Ryan Buchmann, MA, MFT
Pain and suffering yield a story to be told. When a person genuinely feels that their story has been heard and understood—when someone has in fact got it—only then will they be prepared to move forward in life, maybe even change.

“I believe the greatest gift I can conceive of having from anyone is to be seen, heard, understood, and touched by them. The greatest gift I can give is to see, hear, understand and touch another person. When this is done, I feel contact has been made.” (Virginia Satir, 1916-1988, Psychotherapist).

I am the one who listens. In my work as a therapist, listening is the art, the story is the palette, and the final product is the changed person. When one is accurately listening, one takes the humble stance that what they know, think, believe, accept, and feel becomes subordinate to the story being told and re-experienced by the other person. Listening, therefore, is an act of love. “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge…but have not love, I am nothing.” (1Cor 13:2). A successful therapist is not one with multiple licenses and a litany of letters after their name. The successful therapist is one who has endured the struggles and challenges in their own life and has come to accept who they are in spite of life’s many trials. This person knows what it means to be human and can love and accept others in all their human splendor. Together, I will listen to your journey, delving into the hidden depths that lurk beneath the iceberg that everyone else sees.

Training

My academic goal has been to effectively integrate Christian Spirituality with counseling and psychotherapy. I have studied undergraduate and graduate-level theology and religious studies in the seminary as part of formation for religious life. My call to counseling and therapy motivated entering into academia to explore the clinical side of being human. There I learned that the most effective way to help others know themselves is to know myself. Throughout my graduate education, I received my own individual and group therapy. Furthermore, I have strived to expose myself to as many different areas of the psychotherapy profession as possible by interning at a variety of reputable agencies throughout San Diego County. My therapy internships have been overseen and supervised by some of the most highly degreed and respected professionals in the field.

Areas of Experience & Interest
  Registered Marriage & Family Therapy,
     IMF 54919, California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
  Master’s degree, Marriage & Family Therapy,
     Alliant International University, 2007
  Master’s degree, Pastoral Care & Counseling,
     University of San Diego, 2005
  Graduate-level theology and religious studies,
     St. John’s Seminary, Camarillo, CA 2000-2002
  Undergraduate theology and religious studies,
     University of San Diego, 1999-2000
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT #MFC 6022

Practicum Experience
  Therapist - San Diego Youth Services
     Provide therapy services for pregnant and parenting
     adolescents recovering from a history of alcohol
     and/or drug use.
  Mental Health Counselor–McAlister Institute
     for Training & Education
     Provided therapy services and education for both
     in-patient and out-patient clients recovering from
     a long history of alcohol and/or drug use.
  Marriage & Family Therapy Trainee – Home Start
     Provided individual, couple, and family counseling
     services, as well as group support for adult
     survivors of child abuse.
  Bereavement Chaplain – Elizabeth Hospice
     Provided individual and group-based grief
     counseling support.
  Pastoral Counselor - St. Brigid Catholic Church
     Provided individual, couple, and family counseling
     services to church parishioners.
  Hospital Chaplain – Center for Urban Ministries,
     Episcopal Community Services
     Provided spiritual counseling for hospital patients.

Areas of Experience & Interest
  Addiction Recovery Counseling & Support
  Adolescent Counseling
  Pre-Marriage Preparation
  Family Counseling
  Individual Counseling
  Self-Exploration and Self-Discovery
  Finding meaning and purpose in life
  Career change counseling
  Spiritual Direction

Professional Organizations
  Member of the California Association of Marriage and      Family Therapists (CAMFT)

Contact:
rdbuchmann@gmail.com
619-858-3105 x151
 

Gary Cundiff, MA, MFT
Are you caught in a relationship that is abusive – verbal, emotional, physical, sexual, spiritual? Does that relationship make you feel insecure, unsupported, trapped, and unsafe? If you feel traumatized by an abusive relationship, please call, I can help.

I have professional as well as personal experience. I have worked in the field of counseling and mental health for approximately twenty-five years and have been with Family Consultation Services since 1992.

During my years of practice, I have provided individual counseling, couples counseling, as well as groups, workshops, assessments and interventions. Integrating a spiritual-psychological framework is a key component of my therapy.

Education and Training
  MA in Counseling Psychology, National University
  BA in Behavioral Science , National University
  Human Services Certificate, San Diego State University

Faculty Associations
  Bethel Seminary San Diego - Associate Professor of      Pastoral Care
  Christian Heritage College - Undergraduate Adjunct      Professor

License and Affiliations
  Licensed in the state of California as a Marriage and      Family Therapist. License #M31097
  Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor #NA20168
  Certified Brief Therapist, #2192
  California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT)
  The American Association for Marriage and
     Family Therapy
  National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse      Counselors

Professional experience
  New Life Treatment Center and Care Unit - Clinical      Staff Member
  Care Unit of San Diego - Aftercare Coordinator
  Hillside Hospital - Inpatient Recovery Counselor

Contact:
gcundiff@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x124
 

Dennis Estill, MA, MFT Intern
Relationships are vital to everyone, but like a garden they must be cultivated and cared for. They require time, hard work, and imagination if they are expected to flourish and produce fruit. Healthy relationships are not the result of chance but rather choice, they are the best thing about life, but they can also produce deep pain. I want to help you become the person God intended you to be and to enjoy an enriching relationship with others.

For over 35 years I have served as a Senior Pastor of local churches in the Southern California area. During those years I have come to realize that nothing is more vital to us than relationships, with God and with each other. When we are experiencing challenges in personal relationships, whether it is caused by sickness, infidelity, loss, or incompatibility, we need help to “fix” and overcome those challenges. I have helped couples, individuals, children and families to do that as a pastor and now as a professional therapist. Sadly, not everything in relationships can be fixed, some things like loss and estrangement, we have to accept and move forward. I want to help you to do that.

My decision to become a professional Marriage and Family Therapist was prompted by a desire to provide a level of care to individuals and families, that as a pastor, I did not have the skills and training to offer. I had for many years lamented the lack of spiritually integrated psychotherapy available to the local church. The Center for Enriching Relationships provides an integration of good psychological theory while remaining biblically centered in its focus.

My therapy with individuals, couples, and families is based on the process of helping people to talk about what is causing relational distress, to identify the negative cycles that have developed and to create new cycles of interaction. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and respectful of clients and combines the best of several techniques to help you achieve a secure attachment and implement a strategy for change.

In addition to providing direct psychotherapy and marital and family counseling services, I have also been privileged to lead marriage seminars, parenting classes, leadership development institutes, and personal growth seminars. I would be happy to discuss the possibility of my leading a seminar or teaching a class on these subjects to your church or organization.

Education and Training
  Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology, MFT Program,
     Azusa Pacific University, San Diego, CA
  Master of Arts, Organizational Leadership,
     Biola University, La Mirada, CA
  Bachelor of Arts, Pastoral Ministry,
     Life Pacific College, San Dimas, CA
  Ministerial Ordination, 1977

Professional Experience
  MFT Practicum Student and Intern, Family
     Focus Christian Counseling—El Cajon
  Senior Pastor, Heartland Community Church
     El Cajon, CA
  Certified Trainer, Focusing Leaders
  Chaplain, El Segundo Police Department
     (1988-2002)—El Segundo, CA
  Registered Marriage & Family Therapy Intern,
     IMF 68278, California Board of Behavioral Sciences
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT #MFC 6022

Areas Of Specialization
  Marriage and Couples counseling
  Blended family issues
  Relieving anxiety and depression
  Leadership training and mentoring
  Individual and couples facing the challenges
     of ministry related issues
  Retreat and seminar speaker

Areas of Additional Experience and Interest:
Since I grew up in a pastors home (PK), served as a pastor for 35 years, and now have a son serving as a pastor, I have an intimate knowledge of the stressors that they face and a deep love for ministers and their families. I know how lonely and challenging it can become and I would like to offer you a safe and confidential environment for you to talk and find rest.

