Herlin Soto
Los Angeles,CA
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Abundance Therapy Center
01.2023 - 07.2024
Supervised by Melissa Stander, LMFT #45470
- Managed a diverse caseload of 30-33 clients per week, providing holistic, narrative, and trauma-focused therapeutic services to couples, families, and individuals from various mental health backgrounds and cultural contexts.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments and formulated accurate diagnosis developing tailored treatment plans to address the unique needs of each client.
- Facilitated sessions aimed at improving relational dynamics, attachment wounds, intergenerational patterns, enhancing communication, and promotion emotional well being within families and couples.
- Translated documents provided to clients, including consent forms and treatment agreements, form English to Spanish to promote cultural inclusivity and ensure understanding among Spanish-speaking clients.
Marriage and Family Therapy - Lead Intern & Associate
Hope Gardens Family Center
06.2019 - 02.2022
Supervised by Dr. Rhonda Brinkley-Kennedy, PsyD, LMFT #24823
- Managed a caseload of 10-15 clients (ages 6mo-50) from various with underserved populations in South Los Angeles area
- Worked with cases that were court mandated by the department of child and family services (DCSF) and collaborated with social workers to provide accurate progress letters
- Knowledgeable about laws and terminology related to mandated domestic violence cases
- Provided therapy for client's experiencing complex trauma, depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, experiences of systemic racism and discrimination, and general crisis intervention
- Diligent with creating treatment plans, progress notes, and Hope Gardens required paperwork
- Facilitated 6-10 group classes weekly on domestic violence, parenting, substance abuse, and anger management
- Responsible for intern management of 20-30 Masters level interns
- Facilitated interviews, trainings, and onboarding process for incoming interns focusing on trauma informed care as well as operations
- Developed training manual and created multiple documents to streamline process for the supervisor
- Collaborated with all clients' case managers, social workers, immigration lawyers, and outside therapists to provide optimal treatment
Registered Behavioral Technician
Positive Behavior Supports Corporation
05.2019 - 12.2021
Supervised by Angelica Campos, BCBA
- Worked with cultural humility and sensitivity with families to determine progress of clients and possible program adjustments
- Effectively analyzed behavioral patterns of patients to diagnose mental health disorders
- Recommend appropriate activities and exercises to form and foster new positive skills
- Developed and implemented appropriate treatment programs based on diagnoses
- Maintained detailed session notes for each clients progress, met goals and interventions, and new treatment goals that may be needed
Child Advocate
Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
12.2018 - 12.2020
Supervised by Jocelyn Vargas
- Worked one-on-one with unaccompanied immigrant children who come to the United States without a parent or legal guardian to flee violence, abuse, and/or poverty
- Met weekly with children, and advocated on their behalf with the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, immigration judges, and asylum officers
- Served most vulnerable of these children, advocating for best interests of each child on issues relating to care, custody, release, legal relief, and safe repatriation
Registered Behavioral Technician
Gateway Learning Group
05.2016 - 08.2018
Supervised by Veronica Martinez, BCBA
- Provided 1:1 instruction to children with unique learning needs using tactics from the field of ABA
- Taught individuals with special needs new skills, such as communication, imitation, motor, pre-academic and self regulation, through fun and motivating lessons
- Traveled to clients' home, school, or community location to provide services
Education
Ph.D. - Marriage and Family Therapy COAMFT
Alliant International University
Los Angeles, CA05-2025
Master of Arts - Marriage and Family Therapy COAMFT
Alliant International University
Los Angeles, CA08.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology: Minor in Biochemistry and Child Development
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA05.2018
Skills
- Bilingual: Fluent in Spanish speaking, reading, & writing
- Therapeutic Techniques: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Trauma-Informed, Family Systems Therapy, & Narrative Family Therapy
Credentials
AMFT #125410
Internship
- CFT Teaching Track
- CFT Research Track
Teaching
California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University
- MFT Techniques Lab 2, Lab Instructor - Spring 2023 - LA Campus, PSY 63130
- MFT Techniques Lab 1, Lab Instructor - Fall 2022 - LA Campus, PSY 63120
- MFT Research Methods, TA - Spring 2022 - San Diego Campus, PSY 73020
- MFT Diversity and the Family, TA - Spring 2022 - LA Campus, PSY 63260
- MFT Techniques Lab 1, Lab Instructor- Fall 2021 - LA Campus, PSY 63120
- Sex Therapy in MFT, TA - Summer 2021 - San Diego Campus, PSY 73120
- MFT Residency I, TA - Summer 2021 - LA Campus, PSY 73050
- MFT Research Methods, TA - Spring 2021 - San Diego Campus, PSY 73020
- Introduction to Psychopathology, TA - Spring 2021 - LA Campus, PSY 63110
- MFT Diversity and the Family, TA - Fall, Spring 2020 - LA Campus, PSY 63260
Professional presentations: Peer- reviewed
- Espinoza, S., Duran, M., Florian, J., Soto, H ., Hernandez-Moreno, A., & Gonzalez, K. (2024, February 10). For Us By Us: Latinx Therapists Narratives, Needs & Strategies for Support. Presentation for Couple & Family Therapy Conference, Revisioning Family Therapy For Contemporary Relationships. San Diego, CA.
