About
Victoria
Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated by people and their way of life. In my pursuit to explore different ways of living and personal healing, I studied anthropology and psychology academically as well as traveled extensively all over the world to learn and better understand human nature. I learned that we are moved by compassionate acts of kindness, are seekers of wellness for those we love, and shed the same tears of grief for what is lost. On my travels, I became inspired to deepen my ties to my family of origin and reclaim my family’s mother tongue, Spanish, of which I am now fluent. These touching experiences of travel have encouraged me to hold a cross cultural frame of reference, taking into account the breadth of a person’s life experience.
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I have always turned to the creative arts as a healthy outlet of expression, especially during hard times. Writing, dancing, designing, and playing musical instruments are just a few of many creative acts I’ve engaged in (and continue to do so) as a way to transmute certain feeling states. Not only does engaging in creative arts allow new information to powerfully arrive and shed light on a given issue, it is also extremely enjoyable and uplifts my mood. Also, having an active prayer life and being in fellowship has proven to be especially powerful to know that I am always being held and supported in my life.
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It is the synergy of my travels, accessing the creative arts and having faith that has supported my journey to live my life as an integrated human being. My deepest prayer is to do my best to support you on your healing journey, to ease the suffering that is part of being human and help you integrate your life experiences healthily.
Education
Master of Arts in Integral Counseling Psychology, focus in Expressive Arts Therapy, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA, 2012
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Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology, Double Major in Anthropology, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL, 2001
Professional Experience
2017-Present Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Private Practice in Nevada City, CA
2014-2016 Registered Marriage and Family Intern at Sierra Forever Families, Nevada City, CA
2013-2014 Registered Marriage and Family Intern at California Services and Family Agency, Santa Rosa, CA
2011-2012 Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Age Song Institute, San Francisco, CA
2006-2007 Intern Counselor at Southern Oregon Child Study & Treatment Center, Medford, OR
2005-2006 Intern Counselor and Group Facilitator at White Raven Center, Anchorage, AK
2003-2005 Intern Counselor at Alaska Children’s Services, Anchorage, AK
Trainings Taken
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2022 Certification as an EMDR therapist, EMDRIA, Austin, TX
2021 Parnell EMDR Conference: Culturally Responsive EMDR; Attachment Focused EMDR; EMDR and
Teletherapy for Covid-Related Trauma, Zoom Virtual Meetings to accommodate for Covid-19
restrictions and protocols
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2020 Parnell EMDR Conference: Treating Dissociative Disorders; Intergenerational Trauma; Treating
Veterans, Zoom Virtual Meetings to accommodate for Covid-19 restrictions and protocols
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2019 Consultation hours completed (20) for EMDR certification, Parnell Institute, San Rafael, CA
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2018 Transforming Trauma with EMDR, Level 3, with Laurel Parnell, Ph.D., Esalen Institue, Big Sur, CA
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2017 Transforming Trauma with EMDR, Level 1 and 2, with Laurel Parnell, Ph.D., 1440 Multiversity, Scotts
Valley, CA
2016 Nurtured Heart Approach, with Lee Pope, Rood Center, Nevada City, CA
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2016 3-5-7 Model, Permanency Relational Practice, with Darla Henry, Ph.D., Sierra Forever Families,
Sacramento, CA
2016 Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), with Vicki Beck, APRN, CIBHS,
Sacramento, CA
2015 The Effects of Human Trafficking in Youth in Nevada County, Stand Up Placer, Madelyn Library,
Nevada City, CA
2015 Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), with Suzanne Skrabo, MFT, Sierra Forever Families,
Sacramento, CA
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2015 Beyond Consequences: A Love Based Approach to Helping Youth, with Heather Forbes, LCSW, Online Training
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2015 The Experience of Adoption and Foster Care, with Cindy Raisicot, through PACT, An Adoption
Alliance, Oakland, CA
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2014 Motivational Interviewing, with Maria Castro, Rood Center, Nevada City, CA
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2014 Recognizing Sexual Abuse in Youth and Adults, with Kimberly Alman, LMFT, Madelyn
Library, Nevada City, CA