Our Team

Dr. Shiba Rahimi

Shiba Rahimi, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY31179), Founder and Executive Director of Assessment and Development Center of Sacramento (ADCSac) who provides psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families including children. Dr. Rahimi graduated from California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in 2017. Dr. Rahimi’s professional training included one year practicum experience at UC Davis MIND Institute, a predoctoral internship at UC Davis Health, and a post-doctoral fellowship at Child Haven, Inc.

Dr. Rahimi is trained in  in-depth psychoanalysis including Freudian and Jungian,  Object Relations with a focus on Attachment in relationships, cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) and play therapy. However, she considers her clinical approach to be integrative and client centered in order to accommodate each and every patient’s specific clinical needs. Dr. Rahimi is committed to serve the greater Sacramento communities through her solid educational background and she is pleased to offer her expertise to patients at ADCSac.

Dr. Douglas Novotny

 

Doug Novotny received a PhD from the University of Chicago in Human Development, with an emphasis on Cultural Psychology, and completed Internship training at Harvard’s Cambridge Hospital. With more than 25 years experience Dr. Novotny knows how to work effectively with adults, as well as children of all ages with their families. He facilitates trust and exploration to help each person improve life with purpose, individually and in relationships. For over a decade he has supervised and taught therapists in training, including at the doctoral level.

Aside from direct clinical work and training, interests include horsemanship, and the guided practice of heterodoxy as an antidote to higher education’s currently fashionable but narrow approaches to diversity. Prior interests include cultivating more favorable regard for masculinity in psychology, and research in support of the life course development of major individual philanthropists. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Northern California, having lived in the Bay Area, Washington state, Chicago, Massachusetts and Spain. Dr. Novotny works in Spanish and English and is available via Tele-Health.

Dr. Max Kardos

 
 
Max Kardos is a postdoctoral psychology associate who recently graduated from the Wright Institute in Berkeley with his PsyD in clinical psychology. His training thus far has been primarily with children, teens, and families in a variety of settings including non-profit agencies, county mental health facilities and community clinics. Max’s work focuses on helping families to foster empathy and to communicate more effectively with one another. His individual therapy emphasizes supporting people in establishing healthy boundaries and leading meaningful, connected lives. Max is registered as a psychological assistant (lic#94027241). He is supervised by Dr. Douglas Novotny (PSY23447).

Kelsie Engle

 

Kelsie Engle is a clinical psychologist trainee committed to providing a supportive space for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. She is currently pursuing her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Alliant University, Sacramento. Kelsie has developed a passion for working with multicultural communities and addressing systemic factors. Her approach is collaborative, compassionate, and trauma-informed, recognizing the impact of past experiences on present challenges. She strives to foster healing by supporting deeper self-understanding and personal growth.