Dr. Aparicio & Associates
0
FD94C886-4BD2-4F04-B7D1-1B500E05DDF4.jpg

Clinicians

Clara I. Aparicio, Psy.D. 

License PSY28302

 

I began my clinical work in 2004 as a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern. In 2012, I completed my doctorate degree in clinical psychology building on my former clinical experience, expanding my work with older adults, and conducting psychological assessments with children, adolescents, and adults. 

 

Much of my clinical experience has taught me that in order to help my clients work through life-stressors and hardships, I have to act and think beyond the conventional therapist role. Advocating for my clients’ needs has always been a passion of mine. Many times, this has included working with parents, adult children, school staff, partners, probation officers, spiritual leaders, caregivers and medical staff. My role is that of a clinical partner, life-coach, and advocate. 

 

I use a strength-based approach in therapy. I am mindful of cultural and acculturation, family dynamics, spiritual, social-economic, and medical factors that contribute to mental health conditions. My clinical work includes working with children and adolescents, adults and older adults, couples and families. I specialize in treating mood disorders, trauma, chronic pain management, acculturation issues, anger management, life transitions, grief and loss. 

 

Life's journey was never meant to be traveled alone. Our experiences, life's highs and lows, are best lived in communion with others. My goal is to join you in your journey towards discovering a healthy, productive, and enjoyable state of being. I look forward to building a therapeutic alliance and helping you build on your strengths and discovering new tools to improve your quality of life.

Our Clinicians

Clara I. Aparicio, Psy.D.I began my clinical work in 2004 after receiving my degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. In 2012, I received my doctorate degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. My clinical expe…

Clara I. Aparicio, Psy.D.

I began my clinical work in 2004 after receiving my degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. In 2012, I received my doctorate degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. My clinical experience has included working in community medical and mental health settings, schools, group homes, psychiatric hospitals, justice system, and skilled nursing facilities. I have received training conducting psychological testing in both English and Spanish with children, adolescents, and adults.

Much of my clinical experience has taught me that in order to help my clients work through life-stressors and hardships, I have to act and think beyond the conventional therapist role. Advocating for my clients’ needs has always been a passion of mine. Many times, this has involved working with parents, adult children, partners, school staff, education attorneys, probation officers, spiritual leaders, caregivers and medical professionals. My role is that of a clinical partner, life-coach, and advocate.

My goal is to join you in your journey towards discovering a healthy, productive, and enjoyable state of being. I look forward to building a therapeutic alliance and helping you build on your strengths and discovering new tools to improve your quality of life.

Sonja Alli-Casella, BSN, RN, Doctoral PMHN-NP-Intern 

Ms. Sonja Alli-Casella is a Registered Nurse who received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Loma Linda University.  She is in the process of getting her Doctorate Degree in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program from the University of San Francisco in the State of California.  Her doctoral project is focused on developing a learning module for neonatal nurses to provide trauma-informed family-centered care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).  

Ms. Sonja's clinical experience includes working with families, addressing maternity and neonatal intensive care, supporting parents after childbirth and during the hospitalization of their premature or critically ill infant in the NICU.  She works with adolescents and adults facing mood problems, academic and work-related stressors, trauma, and family-of-origin interpersonal conflict. Ms. Sonja is also a mindfulness meditation facilitator in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh/Plum Village and secular modalities.  

Ms. Sonja is committed to providing mindful, whole-person care with compassion and cultural humility.  She believes in creating an environment of trust and respect to support clients and families on their healing journey.