

Navigate postpartum challenges with compassionate providers across Burbank who understand the unique mental health needs of new parents. Headway's network of 2,763 licensed professionals offers evidence-based talk therapy and medication management support. Start with a free consultation and access care within days.
I specialize in working with women going through life transitions, relationship issues, and navigating heightened anxiety. I am also a trauma-informed yoga teacher and former athlete which greatly informs my work with clients and helping them bridge the mind-body connection.
Clients working with me can expect a therapeutic experience rooted in restorative care, cultural authenticity, and deep respect for their lived story. At Cultivating A Better Me, healing is not defined solely by symptom reduction—it is a process of rebuilding inner safety, strengthening emotional resilience, and reconnecting with the parts of yourself that deserve to be seen, honored, and supported.
My clinical foundation began at Sacramento Head Start, where I learned the profound impact of compassion, early intervention, and family‐centered support. With advanced training in Early Childhood Development and Counseling Psychology, I bring specialized expertise in disruptive behaviors, trauma‐responsive care, and expressive‐arts‐based healing.
Within my practice, clients are invited into a space where they can slow down, breathe, and explore their experiences without judgment. I integrate evidence‐based practices with creativity, narrative work, and culturally grounded approaches that honor identity, community, and personal agency.
Most importantly, clients should know that I show up with presence, authenticity, and a deep commitment to helping them cultivate meaningful, sustainable change. Healing is a collaborative journey—and I walk alongside you with compassion, clarity, and support.
The human experience is unique, and the path to living the life you want begins with exploring how your thoughts, feelings, and experiences impact your life. Our therapeutic alliance creates opportunities to learn adaptive coping mechanisms to better challenge and confront stressors, process painful experiences, and empower you to live a values-based life. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and seniors from multicultural and diverse backgrounds. My areas of specialty and expertise include but are not limited to: Dual Diagnoses, Psychosis, Substance Use, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Autism Spectrum, Military Life and Trauma, PTSD, Anger Management, Infertility, Postpartum Depression, Grief and Loss, Relationship Issues, Domestic Violence, Sexual Trauma, and Major Life Transitions. Each therapy is different and has its own approach, so we will collaborate and find the best fit for your needs. Some of the modalities I utilize include Jungian Therapy, Parts work (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Art Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy to deal with stressors, improve self-worth, build resiliency, and assist you in maximizing your potential. I welcome the opportunity to support you on your journey, which honors your experience, and creates healing.
I have a Master's Degree in Counseling, Marriage, and Family from Phillips Graduate Institute.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from UCSB.
I typically work with clients who have a history of trauma, life transitions, relationship issues, and managing anxiety, The clients I work with are very motivated to make changes in their lives.
I worked with high-risk, traumatized, and abused youth for many years. I find practicing therapy very rewarding. Assisting my clients to work through life challenges and progress in their life journey is a privilege.
Hi my name is Cristina, my pro nouns are she/her. I went to two private institutions and graduated with my masters of science in Clinical Psychology. While In grad school I had the privilege of working with children in inpatient pediatric mental health for two years at CHOC Children's Hospital of Orange County. Shortly after I began working in residential addiction treatment with adults at AKUA in Newport Beach for another two years. While at AKUA I graduated from grad school and left to focus my attention in private practice where I currently center LGBTQ+ and POC clients and allies.
I believe that our creative and determined psyche allows us to “make it through” whatever life throws our way. We develop ideals, patterns, behaviors, and ways of thinking about the world, ourselves, and others. These things that at one point were meant to be protective and preserve us can overtime unknowingly to us be the very thing that gets in our way preventing us from living the life we ultimately desire. It can manifest itself in ways such as feeling frustrated with ourselves, self hate, feeling stuck, disconnected from our body, or even frozen with anxiety, depression, and maybe suicidal thoughts.


Headway helps you find expert-guided support for every stage of motherhood — from finding the right therapist or psychiatrist, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Use left and right arrow keys to switch tabs. Press Shift+Tab to return to the tab list from links in the selected tab.