Distinguished Service to LACPA by a LACPA Member: Lauren Muhlheim, Psy.D., FAED, CEDS,
is a psychologist and leader whose contributions to the Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA) have been deeply impactful. Over the years, Dr. Muhlheim has demonstrated exceptional dedication to LACPA, most notably serving as President for an extended term of 1.5 years—beyond the typical tenure. She oversaw the transition of our staff members during a tumultuous time. Her leadership has shaped the organization in lasting ways. Dr. Muhlheim has held several key positions within LACPA, including Co-Chair of the Eating Disorder Special Interest Group (SIG), Chair of the SIGs, Chair of the Ethics Committee, and Associate Editor of The Los Angeles Psychologist. A nationally recognized expert in the field of eating disorders, Dr. Muhlheim is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Approved Supervisor through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). She is the founder and director of Eating Disorder Therapy LA, an outpatient group practice based in Los Angeles, where she provides evidence-based treatment for individuals struggling with eating disorders. She is also the author of the book When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder: Practical Strategies to Help Your Teen Recover from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating, which offers compassionate and research-driven guidance for families. In addition to her service to LACPA, Dr. Muhlheim has held leadership positions in several other professional organizations, including AED and IAEDP. For her unwavering commitment, visionary leadership, and enduring service to the psychological community, LACPA is proud to honor Dr. Lauren Muhlheim with the Distinguished Service to LACPA by a LACPA Member Award.

Distinguished Service to the Community, Diversity, or Social Justice: Mimi Hoang, Ph.D., (she/her)
is an internationally-recognized psychologist, life coach, educator, and advocate who has spent over 25 years serving the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities and especially the bisexual, pansexual, and fluid (or bi+) community. She is a community psychologist at her core who has predominantly worked at community mental health clinics and university counseling centers to serve the underserved. In 2023 she launched her private practice specializing in LGBTQ and BIPOC clients. Dr. Mimi’s bi+ advocacy, however, started before her clinical career in the 1990s with co-founding three organizations for bi+ individuals - the Los Angeles Bi+ Task Force (LABTF), amBi Los Angeles, and Fluid at UCLA. She co-founded amBi Los Angeles in 2006 which now has over 4,000 members and chapters in other cities and states. Through amBi LA, Dr. Mimi rallied the first bisexual contingent at the LA Pride Parade in 2008, which led to a bi+ contingent in every LA Pride since. After co-founding LABTF in 2008, a non-profit promoting education, advocacy, and cultural enrichment for the bi+ community in Greater Los Angeles, Dr. Mimi continues to serve as a board member and was invited to the White House Bisexual Community Roundtable in 2013 and the Federal Bisexual Health Policy Roundtable in 2022. We she learned of the staggering health disparities impacting bi+ communities, she spearheaded the Bi+ Community Needs Assessment of Greater Los Angeles. She and other leaders demanded more bi+ inclusion with the West Hollywood City Council which eventually led to the creation of WeHo Bi Pride in 2018 and launched her life coaching business that year through her “Bi on Life” selfempowerment series with attendees from the US., Germany, Switzerland, and Australia. As a scholar, Dr. Mimi published her dissertation on bisexual women in the Journal of Bisexuality and wrote a book chapter on bisexual women’s sexuality in The Essential Handbook on Women’s Sexuality. She co-chaired LABTF’s inaugural B+ Well Conference in 2024, and is chairing B+ Well this year on May 3rd. Dr. Mimi has also represented the ‘B’ in the LGBT in teaching, speaking, and consulting. She was an adjunct professor in the Masters in Psychology program at Antioch University Los Angeles and taught the one-day Bi+ Affirmative Psychotherapy course for several years. In regards to LACPA involvement, she served on the Diversity Committee and Diversity Task Force in 2020, presented at the LACPA Convention and provided a CE on queer and trans BIPOC individuals and a CE on bi+ women. She has spoken on bisexuality nationally and globally such as the International Bisexuality Research Conference, SAMHSA’s LGBTQIA+ Behavioral Health Summit, Duke University’s Sexual & Gender Minority Wellness Symposium, and Therapy Reimagined Conference. Her steadfast leadership has earned her multiple awards and recognitions, including LABTF’s “Lifetime Leadership Award,” being named “One of the Most Significant Women in the Bisexual Movement,” and being affectionately called the “Bi Godmother.”

Distinguished Legislator Award: California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, representing the 46th Assembly District Jesse Gabriel, a California State Assemblymember representing the San Fernando Valley, has been a strong advocate for mental health through his legislative work, particularly in addressing the intersections of public safety, housing, and online well-being. As Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, Gabriel plays a central role in guiding state spending and policy priorities, using this position to champion laws that support vulnerable communities and improve access to and outcomes for mental health across California. One of Gabriel’s key initiatives with mental health implications is the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act, a first-of-its-kind law that taxes gun industry profits to fund violence prevention and school safety programs. This legislation helps address the trauma and mental health effects of gun violence on children and communities, creating safer environments and funding essential support services for students exposed to violence. In tackling California’s housing and homelessness crisis, Gabriel has authored legislation focused on delivering more affordable housing and expanded mental health services. His efforts are grounded in the recognition that mental health challenges are both a cause and consequence of homelessness, and that comprehensive solutions must include supportive housing and integrated behavioral health care. He has pushed local governments to act with greater urgency and accountability in addressing the needs of unhoused individuals, particularly veterans and those living with untreated mental illness. Gabriel has also prioritized online mental health, especially for children and teens. As former Chair of the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, he led major reforms to enhance online safety. He passed first-in-the-nation legislation requiring social media platforms to report how they handle hate speech, racism, and conspiracy theories—factors that contribute to anxiety, depression, and social harm, particularly among young people. These reforms aim to make digital spaces safer and reduce the mental health toll of toxic content and online harassment. Additionally, Gabriel’s work to combat hate crimes and protect marginalized communities includes mental health considerations. As Co-Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, he has advanced legislation to protect vulnerable groups targeted by hate, including undocumented Californians. These efforts not only improve physical safety but also help address the emotional and psychological impacts of discrimination and trauma, particularly for youth and immigrant communities. Gabriel’s legal background further underscores his commitment to mental health and human rights. Prior to his election, he represented victims of domestic abuse and communities targeted by hate, advocating for people experiencing significant psychological and emotional harm. His litigation work also supported Dreamers under the DACA program, helping to alleviate the mental stress and uncertainty faced by hundreds of thousands of young immigrants. Through his policy work and legal advocacy, Jesse Gabriel has consistently supported measures that expand access to mental health care, protect community well-being, and build systems of support for those facing trauma, violence, and housing insecurity. His comprehensive approach reflects a deep understanding of the role mental health plays in individual and community resilience.