Krista H. Renella, LMFT

ABOUT ME

The therapy process is a reciprocal relationship of care, trust, and growth. It is brave to be able to share their vulnerabilities and their life stories with a person they have just met. 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, multicultural families, 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.

EDUCATION

California State University, Northridge - Northridge, CA 

Master of Science - summa cum laude | Counseling - emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy

California State University, Northridge - Northridge, CA 

Bachelor of Arts - cum laude | Psychology

Los Angeles Mission College - Sylmar, CA 

Associate of Arts - Dean's List of Recognition | Psychology

CERTIFICATES

Telehealth Therapy, 2025 

Sex Therapy, 2025

Substance Use and Addictions, 2025

HIV / AIDS: Providing Effective, Informed and Compassionate Care, 2025

Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting, 2025

Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention, 2025

Law and Ethics, 2025

Spousal Partner Abuse, 2025

Aging and Long Term Care, 2025

Trauma Informed Care, 2025

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 - Southern California, March 2017 – current

Focus on treating: Narcissistic Abuse Recovery, boundary setting, neurodivergence, codependency, assertiveness, domestic violence, behavior modification, management of anxiety/depression through mindfulness, and social support.

Experience with providing treatment to children, adolescents, adults, and families around empath support, LGBTQ+, trauma, abuse/neglect, transitions, peer relationships, self esteem, parenting, grief/loss, anxiety, depression/mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, chronic pain, special needs, and attachment disorders.

Use of Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Expressive Arts, Humanistic, Sex-Positive/Kink,  Jungian, Family Systems, Dream Analysis, and Attachment based orientations in counseling 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 - 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.

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