Karla Portillo is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor and a Southern California native. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Soon after, she began working with children on the Autism Spectrum at a special education school in Pasadena, gaining skills in behavioralism. Ms. Portillo also began gaining clinical experience as a behavioral therapist using Applied Behavior Analysis for children with Autism. Intrigued by these experiences and eager to further develop her skills, Ms. Portillo gained admittance to Pacific University in Oregon and earned her Master’s degree in Applied Psychological Science. She then interned at the Portland Anxiety Clinic, sharpening her cognitive behavioral skillset in an intensive outpatient format. While there, Ms. Portillo developed her CBT skills working with Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, while learning about Trichotillomania and Excoriation. Ms. Portillo continues to refine her skills and knowledge in evidence-based practices, in particular Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with an emphasis in Behavioral Activation, Habit Reversal and Stimulus Control, and Exposure and Response Prevention.
Karla has since moved back to Southern California and has obtained her Associate Professional Clinical Counselor registration with the Board of Behavioral Science. In her spare time, Karla enjoys hiking with her two dogs, bike riding, doing strength exercises, cooking, and spending time with her niece.