Meet the Titan Wellness Center Team

Tonya El-Hendi, LCSW63584, PPS

I have 22 years of experience in education and it's my 4th year here at San Marino H.S.

My passion is school-based mental health to support every student’s overall wellness to further THEIR individual goals both academically and as people.

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” ~ Edith Wharton

If you have concerns or are not sure if you should be concerned about your child feel free to contact me via email or phone to have a confidential conversation of ways to support your child. We may be in different boats but we are in the same storm.

Peijen Chen

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT138731

[email protected]

Hi! I'm Peijen, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist bilingual in Chinese (Mandarin) and English. This is my third year at San Marino and I am grateful to have the privilege of working with the students and families of our community. My work focuses on adolescents and comes from a place of respect and admiration - it's not easy growing up in this day and age! And as a parent of adolescents myself, I deeply understand the complex challenges modern parenting brings. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, trying new (vegetarian) foods, going to concerts, watching k-dramas and hanging with my rescue pup.

Vivi Geng, Data Technician

(我說國語)

[email protected]

(626) 299-7027

My name is Vivi Geng, I am very excited to begin this new job as I transition from just being a mother to being a helper at this school. I immigrated from China 14 years ago and upon entering the United States spoke no English. I enjoy swimming and doing meditation and watching YT videos to improve my English. I am always looking for opportunities to meet new people and learn new life skills.

Danica Castillo

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

My name is Danica and I am currently a graduate student at Pepperdine University. I am in training for my degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Psychology has always been a passion of mine and I have wanted to be a therapist since I was in high school. A fun fact about me is that I share the same name with all of my siblings. We all have names starting with “Dan.”

Nicole Arabian

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

My name is Nicole and I am a current student at Pepperdine University earning my Masters in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am a MFT Trainee at the Titan Wellness Center at San Marino High School under the direct supervision of Tonya El-Hendi, LCSW. I chose this career path because I have always felt a passion for mental health, addressing mental health stigma, and helping people discover their strengths. During my free time, I love to bake and watch reality TV.

Simran Verma

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

My name is Simran and I am a graduate student at Pepperdine University on the Marriage and Family Therapy track. I have always had a passion for helping others and hope to inspire others to continue growing and healing in a holistic manner. I am also a certified personal trainer and place an emphasis on the connection between physical wellness and mental health. In my free time I enjoy going to the beach, baking, working out, watching basketball and doing yoga.

Tara Cullen

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

My name is Tara Cullen. I am a native New Yorker, living in South Pasadena for the past decade. I’m the mother of a 6th grader, a full-time student, and a certified yoga instructor with a background in art and design. I’m in my final year at Touro University Worldwide, where I am on track to become licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I look forward to getting to know the children and families of the community and offering support and assistance in helping them thrive.

Alyssa Soto

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

My name is Alyssa and I’m in my final year as a graduate student of the Marriage and Family Therapy program at the University of La Verne. I look forward to joining the wellness team and providing mental health services to students in the San Marino community. My goal is to create a safe, non-critical space, encourage students to exercise self-compassion, and lend my support with stress management and self-regulation. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, working out, crafting, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Heidi Xue

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT136644

[email protected]

Hi, my name is Heidi Xue. I’m a bilingual (English/Mandarin) speaking associate therapist. I have a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology and also a Master’s degree in Education as I was a high school math teacher before becoming a parent of three lovely children. I specialize in anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. In my spare time, I love to read, garden, and play pickleball. Life can be difficult at times, but I hope I can be your support to make it easier for you.

Cathy Lee

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

My name is Cathy and I am a graduate student at CSUN’s Marriage and Family Therapy program. After working as an attorney for over 15 years, I have shifted my career to follow my passion in psychology and helping others grow and thrive. I am excited to develop meaningful relationships with the students and support them through challenges and hiccups in their journeys to adulthood. For my own wellness, I love to play tennis, crochet, and staying active with my baseball-loving 8-year-old son!

Leigh Anne Bowles

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

My name is Leigh Anne Bowles, and I am a graduate student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at California State University, Northridge. After working in film production and film research for many years, I have found that my true passion lies in connecting with others and fostering meaningful, therapeutic relationships. At Titan Wellness, I hope to support and empower students and their families as they navigate life’s ups and downs. My favorite forms of self-care are spending time with family and friends, walking my dogs, playing tennis,hiking, and going to the movies.

Lily Royer

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

My name is Lily and I’m a graduate student at Alliant University, studying Marriage and Family Therapy. Since I can remember, I’ve been curious about each person I meet. I believe that we all have our own stories to tell and our own experiences to share. Often these intimate stories can’t be learned from our resume. Our stories are never simple, and I believe support and a listening ear can help us navigate our stories. I’m the oldest of four children — I love being a sister, a student, a friend, and a sounding board. I look forward to having the privilege to listen and learn about each person I meet.

Angie Yingzhi Yang

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

Hello, I’m Angie, a graduate student focusing on Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy at Azusa Pacific University. I’m particularly passionate about building meaningful connections with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. Prior to pursuing my studies in clinical psychology, I spent eight years working as a reporter. I also hold a Master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga, reading, and spending time with my cat. I am fluent in both English and Chinese.

Ashley Maldonado

MFT Trainee

[email protected]

My name is Ashley Maldonado, and I am a graduate student at Alliant International University's Marriage and Family Therapy program. My love for psychology and helping others comes from growing up in Puerto Rico in a big family and community environment. I'm big on being intentional, staying curious, practicing mindfulness, and creating a welcoming space where we can collaborate without any judgment. In my free time, I love to travel, work out, spend time with my partner and two kitties, and explore new restaurants.