At Living Lotus Therapy, we believe that effective therapy is a collaborative effort. To ensure that we provide the highest level of care, we regularly consult with a diverse team of licensed professionals. This team includes Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), and Licensed Psychologists (PsyDs)—all of whom bring a wealth of expertise from their individual practices.
Why We Consult
Therapy is a dynamic and evolving process. By integrating perspectives from different disciplines and approaches, we ensure that we are delivering the most comprehensive, culturally responsive care possible. This allows us to challenge our own biases and grow as clinicians, which is fundamental to our mission of being better therapists every day.
Our team isn’t a group practice. Because healing shouldn’t be turned into a business model. We’re here to build a community of helpers, not an empire. Capitalism and scarcity mindset can turn care into competition. We believe in collaboration, autonomy, and collective wisdom. Each of us brings our own specialties, and together we co-create a space of constant learning and mutual support.
Rooted in connection, not control.
Led by purpose, not profit.
Confidentiality
Rest assured, client confidentiality is always our top priority. Any consultations we engage in are part of an ongoing professional development process and do not involve the sharing of identifying client information. Our goal is to gain insight and enhance our approaches without compromising your privacy. If you have any questions about how consultation works within our practice, feel free to ask during your session.
Meet the Consultation Team
Each clinician on this team is independently licensed and manages their own practice.
Lauren Spinelli, LCSW
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Experienced trauma and anxiety psychotherapist supporting individuals of all ages. Lauren has over a decade of experience, including more than 16,000 hours of therapy and coaching. She is also trained to provide Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Lauren offers walk-and-talk therapy around the beautiful beaches of San Diego.
Tamara Sharifov, LCSW
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An expert in Third-Wave Contextual Behavioral Therapies, works with individuals and couples in private practice. With 13 years of experience across clinical psychology, academia, international conflict resolution and activism, she also teaches these therapies to post-master’s clinicians at the University of Chicago. Tamara is the vice president of an international humanitarian organization, Rise Up Humanity, and serves on a Global Mental Health Task Force within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
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Trauma-informed, culturally sensitive therapist who specializes in helping women heal from trauma, manage anxiety, and overcome perfectionism. Allison is EMDR certified and offers virtual therapy throughout California.
Micaela Magazzu-Alaman, LMFT
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Micaela draws from family systems and feminist family therapy approaches. She integrates behavioral approaches such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) when beneficial, while striving for a more liberation-focused practice and placing cultural humility at the forefront of her work and consultation team. Micaela supports individuals with anxiety, body-focused repetitive behaviors, and the effects of systemic barriers on well-being.
Dr. Ori Lidor, PsyD
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Dr. Ori is passionate about men’s mental health, helping adults and teens across California and Texas navigate relationship issues, anxiety, intimacy challenges, Out of Control Sexual Behavior (OCSB), ADHD, trauma, and life transitions. He draws on evidence-based practices and creates a trustworthy and judgment free therapy environment for clients to work towards achieving their goals.
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Vi supports BIPOC individuals with healing their inner child and intergenerational trauma via telehealth. She is trained in eco-therapy, and emotionally focused individual therapy, an attachment-based approach to co-create an environment to help individuals grow through self-exploration and navigating emotional challenges.
Kristen Ackerman, LMFT
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Kristen works with individuals ages 10 and older. Her primary areas of focus include supporting those experiencing anxiety and helping highly sensitive persons (HSPs) navigate their unique experiences. She is also dedicated to assisting individuals facing the emotional and mental challenges of chronic illness. Kristen offers both in-person sessions in San Diego and telehealth services for residents of California and Colorado.