Rebecca D. Bass, MA, MFT
Choosing a therapist can be an intimidating, vulnerable and overwhelming process. Our culture often sends a message that asking for help from a therapist is a sign of weakness or lack of character. I completely disagree. In fact, I see those who seek therapy as courageous, dynamic individuals who desire different outcomes in their lives. I believe the therapeutic process provides clients an opportunity to experience a safe, respectful, creative and goal-oriented environment as they seek healing and change.

Because life is not static, we are faced with constant challenges. Sometimes these challenges leave us feeling hopeless, frustrated or stuck in our relationships. Areas where I can be of service to you, your spouse and your family with integrated systemic family therapy:

Eating Disorders, Food and Body Image Issues

  Anorexia Nervosa and Restrictive Eating
  Bulimia Nervosa & Vomiting
  Binge Eating
  Body Dysmorphic Disorder
  Family members and marriages with a loved one           suffering from an eating disorder
  Negative Body Image
  Obesity & Weight Management
  Obsessive Thoughts and Triggers
  Perfectionism
  Self-Esteem Issues

Abuse & Trauma
  Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse
  Date Rape/Rape
  Domestic Violence
  First Responders and Fatigue Prevention (firefighters,      life guards, police officers, red cross volunteers,      etc.)
  PTSD
  Victims of Crime
  Sudden Loss
  Re-entry Trauma for Missionaries and Third Culture      Kids

Children, Teenagers and Adult Children of Divorce
  Improve/Strengthen Parent-Child Relationships During      and After Divorce
  Attachment and Commitment Issues      Resulting from      Parents' Divorce
  Divorce Recovery
  Stress, Anger and Conflict      Management (Family,      Peers,      Relationships)
  Blended Families
  Engaged and Newly Married Couples      w/ a Partner      from a Divorced Family
  Balancing Career and Life/Workaholics

Clinical Groups/Speaking Topics
Please contact our Mission Valley office for dates, location and fees on the following groups or seminars:

  Embracing Your Story: Weaving New Webs and      Breaking Old Ones: For adult women 18 -35 who      have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse, date      rape or domestic violence.
  Breaking Free From the Prison of Food: For adult      women 18-35 who are struggling with body image      and/or recovering from other food related issues.
  Adult Children of Divorce: Creating a Redemption      Story: Participation in this group will help you create      a redemption story out of your parents' divorce by      offering a new perspective on your old beliefs about      love, life and God. Participants will be given concrete      tools to tackle the doubt, fear and ambivalence that      often plagues ACOD's. This co-ed group is best for      individuals whose parents divorced during their      childhood, college or early adult years.

M.A., Marital & Family Therapy
  Bethel University/Bethel Seminary San Diego -      Department of Marital and Family Therapy, San      Diego, CA, June, 2004

B.A. Public Relations
  Drake University, School of Journalism and Mass      Communication, Des Moines, IA, May, 1989

Additional Work Experience
  Auxiliary Therapist treating Eating Disorders and      related issues, Point Loma Nazarene University      Wellness Center, San Diego, CA
  PSR Specialist; ISIS Center START (Short Term      Acute Rehabilitation Treatment) House, Community      Research Foundation, San Diego, CA
  International Staff Coordinator for Young Life's      International Division, San Diego, CA
  Area Director for Young Life, Zurich, Switzerland
  Account Executive, Issue Advocacy Advertising, New      York City, NY
  Aid to United States Senator, Washington, D.C.

License, Affiliations and Trainings:
  Licensed in the state of California as a Marriage and      Family Therapist. License #MFC 44584
  California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT), also member of the San Diego      Chapter of CAMFT
  Certified Eating Disorder Specialist - in progress of      obtaining credential
  Certified Prepare/Enrich Counselor
  DBT and Mindfulness Skills Training
  Emotionally Focused Therapy Training (EFT)
  EMDR Levels 1& 2 Training (Certification in progress)
  International Association of Eating Disorder      Professionals (IAEDP), SD IAEDP chapter Board      member
  Motivational Interviewing Training
  National Eating Disorder Awareness Week Coordinator

Contact:
rbass@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x129
 

Gary Cundiff, MA, MFT
Are you caught in a relationship that is abusive – verbal, emotional, physical, sexual, spiritual? Does that relationship make you feel insecure, unsupported, trapped, and unsafe? If you feel traumatized by an abusive relationship, please call, I can help.

I have professional as well as personal experience. I have worked in the field of counseling and mental health for approximately twenty-five years and have been with Family Consultation Services since 1992.

During my years of practice, I have provided individual counseling, couples counseling, as well as groups, workshops, assessments and interventions. Integrating a spiritual-psychological framework is a key component of my therapy.

Education and Training
  MA in Counseling Psychology, National University
  BA in Behavioral Science , National University
  Human Services Certificate, San Diego State University

Faculty Associations
  Bethel Seminary San Diego - Associate Professor of      Pastoral Care
  Christian Heritage College - Undergraduate Adjunct      Professor

License and Affiliations
  Licensed in the state of California as a Marriage and      Family Therapist. License #M31097
  Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor #NA20168
  Certified Brief Therapist, #2192
  California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT)
  The American Association for Marriage and
     Family Therapy
  National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse      Counselors

Professional experience
  New Life Treatment Center and Care Unit - Clinical      Staff Member
  Care Unit of San Diego - Aftercare Coordinator
  Hillside Hospital - Inpatient Recovery Counselor

Contact:
gcundiff@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x124
 

Laura Dugger, MA, MFT Intern
Relationships are powerful. They have the ability to build us up or destroy us. My desire is for you to experience relationships with an abundance of joy! I hope to listen generously and encourage you to strengthen your existing connections with the beloved people in your life.

