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.

Thalia Sotelo, B.S., – Program Development Director and Site Lead – La Crescenta. Thalia has been at BLAST for many years and is in charge of coordinating new programming including our Community events as well as coordinating all aspects of the La Crescenta program.

Jackie Escobedo – Site Lead – Altadena. Jackie has been with BLAST for a number of years and has served as a staff member, group leader, and now Site Lead for Altadena. She coordinates all aspects of the Altadena programming.

Andy Jung, A.M.F.T., Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (#103741), is currently on a leave of absence from BLAST. He is an associate marriage and family therapist and has been at BLAST for many years. He also works as a therapist for Thrive Therapy Collective, the private practice of Dr. Katie Enney. He has previously filled roles including parent trainer, group leader, and program director