Professional Experience
Welcome to my professional experience page! I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share my journey with you.
I received my master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Over the past two decades, I've worked in a variety of settings, including Therapeutic schools, residential treatment centers, inpatient and outpatient clinics and private practice to support individuals, couples, and families facing life's challenges. I'm dedicated to serving children and families with special needs and have a strong passion for early intervention.
As an advocate for children struggling with learning disabilities and developmental delays, coupled with low self-esteem, I have extensive knowledge and experience attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and working closely with schools, school districts, and parents to provide the best support possible for children and teens.
Teaching is another passion of mine, and I've had the opportunity to be an instructor for a graduate-level Child Therapy course at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California. I've also developed and launched an art therapy summer camp for children with special needs at Early Childhood Development and Associates and served as a consultant for youth programs in the greater Los Angeles area. Additionally, I hold public speaking engagements and workshops that address various aspects of relationships and personal growth, with a particular focus on the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.
As a public speaker and workshop facilitator, I address various aspects of relationships and personal growth. With extensive experience in working with the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, I have developed the cultural competency and sensitivity required to understand and help individuals from diverse social, cultural, economic, or religious backgrounds. I am fluent in Spanish, am married to a Latino, and raise our children in a bicultural household.
Lastly, I am proud to have helped co-found Phoenix Mental Health, a collaborative of socially conscious, compassionate individuals committed to providing a wide range of therapeutic options to facilitate healing and positive personal growth results.
Education:
- Loyola Marymount University: M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy with an emphasis in Art Therapy
University of Minnesota: B.A. in Art with a minor in Psychology
Licenses and Certifications:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Minnesota December 2016
- Certified Art Therapist: American Art Therapy Association June 2010
- CPI Certification (Non-violent Crisis Intervention)
- August 2011
- Managing Adaptive Practices (MAP) Certification
- June 2013
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Certification
- March 2016
- Play Therapy Trained
- September 2005-June 2011
- Advanced Nutritional and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Providers
- June 2018
- Perinatal Mental Health Provider
- December 2018
- EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
- April 2018
- Supervisor Certification
- March 2013
- Spanish Language: Proficient
Thank you for taking the time to read about my professional experience. I look forward to the possibility of working with you in the future!