You are loved, adored, and even cherished! However, it is easy to lose sight of this fact and become burdened by stress or unfortunate circumstances. My God-given skill set allows me to delight in the journey of restoration with others. I invite you to challenge yourself to be courageous and become vulnerable with a counselor. I would be honored to walk with you in this season.

In the past, I have studied and worked with a wide variety of issues. Some of these include emotional affairs, adultery, same-sex attraction, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and various forms of abuse. In addition to these topics, I also hope to assist you with:


• Sex Therapy
• Spiritual Formation
• Addictions Counseling
• Understanding Personality and Self
• Establishing Appropriate Boundaries
• Couples/Pre-marital/Marriage Therapy
• Women’s Issues, Such as Body Image and Self-worth

Education and Training
  MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont      Graduate University in Atlanta, Georgia
  Specialization in Christian Sex Therapy from Richmont      Graduate University in Atlanta, GA
  BS in Psychology from Illinois State University in
     Normal, IL (Minor: Family and Consumer Sciences)

Professional Experience
  Hope Counseling Center Counselor (Intern) - Served      local community with faith-based counseling for      individuals and couples with marital issues, abuse,      trauma, and anxiety
  Beulah Heights University Associate (Intern)
     -Instructor of psychology courses to college level      students in addition to providing therapy and spiritual      formation to multi-cultural students and couples
  Shining Light Ministry Counselor (Intern)
     -Collaborated with a co-therapist to create group
     and individual counseling for women recovering from      addictions
  Teacher’s Assistant (Intern) - Facilitated a Spiritual      Formation group composed of graduate students
  Research Assistant - Designed a revolutionary study      with a team and directly participated in a gender-      specific research project with results to be
     published in Shaunti Feldhahn’s future book

Affiliations
  Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern,      with the California Board of Behavioral Science,      IMF#00209129
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT #MFC 6022
  California Association of Marriage and Family
     Therapists (CAMFT)

Contact:
ldugger@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x147
 

Yolanda Gorick, M.A. MFT

At some point, everyone will fail, and experience a loss, hurt or disappointment. Loss is a normal part of life. When we attach our identity to a loss, we think God doesn’t care. We feel discouraged and distance ourselves from the One Who made us in His image. The truth is: nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39) I have a passion to help individuals experience an authentic relationship with God - after all types of loss – and to release them to pursue their God-given passions, dreams and goals.

My decision to become a professional therapist was inspired by my first experience in couples counseling. As new, 30-something Christians, my husband and I were unaware of the emotional and spiritual impact of past unresolved losses and wrong choices on my present problems. But God knew. One of the most profound lessons was learning to respect our different temperament styles of thinking and feeling.

In my roles as a therapist/coach/teacher, I collaborate with my clients to help them identify the core issue behind their presenting problem(s). I prepare therapeutic interventions to fit my client’s short and long-term goals. In addition to 20 years experience in grief/loss, inner healing and deliverance, I am also trained in family systems, art therapy, gestalt and cognitive behavioral therapy. As a certified grief facilitator, I have helped couples, individuals, children and families who suffer from trauma, hurts and losses, especially those not acknowledged as legitimate by society.

Two important relational concepts characterize my counseling focus. First, Believers frequently minimize their pain, or allow others to dismiss their need to grieve all types of loss. Over time, the accumulation of unresolved hurts distorts our view of God, shapes a negative self-image and creates barriers to trust and intimacy. Second, many Christians struggle to believe God loves them due to negative childhood experiences. Therefore, my therapeutic goal includes developing my clients’ capacity to experience an authentic relationship with God as real, relevant and relational so that he/she is intimately aware of God’s unconditional love, no matter what problems occur once therapy concludes.

Education and Training
  M.A. in Marriage Family Therapy –
     Phillips Graduate Institute, Los Angeles
  Latino Family Therapy –
     California Family Counseling Center, Los Angeles
  B.A. in Sociology –
     California State Los Angeles, Los Angeles
  Bereavement Counseling Training -
     San Diego Hospice
  Bereavement Facilitator –
     Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Los Angeles
  Post-Abortion Counselor –
     Terri Reisser, MFT, Los Angeles
  Toastmasters – Encino chapter, Los Angeles
  Registered Marriage and Family Therapist
     Intern with BBS in California, IMF# 57063
  Registered MFT Intern supervised by
     Karen J. Lenell, MFT Lic #M24515

Professional Experience
  Center for Grief Care and Education,
     San Diego Hospice & The Institute for
     Palliative Medicine – Bereavement Counselor
  Penny Lane – Bilingual Outpatient Therapist
     Provided therapy to foster and adoption families
  Latino Family Program, California Family
     Counseling Center – Bilingual MFT Trainee
  Joy for Mourning, Inc. – Los Angeles -
     Director/Founder of non-profit organization
     for grief/loss
  Adventist Health Systems West,
     Los Angeles – Patient Advocate

Areas of Specialization
  Leadership mentoring
  Life Mapping
  Temperament traits and personality styles
  Gender differences in grief/loss
  Facilitating groups on women’s issues
  Couples Communication
  Intergenerational issues within Latino families
  Coping with grief and all types of loss
  Relieving anxiety and depression

Areas of Additional Experience and Interest:
After experiencing healing for a past abortion, I founded the first women’s post-abortion support group ministry at The Church On The Way (TCOTW) in 1992, under Pastor Jack Hayford. My testimony of God’s healing from the emotional and spiritual effects of abortion is featured on the video “Beyond Regret.” During fifteen years of ministry at TCOTW, I was discipled in leadership, inner healing and deliverance ministry. Trained as a grief facilitator, I have a passion to help those who need a safe, nonjudgmental place to process losses considered “socially unacceptable” by society. As a seminar leader, I have ten years experience speaking on contemporary cultural issues using interactive formats that appeal to all learning styles. One of my joys is helping people understand and appreciate their unique blend of personality type and temperament style. In addition to mentoring emerging women leaders, I also have a passion to help adolescents navigate through their developmental tasks of identity formation. My spiritual mentors include Pastor Scott Bauer, Joyce Myers, John Maxwell, Florence Littauer, and Bruce Wilkinson.

