Andrew Byrne, LMFT- Owner and Therapist
Balance is not necessarily a consistent state of being, it takes work and attention, using our human awareness to recognize when we are feeling unbalanced so that we may take the necessary steps to readjust. I believe wholeheartedly in every human being’s ability and right to find peace in their lives and in my conversations with those who choose to join me, I work to help them understand how they can create the kind of peace they are looking for in life. Whether it is at work or at home or simply in the world at large, we are often faced with challenges that we must overcome in order to move forward. In fact, simply being human presents us with the challenge of managing emotions, and interacting with others, and coping with the stress of all that life puts in our path. In my work, I strive to help people be empowered to find their own way forward, whether in romantic relationships or individual struggles, discovering that they alone have the power to free themselves of suffering. I believe we all have the ability to persevere, and sometimes we might all benefit from a little extra support. I look forward to being that support for you and helping you find the path to peace in your life.
License# 53477
Antonette Robinson, LMFT
If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that change is inevitable. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, a significant life transition, or starting or ending a relationship, change is a constant and consistent part of our lives. Yet, it is also something that many of us find scary and we may resist it, even when that change is ultimately in our best interest. Life is full of these forks in the road and many of us may benefit from having someone who can guide us through the often confusing and difficult challenges life can present.
In my practice, I aim to create a healing therapeutic experience by providing a calm and safe environment where folks can gain clarity in their circumstances and discover the power they have to navigate the difficulties of life. I am a bilingual (English and Spanish) therapist who enjoys supporting individuals, couples and families through a variety of therapeutic styles aimed at increasing the awareness and agency people have in their own lives. I also have a passion for helping youth and supporting their growth in this ever changing and increasingly challenging world.
If you find yourself in need of support and would like to have someone in your corner during whatever obstacle life is putting in your path, it would be my pleasure to be that support for you. I look forward to walking alongside you on your journey and helping however I am able.
License# 140570
Elizabeth Collazo, LMFT - Therapist
Life is beautiful, and yet it can also often be filled with so much pain and suffering. We face many challenges in this life, including, but certainly not limited to, loss, transitions, childhood wounds, attachment injuries, relationship difficulties, and a wide array of other stress inducing difficulties. In response to this pain, we do our best to cope in the ways we have been taught, often not realizing that these strategies may be leading us further into suffering. Unbeknownst to us, these attempts to escape or numb the pain may lead us to inadvertently hurt those closest to us or take us deeper into a sense of hopelessness and debilitating fear of the future.
Through therapy, I aim to help individuals, couples and families recognize the suffering they experience and take the steps to alleviate this suffering. Using an integrative therapy approach, I work alongside clients (in English and Spanish) to help them find their strength to overcome adverse circumstances, meet life goals, and create a life they find joy and fulfillment in. If you currently find yourself needing some support along your healing and recovery, are facing life difficulties, or want to find ways to manage the stress you find yourself experiencing, I would love to assist you in the journey of becoming the best version of yourself.
License # 151027
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Ava Saheli- AMFT-Therapist
“Mowlana asked Shams: But what about our wounds?
And he replied: The Light enters from where they are.” – Rumi
One of my core priorities as a therapist is helping clients reclaim the power of their voice. I believe therapy works best as a collaborative process, where clients not only feel heard but also have the chance to know me—because vulnerability is hard with a complete stranger.
I enjoy working with teenagers and young adults, supporting them through the often complex transitions and challenges that come with identity formation, relationships, and growing into one’s self. These years can be especially tender, and I approach them with deep respect, curiosity, and care.
My approach is eclectic, drawing from multiple therapeutic modalities to meet each client’s unique needs. Together, we work toward healing—whether through regulating the nervous system, exploring how clients have been storying their lives, or getting to know the different parts of themselves that shape who they are.
As a first-generation Iranian American and Farsi speaker, I bring a lived understanding of the richness and challenges that can come with holding multiple cultural identities. I’m especially passionate about supporting clients who are exploring their roots, belonging, and sense of self across different worlds.
I’m committed to a socially conscious practice, honoring each person's experiences within their broader social and systemic context. Above all, I strive to ensure every client feels truly heard, understood, and seen.
Associate # 144168
Matt Faulkner, APCC- Therapist
"I view life as a dynamic process, constantly evolving and in a state of flux. Understanding these changes—and how they shape our perception of ourselves, our relationships, and the paths we're on—is crucial. Through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, my goal in therapy is to help individuals, couples, and families develop a deeper understanding of their world, providing a collaborative, supportive and patient environment in which they can make sense of their experiences and get to know the thoughts and emotions which influence their behaviors. By examining repeated and unwanted patterns of behaving and developing a vocabulary for identifying and describing the emotions which guide these behaviors, we can begin to explore and practice more intentional ways of being to support a life which is more in alignment with our values. Each of us are tasked with facing the unique challenges of our individualized experiences, and, as a therapist, I find it rewarding to support people in exploring how the context of their lives has helped to shape their identity and led them to experience the world as they have. It is through this process of self-discovery and emotional awareness that we can build confidence, efficacy, and the necessary skills to lead a life of empowerment and intentionality. Whether you are facing issues related to identity, career uncertainty, self-worth, relationships, or grief, it is my aim to help you develop the skills and insights needed to accomplish your goals and set you on the path to living the life you desire. If you have been finding life to be unmanageable and would benefit from some support, I would be honored to join you on your journey."
