Chris Hoff, Ph.D., LMFT
Executive/Clinical Director/Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Chris Hoff is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MFC #53081, and AAMFT approved supervisor. Chris' work is grounded in Narrative theory, 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. He is also an experienced meditation teacher who combines contemporary collaborative therapy with the rich practice of Zen Buddhism.
Prior to becoming a therapist, Chris co-founded Two Roads Professional Resources Inc., a full-service engineering and information technology staffing company, in 1996. He helped grow the business to eight figures in sales and over 200 employees. Chris successfully exited the business in January 2010. Chris has also been an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalist, and was twice recognized for Excellence in Entrepreneurship by the Orange County Business Journal. Chris has over 20 years of experience in human resources.
Chris has served on several nonprofit boards supporting both the arts and issues of social justice and has presented across the country on the topics of Social Justice, Social Entrepreneurship and Narrative Therapy and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Counseling and Guidance program at California State University San Bernardino.
Executive/Clinical Director/Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Chris Hoff is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MFC #53081, and AAMFT approved supervisor. Chris' work is grounded in Narrative theory, 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. He is also an experienced meditation teacher who combines contemporary collaborative therapy with the rich practice of Zen Buddhism.
Prior to becoming a therapist, Chris co-founded Two Roads Professional Resources Inc., a full-service engineering and information technology staffing company, in 1996. He helped grow the business to eight figures in sales and over 200 employees. Chris successfully exited the business in January 2010. Chris has also been an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalist, and was twice recognized for Excellence in Entrepreneurship by the Orange County Business Journal. Chris has over 20 years of experience in human resources.
Chris has served on several nonprofit boards supporting both the arts and issues of social justice and has presented across the country on the topics of Social Justice, Social Entrepreneurship and Narrative Therapy and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Counseling and Guidance program at California State University San Bernardino.
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.
Amber Miller, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Amber is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student at National University working toward her M.A. in counseling. Amber received her B.A. in Psychology from National University.
Amber’s work is influenced by the Narrative Theory, a respectful and collaborative approach, which views individuals as the expert of their own lives.
After working as a hair stylist for seven years, Amber chose to pursue a career as a therapist. She is passionate about working with individuals, adolescents, couples, and families. Having experience in working with individuals from various walks of life, Amber aspires to create a safer space for her clients, in order to promote growth, acceptance, and healing.
Therapist
Amber is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student at National University working toward her M.A. in counseling. Amber received her B.A. in Psychology from National University.
Amber’s work is influenced by the Narrative Theory, a respectful and collaborative approach, which views individuals as the expert of their own lives.
After working as a hair stylist for seven years, Amber chose to pursue a career as a therapist. She is passionate about working with individuals, adolescents, couples, and families. Having experience in working with individuals from various walks of life, Amber aspires to create a safer space for her clients, in order to promote growth, acceptance, and healing.
Natasha Dunham, Clinical Counselor Trainee
Counselor
Natasha is a Clinical Counselor Trainee graduate student in the Guidance and Counseling program at California State University, San Bernardino. She earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice from San Diego State University with a focus in Community Organization and Development.
Natasha’s work is guided by Narrative therapy—a practice empowering clients through a collaborative approach, aiming to separate the individual from the problem rather than internalizing it. It has been a beneficial tool in Natasha's work to guide her clients through sensitive topics and gives them the agency to address issues in a more productive way.
Before taking on her role as a counselor, Natasha spent the majority of her career as a prevention specialist, providing community members with life-changing tools through education and peer involvement. In her time, she became a certified domestic violence advocate, where she created and launched her agency’s Teen Text Helpline, a service tailored to youth. Her passion is geared towards empowering youth, who are often underserved, through resources and education.
Counselor
Natasha is a Clinical Counselor Trainee graduate student in the Guidance and Counseling program at California State University, San Bernardino. She earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice from San Diego State University with a focus in Community Organization and Development.
Natasha’s work is guided by Narrative therapy—a practice empowering clients through a collaborative approach, aiming to separate the individual from the problem rather than internalizing it. It has been a beneficial tool in Natasha's work to guide her clients through sensitive topics and gives them the agency to address issues in a more productive way.
Before taking on her role as a counselor, Natasha spent the majority of her career as a prevention specialist, providing community members with life-changing tools through education and peer involvement. In her time, she became a certified domestic violence advocate, where she created and launched her agency’s Teen Text Helpline, a service tailored to youth. Her passion is geared towards empowering youth, who are often underserved, through resources and education.
Erin Steele, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Erin is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California Irvine, graduating magna cum laude.