Professional Affiliations:
  American Association for Marriage and
     Family Therapy (AAMFT)
  California Association of Marriage and
     Family Therapists (CAMFT)

Contact:
ygorick@enrichingrelationships.org
619-858-3105 x136
 

Krista Falk, MSW, L.C.S.W.

Living in this world can be overwhelming, exhausting, and just plain discouraging. Often difficult circumstances plague our experiences down here, as we attempt to live in this sinful, fallen world. It is comforting to know we have a constant companion in Jesus while we face very real challenges that exist in this life.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b

I have been doing counseling for many years in a secular setting, and I am so pleased to now be able to openly integrate a Biblical perspective into treatment. Utilizing the Word of God as a foundation for facing problems, and then building upon it with effective skills and support structures, are critical for improving everyday interactions and solving ongoing struggles.

Whether it is a relational struggle with a spouse, child, friend, or co-worker; a personal struggle with anxiety or depression; or more chronic, long-standing experiences of abuse, chronic pain, or addictions – God’s timeless principles, along with professional treatment, can help.

““Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.”
Micah 7:8b”

I have worked in many settings, including:
  managing care and treatment for children
     in the foster system
  providing treatment for youth on probation
  working in the home with at-risk teens
     and their families
  providing sexual abuse counseling for children
  implementing behavioral modification treatment
     for children with autism
  coordinating and providing treatment for older
     adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s
  maintaining outpatient treatment for adults
     and children
  dealing with a variety of issues across the lifespan,
     including providing crisis intervention as necessary

The experiences I have especially enjoyed, and where I feel God has uniquely gifted me, is working with teens and their families. Within this population, I have had extensive experience teaching and implementing effective discipline techniques to improve family functioning and relationships.

Professional Training
  Required CEU’s for licensure, Current
  Relationship Violence Training-40 hours,
     Spring 2000
  Public Child Welfare Core Practice Course,
     Fall 1999
  Interdisciplinary Child Welfare Training,
     Spring 1999

Education and Training
  San Diego State University-Master of Social Work
  Biola University-Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
     Related Course work-Minor in Sociology,
     Minor in Bible

Contact:
kfalk@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x144
 

Laura Gordon, MA, MFT Intern
I admire the courage and strength of a person who reaches out for help in a time of need. We live in a world that tells us over and over again, “You should be able to fix this on your own.” The truth is we should not have to do it alone, whether it is facing our pasts, our fears, our broken relationships, our addictions, or our losses. Healing often comes within the context of relationship. I consider it a tremendous privilege to join together with others, offering hope and counsel in a trying season. As a therapist, I seek to provide a safe and nurturing place for growth, healing and restoration; a place where authenticity and honesty are valued and rewarded.

Every person, of any age or circumstance, can benefit from counseling. Over 300 years ago, the French archbishop and theologian known as Fenelon profoundly asked, “What is farther away and more unknown than the bottom of your own heart?” I firmly believe that counseling is a powerful instrument that helps individuals discover or rediscover their own hearts. It is also a process through which people can grow in their understanding of God, self and others, and experience the freedom that is gained from shining light into unknown or dark areas.

Education and Training
  MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont      Graduate University in Atlanta, GA
  BA in Psychology from University of Richmond in
     Virginia

Areas of Additional Exerience and Interest:

Through my work with Young Life Ministries, as a summer camp counselor for many years, and as a professional counseling intern, I have gained invaluable experience coaching and mentoring adolescents, teenagers, and young adults. Now as a therapist, I have a specific passion for helping this population cope with the changes, challenges, and pressures they are often forced to endure, while gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and their families.

I also value working with couples and families and have gained experience in the following areas:

- Extramarital Affairs
- Life Transitions
- Stress and Anxiety Management
- Communication
- Parenting
- Grief
- Spiritual Formation
- Dysfunctional Relationships
- Addictions

Professional Experience
  Counselor with The Center for Pastoral Care and      Counseling, providing child and adolescent, individual,      and marital therapy
  Counselor with Hope Counseling Center, providing      individual, marital, and family therapy
  Counselor with Rainbow House, Inc, working with      children and adolescents in a residential facility

Professional Affiliations:
  Member of the California Association of Marriage and      Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  Member of American Counseling Association (ACA)
  Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern with      BBS in California, IMF# 60269
  Supervised by G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT #MFC 6022

Contact:
lgordon@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x148
 

Elaine Martens Hamilton, MATS, MA, MFT
I joined the staff of Family Consultation Services in 2000. Before becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist, I worked in youth/women's ministries and studied theology at Bethel Seminary San Diego. This academic and ministry background gives me the opportunity to understand how our spiritual lives are involved in everyday problems. For me, the combination of theology and therapeutic techniques is natural and exciting, allowing me to address both spiritual and emotional concerns with clients.

My focus in therapy is to help people look at how and why they might be stuck in relating and behaving patterns that lead to disconnection in their relationships. We then explore how they can remove those barriers to find freedom and closeness.

