Carmalita was born and grew up in the East Bay.  She has a BA in Psychology (early childhood education emphasis), an MA in Psychology (clinical and marriage & family emphases), and an EdD in Organizational Leadership.  She also has extensive training and experience in ABA. She counseled individuals, couples, and families as an LMFT in Los Angeles and Santa Cruz before moving onto Behavioral Health Care Management in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions. She served in clinical and administrative positions in higher education (UCSC and UIS) and led wellness workshops in work and community settings. Supporting healthy relationships is core to her clinical practice. She has helped clients dealing with a variety of issues including relationships, addictions, traumas, educational challenges, and life transitions. Having parented a neurodiverse child and a “gifted” child, she is an endless advocate for family wellness. Carmalita enjoys live music, dance, and theatre, nature walks, relaxing at the beach, yoga, and the love of fur babies.