Rediscover Happiness, Purpose, and Long-Lasting Relief with Ketamine Therapy

Shannon Hoppenstedt is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and registered nurse based in Studio City, California. With a rich background in critical care and psychotherapy, she offers a unique blend of medical and therapeutic expertise. Shannon utilizes various modalities in her practice, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), meditation, and body-based practices, to help clients manage and overcome issues related to depression, anxiety, and trauma. Her therapeutic approach is holistic, aiming to improve clients’ mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being through a safe and supportive environment.

Shannon is also highly specialized in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, a cutting-edge treatment for resistant depression and trauma. She collaborates with medical professionals to administer ketamine in a controlled setting, guiding clients through their experiences to achieve profound personal growth and healing. Shannon’s integration of ketamine therapy with traditional psychotherapy techniques provides an innovative and effective approach for individuals seeking deep therapeutic transformation. Through her compassionate and comprehensive care, Shannon supports clients in unlocking their potential and fostering lasting positive change in their lives.

Channie Amato, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and art therapist who employs a holistic, eclectic approach to therapy, integrating both verbal and non-verbal forms of expression. With over 12 years of experience, she specializes in working with adolescent girls, transitional youth, addictions, grief, anxiety, OCD, chronic pain, and depression. Channie utilizes alternative modalities such as art, movement, music, and play therapy to enhance self-expression and emotional healing. Her approach focuses on connecting mind, body, and spirit to improve overall functioning and well-being.

Channie’s specialty in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy allows her to facilitate profound emotional and psychological breakthroughs for clients dealing with resistant depression and trauma. By combining this innovative treatment with her expertise in art and movement therapies, she helps clients externalize their pain and reconnect with their inner strengths. As a mother of three, Channie brings a deep understanding of family dynamics to her practice, offering a supportive and safe environment to inspire positive change and growth. Her dedication to guiding clients through their recovery journey is evident in her compassionate and client-centered approach.

Jon Sorensen is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Los Angeles, drawing on decades of experience and research to offer a holistic and scientifically grounded approach to therapy. His practice focuses on trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression, integrating talk therapy with somatic techniques to promote lasting change. Jon’s therapeutic methods include Attachment-Focused EMDR and the Trauma Resiliency Model, both designed to harness the brain and body’s innate ability to heal and build resilience.

Jon specializes in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, utilizing this cutting-edge treatment to facilitate deep healing and transformation for clients struggling with resistant depression and trauma. By combining ketamine therapy with his expertise in somatic and attachment-focused approaches, Jon helps clients achieve profound emotional and psychological breakthroughs, enabling them to reconnect with their inherent calm, curiosity, and resiliency.

We are lucky to have Aniko offering her services to our Helios Health community.

For more than 15 years, Dr. Dina Karvounides has been treating youth and adults with chronic health illnesses, particularly chronic pain as well as those coping with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. She has worked in various academic medical centers, joined MSF/Doctors Without Borders to service citizens globally and has initiated her own private practice to continue to provide compassionate care to those wanting to create change and a greater sense of freedom in life. She is certified to provide Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy through Polaris Insight Center and integrates interventions from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, prolonged exposure, internal family systems, and mindfulness-based interventions. She provides an empathic and safe space for her clients to explore their internal thoughts, beliefs, fears, and believes in the importance of empowering each client to utilize their own internal wisdom as a source of reconnection to oneself, others and our larger, surrounding environment.

Stephen Amstutz is a dynamic professional with a rich background that spans sustainable development, media, and regenerative medicine. His career began after graduating from the University of Southern California, quickly venturing into film and television as a location manager, which led to co-developing a series for MTV. His passion for impactful work transitioned into a role in marketing and media for a regenerative medical practice, where his fascination with medical innovations grew. This journey continued as Stephen played a crucial role in a project with TNF in Kenya, establishing a self-sustaining water well in Nairobi and founding SAWA life, a women’s beading collective.

In 2021, Stephen’s focus shifted to environmental sustainability in California, leading to the creation of California Clean Transportation, which aims to bolster EV charging infrastructure and renewable energy projects. His path took a significant turn when he met Dr. Joey Friedrich and joined Helios Health as an Integration Specialist, drawing on his experience in regenerative medicine and marketing. Outside of his professional life, Stephen is an avid tennis player, yoga enthusiast, and music composer, residing in Redondo Beach, CA, with his wife, a renowned microbiologist.

Dr. “Joey” Friedrich personally experienced the transformative power of Ketamine infusion for rapid depression relief. As chief resident at one of Los Angeles’ largest teaching hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, he cared for hundreds of patients with severe COVID-19. Despite offering the best and most compassionate medical treatment possible, Dr. Friedrich painfully witnessed many patients pass away.

