Meet Our Team

1500 Palma Drive, Ventura, California 93003, United States

(805) 289-1500

Lakeside Family Counseling & Intervention Services

Currently accepting clients with Carelon, Cigna, Optum, and Cash

Meet Our Team

Heidi R Johnson

Robert "Ken" Riedl, PhD., R.A.S

Heidi R Johnson

I believe you are the expert on your own life.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

#108676

Everyone has a past but we can't let it define us. Regardless of the reason(s) that bring you to therapy, I believe you are the expert on your own life so providing you with a healing environment where you feel safe, respected, supported and valued will always be the first goal. I focus on helping clients gain personal insight, identify problematic patterns, improve coping skills, develop feelings of self-acceptance and satisfaction and uncover strengths.

My training has allowed me to work in a variety of settings and with a diverse group of individuals, families, and couples ranging in ethnicity, socioeconomics and age. These experiences have taught me that we have much more in common than we sometimes are willing to admit.

Making the first call takes courage (1st uncovered strength). In becoming the best version of ourselves, it often requires us to pull out old suitcases "baggage" from the back of our mind's closet, dust them off and remove the items that are no longer needed.

Not accepting new clients at this time.

Nicole Kanke

Robert "Ken" Riedl, PhD., R.A.S

Heidi R Johnson

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

#94241

It is completely normal for us to lose control of our emotions when exposed to abnormal circumstances, and the year of 2020 has been quite abnormal to say the least. There is a safe space to process any painful thoughts and emotions you may be experiencing. A space where you will not be judged, but understood, heard and respected. I serve as a guide in helping you identify the barriers within yourself that prevent you from experiencing peace, serenity and love. "We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated " Maya Angelou"

And if you cannot find your way out of the darkness, I will sit with you and point out the stars". Please take this step towards healing your pain. If I cannot help you, I will direct you to someone who can, as there are many therapists available to fit your specific needs and we are all here to help. There is always HOPE.

Not accepting new clients at this time.

Robert "Ken" Riedl, PhD., R.A.S

Registered Addiction Specialist

#103211032

I attended Breining Institute and became fully engaged in recovery work because I believe in the meaningful and important mission of helping people find their way back to a life before addiction or find the kind of fulfillment they need to achieve sobriety.

My training has allowed me to work in a variety of settings and with a diverse group of individuals, families, and couples ranging in ethnicity, socioeconomics and age.

I am passionate about giving my clients the tools to support healthy coping skills and helping clients gain agency of their lives. When working with clients I like to meet the client where they are in their journey to healing.

Teaches anger management groups in person every Saturday at $45 per class. Anger group meets probation requirements.

Meet Our Team

Judy marquez

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

#129817

Judy graduated from California Lutheran University in 2015 with a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. It is a passion she has had for a long time, to work and help other's. She is especially interested in working with people who have experienced pet loss. It is loss that has gone neglected and ridiculed. Our pets are as important as our human family.

A person who seeks therapy is a strong person, willing to step up and look at what issues they are being faced with. Have faith and trust in yourself and you will find what you are needing.

Not accepting new clients at this time.

Nydia Mendez

Judy marquez

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist# 125811

I am passionate about working with couples to transform relationships from isolation to intimate connection, together building a safe haven. Relationships can get stuck in destructive patterns leaving couples feeling isolated in their marriage. As couples grow in self-awareness and share their more authentic and vulnerable feelings they can build a haven of safety, including increased compassion, ability to comfort each other and resolve arguments. Through the process couples discover they feel more secure with themselves and other relationships are enhanced as well. Let this be your story.
I assist in the process by working with couples to identify their current relational pattern. I also help couples access and share their core emotions and personal stories. As they share they gain a new, deeper understanding of each other. This new experience changes the emotional climate of the relationship.
I use attachment theory to provide a scientifically based framework for relationships and emotion focused therapy (EFT) to change the emotional climate of the marriage. The end result is more than simple behavior change that has to be remembered and practiced, but deep-rooted heart change with transformational power.

Not accepting new clients at this time.

Diana Guerrero

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

#95712

Hello there! I’m Diana. I am a native Californian and have been living in Ventura County since 1962. In addition to being a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I am a credentialed elementary school teacher, a clinical supervisor and I speak fluent Spanish.

After receiving my BA from UC Santa Barbara, I became a bilingual schoolteacher and taught grades Kindergarten through fourth. Before leaving the teaching profession, I went back to school and received my M.A. in counseling from California State University, Northridge. I worked in public education for 28 years as a teacher and later as a school counselor. I have been working as an MFT for over 18 years.

As a teacher and a school counselor, I was the essential force behind the development of a conflict resolution program to reduce bullying on the school playground. As a school counselor, I trained selected students in conflict resolution skills and managed the program. I supported students in their completion of I.E.P. goals. I taught parenting classes and ran social skills groups with at risk students.

As a licensed clinician, I worked in a non-profit agency for over 16 years that specialized in providing therapy to clients with trauma. The majority of my clients were survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault. I facilitated play therapy groups, batterer’s intervention groups, teen anger management groups and victim support groups. I provided individual therapy to women staying in the shelter, children who had been sexually assaulted, teenagers with relationships issues, people suffering with depression, anxiety, and complicated grief.

We have all suffered from trauma at least one time in our lives and we can benefit from working through the pain. My passion is helping people learn more about how to approach their dilemmas in life, empower themselves to make their own decisions and learn how to love themselves once again. I use a combination of therapy approaches, with an emphasis in Internal Family Systems, Somatic and Trauma-focused.

“Healing begins by embracing what we fear most”

Not accepting new clients at this time

Meet Our Team

taylor Alderete

Angela Williams

Daniel Carlos

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #137398

I am Taylor and I'm passionate about working with all individuals, but particularly adolescents. I received my B.S. in Biology at UCLA and my M.A in Clinical Psychology at the University of Antioch Los Angeles.

