

As a licensed marriage and family therapist,I will always lead with a client-centered curiosity, believing that each individual possess the innate capacity to become the person they want to be.
Hi my name is Cristina, my pro nouns are she/her. I went to two private institutions and graduated with my masters of science in Clinical Psychology. While In grad school I had the privilege of working with children in inpatient pediatric mental health for two years at CHOC Children's Hospital of Orange County. Shortly after I began working in residential addiction treatment with adults at AKUA in Newport Beach for another two years. While at AKUA I graduated from grad school and left to focus my attention in private practice where I currently center LGBTQ+ and POC clients and allies.
I believe that our creative and determined psyche allows us to “make it through” whatever life throws our way. We develop ideals, patterns, behaviors, and ways of thinking about the world, ourselves, and others. These things that at one point were meant to be protective and preserve us can overtime unknowingly to us be the very thing that gets in our way preventing us from living the life we ultimately desire. It can manifest itself in ways such as feeling frustrated with ourselves, self hate, feeling stuck, disconnected from our body, or even frozen with anxiety, depression, and maybe suicidal thoughts.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have training in CBT, Seeking Safety, and Motivational Interviewing. I have been working as a Mental Health Clinician for the past 14 years. I have experience working with teenagers and adults. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I have been told to have a calming and grounding presence. I use mindfulness to integrate the mind-body connection to help individuals find balance.


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