Andrea Penaloza
Laguna Niguel,CA
Summary
Compassionate and bilingual Marriage and Family Therapy Intern with a strong foundation in clinical mental health counseling, case management, and healthcare administration. Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling at Palo Alto University. Experienced in providing individual, couples, and family therapy, conducting intakes, maintaining client records, and offering psychoeducation on mental health, parenting, and self-care. Trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), Positive Discipline parenting frameworks, and trauma-informed care practices, with a focus on strengthening emotional connections, promoting resilience, and supporting holistic healing across diverse populations. Skilled in active listening, culturally responsive communication, organization, and collaborative team work. Dedicated to creating supportive, empowering environments that foster client growth and emotional well-being.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Marriage and Family Therapy Intern
FACES | Family Assessment Counseling & Education S
08.2024 - Current
- Conduct intake assessments, set therapeutic goals, and establish professional rapport with clients.
- Maintain detailed and accurate client documentation in compliance with ACA ethical standards.
- Facilitate coparenting group counseling sessions and coparenting therapy to support parents navigating divorce or separation.
- Lead parenting classes to promote effective parenting practices and strengthen parent-child relationships.
- Provide reunification therapy to help parents and children rebuild or establish relationships in high-conflict family dynamics.
- Deliver individual therapy to children and adults addressing emotional regulation, trauma recovery, relational challenges, and life transitions.
- Conduct family therapy sessions to improve communication patterns, address systemic issues, and promote relational healing.
- Integrate psychoeducation on mental health, coping strategies, and self-care into counseling sessions.
- Support clients in accessing community resources related to housing, financial assistance, and family support services.
- Offer both in-person and teletherapy services to meet diverse client needs.
Administrative Assistant
Orange County Primary Care
10.2022 - Current
- Manage billing and all associated paperwork.
- Receptionist.
Case Manager - Workers Compensation
Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines
11.2019 - 05.2021
- Started as receptionist and promoted to Case Manager
- Managed customer relations between client and attorney.
Created an ad-hoc excel spreadsheet that helped improve communication and accuracy. - Maintained files, logs, and other information in connection with the work under the control of the assigned attorney.
Recruiting Intern
Empresas Polar
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Assisted in the process of recruiting other interns.
- Participated and assisted in the process of assessing candidates for open requisitions.
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Palo Alto University
Palo Alto06-2025
Bachelor of Arts - BA in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
Universidad De Carabobo
Venezuela01-2016
Skills
- Bilingual Communication
- Active Listening
- Organization
- Communication
- Team Colaboration
- Group therapy facilitation
- Individual counseling
- Multicultural counseling
- Evidence-based practice
- Family sessions
Languages
Spanish
Advanced (C1)
English
Upper intermediate (B2)
Software
Microsoft 365
Office Ally - EMR System
Certification
- Fundamentals of Attachment Based Family Therapy Online Training - November 8, 2024.
- Positive Discipline Parent Educator Training - March 4 - 20, 2025.
Timeline
Marriage and Family Therapy Intern
FACES | Family Assessment Counseling & Education S
08.2024 - Current
Administrative Assistant
Orange County Primary Care
10.2022 - Current
Case Manager - Workers Compensation
Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines
11.2019 - 05.2021
Recruiting Intern
Empresas Polar
01.2016 - 01.2017
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Palo Alto University
Bachelor of Arts - BA in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
Universidad De Carabobo
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