Compassionate Experts

Steven L. Mandel, MD

Co-Founder and President

Steven L. Mandel, MD, is the Co-Founder and President of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles and an internationally recognized pioneer in the use of ketamine infusion therapy for mental health disorders and chronic pain conditions. He is a board-certified anesthesiologist with more than 40 years of clinical experience using ketamine and also holds a master’s degree in psychology. Dr. Mandel is a founding physician and former first president of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners (ASKP3).

Dr. Mandel is a frequent speaker at scientific and medical conferences and is regularly quoted in the media on topics including ketamine research, clinical best practices, treatment innovation, and comparisons between ketamine therapy and traditional psychiatric treatments. He is widely known for his unwavering dedication to patient safety, outcomes, and education.

Dr. Mandel earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and completed his anesthesiology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California, Los Angeles Center for the Health Sciences. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and family and enjoys traveling, sailing, skiing, and spending time with loved ones.

Kathleen Lopez, MD

Psychiatrist

Kathleen Lopez, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult psychiatry as well as child and adolescent psychiatry at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a pre-medical focus from Pacific Union College and her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. She completed her adult psychiatry residency at the University of California, Riverside, and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UCLA, where she also served as Administrative Chief.

Dr. Lopez is deeply passionate about expanding access to high-quality mental health care, with a special focus on neurodiverse youth and adults. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is committed to providing inclusive, compassionate care that supports individuals and families in meaningful and culturally responsive ways.

She was drawn to Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles for its collaborative culture and shared commitment to patient-centered care. Outside the clinic, Dr. Lopez enjoys crocheting, weight lifting, camping, and growing her home library. She also has a background in vocal music and continues to hold a lifelong love for music.

Jeffrey Cantrell, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Jeffrey is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles, who earned his undergraduate and advanced nursing degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington. As an Army veteran, he brings a strong understanding of the mental health challenges faced by service members, their families, and civilians alike.
Jeff provides inclusive, client-centered psychiatric care for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood and mental health disorders. He is a proud advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and is committed to providing affirming, supportive care for individuals of all genders and sexual orientations.

His holistic approach to mental health care recognizes the connection between mind, body, and overall well-being. Jeff prioritizes collaboration and shared decision-making, tailoring treatment plans to align with each client’s goals while building trust and long-term therapeutic relationships. He has assisted with the administration of thousands of IV Ketamine Infusions for various mental health indications throughout his tenure at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA). Outside of the clinic, Jeff enjoys hiking, music festivals, traveling, and exercising. 

Pascal Stirnimann, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Pascal Strinimann is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Miami and both a Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Columbia University. He specializes in treating mood disorders, trauma-related disorders, and impulse control disorders across the lifespan.

Pascal has experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, including training at a women’s shelter in New York City. His clinical background supports a comprehensive and compassionate approach to psychiatric evaluation and treatment.
He takes a holistic, family-informed approach and works closely with clients through shared decision-making to develop personalized treatment plans that support emotional health, functional improvement, and long-term wellness. Outside of the clinic, Pascal enjoys spending time outdoors biking, running, or hiking, or indoors cooking and catching up on movies and TV.

Kevin

Lead RN

Kevin is the lead Registered Nurse at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles, who joined the clinic in early 2021 after earning his Associate Degree in Nursing from Los Angeles Harbor College. He developed strong leadership skills early in his training and showed a strong interest in mental health care.

Kevin is known for his warmth, authenticity, and ability to connect with patients receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and other mood disorders. His calm, compassionate presence helps patients feel safe and supported throughout their treatment experience.

His interest in psychedelic medicine and ketamine therapy began through personal exposure and has grown into a strong commitment to reducing stigma and delivering high-quality, patient-centered mental health care. He has assisted with the administration of thousands of IV Ketamine Infusions for various mental health indications throughout his tenure at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA). 

Edith Chak, PMHNP-BC

Registered Nurse

dith is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences and holds two bachelor's degrees in nursing and financial services. With over 10 years of nursing experience, she transitioned into healthcare driven by a deep desire to serve others at their most vulnerable.

She previously worked at Garfield Medical Center, gaining experience in rehabilitation, pediatrics, oncology, medical surgical care, and outpatient surgery. Edith’s interest in mental health is profoundly personal and informed by loved ones who have experienced depression.
Edith is a strong advocate for alternative and adjunctive mental health treatments, including ketamine infusion therapy. She is passionate about supporting patients on their healing journeys and helping to normalize conversations about mental health care. She has assisted with the administration of thousands of IV Ketamine Infusions for various mental health indications throughout her tenure at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA). Outside the clinics, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exploring new coffee shops, and being outdoors hiking, camping, and backpacking. Her faith remains a steady source of grounding and purpose.

Victoria Bielma, PMHNP-BC

Registered Nurse

Victoria Bielma is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the American University of Health Sciences after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She later earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Azusa Pacific University with advanced training in Ketamine Infusion Therapy, TMS Therapy, Spravato, and Psychiatry.

Victoria has assisted with the administration of thousands of ketamine infusions for a wide range of mental health conditions. Her background includes behavioral therapy work with youth with ADD, ADHD, and autism, as well as clinical experience in a private pain management practice. These experiences shaped her interest in integrative, individualized mental health care.

Victoria is passionate about the transformative results of ketamine therapy and approaches treatment through an innovative and patient-centered lens. Outside the clinic, she enjoys hiking throughout Los Angeles, water sports, live music, travel, and spending time with her corgi, Peaches.

Julian Macias, PMHNP-BC

Registered Nurse

Julian is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. He holds a Master’s degree and two bachelor’s degrees in Nursing and Psychology, graduating cum laude from Western University of Health Sciences, California State University, Northridge, and Vanguard University of Southern California. His academic training reflects a strong foundation in both clinical care and behavioral science.
Prior to entering nursing, Julian worked across several industries, gaining experience in business, operations, and sales. These roles heightened his awareness of the need for meaningful reform in mental health care and ultimately led him to the innovative work at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. He pursued nursing with the specific goal of joining KCLA and supporting individuals with severe and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Throughout his tenure, he has assisted in the administration of thousands of IV ketamine infusions for a range of psychiatric indications and has become proficient at mapping patients for TMS and delivering TMS treatments using the cutting-edge MagVenture technology. 
Outside the clinic, Julian enjoys staying active through pickleball, disc golf, camping, and long hikes in the local mountains. He is also an avid foodie who loves exploring new cuisines, traveling with his long-term partner, and spending time with their dog, Harmony.