Erin maintains a compassionate and collaborative space in her work with clients and believes that every individual holds their own story about life that is worthy of respect and care. She draws upon a narrative therapeutic focus to help her clients seek more meaning in their lives. Erin is passionate about serving individuals with chronic health conditions and their family members, adult children of divorced parents, creatives, the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with work-related concerns.
Before becoming a therapist, Erin worked for an automotive distributor for over 20 years, in various roles, with the majority of her career running the Consumer Affairs division creating unique programs to improve services to consumers and processes for her team. Erin is a top fundraiser for the MS Society’s annual Bike MS 100 mile bike ride from Irvine to San Diego and a three-time finisher of National Novel Writing Month.
Therapist
Erin is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California Irvine, graduating magna cum laude.
Erin maintains a compassionate and collaborative space in her work with clients and believes that every individual holds their own story about life that is worthy of respect and care. She draws upon a narrative therapeutic focus to help her clients seek more meaning in their lives. Erin is passionate about serving individuals with chronic health conditions and their family members, adult children of divorced parents, creatives, the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with work-related concerns.
Before becoming a therapist, Erin worked for an automotive distributor for over 20 years, in various roles, with the majority of her career running the Consumer Affairs division creating unique programs to improve services to consumers and processes for her team. Erin is a top fundraiser for the MS Society’s annual Bike MS 100 mile bike ride from Irvine to San Diego and a three-time finisher of National Novel Writing Month.
Kristen Hubbs, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Kristen is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine University. She received her B.A. in Communications from Brigham Young University, with an emphasis in marketing.
In her work, Kristen is guided by Narrative theory – an approach that is collaborative and respectful of each individual and seeks to help them understand and navigate their path of discovery and healing. Additionally, Kristen is a Certified 500-hour Yoga Alliance instructor, with specific training in Trauma Yoga.
Prior to becoming a therapist, Kristen was an entrepreneur and an artist. She is the creator and producer of “Chasing Gold” – a reality series following the lives of Olympic athletes and their ability to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of becoming their best; is the creator of “Emotional Energy of Life” – a series of original oil paintings capturing the emotional energy surrounding people and life; and she currently holds a U.S. patent in women’s sleepwear.
She is passionate about helping her clients through their individual paths of growth and finding peace. Kristen has worked with individuals, couples, and families, and she enjoys seeing their renewed hope and restored outlook in their lives.
Therapist
Kristen is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine University. She received her B.A. in Communications from Brigham Young University, with an emphasis in marketing.
In her work, Kristen is guided by Narrative theory – an approach that is collaborative and respectful of each individual and seeks to help them understand and navigate their path of discovery and healing. Additionally, Kristen is a Certified 500-hour Yoga Alliance instructor, with specific training in Trauma Yoga.
Prior to becoming a therapist, Kristen was an entrepreneur and an artist. She is the creator and producer of “Chasing Gold” – a reality series following the lives of Olympic athletes and their ability to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of becoming their best; is the creator of “Emotional Energy of Life” – a series of original oil paintings capturing the emotional energy surrounding people and life; and she currently holds a U.S. patent in women’s sleepwear.
She is passionate about helping her clients through their individual paths of growth and finding peace. Kristen has worked with individuals, couples, and families, and she enjoys seeing their renewed hope and restored outlook in their lives.
Panthea Razavi, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Panthea is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine University. She received her B.A. in Political Science as well as a minor in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. Panthea is also an ambassador for Think Together, a non-profit organization that works with local communities and school districts to provide learning programs for underprivileged and low-income children. She is very passionate about her work with various non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity and A More Balanced World and hopes to continue this work alongside her career as a therapist.
Panthea uses a collaborative, respectful, and non-pathologizing approach which seeks to highlight an individual’s many abilities, skills, values and beliefs that are often overlooked when problems take control of their lives. She aims to create a safe space for her clients while they navigate through their unique journey of healing and growth.
With a political science background, Panthea is also passionate about social justice and invites sociopolitical issues into the therapy room while remaining curious as to how these impact individuals, couples, families and/or communities.
Panthea works with individuals, children, couples and families who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, addiction, and life transitions. She is also LGBTQ and multicultural affirming and is fluent in both English and Farsi.
Therapist
Panthea is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine University. She received her B.A. in Political Science as well as a minor in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. Panthea is also an ambassador for Think Together, a non-profit organization that works with local communities and school districts to provide learning programs for underprivileged and low-income children. She is very passionate about her work with various non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity and A More Balanced World and hopes to continue this work alongside her career as a therapist.
