"CBU prepared me academically, professionally, spiritually and relationally. The program gave me a strong clinical foundation while also teaching me the importance of integrity, empathy, leadership and service."
Quick Facts
Program: Counseling Psychology, MS
Graduation Year: 2010
Current Job Title: Founder and Owner of Raincross Family Counseling, Inc.
Hometown: Palm Springs, CA
Current City: Riverside, CA
Life at CBU
Why did you choose your major? What interested you in this particular field of study?
I chose the Marriage and Family Therapy program because I have always been deeply
drawn to helping people heal, grow and strengthen their relationships. I was especially
interested in understanding family systems, trauma, emotional connection and how our
experiences shape who we become. I also wanted a career where I could integrate compassion,
faith and purpose into meaningful work that impacts generations of families. Over
time, this field became more than just a profession to me. It became a calling.
What did you like about being in this program at CBU?
One of the things I appreciated most about CBU was the supportive and faith-centered
environment. The program challenged me academically while also encouraging personal
and spiritual growth. I appreciated the sense of community within the cohort model
and the relationships I built with classmates and professors. CBU created an environment
where I felt safe to grow both professionally and personally. It was also during my
time at CBU that I met my husband, which makes those years especially meaningful to
me.
What did you think about your professors?
My professors were knowledgeable, compassionate and genuinely invested in their students.
They challenged us to think critically while also modeling empathy and professionalism.
I appreciated that many of them brought real-world clinical experience into the classroom,
which helped bridge theory and practice. Several professors also encouraged me in
ways that gave me confidence in my future as a therapist and leader.
Did you complete an internship or any field work?
Yes, I completed field work during my program, working with families in San Bernardino
County who had children between the ages of birth to 5, which gave me invaluable hands-on
experience working with young children, couples and families. My internship experience
helped me grow in confidence, clinical skills, professionalism and self-awareness.
It was during this time that I realized how impactful therapy can be when people feel
seen, heard and supported. Those early clinical experiences laid the foundation for
the work I continue to do today.
Did you participate in anything else at CBU?
In addition to my graduate program, I became deeply connected to the spiritual and
relational environment at CBU. One of the most meaningful parts of my was the personal
growth I encountered spiritually. I rededicated my life to Christ in 2009 as a result
of the environment and community during my time at CBU. Having been raised in a Baptist
home, CBU helped strengthen and personalize my faith in a deeper way during adulthood.
How did you grow while in this program at CBU?
CBU helped me grow in every area of my life. Spiritually, I grew closer to God and
developed a stronger sense of identity and purpose. Socially, I formed lifelong friendships
and met my husband while we were both in the program together. Educationally, I developed
the clinical knowledge, confidence and leadership skills that prepared me for a long-term
career in mental health. Looking back, CBU shaped not only my profession, but also
my marriage, faith and future family.
Did your program help you figure out your purpose?
Absolutely. My program helped me recognize that my purpose was not only to help people
heal emotionally, but also to create spaces where people feel safe, valued and understood.
It confirmed my passion for helping families and training future therapists. Over
time, I realized that my calling extended beyond individual therapy into leadership,
mentorship, supervision and building a practice culture centered on compassion and
excellence.
Life after CBU
What have you done since graduating?
Since graduating from CBU, I became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founded
Raincross Family Counseling, a group private practice serving individuals, couples
and families throughout California. I now supervise and mentor Associate Marriage
and Family Therapists and trainees, helping develop the next generation of clinicians.
I also became EMDR-trained and later an EMDRIA-approved trainer and consultant, facilitating
EMDR trainings and consultation groups for therapists. In addition to my professional
accomplishments, I have built a beautiful life with my husband and our three children,
which has been one of my greatest blessings and accomplishments.
What are your current job duties?
I currently serve as the owner and clinical director of a group private practice.
My responsibilities include providing psychotherapy services, supervising associate
therapists and trainees, facilitating EMDR consultation and trainings, overseeing
business operations, mentoring clinicians, supporting community mental health partnerships
and ensuring quality care for clients. I also continue to develop programs and services
that support families, mothers and individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, grief and
relational challenges.
How has your program and time at CBU prepared you for your life and career after college?
CBU prepared me academically, professionally, spiritually and relationally. The program
gave me a strong clinical foundation while also teaching me the importance of integrity,
empathy, leadership and service. The relationships and experiences I had there helped
shape the confidence and resilience I needed to build a business, lead a team and
navigate the demands of both career and family life. The values I developed at CBU
still influence the way I practice and lead today.
Is there anything you learned at CBU that you still use in your professional life
today?
Absolutely. I still use the foundational concepts of systems theory, relational dynamics,
ethics, empathy and self-awareness in my work every day. Beyond clinical skills, CBU
reinforced the importance of servant leadership, authenticity and seeing the whole
person, not just symptoms or problems. Those lessons continue to shape how I work
with clients, supervise clinicians and lead my practice.
How are you making a difference in the world? How are you living your purpose?
I strive to make a difference by helping individuals, couples and families heal from
trauma, strengthen relationships and experience hope. Through my practice, supervision
and EMDR training work, I have the privilege of impacting not only clients directly,
but also the therapists who will go on to serve countless others. I also hope to model
for my children what it looks like to live with compassion, faith, purpose and dedication
to serving others.
What are your future goals and plans?
My future goals include continuing to grow Raincross Family Counseling, hiring other
alumni from the program as they grow into Licensure as MFTs, expanding access to quality
mental health care, mentoring and training more clinicians and continuing my work
in EMDR education and consultation. Personally, I hope to continue building a meaningful
life centered around faith, family, community and service. I also want to continue
creating spaces where people feel emotionally safe, supported and empowered to grow.
Would you recommend CBU to others?
Yes, I would absolutely recommend CBU to others. My experience there shaped my career,
strengthened my faith and introduced me to lifelong relationships, including my husband.
CBU provided an environment where I was challenged academically while also supported
spiritually and personally. The sense of community and purpose-centered education
made a lasting impact on my life.
Anything else you'd like to add? Anything else we should know about you?
In addition to my professional work as a Therapist, I am also a licensed minister
at Sandals Church where I serve in discipleship and leadership. My faith continues
to be one of the greatest driving forces in both my personal life and career. I have
also had the opportunity to lead worship and serve within church ministry, which has
been deeply meaningful to me.
Professionally, I am an EMDRIA-approved EMDR trainer and consultant, and I love equipping and mentoring therapists as they grow in their clinical skills and confidence. Supporting and developing future clinicians has become one of the most fulfilling parts of my career.
Outside of work and ministry, my greatest joy is my family. My husband Marc and I love traveling the world with our three children and creating meaningful experiences together. We especially enjoy family trips, Disney parks, Broadway musicals and making memories through shared adventures. We are also passionate supporters of California Baptist University Athletics and love staying connected to the CBU community. CBU played such a significant role in shaping our faith, marriage, friendships and careers, and it continues to hold a very special place in our lives.