MEET ANGELA

I graduated from Texas Tech University with a BA in psychology, and in 1990 I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW). I chose Social work because it placed a heavy emphasis on the person in his or her social context. That made sense to me. Everyone is part of a family, of a school or workplace, a community or church group and all of that plays into who we are.

I have lived on the East Coast while my husband was in graduate school, and the first place I received my license as a clinical social worker (LCSW) was in Connecticut. We then moved to Los Angeles where we lived for nine years, and I wore several hats.  I was an adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine University for most of those years; and I also worked in hospice, a major medical center, a counseling center and finally at UCLA's Rape Treatment Center where I greatly improved my skills at working with victims of sexual trauma.

Upon moving back to Texas in 2003, I worked for a short time in private practice and then in a church setting. I was honored to be invited to start a non-profit and we opened the doors in 2006. After working there for over four years, I thought it was time for me to move out on my own, and opened a private practice in January 2011.

"Sometimes the road you are on is too difficult to navigate on your own. You need someone who can see things from a different, and hopefully, more objective perspective."

AREAS OF SPECIALTY

Marital and relationship issues
Infidelity
​Trauma
Health issues
Grief-work

​Depression
Family of Origin issues
Anxiety
Addicted family members
Obsessive-compulsive disorders

Physical, emotional and sexual abuse
Relationship Coaching
Parenting
​Stress

​This is by no means an exhaustive list of client issues that I can help with, but this hopefully gives you an idea of how I may be able to assist you.

TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATIONS

In 2005, I was fortunate to be introduced to Relational Life Therapy (RLT) and learn from Terry Real, who is the relational expert on Good Morning America and the founder of RLT. I completed the training as a Relational Life Therapist and am skilled in working with difficult couples, as well as with those who just want to improve their marital relationship.

In 2008, I was introduced to the concept of Collaborative Divorce and was trained as a neutral Mental Health Professional who helps couples divorce in a dignified and civil manner with collaboratively trained attorneys and financial professionals.

In 2015, I completed basic training for EMDR, which is a very effective treatment modality for trauma and PTSD.

In 2018, I was certified in treating anxiety and depression  to deepen my effectiveness and knowledge for helping individuals dealing with various combinations of anxiety and depression.

SPEAKING AND TEACHING

I have spoken in many settings over a variety of topics such as Depression and Anxiety, Date Rape, and Date Rape Drugs, Dating Violence Prevention, and Sexual Abuse Prevention in the Workplace (including churches).