Publications
  Church on the Couch: Does the Church Need      Therapy? (Published by Zondervan, 2009)
  Leave the Mud and Learn to Soar: A workbook for      women who want to get unstuck in their      relationships with God and others. (Discovery House      Publishers, 2000)
  Come with Me: An invitation to break through the      wall between you and God. (co-authored with Kathy      Escobar for Discovery House Publishers 2002)

Workshops, Speaking, Groups
  speaks for women's retreats and workshops on      issues of emotional and spiritual growth.
  presents workshops on relationship building, conflict      resolution in marriage, emotional and spiritual      development, healing from childhood trauma/sexual      abuse, and small group dynamics
  works with churches in developing small group      ministries, training leaders
  facilitates process groups for women

Professional Experience
  Full-time youth ministry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  teaching college level courses in women's ministries      and theology

Education and Training
  MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, Bethel Seminary,      San Diego, Ca.
  MA in Theological Studies, Bethel Seminary, San      Diego, Ca.
  BA in psychology and sociology, University of Hawaii,      Honolulu, Hawaii

License and Membership
  Licensed in the state of California as a Marriage and      Family Therapist. MFC# 43322
  California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT)

Contact:
ehamilton@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x126
 

Victoria Kim, MA, MFT Intern
As a pastor’s wife, I am profoundly aware of the struggle to live out our faith in real life situations. As a person seeking counseling, you may be wondering why you “do what you do not want to do and don’t do what you do want to do”. Often, even the best of intentions cave under the anxieties and pressures of life, leaving us feeling the guilt and despair of not being able to live up to our expectations. The good news is you’re not alone!

As a registered MFT intern who has counseled individuals, couples, families, and children, I work with you to discover the underlying beliefs and patterns that often paralyze us from being able to think up more creative and flexible ways of approaching life. In counseling, I bring my background in public health, church leadership and marriage and family therapy to create a systematic understanding of all the factors that have led to you being who you are today. Being able to process this information in a safe, confidential and warm environment often creates new opportunities for experiencing the fulfilling relationships and life that we all desire. My goal in therapy is for you to feel empowered to approach your own life with confidence and joyous expectation as you experience healing and closeness in your relationships with others.

I have extensive experience in the following:

- Anxiety
- Family of Origin Issues
- Parenting
- Premarital & Marriage Counseling
- Domestic Violence/Anger Management
- Life Transitions
- Grief
- Personal Development
- Cross-cultural Isues
- Spirituality and Faith

Education and Training
  B.S., Public Health from John Hopkins University;
     Baltimore, MD
  M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller
     Theological Seminary; Pasadena, CA

Professional Experience
  Self-Esteem Enhancement Council – Marriage and
     Family Therapist Intern
  Citrus Counseling – Facilitator of Domestic Violence,
     Anger Management and Parenting groups

Ministry Experience
  Light of Love Mission Church – Women’s Ministries
  San Diego Calvary Church – Leadership Development

Professional Affiliations:
  Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
     with the California Board of Behavioral Science,
     IMF# 46156
  Member of the California Association of Marriage
     and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

Contact:
vkim@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x149
 

Are you struggling in an important relationship, or deeply concerned about a family member? Perhaps you are overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, anger, or other painful emotions and memories. You might long to live according to biblical principles, but often feel discouraged by falling short of your goals. Or, you might be motivated to challenge yourself to grow. Whatever your reason for considering counseling, finding the right person to come alongside you is an important decision. I consider myself a coach – encouraging, educating, and equipping people who are motivated to heal and grow.

I believe that an important part of coping with challenges is gaining an understanding of the family as an emotional system. We develop patterns of relating in our original family. Those patterns are carried forward into current relationships. Challenging periods, such as developmental milestones (marriage, having a child, mid-life, death of a family member, a new job, etc.), or other stressful events can intensify these patterns resulting in emotional and physical symptoms. The more intense the challenge, the more difficult it can be to gain perspective about those things that are contributing to our struggle.

In our work together, I hope to help you gain an understanding of your family patterns, to see how those patterns affect your current relationships, and to formulate and implement a strategy for change. I wholeheartedly believe this approach will enable you to experience greater personal well-being, as well as healing in important relationships.

Areas of specialization:
  Coaching individuals who are motivated to improve      important relationships
  Helping couples strengthen their marriage
  Working with parents to address chalenges and 
     improve effectiveness
  Relieving anxiety and depression
  Coping with grief and loss - from death, divorce,
     or other major life changes
  Release from the influence of traumatic and
     disturbing memories/experiences


Professional Experience
  Center for Grief Care and Education - San Diego
     Hospice & The Instutute for Palliative Medicine -
     Bereavement Counselor
  Community Bible Study - Teaching Director
  UCSD Healthcare - Administrator


Education and Training
  MA, MFT - Bethel Seminary San Diego - summa
     cum laude
  MA, Public Health - Emphasis in Healthcare      Administration - SDSU.
  BA, Economics - UCSD - cum laude
  Extensive training in Bowen Family Systems Theory
  EMDR Level 1
  Certified Prepare/Enrich Counselor
  MFT Intern #60602 supervised by G. Keith Olson,
     Ph.D., MFT # 6022


Affiliations
  American Association for Marriage and Family
     Therapy (AAMFT)
  California Association of Marriage and
     Family Therapists (CAMFT)
  Christian Association for Psychological
     Studies (CAPS)
  American Association of Christian
     Counselors (AACC)

Contact:
mlacroix@fcssandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x146
 

Joy. Peace. Success. Healthy, happy relationships. It takes guts to say to someone, “Could you help me get there?” In combining my background in biblical counseling with my work as a therapist, my goal in therapy is to draw out the heart, build hope, facilitate open, safe communication, and help provide practical, faith building, and real life tools for spiritual, mental, and emotional change.

Before pursuing training in marriage and family therapy, I have had the joy of providing biblical counseling with couples, families, and individuals for the last 20 years. In therapy, I have worked with couples who have wanted to renew the fire in their love life and sexual relationship as well with others who are no longer communicating or have been on the brink of divorce. I have worked with parents on how to build a rewarding, close relationship with their children while maintaining clear discipline. I have counseled women who have experienced the terror of rape, sexual abuse, and childhood and partner violence. I have worked with children and adolescents who have a hard time sitting still in class, argue with their peers, teachers, and parents, or felt unmotivated, depressed or suicidal. Working through issues like these and others with families and individuals has given me a great respect and admiration for the amazing, resilient people I have had the privilege of helping.

