LCSW

Ethics Committee Member/Advisor
Sona Hovsepian, LCSW, is a Senior Clinical Project Director with the Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC) at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System. Currently, her research efforts focus on promoting the health and social welfare of Veterans and the nation before, during, and after national emergencies and disasters through research and evaluation.
She serves on the safety committee at the GLA Community Engagement and Reintegration Services (CERS) department. Ms. Hovsepian has worked with the VA HSR&D CSHIIP and the VA Desert Pacific MIRECC Health Services Unit for 8 years conducting research with Veterans with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and a history of homelessness.
Ms. Hovsepian’s role as a family therapist at the Glendale Adventist Alcohol and Drug Services includes working with individuals and families faced with the challenges of addiction in residential, day, and intensive outpatient program. She has held leadership roles in several non-profit community organizations.

Anita Avedian, MS, LMFT, CAMS-IV

Ethics Committee Member
Anita Avedian is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (License # LMFT 38403) and has been practicing psychotherapy since 1996. Anita is the Executive Director of both Avedian Counseling Center and Anger Management 818, a boutique group practice servicing the Greater Los Angeles area.
Her specialties include working with relationships, anger, social anxiety, general anxiety, and addictions. She has also been certified as a Thought Field Therapist (TFT) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), both of which she integrates into her practice. Outside of therapy, Anita offers a monthly anger management certification program to counselors.
She authored Anger Management Essentials, a workbook for aggression, which has been translated into Spanish, Armenian, and Hebrew, as well as the teen’s workbook, which has been translated into Spanish. Anita is the co-founder of the California Chapter of the NAMA, which is the California Chapter of Anger Management Providers, and the Founder of Toastmasters for Mental Health Professionals.

Anett Abrahamian Assilian, Psy.D.

Ethics Committee Member
Dr. Anett Abrahamian Assilian is a licensed psychologist with practice locations in Montrose and Northridge conducting therapy in English and Armenian. Her practice focuses on working with children, adolescents and young adults as well as adults with chronic mental health issues, including depression and trauma.
She also has extensive experience working with therapists in training as well as licensed clinicians. Dr. Assilian has a history of working with children with autism and works with families when they have diagnostic uncertainty around autism and assists in linking families to services. Dr. Assilian enjoys supervising unlicensed associates in her practice and helping them develop their various areas of interests, ranging from trauma to sport psychology.

Anett Abrahamian Assilian, Psy.D.

Ethics Committee Member
Dr. Anett Abrahamian Assilian is a licensed psychologist with practice locations in Montrose and Northridge conducting therapy in English and Armenian. Her practice focuses on working with children, adolescents and young adults as well as adults with chronic mental health issues, including depression and trauma.
She also has extensive experience working with therapists in training as well as licensed clinicians. Dr. Assilian has a history of working with children with autism and works with families when they have diagnostic uncertainty around autism and assists in linking families to services. Dr. Assilian enjoys supervising unlicensed associates in her practice and helping them develop their various areas of interests, ranging from trauma to sport psychology.

ADELA GHARABEKI, PSY.D.

Advisor
Dr. Adela Gharabeki is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY 34379) in private practice. She holds a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Loma Linda University and completed her doctoral internship/postdoctoral residency at USC Counseling and Mental Health.
She is passionate about working with emerging adults and her areas of expertise include interpersonal trauma, mood disorders (i.e., anxiety, depression), stress management, and promoting resiliency. Dr. Gharabeki cultivates change primarily through an attachment, emotion-focused, and relational based framework however understands that there are clients who would benefit from skills-based interventions which is why she is also trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

In addition to her professional background, Dr. Gharabeki has also demonstrated a commitment to helping underserved populations, addressing social issues, and supporting fellow clinicians in their growth and development through her various volunteer experiences.

ARPINE GULGULYAN, PSY.D

Advisor
Arpine Gulgulyan received her Master’s level Clinical Psychology degree from the Yerevan State University and her doctorate degree from the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University.
Arpine completed her internship at the APA-accredited internship program at the Institute of Multicultural Counseling and Educational Services (IMCES) She is currently in the process of completing the licensure requirements. Arpine is a strong advocate of mental health service delivery for underserved and disadvantaged populations while continuously working on strengthening the ties between local mental health professionals and her colleagues in Armenia.
Her clinical interests revolve around individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan and children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. She has been a member of the AAMHA since 2017 and is more actively involved in the materialization of the association’s mission.

SEVAN TAHMASSIAN, LMFT

Advisor
Sevan Tahmassian is a licensed marriage and family therapist, graduated with distinction from California State University, Northridge with his Masters Degree in Counseling. Over the past decade, he has worked in a wide variety of professional capacities as a clinician and educator.
He took on a role as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) leader for three subjects—Psychology, Astronomy, and Statistics— at Glendale Community College and California State University of Northridge. He is a trilingual —English, Armenian, and Farsi—psychotherapist, and currently provides individual and couple therapy in a private practice setting in Glendale.
His multi-dimensional approach is tailored to the needs of each individual in order to equip his clients to view the issues through different lenses, to broaden their perspectives, and to navigate their value-driven lives. Outside of being a therapist, Sevan enjoys traveling, camping, gardening, reading books, binge-watching TV shows, and most importantly participating in good conversations.

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