Chris Hoff, Ph.D., LMFT
Executive Director/Clinical Director
Dr. Chris Hoff is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MFC #53081, and AAMFT approved supervisor. Chris' work is grounded in narrative therapy, an evolving collection of ideas and practices that inform a respectful, collaborative and non pathologising approach to working with people, families and communities. This approach is primarily collaborative and relationally based in response to a wide range of concerns including addiction, anxiety, depression, life transitions, spiritual issues, and relational health. Chris is multicultural and LGBTQ affirming.
Chris is Founder and Executive Director of the California Family Institute (CFI). CFI is a nonprofit organization that was established as a community counseling center that provides desperately needed low-cost counseling services for the community, and for the development of research and training for those interested in social constructionist, post-structuralist, post-oppositional, and narrative therapy approaches. Chris is also host of the internationally popular Radical Therapist Podcast and has co-authored several articles and is the co-editor of the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Radical Helping which will be released by Thick Press in 2024.
Executive Director/Clinical Director
Dr. Chris Hoff is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MFC #53081, and AAMFT approved supervisor. Chris' work is grounded in narrative therapy, an evolving collection of ideas and practices that inform a respectful, collaborative and non pathologising approach to working with people, families and communities. This approach is primarily collaborative and relationally based in response to a wide range of concerns including addiction, anxiety, depression, life transitions, spiritual issues, and relational health. Chris is multicultural and LGBTQ affirming.
Chris is Founder and Executive Director of the California Family Institute (CFI). CFI is a nonprofit organization that was established as a community counseling center that provides desperately needed low-cost counseling services for the community, and for the development of research and training for those interested in social constructionist, post-structuralist, post-oppositional, and narrative therapy approaches. Chris is also host of the internationally popular Radical Therapist Podcast and has co-authored several articles and is the co-editor of the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Radical Helping which will be released by Thick Press in 2024.
Amy R. Tuttle, Ph.D., LMFT
Advisory Board/Clinical Supervisor/Clinical Faculty
Dr. Tuttle is full-time faculty at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Dr. Tuttle is also a licensed marriage and family therapist and is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Her clinical and research interests include multicultural and diversity issues, postmodern and contemporary family therapy theories, intergenerational experiences of race-related trauma, family and play therapy, and working with disadvantaged, multi-stressed populations. Dr. Tuttle maintains a clinical practice serving disadvantaged youth and their families (i.e., families involved in Child Protective Services, juvenile justice departments) and she is a consultant to a family-focused, delinquency prevention and intervention program in San Diego County. She co-authored Theory Based Treatment Planning for Marriage and Family Therapists (2003) and published research in Family Process on collaborative and relational therapies.
Advisory Board/Clinical Supervisor/Clinical Faculty
Dr. Tuttle is full-time faculty at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Dr. Tuttle is also a licensed marriage and family therapist and is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Her clinical and research interests include multicultural and diversity issues, postmodern and contemporary family therapy theories, intergenerational experiences of race-related trauma, family and play therapy, and working with disadvantaged, multi-stressed populations. Dr. Tuttle maintains a clinical practice serving disadvantaged youth and their families (i.e., families involved in Child Protective Services, juvenile justice departments) and she is a consultant to a family-focused, delinquency prevention and intervention program in San Diego County. She co-authored Theory Based Treatment Planning for Marriage and Family Therapists (2003) and published research in Family Process on collaborative and relational therapies.
Elizabeth Armstrong, MA, LMFT
Clinical Supervisor
Elizabeth Armstrong is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working in full time private practice in Costa Mesa, California. Elizabeth earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2016. She is AAMFT certified in Substance Misuse and LGBTQIA affirmative therapy; she is also a certified Pet Grief Counselor. As a post-modern therapist practicing within an existential framework, Elizabeth works from a positive, collaborative, strengths-based approach.
Elizabeth is passionate about animals, travel, music, art, and the outdoors; she is also a certified Reiki healer.
Clinical Supervisor
Elizabeth Armstrong is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working in full time private practice in Costa Mesa, California. Elizabeth earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2016. She is AAMFT certified in Substance Misuse and LGBTQIA affirmative therapy; she is also a certified Pet Grief Counselor. As a post-modern therapist practicing within an existential framework, Elizabeth works from a positive, collaborative, strengths-based approach.