Speaking and Groups
  Training Them in Love: Parenting Classes and      Workshops
  Sex and the Supremacy of Christ: A Workshop for      Married Women
  So You Almost Have a Teenager: Preparing for the
     teen years
  Chemical Dependency and Recovery Support Groups

Professional Experience
  MARITAL COUNSELING - conflict resolution, effective      communication, sexual relationship, infidelity, unity,      cultural differences, military deployment
  PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING
  INDIVIDUALS - depression, stress and anxiety, anger      management, grief, sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts,      mental illness
  ADDICTION AND RECOVERY - drug, alcohol, gambling,      and sexual addictions
  FAMILY THERAPY - treatment with the whole family
  PARENT/CHILD RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING
  ADOLESCENT COUNSELING - school issues, divorce,      depression, drugs and alcohol, relationship conflicts,      eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, gangs
  PLAY THERAPY - school age beginning at age 3:
     ADHD, frustration tolerance, anger, trauma,
     conflict resolution
  MUSIC THERAPY - using music and instruments to
     help identify emotions and express feelings

Education, Training, Experience, and Professional Affiliations
  MA in Marital and Family Therapy, Alliant
     International University, San Diego, CA
  BM in Musical Theater and Vocal Performance,
     Arizona State University, AZ
  Post Graduate Courses in Music and Play Therapy
  Specialized training in Emotion Focused Therapy
  American Association of Marriage and Family
     Therapists (AAMFT)
  Trained Facilitator for Dynamic Marriage
  Languages: Sign Language (Exact English/ASL)
  Ministry Work: Women’s Counselor Intern,
     Deaf Ministry Leader
  Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee – Palomar
     Family Counseling Service (AAMFT)
  Registered MFTI, #60514

Contact:
jkonzen@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x145
 

Seeking help to improve your life is a courageous act! Sharing intimate details about current problems and exploring past wounds can be difficult for many of us. I provide my clients with a safe environment where they can share their thoughts and feelings; as well as explore their past hurts that stem from their family of origin without any criticism and judgment. I have profound passion in guiding clients toward emotional, social, spiritual and professional success. When life transitions, losses, and your overall well-being become too difficult to manage, do know that you are not alone. Working together, we can negotiate and develop a well thought out course of action towards self improvement.

I am committed to providing the highest quality of care to my clients and working with them to facilitate self-awareness; which will allow them to make choices that are both healthly and empowering. My practice includes treatment of children, teenagers, adults, couples, families and groups. My specialties include working with children and teenagers to address academic, social, emotional or behavioral challenges. Additional areas of focus include working with premarital counseling couples to increase relational satisfaction, grief and loss, parenting conflicts, and career planning.

I regard myself as a coach – therapist, who practices from a resilience and strength-based position. Together, we will identify multigenerational patterns of strength in your family and build upon them to support your current relationships.

Areas Of Specialization
  Coaching individuals, couples, family and group
     members motivated to create change in their
     relationships
  Addressing parenting issues between young
     adults, teens and children
  Facilitating groups addressing grief and loss,
     life transitions, self esteem, and anger management
  Helping couples strengthen their marriage
  Identifying conflicts and resolving issues between
     nuclear and extended family members
  Coping with grief and loss - from death, divorce,
     or other major life changes
  Relieving anxiety and depression

Professional Experience
  Center for Grief Care and Education, San Diego
     Hospice & The Instutute for Palliative
     Medicine – Bereavement Counselor
  San Diego Unified School District, Kearny High
     Complex – Employer Outreach Specialist
  San Diego Unified School District,
     (SANDAPP program) – Case Manager
  Jones and Associates Consulting, Inc.,
     – Relations Specialist & Accounts Manager
  Comprehensive Training Systems, – Supervising
     Case Manager/Recruiter/Intake Counselor
  The Salvation Army, The Door of Hope
     – Residential Case Manager

Education And Training
  MA in MFT - Bethel Seminary, San Diego
  BA in Psychology, San Diego State University
  BA in Africana Studies, San Diego State University
  Certified Prepare/Enrich Counselor
  PTSD, Depression and TBI Course (Psychological
     Health of Warriors and Their Families), The Center
     for Deployment Psychology held in San Diego
  Bereavement Counseling Training,
     San Diego Hospice
  Group Counseling for Bereaved Families,
     San Diego Hospice
  Registered MFT Intern 63218 supervised by
     G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT 6022

Affiliations
  American Association for Marriage and Family
     Therapy (AAMFT)
  California Association of Marriage and Family
     Therapists (CAMFT)
  Christian Association for Psychological Studies
     (CAPS)

Contact:
llee@enrichingrelationships.org
619-858-3105 x131
 

Sam Moehlenpah, MA, MFT
I desire to provide a therapeutic experience with a seamless integration of Biblical truths and sound psychological principles. I bring to my therapy a vast experience of working with hurting individuals, couples and families from all backgrounds and situations. I endeavor to make the therapeutic process as simple and straightforward as possible.

This approach benefits my clients by making them feel...
  Safe to honestly share what is really going on      without fear of being shamed, judged, or criticized.
  Informed to understand what possible      circumstances, life experiences and relationship      patterns contributed to their current situation.
  Challenged to face their problems head on and make      the changes necessary to make a true and lasting      impact in their lives and relationships.