I have a passion to work with couples and to see marriages restored and families healed. I have seen couples in the midst of divorce rediscover their love for each other and move from anger and disconnectedness to secure bonding and mutual respect. I have great hope for your marriage and believe that if you are willing to do the hard work of rebuilding you can have a better marriage. The good news is that God will partner together with you to give you His grace and strength.

One of my life verses is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” I really do believe that God has a good plan for each one of us, filled with hope and promise, it is my passion to help you to discover what that plan looks like and to begin to live it out.


Professional Affiliations
  California Association of Marriage and Family
     Therapists (CAMFT)
  Christian Association for Psychological Studies
     (CAPS)

Contact:
destill@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x154
 

Marcial Felan, D.Min, MFT
As the Center for Enriching Relationships' Founding Director of Pastor, Church and Community Relations, I desire to serve you and your church or business by providing a professional relationship specialist who may assist you enrich the health of your relationship infrastructure.

The Center for Enriching Relationships' Mission Statement reaffirms my commitment to you: The Center for Enriching Relationships exists to actively enrich and support the marital and relational health within the church and community.

I have over 31 years in full-time Christian ministry including over a decade of experience in full-time Christian biblical counseling/professional therapy. Twenty years of those thirty-one years were served in executive administrative leadership with Prison Fellowship Ministries. As an ordained minister and also a licensed marriage and family therapist having served as a Pastor of Family Ministries, I understand the needs of the local church and community. I hope you will consider allowing me and the Center for Enriching Relationships to serve you and the people of your congregation and or business.

I believe that God wants everyone to experience an abundant life full of meaning, purpose and joy overflowing (John 10:10). If your marriage, family or other relationships need help God has the answers and together we will find them. Allow me to serve you, your family and or friends. As an ordained minister and also a licensed marriage and family therapist, I am able to accurately and skillfully apply the Word of Life to the issues of life in areas of:

Strengthening and protecting marriages and families from divorce by providing therapy in:
  Pre-marriage and remarriage preparation
  Blended/Step family issues
  Parenting skills
  Family counseling
  Adolescent issues
  Men’s issues
  Boundary issues
  Spiritual warfare
  Depression
  Anxiety

Helping clients overcome hurts from:
  Adultery
  Divorce
  Life transitions/job loss/changes
  Grief and loss of a loved one
  Trauma
  PTSD
  Father/mother wounds
  Sexual abuse

Helping clients overcome habits and life controlling issues:
  Addiction to drugs
  Addiction to alcohol
  Addiction to sex
  Addiction to pornography
  Anger
  Co-dependency

Sliding fee is available

Keynote and conference/seminar speaking in the area of strengthening marriages, anger management

Pulpit supply and preaching

Education, License, Accomplishments:
  Doctor of Ministry, Marriage and Family Studies,
     Bethel Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN
  Master of Arts, Marriage and Family Therapy,
     Bethel Theological Seminary, San Diego, CA
  Master of Divinity, Denver Theological Seminary,
     Denver, CO
  Bachelor of Arts, Point Loma Nazarene University,
     San Diego, CA
  Licensed in the state of California as a Marriage and
     Family Therapist # 45603, since 2008
  Ordained Baptist minister, 1981
  Certified PREPARE-ENRICH marriage inventory
     counselor
  Trained Critical Incident Stress Management
     counselor
  Trained in therapy of Eye Movement Desensitization
     Reprocessing (EMDR)

Affiliations:
  American Association of Christian Counselors
  California Association of Marriage and Family
     Therapists

Other experience:
  20 years of leadership in prison ministry with
     Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship Ministries
  11 years of fulltime staff pastoral ministry with
     Dr. David Jeremiah at Shadow Mountain Community
     Church, El Cajon, CA
  Professor, adjunct faculty, Southern California
     Seminary, El Cajon, CA
  Developed workbook and taught Freedom from
     Destructive Anger course, Shadow Mountain
     Community Church, El Cajon, CA
  Developed and taught Marriage Builders, a nine
     month series for adults designed to strengthen
     marriages
  Led marriage preparation ministry developing pre
     marriage workbook and training marriage mentors
  Trained and oversaw church lay counselors
     and ministry
  Developed and managed support groups of
     Celebrate Recovery, Divorce Care, Grief Share,
     Cancer Support, domestic violence,
     Crown Financial Ministries
  Married, 1975 with three Christian married adult
     children and six (and more on the way)
     grandchildren

Contact:
mfelan@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 280-3430 x128
 

Cathy Gaetke, MA, MFT Intern
Although life can be very difficult at times, it can be a much more enjoyable and rewarding journey when you understand and develop the skills necessary to build healthy relationships, overcome personal challenges, and learn how to navigate life transitions.

It takes courage to face your roadblocks and remove them from your path. I can help by providing empathic, compassionate and non-judgmental guidance as you seek to recover from past hurts and find hope in your present circumstance. You will gain new strength as you develop Godly principles to restore your life and relationships.

I have more than 20 years combined experience counseling women of all ages and backgrounds from a biblical perspective, both in church leadership and professional settings. I have also worked with couples to help them communicate more effectively and develop relationships that are loving and respectful. In addition, I was employed as a Parent Liaison at Rady Childre'?s Hospital, working closely with families devastated by childhood cancer. During my 10 years on staff there, I walked closely with families throughout the continuum of care, helping them to understand and cope more effectively with the emotional turmoil created in the wake of a diagnosis of cancer. I have experienced this heartbreak firsthand, my own son was diagnosed at the young age of three.

My Christian faith has been a nearly 30 year journey. I have served in numerous capacities at several churches and have been the key note speaker at many women's events and retreats, however my greatest accomplishment thus far is a 26 year marriage and three thriving adult children. It has not always been easy, however counseling has been a valuable tool in helping us to guide our marriage and family in a Godly manner when we experienced challenges along the way.

Areas of Expertise
  Grief Counseling - provide support for life
     threatening illness from diagnosis to long-term
     follow-up care, including palliative and end of
     life when necessary
  Marital Counseling - effective communication, love
     and respect, fiscal responsibility, conflict resolution,
     effective parenting, overcoming infidelity
  Pre-Marital Counseling - God's desire for your
     marriage, intimacy & sexuality, embracing your
     differences, expectations, conflict resolution,
     families of origin
  Adolescent Counseling - concerns include runaways,
     homeless youth, domestic violence, substance
     abuse, anger management, school issues and
     family disturbances
  Individual Counseling - navigating life transitions

Education and Training
  MA in Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family      Therapy, National University, San Diego, CA
  BA in Business Administration with an emphasis in      Information Systems, National University,
     San Diego, CA
  South Bay Community Services - Therapist Intern
     at Casa Nuestra, a short-term safe home for
     adolescents.
  Domestic Violence Shelter - Adolescent support
     group leader
  Rady Children's Hospital - Hemotology/Oncology
     Parent Liaison, Psychosocial team member & cancer
     care parent support group leader
  San Diego Hospice - Bereavement
     Counseling Training

Professional Presentations
  Spirituality-Rady Children's Hospital
  Helping Families Navigate the Most Difficult Journey
     of Their Lives-Reginal Conference on Pediatric
     Oncology Nursing
  Understanding Personalities: How They Affect a
     Family in Crisis-Rady Children's Hospital
  Joy in the Midst of Pain: This is a testimony from
     my experience with cancer presented-at numerous
     churches and women's retreats in California.
  “Been There, Done That, But Don't Remember it!”
     - Strategies to reinforce education throughout the
     healthcare experience.-Florida Association of
     Child Life Professionals, Inc

Professional Affiliations:
  American Association of Christian
     Counselors (AACC)
  California Association of Marriage and
     Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  Registered Marriage and Family therapist Intern
     with BBS in California, IMF # 63711
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT #MFC 6022

Contact:
cgaetke@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x???
 

