Katie Holmes I graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a BA in Psychology and minor in child and adolescent development. I am currently attending Pepperdine University and will earn a MA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy this spring. In my free time I love to exercise and go to the beach. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends! I wanted to work for CPLA after learning about their mission of supporting at-risk youth and underserved communities. I enjoy working with children and adolescents, and I especially wanted to work in a school setting to provide mental health services to families who may not be able to access these services in their community. I love that CPLA allows counselors to have freedom to use different therapeutic techniques and interventions, but also provides extensive training and support. If there is ever a crisis or difficult situation, I know that I can always reach out to my FSP, supervisor, and other members of CPLA, for additional support and guidance. Aside from being a CPLA counselor, I also work part time as an assistant to the Clinical Training department at Pepperdine University, where I work with graduate students completing their internship. If I could change one child's world, I would want to provide them with a safe space where they feel valued and supported. This is a crucial time in their development, and providing unconditional positive regard and empathy can make a lasting impact in their life!In 10 years, I plan to start a non-profit organization that provides counseling and holistic services to youth and young adults. I would like to continue providing affordable and accessible services, while focusing on early intervention. Lauren Albrecht I’m currently attending Pepperdine University and will earn a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy in June 2022.
I love gathering with friends and family, traveling, taking long walks with my dog, and taking care of orchids. I volunteer at various organizations and am currently the president of my high school’s alumni council and a trustee on its board. I’m committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice remain a part of our conversations. I’m a mom of two teenagers and raising them influenced me to go back to school to become a therapist. In 10 years I hope to be working in a group private practice helping parents improve their relationships with their kids, so they can better navigate today’s high-pressured academic environment and adopt healthy life skills. I also hope to help kids find their voice, believe in themselves, and feel empowered to improve their world. I was drawn to CPLA because of its mission of providing counseling to underserved and low-income families in a school environment. The support from CPLA is amazing! From the leadership of Therese and her team, the FSPs, and experienced supervisors to the vital resources and training, CPLA is a fantastic organization for MFT trainees.
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Chantherrie Pao Hello! My name is Terrie and I graduated from Biola University with a B.A. in Psychology and am now working on my Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Azusa Pacific University. One of the main reasons that I wanted to work for CPLA is because of my passion for working with children and adolescents in underserved communities. I also love how CPLA provides accessibility and awareness to mental health through school-based services. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be working for CPLA because of the guidance and constant support that I receive from my supervisors, FSP, and last but not least, my co-counselor. I absolutely adore my co-counselor, Nickella, so shout out to her! I hope to change the world, even if it’s one child’s world, by providing them with a safe space where they feel seen and heard. Recently, I had a bunch of kindergarteners running up to me for hugs, screaming “We love you, Miss Terrie!” This was the moment that I knew that I was made to work with this population. I hope that I can continue to be someone who can have a positive impact in the life of children by continuously providing them with warmth and care that they deserve. In 10 years, I see myself having my own private practice where I specialize in working with school-age children and their families. My hope is to continue to bring awareness to mental health and serve as a resource to underserved communities. I also would love to be in the process of starting my own non-profit organization geared towards encouraging and empowering the youth to pursue their aspirations. On my free days, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family as well as making time for self-care. Within the past 2 years, I have been loving film photography so I’ve been capturing every moment that I possibly can on my film camera. I find it so exciting to wait to see how the photos turn out in the end! Rocio Rodriguez I'm currently attending Pepperdine University. I'm passionate about human rights, science, and education. I like to hike or walk around my neighborhood, listening to tiny desk concerts, baking, dancing, vinyasa, and kundalini yoga practice. I also love spontaneous road trips with my friends, family, and my dog Panela. I love working at CPLA because I have a lot of support from my FSP and supervisors. I have the freedom to be authentic but at the same time know that I'm not alone and that my team is there for me every step of the way. I didn't think twice about choosing