Our Company
Our Mission
To provide the highest quality, most effective, culturally relevant, evidence-based mental health services to meet the social, emotional and behavioral needs of children, adolescents and their families.
OUR VISION
At Stirling, our vision is to be a beacon of transformative mental health care for children, adolescents, and young adults, where each individual’s well-being is prioritized, diversity is celebrated, and strong, compassionate relationships form the cornerstone of healing. We envision a future where mental health services are not only accessible but are woven into the fabric of a supportive, inclusive community.
Guided by our core values, we aspire to be leaders in mental health, upholding transparency, accountability, and unwavering ethical standards. Our commitment to inclusivity is reflected in every aspect of our practice, ensuring that every young person, regardless of background or circumstance, feels seen, heard, and valued.
We are champions of compassion and empathy, fostering a therapeutic environment where genuine connections are cultivated. Our vision extends beyond individual sessions; we aim to build a network of interconnected relationships — a tapestry of support that embraces families, schools, and communities.
Collaboration is the heartbeat of our mission. We envision partnerships with community organizations, educators, and healthcare providers to create a seamless continuum of care. Together, we work tirelessly to improve lives, break down barriers, and promote mental well-being as an integral part of overall health.
As a team, we are not just colleagues; we are collaborators in the pursuit of positive change. We celebrate victories together, learn from challenges, and grow as one cohesive unit. In our vision, success is not measured individually but collectively, as we strive to be a catalyst for lasting change in the lives of the young individuals we serve.
At Stirling, our vision is a future where mental health is a shared responsibility, where well-being is prioritized, inclusivity is celebrated, and every young person has the opportunity to navigate life with resilience, strength, and the support of a compassionate community.
OUR VALUES
WELLBEING
We foster a culture that supports physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
COMPASSION
We are compassionate, empathetic and build strong relationships.
INCLUSIVITY
We cultivate an environment in which every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, feels seen, heard, and valued.
INTEGRITY
We abide by transparency, accountability, and high ethical standards.
COLLABORATION
We are committed to meaningful collaboration with our community partners to improve lives.
TEAMWORK
We work and win as a team.
OUR HISTORY
Stirling Academy was founded in 1985 as a nonpublic school for children and adolescents diagnosed with Serious Emotional Disturbance.
In 1988, Stirling was awarded a contract by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) to provide mental health services to students in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
For more than three decades, Stirling has partnered with LACDMH to provide free mental heathcare services to children, teens, and young adults.
Our Leadership Team
Dr. Broomand completed her undergraduate degree at UC Davis before earning a doctorate in clinical psychology at Pacific Graduate School of Psychology.
She spent two years at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she completed a practicum and internship before returning to Northern California for a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at UC Davis Medical Center in the Department of Neurology. She was subsequently hired by Kaiser Permanente where she was the only pediatric neuropsychologist in the region, directed the post-doctoral training program, and founded the Youth Sports Concussion Program. While at Kaiser, she also obtained board certification with the American Board of Professional Psychology-Clinical Neuropsychology.
In 2008, Dr. Broomand co-founded and became President of the non-profit MindGame (formerly Sacramento Valley Concussion Consortium) which brought together all of the major healthcare systems to provide improved access to concussion specialists for youth athletes. Her work in the field of concussion landed her a position on the Center for Disease Control’s Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) Guideline Workgroup where leading experts in the field of mTBI worked together to create a clinical guideline for use in doctor’s offices and emergency departments (published 2018).
Dr. Broomand’s work in the area of youth concussion earned her accolades as she was awarded the National David E Lawrence Community Service Award, was named a Sacramento Business Journal’s Healthcare Hero, and 40 Under 40. Dr. Broomand has maintained a commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy. She has served on a number of boards including MindGame, the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association, El Dorado Hills Soccer Club, and is currently the President of the Oak Ridge High School Foundation and Secretary of the Cook Foundation.
Catherine Broomand, PhD
Executive Director &
Board President
Chris Lewis, MBA
Senior Director
Chris Lewis is Stirling Behavioral Health Institute’s Senior Director, which began in January 2008. His role is running the agency’s day-to-day operations, and he’s the agency’s main contact with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Graduating from California State University Long Beach in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management, Chris followed that up with a Master of Business Administration degree, also from California State University Long Beach, in 1982.
Chris’ primary goal throughout his adult life is to help others improve and become successful as people, coworkers, and athletes. He believes in commitment, teamwork, and that passion is necessary for people to achieve their goals.
With a career spanning 45 years in management, Chris has worked for such companies as GTE (now Verizon), Kinko’s, and Blue Shield of California along with stints at smaller companies in the communications and software industries. He’s held increasingly responsible management and leadership positions from analyst to manager to director throughout his career focusing mainly on marketing, sales administration, and major project management.
For 15 years, Chris also taught a senior level course in marketing communications and a graduate course in leadership for the University of Phoenix. He was consistently ranked as one of the top professors by students and the university during his tenure. He specialized in getting students to use critical thinking skills.
For fun, Chris coached girls fast-pitch softball teams over 12 years from the recreational level to travel clubs and concluding with a high school team. Several of his teams won league championships and tournament championships. Ten of his players received college scholarships to play softball.
Dr. Victoria Shabanzadeh brings her vast experience in mental health to the oversight of all mental health services at Stirling Behavioral Health Institute.
After completing her undergraduate degree at UCLA, Dr. Shabanzadeh earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, at Alliant International.
Her journey with Stirling started in 2002, after completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Casa Pacifica, an intensive child/adolescent short-term residential treatment program.
Dr. Shabanzadeh has held several positions at Stirling, starting as a school-based clinician then moving to Quality Assurance Director and Interim Acting Program Director before landing her current position as the Clinical Director in 2008.
She specializes in working with high school aged youth as well as young adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, loss and grief, trauma, and navigating life transitions. Dr. Shabanzadeh is also experienced in several empirically supported therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Managing and Adaptive Practice (MAP), Seeking Safety (SS) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Victoria Schabanzadeh, PhD
Clinical Program Director
Meet our front office staff
Leidy Gutierrez
Intake Coordinator
Nati Lopez
Client Services
Join Our Team
Competitive benefits, flexible work schedules, hybrid work schedules, a friendly, supportive atmosphere and up to 20 earned vacation days per year. Come join us and make a difference.