Director of Graduate Admissions; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling; Academic Coach
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Education:
M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy, Hope International University
B.A., Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California Irvine
B.A., Criminology, Law, and Society, University of California Irvine
Credentials/Certifications:
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (IMF #70642)
Prepare & Enrich Certified Therapist
Certified Life Coach, AACC
Courses:
Multicultural Perspectives in Counseling
Research Methodology Abnormal Psychology
Key Awards/Affiliations:
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Christian Association for Psychological Studies
American Association of Christian Counselors
American Psychological Association
Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force
Delta Kappa, the International Marriage and Family Therapy Honor Society
Personal Philosophy of Education
I am a strong advocate for catering to the different learning styles in a classroom. Opening the door for students to learn in a way that resonates with them tends to fuel their motivation and curiosity. Delivering information through different mediums, incorporating real-case scenarios and seasoning it all with a bit of humor can create an exciting and stimulating experience. This process should be informative, educational and fun—and integrating various learning styles helps everyone grow together and become strong, well-rounded clinicians.
Academic Coach Since: 2011
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Degree(s): M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Hope International University; B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine
Serving: Graduate Counseling Psychology Students
Advice to prospective students?
Making the decision to pursue your educational and career goals can be an exciting but terrifying time! I always like to find out about students’ dreams, what makes them tick—what’s the subject that brings out that gleam of fire in their eyes. Whatever your heart is passionate about, that’s what you should go after! If God has called you to supplement His work by being a professional helper, you will absolutely know it. Everyone comes in looking a little intimidated and nervous, but they soon find that being immersed in subjects that they truly enjoy makes the journey incredibly worthwhile! I went through the MFT program at Hope myself, and I can honestly say that I was challenged to grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually in a safe and nurturing environment. I learned to recognize and perfect my strengths and was pushed to sharpen and improve on my weaknesses. No matter what field you decide on, I can guarantee that you will get out of this what you put into it. Make yourself available and you will walk away equipped and able!
Will a degree require a commitment of time and money? Yes. But when you consider that a college degree opens up new career opportunities and the potential to earn significantly more money, it is well worth the effort. As you consider this important decision, I hope that I can be of some help. I’ve wrestled with many of the same tough questions and I’m happy to be able to help as you consider whether college is right for you.
How do you spend your free time?
I am my family's number one fan! I love spending time with my amazing husband, along with our two daughters who are 14 years apart. I am also on the worship team at Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, and leading worship is always good for the soul! When I'm not doing either of those things, I love catching up on my favorite television shows as well as reading anything I can get my hands on. Spending quality time with family and friends is at the top of my list, all day, every day!
