I am currently a student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. To start off, a fun fact about me is that I had the opportunity to study abroad in London during my undergraduate at California State University - Northridge, which gave me the chance to travel and explore and become aware of other cultures and the diversity around the world. In addition to being a counselor at CPLA,  I'm a dog mom (and now "dog grandma" to 5 puppies!) and an aunt to my two amazing nephews. I am also an intake coordinator and office manager at my family's healthcare agency. In my free time,  I love playing with my dogs, cooking, traveling, and going to Disneyland!

In 10 years, I see myself as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with my own private practice, as well as working with other mental health organizations to provide additional mental health services to the community. I hope to change the way mental health is seen and understood and to remove the stigmas that may come along with mental health. I also hope to provide a safe space for individuals to allow themselves to become vulnerable, know that there are others that care for them and work toward becoming their best selves. During graduate school, I began to realize how beneficial and rewarding it can be for children to be provided that safe space and having someone that they can be vulnerable with and open up to. With CPLA, children and adolescents are provided with the opportunity to seek counseling at school, and I knew I wanted to be part of CPLA to help provide children and adolescents with that safe space. I love working with CPLA because there is an extensive amount of support that we receive as counselors from FSPs, supervisors, and other team members at CPLA. I also love the rewarding feeling of knowing we have made an impact on at least one child's life and provided them with the support they needed.

 I am currently a student at Pepperdine University and am pursuing my LMFT.  A fun fact about me is that I love music and have a large collection of vinyl records! Everything from Vivaldi's Four Seasons to ABBA to The Rolling Stones.  In addition to being a CPLA counselor, I work as a consultant, consulting employers on the benefits they offer to their employees. Most of my job involves advocating on behalf of individuals with their health insurance claims and ensuring individuals have the coverage they need. I also have a certification in Inclusive Workplace Culture and consult employers on ways to make their companies more inclusive. I am very passionate about music and the outdoors. I enjoy going to concerts and the beach, or catching a movie screening at the Hollywood Forever. But really, most of my time outside of work is spent with family.

In 10 years, I hope to become an LMFT, making an impact in women's and families lives. Whether that is in private practice or working for a meaningful agency, we will see where the wind blows me. I wanted to work for CPLA because they embody the support and spirit I was looking for in a practicum site. CPLA makes me feel as though I can continue to grow and learn myself, while still making a difference in children's lives. I hope to change the world by helping children find and develop their inner resilience so they can go on to lead fulfilling lives.

 I currently attend Pepperdine University and am a student in their MFT/LPCC program. To start off, a fun fact about me is that I am certified in scuba diving! In my free time, I love hiking, camping, cooking, doing yoga, and playing with my puppy, Obi. Before pursuing a degree in mental health, I worked in fundraising at my alma mater, Occidental College. In this role, I ran the student call center, managing up to 40 employees. Mentoring and guiding college students was a fulfilling and meaningful experience, and further cemented my passion for working with young adults.

In 10 years, I would like to work with adolescents and emerging adults with histories of trauma. Ideally, I see myself facilitating their personal evolution and growth journey. Though my current plan is to work in private practice, I am also open to other opportunities as they arise. I hope that, in 10 years, I am still learning, growing, and cultivating my clinical skills. I came to work at CPLA because I'm deeply passionate about helping young people set the stage for continued success and well-being throughout their life. I felt that being a CPLA counselor would be an excellent opportunity to provide the necessary support to students who may not have it elsewhere. I love working at CPLA because I really get to know my students  I'm also grateful for all the trainings, workshops, and support I receive as I develop my clinical identity here at CPLA. As a counselor, I hope to bring a depth of understanding and self-acceptance to my students and future clients. If I can improve another's lived experience, even if it's in the smallest of ways, I feel that I will be making a positive difference in the world.

 I am a current student at California State University, Fullerton. A fun fact about me is that a lot of people ask about how my parents chose my name (if they are from Dallas, if they like the football team, etc.) but my mom just really liked the name when she heard it and she decided that her baby would be named Dallas, regardless of the sex of the baby.  In my free time, I like to watch Disney movies/shows, I like to read (especially horror books or psychology themed books) and I like to spend quality time with my cousins and friends.  Apart from being a grad student, I am also a graduate advisor for the Psychology Dept. at my school, so I advise undergrad students regarding PSYC classes to pick for their degree and I help them with career planning and grad school questions.

In 10 years, I see myself having my License in MFT and I am either working for a great agency or I am doing therapy in private. I also see myself as a part-time lecturer at my university (CSUF) and I hope to be a mom by then. I decided to work at CPLA because I heard some good recommendations from some other grad students, but after meeting Therese at an intro practicum meeting and looking at the website, I knew this agency was the place that I wanted to be at for my practicum. Their approach to doing therapy is what I am looking for in a practicum. I like working at CPLA because I love the sense of community and support from the entire agency.  I hope to change the world, even if it's 1 child's world, by being a person that others, or the child, can count on. I am big on upholding my word and doing something all the way when I make a commitment. If a child that I am working with needs someone to count on or listen to their concerns, I make it my responsibility to do everything in my power to be there for them.