Panthea uses a collaborative, respectful, and non-pathologizing approach which seeks to highlight an individual’s many abilities, skills, values and beliefs that are often overlooked when problems take control of their lives. She aims to create a safe space for her clients while they navigate through their unique journey of healing and growth.
With a political science background, Panthea is also passionate about social justice and invites sociopolitical issues into the therapy room while remaining curious as to how these impact individuals, couples, families and/or communities.
Panthea works with individuals, children, couples and families who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, addiction, and life transitions. She is also LGBTQ and multicultural affirming and is fluent in both English and Farsi.
Mercy De Vault, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Mercy is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student at Pepperdine University. Mercy received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California Irvine. Along with pursuing her MA in Psychology, Mercy will be obtaining her Board Certified Behavioral Analysis (BCBA) certification where she will also continue her work with individuals on the autism spectrum.
Mercy’s work is guided by Narrative theory that is respectful and non-blaming. Each person holds many skills, beliefs, and values. By working collaboratively in a safe space, we can begin a journey towards acceptance, growth, healing and discovery.
Mercy’s work includes working with children, individuals, families, those struggling with homelessness, LGBTQ+, domestic violence, autism, down syndrome, substance misuse, trauma, depression, and anxiety.
Therapist
Mercy is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and a graduate student at Pepperdine University. Mercy received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California Irvine. Along with pursuing her MA in Psychology, Mercy will be obtaining her Board Certified Behavioral Analysis (BCBA) certification where she will also continue her work with individuals on the autism spectrum.
Mercy’s work is guided by Narrative theory that is respectful and non-blaming. Each person holds many skills, beliefs, and values. By working collaboratively in a safe space, we can begin a journey towards acceptance, growth, healing and discovery.
Mercy’s work includes working with children, individuals, families, those struggling with homelessness, LGBTQ+, domestic violence, autism, down syndrome, substance misuse, trauma, depression, and anxiety.
TaNesha Dodson-Hargrove, MFT Trainee
Therapist
TaNesha is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and is in a cohort graduate program at National University for her MA in Counseling Psychology. Before pursuing her master’s degree, TaNesha explored various fields prior to discovering her passion for psychology. She graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising, then pursued various job opportunities in the marketing, hospitality, and education fields including working with special needs children.
TaNesha is a certified 500 RYT yoga instructor. Though she has worked with communities across various backgrounds, from clients at rehabilitation facilities to athletes on professional level teams, she teaches with mindfulness and a dedication utilizing yoga as a healing modality particularly in cases involving trauma. She hopes that her holistic education combined with her diverse background will establish a comfortable and safe environment that individuals can appreciate while making their own unique progress safely and comfortably.
Therapist
TaNesha is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and is in a cohort graduate program at National University for her MA in Counseling Psychology. Before pursuing her master’s degree, TaNesha explored various fields prior to discovering her passion for psychology. She graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising, then pursued various job opportunities in the marketing, hospitality, and education fields including working with special needs children.
TaNesha is a certified 500 RYT yoga instructor. Though she has worked with communities across various backgrounds, from clients at rehabilitation facilities to athletes on professional level teams, she teaches with mindfulness and a dedication utilizing yoga as a healing modality particularly in cases involving trauma. She hopes that her holistic education combined with her diverse background will establish a comfortable and safe environment that individuals can appreciate while making their own unique progress safely and comfortably.
Victoria Brown
Research Lab Coordinator
Victoria received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is currently a student in the PhD Global Leadership and Change program at Pepperdine University.
She has worked with the CFI team as an MFT Trainee, and she is excited to be transitioning into her new role as the Research Lab Coordinator. Her interest in working with diverse communities across the lifespan through the complexity of hardships faced, has motivated her to study abroad all around the world in places as far as Italy and London, in the United States down south to Alabama, and across the waters to Jamaica and the Bahamas. Victoria’s project pertains to researching the cultural and contextual components that perpetuate poverty and homelessness throughout our communities regionally and internationally.
Research Lab Coordinator
Victoria received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is currently a student in the PhD Global Leadership and Change program at Pepperdine University.
She has worked with the CFI team as an MFT Trainee, and she is excited to be transitioning into her new role as the Research Lab Coordinator. Her interest in working with diverse communities across the lifespan through the complexity of hardships faced, has motivated her to study abroad all around the world in places as far as Italy and London, in the United States down south to Alabama, and across the waters to Jamaica and the Bahamas. Victoria’s project pertains to researching the cultural and contextual components that perpetuate poverty and homelessness throughout our communities regionally and internationally.