Elana Clark-Faler
LCSW, CSAT-S, CST, SEP
(She/Her/Hers)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW 23340
Elana Clark-Faler, LCSW, CSAT-S, CST, SEP, is a seasoned therapist dedicated to fostering healing and empowerment for individuals navigating complex challenges. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW 23340) and holds multiple certifications, including Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and Supervisor (CSAT-S), Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist and Supervisor (CMAT-S) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), as well as certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Elana is also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), trained in addressing trauma through somatic methods. Her comprehensive training encompasses Brainspotting, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems, enabling her to offer a multifaceted approach to therapeutic care.
Elana is an accomplished educator who taught cognitive-behavioral treatment and substance abuse treatment at the UCLA Graduate School of Public Affairs from 2013 to 2016. She is a member of the American Association of Couples and Sex Therapists (AACAST) and received her advanced training from Dr. Walter Brackelmann at UCLA. Elana earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago in 2000 and has cultivated extensive experience in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and Group Therapy. Her commitment to inclusivity and ethical practice ensures that every client feels heard, respected, and supported throughout their therapeutic journey.
In addition to her clinical work, Elana is a recognized national speaker and consultant, having presented at esteemed organizations such as HBO, Sony, UCLA, Loyola Marymount University, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, State of California Bar Association, and the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) Annual Conference. Her presentations cover critical topics related to addiction, stress management, and the intricacies of sexual health and recovery. Elana was featured as a sex expert on the TV Program Exhale on Aspire TV. Elana's professional affiliations with various organizations, including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), International Institute for Trauma and Addiction (IITAP), Somatic Experiencing International (SEI), Emotion Focused Therapy Center of Los Angeles (EFTCLA), EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), and the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) further illustrate her dedication to ongoing learning and excellence in her field. If you seek a skilled, compassionate therapist with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Elana is here to guide you toward healing and transformation.
Hanna Barakat
Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker, ACSW 103744
(She/Her/Hers)
Supervised by Elana Clark-Faler, LCSW 23340
Hanna Barakat, ACSW, is an Associate Clinical Social Worker at Recovery Help Now, Inc., practicing under the supervision of Elana Clark-Faler, LCSW, CSAT, CST, SEP. She holds a master’s degree in social work, policy, and practice from the University of Chicago. With an inviting and compassionate approach, Hanna is dedicated to creating a space where clients feel seen, understood, and supported on their healing journey.
Hanna believes that genuine connection is the foundation for meaningful healing. Her therapy style is relational and rooted in meeting clients where they are, using a blend of harm reduction, liberation-focused practices, and authenticity. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and somatic treatment methods to address trauma, offering clients effective, body-based pathways to recovery. Hanna also incorporates principles of Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), emphasizing the role of the nervous system and the healing potential within the therapeutic relationship.
Hanna works extensively with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma, welcoming clients of diverse neurotypes, sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. She fosters a safe, inclusive environment for individuals, couples, and dyads, encouraging exploration of identity, intersectionality, and how privilege can be mobilized to serve others. In her sessions, she invites clients to shift from cognitive narratives to deeper body awareness and explore the energetic aspects of their experiences. Hanna’s passion lies in guiding her clients toward greater self-awareness, compassion, and acceptance, collaborating with them to honor their unique stories and co-create a healing experience that is both empowering and transformative.
Michelle Shegda
Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #146832
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #16513 (She/Her/Hers)
Supervised by Elana Clark-Faler, LCSW 23340
Michelle Shegda, AMFT, APCC, is a clinician at Recovery Help Now, Inc., practicing under the supervision of Elana Clark-Faler, LCSW, CSAT, CST, SEP. Michelle integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual practices to support holistic healing. Her approach is rooted in a deep understanding of how childhood survival mechanisms can shape adult behaviors, and she is committed to helping clients cultivate self-compassion and replace outdated coping strategies with healthier, more adaptive skills. Michelle’s goal is to guide individuals toward a deeper understanding of themselves and to break free from limiting negative beliefs, empowering them to embrace their inherent worth.
Michelle specializes in working with individuals facing addiction, anxiety, complex trauma, eating disorders, perfectionism, and associated feelings of anger, shame, guilt, and low self-worth. She is particularly attuned to the systemic challenges experienced by Generation X and Millennials, offering tailored support to foster growth, resilience, and self-acceptance and utilizing therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing, and Mindfulness. Michelle creates a safe, nurturing space where clients can explore their emotions and reconnect with their bodies through yoga, mindful movement, and somatic awareness. Her work is grounded in the belief that meaningful healing occurs within the context of compassionate, relational support.