I specialize in working with couples and families on a broad range of issues that include:
  Destructive Relational Patterns in Marriage
  Parenting Issues with Young Adults, Teens and          Children
  Family Crisis
  Communication
  Conflict Resolution
  Depression/Suicidality
  Mixed Faith Relationships
  Personal Growth and Change
  Sexual Addiction/Substance Abuse

My wife Kerri and I are pleased to offer couples counseling from a cotherapy model. Cotherapy is the treatment of couples and families by two counselors working together. Kerri and I provide Christian cotherapy as a married couple. Cotherapy is an exciting, fast paced model that offers many benefits. To read more please visit our informative website at www.ChristianCotherapy.com

Education and Training
  MA in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Western      Seminary
  BA in Bible and Theology, Christian Life College
  Post graduate courses: Domestic Violence Training      Symposium; Professional Assault Response Training      Revised (PART-R)

Professional Experience
  Vista Balboa Crisis Center, San Diego, CA
  Areta Crowell Center-Young Adult Day Treatment,      San Diego, CA
  Frontier Adolescent Day Treatment, Santee, CA
  Advent Group Ministries, San Jose, CA
  Adjunct Faculty at Christian Service Training      Institute, San Diego, CA
  Licensed minister and Assistant Pastor, Poway, CA

Professional Affiliations and License
  American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
  Christian Association for Psychological Studies      CAPS
  California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT)
  Licensed in the state of California as a Marriage and      Family Therapist. License # MFC 37887

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Sam or with Sam and Kerri together please call.

Contact:
smoehlenpah@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x125
 

Gary Cundiff, MA, MFT
Addressing concerns in a therapeutic environment takes a lot of courage. It's much easier to not deal with problems and hope they go away. But like ping-pong balls in a swimming pool, you can push your problems down yet they will keep coming back up. When I meet with clients, I create a safe atmosphere to talk about the concerns that brought them in to see me. My hope is that my clients are able to find the strength to move forward as I help them work through their concerns.

Therapeutic Approach/Professional Experience

I have a passion for helping people find emotional and spiritual wholeness. My approach integrates biblical truths and solid psychological principles. My experience includes working with children, families, individuals and couples.

Individual therapy -- relating to issues with anxiety, depression, abuses, child or adult, physical or emotional, conflict resolution, anger management, and self esteem -- is a major therapeutic skill offered to my clients.

Premarital, Marital, and Couple therapy including preparing couples for a life of being married to one another, addressing behavior that creates conflict and discussing these issues bring many married couples in to see a therapist. I give a personality test to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each individual. This helps couples with issues from childhood or other relationships that may be affecting the marriage. My desire is to draw couples closer together so the'll have a healthy, vibrant marriage.

I have extensive training in child/play therapy, which enables me to work with children starting at 3 years old. Not only am I able to work with the children and their home issues, but also with school problems, and children with ADHD. I can help the parents better understand the child or children with parenting direction for making the home a safe haven.

I have worked with families and individuals that may have experienced grief from a variety of losses.

Experience
  Christian private practice in Sumner, WA for 2 years      at Exodus Christian Counseling.
  Auburn Youth Resources in Auburn, WA for 7 years
  Built satellite office from 0 to 200 clients
  Ran various programs in elementary, Jr. and Sr. high      schools and worked on Multidisciplinary teams to      provide wraparound services for children in need
  Contracted to assist kids behavioral problems with      group and Individual therapy
  Led groups on smoking cessation for teenagers,      anger management for adolescence, PACE (for      children that have been victims of abuse), SNAP      Summer Nature and Activity Program which I      created, ADHD group, and children's friendship      groups
  Organized and led women's retreats in Auburn, WA

Education and Affiliations
  BS in Communications, University of Southern      California
  MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fuller Seminary
  Marriage and Family Therapist, CA License # 45871
  Member, California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT) # 92794
  Certified Prepare Counselor

Speaking Topics
  Families Where Grace is In Place
  The Overwhelmed Woman
  How Children Communicate Through Play

Contact:
knelson@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x138
 

G. Keith Olson, Ph.D., MFT
Family Consultation Service was established in 1971 as an expression of my desire to integrate the perspectives of psychology and my study of human relationships with God's word as it is revealed in the Bible. This was the first professional counseling center in San Diego to be established with evangelical Christianity as its basis. Many of the most fulfilling experiences in my more than 30 years of professional life have been in my relationships with clients and colleagues that I have been privileged to enjoy here at Family Consultation Service.

During these years I have had the opportunity to work with a very wide range of people dealing with an equally wide range of issues. However, I have had the greatest amount of experience, and I believe expertise, with:

  Therapy with individual adults dealing with      depression and anxiety
  Adults working with a wide range of ministry-related      issues
  Marital therapy
  Individual and family therapy with adolescents
  Stepfamily adjustments

In addition to providing direct psychotherapy and marital and family counseling services, it has been my privilege to work to enhance personal, family and community health through professional speaking, teaching and writing.

I believe that at the core of all personal and relational problems is alienation which has plagued humankind since almost the dawn of creation. My therapy with individuals, couples, and families is based on the process of helping people to develop stronger connectedness (relationships with God, with each other, and with themselves, as well as with the whole of creation within which God has placed us).

Professional Speaking, Teaching and Writing:
  Speaking engagements include a wide range of      topics for churches, schools, corporations and other      organizations. These opportunities include local      presentations, national conferences, association      meetings, and invited international presentations in      Europe, Africa and Asia.
  A wide variety of articles in journals and magazines
  Three published books (Counseling Teenagers, Why      Teenagers Act the Way They Do, and What Makes      Your Teenager Tick?)
  Contributions to several other books by different      authors.
  A four-volume video series on Counseling Teenagers,      a five-volume video series, Understanding      Me/Understanding You
  Appearances in other video projects on parenting,      pastoral counseling, and psychotherapy

Degrees and License:
  Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of      Arizona (1972).
  BA in psychology from San Diego State University      1967
  Licensed in the state of California since 1973 as a      Marriage and Family Therapist. License #M6022

Faculty Associations:
  1997 to present - Administrator and Lead Faculty of      the M.A. program in Marital and Family Therapy at      Bethel Seminary San Diego
  1986 to 1997 - Associate Pastoral Care Faculty at      Bethel Seminary San Diego
  1973 to 1999 - Associate Psychology Faculty at      Point Loma Nazarene University

Affiliations:
  American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
  American Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (AAMFT)
  California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT)
  Christian Association for Psychological Studies CAPS
  During the mid 1990s - a member and San Diego      Chapter Officer of the National Speakers Association.