Elizabeth is passionate about animals, travel, music, art, and the outdoors; she is also a certified Reiki healer.
Hailey Wright, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Hailey is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at California State University, Fullerton. Her enthusiasm for this work is deeply rooted in her desire to support individuals, couples, and families as they navigate the complexities of their lives and relationships. She is a firm believer that strong, healthy relationships are the foundation of happiness, and she is dedicated to assisting individuals and families in developing and maintaining these crucial connections while handling the challenging things that life throws at us.
Her genuine empathy and compassionate nature drive her to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she works with. In her free time, Hailey enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Therapist
Hailey is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at California State University, Fullerton. Her enthusiasm for this work is deeply rooted in her desire to support individuals, couples, and families as they navigate the complexities of their lives and relationships. She is a firm believer that strong, healthy relationships are the foundation of happiness, and she is dedicated to assisting individuals and families in developing and maintaining these crucial connections while handling the challenging things that life throws at us.
Her genuine empathy and compassionate nature drive her to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she works with. In her free time, Hailey enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Dominique Zabala, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Dominique is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. Before pursuing her graduate degree, Dominique received a BA in Business Law from Arizona State University. For the past few years, Dominique has worked for an enterprise solutions company focusing on creating more equity and sustainable workplace cultures for Fortune 1000 companies.
Her passion for the importance of mental health led her to pursue a new career in psychology. Dominique aims to create an inclusive, welcoming environment in therapy so individuals, families, and couples feel safe and supported. Dominique enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.
Therapist
Dominique is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. Before pursuing her graduate degree, Dominique received a BA in Business Law from Arizona State University. For the past few years, Dominique has worked for an enterprise solutions company focusing on creating more equity and sustainable workplace cultures for Fortune 1000 companies.
Her passion for the importance of mental health led her to pursue a new career in psychology. Dominique aims to create an inclusive, welcoming environment in therapy so individuals, families, and couples feel safe and supported. Dominique enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.
Alyssa Dykstra, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Alyssa is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and Graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. Prior to studying Psychology, Alyssa earned a B.S. in Physics from Loyola University Maryland and worked as an Electrical Engineer. Her deep interest in healing and wellness, especially mental health, led her to Grad School to grow in a field where she could find fulfillment in her work and help others.
Alyssa approaches mental health in a holistic manner, utilizing the connection between body and mind. She is especially interested in somatic therapy and bidirectional causality between chronic pain and mental health. This knowledge led Alyssa to
become certified in Reiki healing.
Alyssa’s eclectic past experiences, personal, academic, and professional, combine to provide a unique perspective and understanding to assist with a wide variety of client needs. She strives to provide a warm, inclusive, and supportive environment conducive to self-discovery, self-awareness, and healing.
In her free time, Alyssa loves spending time with family, her three dogs, crocheting, enjoying music, and going to the beach.
Therapist
Alyssa is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and Graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. Prior to studying Psychology, Alyssa earned a B.S. in Physics from Loyola University Maryland and worked as an Electrical Engineer. Her deep interest in healing and wellness, especially mental health, led her to Grad School to grow in a field where she could find fulfillment in her work and help others.
Alyssa approaches mental health in a holistic manner, utilizing the connection between body and mind. She is especially interested in somatic therapy and bidirectional causality between chronic pain and mental health. This knowledge led Alyssa to
become certified in Reiki healing.
Alyssa’s eclectic past experiences, personal, academic, and professional, combine to provide a unique perspective and understanding to assist with a wide variety of client needs. She strives to provide a warm, inclusive, and supportive environment conducive to self-discovery, self-awareness, and healing.
In her free time, Alyssa loves spending time with family, her three dogs, crocheting, enjoying music, and going to the beach.
Jonathan Miranda, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Jonathan Miranda is a Marriage and Family Therapy trainee and Graduate student at Alliant International University. He earned his B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology at California State University Long Beach.
Jonathan has always been passionate about helping people. After working in an ambulance for several years, Jonathan realized he wanted to work with people on a deeper level and for longer periods of time. Working so closely with the community helped him realize just how important culture, society, socioeconomic status, social class, and discourse play in creating problems in people’s lives.