  I am a student at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. A fun fact about me is that I have been performing and teaching improv comedy for over 15 years. In my free time, I love to do wood-working, make music, and participate in improv comedy. When I'm not studying or counseling students,  I do odd jobs to keep my creative side working while in pursuit of an MFT degree. 
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In 10 years, I would like to be licensed as a therapist, making small art projects and hopefully maintaining a small garden. I am terrible with plants but there is a desire there! I wanted to work with CPLA because I worked in education for 8 years. That time showed me the need for helping parents and children in their communication to help strengthen the family bond. I also like playing which is far easier to do at a school than at a Department of Mental Health or private practice. I love working at CPLA because I enjoy the diversity of clients that I get to work with. There are so many unique stories that I get to work with each day. I am getting such a broad range of clients that I already feel like I am being well prepared for my career as a clinician. I hope to change the world by changing the way individuals see themselves. I'd like to instill hope and foster the individuals value and worth that we all poses as created beings.

 I am a student at Medaille University's LPCC program. A fun fact about me is that I grew up in London, England and am the third generation of counselors in my family! In my free time, I like to do yoga, cooking, hiking, and art- plus my dog! I also work part time at a private practice in New York, where I recently moved from. I also work to support NYMHCA with their webinars.

In 10 years, I see myself hopefully running my own private practice! I wanted to work at CPLA because of the dedication, passion and feelings of love which was so apparent in Therese and the rest of the team- they are so committed to supporting their interns and working to help the lives of children and families. I love working at CPLA because of the supportive atmosphere of the team. I hope to help children gain confidence and in their own abilities, and to feel comfortable and safe in their own skin so that they are able to move into the world as self-assured individuals.

Having earned my bachelor's degree at CSUN with a major in psychology and a minor in child development, I am now attending the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where I will earn my master's degree as an MFT. Having the opportunity to further my education has been a blessing for me. Though it has been a long process, I am happy that I chose this career, and I could not have asked for better schools.

For the past three years, I have worked in an inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment center. It has been a rewarding experience and I have met many wonderful people. I am also a teaching assistant for my professor, which has been equally rewarding because we have built various mental health projects together. Prior to working at the treatment center, I worked for three years in a restaurant before becoming a behavioral therapist.

On my days off, I enjoy doing things that I love. For example, I enjoy cycling and strength training. I also enjoy going to aerial fitness classes since they help clear my head and provide a nice sense of self-care. Additionally, I like to go on hikes, watch scary movies, and spend time with my cats. They are a big part of my life and keep me happy (and busy!). I also love spending quality time with friends and family.

In 10 years, I would like to continue doing community work. I always had a passion for working with children, so I hope to continue doing so. A second interest of mine is working with women's mental and physical health (postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, miscarriages, etc.). If possible, I would like to open up a center and offer individual and group sessions. In my personal life, I hope to raise a healthy family and have a house of our own.

Working with children and their families made it clear how much pressure, worry, and anxiety they experience. Life can be unpredictable sometimes, and I want to meet the child wherever he or she is and provide them with whatever support they need. Whether they need someone to talk to, to play with, or if I find that certain resources may be of benefit to them.

The career fair gave me a chance to learn about various sites. I immediately felt drawn to CPLA, as I am passionate about working with children. Furthermore, I appreciate that CPLA works with underserved communities, and I intend to continue this work. Looking at the CPLA website and becoming more familiar with their vision and mission statement, I knew that CPLA was the right site for me. Throughout my academic career, I have been taught to work through a family systems lens. CPLA has given me the opportunity not only to work with children, but also with their families. We receive outstanding feedback, but we are still allowed to retain a sense of individuality to allow us to grow as clinicians.​

The best part of CPLA, for me, is the great amount of support we receive from them. I have never felt alone since I joined. There is always someone who can lend a helping hand should difficulties arise. In addition, I am incredibly fortunate to have been placed in a school that I love! The staff has also been very helpful and supportive.

I graduated from Pepperdine University with eligibility for dual licensure for MFT & LPCC. ​
I enjoy spending my free time with my family, especially my 5-year-old Son & 12-year-old fur baby (dog) Rhino. I also enjoy going to the beach, practicing Jiu-Jitsu, and traveling. My favorite self-care activities include indulging in old movies on Turner Classics, acupuncture, and massages.
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When I'm not working for CPLA, I also work as an Intake Counselor for Del Amo Hospital, an inpatient psychiatric facility. I also hold an additional position as a Handle With Care Trainer, focusing on verbal de escalation to avoid physical altercations with patients. This trainer position perfectly compliments my martial arts background. When I'm not working I enjoy being a dedicated family member and supporting my family any way I can.

