Breaking the Chronic Pain Cycle
We would like to share the story behind Scott Zhang and Syam Palakurthy’s innovation. Scott and Syam built Itsy as a response to the growing Opioid Crisis, driven by chronic pain.




Amelia Mars is a licensed therapist impassioned to help patients battling with mood disorders. Her fascination and interest in emotional wellness began as a child observing family members struggle with anxiety, depression, headaches, and severe mood swings. She was determined to see and support her family receive the best possible treatment to live a fulfilling life.
It is Amelia’s personal experiences coupled with professional training that allows her to approach patients from a place of empathy, compassion, and insight. She is dedicated to improving the lives of people with emotional, physical, and psychological pain.
She is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and mother of six daughters and four sons. Amelia enjoys the magnificence and serenity of the ocean, spending time with my family, sharing a meal or coffee with friends, and enjoying the beauty in others.
Dilnavaz Shroff brings 30 years of business experience in entrepreneurship, editorial, events, teaching, business-consulting, soft skills, life-coaching and mentoring. She launched Women’s Executive Digest, India’s first corporate magazine for women in 1987. She was a Professor at Xavier’s College of Communication and the Bombay College of Journalism for over 12 years. She has worked for over 17 years in the United States, as Global Manager/ Business Developer / Trainer. Her clients have described her as having “that rare and extraordinary ability to find solutions that others would very likely miss.”
Besides being an entrepreneur and running various companies, she was also on the boards of numerous print and web media. She had regular career strategy and counseling columns in various publications.
Doris Wolz Cohen, MFT is a licensed psychotherapist and body-mind
integrator in Los Angeles. Her practice recognizes the important role
the Ego-Soul-Axis plays in healing trauma. And her work integrates
attachment theory, trauma therapy,
somatic healing techniques, contemplative practices, and SR— Soulful
Relating. SR in Psychotherapy is the practice of helping clients
cultivate an attachment bond between their body-self (Ego) and their
Soul-Self (Real Self). She found, when this Ego-Soul-Connection is
felt, the body-self feels supported and can let go of control. This
makes processing and soulful integration of traumatic experiences
possible.
Doris recommends combining ketamine infusions and soul attachment
work, because ketamine opens the body-mind and makes the brain
receptive to change, and Soulful Relating offers the tools to
transform the past and plant new seeds for a life that is embodied,
creative and soulful.
Michael Levin, M.D., received an M.S. degree in Pharmacology from New York Medical College and an M.D. degree from New York University School of Medicine. He did his medical training in Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA. Afterwards, Dr. Levin did two-year fellowship at UCLA-NPI in developmental-behavioral medicine and psychopharmacology and took a faculty position at UC-Irvine, where he participated in psychopharmacological research. After moving to Northern California, Dr. Levin founded the East Bay Psychopharmacology Group and was its Medical Director for 25 years. During that time, in addition to running busy psychiatric practice, he conducted pharmaceutical research and was a member of the advisory panels for several pharmaceutical companies. In addition, Dr. Levin taught the course Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology at UC Berkeley Extension for 16 years and was a faculty member at the Dept. of Psychiatry of Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Levin is married and has two grown children. He and his wife Charan are publishers of educational children’s books. Their book “The Reading Lesson” is the second best selling book in its category in the U.S. and number one in the U.K.
Dr. Simmi Goyle, MD is board certified in Internal medicine. She specializes in Hospital-based medicine and has been in clinical practice for 18 years. She believes in a holistic approach to well being and has a vast experience with different complimentary healing modalities.
Danielle is a psychotherapist passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families towards wellness in therapy. Danielle views therapy as an active and collaborative process between client and therapist. She enjoys supporting her clients in accessing inherent resources and strengths, as well as developing new tools and coping skills to help them in managing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and stressful life transitions. Danielle uses an integrative approach that draws from cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic and family systems theories, and mindfulness meditation practices to meet the specific needs of each unique client. Providing a safe and compassionate environment for the therapeutic relationship to grow is the foundation of Danielle’s approach. Danielle is originally from Los Angeles. After receiving her double bachelors’ degrees in Psychology and Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, she earned her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University. She received comprehensive clinical training at the Southern California Counseling Center, including specialized training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), domestic violence, and trauma. For more information about her private practice, please visit www.yourtherapy.la
Heidi Chang is a board-certified registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She obtained her degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. She has expertise in acute and critical care in hospital settings. Her care plans focused on direct patient care and education. Her emphasis on mental health and pain management is furthered by her compassion for patient well being. Heidi strives to promote best evidence-based practice and safe patient care in all areas of her work.
Amy Huynh currently leads PointKetamine as the Director of Operations. Ms. Huynh began working in the healthcare industry 9 years ago. She specialized in research and development in the formative years and transitioned to administration in the later years. Ms. Huynh began her training at Brown University and moved on to Quest Diagnostics. She developed protocols for diagnostic teams to assess patients. She worked with international regulatory officials to bring innovation to communities abroad.
