Meet Our Team

Lara Symonds, MA, LMFT, DCEP

Founder & Owner of OptimalLife Wellness, Lara helps clients with anxiety, depression, PTSD and trauma recovery. She works with children, families, individuals, and couples.

Anahi Tapia, MS, LMFTA

Anahi works with children, families, and couples. She uses several approaches and is dedicated to helping people work toward improved relationships and well-being.

Angelina Perez, MFT Intern

Angelina works with children, individuals, couples, and families. Through a trauma-informed approach, she works to meet clients where they are, while encouraging non-judgmental self-discovery.

Angie Tamayo Montero, MA, LMHCA

Angie is a bilingual Spanish speaking therapist. She works with children, families, and adults using many techniques, including Mindfulness and Self-Compassion (MSC).

Dawn Angus, LMHCA, TCTSY-F

Dawn is passionate about supporting adolescents and adults with a focus on PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Using cognitive and somatic approaches, she encourages self-discovery and helps clients embody their strengths.

Deb Sommer, MA, LMHC

Deb helps clients with anxiety, OCD, depression, parent coaching and support, and LGBTQIA+ issues. She uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), among other techniques.

Eva LaFollette, MA, LMHC

Eva’s areas of focus include suicide and suicidal ideation, self-harming, anxiety, depression, and trauma. She incorporates her yoga instructor skills into therapy sessions.

Kara Castillo, CMHC Intern

Kara supports adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges, perfectionism, life transitions, grief and loss, attachment concerns, and relationship dynamics. She works from a person-centered, Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed, and strengths-based approach, with a focus on trauma-informed care.

Laura McDowell, LMHC

Laura works with individuals of all ages, using a variety of techniques to build a deep understanding of her client’s needs and the goals related to their therapy journey. Laura specializes in the treatment of OCD, Anxiety Disorders, and Perfectionism.

Lindsey Palmquist, CMHC Intern

Lindsey works with individuals of all ages. She is committed to supporting clients on their life path through all the inherent changes, challenges, and processes of self-discovery. They are passionate about somatics and body-based modalities, as well as parts work.

Lydia Felker, LMHCA

Lydia supports teens and young adults in navigating life’s challenges with warmth and curiosity. She works from a cognitive-behavioral framework, helping clients build practical tools for managing stressors while fostering healing and growth.

Michaele Razi, MFT Intern

Michaele works with individuals, children, couples, and families. She is committed to helping clients navigate life’s challenges with compassion and understanding.

Monique Shergill, MFT Intern

Monique works with individuals, couples, and families. She is passionate about helping clients build insight, resilience, and meaningful connections in their lives.

Renee Zachery, MFT Intern

Renee helps individuals of all ages, couples, and families within a safe and compassionate space. She encourages exploring their experiences with curiosity using a relational and strength-based approach.

Shana O’Connor-Wolf, LMFT

Shana works with children, families, and couples. She sees therapy as an open and non-judgmental collaboration of ideas and practices that holistically fit clients’ needs.