I love those moments in therapy when a client has an “Aha Moment,” saying with raised awareness, “I’ve never thought about it that way before.” Perhaps this moment is in regard to helping heal an emotional wound or recognizing how to overcome a seemingly insurmountable barrier standing in the way of one’s goals. Sometimes clarifying what those goals are, discovering a path toward achieving them, then taking small/realistic steps to do so is what the therapeutic work is about. Shine Therapy, therefore, is aimed at helping clients face the darkness, shed light on a situation, and figure out how to let their inner light shine. It’s also the pronunciation of my last name, so it’s the name of my practice.
Shine therapy is not a theoretical orientation. (If you would like to know more about the theoretical orientations that I utilize, I would love to have that conversation with you.) Rather, Shine Therapy refers to finding your strengths to help you thrive.
I believe everyone has strengths.Whatever is keeping us stuck, the potential is still there. My private practice is focused on how we can uncover that potential and use it to help you have the life you want for yourself.
I have lived in Los Angeles for the past 25 years and earned my Master of Science in
Counseling from California State University Northridge in 2012. I have been seeing clients
for a little more than a decade as a therapist. I am a proud gay man with a loving partner and wonderful dog. Our dog has been known to make guest appearances in therapy sessions, if a client is okay with that. He’s friendly and mostly hypoallergenic.
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Highland Park who provides individual, couples, and family therapy support for Los Angeles, Highland Park, Glendale, Pasadena, and the surrounding areas. I work with clients of all backgrounds with a particular specialty serving the LGBTQ+ community
How I got here
I received a Master's in Counseling from California State University and trained at the LA LGBT Center, finishing up in 2011. In my career, I have worked with many marginalized minority groups at my tenure there, as well as with The Women’s Clinic and Family Counseling Center, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, and in private practice.
Most recently, I worked for three years at The Help Group, where I was the lead therapist and Training director for Kaleidoscope, The Help Group’s LGBTQ+ youth and young adult program, a program I helped create. I directed and facilitated multiple services with Kaleidoscope, including providing individual and group therapy, presentation workshops in community settings, education and support for parents, youth outings into the LGBTQ+ community, and leading various social activity groups and events. The Help Group’s Kaleidoscope Program will always be “my baby,” and I encourage LGBTQ+ individuals and their families who would like to engage in free social support programs to visit www.KaleidoscopeLGBTQ.org and learn more.
Education:
Master of Science in Counseling (Marriage and Family Therapy Program)
California State University Northridge, California
Graduated With Distinction December 2012
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
Truman State University, Missouri
Graduated December 1993 – Magna Cum Laude
Credentials and Relevant Trainings:
Additional Relevant Experience:
Participant in Suicide Prevention Campaign / Erasing Mental Health Stigma
“1-800-273-8255” with Logic, Alessia Cara, and Khalid
MTV Video Music Awards (VMA’s) – Moon Man Productions 2017
Psychological Character Consultant – Daytime Emmy Winning LGB Storyline
“Days of Our Lives” – Corday Productions: NBC Studios, CA. 2011-2012
Co-author of Postmodern Narrative Case Study
For Gehart, D. (2014). Theory and treatment planning in family therapy. Pacific Grove, CA
Drama Teacher – First Grade through High School students
Created, organized, and instructed summer theatre programs
Summerquest: Clayton, MO – 2002
Institute for Educational Advancement: Pasadena, CA – 2001
LMFT's Bernice D. Rosillo and Nathalie May from www.theartofbeing.net