In the aftermath of the traumatic COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Friedrich grappled with profound burnout and depression. For the first time in his life, he found himself unable to bring enthusiasm, compassion, and his best self to patient care. Traditional therapies were initiated, but progress was slow and relief was minimal.

Dr. Friedrich pursued Ketamine infusion for treatment of depression after thoroughly exploring the evidence that validated it’s strong and positive effects for treatment of depression. In less than an hour after his first Ketamine infusion, Dr. Friedrich noted a profound change in his brain, rapidly alleviating his depression and shifting his perspective. Dr. Friedrich quickly noticed that his passion to care for his patients was completely restored. He was again able to bring enthusiastic, energetic, and compassionate care to all of his patients.

This transformative experience led Dr. Friedrich to found Helios Health. Drawing from had extensive experience administering Ketamine as an anesthetic in the emergency room. Dr. Friedrich has since become a leading proponent in the safe usage of Ketamine for assisting treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, and other related mental health conditions. Dr. Friedrich continues to actively practice medicine as a board certified emergency physician with privileges at multiple hospitals in the greater Los Angeles area.

Aniko Benedek, MA, is a distinguished integration specialist, renowned for her profound expertise in assisting individuals undergoing ketamine treatments for depression and anxiety. Her extensive experience spans facilitating psychedelic experiences and sound ceremonies across various countries, enabling a deep and compassionate approach to healing. Aniko’s work is grounded in her strong belief in the transformative power of psychedelic therapies, which is complemented by her collaboration with notable organizations such as Horizons and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Her approach integrates traditional healing practices with modern therapeutic techniques, offering her clients a unique and effective pathway to 
recovery and self-discovery.

In addition to her clinical practice, Aniko’s involvement in international projects and her work with leading psychedelic research organizations highlight her commitment to advancing the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Her skills in creating safe, nurturing environments allow individuals to explore and integrate their experiences meaningfully, promoting lasting change. Aniko’s dedication to her clients and her field is evident in her continuous pursuit of knowledge and her active participation in global conferences and workshops, aiming to bring deeper insights and enhanced practices to her therapeutic interventions. Her professional journey reflects a passionate dedication to enhancing mental health through innovative and empathetic care.

We are lucky to have Aniko offering her services to our Helios Health community.

Mary Ann Abosch is a highly skilled therapist based in Santa Monica, California, who specializes in mindfulness and family therapy. As a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified meditation and mindfulness teacher, she offers services both in-person and virtually across the United States. Mary Ann is dedicated to helping individuals manage stress, reduce anxiety, heal from trauma, and explore mindfulness to prevent relapse from destructive behaviors. Her approach is notably inclusive, providing support to the LGBTQIA+ community with a deep understanding derived from both personal and professional experiences​.

Mary Ann’s treatment philosophy emphasizes the power of mindfulness to transform lives. She believes that mindfulness is not just about sitting in meditation but is a broader practice that can be integrated into daily life, enhancing communication, work, and personal relationships. Her coaching aims to help individuals notice what is happening in the present moment, manage stress, and cultivate inner peace. Mary Ann utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities tailored to each individual’s needs, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), among others. She champions a holistic and eclectic approach, ensuring that therapy is a collaborative, supportive, and adaptive process tailored to the unique experiences of each client​.

Kevin Stolper is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Santa Monica, California, renowned for his expertise in addressing and healing unresolved traumas and emotional wounds. With advanced training in several therapeutic approaches, including Attachment-Focused EMDR, Brainspotting, and Psychedelic Integrative Therapy, Kevin specializes in helping individuals overcome barriers to their happiness and achieve meaningful change. His approach emphasizes the importance of viewing individuals holistically, considering the mental, physical, and nutritional influences on their wellbeing. Kevin’s therapy sessions are characterized by a blend of humor and empathy, creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can openly explore their feelings and begin their journey towards personal fulfillment.

In his practice, Kevin employs innovative, brain-based modalities that tap into the body’s innate healing intelligence, such as Brainspotting and EMDR, which have shown to be highly effective in treating stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. These techniques help clients to process painful memories and move past the core negative beliefs that often stem from early relational traumas. Beyond his clinical work, Kevin enjoys spending time outdoors, engaging in activities like surfing, biking, and hiking, which he finds rejuvenating. He continues to advance his knowledge and skills, ensuring that he provides the highest level of care to both his current and future clients.

