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Clarissa began working with Guada Psych in April of 2023 and sees adolescent and adult patients, she is bilingual and offers services in both English and Spanish. Clarissa’s interest in the field began when she witnessed family members experiencing mental health concerns during her teenage years. Clarissa has worked various jobs and positions prior to graduating with her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. These positions further solidified her desire to join the field of mental health, a job that is people centered at its foundation. Clarissa is passionate about addressing needs on a personal level; She emphasizes that therapy is a collaborative approach between the clinician and the patient and encourages patient feedback to cater to patients’ unique therapeutic goals. Clarissa favors co-creating therapeutic goals with patients as she uses her skills and expertise to guide patients towards healthy and sustainable change.
Education and Training
Clarissa obtained her BA in Psychology from Saint Xavier University and then went on to earn her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lewis University. During her time in her graduate program, Clarissa provided court-ordered therapy services as well as offered people substance abuse counseling. During her internship, she provided individual and group therapy as well as assisted in completing court-ordered psychological assessments. Clarissa says her experience also highlighted the significant impact the law has on people. Because of this, Clarissa became more involved in advocating for social justice and those with mental health related issues as they pertain to the law. She is currently working to obtain her LCPC and is working under the supervision of Dr. Kati Guada and Makeba Boykins, MA.
Clarissa also joined TCFMH, a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Guada, following her passion to work in La Villita. Clarissa lived in La Villita as a child though her family moved out of the area when violence began to escalate. As she pursued her career goals, she kept a close affinity for La Villita and looked out for opportunities to work as a therapist in the community. She says that being raised by Mexican immigrant parents and being a first-generation Mexican American influences her therapeutic approach in terms of utilizing a cultural lens. Clarissa is an invaluable asset to her patients and the Latina/o community.