Contact:
kolson@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x122
 

H. Luis Vargas, Ph.D., LMFT MFC#44953
Information You May Want to Know
This description has been prepared to inform you about my qualifications and what you can expect from me as your therapist.

My Qualifications
The majority of my experience has been working with:
  Clients of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and      multi-cultural experiences.

In particular, my clinical experience includes practice with:
  Issues related to acculturation, child abuse,      witnessing of crime, disappearance, domestic      violence, environmental trauma, homicide,      kidnapping, terrorist threats, and their impact on      relationships.
  Individual and relationship concerns associated with      cultural differences, divorce, marital conflict, family      hostility, marital/family separation, and their impact      on self.
  Cultural and social adaptation issues related to      immigration, and their effect on relationships.
  Problems connected to fears, anxiety, depression,      under-achievement, frustrated needs, and their      impacts on relationships.

The Therapeutic Process
There are several steps in the therapeutic process. First, we will need to spend some time exploring the concerns that brought you to therapy. Obviously, we need to discuss matters openly and honestly. Certain matters of experience are difficult to share. I will work with you at your pace.

After we develop sufficient background to proceed, we will decide upon specific goals and objectives. Oftentimes, change is a challenging process associated with risks. We will regularly evaluate progress. Treatment efforts will conclude when the sought-after goals are sufficiently achieved.

The FCS Group Practice Model
I am a member of a group practice. One of the advantages to you is that I get to consult on an as-needed basis with a dozen other professionals whom I trust. As a group, we meet weekly. During our time together, we continually advance our knowledge and skill sets by learning about each other's clinical practices and experiences.

Confidentiality
All of our sessions will be confidential. My professional code of ethics prevents me from releasing any records without permission and discussing what is said during sessions with anyone other than my colleagues in peer consultation. The only exceptions to this are if someone is in danger of being harmed, or if the law explicitly states that confidentiality provisions do not apply.

Spirituality and Therapeutic Approach
I carefully and respectfully work from a bio-psycho-social and spiritually integrated theoretical perspective.

In our work together, we will sensitively explore your relationship experience(s) to self and others. We will cover all relationships that are important to you, including your connection to faith.

We will work closely to identify goals that are specific, measurable, achievable and realistic. We will set up a timetable to meet those goals.

In addition, our work will entail engagement in a series of effective clinical processes and therapeutic exercises targeting patterns of thought and behavior evidenced relationally and systemically. The therapeutic processes utilized are research based.

I attend to multicultural and multigenerational influences, family of origin dynamics and life cycle considerations.

Length of Sessions
Therapy sessions are normally 45-50 minutes. Depending upon the nature of the concerns, sessions are held one or more times weekly. It is difficult to initially predict how many sessions will be needed. If this is important to you, I will be better able to discuss the probable number of sessions after we have explored and gained some background - usually, after two or three sessions.

In addition to my member practice with Family Consultation Service, I am currently employed as:
  Assistant Professor, Core Faculty member, MFT      Program
     Alliant International University - California School of      Professional Psychology
     10455 Pomerado Road - Daley Hall - San Diego, CA.

  Adjunct Faculty Associate, MFT Program
     Bethel University/Bethel Seminary San Diego
     San Diego, CA.

Education:
  Ph.D., (2005)
     Loma Linda University - Graduate School -      Department of Counseling & Family Sciences
     Loma Linda, CA.

  M.A., MFT, (2001)
     Bethel University/Bethel Seminary San Diego
     San Diego, CA.

Affiliations and License:
  California Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (CAMFT)
  American Association of Marriage and Family      Therapists (AAMFT)
  AAMFT Approved Supervisor certification in process
  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC#44953

Available for Seminars, Community Dialogs and Speaking Engagements Covering:
  Relationship Discord
  Multiculturalism
  Cross-Cultural Experiences
  Family Life Cycle
  Theory of Systems
  Contemporary Issues of Latin America
  Worldview Influences
  Intergenerational Patterns
  Relationship Impasses
  Relationship Building
  Latino Immigrants and Mass Movements
  Liberation Psychology
  Book Reviews and Discussions

Languages:
Bilingual Spanish

Contact:
lvargas@FCSsandiego.com
(619) 280-3430 x127
 

I have been counseling couples, families, and individuals in various settings for approximately twenty years. As a California Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, ordained minister, professor, and President, CEO and founder of Enriching Relationships, Inc. (a biblically-based research and family seminar company), I frequently speak about relationship issues at churches, conferences, retreats, and seminars throughout the United States. I have worked as a family therapist staff member at Charter Behavioral Health System of Kansas City, a psychiatric hospital where substance abuse and addictions were treated utilizing Alcoholics Anonymous, 7-Step programming, medical pharmacological balancing, and mental health care. I frequently work directly with psychiatrists, physicians, pastors, counselors, teachers and other care-givers while treating my patients. I am also a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist in Kansas where I was in private practice for seven years.

Premarital communication skill building, conflict management, communication enhancement, and improving relational interactions within family systems and organizations are specialties I offer to my clients. Due to my seminary education (including biblical language training) and pastoral experience (both as senior and associate pastor), I am able to apply biblical truth to relationship building for all ages.

