About Me

My work within the field of mental health began when I was 18 years-old and I obtained a position as a care provider within a residential facility for severely emotionally disturbed youth.  My role was entry-level and involved ensuring the safety of the children as well as engaging them in self-care activities and fun time.  During my employment there I discovered that I wanted to become a therapist.  I began intensely pursuing academics in order to obtain my Bachelor of Arts degree.  At California State University Long Beach I was actively involved in the psychology department including helping with events and working closely with my professors.  It was during this time that I volunteered at a large community mental health center in the activities department working with adults diagnosed with schizophrenia.  Immediately upon graduation from CSULB I began my graduate degree program at Pepperdine University.  The curriculum at Pepperdine afforded me the strong foundation to begin my traineeship at a South Bay substance abuse center.  There I provided individual and group therapy to teens and adults.  After obtaining my master’s degree from Pepperdine I delved into the non-profit sector for four years working with at-risk youth and underserved populations.  In 2014 I decided to go into private practice specializing in adolescents and trauma.

License Information:

Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC 52515

Education:

-Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University, 2010

-Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology from California State University Long Beach, 2008

Professional Affiliations:

-California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

Training:

-Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP) with the Somatic Experiencing International Organization

-Reflective Parenting Training Levels 1 & 2

-Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training

-Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Levels 1 & 2

-Attachment Focused EMDR training with Dr. Laurel Parnell