Dr. Sa has been Sunrise Community Counseling Center’s CEO for 30 years. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and has over 30 years’ experience working in the behavioral health field in the United States and Latin America. Dr. Sa’s specializations include therapy for drug and alcohol dependence/addiction, anger management, domestic violence, and hypnotherapy. He is certified in various behavioral treatments, including Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN), Assertive Continuing Care (ACC), SARATSO LS/CMI, STATIC 99R, and is certified as a CCBI Human Trafficking Advocate in the State of California. Dr. Sa has spearheaded local and international multicultural and multiethnic mental health programs that have integrated HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Currently, he oversees three grant programs at Sunrise that are federally funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) that focus on behavioral health prevention and treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, as well as HIV and hepatitis prevention and treatment, for youth and adults. Dr. Sa is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. He is also a Merchant Marine in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Leticia has been working at Sunrise for over 30 years and provides individual behavioral health counseling for a diverse clientele. She has worked with many immigrant ethnicities and nationalities, including Central American, Mexican, African American/Black, and White clients. Leticia holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work from Cal State University Los Angeles. She is certified in Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA), Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), and Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN), to work with adolescents and adults with substance abuse issues. Leticia is bilingual in Spanish and English.

At Sunrise, Karla helps identify, cultivate, and steward new and existing corporate relationships. She also fosters relationships and develops partnerships with community organizations and educational institutions. In addition, Karla supports outreach efforts in the Latina/o, African American, and LGBT communities in SPA 4. Karla received her Associate of Science Degree in Psychology and Human Services from Los Angeles City College. Prior to joining Sunrise, Karla worked at the Braille Institute, where she helped with the overall direction of day-to-day activities, operations, and programs. She also worked as an intern for Barrio Action, where she led discussion groups on various topics pertaining to adolescent development. Karla also has experience working with the migrant worker community and their families in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Colima, Mexico, Karla is fluent in Spanish and English.

Alan is certified as an Addictions Treatment Counselor (CATC I) by the California Association of Drug Educators. He holds an Associate degree in Drug/Alcohol Education from Los Angeles City College and is currently working on coursework to obtain a Bachelors in Psychology. At Sunrise, Alan has facilitated parent education and substance abuse groups. He currently facilitates HIV and substance use prevention programs, working with at risk youth and adults. Alan was born in Guerrero, Mexico and is fluent in English and Spanish.

Alejandro has been at Sunrise for over 10 years, providing behavioral health counseling for clients with domestic violence cases, substance abuse issues, therapy for teens and adults who are victims and perpetrators of sexual violence, and anger management issues. He has also enjoyed worked with parents who have open cases with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCSF). Working as a counselor for parents and families has increased his awareness and knowledge of the systemic institutional deficiencies in managing and caring for children with behavioral difficulties. At Sunrise, Alejandro has had the opportunity to cultivate a deeper understanding of the struggles that low socioeconomic status families experience in their daily lives and how these struggles affect their mental health. Alejandro received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a focus on Human Development from Cal State University Los Angeles. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Southern University. He is certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor and holds certification in Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) counseling. Alejandro has extensive experience utilizing a variety of approaches to his counseling, including but not limited to, psychosocial, psychodynamic, cognitive, and learning theory. Alejandro is originally from Mexico City and is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Mr. Adame has served as Clinical Supervisor at Sunrise Community Counseling Center for 20 years. He provides SCCC’s clinical staff and interns with a reflective space and emotional support, assistance with professional development, and ensures that all services to clients are safe, ethical and competent. Mr. Adame received his Master’s in Clinical Psychology from California State University Los Angeles in 1982, and has experience working with diverse, high-risk populations including children, youth, and families. He served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged upon completion of military service. During his free time, Mr. Adame enjoys gardening, cycling, and drumming for pleasure and as a form of self-care.

Ms. Cooper holds her BA in Psychology from the University of Missouri, where she served with Students for a Sensible Drug Policy and won the Undergraduate Psychological Sciences Research award for her work in her University’s Mindfulness research lab studying extra-pharmacological factors of psychedelic-assisted therapies and their treatment of substance use disorders. While working with SSDP, she helped set forth an initiative that supplied all campus residential halls with Naloxone in order to prevent and address opioid overdoses. Ms. Cooper later went on to work on a large-scale research study as a Peer Navigator, where she provided direct services to adult populations who inject opioids throughout Los Angeles County and spearheaded a harm reduction program that offered safe injection kits, HIV prevention, and overdose education. Ms. Cooper now serves as a Program Coordinator and Grant Writer for Sunrise, working behind the scenes to provide the written architecture for upcoming programs and ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly. When she’s not working, Ms. Cooper likes to practice skateboarding, collect vinyl, and write creative nonfiction on her typewriter.