Yolanda Gorick, M.A. MFT

At some point, everyone will fail, and experience a loss, hurt or disappointment. Loss is a normal part of life. When we attach our identity to a loss, we think God doesn’t care. We feel discouraged and distance ourselves from the One Who made us in His image. The truth is: nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39) I have a passion to help individuals experience an authentic relationship with God - after all types of loss – and to release them to pursue their God-given passions, dreams and goals.

My decision to become a professional therapist was inspired by my first experience in couples counseling. As new, 30-something Christians, my husband and I were unaware of the emotional and spiritual impact of past unresolved losses and wrong choices on my present problems. But God knew. One of the most profound lessons was learning to respect our different temperament styles of thinking and feeling.

In my roles as a therapist/coach/teacher, I collaborate with my clients to help them identify the core issue behind their presenting problem(s). I prepare therapeutic interventions to fit my client’s short and long-term goals. In addition to 20 years experience in grief/loss, inner healing and deliverance, I am also trained in family systems, art therapy, gestalt and cognitive behavioral therapy. As a certified grief facilitator, I have helped couples, individuals, children and families who suffer from trauma, hurts and losses, especially those not acknowledged as legitimate by society.

Two important relational concepts characterize my counseling focus. First, Believers frequently minimize their pain, or allow others to dismiss their need to grieve all types of loss. Over time, the accumulation of unresolved hurts distorts our view of God, shapes a negative self-image and creates barriers to trust and intimacy. Second, many Christians struggle to believe God loves them due to negative childhood experiences. Therefore, my therapeutic goal includes developing my clients’ capacity to experience an authentic relationship with God as real, relevant and relational so that he/she is intimately aware of God’s unconditional love, no matter what problems occur once therapy concludes.

Education and Training
  M.A. in Marriage Family Therapy –
     Phillips Graduate Institute, Los Angeles
  Latino Family Therapy –
     California Family Counseling Center, Los Angeles
  B.A. in Sociology –
     California State Los Angeles, Los Angeles
  Bereavement Counseling Training -
     San Diego Hospice
  Bereavement Facilitator –
     Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Los Angeles
  Post-Abortion Counselor –
     Terri Reisser, MFT, Los Angeles
  Toastmasters – Encino chapter, Los Angeles
  Registered Marriage and Family Therapist
     Intern with BBS in California, IMF# 57063
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT #MFC 6022

Professional Experience
  Center for Grief Care and Education,
     San Diego Hospice & The Institute for
     Palliative Medicine – Bereavement Counselor
  Penny Lane – Bilingual Outpatient Therapist
     Provided therapy to foster and adoption families
  Latino Family Program, California Family
     Counseling Center – Bilingual MFT Trainee
  Joy for Mourning, Inc. – Los Angeles -
     Director/Founder of non-profit organization
     for grief/loss
  Adventist Health Systems West,
     Los Angeles – Patient Advocate

Areas of Specialization
  Leadership mentoring
  Life Mapping
  Temperament traits and personality styles
  Gender differences in grief/loss
  Facilitating groups on women’s issues
  Couples Communication
  Intergenerational issues within Latino families
  Coping with grief and all types of loss
  Relieving anxiety and depression

Areas of Additional Experience and Interest:
After experiencing healing for a past abortion, I founded the first women’s post-abortion support group ministry at The Church On The Way (TCOTW) in 1992, under Pastor Jack Hayford. My testimony of God’s healing from the emotional and spiritual effects of abortion is featured on the video “Beyond Regret.” During fifteen years of ministry at TCOTW, I was discipled in leadership, inner healing and deliverance ministry. Trained as a grief facilitator, I have a passion to help those who need a safe, nonjudgmental place to process losses considered “socially unacceptable” by society. As a seminar leader, I have ten years experience speaking on contemporary cultural issues using interactive formats that appeal to all learning styles. One of my joys is helping people understand and appreciate their unique blend of personality type and temperament style. In addition to mentoring emerging women leaders, I also have a passion to help adolescents navigate through their developmental tasks of identity formation. My spiritual mentors include Pastor Scott Bauer, Joyce Myers, John Maxwell, Florence Littauer, and Bruce Wilkinson.

Professional Affiliations:
  American Association for Marriage and
     Family Therapy (AAMFT)
  California Association of Marriage and
     Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  EMDR Trained (Level 2)

Contact:
ygorick@enrichingrelationships.org
619-858-3105 x136
 

YunHee Han, MS, MFT Intern

YunHee cares passionately about building relationships, marriages and families as the way God intends them to be. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, YunHee came to US to study psychology at age 23. The motivation of her studying abroad was to utilize her own life experiences, struggles and faith in the Lord as a way to serve His people through counseling.

During the college years in Colorado, YunHee worked intensely with individuals/families who suffer from severe mental illness and life crisis in a community mental health center. Her desire and compassion to share hope, love and healing with others became even stronger. She moved to California to attend Fuller Theological Seminary where she completed her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy.

YunHee works with individuals, couples, and families with a wide range of issues, but what she considers as her greatest interests and expertise are:

 Depression and Anxiety
 Shame and guilt
 Family of origin issues
 Severe Mental Illness and Family support
 Cross-Cultural Adjustment & Immigration issues
 Grief and Loss
 Premarital & Marriage Counseling
 Spiritual and Faith
 Past traumatic experiences & Victim of Sexual Abuse

YunHee believes that through Christ, we can experience restoration, healing, and a fulfillment that we would never find outside of this relationship with Him. YunHee is fascinated and encouraged by individuals’ inner strengths in her practice; and she is humbled to partake in the growth process of others.

Education and Training
  B.A., Psychology from
     University of Colorado; Boulder, CO
  M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy from
     Fuller Theological Seminary; Pasadena, CA

Professional Experience
  YMCA Youth and Family Counseling Center in
     San Diego, CA (MFT Intern) -- Serving community
     in a school-based, DMH funded counseling program
  Pacific Clinic in Pasadena, CA (MFT Trainee) –
     Worked as a family therapist for individuals and
     their families who have mental illness
  Life Pacific College in San Dimas, CA (MFT Trainee)
     -- Served a Local Christian College with faith-based
     counseling for students with depression, anxiety,
     trauma and abuse issues.
  Aurora Mental Health Center in Aurora, CO
     (Vocational Counselor) – Provided vocational
     counseling and case management to individuals
     who have severe mental illness
  Fitzsimons Treatment Center in Denver, CO
     (Case manager) – Provided brief counseling and
     medication administration to individuals with
     mental crisis in an alternative to hospitalization
     program unit
  Miracheck House in Aurora, CO (Residential
     Counselor) – Provided social skills training to
     individuals with mental illness
  Boulder Mental Health Center in Boulder, CO --
     Provided recreational counseling to adults with
     acute psychotic problems
  Friendship House in Boulder, CO --
     Provided recreational counseling to adults with
     severe psychotic disorder.

Professional Affiliations:
  Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
     with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences,
     IMFT # 66161
  California Association of Marriage and
     Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  American Association of Christian Counselors
     (AACC)
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT
     #MFC 6022

Contact:
yhee@enrichingrelationships.org
619-858-3105 x155
 

Victoria Kim, MS, MFT
As a pastor’s wife, I am profoundly aware of the struggle to live out our faith in real life situations. As a person seeking counseling, you may be wondering why you “do what you do not want to do and don’t do what you do want to do”. Often, even the best of intentions cave under the anxieties and pressures of life, leaving us feeling the guilt and despair of not being able to live up to our expectations. The good news is you’re not alone!

As a licensed MFT intern who has counseled individuals, couples, families, and children, I work with you to discover the underlying beliefs and patterns that often paralyze us from being able to think up more creative and flexible ways of approaching life. In counseling, I bring my background in public health, church leadership and marriage and family therapy to create a systematic understanding of all the factors that have led to you being who you are today. Being able to process this information in a safe, confidential and warm environment often creates new opportunities for experiencing the fulfilling relationships and life that we all desire. My goal in therapy is for you to feel empowered to approach your own life with confidence and joyous expectation as you experience healing and closeness in your relationships with others.

