OUR TEAM
Our Hive of Hope team is highly qualified to meet your needs.
Bahareh Talei, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist | PSY21252
Co-Founder, Diagnostic & Counseling Center (DCC)
Founder, PsychEval, Inc.
Founder, Hive of Hope (501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization)
Dr. Bahareh Talei is a licensed psychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University’s APA-accredited program. With over two decades of clinical experience, she has established herself as a leader in psychological assessment, diagnostic evaluations, and clinician training. Dr. Talei is the co-founder of the Diagnostic & Counseling Center (DCC) and founder of Hive of Hope, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable, accessible mental health services and high-quality training to future clinicians.
Dr. Talei specializes in comprehensive psychological and neurodevelopmental assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Her expertise includes the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, attention-deficit disorders, and complex neurocognitive conditions. Her reports are frequently used to guide academic accommodations, disability claims, and treatment planning, and she regularly provides Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) and forensic assessments for legal and governmental agencies.
A passionate educator and supervisor, Dr. Talei serves as adjunct faculty at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology, where she teaches graduate-level courses in psychological assessment and psychotherapy. She has trained and supervised postdoctoral fellows, associate therapists, and doctoral practicum students across a range of clinical settings, with a focus on assessment proficiency and ethical clinical practice.
In addition to her clinical and academic work, Dr. Talei is actively involved in the community through Hive of Hope and other outreach initiatives aimed at reducing mental health stigma and expanding access to care.
Cara Itule, LMFT
Co-Founder, Diagnostic & Counseling Center (DCC)
Director, Hive of Hope (501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization)
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Cara Itule, LMFT earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Pepperdine University. She is the co-founder of the Diagnostic and Counseling Center and brings over 28 years of experience in child development to her practice.
Cara specializes in treating generalized anxiety and mood disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. Her clinical expertise also includes working with childhood trauma, ADHD, dyslexia, and other non-specific learning disorders. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, and humanistic/existential theories, allowing her to tailor treatment to each individual’s needs.
She also works extensively with clients on the autism spectrum, focusing on developing social/pragmatic language, adaptive functioning, and stress management skills. Additionally, Cara supports individuals living with chronic pain and illness-related disabilities.
For over 17 years, Cara has conducted neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments. Her assessment work specializes in identifying specific and non-specific learning disorders, including dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and giftedness. She is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma-focused intervention.
MFC# 47708
Farokh Doctormajdi
Farokh is a dedicated MFT Trainee working with individuals, couples, and families through life’s various challenges and transitions.
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His unique academic and holistic background includes foundational studies in Chemistry and years of teaching experience as a Reiki Master. He is currently completing his master’s in clinical psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.
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With a passion for making a meaningful impact, Farokh has honed his skills to address a spectrum of concerns, including anxiety, stress management, relational issues, and complex life changes. His commitment to blending an analytical mindset with a profound understanding of the mind-body connection sets the stage for clients to achieve deeper self-awareness, balance, and lasting resilience.
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Dedicated to providing a warm, non-judgmental space, Farokh welcomes individuals and partnerships from all backgrounds. His dedication to utilizing practical grounding techniques and viewing each person through a comprehensive, whole-person lens makes Farokh a trusted and compassionate resource in the field of psychology.
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Under the Supervision of Dr. Bahareh Talei, PSY#21252
Erica Skene
Erica Skene is a graduate student earning her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She works with clients of all ages and diverse backgrounds, supporting individuals navigating anxiety, stress, relational challenges, neurodivergence, and complex life transitions. Erica is also passionate about working with children and adolescents experiencing self-esteem difficulties and peer-related challenges, as well as individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, providing supportive, client-centered care to both clients and their families.
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Erica approaches therapy with the understanding that each individual’s experience is unique. She collaborates closely with clients to develop personalized treatment plans aligned with their needs and goals, while emphasizing a solution-focused approach to help build practical skills and create meaningful, lasting change.
She brings a diverse professional background, including experience working with children, adolescents, and older adults in professional care settings. Erica also draws from her own experiences in therapy throughout childhood and adolescence, further strengthening her empathy and ability to connect with clients.
Under the supervision of Cara Itule, LMFT #47708
Jaiden Seehoffer
Hello, and welcome.
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I am currently completing my doctoral training in clinical psychology at a university in Los Angeles, California, where I am furthering my passion for providing thoughtful and compassionate care. My clinical experience has primarily focused on working with children and families, particularly in assessment services for neurodivergent youth. Through this work, I have developed a strong appreciation for each child’s unique strengths, challenges, and ways of engaging with the world.
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In my therapy work, I have had the privilege of supporting children navigating selective mutism, autism spectrum disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and trauma-related concerns. I approach each child with patience, and warmth, striving to create a supportive environment where they feel understood and empowered.
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Prior to this, I completed practicum training at an adult inpatient facility, where I worked with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness. This experience strengthened my ability to remain grounded, empathetic, and collaborative even in complex and high-acuity situations, and it continues to inform my trauma-informed approach to care. My style is warm, attuned, and strengths-focused, emphasizing helping children feel safe, understood, and capable of navigating challenges.
It is truly an honor to be part of each client’s journey, and I look forward to creating a space where you and your child feel heard, supported, and hopeful.
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Under the Supervision of Dr. Bahareh Talei, PSY#21252
Maria Gardner
My name is Maria Gardner and I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee with Hive of Hope. I’m earning a Masters of Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology, graduating summer 2026. At Hive of Hope, I see clients from diverse backgrounds and all ages. I work with clients who are neurodivergent, experience anxiety, depression, and trauma, and also help clients experiencing both personal and professional hardships and life events. My expertise lies not only in my education and training, but also in my creative background and through my own personal experience of healing from trauma through therapy. I have a deep understanding of how difficult it can be for those seeking therapy, and that understanding allows me to practice with the utmost empathy and compassion for those I work with. I bring creativity and nuance into the therapy room and practice through a Humanistic/Existential lens, and am well-versed in Client-Centered Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy. My goal is to provide a warm and comforting space for my clients where they can feel seen and heard, allowing for deeper introspection using evidence-based practices through an integrated approach.
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Under the supervision of Cara Itule, LMFT #47708
Brittaney Frenner
Britt is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Concordia University Irvine, currently completing her internship with Hive of Hope. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology from UC Davis and dual certifications in Health and Life Coaching from the Health Coach Institute.
She works primarily with teens and adults experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions, with a particular focus on trauma and substance use concerns. Britt takes a direct, supportive, and collaborative approach, offering honest feedback while fostering a safe and respectful space for growth.
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Her work is informed by psychodynamic and existential perspectives and integrates evidence-based approaches including CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and strengths-based therapy.
Under the supervision of Cara Itule, LMFT #47708
Salma Gomez
Under the Supervision of Dr. Bahareh Talei, PSY#21252
Arabella Cirricione
Under the Supervision of Dr. Bahareh Talei, PSY#21252