Therapeutic Approach
The type of therapy you will receive is a problem solving systemic approach. This means that the focus of therapy will be an understanding of your goals for treatment and working together to solve these problems in a focused and planned way. This may include assignments to be completed between sessions. Also treatment will look at the systems in which you and your situation exist including family, work, religion, society, etc., and seek to understand how these factors affect your situation.

Other areas where Dr. Welch may assist you and/or your family:
  Persistent problems with a child's behavior, school
     adjustment, and performance
  Sexual concerns
  Feelings of depression, failure, anxiety,
     and loneliness
  Difficulty in talking with family members, friends,
     and co-workers
  Alcohol and drug abuse
  Repeated financial difficulties
  Drastic weight fluctuations and irregular
     eating patterns
  Chronic work difficulties and frequent job changes
  Unmanageable anger, hostility, and violence
  Persistent feelings of dissatisfaction with marriage
     and family life
  Persistent difficulty coping with stresses arising
     from life crises such as death, divorce, acute
     and chronic illness and unemployment
  Stepfamily adjustments

Dr. Welch, Founder, President, and CEO of The Center for Enriching Relationships, Inc. website:
  www.EnrichingRelationships.org
  The Center for Enriching Relationships, Inc. is an
     organization committed to enhancing relationships
     through practical application of biblical truths and
     respected research.

Professional Speaking, Teaching and Writing:
  Nationwide speaking engagements include
     preachingin a variety of denominations, revivals
     held at many churches, seminars on the family,
     keynote addresses at statewide organizations,
     original research presented at national conferences,
     radio guest appearances
  A wide variety of articles in magazines, biblical
     commentaries and methodologies, and newspapers
     including Point Loma Nazarene University ViewPoint
     Magazine, Group Publishing, The Preachers
     Magazine, Bible Study Methodologies for
     Word Action Publishing, World Mission Magazine,
     and the Kansas City Star newspaper
  Contributions to several books and devotionals
     the Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education
     (Baker Books) and Introducing Christian Education
     (Baker Books), and Nazarene Publishing House
  Editor for Quest for Success (a College Guide for
     Freshman university students)
  Editorial Advisory Board for the Annals
     of the American Psychotherapy Association
  Foreword for a 2005 book, For Better or WorseTate
     Publishing
  Video on Learning How to FORGIVE Ourselves As We
     forgive Each Other (Word Action Publishing)

Degrees and License:
  M.S. in Family Therapy from Friends
     University (1998)
  Ph.D. in Education from the University of
     Kansas(1994)
  M.Div. in Pastoral Ministry/Theology from
     Nazarene Theological Seminary (1986)
  M.A. in Religion from Point Loma Nazarene
     University (1980)
  B.A. in Religion from Point Loma Nazarene
     University with minor in Psychology (1978)
  Certificate in Youth Ministries, Point Loma Nazarene
     University (1978)
  Licensed in the state of Kansas as a Licensed
     Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist
     since 1998
  Approved Supervisor in the American Association
     for Marriage and Family Therapy (2005)
  Ordained Minister in the Church of the Nazarene
     since 1985
  Ordained Minister-Supply in The Wesleyan Church
     since 2007
  MFT Intern #47821 supervised by Karen J.
     Lenell, MFC# 24515

Affiliations:
  Fellow in Psychotherapy in the American
     Psychotherapy Association
  Clinical Member in the American Association of
     Marriage and Family
  Member, California Association of Marriage
     and Family Therapy
  Member, Kansas Association for Marriage
     and Family Therapy
  Certified Human Behavior Consultant,
     Uniquely You, Inc.
  Presenter, Prepare and Enrich, Life Innovations, Inc.

Faculty and Administrative Associations:
  2009 - Present, Azusa Pacific University,
     San Diego, California: Adjunct Professor in
     the M.S. Clinical Psychology Department
  2006 - Present, Point Loma Nazarene
     University, San Diego, California: Adjunct Professor
     in the Department of Psychology and The
     School of Theology and Christian Ministry
  1989-2005, MidAmerica Nazarene University,
     Olathe, Kansas: Coordinator, Department
     of Christian Education, Professor of Christian
     Education and Family Studies, Chairman of the
     Division of Management and Human
     Relations, Professor and supervisor of
     Graduate Students in the Masters in
     Counseling Program
  2001, Friends University, Wichita, Kansas:
     Adjunct Professor in the graduate Family
     Therapy program
  1989-1991, Nazarene Theological Seminary,
     Kansas City, Missouri: Associate Registrar
  1979-1983, Point Loma Nazarene University,
     San Diego, California: Resident Director,
     Associate Dean of Students, and Assistant Chaplain

Pastoral Experiences:
  Counseling Pastor (part-time), Skyline Church,
     Rancho San Diego, California:
     www.skylineChurch.org 2006-present
  Interim Pastor of six churches in California,
     Kansas and Missouri, (1987-2006)
  1987-1989, Pastoral Ministries Coordinator,
     International Headquarters, Church of the
     Nazarene, Kansas City, Missouri
  1983-1987, Senior Minister, Rainbow
     Boulevard Church of the Nazarene, Kansas City,
     Kansas
  1981-1983, Director of College Ministries,
     First Church of the Nazarene, San Diego,
     California

Honors and Awards:
  National Registers Who's Who In Executives
     and Professionals (2006-2007)
  Gamma Epsilon Donald S. Metz Award for
     Distinctive Academic Contributions (voted
     by faculty and student body Teacher of the Year),
     MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe,
     Kansas 2000-2001
  Who's Who Among America's Teachers
     (2002, 2004, 2005)
  International Who's Who of Professionals (1997)
  Outstanding Young Men of America
     (1983, 1984, 1986)

Contact:
dwelch@enrichingrelationships.org
(619) 858-3105 x130