CPLA as my practicum site. In 2019 I completed a master's degree, and my grant proposal was specifically about school-based mental health services in Hispanic communities of Los Angeles. I spent a year researching what causes the underutilization of mental health services in this community and solution-based approaches. The concept of familismo and stigma play a major impact on help-seeking behavior. Hispanics are at higher risk of developing psychopathology than other ethnic groups. However, we are least likely to use mental health services. The underutilization of mental health services in our community serves as a threat to children born in this environment since the risk for psychopathology experienced at an early age can be carried on to adulthood if early intervention does not occur. With early intervention in mind, I moved on to research the importance of school-based mental health services. I learned about CPLA a year later from a friend who was doing his practicum there at the time. When I returned to Pepperdine to get the specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, I already knew what my top site was to get my hours and experience. I think everyone has the power to impact someone else's life. You don't have to be in the mental health field to show empathy and kindness to another person. I think it starts with our willingness to make changes in ourselves and evolve mentally and spiritually. Being yourself and genuine with your intentions. In ten years from now, I see myself having my own practice but also dedicating time to a non-profit to be able to serve clients who can't afford private insurance. Joelle Russum  My name is Joelle Russum and I am currently studying to get my MFT at California State University, Dominguez Hills. After teaching English abroad to children and teens in both Spain and Colombia, I decided that I wanted to support teens with their mental health needs. CPLA provided me with a wonderful opportunity to continue to grow! I love working at CPLA because of the unconditional support that I receive from my FSP, all the way to the top of the organization. CPLA provides me with resources, great supervisors and interesting trainings/workshops! In ten years I see myself working in both private practice and community mental health. I would like to support families through difficult life cycles and transitions. I hope to change the world by providing psychoeducation at schools and helping as many families as possible during a crisis. In my free time I enjoy practicing yoga, biking by the beach and hiking in the mountains. I am passionate about traveling and knowing more about different cultures. Stephanie Vera I previously attended CSU Northridge and graduated with a bachelor's in psychology. Now I am currently in my third year at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology working towards my master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am currently also working, and have worked for three years at an adult mental health inpatient and outpatient treatment center. My official title is Client Assistant, and my responsibilities are to work in the residences providing support for the clients. I also worked for some time in the psychiatry office helping with administrative duties before returning to school for my master's program. In addition, I also TA for my professor in helping with the community partnerships department. In my free time, I absolutely love reading! Anything from a dystopian series, to mysteries, and even romance. There is just nothing like the feeling of losing myself in a book. A few months ago I became motivated to try something new and I decided to attend aerial fitness classes. It has now become my new favorite hobby.
I first heard about CPLA through a practicum fair at school. I was immediately captivated by their mission and values, and working with children has always been an interest of mine. They also demonstrate an immense amount of support for their counselors, something I truly value during this journey. I love working with CPLA because I truly enjoy working with the students at the schools. Also, because of the monumental amount of support we receive from our FSPs, supervisors, directors and from other counselors as well. In ten years, I see myself having my own private practice where I continue to work with children and families. My hope is to be able to reach the lives of as many children and families as I can. We live in such uncertain and difficult times that having a strong support system is crucial for everyone. I hope that I can make a change by being able to provide that much needed support, and a safe space for all the children I get to work with. Erika Marin I am studying at Alliant International University. I wanted to work for CPLA to gain experience with children and parents providing psychotherapy with a multicultural perspective. I love working for CPLA because I have known amazing people, very supportive supervisors, and kind counselors. I love to serve people and CPLA does great work helping people in need of mental health services. I love reading, movies, sharing time with my family, and playing games with my 5-month-old son. I also work with my husband for the entertainment industry producing commercials and TV shows. We make the magic happen! In 10 years I see myself as a happy mother with two kids, my husband, and my family together. I will be running a non-profit organization to help families prevent CSA (Child sexual abuse) and working with order-mandated clients guiding