ABOUT ME

Hey there, I’m Emily, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA LMFT #155054). I am a first-generation, mixed-race Chicana, native Los Angeleno, Chingona (pero chillona), and mother of two.

I attended Loyola Marymount University, where I earned my BA in Chicana/o Studies and Fine Art Photography in 2004. I later completed my Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Child Therapy at Pacific Oaks College in 2010, with a specialization in Latinx Families.

My journey to becoming a therapist began through my work with marginalized foster and probation youth. Bearing witness to their pain, resilience, and the impact of systemic injustice pulled me toward this path. I saw how much it mattered for someone to show up with consistency, care, and curiosity—and I wanted to be that person.

I also know firsthand the power of therapy as a client myself. That experience helped me understand that healing doesn’t come from fixing people, but from creating a space where they feel seen, safe, and deeply respected.

What drives me is the belief that healing is not just personal—it’s cultural, generational, political and collective.

I take a trauma-informed, relational, and culturally responsive approach to therapy, with a focus on helping clients understand patterns shaped by trauma, identity, and lived experience. My work integrates trauma-informed care and is grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and respect for each person’s unique story.

I am especially passionate about working with Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities, and I support teens and adults navigating trauma, identity exploration, anxiety, and life transitions.

Therapy with me is a space where your lived experience is honored, not pathologized, and where we can explore what healing looks like on your terms.