I have extensive experience in the following:

Anxiety
Family of Origin Issues
Parenting
Premarital & Marriage Counseling
Domestic Violence/Anger Management
Life Transitions
Grief
Personal Development
Cross-cultural Isues
Spirituality and Faith

Education and Training
  B.S., Public Health from John Hopkins University;
     Baltimore, MD
  M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller
     Theological Seminary; Pasadena, CA

Professional Experience
  Self-Esteem Enhancement Council – Marriage and
     Family Therapist Intern
  Citrus Counseling – Facilitator of Domestic Violence,
     Anger Management and Parenting groups

Ministry Experience
  Light of Love Mission Church – Women’s Ministries
  San Diego Calvary Church – Leadership Development

Professional Affiliations:
  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
     with the California Board of Behavioral Science,
     MFC# 50910
  Member of the California Association of Marriage
     and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

Contact:
vkim@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x149
 

Joy. Peace. Success. Healthy, happy relationships. It takes guts to say to someone, “Could you help me get there?” In combining my background in biblical counseling with my work as a therapist, my goal in therapy is to draw out the heart, build hope, facilitate open, safe communication, and help provide practical, faith building, and real life tools for spiritual, mental, and emotional change.

Before pursuing training in marriage and family therapy, I have had the joy of providing biblical counseling with couples, families, and individuals for the last 20 years. In therapy, I have worked with couples who have wanted to renew the fire in their love life and sexual relationship as well with others who are no longer communicating or have been on the brink of divorce. I have worked with parents on how to build a rewarding, close relationship with their children while maintaining clear discipline. I have counseled individual men and women who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, sexual abuse, and childhood and partner violence. I have and am a certified counselor for Chemical Dependency I have worked with children and adolescents who have a hard time sitting still in class, argue with their peers, teachers, and parents, or felt unmotivated, depressed or suicidal. Working through issues like these and others with families and individuals has given me a great respect and admiration for the amazing, resilient people I have had the privilege of helping.

Speaking and Groups
  More Than Imagined! – Group Marriage Intensive
     for enrichment or couples in crisis
  The Intimate Marriage – Group or Individual
     Couple Sex Therapy
  Satisfied Marriage – Smalley Intensive based
     on DNA of Relationships
  Training Them in Love: Parenting Classes and      Workshops for birth through grade school
  In His Image Workshop – The Impact of Media
     and Body Image on Eating Disorders – for women
     or mother/daughter
  The Power of Parenting: Preparing for the
     teen years
  Chemical Dependency and Recovery Support Groups

Professional Experience
  MARITAL COUNSELING - conflict resolution, effective      communication, sexual relationship, infidelity, unity,      cultural differences, military deployment
  PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING (including Prepare/Enrich)
  INDIVIDUALS - depression, stress and anxiety, anger      management, grief, sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts,      mental illness
  ADDICTION AND RECOVERY - drug, alcohol, gambling,      and sexual addictions
  FAMILY THERAPY - treatment with the whole family
  PARENT/CHILD RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING
  ADOLESCENT COUNSELING - school issues, divorce,      depression, drugs and alcohol, relationship conflicts,      eating disorders, self harm,suicidal thoughts, gangs
  PLAY THERAPY - school age beginning at age
     3: ADHD, frustration tolerance, anger, trauma,
     conflict resolution
  MUSIC THERAPY - using music and instruments to
     help identify and express emotions

Education, Training, Experience, and Professional Affiliations
  MA in Marital and Family Therapy, Alliant International      University, San Diego, CA
  BM in Musical Theater and Vocal Performance, Arizona      State University, AZ
  Post Graduate Courses in Music and Play Therapy
  Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor
  Specialized training in Love and Respect Intensive
  Trained in Emotion Focused Therapy
  American Association of Marriage and Family
     Therapists (AAMFT)
  Trained Facilitator for Dynamic Marriage
  Languages: Sign Language (Exact English/ASL)
  Ministry Work: Women’s Counselor Intern,
     Deaf Ministry Leader
  Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee – Palomar
     Family Counseling Service (AAMFT)
  Registered MFTI, #60514
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT #MFC 6022

Contact:
jkonzen@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x145
 

I am passionate about creating a safe and authentic counseling environment, where individuals, couples and families can explore their lives and the unique challenges they face without fear of judgment or ridicule.

I believe strongly that the way people live their lives and their style of relating to others is intricately tied to past experiences and our inclination to recreate relational dynamics in an effort to resolve past issues. Our current relationships make perfect sense when viewed through this lens, and there is great hope for change when these experiences and behaviors are explored and understood.

I especially enjoy working with couples experiencing relational challenges who want to discover better ways of communicating with one another and resolving longstanding conflict. Many couples encounter the same difficulties over and over again with little movement forward. A greater understanding of the patterns we’ve created with one another, along with the willingness to confront our own behavior, can open the door to lasting change. This is why I believe that even if only one partner is comfortable seeking counseling, there is still significant hope for positive change in the relationship.

I have worked with many families challenged by single parenting and divorce issues and have extensive experience in the area of addiction and recovery. I have taught classes and led process groups in parenting, anger management, domestic violence, boundaries in relationships and adult development.

Professional Experience
  Individual, Couples and Family Counseling at
     the Family Recovery Centerm
  Marriage Family Therapist Intern,
     Child Development Director and individual Case
     Manager for the San Diego Rescue Mission
  President/Board Chair for the Bread of
     Life Rescue Mission
  Psycho-Educational classes, process groups and
     12-step groups
  Domestic Violence Hotline

Education
  MA in Marital and Family Therapy from Hope
     International University
  BA in Psychology from Vanguard University

Professional Organizations
  Member of the California Association of Marriage
     and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
     with the Board of Behavioral Sciences in the
     State of California, MFC#50984
Contact:
dlevine@enrichingrelationships.org

Seeking help to improve your life is a courageous act! Sharing intimate details about current problems and exploring past wounds can be difficult for many of us. I provide my clients with a safe environment where they can share their thoughts and feelings; as well as explore their past hurts that stem from their family of origin without any criticism and judgment. I have profound passion in guiding clients toward emotional, social, spiritual and professional success. When life transitions, losses, and your overall well-being become too difficult to manage, do know that you are not alone. Working together, we can negotiate and develop a well thought out course of action towards self improvement.

I am committed to providing the highest quality of care to my clients and working with them to facilitate self-awareness; which will allow them to make choices that are both healthly and empowering. My practice includes treatment of children, teenagers, adults, couples, families and groups. My specialties include working with children and teenagers to address academic, social, emotional or behavioral challenges. Additional areas of focus include working with premarital counseling couples to increase relational satisfaction, grief and loss, parenting conflicts, and career planning.

I regard myself as a coach – therapist, who practices from a resilience and strength-based position. Together, we will identify multigenerational patterns of strength in your family and build upon them to support your current relationships.

