April is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in individual, educational, couples and family therapy. She maintains a private practice and counseling/training center in Palos Verdes Estates.
With over 20 years of individual, family, and school counseling experience and as a graduate of California State Universities, San Diego & Long Beach, she is currently serving as private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Her areas of specialty include child and adolescent therapy. April began her career teaching in our local private schools, (Peninsula Heritage and St. John Fisher). She also served as a school counselor at St. John Fisher Parish School for many years and interned in special education and school counseling within the Torrance, Manhattan Beach/Lawndale districts. April's passion and interest in the area of child development, education, and the psychological impact of learning differences is unparalleled. She deeply enjoys the support services that she offers to the children, adolescents, and parents in our community.
In addition to being a prominent relationship therapist, April has presented at local conferences and to general audiences speaking on the topics of ADD/ADHD, Emotional Intelligence, The Pressures on Today's Teens, College Planning, Parenting, and Education.
April is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
Education
Master's of Science degree - Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling: California State University Long Beach, (1992).
Bachelor's of Science - Psychology: San Diego State University (1989).
License, Certifications & Awards
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Lic. MFC 34820
Certificate of Advanced Training: Object Relations/(psychodynamic) Therapies
W/ Dr. Richard Gilbert @ Loyola University
FastForWord - Trained Provider of interactive computerized learning programs offered by Scientific Learning Corp. and
UC Berkeley
Linda Mood Bell - Trained Provider
(Lips, Seeing Stars, Visualizing and Verbalizing)
Additional Training
April regularly pursues advanced training, seminars and workshops. She has received additional training and years of experience in the areas of art therapy, educational counseling, college counseling, divorce, eating & cutting disorders, asperger's & autistic spectrum, ADD/ADHD, childhood learning differences & the psychological impact of., emotional intelligence/mindfulness...
Professional Activities and Memberships
April is a profession Member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists-CAMFT
She is licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Science-BBS