Grounded in Narrative theory, Jonathan takes a collaborative, curious, and strengths-based approach to therapy. He strives to increase client agency and create a safe space for clients. Jonathan helps individuals, couples, and families challenge and overcome the problems they face to build a meaningful life.
In his free time, Jonathan enjoys climbing and going outdoors.
Therapist
Jonathan Miranda is a Marriage and Family Therapy trainee and Graduate student at Alliant International University. He earned his B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology at California State University Long Beach.
Jonathan has always been passionate about helping people. After working in an ambulance for several years, Jonathan realized he wanted to work with people on a deeper level and for longer periods of time. Working so closely with the community helped him realize just how important culture, society, socioeconomic status, social class, and discourse play in creating problems in people’s lives.
Grounded in Narrative theory, Jonathan takes a collaborative, curious, and strengths-based approach to therapy. He strives to increase client agency and create a safe space for clients. Jonathan helps individuals, couples, and families challenge and overcome the problems they face to build a meaningful life.
In his free time, Jonathan enjoys climbing and going outdoors.
Targol Chabok, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Targol is a Marriage and Family Therapist trainee and graduate student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Before pursuing a path toward becoming a mental health clinician, she worked in the Film and Television industry for half a decade. Her attraction to films and shows always stemmed from the relational dynamics and human spirit within those stories.
Having had an ongoing interest in mental health, relationships, and the well-being of others, she decided to leave the business to pursue a more meaningful route toward becoming a clinical therapist.
Targol’s approach is collaborative, client-centered, and culturally sensitive. She profoundly believes every person is the expert in their life, with an understanding that every individual and family holds diverse needs, values, and beliefs.
Aside from working as a therapist, she enjoys watching movies and TV shows (no surprise!), spending time with loved ones, traveling, game nights, and exercising in her spare time. She also speaks conversational Persian.
Therapist
Targol is a Marriage and Family Therapist trainee and graduate student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Before pursuing a path toward becoming a mental health clinician, she worked in the Film and Television industry for half a decade. Her attraction to films and shows always stemmed from the relational dynamics and human spirit within those stories.
Having had an ongoing interest in mental health, relationships, and the well-being of others, she decided to leave the business to pursue a more meaningful route toward becoming a clinical therapist.
Targol’s approach is collaborative, client-centered, and culturally sensitive. She profoundly believes every person is the expert in their life, with an understanding that every individual and family holds diverse needs, values, and beliefs.
Aside from working as a therapist, she enjoys watching movies and TV shows (no surprise!), spending time with loved ones, traveling, game nights, and exercising in her spare time. She also speaks conversational Persian.
Casey Tucker, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Casey Tucker is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and graduate student working towards a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. Casey has always been interested in people’s stories, which drew her to psychology after earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Boston University.
Casey is passionate about helping people live lives most meaningful to them through a lens of collaboration and creativity. She strives to create a safe and welcoming environment where individuals, couples, children, and families feel understood. She is proud to be a volunteer for the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) crisis hotline for the past three years.
Casey enjoys drawing, painting, fostering cats, and being outdoors.
Therapist
Casey Tucker is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and graduate student working towards a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. Casey has always been interested in people’s stories, which drew her to psychology after earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Boston University.
Casey is passionate about helping people live lives most meaningful to them through a lens of collaboration and creativity. She strives to create a safe and welcoming environment where individuals, couples, children, and families feel understood. She is proud to be a volunteer for the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) crisis hotline for the past three years.
Casey enjoys drawing, painting, fostering cats, and being outdoors.
Maggie Fortin, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Maggie is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a Graduate student in Psychology at California Southern University. Stemming from her passion for literature, she earned her BA in English from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, followed by a career in advertising and broadcast production. Her transformative experience with psychotherapy led her to pursue it as a profession where through a culturally sensitive and collaborative strengths-based approach, Maggie aspires to build a meaningful therapeutic alliance while supporting clients in identifying their strengths and reclaiming their agency. Having grown up on three continents, she embraces diversity and culture as key resources of resiliency and growth.
Maggie’s favorite pastimes include reading, meditation and spending time with her family and friends.
