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.
Beth D'Arrigo-Patrick, MFT Associate
Therapist
Beth is excited to be joining the CFI team as an MFT Associate. Beth has been working in the counseling field for over six years with folks experiencing illness, death, grief, various life transitions, LGBTQ+ experiences, anxiety, depression, stress, and family/couples communication. In her work, Beth is informed by collaborative and narrative theoretical ideas which means that she is intentional in seeing people within their unique social contexts allowing her to connect with client strengths, values, and agency. She engages compassionately with clients as they journey towards identifying and pursuing their hopes and preferences.
Beth has a Master's degree from Pepperdine University and a PhD from Loma Linda University and currently teaches as an adjunct professor at Cal State Bernardino and Loma Linda University.
Therapist
Beth is excited to be joining the CFI team as an MFT Associate. Beth has been working in the counseling field for over six years with folks experiencing illness, death, grief, various life transitions, LGBTQ+ experiences, anxiety, depression, stress, and family/couples communication. In her work, Beth is informed by collaborative and narrative theoretical ideas which means that she is intentional in seeing people within their unique social contexts allowing her to connect with client strengths, values, and agency. She engages compassionately with clients as they journey towards identifying and pursuing their hopes and preferences.
Beth has a Master's degree from Pepperdine University and a PhD from Loma Linda University and currently teaches as an adjunct professor at Cal State Bernardino and Loma Linda University.
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.
Tiffany Trent, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Tiffany is a marriage and family therapist trainee and is a graduate student at Vanguard University, studying to get her MS in Clinical Psychology. She received her BA in Psychology and a minor in Literature and Writing at California State University San Marcos.
Tiffany is excited to be a part of the CFI team and to work with diverse populations. She cares deeply about creating a safe and compassionate space for each client where they can find healing and acceptance. She aims to create collaborative therapeutic relationships with clients based on empathy and warmth. Tiffany works from a nonpathological approach that focuses on hope and personal growth and believes that everyone deserves to tell to their story.
Therapist
Tiffany is a marriage and family therapist trainee and is a graduate student at Vanguard University, studying to get her MS in Clinical Psychology. She received her BA in Psychology and a minor in Literature and Writing at California State University San Marcos.
Tiffany is excited to be a part of the CFI team and to work with diverse populations. She cares deeply about creating a safe and compassionate space for each client where they can find healing and acceptance. She aims to create collaborative therapeutic relationships with clients based on empathy and warmth. Tiffany works from a nonpathological approach that focuses on hope and personal growth and believes that everyone deserves to tell to their story.
Nicole Medina, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Nicole is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, and is in her second year at Pepperdine University for her MA in Clinical Psychology. She received her undergraduate degree in Cognitive Psychology from the University of California, Irvine.
Before pursuing her master’s, much of her previous work had been with hospitals and non-profit organizations, and includes experience working with children on the Autism spectrum in the occupational therapy setting.
Nicole is multicultural and LGBTQ+ affirming, and is interested in helping her clients discover their true happiness. She hopes that her educational and professional backgrounds will help foster a safe space for her clients to work collaboratively towards healing.
Therapist
Nicole is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, and is in her second year at Pepperdine University for her MA in Clinical Psychology. She received her undergraduate degree in Cognitive Psychology from the University of California, Irvine.
Before pursuing her master’s, much of her previous work had been with hospitals and non-profit organizations, and includes experience working with children on the Autism spectrum in the occupational therapy setting.
Nicole is multicultural and LGBTQ+ affirming, and is interested in helping her clients discover their true happiness. She hopes that her educational and professional backgrounds will help foster a safe space for her clients to work collaboratively towards healing.
Kyle Cablay, MFT Trainee
Therapist
Kyle Cablay is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and graduate student at Vanguard University. Kyle received his BA in Psychology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara while gaining experience as an intern for both the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Outreach Coordinator for the Glendon Association focusing on depression, anxiety, and related life stressors.
Kyle is excited to be apart of the CFI team and works to encourage strong relationships through a collaborative and nonpathological approach to empower and instill hope in a diverse population of clients.
Therapist
Kyle Cablay is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee and graduate student at Vanguard University. Kyle received his BA in Psychology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara while gaining experience as an intern for both the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Outreach Coordinator for the Glendon Association focusing on depression, anxiety, and related life stressors.
Kyle is excited to be apart of the CFI team and works to encourage strong relationships through a collaborative and nonpathological approach to empower and instill hope in a diverse population of clients.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.