Hello! I’m Victoria, a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in the state of CA. I received my Master of Arts Degree in Counseling in 2012 from Saint Mary’s College of CA where I was trained using a Person-Centered approach. During my time at Saint Mary’s, I worked with preschool-aged children at a Head Start program using Play Therapy while concurrently supporting and educating their caregivers through dyadic work. I also led a parenting support group for caregivers. From there, I changed course and began working at a residential facility with Caminar in San Mateo supporting adults and transition age youth with serious mental illness. While starting out as an overnight residential counselor, I eventually became the Program Director. This setting was a unique opportunity to immerse myself in all aspects of these individual’s lives. It was more than helping individuals struggle with their diagnoses – many exacerbated by substance use as well – but rather the fundamental human need for social connection and feeling understood. While working at Caminar, I still felt drawn to working with children. I volunteered at a transitional housing program for homeless families to help facilitate an expressive arts program for school-aged children living there.
Ultimately, my passion is to work with children and support their parents or caregivers. As a mom myself of school-aged twins, I know how difficult it can be for children and teenagers to navigate emotions that stem from everyday life and different situations that come up, and how sometimes we as parents are unsure how to help.
As a clinician, my number one goal is to help the children and teenagers I work with alleviate and/or manage the pain and struggles that ultimately every human being faces. This is done by way of providing a safe and non-judgmental environment and creating a trusting and collaborative relationship so my clients feel understood, heard, and accepted. Although the foundation which I work from is a Person-Centered approach, I use a variety of other orientations as well, including Play Therapy, Art Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
I am looking forward to being a part of San Mateo Child and Family Counseling Center
