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 adjunct faculty at Pepperdine University, Loma Linda University and 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 adjunct faculty at Pepperdine University, Loma Linda University and 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.
Kim Lennon, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Kim Lennon is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, who currently is working to complete her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Loma Linda University. She attended California State University, San Bernardino, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Economics, Psychology and Sociology.
Kim is a proponent of postmodern therapy and loves to help people understand their lives as part of a larger social system. She enjoys co-creating meaning in people’s lives helping them re-build strong relationships. Kim is currently researching family therapy methods to help reduce and prevent recidivism in our much-needed reform of our criminal justice system.
Kim has two teenage daughters and enjoys yoga, meditation, reading, philosophy, spirituality, and spending time with her husband, dogs, friends and family. She is passionate about working with couples and families of all races, gender, SES, religion, and sexual orientation.
Therapist
Kim Lennon is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, who currently is working to complete her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Loma Linda University. She attended California State University, San Bernardino, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Economics, Psychology and Sociology.
Kim is a proponent of postmodern therapy and loves to help people understand their lives as part of a larger social system. She enjoys co-creating meaning in people’s lives helping them re-build strong relationships. Kim is currently researching family therapy methods to help reduce and prevent recidivism in our much-needed reform of our criminal justice system.
Kim has two teenage daughters and enjoys yoga, meditation, reading, philosophy, spirituality, and spending time with her husband, dogs, friends and family. She is passionate about working with couples and families of all races, gender, SES, religion, and sexual orientation.
Ashlyn Lussier, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Ashlyn Lussier is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Pepperdine University. Ashlyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. She has previous experience providing therapeutic services for children on the spectrum. Ashlyn is theoretically grounded in Narrative therapy and poststructuralist views. She works from a collaborative, empathetic, and non-pathologizing approach with clients. Ashlyn is interested in working with a wide range of clients and is multicultural and LGBTQ affirming.
Therapist
Ashlyn Lussier is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Pepperdine University. Ashlyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. She has previous experience providing therapeutic services for children on the spectrum. Ashlyn is theoretically grounded in Narrative therapy and poststructuralist views. She works from a collaborative, empathetic, and non-pathologizing approach with clients. Ashlyn is interested in working with a wide range of clients and is multicultural and LGBTQ affirming.
Dawn-Marie Luna, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Dawn-Marie is a bi-lingual Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. Dawn-Marie is working on her Master’s degree at Pepperdine University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women's Studies from California State University, Fresno.
Much of Dawn-Marie's therapeutic work is rooted in Narrative approaches with a racial and gender transformative cultural lens. Dawn-Marie has experience working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, and undocuqueer communities. She enjoys working with members of culturally diverse communities. Ultimately, Dawn-Marie aims to create a non-pathological therapeutic setting for each client.
Therapist
Dawn-Marie is a bi-lingual Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. Dawn-Marie is working on her Master’s degree at Pepperdine University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women's Studies from California State University, Fresno.
Much of Dawn-Marie's therapeutic work is rooted in Narrative approaches with a racial and gender transformative cultural lens. Dawn-Marie has experience working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, and undocuqueer communities. She enjoys working with members of culturally diverse communities. Ultimately, Dawn-Marie aims to create a non-pathological therapeutic setting for each client.
Mayra Rangel, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Mayra is a bi-lingual Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. Mayra is working on her Master’s degree at Pepperdine University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Chicana/o Studies from California State University, Northridge.
Much of Mayra’s therapeutic work is rooted in Narrative approaches with a social justice and cultural lens. Mayra has experience working with immigration, cultural, and economic issues that may affect communities. She enjoys working with members of culturally diverse communities. Ultimately, Mayra aims to create a non-pathological therapeutic setting for each client.
Therapist
Mayra is a bi-lingual Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. Mayra is working on her Master’s degree at Pepperdine University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Chicana/o Studies from California State University, Northridge.
Much of Mayra’s therapeutic work is rooted in Narrative approaches with a social justice and cultural lens. Mayra has experience working with immigration, cultural, and economic issues that may affect communities. She enjoys working with members of culturally diverse communities. Ultimately, Mayra aims to create a non-pathological therapeutic setting for each client.
Nazneen Nizami, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Nazneen Nizami is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, who currently is working to complete her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Loma Linda University. Before pursuing a Master’s degree, she attended the University of California, Riverside, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Education.
Her educational and professional background contribute to her passion to devote her service and career to working with diverse populations. Further, she has previously worked as a Behavioral Therapist, implementing strategic interventions with children diagnosed with Autism.
Nazneen is theoretically disciplined in Narrative, Collaborative, and Postmodern theoretical practices, though she holds a strong appreciation for other modalities of therapy. She aims to create a non-pathologizing stance to instill hope for all clients.
Therapist
Nazneen Nizami is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, who currently is working to complete her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Loma Linda University. Before pursuing a Master’s degree, she attended the University of California, Riverside, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Education.
