Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Monrovia, CA

As a licensed therapist with both an MSW and a PhD in clinical practice and research, I bring a depth of academic knowledge and real-world experience to my work with individuals and couples. My approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based strategies tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.

I specialize in helping people navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional resilience, and self-exploration. Whether you're seeking personal growth or looking to strengthen your connection with a partner, my goal is to create a safe, affirming space where meaningful insight and change can emerge.

When I was a kid, I often got in trouble for being too loud with asking questions and calling adults out on things that didn’t seem fair to me. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an advocate of some kind. A career in social work, then, made total sense to me when I discovered the field as an undergraduate at San Jose State.

Two more degrees and a license later, I still carry the spirit of that little girl, fighting for the underserved. I have a long history of diagnosing and treating adults with severe and chronic mental illness. I take my work very seriously and it’s important to me to help my clients heal, grow, and thrive.

My clients seek my services as a way to recuperate from lifetimes of overworking themselves into worthiness. I guide them toward unlearning the things that taught them they weren’t enough. I give them the tools they need to create wellness and wholeness in a way that’s unique to who they are.

Through my private practice and my brand, Therapy is a Lifestyle, I want to help you see yourself in new ways - without the lens of your trauma. I specialize in anxiety disorders, EMDR, and other trauma-informed approaches to help you do that.

Let’s take the journey toward your recovery, together. Being here is your first step!

I specialize in creating a supportive, empathetic space for healing and growth. I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate complex emotions and find empowerment in their lives.

I believe that healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity rather than judgment. Whether you're navigating anxiety, grief, life transitions, relationship struggles, or simply feeling stuck, I offer a space where you can explore what’s happening with honesty and compassion.

I draw from evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and psychodynamic insights, while always tailoring my approach to your unique needs and goals. Together, we’ll work to uncover patterns, build insight, and develop practical strategies that help you move toward clarity and meaningful change.

Clients often describe me as calm, supportive, and direct in a kind way. I value humor when it’s helpful, and I work to foster a relationship where you feel safe enough to be real—even when it’s hard.

Reaching out takes courage, and finding the right fit is key. If you're looking for someone who will listen deeply, challenge gently, and walk alongside you at your pace, I’d be honored to work with you.

Seeking therapy is acknowledging you are allowed to take space, time, and care for yourself. Finding the right therapist is an important first step. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy for adolescents, adults, and seniors experiencing anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, grief, and stress. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in genuine connection. I believe healing begins when people feel understood without judgement. Together, we will work to increase insight, strengthen resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change that aligns with your values and goals.

I work with adolescents and adults and offer individual, couples, and family therapy. I help individuals identify their goals and make the changes necessary to help them lead more productive and fulfilling lives. I am directive, and I provide a warm, caring and non-judgmental environment to explore the issues and life-events with which you may be struggling.

I’m a licensed therapist with a Master’s in Counseling with an emphasis in Child and Family Therapy, and I’m certified in Perinatal Mental Health. I work with children, adolescents, and families, and I also support moms navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and the emotional challenges of early parenthood. I have experience helping with anxiety, emotional regulation, behavioral challenges, and school-related concerns, and I especially enjoy working with children and pre-teens using play and creative approaches.

Many of the struggles that bring us to therapy—anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, grief, self-doubt, or feeling stuck—have deeper roots than we realize. Sometimes these patterns develop through painful experiences, major life transitions, or family systems that taught us to prioritize others, question ourselves, or adapt in ways that no longer serve us. Therapy offers the opportunity to understand these patterns and create lasting change.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the spouse of a retired Army Veteran, I've spent much of my adult life living in different parts of the country and world, continually building community and connection wherever life led. Those experiences deepened my understanding of resilience, belonging, and the many ways people adapt through change, loss, and transition. I bring that perspective into my work, creating a warm, compassionate, and collaborative space where individuals, couples, and families feel genuinely seen and understood.

Together, we'll work to understand the deeper patterns shaping your life, strengthen your relationships, and help you move toward a more authentic, fulfilling way of living.

Hello! I'm Kris and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and the founder of Village Wellness Center, a thriving group psychotherapy practice based in San Juan Capistrano. I have over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, and I specialize in maternal mental health, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, and the unique needs of women and mothers.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Sacramento State University and returned to school 15 years later to earn my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology.

The beginning of my career in mental health started in residential care helping at-risk youth, and over the course of 20 years, my work and experience evolved into leading and developing clinical programs for outpatient and court-mandated facilities while also building my specialty in perinatal mood disorders and maternal mental health in my private practice. Additionally over the past two decades, I was raising my family and actively contributing to the Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano communities.

Through my own struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, I became a passionate advocate for maternal wellness and thriving families. This became the catalyst to opening Village Wellness Center, where the ability to serve entire families and promote holistic mental wellness with a team of therapists can be achieved.