Miriam began her career in the mental health field volunteering at different organizations, assisting people who were experiencing pain and suffering. While attending school and working full time, she volunteered at a pregnancy resource center where she assisted adolescents and adults struggling with difficult life circumstances, then for several years, she volunteered at the Make-A- Wish Foundation interviewing children with life-threatening illnesses and taking part in the coordination of their wish granting process. For the last ten years, she has been part of the Detention Ministry at her parish, visiting incarcerated youth.
Subsequently, Miriam decided that helping people was a vocation that she was called to fulfill, so she enrolled at California State University Los Angeles, where she completed her undergraduate studies and received her B.A. in Psychology. She went on to complete her graduate studies at Antioch University in Marina del Rey, where she received her M.S. in Clinical Psychology.
After graduation, Miriam completed her first clinical training placement at the YMCA Counseling Center of Hollywood where she worked mainly with at risk youth and their families. She then worked as a therapist in different community mental health settings under the Department of Mental Health in Los Angeles. As a clinician, she was able to practice in a variety of programs, including Family Systems, Wrap Around, Children’s Programs, working with children with emotional and behavioral difficulties as well as with severely and persistently mentally ill adults. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Miriam has worked as a Supervisor for several programs in the L. A. County, including Adult Outpatient, Domestic Violence as well as a Children’s Outpatient Program.
As a clinician, Miriam believes that the integration of faith and psychology is crucial in order to bring hope and healing to those who are hurting and suffering due to a variety of individual and unique circumstances. She works with adults, couples and adolescents using a collaborative, empathetic and integrative therapeutic approach. Miriam is passionate about helping people reach their fullest potential and fulfill the mission God has intended for them from the beginning of time. Through a gentle and compassionate approach, Miriam helps the person gain a greater understanding and awareness of themselves, which translates into greater flourishing, self-determination and freedom to become the best version of themselves. Miriam is fluent in Spanish and has worked with the Latino population for many years.