About Us

The Balance Disorders Institute is a licensed Medicare rehabilitation and balance testing facility that specializes in the treatment of dizziness and balance disorders of vestibular, central and postural origins. Our rehabilitation treatment programs are well known in the Southland communities and throughout the United States. Additionally, we are honored to have served clients from as far away as Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, China, Ireland, the UK, Australia, Central & South America, Israel, and Saudi Arabia to name a few.

The Balance Disorders Institute is also actively involved in professional education. We have published several studies and many articles on balance disorders and regularly teach academic and continuing education seminars to physicians and rehabilitation therapists throughout the United States and internationally. We also regularly conduct public education lectures, seminars, and fall prevention screenings.

Greg Cox, PT Clinical Director

Greg is a graduate of Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University. Mr. Cox specializes in evaluating and treating balance disorders and has developed and managed many hospital and clinic balance disorder programs nation-wide. He is also the creator and teacher of "Balance Challenge" group balance and fall prevention classes that are offered in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Culver City. Greg is co-founder and co-owner of The Balance Disorders Institute.

Along with clinical practice, Greg professionally consults and lectures on a wide variety of health and balance related topics to the medical community and public. Educational publications, news interviews and radio lectures are just some of his credits and Greg is currently involved in a number of research studies on balance disorders. Topics in publication are; "The Evaluation and Treatment Manual for Physical Therapist", "Is Dizziness an Accurate Clinical Indicator of Vestibular Dysfunction" and a 1997 study for the California DMV "The affects of alcohol on VOR". Greg has authored an extensive on-line interactive education course on vestibular disorders, the first of its type. Moreover, he conducts professional continuing education and certification classes in vestibular and balance disorders for MDs, and rehabilitation professionals.

Steven Wasserman, PTA, COO

Steven is co-founder of The Balance Disorders Institute, and a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant who comes from an extensive background in vestibular, balance and clinical rehabilitation. In addition, Steven has considerable office administration and management skills in the rehabilitation industry.

Steven specializes in gait and movement disorders. His therapy approach is unique in that the teaching of proper gait mechanics and balance fundamentals utilizes a variety of Feldenkrais and neuro-development techniques with effective results. He is co-creator of the ViewStar™, a computerized vision and VOR training program employed at The Balance Disorders Institute. Steven is happily married to his high school sweetheart, and they are the proud parents of two beautiful girls.

Heather Booth, MS-CCC-A

Heather is a licensed clinical audiologist and graduate of Florida State University with a master's degree in Audiology. She is a member of the American Speech-language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and comes from an extensive clinical background of hearing and vestibular diagnostics. Heather has worked extensively with The Balance Disorders Institute as diagnostician and clinical consultant. She is also a licensed hearing aid dispenser specializing in a wide variety of hearing aid technology for the hearing impaired.

Samira Niksefat, AuD

Samira has extensive experience in Audiology and specializes in diagnostic testing of vestibular and balance disorders for most age groups. Her background also includes intra-operative vestibular nerve monitoring for delicate vestibular nerve surgeries, and has worked with prominent House Ear Clinic physicians. Samira joined Balance Disorders Institute in 2009 to further her career in the vestibular and balance field and brings her commitment and enthusiasm. She is a graduate of California State University Los Angeles with a masters in Audiology, and her Doctorate Degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry & Audiology.

Elizabeth Johnson, MS-PT, Clinical Manager

Elizabeth graduated with a Master's degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 2006. She became interested in treating vestibular and balance disorders while on an internship at Eisenhower Medical Center's Balance Institute in 2006. She continues to further her knowledge, evaluation skills and treatment techniques for balance and vestibular patients after working in UCLA's Outpatient Rehabilitation Services as a clinical balance therapist. She is excited to join the Balance Disorders Institute as a balance specialist and clinical therapist.

Yvonne Creason, PTA Co-Director West LA Office

Yvonne is a graduate of California State University San Bernardino with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. In addition to pursuing her interests in kinesiology and exercise physiology, she participated in cardiac research and heart monitoring technology. After receiving her degree, Yvonne then went on to graduate from Loma Linda University in the Physical Therapy Assistant program in 2001. As part of the program she completed internships at U.C.L.A., Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai, and Chapparal Sports Medicine gaining expertise in geriatric needs as well as balance & mobility rehabilitation. Additionally, Yvonne has an extensive clinical background in orthopedics, sports medicine, pool therapy and manual mobilization techniques. In 2009, Yvonne joined Balance Disorders Institute to dedicate her career in treating balance and vestibular therapy, and brings her extensive background. She is excited to be a part of our treatment and clinic management team, and looks forward to growing with us.

Jeremy Cowin, PTA Co-Director Pasadena Office

Jeremy is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant and a graduate of Loma Linda University.  His background includes being a clinical instructor for PTA students, and also worked at Orthopedic Hospital in orthopedics, wound-care and aquatic-rehab, where he honed his skills in manual therapy. Jeremy also has an extensive background in community education.  He has worked with The Balance Disorders Institute for many years and has continued to expand his interests and knowledge for balance and vestibular rehab.  He is also a Personal Trainer, specializing in Senior Fitness, and is the founder of Arroyo Physical Therapy and is the Clinic Manager of the Pasadena facility. 

Stella Levin, DPT

Stella is a graduate of Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University, 1982, and has worked with The Balance Disorders Institute since 2000. Stella has recently obtained her Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy from Western University. Stella has an extensive clinical background in orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, cranial-sacral therapy, Pilates, and women's health. Additionally, Stella has extensive experience in treating head trauma, and vestibular & balance disorders from the Los Angeles VA hospital working with veterans. Stella brings a skilled, hands-on approach to her therapy that incorporates a holistic perspective.

Jessica Stern, MPT

Since receiving her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Mount Saint Mary’s College in 1998, she has worked in a variety of settings with a wide age range of patients from teenagers to centenarians. Jessica’s area of professional emphasis and interest has always been with neurological rehabilitation and she brings that energy to Balance Disorders Institute. Professional experience includes acute hospital therapy treating patients with orthopedic, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders. From 2000-2003, Jessica created the geriatric aquatic therapy program at Midway Hospital’s outpatient rehabiliation center and was the head aquatic physical therapist treating geriatric diagnoses. Recent endeavors have been specializing and exploring Pilates based neurological rehabilitation, focusing on balance, posture and core strengthening.

Jessica is excited to be part of The Balance Disorders Institute where she can incorporate her 11+ years of diverse expertise to help rehabilitate patients with vestibular and balance disorders. She is dedicated to her patients, an excellent communicator, and takes pride in creating treatment plans that are tailored to each patient’s needs. Jessica feels extremely lucky to have a career that serves the community with passion as well as to be the mother of two rambunctious and adorable children.