I have worked with various individuals from adolescents, their families and adults. I spent a year working at a middle school and found an immediate draw to want to help our youth. My background in sports has made me the person I am today and therefore hope to provide my clients with the same empathy, patience, support and compassion that I developed through my years in sports, life experiences and education.

Providing my clients with the tools and skills to help them develop a healthy mind and body is something that is important to me. I believe in never rushing the process, as everyone has a story to tell, but when it’s told is up to you.

Daniel Carlos

Angela Williams

Daniel Carlos

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #142358

Hi! I am Daniel, a California native originally from Los Angeles but have been in

the Ventura County area for 13 years. I have attended Grand Canyon University in

2017 as a psychology major in which I received my Bachelors in 2018.

As an Associate, I have had the privilege

of working with families, couples, and individuals who are culturally diverse, from

various age ranges, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds who are experiencing

challenges from vast areas of concern. The issues include family issues, marital

challenges, young adults transitioning into the world of adulthood, career choices,

and adolescents trying to discover their place in the world. In the height of these

challenges, families, couples, and individuals can benefit from a safe, calm,

empathic, and judgement free environment while gaining the tools that can help

support their efforts in learning, healing, and promoting hope and change for a

brighter future.

Angela Williams

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #138085

As a therapist I place a tremendous amount of value on the therapeutic relationship. Our work together is a collaborative partnership, where I hope to serve as a guide on your journey to fulfillment, or your pathway to healing.

My goal is to provide a safe, non judgmental environment where one can feel treated with respect and dignity. Whether your struggle is with stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, aging, teenaging, young adulting or something else…the common denominator is that we ALL have something at some point in our lives that could benefit from the care of a mental health professional.

As a woman of color, I consider myself to be one who is culturally sensitive, and practices from an integrative and eclectic therapeutic approach. My goal is to cultivate my interventions to the needs of each individual client. Some clinical approaches used include Person-Centered Therapy, Solutions Focused Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).

As a therapist I’m committed to aiding you in achieving your personal, relational, and healing goals. Congratulations on taking this courageous step in your journey!

Meet Our Team

Ariadna Puchiu

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #146399

I am a passionate professional and my mission is clear: to empower individuals, families, and couples to navigate life's challenges and cultivate resilience, growth, and well-being.

As a seasoned therapist, former schoolteacher and dedicated parent partner, I bring a unique perspective and wealth of experience to my practice. With a specialization in working with diverse populations, including children, adolescents, individuals, families, and couples, I am committed to tailoring my approach to meet the unique needs of each client.

Throughout your journey with me, you can expect a compassionate, nonjudgmental, and empowering space for healing and growth. Whether you're seeking support for your child's anxiety, navigating relationship challenges with your partner, or exploring personal growth opportunities, I'm here to guide you every step of the way.

Additionally, as a parent partner, I recognize the importance of family dynamics and the role parents play in their children's lives. I'm here to support parents in navigating the ups and downs of parenthood, strengthening family bonds, and fostering healthy communication and relationships.

I am here to help you explore how to live a fulfilling life, overcome obstacles, and embrace your true potential. Together, we will work towards creating meaningful change and cultivating a life filled with joy, purpose, and authenticity.

Thank you for considering me as a partner on your journey toward healing, growth, and well-being. I look forward to the opportunity to support you.

Vanessa Cordova

Associate Marriage and Family

Therapist #153323

Vanessa is currently a graduate student with Grand Canyon University and always had a passion for helping others.

Vanessa has extensive experience working with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and is excited to learn and grow her skillset as she continues her journey in becoming a licensed therapist.

Vanessa's training allowed her the privilege of working with families and individuals who are culturally diverse, from various age ranges, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds who are experiencing challenges from vast areas of concern. The issues include family issues, young adults transitioning into the world of adulthood, career choices, and adolescents trying to discover their place in the world. In the height of these challenges, families and individuals can benefit from a safe, calm, empathic, and judgement free environment while gaining the tools that can help support their efforts in learning, healing, and promoting hope and change for a brighter future.

Vanessa is also fluent in Spanish and able to offer sessions in both English and Spanish.

Alyssa Aguilar

Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee

Growing up in a large family in the San Fernando Valley, I developed a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and an understanding of complex family dynamics.

I hold a B.A. in Psychology from CSU Channel Islands and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from California Lutheran University.

My experience working with children, families, and adults has reinforced my commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all. I believe that empathy and compassion are essential for fostering self-exploration, developing effective coping skills, and achieving personal goals in therapy. I look forward to supporting clients on their journey toward growth and healing!

Meet Our Team

Shany Kull

Coming Soon

Shany Kull

Associate Professional Clinical Counselor

#18896

My name is Shany, I am a Ventura County native. I am passionate about working adolescents, individuals, and couples. I have my B.S. in Psychology from Life Pacific University and my M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University.

I see my role as a therapist is to collaborate with those I work with. Together, we will explore the why’s, what’s, and how’s that have sculpted and influenced you and your life. We will seek out answers to questions, insight into places of confusion, empathy to places of shame, and freedom in the places that have felt stagnant. I bring in knowledge and expertise, but I rely heavily on your own perspective, intuition, and insight in this process.

This process also often involves working with people and their younger selves - those younger versions of all of us whose wounds we still carry, whose belief systems may have been shaped by harmful or oppressive experiences, whose wonder can still guide us. Through working with our younger selves, positive change often gets unlocked. My objective is for you to be informed of your true self.

In terms of theoretical approaches, my work heavily draws upon Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Self-Compassion, Gestalt Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Somatic Therapy.

Coming Soon

Shany Kull

Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee

Coming Soon

Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee