Wellness Center

Meet the Staff

 Rachel Andrews

Hi! My name is Rachel Andrews and I am the Mental Health and Wellness Counselor at Redondo Union High School. I have served the Redondo Beach community as an educator since 2007 and this is my 18th year working in schools. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and very passionate about addressing the social-emotional and mental health needs of our students. I attended UCSB (Go Gauchos) for Psychology and Loyola Marymount University for Counseling, and I also have my Gifted and Talented Certificate from UCI and Yoga Certification/SEL Specialist Certificate. I have been a graduate professor of counseling for over a decade and currently lecture with CSULB. I am also a certified Red Cross and FEMA first responder for mental health and am trained in a variety of critical responses including hostage negotiation and suicide prevention/postvention. My background in criminal justice has shaped my professional approach to emphasize prevention. I believe in the power of the relationship and will never give up on a student. I love running the Wellness Center on our campus where students can attend wellness-based workshops, group counseling, and individual personal counseling as needed. I also enjoy supporting staff and parents, and would love the opportunity to connect with you. My email address is [email protected]. I have a seven year old boy, four year old girl, and boxer. I enjoy reading, hiking, live music, football season, riding my bike, feeding people, being outside, and all things nerdy and fun like ACOTAR, GOT, LOTR, Star Wars, etc. Follow us on Instagram @ruhswellnesscenter to learn more about our programs or to make an appointment.

Chloe Bastajian

Hello! My name is Chloe Bastajian and I am a graduate intern at the Wellness Center. Through my program, I have been given the opportunity to gain clinical experience working with RUHS students. I first came to the Wellness Center in January and have had the pleasure of connecting with many students and look forward to building up those connections throughout this school year. I received my bachelors in Clinical Psychology from Southern Adventist University and I am currently in my final year of my masters program at Vanguard University. After graduation, I hope to work with college students and eventually work my way up to private practice. I am passionate about psychology and am of the belief that everyone should experience therapy at least once in their lifetime. I love being able to expand the student’s general knowledge of psychology and explore areas they are interested in whether that be coping strategies, mindfulness, or anything else that they might be interested in. While I don’t have time for much else outside of work, school, and my internship, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, going on “hot girl walks” with my dog, exploring my city, and getting in a good workout. I look forward to what this year has to offer and am excited about gaining more clinical experience. This semester, I am on campus Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or to request an appointment through the QR codes around campus!

Kayla Gooden

Hello! My name is Kayla Gooden and I am a graduate intern at RUHS Wellness Center. I am happy to have the pleasure of gaining clinical experience working with RUHS students. I received my Bachelors in Psychology at UC Merced and I am currently studying at Vanguard University for Clinical Psychology. I enjoy working with adolescents and teens, finding different ways to help my community grow, and helping others. After graduation, I hope to continue gaining experience within mental health, especially surrounding trauma. My ultimate goal is to open a private practice within my community to make services easily accessible and affordable. I am passionate about mental health awareness, higher education, and personal growth. I have a huge family who I love very much and a feisty maltipoo named Lola. I enjoy spending time with my family and closest friends, listening to music, and traveling. I am looking forward to this school year with RUHS students and staff. You can find me in the Wellness Center on Wednesday’s and Friday’s. Please feel free to reach out to me for any appointments or questions at [email protected].

Angel Key

Hello Sunshine Students! Hi there! My name is Angel Key, and I’m thrilled to be a graduate student at Loyola Marymount University, where I’m diving into the counseling program with the goal of earning my LPCC, PPS, and CWA credentials. Right now, I’m lucky enough to be interning with your incredible students in the wellness center, which will be an amazing experience. I started my academic journey at the College of St. Benedict & St. John’s University in Minnesota, and then went on to earn my first master’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Educational Leadership and Economics. Since then, I’ve worn many hats, but the one I’m most proud of is my role as a teacher in the College & Career Preparation Division at West Los Angeles College. I work with special education, ESL, and vocational education transition students, and I absolutely love every moment of it. During the pandemic, I decided to take a leap and return to my passion for counseling by pursuing a second master’s degree, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding journey. Before this, I worked as a counselor for the city, supporting disabled and reentry populations, which was truly fulfilling. Looking ahead, I’m excited about the prospect of working in a clinical setting, and my ultimate dream is to open a private practice that serves individuals of color and LGBTQ communities. I'm proud to work with all walks of life and when I’m not working or studying, you can find me at the beach, back home in Orange County with friends and family, or spending time with my fiancé and our two lovely dogs. We absolutely love our South Bay community, and I’m so excited to continue growing alongside all of you!  I am here Monday & Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  and can be reached at [email protected]

Omni Knapper

Hello Students, My name is Omni Knapper, and I am absolutely thrilled to be joining you as a counseling intern for the 2024-2025 school year! It is an honor to have the chance to work with each of you and to build meaningful and authentic relationships throughout the year. I am deeply passionate about supporting youth and promoting their well-being. My goal is to assist you in discovering and achieving your goals and aspirations, and I am dedicated to creating a space where every student feels heard, valued, and supported. I believe that every student brings unique strengths and perspectives to our community, and I am committed to fostering an environment of equity and inclusion where all voices are respected. In our time together, I hope to not only help you navigate any challenges you might face but also celebrate your successes and growth. I believe in the power of collaboration and mutual respect, and I am here to support you in any way I can, regardless of your background or experiences. A little about me: I have a love for music, a passion for exploring different cuisines, and a strong appreciation for family time and relaxation at the spa. I look forward to getting to know each of you better and working together to make a positive impact. Every student matters to me, and I am excited to be part of this journey with you!