Her Team
Stephanie Cortner, L.Ac., MSOM
Stephanie Cortner, founder of Root & Branch, is a licensed Acupuncturist, herbalist and Functional Medicine practitioner. Her degree is in biochemistry and she holds a masters of science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Dongguk University in Los Angeles. Additionally, she has completed a year long Functional Medicine mentorship with Dr. Daniel Kalish at the Kalish Institute for Functional Medicine. Her practice over the last 10 years has focused on hormone balancing, fertility, autoimmune disease, GI health and sports medicine. Stephanie’s goal is to combine Eastern and Western studies to offer integrative healthcare options so patients can fully achieve their potential by leading happier and healthier lives.
Katie Peters, DPT
Dr. Katie graduated physical therapy school in 2013 from Western University of Health Sciences. She started her career in orthopaedics, which gave her a solid foundation for pelvic health. In 2018, she pursued pelvic floor therapy and was educated through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation. After having her own 2 kiddos, she began specializing in pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. Katie is constantly looking for innovative ways to help her patients by taking continuing education courses, speaking to mom’s groups and sharing her own experiences.
In 2021, Dr. Katie founded BeachMama Wellness with the hope of making treatment and self care accessible to all women, mama’s and mama-to-bes. When she’s not working with patients and managing her business, she is busy wrangling her two boys, Finn and Hayes.
Ana Paula, L.Ac.
Ana Paula received her Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from UCLA in 2003. During her time in Los Angeles, she was introduced to acupuncture and fell in love with it. After doing fundraising for a human rights non-profit in Washington DC for 4 years, she had a change of heart and decided that she wanted to become an acupuncturist. Ana Paula went on to study Chinese Medicine at the Pacific College of Health and Science in San Diego, graduating with a Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine in 2011. She is board certified in acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and is licensed by the California State Acupuncture Board.
Over the years, Ana Paula has worked at three community acupuncture clinics successfully treating many people with a wide variety of conditions. She also has received specialized training in sports medicine, fertility support and women’s health, neuromuscular disorders and cosmetic acupuncture.
Ana Paula has always been dedicated to serving her local community. In DC, she spent two years at the VA hospital helping veterans in their physical and emotional recovery. Also during her time in DC, she and her colleague co-founded a free weekly clinic to treat immigrants and refugees. Outside of her time as an acupuncturist, she enjoys being out in nature, dancing, sipping tea, and having adventures with her husband, rescue cat and friends. Ela fala português y habla español también.
Rachel Fein-Liston, MS, OTR/L
Rachel graduated occupational therapy school in 2016 from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She started her career working in neuro rehabilitation, working with individuals post-stroke, brain injury, and trauma. This population gave her hands on experience in movement-based therapy and habit training. Rachel then pursued pelvic floor therapy and was educated through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation.
Rachel works with a wide range of clients with a variety of dysfunctions, pregnancy and postpartum. As a mother of two, Rachel also developed feeding and positioning workshops for parents to educate caregivers on introducing solids to their children. She enjoys incorporating pilates into treatment sessions and continues to build her practice. Rachel looks forward to serving you and your family with a holistic approach to rehabilitation and recovery while maximizing optimal function.
Emily Luxford, MS, RD, IFNCP, CLT
Emily is an integrative and functional dietitian working with women and children who struggle managing their autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders and gut health. As an individual with celiac disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, she knows firsthand that food can be an extremely powerful health tool under the direction of a registered dietitian. Her clients achieve improved energy, mental clarity, balanced moods, resolution of IBS and bloating, and a renewed sense of well-being. Let her help you learn how to eat so you can stop the flare ups and enjoy life again.
Lacy Olson-Ayala, Ph.D.
Dr. Lacy Olson-Ayala a licensed clinical psychologist dedicated to helping others heal after experiencing trauma or challenging life experiences including anxiety, insomnia, life transitions, depression, relationship issues, and perinatal/postnatal mental health concerns. She uses a number of empirically-supported treatments with flexibility to ensure that her clients receive individualized, effective care based on their treatment goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy treatment approaches are primary in her practice and used to enhance the ability to challenge unhelpful thought processes, improve emotion regulation and interpersonal relationships, and increase acceptance of experiencing emotional healing. Her style is warm, straightforward, open, and jovial, when appropriate. Dr. Olson-Ayala welcomes California-residing adults from all walks of life – gender, culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation – to her practice and enjoys learning the histories that shaped each of her clients.
Dr. Olson-Ayala completed her undergraduate degree at San Diego State University with a major in Psychology, and then continued her education at Florida State University, where she earned her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology. She completed an APA-accredited internship at the VA Medical Center in Houston, TX, and a postdoctoral trauma residency at the San Diego VA. Upon finishing her residency, Dr. Olson-Ayala has worked as a staff psychologist in a group private practice and the West LA VA hospital, and now owns a small private practice after becoming a mother. She is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California. During her personal time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and loves cooking, baking, reading, and dancing.