Our Team
Alison Eder, AMFT, Executive director
aeder@pelicancove.org
Alison has always been fascinated by what drives human behavior. First at the level of society and technology, and eventually at the level of the individual mind. She came from an analytical background, with a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was curious about systems, structures, and the forces that shape human behavior at scale. Over time, that curiosity turned toward something more fundamental: how does the mind actually work? What guides our decisions beneath the level of conscious thought? And can we actually change?
Those questions led her to Pepperdine University, where she earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology, and eventually to a dual role as Executive Director and Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Pelican Cove.
Her clinical philosophy centers on the intersection of neuroscience and emotional intelligence. She believes that our brains are constantly making predictions based on emotional experience, and that by examining those knowings, we gain real leverage over our patterns, our relationships, and our wellbeing. It is a perspective rooted in both rigor and hope.
As Executive Director of Pelican Cove Counseling Center, she leads with that same conviction that the systems shaping our lives can be questioned, challenged, and rebuilt. To her, expanding access is not just an organizational goal. It is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: that when people understand the system of self, and how their perceptions, emotions, and experiences shape the way they move through the world, then real change becomes possible.
Soni Kim Monroe,
Psy.D.,
Clinical Director
skmonroe@pelicancove.org
Founder of PCCC, Soni Kim Monroe, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and Founder/Director of Crossroads Institute for Psychotherapy and Assessment. She is dedicated to teaching and training, and was a clinical supervisor at Harbor-UCLA, providing supervision and training to Child Psychiatry Fellows, and was an associate adjunct professor at University of Southern California’s Marriage and Family Therapy program. Dr. Monroe has presented regionally and nationally to mental health professionals as well as being published in peer reviewed journals. She serves as an expert witness on mental health concerns for civil and criminal cases.
Elian Grigorian, therapist
egrigorian@pelicancove.org
Hello! My name is Elian, and I am a therapist trainee currently pursuing a PsyD at Alliant International University. Prior to Pelican Cove, I have been a crisis counselor, facilitated outpatient community mental health groups, and conducted neuropsychological assessments. While I’ve absolutely loved and valued all of these experiences, my true passion lies in one-on-one therapy. To me, therapy is entirely relational. Being consistently there for you in a way that feels safe and supportive. I’m here to listen and help you notice patterns in how you relate to yourself and others and explore how those patterns might be impacting your life today. Together, we’ll make sense of what you’re going through in a way that feels grounded and human.
Shuyi Zhang (she/her/hers), Therapist
szhang@pelicancove.org
Hello, I’m Shuyi, a therapist trainee at Pelican Cove, currently pursuing my PsyD at Alliant International University. I hold a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Columbia University, where I focused on research and therapeutic practice..
In our work together, I hope to walk alongside you, to see you as a whole person, and supporting your growth. I deeply appreciate the permission to be seen. My style is warm, grounded, and collaborative. I believe change is possible, acceptance is possible, and I’m here to help you move toward it.
My clinical interests include anxiety, trauma, identity development, depression, and the unique mental health needs of immigrants and individuals navigating cross-cultural transitions. I also offer therapy in Mandarin for those who feel easier to express themselves in their native language.
Ernesto Lloyd Means (He/Him),
Therapist
emeans@pelicancove.org
Mental health advocacy and unrelenting curiosity are traits that I hold dear. My commitment to Mental Health advocacy is shown through my volunteer work in crisis services, addiction support group meetings, and tutoring students experiencing homelessness. Curiosity serves me well in my clinical work and my academic pursuits. Informed by psychodynamic theory, my approach is centered on all the aspects that make you who you are. It is my conviction that the impetus for growth and change all lies within; we need only to work through the past together to find this spark for growth.
I am honored to have the opportunity to work with you and learn more about you. I commend your strength in seeking therapy.
Maris Anne Tyler (She/Her/Hers), Therapist
mtyler@pelicancove.org
Hello and welcome! My name is Maris and I am a therapist trainee at Pelican Cove who is intent on joining you as a gentle guide through your therapy journey. Whatever stage you are at in your experience towards healing is meaningful, and it is powerful that you took that step for yourself.
I am currently pursuing my Clinical Psychology Doctorate at the California School of Professional Psychology. I practice with respect and honor for the uniqueness of every individual’s identity, holding space for individuals of all backgrounds.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and being of Mexican descent, I know how salient these identities are for people; how they influence our perspectives and impact how we navigate through the world. You are seen and heard in every session. We will work collaboratively to uncover the hidden truths within, to help strengthen your relationship with yourself.