Areas Of Specialization
  Coaching individuals, couples, family and group
     members motivated to create change in their
     relationships
  Addressing parenting issues between young
     adults, teens and children
  Facilitating groups addressing grief and loss,
     life transitions, self esteem, and anger management
  Helping couples strengthen their marriage
  Identifying conflicts and resolving issues between
     nuclear and extended family members
  Coping with grief and loss - from death, divorce,
     or other major life changes
  Relieving anxiety and depression

Professional Experience
  Center for Grief Care and Education, San Diego
     Hospice & The Instutute for Palliative
     Medicine – Bereavement Counselor
  San Diego Unified School District, Kearny High
     Complex – Employer Outreach Specialist
  San Diego Unified School District,
     (SANDAPP program) – Case Manager
  Jones and Associates Consulting, Inc.,
     – Relations Specialist & Accounts Manager
  Comprehensive Training Systems, – Supervising
     Case Manager/Recruiter/Intake Counselor
  The Salvation Army, The Door of Hope
     – Residential Case Manager
  Grief & Loss, Divorce Care (pre & post):
     workshops, Domestic Violence: support groups

Education And Training
  MA in MFT - Bethel Seminary, San Diego
  BA in Psychology, San Diego State University
  BA in Africana Studies, San Diego State University
  Certified Prepare/Enrich Counselor
  PTSD, Depression and TBI Course (Psychological
     Health of Warriors and Their Families), The Center
     for Deployment Psychology held in San Diego
  Bereavement Counseling Training, San Diego Hospice
  Group Counseling for Bereaved Families,
     San Diego Hospice
  PAIRS (Practical Application of Intimate
     Relationship Skills) Certified Trainer, August 2011
  Forty Hour – Domestic Violence Counselor Training
     for the Emergency Management Agency
     (CalEMA), September 2011
  Treating Sexual Addictions: Effective Assessment
     & Intervention Strategies, Jan. 2011
  The Impact of Divorce on Therapy: What
     Counselors Need to Know, October 2010
  Registered Intern – Marriage and Family Therapy
     (Board of Behavioral Science) – April 2010
     (License Intern Number 63218)
  Veteran’s Village of San Diego ‘Stand Down’ (VVSD)
     Tent Leader Volunteer – July 2009
  Dream Interpretation, San Diego Hospice –
     September 2008
  San Diego County Child Sexual Abuse Treatment
     Program Volunteer Counselor – May 1991
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT #MFC 6022

Affiliations
  American Association for Marriage and Family
     Therapy (AAMFT)
  California Association of Marriage and Family
     Therapists (CAMFT)
  Christian Association for Psychological Studies
     (CAPS)

Contact:
llee@enrichingrelationships.org
619-858-3105 x131
 

The storms of life can leave us weary, laden with heavy burdens, and longing for rest as our coping skills become overmatched by the complex, painful, and not-so-easily resolved problems that we are contending with. Searching for direction, clarity, wisdom, discernment - Seeking help to improve your life is a courageous act! Sharing intimate details about current problems and exploring past wounds can be difficult for many of us. I provide my clients with a safe environment where they can share their thoughts and feelings; as well as explore their past hurts that stem from their family of origin without any criticism and judgment. I have profound passion in guiding clients toward emotional, social, spiritual and professional success. When life transitions, losses, and your overall well-being become too difficult to manage, do know that you are not alone. Working together, we can negotiate and develop a well thought out course of action towards self improvement.

I am committed to providing the highest quality of care to my clients and working with them to facilitate self-awareness; which will allow them to make choices that are both healthly and empowering. My practice includes treatment of children, teenagers, adults, couples, families and groups. My specialties include working with children and teenagers to address academic, social, emotional or behavioral challenges. Additional areas of focus include working with premarital counseling couples to increase relational satisfaction, grief and loss, parenting conflicts, and career planning.

I regard myself as a coach – therapist, who practices from a resilience and strength-based position. Together, we will identify multigenerational patterns of strength in your family and build upon them to support your current relationships.

Professional Experience
  Mental Health Systems, Inc.,
     San Diego, CA 2008 - 2011

     Providers of innovative and cost-effective mental
     health and substance abuse rehabilitation.
  Professional Position: Parolee Partnership Program –
     Case Manager – Treatment Liaison
  Provide case management and referral to treatment
     for parolees from state prison and probationers from
     county jail who have a history of substance abuse
     and/or co-occurring disorders.
  Perform behavioral health assessments to determine
     appropriate levels of substance abuse treatment,
     identify ancillary service needs, and coordinate
     recovery network referrals.
  Create treatment plan linkage between courts,
     parole, probation, and child protective services
     resulting in successful client treatment and
     reunification of children with client/parents.

  PeaceKeepers, LLC, PeaceKeepers, LLC,
     Irvine, CA 2008 - Present

     Church safety, medical, and security consultants.
  Professional Position: Chief Operations Officer
  Develop and implement marketing and brand strategies.
  Identify domestic church safety training needs and
     secure consulting contracts.
  Solidify and grow a flourishing consulting foundation
     and inter-church referral network.

  Falco K9 Academy,
     Brea, CA 2007 - Present

     Professional dog and dog-handler trainers for domestic
     and international detection, protection, service,
     law enforcement, explosives, search & rescue,
     and biological anomalies. Trainers of the world’s
     first E. coli biological detection dog team for the
     State of California Department of Food and Health.
  Professional Position: Vice President,
     Police K9 Division
  Develop and implement police dog, bio-dog,
     detection dog, and pet dog marketing and
     brand strategies.
  Identify law enforcement and civilian dog sales
     and training needs.
  Secure domestic and international contracts
     with federal, state, and local government
     agencies and civilian entities.

  Nashville-McLintock Police Transcriptions, Inc.,
     Nashville, TN 2001 - 2010

     Nationwide providers of confidential investigation
     and interview digital dictation translation services
     for police, sheriff, and district attorney offices.
     Professional Position: National Marketing Manager /
     Board of Directors
  Manage development and
     execution of marketing strategies to advance
     and solidify sales contracts and expansion of
     product and brand image for greater market share
     and profitability.
  Translate market trends and customer needs into
     actionable goals to create competitive advantage
     and expand new business reach.
  Forecast potential sales opportunities, formulate
     promotion platforms, and select key target markets.

  Anaheim Police Department,
     Anaheim, CA 1990 - 2001

     Community-wide crime prevention and life
     protection for the City of Anaheim, California
     Professional Position: Senior Master Advanced Police
     Officer, Field Training Officer, Police Academy
     Tactical Training Officer, Community Policing
     Team and Emergency Response Primary Officer
  Community Policing Team Investigator
  Primary response officer assigned for critical
     incident calls in order to de-escalate, stabilize,
     and evaluate emergencies for tactical emergency
     and medical services call-out and SWAT Team
     response.
  Crisis response, substance abuse assessment,
     homelessness intervention, and evaluation / referral
     of children and adults for civil commitment to
     acute inpatient psychiatric care.

  San Clemente Lifeguard Department,
     San Clemente, CA 1985 - 1993

     Responsible for the protection of life, limb, and
     property of the beach and ocean visitors
     Professional Position: Ocean Lifeguard Supervisor
  Responsible for on-going training of veteran ocean
     tower lifeguards and new-hire training class.
  Safely operate emergency 4-wheel drive rescue
     vehicle.
  Observe and safeguard visitors by providing
     maximum safe utilization of the beach, emergency
     medical assistance, and ocean rescue response.

Education
  Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology,
     Marriage & Family Therapy
     Azusa Pacific University, San Diego, California
     (estimated graduation: December 2012)
  Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
     San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
  Associate of Arts in Administration of Justice
     Mira Costa College, Oceanside, CA

Affiliations
  California Association of Marriage and Family
     Therapists (CAMFT), active student member
     #100449
  California Association of Addiction Recovery
     Resources (CAARR) member
  Certified Alcoholism and other Drug Addictions
     Recovery Specialist (CAS) certification #9334
  Drug and Alcohol Workshop,
     Azusa Pacific University, 2011
  Child Abuse Workshop,
     Azusa Pacific University, 2011
  Professional Ethics and Confidentiality,
     Breining Institute, 2011
  Ethics and Confidentiality, California Association
     of Addiction Recovery Resources (CAARR), 2010
  Co-Occurring Disorders Level One,
     Mental Health Systems Inc., 2010
  Treatment Plans, California Outcomes
     Measurement System, 2009
  Data Requirements, California Outcomes
     Measurement System, 2009
  Treatment Interviews, California Outcomes
     Measurement System, 2009
  Advanced Motivational Interviewing,
     Mental Health Systems, Inc., 2009
  Basic Motivational Interviewing,
     Mental Health Systems, Inc., 2009

Contact:
619-858-3105
 

Gary Cundiff, MA, MFT
Addressing concerns in a therapeutic environment takes a lot of courage. It's much easier to not deal with problems and hope they go away. But like ping-pong balls in a swimming pool, you can push your problems down yet they will keep coming back up. When I meet with clients, I create a safe atmosphere to talk about the concerns that brought them in to see me. My hope is that my clients are able to find the strength to move forward as I help them work through their concerns.

