An Orange County native, Kathryn knew she wanted to help people since she was a child. Beginning her undergraduate career at Westmont College in Santa Barabra California, she soon found her interest in helping others transformed into a passion for the field of psychology, not just for the subject matter, but also for the opportunities to engage and interact with people as they work toward bettering themselves. During her time at Westmont, Kathryn experienced many meaningful opportunities working with Santa Barbara and Ventura County residents on the course of their mental health journeys. From implementing the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis with children and adults with developmental disabilities to administering neuropsychological testing to older adults experiencing cognitive decline, Kathryn had the privilege to work with individuals from ages 2 to 90, and be exposed to a wide variety of diagnostic and treatment modalities.
After graduating from Westmont College, Kathryn began working as a technician administering transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy (TMS). This position allowed her to work personally with individuals overcoming anxiety and depression and walk with them as they made the brave decisions to take control of their lives. This opportunity inspired Kathryn to move forward in her career in psychology so she could make an even greater impact on the lives of others.
Kathryn took the next steps in her academic career by obtaining her Master of Arts in Applied Psychological Sciences at Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon. Here, she learned the fundamentals and advanced techniques required to conduct psychotherapy. During her time in Oregon, she had the great pleasure of interning at an anxiety clinic working with individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and other anxiety-related disorders implementing the principles and strategies of exposure with response prevention. Here, Kathryn discovered her passion for exposure therapy and working with individuals who experience anxiety.
Kathryn has since moved back to her hometown and is now enrolled at the University of La Verne where she will obtain her Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) degree. Here, she is studying the factors that contribute to wellness and meaningful living. After spending several years away, she is thrilled by the opportunity to return to her roots and serve her community using her knowledge and skills in the mental health field, as she continues to pursue higher education in the field of psychology.
Kathryn’s many experiences and diverse perspectives on wellness and mental health provide her with a unique set of therapeutic skills. She always strives to get to know her patients fully to completely understand the origins of their anxiety. Further, she will help her patients to overcome their anxiety, not only to get back to their lives, but also to create rich, meaningful, and purposeful lives.