Her educational and professional background contribute to her passion to devote her service and career to working with diverse populations. Further, she has previously worked as a Behavioral Therapist, implementing strategic interventions with children diagnosed with Autism.
Nazneen is theoretically disciplined in Narrative, Collaborative, and Postmodern theoretical practices, though she holds a strong appreciation for other modalities of therapy. She aims to create a non-pathologizing stance to instill hope for all clients.
Taryn Boyd, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Taryn Boyd is a Marriage and Family Trainee and is a graduate student at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. Through taking classes specializing in psychology at Fuller Seminary, she decided to complete her graduate studies at Vanguard University. Taryn completed her undergraduate at Whitworth University in Secondary Education and Spanish. Although her undergraduate experience is not in psychology, Taryn has spent the last eight years gaining professional experience working with teenagers, young adults, and adults, teaching her how to relate and work with unique and diverse populations. She is excited to be a part of the CFI family and to invest in peoples journey through life with hopes to build supportive, trusting, and collaborative relationships.
Therapist
Taryn Boyd is a Marriage and Family Trainee and is a graduate student at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. Through taking classes specializing in psychology at Fuller Seminary, she decided to complete her graduate studies at Vanguard University. Taryn completed her undergraduate at Whitworth University in Secondary Education and Spanish. Although her undergraduate experience is not in psychology, Taryn has spent the last eight years gaining professional experience working with teenagers, young adults, and adults, teaching her how to relate and work with unique and diverse populations. She is excited to be a part of the CFI family and to invest in peoples journey through life with hopes to build supportive, trusting, and collaborative relationships.
Grace Xu, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Grace received her Bachelor's degree from University of California, Riverside with a minor in Sociology. She is currently studying to obtain her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology at Vanguard University with an emphasis in Marriage Family Therapy.
Grace is excited to part of the CFI family because of her interest in working with a diverse populations. She works towards establishing therapeutic relationships through a collaborative, empathetic, and nonpathological approach while instilling hope, and she greatly appreciates the beauty and uniqueness of every client's story.
Therapist
Grace received her Bachelor's degree from University of California, Riverside with a minor in Sociology. She is currently studying to obtain her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology at Vanguard University with an emphasis in Marriage Family Therapy.
Grace is excited to part of the CFI family because of her interest in working with a diverse populations. She works towards establishing therapeutic relationships through a collaborative, empathetic, and nonpathological approach while instilling hope, and she greatly appreciates the beauty and uniqueness of every client's story.
Victoria Brown
Research Lab Coordinator
Victoria received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, and will begin her 1 st year in the PhD Global Leadership and Change program at Pepperdine University in Fall 2017.
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.
Her goal is to provide insight for two research questions: 1) Do adverse childhood experiences
contribute to predicting future capacity in adulthood? 2) How can the advancements in information and
communication technologies be utilized to combat poverty?
Research Lab Coordinator
Victoria received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, and will begin her 1 st year in the PhD Global Leadership and Change program at Pepperdine University in Fall 2017.
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.
Her goal is to provide insight for two research questions: 1) Do adverse childhood experiences
contribute to predicting future capacity in adulthood? 2) How can the advancements in information and
communication technologies be utilized to combat poverty?
Eric Ruffing, MFT Intern
Therapist
Eric works from collaborative, post modern, and narrative theoretical positions to join with his clients in a non-pathologizing and shared journey. Believing that people are not the problem, problems are the problem allows him to work empathically and compassionately with individuals and couples. Eric aids in navigating issues to acquire insight, strength, freedom, hope, and alternative solutions based on your own values and preferred way of living. He feels that every person has unique abilities, awareness, and resiliencies that can be re-discovered or expanded to counter the presenting concern.
Eric’s clinical, cultural, and philosophical interests revolve around those struggling with life transitions, anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, stress, and family/couples communication. Eric is multicultural and LGBTQ affirming. His clinical training has included diverse populations whose concerns included anxiety, trauma, addiction stability, relationships and stress. Eric merges his Vipassana and Vedic meditation practices and trainings from a Buddhist path perspective into his process, when relevant. Eric received his M.A. in Clinical Psychology with honors from Pepperdine University. He received his B.S. from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. For the past 25 years he has run his own company providing design and marketing to action sports, music and entertainment brands, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.
Therapist
Eric works from collaborative, post modern, and narrative theoretical positions to join with his clients in a non-pathologizing and shared journey. Believing that people are not the problem, problems are the problem allows him to work empathically and compassionately with individuals and couples. Eric aids in navigating issues to acquire insight, strength, freedom, hope, and alternative solutions based on your own values and preferred way of living. He feels that every person has unique abilities, awareness, and resiliencies that can be re-discovered or expanded to counter the presenting concern.