treatments for perpetrators. I hope to change the world, even if it is just one child's world, by preventing that kid from being sexually, emotionally, or physically abused. Madeleine Friendly My name is Madeleine Friendly (yes that’s my real last name!). I completed my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Southern California in 2019. I have been working as an AMFT for two years, primarily with young adults struggling with relationships, addiction, and grief. In addition to working at CPLA, I am currently a therapist at a private practice in Calabasas. After working with adults for a couple of years, I knew I wanted to get more training with children and teens, and I had heard great things about CPLA. I love working for CPLA because I feel I’ve been given freedom to try new things, learn, and grow, but with structure, support, and guidance from the CPLA team. It is a privilege to work with kids at such a critical time in their development. I hope to be able to show kids that their thoughts and feelings matter. I feel inspired by the potential ripple effect of intervening with children so early on. In ten years, I hope to be working in private practice helping people navigate difficult life moments, build better relationships, and become the best versions of themselves. In my free time, I love reading, listening to podcasts, watching the Great British Bake Off, cuddling my dog, and going on walks. Julia Melvin 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. Shannon Boe I went to the University of California, Irvine where I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychological Sciences where I graduated in 2020. I am currently at Pepperdine University at the Malibu campus completing my Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am in my 2nd year at Pepperdine and planning on graduating in June 2022. At Pepperdine, I am a Cohort Representative. I represent my cohort at bi-weekly meetings where I can provide and receive updates about administrative and program-related information. When I am not at practicum or completing homework, I love to spend time with my friends, go to the movies, and enjoy working out. I also enjoy reality tv shows such as Big Brother, The Amazing Race, and The Bachelor/Bachelorette. I knew I wanted to come work for CPLA because I knew I wanted to work with children and teens. School can be such a tricky arena to navigate and I really wanted to become a friendly face and a helping hand to those who might need it. I love working for CPLA for its amazing supervision and support system. I feel so supported by my supervisors, FSP’s, and fellow trainees. Group supervision has been a great opportunity to continue to network and make connections with other MFT Trainees. In 10 years, I hope to be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist running my own private practice working with children, teens, and adults. If I could change one child’s world, I would want to provide them a safe place for them to be their truly authentic self where they never have to question if they have someone in their corner. Nickella Schlanger I am studying at California Southern University. My heart is in working with children, and I just love being on a school campus and becoming part of the school community. I admire CPLA's vision to take services directly to students so a child knows there is always somewhere to go that is safe and someone to talk to that will listen. I feel so lucky to work here! I feel like everyone at CPLA cares so deeply about each and every child while also caring about each and every counselor. I don't know how they do it but they are always there to check in on you after a tough day or celebrate with you when a child takes a small leap forward. I also absolutely LOVE my co-counselor Chantherrie! Shout out to Ms. Terri!!! Music and theater are passions of mine, along with yoga, hiking, puzzles, and board games. My family loves road trips to national parks, binge watching cartoons, and visiting the beach. As a hobby, I compose music, so I stay connected to my creative side. My last show was called Serial Killer Barbie, and it may be back on stage soon! I'm also a certified yoga instructor and crisis text line counselor, but I'm currently taking a break until I graduate. In ten years I see myself on a beach in Hawaii! Just kidding. I'd love to be working with schools, assisted living facilities, or community centers as a therapist integrated within other programs like yoga, drama, music, and art. I hope to change the world through kindness. I had a child this past week say to me at recess, "You know why I like you? Because you talk to me." I think if we could pause more and show up for each other in small ways, we can change the world one kind moment at a time! Mikella Polito I recently graduated from Pepperdine University with my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy. In ten years, I see myself working in private practice with young adults and focusing on the treatment of depression and anxiety with a multifaceted approach using psychotherapy and physical fitness practices to help young adults achieve their fullest potential. I am passionate about health and exercise! I love doing yoga, Pilates, hiking, reading, listening to podcasts, and meditating. All these interests are intertwined with my passion for improving mental health access to all! I also work as a property manager for multiple commercial buildings and I teach Pilates! I wanted to work for CPLA because of its incredible reputation for providing