Therapeutic Approach/Professional Experience

I have a passion for helping people find emotional and spiritual wholeness. My approach integrates biblical truths and solid psychological principles. My experience includes working with children, families, individuals and couples.

Individual therapy -- relating to issues with anxiety, depression, abuses, child or adult, physical or emotional, conflict resolution, anger management, and self esteem -- is a major therapeutic skill offered to my clients.

Premarital, Marital, and Couple therapy including preparing couples for a life of being married to one another, addressing behavior that creates conflict and discussing these issues bring many married couples in to see a therapist. I give a personality test to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each individual. This helps couples with issues from childhood or other relationships that may be affecting the marriage. My desire is to draw couples closer together so the'll have a healthy, vibrant marriage.

I have extensive training in child/play therapy, which enables me to work with children starting at 3 years old. Not only am I able to work with the children and their home issues, but also with school problems, and children with ADHD. I can help the parents better understand the child or children with parenting direction for making the home a safe haven.

I have worked with families and individuals that may have experienced grief from a variety of losses.

Experience
  Christian private practice in Sumner, WA for 2 years      at Exodus Christian Counseling.
  Auburn Youth Resources in Auburn, WA for 7 years
  Built satellite office from 0 to 200 clients
  Ran various programs in elementary, Jr. and Sr. high      schools and worked on Multidisciplinary teams to      provide wraparound services for children in need
  Contracted to assist kids behavioral problems with      group and Individual therapy
  Led groups on smoking cessation for teenagers,      anger management for adolescence, PACE (for      children that have been victims of abuse), SNAP      Summer Nature and Activity Program which I      created, ADHD group, and children's friendship      groups
  Organized and led women's retreats in Auburn, WA

Education and Affiliations
  BS in Communications, University of Southern      California
  MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fuller Seminary
  Marriage and Family Therapist, CA License # 45871
  Member, California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT) # 92794
  Certified Prepare Counselor

Speaking Topics
  Families Where Grace is In Place
  The Overwhelmed Woman
  How Children Communicate Through Play

Contact:
knelson@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x138
 

G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT
Family Consultation Service was established in 1971 as an expression of my desire to integrate the perspectives of psychology and my study of human relationships with God's word as it is revealed in the Bible. This was the first professional counseling center in San Diego to be established with evangelical Christianity as its basis. Many of the most fulfilling experiences in my more than 30 years of professional life have been in my relationships with clients and colleagues that I have been privileged to enjoy here at Family Consultation Service.

During these years I have had the opportunity to work with a very wide range of people dealing with an equally wide range of issues. However, I have had the greatest amount of experience, and I believe expertise, with:

  Therapy with individual adults dealing with      depression and anxiety
  Adults working with a wide range of ministry-related      issues
  Marital therapy
  Individual and family therapy with adolescents
  Stepfamily adjustments

In addition to providing direct psychotherapy and marital and family counseling services, it has been my privilege to work to enhance personal, family and community health through professional speaking, teaching and writing.

I believe that at the core of all personal and relational problems is alienation which has plagued humankind since almost the dawn of creation. My therapy with individuals, couples, and families is based on the process of helping people to develop stronger connectedness (relationships with God, with each other, and with themselves, as well as with the whole of creation within which God has placed us).

Professional Speaking, Teaching and Writing:
  Speaking engagements include a wide range of      topics for churches, schools, corporations and other      organizations. These opportunities include local      presentations, national conferences, association      meetings, and invited international presentations in      Europe, Africa and Asia.
  A wide variety of articles in journals and magazines
  Three published books (Counseling Teenagers, Why      Teenagers Act the Way They Do, and What Makes      Your Teenager Tick?)
  Contributions to several other books by different      authors.
  A four-volume video series on Counseling Teenagers,      a five-volume video series, Understanding      Me/Understanding You
  Appearances in other video projects on parenting,      pastoral counseling, and psychotherapy

Degrees and License:
  Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of      Arizona (1972).
  BA in psychology from San Diego State University      1967
  Licensed in the state of California since 1973 as a      Marriage and Family Therapist. License #M6022

Faculty Associations:
  1997 to present - Administrator and Lead Faculty of      the M.A. program in Marital and Family Therapy at      Bethel Seminary San Diego
  1986 to 1997 - Associate Pastoral Care Faculty at      Bethel Seminary San Diego
  1973 to 1999 - Associate Psychology Faculty at      Point Loma Nazarene University

Affiliations:
  American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
  American Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (AAMFT)
  California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT)
  Christian Association for Psychological Studies CAPS
  During the mid 1990s - a member and San Diego      Chapter Officer of the National Speakers Association.

Contact:
kolson@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x122
 

H. Luis Vargas, Ph.D., MFT
AAMFT Approved Supervisor
MFC#44953
Information You May Want to Know
This description has been prepared to inform you about my qualifications and what you can expect from me as your therapist.

My Qualifications
The majority of my experience has been working with:
  Clients of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and      multi-cultural experiences.

In particular, my clinical experience includes practice with:
  Issues related to acculturation, child abuse,      witnessing of crime, disappearance, domestic      violence, environmental trauma, homicide,      kidnapping, terrorist threats, and their impact on      relationships.
  Individual and relationship concerns associated with      cultural differences, divorce, marital conflict, family      hostility, marital/family separation, and their impact      on self.
  Cultural and social adaptation issues related to      immigration, and their effect on relationships.
  Problems connected to fears, anxiety, depression,      under-achievement, frustrated needs, and their      impacts on relationships.

The Therapeutic Process
There are several steps in the therapeutic process. First, we will need to spend some time exploring the concerns that brought you to therapy. Obviously, we need to discuss matters openly and honestly. Certain matters of experience are difficult to share. I will work with you at your pace.

After we develop sufficient background to proceed, we will decide upon specific goals and objectives. Oftentimes, change is a challenging process associated with risks. We will regularly evaluate progress. Treatment efforts will conclude when the sought-after goals are sufficiently achieved.

The FCS Group Practice Model
I am a member of a group practice. One of the advantages to you is that I get to consult on an as-needed basis with a dozen other professionals whom I trust. As a group, we meet weekly. During our time together, we continually advance our knowledge and skill sets by learning about each other's clinical practices and experiences.

Confidentiality
All of our sessions will be confidential. My professional code of ethics prevents me from releasing any records without permission and discussing what is said during sessions with anyone other than my colleagues in peer consultation. The only exceptions to this are if someone is in danger of being harmed, or if the law explicitly states that confidentiality provisions do not apply.

Spirituality and Therapeutic Approach
I carefully and respectfully work from a bio-psycho-social and spiritually integrated theoretical perspective.

In our work together, we will sensitively explore your relationship experience(s) to self and others. We will cover all relationships that are important to you, including your connection to faith.

We will work closely to identify goals that are specific, measurable, achievable and realistic. We will set up a timetable to meet those goals.

In addition, our work will entail engagement in a series of effective clinical processes and therapeutic exercises targeting patterns of thought and behavior evidenced relationally and systemically. The therapeutic processes utilized are research based.

I attend to multicultural and multigenerational influences, family of origin dynamics and life cycle considerations.

Length of Sessions
Therapy sessions are normally 45-50 minutes. Depending upon the nature of the concerns, sessions are held one or more times weekly. It is difficult to initially predict how many sessions will be needed. If this is important to you, I will be better able to discuss the probable number of sessions after we have explored and gained some background - usually, after two or three sessions.

