We invite you to meet our Behavioral Specialists and other Program Staff. If you have a question you can contact the BEAMS office at 909-985-0513 or email at info@BeamsTherapy.org.
Dr. Douglas McKown, Psy.D. Executive Director, B.E.A.M.S. Clinical Director
Dr. McKown has over 25 years of professional experience and is a licensed psychologist. He holds masters and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology as well as a masters degree in Theology. His experience includes private practice, Director of Counseling at the Headington Institute, staff Psychologist at the Claremont Colleges and Loma Linda University Medical Center. He has clinical expertise with adults in the following areas: Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, stress management, relationship/couples therapy, clergy issues, spiritual integration, assessment, learning disabilities, and conflict resolution/communication skills.
Anita Robinson, M.S. - Behavior Specialist
Anita is a native of Alabama where she earned a BS degree from Alabama State University. After moving to California she earned an MS degree in Special Education from National University and she also holds an Education Specialist Instructor Credential emphasis in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. She has worked for the Riverside Sheriff Department as a Case Manager for prisoners assigned to home detention, a Special Education Teacher for 9th – 12th grade students, and as Program Coordinator for youth training programs for the National Council of Negro Women Bethune Center. Anita has worked as a Behavioral Specialist for the B.E.A.M.S. program at Samaritan Counseling Center since 2008.
Natali Garcia, M.Ed., AMFT - Behavior Specialist
Natali completed her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Cambridge College, in 2020 and Bachelors degree in Psychology from Cal State San Bernardino in 2018 . Natali worked on her internship as an MFT Trainee at The Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center in Perris, Ca; helping the men to regain their sobriety and reconciliation with their families. Therefore, she has experience working with different therapeutic approached sessions such as individual, group, family, and with couples. Additionally, working with children, teens and adults with disabilities; As well as providing education to parents from diverse backgrounds. She is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish. Natali joined Samaritan Counseling Center as a B.E.A.M.S Behavioral Specialist in 2019.
Flor Alvarez, M.A., AMFT - Behavior Specialist
Flor received her BA in Psychology at the University of California, Riverside and her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. She has five years of experience working in Applied Behavioral Analysis for individuals of ages 2 – 20 years with developmental disabilities. She has worked with individuals with diagnoses including Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety, helping them gain communication, behavioral, social, and self-help skills that are functional in everyday life, through the utilization of mindfulness techniques and behavioral techniques such as functional communication training, differential reinforcement, implementation of visuals, prompting, etc. In her traineeship at Samaritan, she plans to gain experience working with a variety of populations, learn new techniques to support individuals, and apply previously learned skills to a larger scope of populations. Flor is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish.
Evelyn Banks, D.Min, M.A. - Behavior Specialist
Evelyne completed a Masters degree in Educational Counseling at the University of Redlands and has a doctoral degree (D. Min) with an emphasis in Counseling. She is a multi-lingual counselor fluent in English, Spanish, and French. She has many years of experience with a multitude of diverse client issues. Evelyne worked as a school teacher and a social worker prior to joining Samaritan Counseling Center as a Behavioral Specialist for the B.E.A.M.S. program in 2005. Se habla Espanol.
Karen Shigenaka, M.S.W., ACSW - Behavior Specialist Karen completed her Masters in Social Work at the University of New England, with an emphasis in children and families. She has a background in working with families in the foster care system, partnering with the foster child, foster parents, and birth parents. Karen also completed her internship hours as a Counseling Trainee at a domestic violence agency, working with survivors and counseling alongside clients as they healed from their trauma. She has worked from a trauma informed care approach in both types of agencies. Karen has experience in treating survivors of domestic violence, anxiety and depression, parenting, and blended families. She joined Samaritan Counseling Center as a B.E.A.M.S. Behavioral Specialist in 2018.
Lori Perez, B.A., M.S.W. Intern
Lori received her BA in psychology from Seattle Pacific University, where she was recognized with the Psychology Faculty Award for making a difference in psychology. Inspired to expand the scope of that difference, she is currently completing her Master of Social Work at the University of New England. Lori has worked with and advocated for the needs of women, children, men, at-risk youth, teens, families, seniors, and immigrants experiencing mental and physical health challenges, food and housing insecurity, domestic violence, parenting issues, and navigating the foster care and court systems. Lori has co-facilitated parenting training classes for women who were victims of domestic violence at the YWCA Pathways for Women Counseling Center. As an MSW Intern, she has worked with various client populations providing intakes, assessments, advocacy, and collaborating in developing the counseling department tools and modalities utilized with outreach and shelter clients at God’s Pantry in Pomona, CA. In addition, she has experience with motivational interviewing, CBT, DV/IPV, Relational Cultural Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, person-centered, strength-based, mindfulness techniques, social learning and modeling, trauma-informed, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Lori has seen the devastation, struggle, and suffering that can come about when people are unable, unwilling, or do not have the skills or help that can empower them to cultivate positive connections and change that enhances their lives and those around them. She believes that providing this help in a space where trust, respect, empathy, safety, and clients can be themselves without fear of judgment is essential to a growth-inspiring therapeutic relationship. Asking for and receiving help and having the courage and faith to put in the necessary effort can go a long way to being the best version of oneself. Lori’s goal is to work with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, parenting, relationships, trauma/PTSD, children, and adolescents with issues related to these, social and emotional development and behavioral challenges.