clinical training and supervision. I also am passionate about working with children and families and providing mental health services to at-risk and under-served populations. I hope that the clients I work with feel seen and heard. I love working for CPLA because of the guidance and support they provide while working to improve the mental health of youth. I believe that children are the future and if we can provide even one positive impact early on in a child’s life, you can change their world. Emma Feitshans Hello everyone! My name is Emma and I graduated from CSUN with a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development and am now working on my masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Touro University Worldwide. I wanted to work for CPLA because I so deeply believe in their mission of making therapy accessible to children and families in underserved areas. I have always had a passion for working with children and families and as a former preschool teacher, I learned that being in a school environment and having interactions with both parents and children daily was where I felt the most challenged and the most successful. CPLA encompassed all of what I was looking for in terms of my traineeship and more. After speaking with Therese for the first time, I was so inspired by her and what she has created here at CPLA that there was no doubt I wanted to also be a part of it. My favorite part of working for CPLA is the endless amounts of support that is constantly available. Every person who works for CPLA is always there to assist in any way they can and offer guidance. In 10 years I would like to continue working with children and families while also finding ways, like CPLA, to make therapy more accessible. Some of my hobbies include playing sports, singing and playing guitar, and seeing live music any chance I can get! Stephanie Quiroga I went to Mount Saint Mary's University to become a nurse. During my first semester in the nursing program, my twin brother got diagnosed with a mental illness. It was the first time I had been exposed to a mental illness, and since he is my twin, all I wanted to do was learn how I could better help and understand him. I took an introduction to psychology course, and the rest is history. I graduated in the spring of 2020 with a B.A in Psychology and minor in Sociology. I am now in the enlaces Marriage and Family Therapist program at Mount Saint Mary's University, expecting to graduate next year. In 10 years, I see myself as a licensed Marriage and family therapist and a high school counselor transitioning to becoming a professor. My goal is to be a high school counselor first, then go back to school to get my doctorate and become a professor and share my knowledge and experiences with others. I hope to change the world, even if it's one child's world, by being someone they can trust, being a person who brings them joy, peace, and love because there is a lot of challenges that come to us when least expected, I'd love to be a person that they can proudly fall back on.
I wanted to work for CPLA because it seemed like the perfect fit for me since reading about the organization and how supportive they are in this learning experience made me sure that this is somewhere that I would like to grow as a future therapist. From the second I saw the CPLA website, I fell in love with what they stand for. It is everything that I aspire to be as a therapist to strengthen a student's sense of self and help students emotionally process the changes they are going through. I love working for CPLA because of the unconditional support that there is. CPLA makes it a safe environment to be your true self, and if at any time you are having a hard time, they are always there to carry you when you fall, guide you and support you every step of the way, which is fantastic. CPLA feels like home, and I can't wait to grow more as a therapist with CPLA by my side. Some of my passions are spending time with family, my friends, and my partner. I am also passionate about helping others find their inner strengths and be the best version of themselves. My hobbies are working out, try new food places, and do adventurous outings such as finding new hiking trails. 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 [email protected]. 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. Hello prospective applicants!
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COVID-19 created havoc for our student clients and school communities. For many, there was uncertainty of not only meals and education, but continued mental health services. Following the direction of our school partners, CPLA transitioned to a telehealth model of providing services to all our school partners in just one week.
We are beyond grateful for the incredible work that our 72 counselors have been able to provide during this difficult time. We are happy to report that each of our counselors has been able to stay on board with us, provide essential love and care to our students, and continue working towards their goal of being Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.
We are beyond grateful for the incredible work that our 72 counselors have been able to provide during this difficult time. We are happy to report that each of our counselors has been able to stay on board with us, provide essential love and care to our students, and continue working towards their goal of being Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.
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