Across the different institutions, she came to see the various underserved patient populations. She saw how healthcare became siloed specialties. These sentiments lead her and her colleagues to champion a holistic approach to care. Ms. Huynh is inspired to create a comprehensive treatment plan to care for patients suffering from chronic pain and mood disorders. She looks ahead at providing opportunities to patients worldwide.
Tara Padhi is a marketing and advertising specialist. Tara is most interested in patient engagement and customer service. She is versed with project management and implementation. She looks forward to developing new programs and bringing awareness to patients.
Natasha is a Life Coach, Mentor, Meditation Teacher, and Reiki Master. Her coaching practice is expanded into classes that can integrate in the closeness and bettering of the community. She is focused on strengthening your mindset and body to be the healthiest version of yourself.
As a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master’s level degree in Psychology, Lacey specialize in working with adolescents and adults on an individual basis to help them understand the psychology of the mind and to help them overcome life’s challenges. She works with clients on decreasing and eliminating symptoms of depression, anxiety, addiction, chronic pain, simple and complex trauma, chronic stress and relational concerns. She runs a practice using a combination of holistic and traditional therapy practices, based on the individual needs of the client and the severity of symptoms. Lacey is extensively trained in both evidence-based treatment interventions and spiritual psychology practices. She works and trains under a collection of well-known and successful doctors, therapists and coaches from Los Angeles to London. She works with clients from all backgrounds, including professional athletes, celebrity families, high and low functioning adolescents and adults from various experiences. Therapy is typically short term and focuses on understanding the human mind. Lacey runs a private practice in both Westlake Village and Newport Beach and also work with clients remotely through internet and phone communication.
Chris is a financial analyst and healthcare consultant for PointKetamine. He was formerly researching in biology, but is now interested in developing a robust treatment plan for patients. Chris is currently working with patients on the East and West Coast. He looks ahead at integrating the overall mental, dental, and health of patients.
Clarelle Rosario is a board certified Registered Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Clarelle has been providing care for patients for 3 years. Her specialty includes critical care and trauma. She has been caring for patients in hospitals and private settings. She has extensive experience in using IV infusions and patient monitoring.
Stephanie Bates holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has practiced abroad and the United States. She has expertise in several sub-specialties, which include trauma, obstetrics, and critical care. She is passionate about designing a holistic health program for patients. Stephanie is versed in IV infusion therapy and working closely with patients. She looks ahead at using ketamine infusions to improve the quality of life for these patients.
Kimberly Huynh is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and practices in hospitals and private settings. She specializes in acute care and trauma. She enjoys working with her healthcare team to reach out to patients in need. She cares for patients throughout Los Angeles and Orange County and employs a variety of healthcare modalities.
Doris Chen is a California Board Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). She received her Master’s degree in Advanced Nursing from Georgetown University in conjunction with Navy Nurse Corp Anesthesia Program in 2010. She spent 12 years in the Military serving Active Duty members and their families as a Critical Care Registered Nurse as well as a CRNA. Doris has provided safe anesthetics including general, regional anesthesia, and IV sedation to patients. She extended care for a wide population of patients at the largest deployed overseas hospitals for various procedures and surgeries. She was the sole anesthesia provider serving thousands of Active Duty Personnel aboard navy ships.Doris Chen is well versed in the safe delivery of ketamine infusion. She values providing compassionate and excellent services to her patients. She remains dedicated to delivering the best care while utilizing her anesthesia expertise. Doris aspires to help patients understand the therapeutic potential of ketamine infusions and achieve wellness.
Dr. Tigran Sukiasyan is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and is a practicing anesthesiologist for 7 years. He spent his formative years in New York where he developed his full spectrum of anesthesia practice. Dr. Sukiasyan is an expert in delivering IV ketamine and monitoring its efficacy. He believes that ketamine infusions can transcend its sedative effects and is a safe option for treatment resistant depression.
Dr. Gema Montana is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and has been practicing as an anesthesiologist for 5 years. Her extensive experience includes direct patient care and the operating room. Dr. Montana is versed in all of the surgical subspecialties. She has experience using ketamine for several years as an anesthetic agent. She sees the therapeutic potential of ketamine infusions for patients suffering from pain and mood disorders. Dr. Montana is looking forward to bringing the therapy to her patients.
Dr. Jaspreet Panesar is a board certified gastroenterologist in the United States. She specializes in the health of the liver and GI tract. Dr. Panesar’s expertise allows her to evaluate patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Her desire to bring the latest medical innovations fueled her interest in ketamine infusions. GI and liver conditions can lead to mood and chronic pain. Dr. Panesar hopes to use ketamine infusions to improve the quality of life for these patients. She looks ahead at providing the best care options for her patients.
Dr. Konstantinos Tripodis is a renowned psychiatrist treating patients throughout Los Angeles. He has extensive experience treating patients with a variety of mental disorders. He is an expert in psycho-pharmacological treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and PTSD.Dr. Tripodis believes in listening to patients and designing a care plan that is individualized. He looks forward to a holistic treatment that integrates various modalities of care. His initial and post treatment assessments are designed to extend the quality of care. Dr. Tripodis aspires to deliver the most effective and patient centered care.