Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Degree and License: Irene received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish Languages and Cultures from California State University, Monterey Bay. Irene earned a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Long Beach. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, #123097.
Areas of Specialty: Individual Counseling, Couples Counseling, Trauma Informed Care
Clinical Experience: Irene has been practicing as a bilingual marriage and family therapist for over 8 years. Her clinical experience is working with survivors of crime and trauma, foster youth and their families, and students in primary through higher education. Throughout her career, she has developed her counseling skills with diverse communities, ranging from various identities and backgrounds.
Treatment Approach: Irene utilizes evidence-based practices (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) while sensitively acknowledging the impact trauma, stress and the influence cultures, communities, and identities have on mental and emotional health. She attempts to meet her clients where they are in their healing journey and develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship that emphasizes safety, compassion, and wellbeing. As a fist-generation Latina, born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, it is important for Irene to create an inclusive, accepting, non-judgmental space where clients can present authentically, share their needs, and afront challenging experiences.