Meet Our Team
About Dr. Kay Ostensen
Kay Ostensen, Ph.D., is state licensed as both a Marriage, Family, Child
Therapist (LMFT) and Clinical Psychologist, and has been in private
practice for over thirty-five years. Dr. Kay specializes in family systems,
blended families, co-parenting strategies, and child development. Her
professional background includes 20+ years as a school counselor and
school psychologist for the Laguna Beach School District. Dr. Kay also
served for 15 years as Clinical Supervisor for Friendship Shelter, Inc., a
non-profit agency providing shelters and a wide range of services for
unhoused residents in four Orange County communities.
About Joy Cleary
Joy Cleary is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She completed her Masters in Social Work (MSW) at the University of Southern California. Joy has two undergraduate degrees from Santa Clara University: a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with an emphasis in Business and Human Services and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, with a minor in International Studies. Joy is fluent in Spanish and worked as a Bilingual Therapist and Coordinator for a local non-profit agency that serves victims of domestic violence and their families. She has a passion for working with clients to process complex trauma histories, as well as learn healthy relationship dynamics. With her Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC), Joy enjoys providing consultation and guidance on issues related to education and higher education. In addition to her work at Seaside Solutions, Joy has worked for many years in the development and implementation of school-based mental health programs in public and private schools. She is currently the Director of Wellness at Santa Margarita Catholic School.
About Melissa M. Hurd
Melissa M. Hurd is a Licensed Educational Psychologist with over 24 years of experience in the field of public education. Melissa's professional career includes serving the Newport-Mesa Unified School District as a School Psychologist, Coordinator of Special Education, and Coordinator of Mental Health & Outreach Services. She then transitioned to the Ocean View School District to serve as the Executive Director of Special Education prior to her move to the Solana Beach School District. During her tenure with Solana Beach, she first served as the Executive Director of Special Education before being promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Now retired from the public sector of education, Melissa draws upon her past experiences and knowledge with the goal of partnering with families and institutions seeking student-centered educational solutions, as well as personal wellness and growth. Areas of expertise include educational consultation (Section 504 Regulations & Individualized Educational Plans (IEP)), psychological assessments, LGBTQIA+ affirming services, leadership coaching and development, and individual therapy.
About Sarah Wuu
Sarah Wuu is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She completed her Masters in Social Work (MSW) at the University of Southern California. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Biola University. For more than 10 years, Sarah has been specializing in providing clinical support in the healthcare setting. Throughout this time, Sarah has focused on areas such as end of life, coping with terminal and chronic illnesses, and crisis interventions. During her time at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, Sarah took on a vital role collaborating in the establishment of the Bereavement Support Group and the Medication-Assisted Treatment program. As a clinician providing counseling in a private practice setting, Sarah enjoys providing support for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, stage of life transitions, and intergenerational trauma in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and other BIPOC communities.
Lila Samia, Ph.D.,
Lila Samia, Ph.D., is a Licensed Educational Psychologist with 27 years of experience in public schools. The majority of her career was in Laguna Beach Unified School District. She has extensive “hands-on” experience conducting psycho-educational assessments, and providing counseling and mentoring to support students’ social, emotional, and academic functioning and well-being. Recently retired, Dr. Samia is excited to continue this work in the private setting, offering individual counseling to empower individuals to navigate and overcome challenges impacting their well-being. She is committed to helping clients reach their goals using a collaborative approach to access their inner strengths and find solutions which nurture positive mental health, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Her expansive knowledge regarding special education law and practices enhances her expertise related to assessments, IEP’s, and 504 regulations. In addition to counseling and assessment services, Dr. Samia can serve as an advocate to ensure students receive the support and resources they need. She is dedicated to using her past experiences and knowledge to effectively advocate for students and families.