La Sierra University is a place that I call home. I both literally and figuratively grew up on this campus. I obtained my Undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies: Spanish at La Sierra, and later got my M.S. in Counseling Psychology from CBU.

I have been practicing as a Clinical Therapist for 12 years; however given various placements my heart lies in working with college students. I feel honored to connect with students and to be a part of their mental health journey.

As a Seventh-Day Adventist Cuban American I believe that no two journeys are the same; we are each impacted by our own unique cultural environments and therefore how we engage in therapy will take those aspects of your story into consideration thus creating a unique experience for each individual. As an Experiential therapist specializing in trauma and anxiety, I believe you know yourself better than anyone else.

And it is my job to help guide you, challenge you, support you, introduce new tools/techniques and hold space for you as you navigate and process life.

Chris is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with a focus on complex trauma, STD/STI, HIV/AIDS, self-identity, minority stress, people of oppressed groups, depression, and anxiety. Chris' interest in mental health is looking at empowerment and disempowerment, biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors impacting an individual's mental health, one's identity, and the impact of stigma, discrimination, and cultural beliefs on an individual's mental health and self-esteem.

Chris has an extensive background in providing psychotherapy to a diverse population in non-profits, universities, and intensive outpatient program settings, as well as historically teaching undergraduate and graduate-level courses in psychology and counseling. Chris is passionate about providing psychotherapy to college students, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, AAPI, couples, and adults.

Chris believes in providing a safe and supportive therapeutic environment that fosters empowerment to challenge and overcome barriers to one's health. Chris uses therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Center, Narrative Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Trauma Informed Therapy, and he looks forward to working with clients wanting to make a change for themselves.

 

I have had the privilege of traveling, living, and working in unique places around the world. I have performed social work, with and without my degrees, in a myriad of eclectic settings. Through my experiences I have developed an understanding of human behavior and mental health that aligns with Rogerian theories.

I approach therapy from the understanding that we are all human, worthy of positive regard, and from that place we can explore the identities and experiences that shape us and our current concerns. Practically, I facilitate that approach using task-centered, strengths-based, and solution-focused methods.

My specialties include helping persons work through adverse experiences, systems assessment, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and the heart of social work, advocacy

Dr. Ferreras has worked in various settings such as hospitals, clinics, and non-profit organizations. A major focus of her work is intergenerational trauma, spirituality, stress, anxiety, and violence (intimate partner violence, cultural, collective and religious trauma).

She has received training from Loma Linda University as a marital and family therapist. Earning her doctorate from Claremont School of Theology contributes to her expanding competencies in interreligious and intercultural spiritual care.

Dr. Ferreras brings a strong commitment to justice, intersectional feminism and meaning-making to her practice of counseling and journeying with people through many of life’s challenges.

Everyone desires to be seen, heard, and valued as their most authentic self and I believe our time as college students is a place where we struggle the most to figure out who that truly is. I believe this to be true because I lived it, my college experience was definitely challenging and I know how daunting it can be to seek help.

Being vulnerable in any capacity is challenging, my hope is to work alongside you to honor that vulnerability and give each experience a safe space to land. Throughout my career I have worked in various inpatient and outpatient settings that have allowed me to acquire experience in helping individuals struggling with a wide range of different mental health challenges.

I integrate a strength-based, person-centered approach, with a variety of therapeutic methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to meet the needs of each person’s unique experience without judgment.

I meet you where you are while providing the clinical competency and guidance needed to overcome the challenges you are facing. I will focus on supporting you in achieving your personal goals, fostering resilience, and being part of your journey to creating a fulfilling and balanced life.