In addition to my member practice with Family Consultation Service, I am currently employed as:
  Assistant Professor, Core Faculty member, MFT      Program
     Alliant International University - California School of      Professional Psychology
     10455 Pomerado Road - Daley Hall - San Diego, CA.

  Adjunct Faculty Associate, MFT Program
     Bethel University/Bethel Seminary San Diego
     San Diego, CA.

Education:
  Ph.D., (2005)
     Loma Linda University - Graduate School -      Department of Counseling & Family Sciences
     Loma Linda, CA.

  M.A., MFT, (2001)
     Bethel University/Bethel Seminary San Diego
     San Diego, CA.

Affiliations and License:
  California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT)
  American Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (AAMFT)
  AAMFT Approved Supervisor certification in process
  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC#44953

Available for Seminars, Community Dialogs and Speaking Engagements Covering:
  Relationship Discord
  Multiculturalism
  Cross-Cultural Experiences
  Family Life Cycle
  Theory of Systems
  Contemporary Issues of Latin America
  Worldview Influences
  Intergenerational Patterns
  Relationship Impasses
  Relationship Building
  Latino Immigrants and Mass Movements
  Liberation Psychology
  Book Reviews and Discussions

Languages:
Bilingual Spanish

Contact:
lvargas@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x127
 

A healthy relationship with oneself and with others makes life a rich and fulfilling experience. However, even the best relationships encounter difficulties that can challenge one’s sense of strength, stability and hope. Facing such challenges can be scary, overwhelming, and frustrating. I believe therapy can help individuals, couples, and families manage and overcome those obstacles that interfere with healthy relationships, such as relational issues, traumas, addictions, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Seeking professional help takes courage, and I will honor that courage by providing a safe and respectful environment where such issues can be addressed.Currently I work out of Mission Valley, La Mesa, and Eastlake offices.

My experience includes working with individuals, couples and families in the areas of:
  Anger management
  Anxiety
  Abuse
  Addictions
  Bipolar disorder
  Depression/suicidal ideation
  Eating disorders
  Family conflict
  Grief/loss
  Infidelities
  Personality disorders
  Same-sex attraction
  Schizophrenia
  Trauma
  Adjustment Disorder
  Mood Disorders
  Substance Abuse
  12-Step Work


Professional Experience
  Family Focus Christian Counseling (Practicum) -      Counseled families, individuals and children with mild,      moderate and severe Axis I and II diagnoses and
     co-occurring disorders.
  Halcyon Crisis Center (Practicum) – Counseled
     severely mentally ill individuals in an in-patient
     crisis house. Clients had an array of psychological
     challenges and co-occurring disorders resulting from
     substance abuse and trauma.
  San Diego Christian College (Practicum) - Counseled
     college students with an array of psychological,
     emotional, and educational challenges.

Education and Training
  MA in Counseling Psychology from Southern
     California Seminary in San Diego, CA
  MA in Literature from National University,
     San Diego, CA
  BA in Communications from National University,
     San Diego, CA
  EMDR (level 1)

Affiliations
  Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
     with the California Board of Behavioral Science,
     IMF#64153
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT #MFC 6022
  Associated Member of California Association of
     Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  Associate Member of the American Association of
     Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)

Contact:
dwagner@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 280-3430 x150 or (619) 507-2936
 

I have been counseling couples, families, and individuals in various settings for approximately twenty-five years. As a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, ordained minister, professor, and President, Founder and CEO of Enriching Relationships, Inc. (a biblically-based research and professional counseling seminar company), I frequently speak about relationship issues at churches, conferences, retreats, and seminars throughout the United States. I have worked as a family therapist staff member at Charter Behavioral Health System of Kansas City, a psychiatric hospital where substance abuse and addictions were treated utilizing Alcoholics Anonymous, 7-Step programming, medical pharmacological balancing, and mental health care. I frequently work directly with psychiatrists, physicians, pastors, counselors, teachers and other care-givers while treating my patients. I am also a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist in Kansas where I was in private practice for seven years.

Premarital communication skill building, conflict management, communication enhancement, and improving relational interactions within family systems and organizations are specialties I offer to my clients. Due to my seminary education (including biblical language training) and pastoral experience (both as senior and associate pastor), I am able to apply biblical truth to relationship building for all ages.

Therapeutic Approach
The type of therapy you will receive is a problem solving systemic approach. This means that the focus of therapy will be an understanding of your goals for treatment and working together to solve these problems in a focused and planned way. This may include assignments to be completed between sessions. Also treatment will look at the systems in which you and your situation exist including family, work, religion, society, etc., and seek to understand how these factors affect your situation.

Other areas where Dr. Welch may assist you and/or your family:
  Persistent problems with a child's behavior, school
     adjustment, and performance
  Sexual concerns
  Feelings of depression, failure, anxiety,
     and loneliness
  Difficulty in talking with family members, friends,
     and co-workers
  Alcohol and drug abuse
  Repeated financial difficulties
  Drastic weight fluctuations and irregular
     eating patterns
  Chronic work difficulties and frequent job changes
  Unmanageable anger, hostility, and violence
  Persistent feelings of dissatisfaction with marriage
     and family life
  Persistent difficulty coping with stresses arising
     from life crises such as death, divorce, acute
     and chronic illness and unemployment
  Stepfamily adjustments

Dr. Welch, Founder, President, and CEO of The Center for Enriching Relationships, Inc. website:
  www.EnrichingRelationships.org
  The Center for Enriching Relationships, Inc. is an
     organization committed to enhancing relationships
     through practical application of biblical truths and
     respected research.

Professional Speaking, Teaching and Writing:
  Nationwide speaking engagements include
     preachingin a variety of denominations, revivals
     held at many churches, seminars on the family,
     keynote addresses at statewide organizations,
     original research presented at national conferences,
     radio guest appearances
  A wide variety of articles in magazines, biblical
     commentaries and methodologies, and newspapers
     including Point Loma Nazarene University ViewPoint
     Magazine, Group Publishing, The Preachers
     Magazine, Bible Study Methodologies for
     Word Action Publishing, World Mission Magazine,
     and the Kansas City Star newspaper
  Contributions to several books and devotionals
     the Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education
     (Baker Books) and Introducing Christian Education
     (Baker Books), and Nazarene Publishing House
  Editor for Quest for Success (a College Guide for
     Freshman university students)
  Editorial Advisory Board for the Annals
     of the American Psychotherapy Association
  Foreword for a 2005 book, For Better or WorseTate
     Publishing
  Video on Learning How to FORGIVE Ourselves As We
     forgive Each Other (Word Action Publishing)

Degrees and Licenses:
  M.S. in Family Therapy from Friends
     University (1998)
  Ph.D. in Education from the University of
     Kansas(1994)
  M.Div. in Pastoral Ministry/Theology from
     Nazarene Theological Seminary (1986)
  M.A. in Religion from Point Loma Nazarene
     University (1980)
  B.A. in Religion from Point Loma Nazarene
     University with minor in Psychology (1978)
  Certificate in Youth Ministries, Point Loma Nazarene
     University (1978)
  Licensed in the state of Kansas as a Licensed
     Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist
     since 1998
  Approved Supervisor in the American Association
     for Marriage and Family Therapy (2005)
  Ordained Minister in the Church of the Nazarene
     since 1985
  Ordained Minister-Supply in The Wesleyan Church
     since 2007
  California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist,
     MFC# 50129

Affiliations:
  Fellow in Psychotherapy in the American
     Psychotherapy Association
  Clinical Member in the American Association of
     Marriage and Family
  Member, California Association of Marriage
     and Family Therapy
  Member, Kansas Association for Marriage
     and Family Therapy
  Certified Human Behavior Consultant,
     Uniquely You, Inc.
  Presenter, Prepare and Enrich, Life Innovations, Inc.

