Our Instructors

Jasmine Abu-Dalu, MFTI, PsyD is an MFTI and has completed her clinical doctorate coursework. Her professional experience is rooted in 4 years of clinical practice with children ages 2-18 and their families. She is a beaming new mommy of a baby boy and a toddler girl. She is passionate about the empowering impact of motherhood and the bond it creates for all women.

Elyse Bennett, CLE, MSW received her Masters in Social Work at USC with an emphasis in Children and Families and her Lactation Educator Certification from UCLA. Elyse has been working with parents and children since 2000. Her experience as a mother of 2 children has led her to supporting other mothers.

And Baby Makes Four? Could it be more different the Second Time around? by Elyse Bennett from The Pump Station Blog

Dr. Corina Constantin, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and works at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica. She specializes in treating children and families who have experienced trauma and other difficulties, including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and posttraumatic stress. Dr. Constantin works from an attachment-based theory, focusing on the relationship between parent and child and on fostering growth and positive experiences. Mindful parenting and being kind to oneself are some of the cornerstone principals in her practice. She also facilitates educational and process psychotherapy groups for parents and loves sharing her knowledge and experience of this incredible journey of parenthood. She is the proud mother of a funny, delightful, and strong-willed one-year-old daughter.

Marilee Hartling, RN, MFT is a registered nurse and infant/child development specialist, who worked for many years in maternal-child nursing, and led the "First Weeks Group" at Cedars- Sinai Medical Center prior to conducting groups privately. Marilee also worked as an early intervention nurse for many years. Marilee is a licensed child and family therapist and a sleep consultant. She specializes in working as a therapist with parents, infants and children from birth to age 10 in her private practice in West Hollywood. She also leads "Mommy & Me" groups at The Pump Station in Hollywood. Marilee is the mother of 4 grown children, and is also a grandmother.

The Top Ten Reasons for your Baby to do "Tummy Time" by Marilee Hartling from The Pump Station Blog

Tracy Hofstatter, LMFT, ATR is a licensed psychotherapist working with adults, adolescents, and children in private practice. She earned her Masters degree in Marital and Family Therapy with a specialization in Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University, where she is currently a faculty lecturer and therapist, supervising graduate students and providing art therapy to adolescent mothers. She is the joyful mother of a sweet toddler boy, and passionate about supporting new mothers in the ups and downs of their transition to motherhood.

Julia Kantor, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice working with adults, couples and families. She loves helping new moms gain confidence as they learn about themselves and their babies. Julia is the mom of two young children.

Bryana Kappa, LMFT, IFECMHS, CEIM is an Infant-Family Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, she specializes in therapy with young children and their families. Bryana treats a variety of family issues related to attachment, parenting, developmental concerns, trauma, domestic violence, postpartum depression, disruptive behavior disorders, grief, loss, and anxiety. Bryana is a certified educator in Infant Massage. Bryana received a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Drama from New York University, as well as a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Bryana is passionate about supporting mothers and fathers in their unique parenting journeys, aiming to inspire parents to parent consciously, reflectively, and confidently.

Laurie Kinigstein, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in West LA, specializing in perinatal mental health issues and postpartum adjustment challenges. Laurie also works for Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles where she facilitates support groups and provides individual therapy in the New Moms Connect program. She received her master's degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin and subsequently worked as a child and adolescent psychotherapist for over ten years prior to expanding her specialization to include parenting support and postpartum depression. Laurie's experience parenting twin daughters has led to her passion for supporting new moms as they attempt to navigate their unique parenting journeys.

Cynthia Rajchman, MA, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children and families in both clinical and educational settings. As a psychotherapist, Cynthia's focus has been on working with young children and their parents, helping them through emotional and behavioral challenges while allowing them to strengthen their familial bonds. As the proud mother of a one-year-old girl, Cynthia understands the challenges new parents face, and is able to combine her knowledge about child development with valuable information and resources--as well as her own experiences as a mom--in order to provide parents with a safe space to share, learn, and create community.

Rebecca Ricci, MFT is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist specializing in children and families. Her professional experience is rooted in over 10 years of direct service to children and their families. Becoming a mom connected her to The Pump Station and inspired her focus on supporting new moms, their infants and the amazing journey of motherhood.

Dr. Alisa Rosenberg, PsyD. is a Psychologist with private practice in Westwood, where she provides individual, couples, and group psychotherapy. She enjoys helping new mothers with their transition to parenthood, and specializes in treatment of depression, anxiety, grief, and relationship struggles. She believes that healthy early attachment is critical for intimacy and self-love later in life. Dr. Rosenberg is a graduate of The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA where she received her Doctor of Psychology degree. She is the proud momma to a 20 month-old girl.

Tamar Springer, LCSW, CSE, is a licensed psychotherapist and holds certifications in sexuality education and in Peri-natal Mental Health. In private practice, with 25 years of clinical and teaching experience in relationship, family, parenting, sexuality concerns, Post-partum Mood Disorders, & life transitions, Tamar has a special interest in helping new moms and dads through the challenges of becoming a parent. In 2005 Tamar designed and implemented Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles's first post-partum support program, "New Moms Connect," and she taught "Making Marriage Work" at the American Jewish University for 10+ years. Tamar graduated from UCLA and is the mother of 2 boys, ages 11 and 13.

Ronnie Vehemente, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Masters Degree from Columbia University. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and their families in her Westside private practice. As a mother of two young boys, she believes in providing moms and their babies with a safe and nurturing environment for the exploration of mindful, attuned and reflective parenting.

Beth Weisman, MA has been an early childhood educator, parent education facilitator and school director for more than a decade. She received an Early Childhood Administrator and Supervisor's credential from UCLA. Beth has enjoyed developing programming and curriculum as well as working closely with young children, parents and other early childhood educators at Temple Israel of Hollywood, Wilshire Boulevard Temple and IKAR's Early Childhood Center. She is passionate about thoughtful and respectful parenting and very excited to be joining the incredible group of educators at The Pump Station. She has a daughter in college, a son in high school, and a very patient husband.