Eric’s clinical, cultural, and philosophical interests revolve around those struggling with life transitions, anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, stress, and family/couples communication. Eric is multicultural and LGBTQ affirming. His clinical training has included diverse populations whose concerns included anxiety, trauma, addiction stability, relationships and stress. Eric merges his Vipassana and Vedic meditation practices and trainings from a Buddhist path perspective into his process, when relevant. Eric received his M.A. in Clinical Psychology with honors from Pepperdine University. He received his B.S. from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. For the past 25 years he has run his own company providing design and marketing to action sports, music and entertainment brands, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.
Alejandra Anacleto, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Alejandra Anacleto is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. She is currently finishing up her last year of her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University. She is fluent in Spanish. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for the past ten years coordinating after school programs, advocating for students and parents, and building strong partnerships with school administrators and districts. As a trainee, she looks forward to providing her clients an environment that is both empathetic and non-pathologizing to empower and help them take control of their lives. She is excited to be part of the CFI team and is looking forward to the experience.
Therapist
Alejandra Anacleto is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. She is currently finishing up her last year of her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University. She is fluent in Spanish. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for the past ten years coordinating after school programs, advocating for students and parents, and building strong partnerships with school administrators and districts. As a trainee, she looks forward to providing her clients an environment that is both empathetic and non-pathologizing to empower and help them take control of their lives. She is excited to be part of the CFI team and is looking forward to the experience.
Helen Oh, MFT Intern
Therapist
Helen is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. She is a graduate student attending Pepperdine University for Clinical Psychology. Helen is a research assistant for Dr. Tuttle at Pepperdine University, focusing on intergenerational trauma. She weekly serves at Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row, Downtown Los Angeles to provide therapeutic support for stressful life events. Helen’s clinical work includes working with children on the Autism spectrum as a Behavioral Interventionist.
Helen is a graduate from Mount Holyoke College, an all-women’s college, advocating diversity in religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and other forms of culture. Helen is interested in working with a diverse population through an empathic, non-pathological approach. She strongly believes in instilling hope and attending to every client’s need.
Therapist
Helen is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. She is a graduate student attending Pepperdine University for Clinical Psychology. Helen is a research assistant for Dr. Tuttle at Pepperdine University, focusing on intergenerational trauma. She weekly serves at Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row, Downtown Los Angeles to provide therapeutic support for stressful life events. Helen’s clinical work includes working with children on the Autism spectrum as a Behavioral Interventionist.
Helen is a graduate from Mount Holyoke College, an all-women’s college, advocating diversity in religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and other forms of culture. Helen is interested in working with a diverse population through an empathic, non-pathological approach. She strongly believes in instilling hope and attending to every client’s need.
Rick Fein, MFT Intern
Therapist
Rick Fein is a Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee and is a second year graduate student attending Pepperdine University for his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Rick comes to the profession following a 30 year banking career in commercial and real estate lending, where he found his greatest satisfaction building relationships with clients and mentoring other bankers.
Rick is theoretically grounded in Narrative and Postmodern orientation, working with clients in dealing with issues of anxiety and stress management, grief and loss, aging, and career and personal growth. He tries to bring warmth and personal attention to each client. As a father, husband, teacher and mentor, he has experienced much in his own life that allows him to be present with people in the context of their life experiences.
Therapist
Rick Fein is a Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee and is a second year graduate student attending Pepperdine University for his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Rick comes to the profession following a 30 year banking career in commercial and real estate lending, where he found his greatest satisfaction building relationships with clients and mentoring other bankers.
Rick is theoretically grounded in Narrative and Postmodern orientation, working with clients in dealing with issues of anxiety and stress management, grief and loss, aging, and career and personal growth. He tries to bring warmth and personal attention to each client. As a father, husband, teacher and mentor, he has experienced much in his own life that allows him to be present with people in the context of their life experiences.
Amanda Hanna, MFT Intern
Therapist & Office Manager
Amanda Hanna is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and is in her second year of the Masters of Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Arizona. She also has completed graduate coursework in Human Development and Social Intervention at New York University. While at NYU, she worked as a research assistant at the Center for Research on Culture, Development, and Education, examining gender socialization processes among youth and within families.
Amanda is theoretically grounded in narrative therapy and postmodern practices, and uses an integrative approach to work with a diverse population of clients. She uses an empathic, supportive and collaborative approach in her practice. Amanda is multicultural and LGBTQ affirming.
Therapist & Office Manager
Amanda Hanna is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and is in her second year of the Masters of Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Arizona. She also has completed graduate coursework in Human Development and Social Intervention at New York University. While at NYU, she worked as a research assistant at the Center for Research on Culture, Development, and Education, examining gender socialization processes among youth and within families.
Amanda is theoretically grounded in narrative therapy and postmodern practices, and uses an integrative approach to work with a diverse population of clients. She uses an empathic, supportive and collaborative approach in her practice. Amanda is multicultural and LGBTQ affirming.