Faculty and Administrative Associations:
  2009 - Present, Azusa Pacific University,
     San Diego, California: Adjunct Professor in
     the M.S. Clinical Psychology Department
  2006 - Present, Point Loma Nazarene
     University, San Diego, California: Adjunct Professor
     in the Department of Psychology and The
     School of Theology and Christian Ministry
  1989-2005, MidAmerica Nazarene University,
     Olathe, Kansas: Coordinator, Department
     of Christian Education, Professor of Christian
     Education and Family Studies, Chairman of the
     Division of Management and Human
     Relations, Professor and supervisor of
     Graduate Students in the Masters in
     Counseling Program
  2001, Friends University, Wichita, Kansas:
     Adjunct Professor in the graduate Family
     Therapy program
  1989-1991, Nazarene Theological Seminary,
     Kansas City, Missouri: Associate Registrar
  1979-1983, Point Loma Nazarene University,
     San Diego, California: Resident Director,
     Associate Dean of Students, and Assistant Chaplain

Pastoral Experiences:
  Counseling Pastor (part-time), Skyline Church,
     Rancho San Diego, California:
     www.skylineChurch.org 2006-present
  Interim Pastor of six churches in California,
     Kansas and Missouri, (1987-2006)
  1987-1989, Pastoral Ministries Coordinator,
     International Headquarters, Church of the
     Nazarene, Kansas City, Missouri
  1983-1987, Senior Minister, Rainbow
     Boulevard Church of the Nazarene, Kansas City,
     Kansas
  1981-1983, Director of College Ministries,
     First Church of the Nazarene, San Diego,
     California

Honors and Awards:
  Strathmore's Who's Who, 2011
  Continental Who's Who, 2011
  Who's Who Alliance, 2010 (1997)
  Distinguished Professionals Online, 2010/2011
  Presidential Who's Who, 2010
  Biltmore Who’s Who, 2007
  Cambridge Who’s Who, 2006
  National Registers Who's Who In Executives
     and Professionals (2006-2007)
  Who's Who Among America's Teachers
     (2002, 2004, 2005)
  Gamma Epsilon Donald S. Metz Award for
     Distinctive Academic Contributions (voted
     by faculty and student body Teacher of the Year),
     MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe,
     Kansas 2000-2001
  Chi Psy Honor Society, 1998
  International Who's Who of Professionals (1997)
  Outstanding Young Men of America
     (1983, 1984, 1986)

Contact:
dwelch@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x130
 

Do you want to talk to a professional about what's going on in your life? Well, that's a step towards healing in itself! No matter what's troubling you or which relationship you are interested in restoring, counseling provides a safe environment for you to explore your heart and your relationships with others. My sole purpose is to be here for you until you no longer need me to be.

I meet people where they are with their challenges, stress, confusion, and need for someone to talk to about it. Once we unpack the source of your pain, we will work together in creating the life you crave. Together we can explore your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships that are of major concern to you; and, construct new ways of living and helping you grow.

With my experience working with individuals and families struggling with substance abuse, relational issues, and co-occurring disorders, I bring a wide range of practical knowledge for each individual. I look forward to working with you to identify old wounds and initiate transformative healing.

Areas of Experience and Interest:
  Addictive Disorders
  Building Motivation for Change
  Co-Dependency
  Domestic Violence
  Facilitating Educational and Process Groups
  Blended Families
  Foster Care System Issues
  Trauma Informed Care
  Teenagers
  12-step Recovery Models & Practices
  Women's Issues


Professional Experience
  Serenity Too: Site Administrator
  North County Serenity House: Mental Health
     Specialist
  South Bay Community Services: Career Coach
     for foster & probation youth
  YMCA, Youth & Family Service: Independent
     Living Skills Case Manager II
  Mary’s House: Residential Supervisor
  New Alternatives: Childcare Worker

Education
  M.A. in Counseling Psychology
     Southern California Seminary, El Cajon
  B.A. in Psychology
     California State University of San Marcos, CA
  Certified Domestic Violence Counselor
  Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS)
  Certified Stephen’s Minister
     Solana Beach Presbyterian Church
  Registered Marriage and Family Therapist
     Intern with BBS in California, IMF# 64509

Affiliations
  California Association of
     Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS)
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D.,
     MFT #MFC 6022

Contact:
jwhite@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x132
 

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’”~Jeremiah 29:11

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns that at times can appear exciting and enticing, yet at other moments can seem daunting, stressful and fear-inducing. I believe that all individuals are unique creations from the Lord and the He has instilled in each of us distinctive strengths and abilities to utilize through life’s journey during our time on this great Earth. It is my hope and desire to create a safe and warm environment where people are free to uncover these strengths and abilities within themselves and enhance their future development as they break through roadblocks and navigate through the unknown in life. I look forward to working with you as we display our trust and faith in God and explore the journey He has planned for us.

I am a born and raised California girl. Originally from Sonoma County in Northern California, I moved to sunny San Diego with my family when I was 14 and I have fully enjoyed God’s awe-inspiring coastal beauty ever since. Growing up, my father was a pastor and I learned at a young age the importance of ministry, and integrating faith with service within such a commitment. Since my childhood, I have been afforded wonderful opportunities to serve others and spread God’s love in order to affect long-term, positive change and an increased quality of life in the lives of those around me.

Training: I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California in 2004 with a minor in Religion and was highly involved in both departments during my four years. I also immersed myself in Student Life during my collegiate career as a Residential Advisor and Spiritual Life Advisor. My sophomore year was spent in a study-abroad program in Florence, Italy where I enjoyed exploring more of the Lord’s endless splendor in numerous countries and experiencing many unique cultures previously unknown to me. Throughout my journey at Pepperdine, I gained excellent knowledge, strengthened my relationship and walk with the Lord, and greatly increased my interpersonal abilities. I am currently earning my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy at Azusa Pacific University where I am able to further my faith-based education, as well as the development of many skills and abilities vital for the therapeutic field of work.


Education and Training
  Azusa Pacific University
     San Diego, California
     January 2010 – Present
     Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology,
     Marriage and Family Therapy
  Pepperdine University
     Malibu, California
     August 2000 – May 2004
     Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Minor, Religion
  Child Abuse Workshop
     San Diego, California
     February 2011
     Offered through Azusa Pacific University
  Drug and Alcohol Workshop
     San Diego, California
     February 2011
     Offered through Azusa Pacific University

Professional Experience
  Jary Barreto Crisis Center
     San Diego, California
     July 2011 – Present
     Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum Trainee
  Personality Assessment Developer
     Carlsbad, California
     July 2006 – November 2008
     Efficiently managed the development of
     Heritage personality assessment products and
     services for Buffini & Company.
  Residential Advisor
     Malibu, California
     August 2002 – May 2004
     Effectively provided support and counsel for
     students while promoting a positive, safe, and
     stable atmosphere for all residents
  Spiritual Life Advisor
     Florence, Italy
     August 2001 – May 2002
     Successfully provided emotional, mental, and
     spiritual support and counsel for students oversees
     in Florence, Italy in the aftermath of 9/11
  Summer Undergraduate Research Program
     Malibu, California
     May – August 2003
     Professor elected research study;
     Psychology Department, Pepperdine University
  Pepperdine Volunteer Center
     Malibu, California
     September 2000 – May 2004
     Psychology Volunteer
  Alzheimer and Dementia Care Specialist
     San Diego, California
     May – August 2002
     Safely facilitated a variety of events and activities
     for residents with beginning to mid stage memory
     and cognitive impairment diagnosis


Career Development and Affiliations
  California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
     September 2010 – Present
     Student Member
  Personal Therapy Hours
     San Diego, California
     July 2010 – Present
     Azusa Pacific University requirement with licensed
     Marriage and Family Therapist
  Supervised by Blaise Reidlinger, Ph.D.
     San Diego, California
     July 2011 – Present
  Supervised by Marcial Felan, D.Min., MFT MFC #45603
     San Diego, California
     August 2011 – Present

Contact:
619-858-3105