Therapist
Maggie is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a Graduate student in Psychology at California Southern University. Stemming from her passion for literature, she earned her BA in English from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, followed by a career in advertising and broadcast production. Her transformative experience with psychotherapy led her to pursue it as a profession where through a culturally sensitive and collaborative strengths-based approach, Maggie aspires to build a meaningful therapeutic alliance while supporting clients in identifying their strengths and reclaiming their agency. Having grown up on three continents, she embraces diversity and culture as key resources of resiliency and growth.
Maggie’s favorite pastimes include reading, meditation and spending time with her family and friends.
Xuanling AJ Wang, MFT Trainee
Therapist
AJ is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. AJ has earned a B.A. in Psychology from the California State University, Long Beach.
AJ is an international student from China, and he understands the role that culture plays in everyone’s lives. He is also open minded and accepting to all cultures and people. AJ wishes to be a part of the client’s journey to find their truth and write their own stories. AJ believes that everyone is the expert of their own lives, and he is there in the room to be curious and collaborative with the clients.
Therapist
AJ is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. AJ has earned a B.A. in Psychology from the California State University, Long Beach.
AJ is an international student from China, and he understands the role that culture plays in everyone’s lives. He is also open minded and accepting to all cultures and people. AJ wishes to be a part of the client’s journey to find their truth and write their own stories. AJ believes that everyone is the expert of their own lives, and he is there in the room to be curious and collaborative with the clients.
Mimi Le, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Mimi is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. She has two B.A.s, one in Sociology and another in Education with an emphasis in Learning and Behavioral Studies from the University of California, Riverside. Prior to pursuing Psychology, she worked in marketing as a graphic designer.
She aims to create an empathetic and accepting environment for her clients while emphasizing agency through collaboration. She is passionate about learning her clients’ stories and helping clients with the knowledge provided from her various backgrounds and previous experiences. As an Asian American woman, she acknowledges how identity, culture, and intersectionality influence thoughts, behaviors, and communication
Mimi still enjoys graphic design as a hobby and creative outlet. She loves spending time with her family, friends, and dog, Ashi.
Therapist
Mimi is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. She has two B.A.s, one in Sociology and another in Education with an emphasis in Learning and Behavioral Studies from the University of California, Riverside. Prior to pursuing Psychology, she worked in marketing as a graphic designer.
She aims to create an empathetic and accepting environment for her clients while emphasizing agency through collaboration. She is passionate about learning her clients’ stories and helping clients with the knowledge provided from her various backgrounds and previous experiences. As an Asian American woman, she acknowledges how identity, culture, and intersectionality influence thoughts, behaviors, and communication
Mimi still enjoys graphic design as a hobby and creative outlet. She loves spending time with her family, friends, and dog, Ashi.
Aria Dudley, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Aria is a Marriage and Family Therapist trainee and graduate student at Hope International University. Prior to pursuing psychology, she studied and worked in the field of neuroscience research. Through her journey of pursuing personal therapy to work through grief after an unexpected loss and her passion for working directly with people, she began her transition into the field of therapy. She hopes to work towards bridging the gaps between neuroscience and therapy.
Aria’s goal is to create a safe space where families, couples, and individuals of all ages can feel supported and encouraged to express vulnerability. Sharing a therapeutic space can feel intimidating and look different for each client, thus Aria works to support each client specific to their own story and experiences.
Aria loves spending time with family, teaching yoga, and taking workout classes
Therapist
Aria is a Marriage and Family Therapist trainee and graduate student at Hope International University. Prior to pursuing psychology, she studied and worked in the field of neuroscience research. Through her journey of pursuing personal therapy to work through grief after an unexpected loss and her passion for working directly with people, she began her transition into the field of therapy. She hopes to work towards bridging the gaps between neuroscience and therapy.
Aria’s goal is to create a safe space where families, couples, and individuals of all ages can feel supported and encouraged to express vulnerability. Sharing a therapeutic space can feel intimidating and look different for each client, thus Aria works to support each client specific to their own story and experiences.
Aria loves spending time with family, teaching yoga, and taking workout classes
Jennifer Scheumann, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Jen Scheumann is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a Graduate student at Vanguard University. She believes each person has an inner voice, and wisdom, guiding one’s life towards greater health, healing and wholeness. Yet in today’s busy world, sometimes the noise from the outside distracts us from being able to listen.
With a warm approach and genuine interest, Jen creates a quiet space for clients to explore and gain insight on the areas they want to address to build the life they desire. An optimist at heart, she believes every client has the ability to make meaningful changes resulting in healthier relationships and a more fulfilled life.
