ABOUT ME
I learn something from each individual that enters my office. It is brave to be able to share their vulnerabilities and their life stories with a person they have just met. The therapy process is a reciprocal relationship of care, trust, and growth. I am passionate about the process of change and healing that happens in a therapeutic relationship.
As a therapy advocate and consumer, I believe miracles happen once we choose to make them happen. Each of us enter therapy for many different reasons. Whatever your reason/s for entering therapy, your feelings, beliefs and thoughts will be heard and respected. In addition to my work with adults, I have a special affinity for providing counseling to couples, families, and groups.
BACKGROUND
I am an advocate for victims of bullying and abuse, multicultural individuals, young adults over 18 years of age, and families. Some of my experience includes: LGBTQIA, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, relationships, divorce, sexual/emotional/physical abuse, intercultural issues, narcissistic abuse recovery, blended families, empath support, coparenting, boundary setting, shame & guilt, codependency, disabilities, ADHD, and grief/loss. My clients and I collaboratively work together to process traumatic or negative childhood experiences and explore thought patterns, feelings and behaviors that are affecting their emotional, physical and overall health.
EDUCATION
I graduated with honors from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). From CSUN, I received both a BA in Psychology and a MS in Counseling with emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy.
EXPERIENCE
As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I currently only offer video and telephone therapy within Southern California - when there are available spots. My experience with providing counseling services to adults, couples, adolescents, children, and families began in 2010 with my counseling traineeship at Friends of the Family. I have also accumulated over 15 years of experience working in the mental health field, prior to working as a LMFT. This experience was attained through working with children and adults with special needs at Los Angeles School District, Regional Center of California - Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis, and California State University, Northridge.
I offer therapy to individuals from diverse backgrounds with varied mental health concerns. Currently, I have one group, "Love Doesn't Hurt" - a group for victims of abuse by Narcissistic partners or family (this group is currently on hiatus).
My experience in mental health practices includes: assisting in crisis treatment; and incorporating dream work, mindfulness, expressive arts, and spirituality into the treatment process. Previous experience in those educational and mental health communities provided the foundation for my familiarity with various mental health disorders including: learning disabilities, childhood disorders, disorders on the Autism spectrum; and physical disabilities including: aphasia, traumatic brain injury, terminal illness, and chronic pain.
Krista H. Renella, MS
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MFT98716
(818) 280-7291 | kristarenella@gmail.com | kristarenella.com
EDUCATION
California State University, Northridge - Northridge, CA
Master of Science - summa cum laude | Counseling / emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy – 2011
California State University, Northridge - Northridge, CA
Bachelor of Arts - cum laude | Psychology – 2009
Los Angeles Mission College - Sylmar, CA
Associate of Arts - Dean's List of Recognition | Psychology – 2006
CERTIFICATES
Sex Therapy, 2022
Substance Use and Addictions, 2022
HIV / AIDS: Providing Effective, Informed and Compassionate Care, 2022
Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting, 2022
Law and Ethics, 2022
Spousal Partner Abuse, 2022
Aging and Long Term Care, 2022
Trauma Informed Care, 2022
Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention, 2022
Cultural Awareness, 2021
Mindfulness Workshop, 2020
Interpersonal Family Systems - 2 day training, 2019
Anger Management Training, 2019
Women with Bipolar Disorder, 2019 & 2018
HIV and Mental Health, 2019
Recovery 2.0 - Recovery from Addiction Seminar, 2015
Star Behavioral Health Providers - Tier Two - Veterans and Mental Health Care, 2015
Star Behavioral Health Providers - Tier One - Veterans and Mental Health Care, 2014
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Private Practice Psychotherapist, MFT 98716 - Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, CA, March 2017 – current
Leader of several support groups including "Love Doesn't Hurt", focusing on various issues: Narcissistic Personality Disorder, boundary setting, assertiveness, domestic violence, behavior modification, management of anxiety/depression through mindfulness, and social support.
Experience with providing treatment to adolescents, adults and families with trauma, abuse, neglect, grief/loss, anxiety, depression/mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, ADD, special needs, and attachment disorders.
Use of psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, expressive arts, humanistic, Jungian, family systems, and attachment based orientations in counseling adolescents (over 15 years of age), adults and couples.
Maintain paperwork, contact DCFS and other services as mandated reporter.
Collaborated with social services, referral sources and other professionals.
Incorporated in-home, in-office and teletherapy therapy.
Eating Disorder Treatment Therapist, The Bella Vita, Santa Clarita, CA, March 2016 – August 2016
Provided individual, group, milieu and family therapy to patients-Conducts psycho-educational groups.
Successfully developed and implemented a group that integrated DBT and Art Therapy to treat Eating Disorders.
Conducted initial and family consultations as assigned.
Developed case conference updates, individual treatment plans, and provided clinical information regarding patients at weekly treatment team and staff meetings.
Provided meal support by modeling well-balanced eating for patients.
Completed necessary documentation to maintain health records.
Developed individual treatment goals, objectives, and interventions.
Provided crisis intervention as needed.
Marriage and Family Therapist Registered Intern #70214, Supervised by E. Beaudry, LMFT #44098 - Valencia, CA,
June 2015 – March 2017
Offered evidence-based counseling to individuals, groups, families, couples, children, and adolescents in private practice.
Conducted assessments to identify the cause of the problem for individuals and families and determine appropriate placement and/or provided resources to assist the family's needs.
Participated in weekly group and individual supervision.
Provided individual, group, milieu, and family therapy.
Maintained paperwork, contact DCFS and other services as mandated reporter.
Marriage and Family Therapist Registered Intern #70214 - Supervised by T. Cleantis, LMFT #47978 - Pasadena & Valencia, CA, March 2012 – June 2015
Conducted assessments to identify the cause of the problem for individuals and families and determine appropriate placement and/or provided resources to assist the family's needs.
Participated in weekly group and individual supervision.
Offered evidence-based counseling to individuals, groups, families, couples, children, and adolescents in private practice.
Maintained paperwork, contacted DCFS and other services as mandated reporter.
Provided individual, group, milieu, and family therapy.
Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee/Staff Counselor - Friends of the Family - Van Nuys, CA, May 2010 – March 2012
Assisted in supporting individual adults, children and adolescents, groups, couples, and families within a clinical setting.
Co-lead Teen Mom Group at Cal-Safe.
Maintained examination of progress and provided feedback to counseling clients.
Set long-term and short-term goals for clients and maintained communication with government agencies.
Primarily used psychodynamic, family systems, attachment, humanistic, and cognitive behavioral orientations to treat clients presenting with issues such as anxiety, mood disorders, interpersonal conflicts, academic struggles, personality disorders, grief, and trauma.
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
Spanish - conversational, read
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) / Member, 2009 – current
AWARDS
California State University, Northridge, CA, Graduation - Magna Cum Laude, 2011
California State University, Northridge, CA, Graduation - Cum Laude, 2009
Los Angeles Mission College, Sylmar, CA, Graduation - Magna Cum Laude & Dean’s List, 2006
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Academic Coach - California State University, Northridge - Center on Disabilities - Northridge, CA, August 2009 – February 2010
Volunteer Programs & Events Assistant - California State University, Northridge - Matador Involvement Center (MIC) - Northridge, CA, February 2008 – March 2009
Special Education Assistant - Los Angeles Unified School District - Los Angeles, CA, July 2001 – February 2008
A.B.A Community Support Provider - Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis (IABA) - Tarzana, CA, February 2002 – September 2004
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information and clarification provided on request