Meet the Team
Find your care
We provide targeted care for pediatric, adult and geriatric patients. Call 800-825-9989 or 310-825-9989 to learn more about our psychiatry services.
Robert Myatt, PhD
Program Co-founder
Dr. Myatt co-authored and developed the Children’s Friendship Training curriculum and subsequent book with Dr. Frankel in 2003 after collaborating with him to start the Children’s Friendship Group at UCLA in 1982. Since 1982, he has continued to lead the Children’s Friendship child groups at UCLA. Dr. Myatt has been involved in social skills training and research since 1981. Dr. Myatt currently is also the Program Director and Director of Clinical Training at the Life Skills Treatment Program for adults with developmental disabilities in San Fernando, California.
Shilpa Baweja, PhD, LCSW
Co-Director
Dr. Baweja is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children with attention deficits, high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, child trauma, and related behavioral difficulties.Most recently, Dr. Baweja’s research has examined the underlying risk factors that increase children’s susceptibility to peer rejection and being bullied. Earlier in her career, she was part of the research team in the Treatment Studies for ADHD, Irritability, and Mood Disorders program at UCLA investigating effective pharmacotherapies for children and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
She has been working with families at the UCLA Children’s Friendship Program since 2016.
Cynthia G. Whitham, LCSW
Co-Director
Cynthia Whitham, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has been working with families at the UCLA Children’s Friendship Program since 1986. In addition to leading Parent Training groups for children, she and director emeritus Dr. Fred Frankel developed our group program PEACE for training the parents of young adolescents.
Ms. Whitham is a Clinical Instructor in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute. She has lectured extensively on parenting, family communication, and school/home issues. She was the recipient of a prestigious fellowship from Japan’s National Institute of Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Division, where she provided advanced supervision and training to Japanese clinicians conducting parent training for patients diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Ms. Whitham has authored Win the Whining War & Other Skirmishes: A family peace plan and The Answer is NO: Saying it & sticking to it, which have been translated into 8 languages.
Fred Frankel, PhD
Founder & Director Emeritus
Fred Frankel, PhD, ABPP, was the founder and developer of the UCLA Children’s Friendship Program along with Robert Myatt, PhD. After retiring in 2014, he continues to be involved with the Institutional Review Board at UCLA and is a prolific author and expert in ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Chanel Nettle, BA
Clinic Coordinator
Chanel Nettle manages clinic operations and serves as a behavioral coach. Chanel graduated from UCLA in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a double minor in Applied Developmental Psychology and Disability Studies. She is pursuing a doctorate in School Psychology.
Pratishta Natarajan, BA
Clinic Coordinator
Pratishta “Prat” Natarajan co-manages clinic operations and serves as a behavioral coach. Prat graduated from UCLA in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She plans to pursue a degree in clinical psychology in the future.
Brittany Murphy
Assistant Clinic Coordinator