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Meet Our Dedicated Team

Get to know the dedicated and compassionate clinical professionals at Arise Hillside.

Our experienced team brings expertise, empathy, and a deep commitment to individualized care. Together, they create a supportive environment focused on healing, growth, and lasting change.

Syuzanna Shirinyan, LCSW

Founder and Clinical Director

Syuzanna is the Founder and Clinical Director of Arise Hillside Treatment Center. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (#110363) with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Social Work—specializing in cognition and innovation—from the University of Southern California.

With extensive clinical expertise and a diverse background across multiple treatment settings, Syuzanna brings a deep understanding of the resources and support available to individuals facing mental health challenges. Her work is grounded in both direct care and systemic advocacy, allowing her to make meaningful, lasting impacts at both the individual and community levels.

Syuzanna is widely recognized for her empathetic and individualized approach, offering compassionate guidance through life’s most complex challenges. A forward-thinking leader and dedicated advocate for primary mental health care, she remains committed to promoting healing, resilience, and long-term well-being for every person she serves.

Dr. Meher Irani, MD

Psychiatrist

Dr. Meher Irani was born in Buffalo, NY, and raised in Mumbai, India. She returned to the U.S. for her education, earning her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University in Massachusetts before attending St. George's University for medical school. Dr. Irani completed her general psychiatry residency at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in New York and is currently pursuing a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Loma Linda University.

Passionate about treating mental illness across the lifespan, Dr. Irani's areas of interest within psychiatry include early intervention, ADHD, severe mental illness, first-episode psychosis, and acute crisis stabilization. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys health and wellness activities, spending quality time with family, traveling, and nurturing her plants.

David Schwartz, MS, LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

David Schwartz, MS, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#87261) with extensive experience leading hundreds of group therapy sessions across various modalities. He is dedicated to helping individuals understand their motivations and triggers, empowering them to become less reactive in their daily lives. David believes that by identifying the root causes of adverse reactions, individuals can make informed choices that lead to more positive outcomes.

With a strong background as a Clinical Director for two Residential Treatment Centers, David combines his clinical expertise with a passion for writing. He has contributed to the anthology Spider-Man Psychology: Untangling Webs and maintains a blog on the Psychology Today website. Additionally, he is the author of two books: Relationship Held Captive: Free Yourself for True Intimacy and Your Career, Your Rules. David's multifaceted approach reflects his commitment to fostering personal growth and healthier relationships.

Maria Guerrero, ACSW

Associate Clinical Social Worker

Maria Guerrero is a bilingual Associate Clinical Social Worker (#133330) who provides evidence-based, trauma-informed care to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Her work is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and a collaborative, strengths-based approach.

Maria supports clients experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, and life transitions. She tailors treatment to each individual’s developmental, cultural, and emotional needs, creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space. Her goal is to help clients build practical coping skills, deepen self-awareness, and work toward meaningful, lasting change.

Laura Ramirez, CADC I

Case Manager & Facilitator

Laura Ramirez is a Case Manager and Facilitator (License #CI503002226) who brings both professional training and lived experience to her work in recovery and trauma-informed care. With more than two decades of sustained personal recovery, she offers clients a grounded, compassionate presence and a deep understanding of the courage it takes to create lasting change. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW), further deepening her clinical knowledge and commitment to the field.

Laura’s approach is strongly rooted in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She supports clients in building emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills while helping them clarify their values and take meaningful, values-driven action. Her work emphasizes accountability, resilience, and moving beyond survival into a more empowered and purposeful life.

She is also the author of Forgiveness Is the Best Revenge, reflecting her belief in the transformative power of self-reflection, healing, and personal responsibility. Laura is dedicated to helping individuals break destructive patterns, strengthen self-awareness, and create lasting, sustainable change.

Roxana, ARF

Director of Operations & Private Chef

Roxy serves as Director of Operations, bringing extensive experience in facility management, licensing requirements, regulatory compliance, and code adherence. She oversees daily operations with a strong focus on safety, efficiency, and organizational excellence. With a comprehensive understanding of facility oversight and operational systems, Roxy ensures that every environment she manages runs seamlessly and meets the highest professional standards.

Roxy also serves as Arise Hillside’s private chef, bringing over a decade of professional cooking experience and a holistic, from-scratch approach to every dish she creates. She believes food is both nourishment and connection, and she is deeply committed to preparing thoughtful, high-quality meals that support overall wellness. Carefully tailoring each menu to reflect her clients’ unique tastes and dietary needs, Roxy approaches her work with both intention and creativity.

That same passion extends beyond the private kitchen. Roxy leads life skills groups focused on foundational cooking techniques, kitchen creativity, and nutrition education, empowering others to feel confident, capable, and inspired in their own kitchens. She is especially known for her sourdough bread, made from her beloved starter “Petunia” — a true reflection of her care, patience, and craftsmanship.

Outside of her culinary work, Roxy enjoys hiking, going to the gym, beach walks, and spending time with her rescue dog. She brings warmth, flexibility, and intention not only to her food, but to every environment she helps create.

Jenna Rose, MPNLP

Sound Bath Healer & Yoga Instructor

Jenna Rose is a certified Master NLP and Hypnotherapy practitioner, yoga teacher, and intuitive trauma healing guide dedicated to helping individuals uncover their authentic selves and experience genuine joy. With a deep commitment to parts work, inner child healing, and intuitive movement, Jenna fosters harmony between the heart and mind.

Through parts work, subconscious reprogramming, and intuitive movement, Jenna offers a holistic approach to personal growth and spiritual alignment, empowering individuals to embrace their true essence and thrive.