I am a first generation, Mexican American LMFT (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist) based in Southern California. As the daughter of an immigrated family, I have always had a passion for helping others. Especially, those in ethnic and under served communities. In the early stages of childhood, I watched my parent pursue the “American Dream” through hard work, entrepreneurship, and perseverance. Through the highs and lows, they modeled purpose in their daily actions and encouraged me to dream, and so, I did.

That little girl inside of me grew up and pursued a path of higher education at University of La Verne where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy. During my educational experiences, I became fascinated with holistic approaches and somatic techniques that offer dynamic ways to serve the Mental Health community beyond talk therapy. As I explored various facets of wellness and therapeutic techniques, I came across EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which is design to identify and heal triggers in those who have experienced PTSD, various forms of trauma, and emotional impact. The more I learned, the more I began to heal from the challenges I faced as a child with an ethnic background and committed myself to internships working with the BIPOC Community and under served areas of California.

After college, my dream became a clear vision. I married my husband and quickly adopted his philosophy on life: to do everything with “Calidad” which means quality in Spanish. He encouraged me to take a leap of faith and after years of serving our local communities, I began my own private practice in 2019. The mentors, colleagues, and clients I have worked with along the way have and continue to give me invaluable perspective.

Now, I have expanded my services in helping my colleagues through EMDR Consultations and Private Practice Consultations. I have also collaborated with a creative team to bring you “Cafecito y Calidad” - a highly caffeinated, quality Podcast featuring discussions with various experts and holistic specialists in the Mental Health field.

All of this has not just been years in the making, but years in dreaming and envisioning that can be traced back to the little girl that still lives in me. My hope is that I can continue to pursue education, advocate for systems of change, and add a little more “Calidad” into the lives of all who need it most.

With gratitude,

Elizabeth