Our Team
Robin Kissell, MD
Founder & Director
Natalie Brooks, MA, LMFT
Executive Board Member
Natalie Brooks, M.A., LMFT is a psychotherapist in private practice in southern California. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degree studies in Psychology at the University of Southern California. Natalie was trained in MBT by Peter Fonagy, Anthony Bateman, and Trudie Rossouw and supervised in MBT by Robin Kissell, MD. Between 2008-2016, Natalie was on clinical staff at UCLA Semel Neuropsychiatric Institute’s Student Behavioral Health Services where she found a passion for MBT after attending her first training in 2009. She played a vital role in developing the outpatient Mentalization Based Treatment program for UCLA students with borderline personality disorder. In addition to private practice, Natalie enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for MBT as the Mentalizing Initiative’s program manager and supervising clinicians in MBT.
Jeff Katzman, MD
Executive Board Member
Jeff Katzman, MD is Professor and Vice Chair of the University of New Mexico Department of Psychiatry, where he oversees Adult Clinical Services and Academic Affairs. Prior to holding this position, he served as the Chief of Psychiatry and Director of the Behavioral Health Care line at the New Mexico VA Healthcare System. He is also the former Director of Education and current Treasurer of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry.
Dr. Katzman’s study of contemporary psychodynamic theory and therapy began at the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. It led to his further study of human attachment and his becoming a certified practitioner of Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. He is also certified to use the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), which has informed his research and work with patients. He has published extensively in the areas of attachment and psychodynamic therapy and has taught medical students and psychiatry residents for over 25 years.
In addition, he has extensive experience in and love for improvisational theater. Dr. Katzman trained at Second City in Los Angeles, the Gorilla Tango Theater, and the Box Theaters in Albuquerque, and has developed a training program in Communicating Science working with scientists at the University of New Mexico. Most recently, he has brought together his passions for psychotherapy and improvisational theater in Life Unscripted, which he co-authored with Dan O’Connor, his improvisational mentor.
Daniel A. Kupper, PhD
Executive Board Member
Daniel A. Kupper, Ph.D is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California at Los Angeles, where he supervises and teaches resident courses on psychodynamic treatment approaches to personality disorders. Dr. Kupper was also Senior Psychotherapist and Supervisor at the UCLA Borderline Personality Initiative. He is an accredited Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) Supervisor and Practitioner, having been trained in MBT by Peter Fonagy, Anthony Bateman, and Trudie Roussow, and supervised by Anthony Bateman. In addition to maintaining an active independent psychotherapy practice, Dr. Kupper supervises, teaches, and presents on MBT.
Carl Fleisher, MD
Faculty
Jolene K. Sawyer, MD
Faculty
Dr. Jolene K Sawyer, MD is a Doctor primarily located in Los Angeles, CA, with another office in Santa Monica, CA. Her specialties include Psychiatry. Dr. Sawyer is affiliated with Ronald Reagan Ucla Medical Center.
