Staff

BLAST staff come from a wide range of backgrounds including therapists, teachers, behavioral aides, summer camp counselors and directors, and others with extensive experience working with children. Staff members undergo an extensive training program that includes working with leadership team to better understand BLAST, the children that we work with, and how to be effective facilitators of social skills.

A few of our key leadership team members are:

Our founder, Dr. Peter Gero, PhD, MFT, #24438, is a marriage and family therapist and a former school teacher and camp director. He is a co-owner serves in the role of Director Emeritus, providing consultation and training to staff and parents.

Katie Enney, Psy.D. PSY28571, is a co-owner and services as the Clinical Director of BLAST.  She is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in La Crescenta and Los Angeles. She has worked with BLAST since 2005 in almost every role and currently provides supervision to all staff as well as works with families on enrollment, funding, and assessment. She can be reached at info@blastprograms.org or 818-583-7134.

Jackie Escobedo – Program Director. Jackie has been with for close to 10 years and has served as a staff member, group leader, Site Supervisor and now Program Director for all programs. She coordinates all aspects of the BLAST programming. “BLAST has a special place in my heart because of how unique the program is. BLAST has taught me to be understanding and empathetic to everyone, and especially with children. I love playing games with our clients and allowing them to grow by asking questions. This allows the clients to get out of their comfort zone.” She can be reached at jackie@blastprograms.org.