About Ellen (she/her)

I have 15 years of experience working in the mental health field, and knew this was the career for me ever since I took my first psychology class in high school. I've lived in Santa Cruz for 17 years, including during my undergraduate studies at UC Santa Cruz, and soon afterwards, receiving a degree in clinical counseling psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology.

 

I and am actively engaged in our community, socially and politically. I have been involved and volunteered with various organizations such as a suicide crisis hotline, organizations supporting immigrant communities, environmental and racial justice, and the LGBTQIA+ community (of which I am an "out" member). I worked for several years with an organization that supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I enjoy being heavily involved with our local community of therapists, and have served as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Santa Cruz Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) since 2016. 

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Outside of my counseling work, I appreciate the frequent opportunity to travel in Latin America. I actively train in various martial arts and have practiced insight meditation for over a decade. I studied acupressure and enjoyed learning about medicinal herbs through the Holistic Health program at UC Santa Cruz. I am passionate about workers' rights, economic equality, housing for all, and believe that everyone is worthy of dignity and respect. I have two kitties named Frida Kahlo and Pinky.