- Soto, H., & Dadras, I. (2022, June 3-5). Performative Allyship & Solidarity. Presentation for American Family Therapy Academy Annual Conference. Alexandria, VA.
- Soto, H., Espinoza, S., & Dadras, I. (2022, April 9). No papers, No opportunities: Experiences of Undocumented Young Adults. Presentation for Seventh Annual Family, Child , & Couple Conference of Southern California. Los Angeles, CA.
- Soto, H., & Dadras, I. (2021, December 8). Trauma and Resilience in Undocumented Homeless Communities; A Narrative Critical Analysis. Presentation for Couple & Family Therapy Conference, Nurturing Hope for a Connected Future: Addressing Oppression for System Change. Virtual.
- Soto, H., & Dadras, I. (2021, November 3-5). Decolonizing Pedagogy in the American Classroom. Presentation for National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, The Science of Families: Nurturing Hope, Happiness, & Health. Virtual.
- Soto, H., & Dadras, I. (2021, March 20). Decolonizing the MFT Classroom: Embracing Radical Thinking. Presentation for Sixth Annual Family, Child, & Couple Conference of Southern California. Virtual.
- Soto, H., & Dadras, I. (2020, November 13). Racism, Politics, and Mental Health in the Lives of Black Men. Presentation for Kasier Permanente, LatinX Mental Health & Wellness Summit. Virtual.
- Soto, H., & Dadras, I. (2020, June 24-27). I can't breathe: A Narrative Approach to Healing Racial Trauma and Violence in the Black Community. Presentation for American Family Therapy Academy Annual Conference. Alexandria, VA. (Conference cancelled due to pandemic)
- Soto, H., & Dadras, I. (2020, June 12-14). Beyond PTSD: Black Men and Racial Trauma; A Critical Reflection. Presentation for Tackling Stigma. Mobilizing Hope: Opening Doors to Quality Mental Health Care for All Conference. San Diego, CA. (Conference cancelled due to pandemic)
- Soto, H., & Dadras, I. (2020, April). Equity Beyond a Status. Presentation for University of San Francisco, Undocumented Student Conference. San Francisco, CA.
- Soto, H. (2019, April 16). Language Brokers: The Parentified Child. Presentation for Alliant International University's Multicultural Community Psychology Conference. Los Angeles, CA.
Publications
- Espinoza, E., Dadras, I ., Florian, J., & Soto-Matute, H . (2023). Decolonizing treatment for children caged at the border. In E. Ruehs-Navarro & L. Caswell-Muñoz (Eds.), Kids in cages: The history, politics, and lived experiences of child migrant detention. [Chapter in preparation] University Arizona Press .
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Marriage Family Therapy, Student Member
- National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), Student Member
Certifications & Affiliations
- Telehealth Overview of Law & Ethics, 2023
- Research Assistant, Social Justice Lab, 08/01/19 - Present
- Domestic Violence Advocate Training, 2019
- PCIT For Traumatized Children Certified, 2019
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certified, 2019
- Registered Behavioral Technician, ABA, 2017 - Present
Timeline
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Abundance Therapy Center
01.2023 - 07.2024
Marriage and Family Therapy - Lead Intern & Associate
Hope Gardens Family Center
06.2019 - 02.2022
Registered Behavioral Technician
Positive Behavior Supports Corporation
05.2019 - 12.2021
Child Advocate
Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
12.2018 - 12.2020
Registered Behavioral Technician
Gateway Learning Group
05.2016 - 08.2018
Ph.D. - Marriage and Family Therapy COAMFT
Alliant International University
Master of Arts - Marriage and Family Therapy COAMFT
Alliant International University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology: Minor in Biochemistry and Child Development
University of San Francisco
Similar Profiles
Julia TrendallJulia Trendall
Human Resource Management Consultant at Abundance Human ResourcesHuman Resource Management Consultant at Abundance Human Resources
Vaughn BrogdonVaughn Brogdon
Volunteer at Phil Abundance Food BankVolunteer at Phil Abundance Food Bank
Divya GhaiDivya Ghai
Senior Accounts Executive at Abundance Investment Advisors LLPSenior Accounts Executive at Abundance Investment Advisors LLP