ABOUT VANESSA
Vanessa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the author of "As I Am" (2021), “Walk With Me: A Journey to Full Freedom from an Eating Disorder” (2013), “Walk With Me” (2015), and “The Purple Pony: A Story About Being Yourself in a World That Makes You Feel like You Need to Be like Everyone Else” (2016).
Vanessa's background includes work with children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient mental health settings in the United States and Mexico. Although her primary treatment modality is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she uses a variety of psychotherapeutic methods tailored to each client's specific needs.
Vanessa currently works in private practice in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She is bilingual and offers therapy in-person and online via teletherapy.
EDUCATION
Education and Work Experience
M.A., COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL PSYCHOTHERAPY
The Center of Cognitive Psychotherapy, Mexico
B.S., PSYCHOLOGY, MINORS IN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
The University of Anáhuac, Mexico
B.A., PRE-MEDICAL
The University of North Carolina, Asheville, U.S.A.
LICENCES AND CERTIFICATIONS
LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Mexico
Cédula Profesional #13395424
Cédula Profesional #11574641
COGNITIVE PROCESSING THERAPY
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
CERTIFIED RECOVERY FACILITATOR
SMART
CCAAPP
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals
Certified: Confidentiality, Ethics & Boundaries
Certification ID: R122301216
REGISTERED ALCOHOL AND DRUG TRAINEE (RADT-I)
CCAPP
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals
Certification ID: R122301216
ADULT FIRST AID/CPR
American Red Cross
ID: GR5IC9
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS TRAINING
American Red Cross
ID: GR5IAD
PREVENTION AND ALTERNATIVES
NCI Interventions
WORK EXPERIENCE
Currently: Private Practice in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Sanctuary Treatment Center for Substance Abuse & Mental Health Illnesses. Encino, California. Counselor and Group Facilitator
Victory Detox Center. Van Nuys, California. Detox and Inpatient Counselor
Rebecca’s House Eating Disorder Treatment Programs for Men and Women. Lake Forest, California. Residential Counselor
Break Away Health Corporation. Costa Mesa, California.Therapist, MFTi, Eating Disorder Program Coordinator
Solid Landings Behavioral Health, Sure Haven. Costa Mesa, California. Mental Health Worker
Tapestry Eating Disorder Treatment Centers. Brevard, North Carolina. Residential Counselor, Day Treatment Counselor
-
Work experience in private practice, detox, hospitalization, inpatient, and residential treatment centers for eating disorders, substance abuse, and other mental health illnesses.
-
Published author in the field of eating disorders & co-occurring psychiatric illnesses.
-
Internship with the Center of Vascular Illnesses at the Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal in Mexico City.
-
Elected research intern with the National Institute of Neuroscience and Neurosurgery of Mexico and the UNAM School of Medicine.