Press Releases

How Therapy Helped the Rivera Family Overcome Trauma

The Rivera family was referred to El Centro De Amistad by a School Social Worker and began treatment with therapist Marianna Navarro, Associate Social Worker, in March of 2019. The family was composed of mother, father, and four children. The child client was seven years old when he entered treatment under El Centro de Amistad’s […]

Once A Timid Teenager Now Dreams of Becoming a Hollywood Actress

In July 2018, 13-year-old Blanca was referred to El Centro De Amistad by her primary care physician. This led them to El Centro de Amistad in Canoga Park, where Blanca was assigned to Mental Health Clinician Stacey Gaitan. As they completed the assessment process, Blanca’s mother reported noticing that over the past year, Blanca had […]

Relative Home Assessment Services Program Success Story

In November of 2019, Ms. Taleghani was referred to the Relative Home Assessment Services (RHAS) program through the Resource Family Approval (RFA) program here at El Centro De Amistad. The case was assigned to El Centro de Amistad’s RHAS Paraprofessional Abigail Olivares. When Ms. Taleghani was introduced to the services, she was very hesitant about […]

How Renata Is Now Able to Manage Her Depression and Anxiety Through Therapy

Renata is a 31-year-old female self-referred to treatment due to experiencing various depressive symptoms and behaviors, high levels of anxiety, and overwhelming guilt related to her son’s Autism diagnosis. These symptoms and behaviors have significantly impacted her functioning in the home and the community.Throughout treatment, Renata has been working closely with her therapist Lilia Tejeda-Frias, […]

EL CENTRO DE AMISTAD (ECDA) 2020-21 BOARD OFFICERS INSTALLED

Canoga Park, CA – On July 22, 2020, El Centro de Amistad (ECDA) installed their 2020-21 Board of Directors. The inauguration of the agency’s Board President-Danitza Pantoja, Vice President-David Moreno, Treasurer-Doug Barnett, Secretary-Charlene Gramling, and Sargent at Arms-Justin Grooms was officiated by ECDA donor and supporter-Mark Ozzello.ECDA’s new Board President, Danitza Pantoja, Psy.D., is currently […]

Turning COVID-19 Challenges to New Opportunities

In the wake of COVID-19, many changes have occurred. Our lives have shifted from a society that depended on social interactions to work, educate, and build relationships to now a society that is forcing us to distance from one another. A novel virus that keeps us contained in our homes—maybe for months or until a […]

Mental Health Challenges in the African American Community

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 13.4 {a447f870990147df2af13b6dbc7648b448610e984688ce3bd18b4a7bafa49ad2} of the U.S. population identified themselves as African Americans. Of that 13.4{a447f870990147df2af13b6dbc7648b448610e984688ce3bd18b4a7bafa49ad2}, over 7 million people reported having a mental health illness. Overall, mental health conditions occur in African American people at about the same or less frequency than in White Americans. However, the historical African American […]

How Therapy Helped Marisol Live a Healthy and Happier Life

Marisol is a 28-year-old Hispanic female who lives with her husband, 9-year-old daughter, and 4-year-old son. Marisol reported at intake that they reside in a home with two other families and deserved to have more room for her family. Marisol sought services because she was overwhelmed and felt as if she was being “pulled in […]

Help Empower Those in Need

In these unprecedented times, we are deeply concerned about COVID-19 and its devastating impact on the lives of many. Our clients and families need us now more than ever as they experience increased levels of depression and anxiety while coping with isolation and financial hardships. After several months of operating in a new normal through […]

El Centro de Amistad Receives a $150,000 Grant From Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

SAN FERNANDO, CA, June 8, 2020 –El Centro de Amistad (ECDA), a San Fernando mental health agency, received a $150,000 grant from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, whose institutional mission has long encompassed improving the health status of the community, both through their patient care and their philanthropic support to their community partners. ECDA is committed to […]