In 10 years, I hope to have a thriving private practice while also continuing to dedicate myself to community mental health with a focus on children and adolescents. My goal is to help children and adolescents develop the tools necessary to become a successful member in their community. To me, a successful member in their community means being able to help those in need while also tending to their own needs and facing the world as an undaunted human, capable of mastering challenges.

I wanted to come work for CPLA because I grew up Catholic and understand the community very well. I also remember what it is like to be school aged and having someone you can talk to about everything, can be a saving grace.
I LOVE working for CPLA because of the complete support. From Therese & Karen and all of the FSPs as well as the stellar supervision, I feel completely supported in every avenue.

I am currently attending Pepperdine Graduate University of Education and Psychology. I enjoy traveling around California with my wife, watching movies, and playing my weekly dungeons and dragons campaigns with my friends.

Before coming to CPLA, I worked as a Lead Case Manager at an apartment building that supported people who had experienced homelessness and were living with severe mental health challenges. I am very lucky that I am currently in a position where I can spend my time focusing solely on CPLA and school.

I love working for CPLA because they provide excellent supervision/training, advocate for both students and practicum interns, and, most importantly to me, will go the extra mile to make sure that a child is getting the help they need. A great example of this is when I was working with a student that had been experiencing suicidal ideation for several months and needed to move his meeting time to a day when my advisor was unavailable. I discussed the situation with Therese and within five minutes she agreed to be available for supervision on her day off if anything happened with the student. ​

CPLA helped me discover that I have a true passion for working with children. I see myself working with children not just in 10 years, but for the rest of my career. With CPLA having helped me discover a passion for working with children, much of my original career goals have changed. At some point, I would like to work with either insurance or county mental health programs to lower the barriers to high quality mental health care for all children and their families. However, if I could change the world of one child, it would be for them to truly believe that they have the resilience to get through hard times and that they are worth it.

I attend Fuller Theological Seminary. I am very involved with my local church and work on staff part-time as an administrator. In this role, I get to support the many families and children that attend our church! I love trying out new recipes, exploring new restaurants (I’m a huge foodie!), photography, and singing! In 10 years I’d really like to collaborate with non-profits that work to strengthen communities and serve the members of my community who are in need.

When you are truly seen and loved just the way you are, it will strengthen you to see what your purpose is in life. Once you know what your purpose is, you will be a gift that will bless your circle of support, your community and the world. This is what I hope to be able to help children see!

I LOVE the support I receive from the CPLA supervisors and my colleagues. They have provided incredibly helpful advice as I’ve navigated challenges as a new clinician. It has helped me grow tremendously!​ I have a passion for helping people going through difficult transitions and I want to help them see their strengths. CPLA offers me the opportunity to work with students who are making the challenging transition of going back to in-person learning!

I graduated from Washington State University with a BA in Elementary Education and an endorsement in English Language Learning (ELL). I am currently attending Pepperdine University’s master's program in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. To gain more experience, I decided to begin my practicum journey early and am currently serving CPLA as an LMFT trainee in a volunteer capacity until I can start accruing licensure hours in January. CPLA has been the perfect place to begin this journey as they have created a space for counselors to feel valued and continuously strive to provide us with the best learning experiences. With their support, we are better prepared to empower our clients and grow as future therapists. In addition, I value CPLA’s mission to serve the community by advocating for mental health awareness and offering support to youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity to seek counseling.​

Aside from being a student, I also hold positions as a graduate teaching assistant at Pepperdine, a personal assistant, and recently concluded work as a Preschool teacher. In my free time, I enjoy cooking/baking, reading, drawing, yoga, and traveling! Before attending Pepperdine and joining CPLA, I had the opportunity to teach English at an elementary school in Athens, Greece, as a Fulbright Scholar. I hope to travel back as often as I can and continue to adventure around the world. In 10 years, I plan to be working in a group or private practice and hope to build a network of support within the community by leading workshops, parenting groups, and teaching as an adjunct professor to future LMFT students. I have a passion for working with children and families to bridge the understanding gap and creating a space for children to feel seen, heard, capable, and empowered to use their voices. 

The hiring process at CPLA started earlier this year and we are filling up quickly, but we would love to meet with everyone who is interested in working at our organization! In order for us to set up an interview with you please send in all the required materials to apply@counselingpartnersofla.org. You can find the list of required materials under the 'Train with CPLA' tab.

As a low-cost provider of mental health services, we are designed as a group supervision model. At this time, we have filled our (limited number of ) positions for candidates whose university requirements include individual/triadic supervision.  As such, if you are applying, please know we will only be able to offer you group clinical supervisions. 

We look forward to meeting with each and every one of you. In these uncertain times, we at CPLA look at all the positives and we feel so blessed to have the chance to meet people who share our passion for helping at-risk children in a clinical setting.