At twenty years old, I started working at Van Nuys Psychiatric Hospital in Van Nuys, California as a Mental Health Worker. This was a 40-bed Impatient Acute Facility for children and adolescents going through immediate crisis dealing with such issues as: anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorders, drug abuse, and child abuse. Over the next eight years I became the floor supervisor, honing my skills in managing and deescalating crisis, teaching others, and communication.  I also worked at San Fernando Mission Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital, which were both adult Psychiatric Hospitals treating patients with mental illness’s including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, psychosis, and suicidal/homicidal behaviors. 

In 2001, I completed my education at Long Beach State University receiving my Masters in Social Work with an emphasis in Child Welfare and began to work for Los Angeles County the Department of Children and Family Services. I’ve worked with families dealing with domestic violence, substance abuse, physical, sexual and emotional abuse and childhood trauma.