Jen earned her BA in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara and spent the following decades working in event planning and marketing. After listening to her inner voice, she decided to go back to school to pursue a lifetime dream of working as a therapist.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to new places, and snuggling her dog Winston.
Therapist
Jen Scheumann is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a Graduate student at Vanguard University. She believes each person has an inner voice, and wisdom, guiding one’s life towards greater health, healing and wholeness. Yet in today’s busy world, sometimes the noise from the outside distracts us from being able to listen.
With a warm approach and genuine interest, Jen creates a quiet space for clients to explore and gain insight on the areas they want to address to build the life they desire. An optimist at heart, she believes every client has the ability to make meaningful changes resulting in healthier relationships and a more fulfilled life.
Jen earned her BA in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara and spent the following decades working in event planning and marketing. After listening to her inner voice, she decided to go back to school to pursue a lifetime dream of working as a therapist.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to new places, and snuggling her dog Winston.
Nicole Reiter, MA, MFT Associate
Therapist
Nicole Cadreau is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. Nicole has facilitated sessions as an interpersonal skills trainer during her graduate program. She received a BS/BA in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from the University of San Diego. Nicole has ten years of utility experience as an electrical engineer and engineering manager.
Nicole is a mentor that works to empower the youth of today to develop leadership skills. She is passionate about creating an empathetic and collaborative environment to support individuals, couples, and families explore their unique experiences and restore personal agency. Nicole is compassionate, curious, and utilizes a strengths-based Narrative approach to therapy.
Nicole is a proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and has worked with various Native American tribes to solve challenges, both on and off the reservations.
Therapist
Nicole Cadreau is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. Nicole has facilitated sessions as an interpersonal skills trainer during her graduate program. She received a BS/BA in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from the University of San Diego. Nicole has ten years of utility experience as an electrical engineer and engineering manager.
Nicole is a mentor that works to empower the youth of today to develop leadership skills. She is passionate about creating an empathetic and collaborative environment to support individuals, couples, and families explore their unique experiences and restore personal agency. Nicole is compassionate, curious, and utilizes a strengths-based Narrative approach to therapy.
Nicole is a proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and has worked with various Native American tribes to solve challenges, both on and off the reservations.
Gabriela Lynch, MA, MFT Associate
Therapist
Gabriela Lynch is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and Graduate student at Alliant International University. She earned her B.A. in psychology at the University of Phoenix. Gabriela loves working with individuals, families, and couples. Through a narrative approach, Gabriela tries to help bring families and couples closer together through therapeutic work to help them have more fulfilling relationships. She believes that therapy is a collaborative process and feels passionate about helping clients increase self-awareness, gain new perspectives, and increase personal strengths to have a more meaningful life experience.
Gabriela approaches therapy with respectful curiosity as to what clients want to change, what are their strengths, as well as what is going well in their lives. She believes that each person has their own story that has shaped who they are and what they are currently experiencing. Through her work, she strives to foster a safe space where clients can tell their story, and gain insight into how that has impacted them. She also believes an important part of therapy is addressing the social, economic, and cultural influences on a person and that the process of therapy should be a collaborative one, with the client seen as the “expert” on their life. Gabriela enjoys her work and deeply respects the therapeutic relationship.
Therapist
Gabriela Lynch is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and Graduate student at Alliant International University. She earned her B.A. in psychology at the University of Phoenix. Gabriela loves working with individuals, families, and couples. Through a narrative approach, Gabriela tries to help bring families and couples closer together through therapeutic work to help them have more fulfilling relationships. She believes that therapy is a collaborative process and feels passionate about helping clients increase self-awareness, gain new perspectives, and increase personal strengths to have a more meaningful life experience.
Gabriela approaches therapy with respectful curiosity as to what clients want to change, what are their strengths, as well as what is going well in their lives. She believes that each person has their own story that has shaped who they are and what they are currently experiencing. Through her work, she strives to foster a safe space where clients can tell their story, and gain insight into how that has impacted them. She also believes an important part of therapy is addressing the social, economic, and cultural influences on a person and that the process of therapy should be a collaborative one, with the client seen as the “expert” on their life. Gabriela enjoys her work and deeply respects the therapeutic relationship.