Associate # 17300
Cindy Martinez, AMFT- Therapist
Have you ever felt like a difficult chapter in your life has turned into a life sentence? Like no matter how hard you try, you can’t quite reconnect with who you used to be — or who you want to become?
You don’t have to carry that alone.
Whether you are navigating substance use yourself, supporting a loved one through addiction, or feeling disconnected in your relationship, therapy can be a space to pause, reflect, and begin again. Healing is rarely about “fixing” what’s broken — it’s about understanding what’s happened, reconnecting with your strengths, and creating a path forward that feels aligned with who you are.
Couples therapy doesn’t mean something is wrong. Many couples seek support not because their relationship is failing, but because they want to communicate more effectively, deepen intimacy, or navigate life transitions with greater intention. Choosing therapy can be a proactive and courageous step toward growth.
At the heart of this work is a deep respect for the courage it takes to seek support. Being entrusted with someone’s story is a humbling experience, and therapy is approached with care, collaboration, and genuine commitment to walking alongside clients through change. Bilingual (in English and Spanish).
Associate # 161426
Eilam Garcia, ACSW- Therapist
Every human being deserves the space to be seen, heard, and understood. For many of us, the traumas, heartaches and loss we have endured have been experienced in isolation; we have believed that we must carry these burdens alone. But, we are not designed to simply be individuals, we are designed to connect and heal through the connection with others. In the presence of an empathetic and attuned witness, where we are no longer alone in our pain, we are often able to let go of what no longer serves us and allow the process of transformation to take place. As we learn to carry the pain, lighten our burdens, and become enlightened to the beauty of our lives, we inevitably expand our capacity to live, love, and find peace.
As a therapist who lives a human experience first, I understand the ways in which each of our lives are a unique culmination of diverse experiences, perspectives, and identities. Thus, my approach to therapy is woven from a multitude of perspectives while always grounded in compassion, empathy, curiosity and remaining present to the human in front of me and the nuances of their story. I believe the therapeutic process allows us to unpack the landscape of our lives to help build a framework to understand who we are and how our experiences have taken shape within us, and reclaim the life we want to live.
I am passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community and striving to support all clients in exploring their authentic selves, fostering acceptance for themselves and their story, and navigating the challenges of living in a world which may not see us for who we are. It takes courage to move toward healing and it would be my pleasure to walk with you on your journey.
Associate # 102208
Amanda Sorourbakhsh, AMFT- Therapist
A former client once asked me, “How can we create beauty from the ruins?” For me, this captures the heart of therapy: not fixing what is broken, but tending to what has been wounded with care, curiosity, and compassion, and discovering what can come from the pain we experience. Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck in familiar patterns, or disconnected from themselves or the people they care about. They may find that the ways they learned to adapt to, and survive, their circumstances, while brilliant at the time, may have led to destructive behavior patterns that move them away from the life they truly desire. Therapy can be a space to gently unravel those patterns and reconnect with what feels steady and true.
I believe healing happens in relationship with ourselves, with others, and within the larger stories that shape our lives. I primarily work with individuals, while also supporting couples, children, and families navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, identity exploration, and major life transitions. My work is rooted in Narrative Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and guided by a trauma-informed, life-affirming, and culturally responsive lens. As a first-generation daughter of immigrants, I deeply appreciate the resilience and complexity within bicultural and intergenerational family systems. Rather than offering quick solutions, I approach therapy with curiosity, presence, and a deep respect for each person’s inner wisdom. In addition to traditional talk therapy, I integrate mind–body awareness when helpful. As a certified yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner, I value gentle somatic practices that support nervous system regulation and emotional processing.
Above all, I strive to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and not alone as you move toward meaningful change, reconnecting with your resilience, creativity, and capacity for healing. Together, with curiosity and compassion, we can discover the beauty you can create from the ruins of your past.
Associate # 124935
Kristi Ferrer- Executive Director
As Executive Director, I will be the person you speak to most besides your therapist, helping to set you on track for this next step in your healing journey. It has been my pleasure to join the Balanced Life Therapy Center team in 2021 where I have worked side by side with the owner to create a space where our clients can feel safe and cared for as they begin their therapy. Together we are continuously working to improve the experience our clients have, and we hope to be able to offer a wide range of services to support the diverse needs of the people we serve. With over twelve years of experience in healthcare, both clinical and administrative, I have learned what it takes to be an advocate for the people I serve and to support them through the process in whatever way I can. It is my job, and my pleasure, to ensure that the administrative needs of our clients are being met to the high standards Balanced Life Therapy Center holds. It is my aim to make your experience with us as pleasant and seamless as possible and I look forward to supporting you and doing whatever I can to make your time with us a success.
Tracy Miles - Executive Assistant
Tracy brings over two decades of experience supporting individuals and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. With a background in veterinary medicine and practice management, she has spent her career creating calm, organized, and compassionate environments where people feel heard and cared for.
In her role as Client Coordinator at Balanced Life Therapy Center, Tracy is passionate about making each client's first interaction with the practice feel welcoming, safe and seamless. She understands that reaching out for therapy can feel overwhelming, and she strives to ensure every step, from scheduling to follow-up, feels supportive and respectful.
Tracy values collaboration, clear communication, and creating systems which allow therapists to focus fully on client care. She believes thoughtful administrative support is an essential part of the healing process.