A highly adept and seasoned Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Lara possess and enriched and comprehensive 22 years of invaluable medical field and mental health experience in a milieu of settings.  She graduated Summa Cum Lauda with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Behavioral Science from Vanguard University prior to completing a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hope International University.  Lara earned academic honors from the Psi Chi Honor Society and holds an Academic Honors Lifetime Membership in addition to Clinical Memberships with the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the Central Coast California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CCCAMFT).

        Lara has worked at all levels of psychiatric care including inpatient, residential treatment, community mental health, outpatient, and private practice in both secular and non-secular institutions.  In 2013, Lara received education in the practicum and required training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) per the requirements of the EMDR International Association.  Lara is also an experienced DBT Therapist, utilizing the Marsha Linehan DBT Skills Training model in group and individual sessions.  Over the last 10 years she has consistently worked in co-occurring disorders.