Leadership
Founder & Executive Director
Dr. Gordon is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience providing culturally-sensitive, specialized intervention to infants, young children and families who are at risk and/or have experienced trauma. She has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a Masters in Psychology and in Clinical Psychopharmacology. Dr. Gordon is a California-endorsed Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, Certified Infant Massage Instructor by World Institute for Nurturing Communication (WINC) without borders, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, Certified Effective Black Parenting Instructor, Certified Make Parenting a Pleasure (MPAP) Parent Educator, and Advanced level provider of Developmental Individual Relationship (DIR) Floortime. Dr. Gordon has over 20 years of clinical supervision and consultation experience in both the public and private sector and has conducted numerous presentations, trainings, and workshops.
La Faune Gordon, Ph.D., M.S.
Sandra Cortes, MA, MFT Intern
Volunteer
Mrs. Cortes has been dedicated to Children and Families, Inc. since the beginning. She has a Bachelor’s and Master's degree in Psychology and is a certified Infant Massage Instructor by WINC without Borders and MPAP Parent Educator. Mrs. Cortes is fluent in English and Spanish, is culturally aware, able to effectively communicate and connect well with our children and families, and is actively engaged with the community in need.
LaJoi Lewis, Psy.D.
Family and Community Care Specialist
LaJoi Lewis holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and has over 15 years of experience working with children of various developmental capacities. Dr. LaJoi is passionate about providing clinically sound and culturally sensitive interventions and psychoeducation to individuals and communities. Her experience managing teams of mental health clinicians reflects other areas of her professional interests: facilitating trainings, professional mentorship, and providing mental health consultative services.
A Snapshot of the 2021-2022 Cohort of Clinical Trainees
The Clinical Trainees come from various graduate programs throughout Southern California. The 2021-2022 Children and Families, Inc. cohort of clinical trainees come from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Nancy Cardenas, B.A.
MFT Program Clinical Trainee
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Joanne Choi, M.S. Psychology Practicum Clinical Trainee, Chicago School of Professional Psychology (PsyD Program)
Daniel Correa, B.A. MA Psychology Clinical Trainee California State University, Dominguez Hills
Ashley DeVaere, M.A.
Psychology Practicum Clinical Trainee, Chicago School of Professional Psychology (PsyD Program)
Mashaunda McBarnett, M.A.
Psychology Practicum Clinical Trainee, Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Psy.D. Program)
Rachel McGee, M.A., M.S.
Psychology Practicum Clinical Trainee, Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Psy.D. Program)
Dafne Salgado, B.A.
MA Psychology Clinical Trainee, California State University, Dominguez Hills
Cameron Walker, B.S.
Psychology Practicum Clinical Trainee, Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Psy.D. Program)
Tom Whitlock, B.A.
MFT Program Clinical Trainee
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Naomi Slater, B.A.
MFT Program Clinical Trainee California State University, Dominguez Hills