Crystal Zeng, therapist
czeng@pelicancove.org
Maybe you’re finding yourself in a difficult place. You’re not sure how you got here, but something, deep down, does not feel quite right. Perhaps conflicts keep appearing in the external, mirroring the internal. Psychodynamic therapy aims to build a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious, and uncover the deep roots of pain and suffering.
I want to accompany you in diving into the depths of the soul, and listen closely to the messages it whispers. It is in the darkest places of ourselves that we find the key to our liberation. It is in safe relationship that we can allow truth and meaning to emerge, freeing up psychic energy and paving the way for transformation. Warmth is as essential to the soul as sunlight is to a budding seed. Feeling deeply seen can change the entire course of a life.
I adopt an eclectic approach, integrating elements of psychoanalytic/dynamic, Jungian, humanistic, and existential therapy. My past life as a designer taught me that everything operates within a system, and that empathy, creativity, and beauty are essential to meaningful change. As a second-generation Chinese American woman, I have experienced how cultural identity and intergenerational trauma shape one’s well-being. This perspective informs my approach, helping clients navigate self, family, and cultural belonging.
Carl Jung said, “When you are up against a wall, put down roots like a tree, until clarity comes from deeper sources to see over that wall and grow.”
Welcome to the fruitful and fascinating journey within you. It would be my privilege to accompany you.
Kelsey McCurdy (she/her), Therapist
kmccurdy@pelicancove.org
Hello! I’m Kelsey, a therapist trainee currently completing my Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, with a focus in depth psychology. My approach to therapy is warm, relational, and collaborative. I aim to create a space where you feel supported and gently encouraged to explore whatever you’re holding, whether it’s anxiety, grief, life transitions, or a sense of disconnection from yourself.
In therapy, I work alongside clients to explore patterns, early experiences, and emotional layers that may not always be visible on the surface. My style is thoughtful and client-centered, drawing from Jungian, psychodynamic, and person-centered approaches. I also bring a feminist and existential lens to this work, honoring questions of meaning, choice, identity, and how we are shaped by culture, systems, and relationships.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked in creative and nature-based settings, and those experiences continue to shape how I show up in the therapy room. I bring care, curiosity, and a deep respect for each person’s inner world. I believe healing often begins by slowing down and listening closely to what wants to be seen and known.
I currently see clients at Pelican Cove, both in person and through telehealth. I’m grateful to be doing this work and always open to seeing if we might be a good fit. If you're feeling ready, I would love to connect and see if it feels right to begin this journey together.
Dharma Mitchell
,
therapist
dmitchell@pelicancove.org
Hello, thank you for taking the time to prioritize yourself! I’m Dharma, a therapist trainee at Pelican Cove, pursuing my Clinical Psychology Doctorate at the California School of Professional Psychology.
I follow the person-centered approach, which provides a safe space for positive change and self-exploration. I aim to help individuals achieve goals and aspire to their ideal selves. I am passionate about assisting individuals in healing from trauma and breaking free from generational patterns shaped by historical and cultural experiences.
My clinical focus includes supporting clients in understanding how the past influences the present and fostering resilience through self-awareness and empowerment. I committed to creating an affirming, safe, and inclusive space for all clients, with a special dedication to serving the LGBTQIA2S+ and Black community. I approach therapy with compassion, cultural humility, and a belief in every person’s ability to grow, heal, and thrive.
Matthew Lawton, Therapist
mlawton@pelicancove.org
Scott Kroha, Therapist
skroha@pelicancove.org
Mindy Hu, Therapist
mindy.hu@pelicancove.org
Sometimes the life we’ve built no longer feels fully our own. We may feel stuck, uncertain, or disconnected from ourselves, even when everything seems “fine” on the outside. I offer a space to pause, reflect, and begin listening inward again.
Hi, I’m Mindy Hu, a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University and a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Pelican Cove. Before pursuing therapy, I spent over a decade living and working abroad in the business world. That experience taught me that few of us find our path on the first try, and that self-discovery is often an ongoing journey.
I provide a thoughtful, collaborative space for adults, children, and families exploring who they are and how they want to live. Together, we’ll examine what has shaped you and support you in finding the clarity and confidence to move toward a life that feels more aligned and meaningful. Sessions are available in English and Mandarin.