Available via Zoom to those living anywhere in California
About Ali
Education
I have a BA in Deaf Studies (with an emphasis in the Arts and Education) from CSUN, an MA in Marital and Family Therapy from Phillips University, and a Doctorate in Psychology - Marriage and Family Therapy from Ryokan.
Both my master's thesis and doctoral dissertation were on the subject of treating the family as a system when one member comes out as LGBTQIA++.
I am master-level trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) under a slew of highly-respected trainers including the amazing creator of EFT, Dr. Sue Johnson.
EFT Training:
2019 Externship: Sue Johnson, PhD & Scott Woolley, PhD
2020 Externship: Rebecca Jorgenson PhD & Scott Woolley, PhD (on clinical team)
2021 Core Skills: George Faller, MS, Lisa Palmer-Olsen, PsyD, Ryan Rana, PhD
2019-Pres. Mastery Courses: Jim Furrow, PhD, Lisa Palmer-Olson, PsyD, Sharon Chatkupt Lee, PsyD, James Hawkins
Other fun facts about me
- I edited and photographed a book called Facing 40: 27 women within a year of turning 40 share the truth about love, loss, sex, beauty, friendship, motherhood, independence, and touch choices.
- I am a trained improvisor, having completed the conservatory at Second City, Hollywood.
- I am proficient in American Sign Language.
- I spent many years working as a portrait photographer for children of celebrities.
- I have raised two amazing daughters. One is a doula and is in Oregon getting her college degree. And one is a grad student at NYU becoming a drama therapist.
- Other than freshman year of college at UC, Santa Cruz where I took my first Humanistic Psychology class in the middle of a redwood forest, I lived in southern CA my entire life. (until Spring '23)
- I won the Jack Bell Distinguished Service Award for my work with children of LGBTQ Parents (COLAGE).
- I am an ordained minister and available to officiate your loving union.