Joanna Lovinger, LFMT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Spiritual and Depth Psychology. Her counseling approach is diverse, incorporating psychodynamic, depth psychology, attachment theory, narrative therapy, EMDR, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. She customizes her therapy to individuals and couples, aiming to reduce anxiety, enhance mood, and help clients discover their true selves and life’s purpose.

As a certified First Responder Counselor, Joanna is honored to support police, firefighters, and EMTs, providing a safe space for them to find relief and process trauma using evidence-based methods. She is also experienced in working with adult adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents, offering insight into the complex issues 
surrounding adoption.

Joanna offers counseling in person or over HIPAA compliant video conferencing, assisting clients in breaking free from negative thought patterns, easing anxiety and depression, 
and strengthening relationships. Joanna is passionate about providing therapy
and holistic support for individuals undergoing ketamine treatment, leveraging her skillset to facilitate transformative healing experiences that often accompany profound shifts in consciousness and perception that occur.

Diana Justl, LMFT is a highly skilled therapist with over 15 years of experience in private practice, blending her expertise in yoga, meditation, and evidence-based modalities to facilitate lasting change in her clients’ lives. As a graduate of the California Institute of Integral Studies Counseling Psychology Masters Program and The Hakomi Institute, Diana offers one-on-one and small group sessions that integrate talk therapy with experiential exercises and mindfulness techniques. She believes in establishing new patterns of behavior and perception through new experiences, emphasizing the importance of holistic health cultivated through awareness, relationship, and mindfulness. Diana blends talk therapy with trauma-informed, body-centered methods to offer tools for nervous system regulation, emotional well-being, and resilience in stressful times.

Specializing in mindfulness-based and trauma-informed approaches, Diana supports individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, life transitions, and feeling stuck. Through a trusting therapeutic relationship, she helps clients face their suffering with compassion and support, integrating fragmented parts of themselves into wholeness. Diana’s training in Mindfulness Based Approaches to Healing, Hakomi, Somatic-based therapy, Family Constellations Therapy, and Eco Psychology allows her to trace challenges back to their source while staying present with current experiences, fostering integration and a wholeness of self. Diana is a seasoned provider with helping patients through therapy under ketamine, harnessing the healing power of ketamine to facilitate profound shifts in consciousness and perception, leading to transformative healing experiences.

Yoni strives to create a safe space for clients to engage in self exploration. In support of a
client’s ketamine therapy experiences, he aims to help clients prepare for and process
whatever might emerge in ketamine therapy. Yoni has a deep commitment to supporting
clients on their journey towards healing, growth and wholeness and views a supportive
therapeutic relationship as the foundation for this process. Yoni can provide therapy to his
clients in English, Spanish, or Hebrew.

Toni Parker, PhD, is a seasoned therapist with over 20 years of experience in private practice. As a Certified Gottman Therapist, she specializes in helping couples navigate conflicts, affairs, communication issues, and transitions like parenthood. Toni also offers pre-marital counseling and supports couples in rekindling intimacy and desire in their relationships. She is deeply committed to providing her clients with the tools and knowledge needed to create and sustain thriving personal, professional, and sexual relationships. Toni also provides support to individuals experiencing depression, 
anxiety, PTSD and Trauma.

Through her work, Toni integrates various therapeutic approaches, including mindfulness, meditation, and Gottman counseling, to help individuals and couples release anxiety, depression, and other stressors. She believes that understanding the inner workings of the brain and emotional self leads to a more connected and compassionate life. With a personal understanding of relationship challenges, Toni brings a compassionate and empathetic approach to her therapy practice, helping her clients navigate through life’s ups and downs.

Kathleen Offley, LMFT is a seasoned therapist with over 20 years of experience guiding individuals worldwide on paths of personal growth and transformation. As a licensed holistic psychotherapist, psychedelic integration coach, end-of-life doula, and spiritual midwife, she empowers clients to rediscover and reconnect with their truest, most 
open-hearted selves. Kathleen’s passion lies in facilitating holistic transformations, helping clients achieve wellness across personal, professional, emotional, and spiritual realms by nurturing their self-discovery and activating their inner healing intelligence.

With a commitment to authenticity and an open heart, Kathleen embraces
life’s complexities, drawing on play, humor, movement, mindfulness, breath, meditation, and nature to deepen her connection to herself, others, and the unknown. As a trained psychedelic-assisted facilitator, she supports clients in their healing journeys, offering individual and group consultations to therapists and healing professionals seeking to enhance their support for clients using psychedelics. Kathleen’s approach embodies a deep respect for the human experience, guiding individuals toward embodying 
their full potential and resilience.