Shoreline Counseling

When reaching out to book an appointment, please include the name of your insurance company, times of availability for telehealth sessions, and if you have a particular therapist in mind.

All appointment requests are responded to in 24 hours on business days.

MEET THE TEAM

Holly Whitmore, MA, LMFT

CEO/Clinical Supervisor

Licensed Psychotherapist 

Holly Whitmore is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and able to serve anyone residing in California. She founded Shoreline Counseling Center and is also the acting Clinical Supervisor. After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies at UC Santa Barbara, Holly lived abroad for several years in both Asia and the Caribbean learning to stretch past her comfort zone into the unknown. Working, living, and traveling extensively throughout the world, Holly gained a deep compassion for the human struggle. When returning to the US, she began a career in social services and completed a Master of Arts degree in Psychology graduating Magna Cum Laude.  Holly is a trained Gottman Therapist specializing in offering couples and relationship counseling. She also offers treatment using the Internal Family Systems model to individuals experiencing anxiety, trauma, low self esteem and difficult life transitions. She draws on cognitive behavioral therapy as well as a psychodynamic approach when working with adult individuals. As the Clinical Supervisor and owner of the practice, she is passionate about creating equity and access to quality training for newer therapists, in particular placing women in positions of leadership and financial autonomy. She offers mentorship and training not only in the clinical sense, but also towards the elusive skills of entrepreneurship and business ownership. When not working, Holly also enjoys travel, pilates, and spending time outdoors.

Emily Harris, LCSW

Clinical Supervisor

Emily is a contracted Clinical Supervisor at Shoreline Counseling assisting with the oversight of the excellent and skilled services offered to patients. Emily is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from the East Coast and has been living in Los Angeles for ten years. Emily attended and graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a concentration in Children, Youth, and Families. Prior to working in private practice, Emily worked in elementary schools across Los Angeles as a school social worker. In this role, she supported students and their families and gained expertise in best practices for supporting children. Emily began working in private practice during her time as a school social worker. In several years of private practice, she has worked with children, adults, couples, and families and supported a diverse group of people and experiences. Emily opened her own private practice, Vantage Therapy, in 2024. Emily advocates for children, adolescents, adults, and couples and works towards empowering individuals to be able to cope with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and other universal life events. When she is not working, Emily loves reading, spending time with her cats Keenon and Stevie, running at Echo Park Lake, and relaxing with a good podcast.

Aide Merito, AMFT, APCC

Associate Psychotherapist

Ella habla español.

Aidé Merito is a bilingual Spanish speaking Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor dedicated to supporting individuals and families through healing, growth, and self discovery. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development from California State University San Marcos and her Master of Science in Counseling from California State University Fullerton. Aidé enjoys working with adolescents, young adults, and individuals across the lifespan, with a particular interest in trauma, identity development, and exploring the deeper roots of our patterns and behaviors. Her experience includes working with children in foster care, individuals navigating substance use challenges, military families, and the Latinx community, integrating cultural awareness and sensitivity into the therapeutic space. Her therapeutic approach is person centered and grounded in client empowerment, creating a compassionate environment where clients feel valued and understood. Aidé enjoys spending quality time with my loved ones, crafting, exploring nature, hiking, reading, and practicing self-care.

Dina Abdelaal, AMFT

Associate Psychotherapist 

Ella habla español.

Dina Abdelaal is an Associate Marriage in Family Therapist who is dedicated to providing a safe and nonjudgemental space to clients from all walks of life. After receiving her BA in Sociology from Occidental College, she later attended graduate school at Pacific Oaks College where she received her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, specializing in trauma. Hertheoretical approaches include cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, person-centered, and trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy. With extensive experience working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and PTSD, Dina also places great emphasis on repairing the mind-body connection that can often happen as a result of trauma. When working with clients, Dina has an empathetic, culturally sensitive, authentic approach to meet client’s where they are at and build a strong therapeutic relationship. She is a bilingual Spanish speaking therapist as well. Outside of being a therapist, Dina loves to read, dance, and spend time with her dogs, family, and friends.

Misty Goldenberg, AMFT

Associate Psychotherapist

Nicola Loretto, MA, AMFT 

Associate Psychotherapist 

Nicola Loretto is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to supporting diverse and multiracial communities through life’s challenges. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pepperdine University with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Nicola brings experience from school-based and non-profit settings, with a focus on crisis intervention, grief, substance use, and complex emotional transitions. She is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), has completed specialized training in Substance Use Disorders, and is a Level 1 trained Gottman Therapist, integrating the Gottman Method into her work with couples to support healthier communication and connection. As a Black American adopted into a multiracial family, Nicola has a deep personal understanding of identity, belonging, and trauma. Her early mentorship with African-Canadian adoptees, along with her experience as a Crisis Responder, has equipped her to support clients through difficult emotions and pivotal life moments. Her approach blends psychodynamic and person-centered therapies with creative outlets such as art, creating a safe and supportive space for self-expression and healing. Nicola’s style is empathetic, strengths-based, and inclusive, fostering resilience while helping clients process their experiences and reconnect with a sense of hope. In her spare time, Nicola enjoys reading, traveling, working out, and spending time with family and friends.

Emily (Yuze) Chen, AMFT

Associate Psychotherapist 

Emily is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working with individuals, couples, and families across California. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and dual Master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling from Chapman University. Emily’s therapeutic approach is grounded in warmth, curiosity and compassion. She creates a safe and supportive space for clients to explore difficult emotions and experiences. She draws from Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) along with attachment and trauma-informed approaches to help clients understand how past experiences may be showing up in their lives today. She also utilizes inner-child work to help clients heal past wounds and develop new strategies for change. Emily has experience working with clients navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and complex trauma, as well as relationship issues such as broken trust, recurring conflict, and communication challenges. She also helps clients explore family dynamics and long-standing patterns that may be keeping them stuck. Outside of sessions, Emily enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends. 

Sarah Alkayali, AMFT, APCC

Associate Psychotherapist 

مرحباً، إسمي ساره و أنا أتحدث اللغة العربية.

Niki KimsCasas

Practice Manager

Niki has over 10 years experience including years as a Federal Officer and Army Medical Specialist. The healthcare and Insurance industry is always changing. Niki attends regular training classes as well as is a member of PAHCOM –  The Professional Association of Health Care Office Management.

Teresa Mount

Bookkeeper & Billing Specialist 

Teresa assists with all the accounts management within the practice including insurance billing, bookkeeping, checking benefits, and income analytics. She brings years of experience and knowledge with her to create as much assistance possible towards navigating the insurance maze.