March Counselor Spotlights

Danielle Dickerson

I am currently studying at Mount Saint Mary's University, located in Los Angeles, CA, attaining my MFT degree in Counseling Psychology. I am currently a Tools for Peace facilitator based in Los Angeles County. Tools For Peace is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and cultivating social/emotional awareness through mindfulness and meditation practice within Los Angeles Public Schools. Some things that nourish me are exchanging postcards and letters to others across the United States, Birdwatching, and Nature-walking, including hiking trails. Some of my interests are reading poetry and writing. I also like to spend time with my loved ones when I can.

I see myself working with students ranging from 14 to 24 years through school settings in ten years. I enjoy the idea of providing services at a location that may initially offer safety and comfort for many youth and young adults developing their sense of self. I also see myself engaging in community projects centered around mindfulness and meditation for youth and young adults across the country and the world. I hope to co-create a safer world for all to feel comfortable being themselves with guidance and support. I hope to normalize the practice of accepting and requesting help during difficult times- we all depend upon one another in many different ways. Recognizing and strengthening this interdependency is crucial.

What drew me to working with CPLA were their core values centered on nurturance and agency in improving the wellbeing of students across Los Angeles County. I found their work to be inspiring. I envisioned myself being led by several professionals dedicated to students' mental health – body and mind.

Working with CPLA provides this ample opportunity to learn more about myself in the service of others. I believe CPLA's level of support and advocacy for students' wellbeing emphasizes responsibility and care, which I find vital during these times.

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Bridget Monge

I am earning my Masters degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in marriage and family therapy at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in downtown Los Angeles. I am passionate about mental and physical wellness so I take time to incorporate a combination of activities into my daily life such as yoga, hiking, and gardening, just to name a few! I enjoy traveling and exploring new places as well as spending time with my family, my friends and my big dog baby Georgie! I am a self proclaimed foodie! I love to eat at new places and try different foods, so it makes sense for me to be involved in the hospitality industry. When I'm not at my CPLA school site, I'm making awesome drinks and serving delicious food in the South Bay. I connect with my guests over a food experience. Past guests have included me in their food blogs and I have regulars who appreciate the overall experience they receive at the restaurant. I'm passionate about serving people in general. I wanted to be a part of the CPLA family because of the committed and genuine work that is being done with children and adolescents. CPLA recognizes the importance of giving students a safe space to be themselves and feel supported. I love working for CPLA because it has allowed me to grow as a person and a professional. My position at CPLA has gifted me many new relationships that I am forever thankful for and most importantly, it has given me the opportunity to be a role model for my students. I feel very supported at CPLA and am grateful for the people who take time to help me through my journey. In 10 years, I see myself teaching at the University level as a Doctor of psychology. I will be working in my community to make mental health resources more easily and readily accessible to people of all backgrounds while continuously advocating for mental health. If I could change even just 1 child's world, I would hope to have taught them to hone their skills to be able to push through the hardest times that we all experience in life and that they are reminded that their uniqueness is one of the most special things no one can take away from them.

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Natali Skaya

I attend Antioch University and am graduating this week with a Masters in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Addiction & Recovery. I am in the marriage & family therapist (LMFT) track and the professional clinical counselor (LPCC) track. Some of my passions include being outdoors (traveling, hiking, camping, live music), yoga & dance, fostering dogs, and spending my free time with family and friends. Recently I have been working with a nonprofit to help provide Humanitarian aid to Ukraine, where my family and I are from. I currently work at a treatment center as a clinical liaison, advocating for clients and helping families find the right treatment for their loved ones who are struggling. I hope that I can ensure that children of all ages feel heard, respected, and valuable in this world. I strive to convey that to every single client that I work with.

I am passionate about working with adolescents who struggle with mental health and wanted to be part of the CPLA team to gain more experience from those working in the field in a school-based setting. CPLA has taught me so much, about connecting and working with clients. I continuously feel supported by the team. Therese does an amazing job of helping each member of CPLA feel encouraged and part of the team! I love working with my clients and connecting with other interns and supervisors to help problem solve together.

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Donna Powell

I am in the MFT Program at Fuller Theological Seminary. I came to work for CPLA to complete
my Practicum training, after realizing that the situation that I was previously in was not a good fit for me. I was granted the privilege of coming to CPLA where I have been placed around great people, and a
great site! I have found the clinical support to be phenomenal and the school that I am working at has
been awesome! They are friendly, professional and have been conscientious about safety. The families and students have also been supportive, and I couldn’t be happier!

As for my passions, I love cooking, baking and gardening. I am passionate about transforming my soul food recipes into gluten free delights. I am also passionate about justice.

I am enjoying my work with CPLA because they provide the care and support that I feel a new therapist needs to become a successful therapist. I have previously held positions of Juvenile Probation Officer, Director of Community Corrections Programs, Child Abuse and Neglect Case Manager, as well as other positions in Financial Services.
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I am passionate about helping children to become the best version of themselves. Since I don’t know if I’m sitting in front of the next Pacquiao, Picasso, Serena, MLK, JFK, or the future leader of the Free World, I believe that each child should be treated as if they were the “King’s Kid’s” because in a way they are. I believe that each child has the potential to become someone great.

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Jennifer Villaobos

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.

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