About Madison
How it started…
My journey started in 2016 when I was volunteering for the National Crisis Text Line (741-741) providing support to anonymous texters who were experiencing mental health crisis’. I was fresh out of high school and attending community college with the goal of killing time as a journalism major until I was 21 and could become a flight attendant. I struggled with academics through grade school due to dyslexia and poor self-esteem which made considering a 4-year degree in any major fairly unappealing. Something that continued to peak my curiosity and pull on my heart strings was my work as a crisis counselor. I was left wondering about the individuals who texted in: Did the coping skills help? Were they able to stay safe?
It was these questions and an introduction to psychology class at Orange Coast Community College that changed me from a very unserious journalism major to a very serious psychology major. Every class I took through my associate’s and bachelor’s degrees challenged by belief that “I’m not smart”- even the statistics classes. For the first time ever, I felt smart in an academic setting. I was interested in classes, excited about research, and receiving encouragement from professors I respected. When I graduated with my BA from San Francisco State, I moved back to Orange County. Within one month of starting my first job post grad, the world was in lockdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. By that time, 22 year old me didn’t even consider being a flight attendant and I was set on finding a program to support my next steps in becoming a therapist.
In the personal statement I wrote for my application to Pepperdine, I reflected on my work as a crisis counselor and my reason for applying for the program:
“ I want to connect with people who feel they have nowhere else to turn, I want to help people who are ashamed to ask for help because of the stigma surrounding therapy, I want to be there for people when they are at their lowest.”
Years later, I still resonate with the quote. As a therapist, I strive to be a safe person in my community that can offer support, help challenge the stigmas around mental health, and guide my clients out of hopelessness. It also feels incredibly weird to quote myself but then again, this is my website and I now own my own therapy practice.
How its going…
I graduated from Pepperdine at the end of 2022, worked under supervision of LMFT’s to complete 3,000+ clinical hours to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, and in July 2025 passed my clinical exam. Since licensure, I continue to prioritize staying up-to-date on clinical research, improving clinical skills, and consultation with colleagues.
When I am not being a therapist, I am trying to practice what I preach to clients by engaging with my community and staying active. I am a long-distance runner, a surfer, I rock climb, I read, I volunteer, I make sourdough, I take photos, and enjoy nature as often as possible.
Clinical Training
The Brea Resource CenterMarriage and Family Therapist Trainee
December 2021-December 2022
The Brea Resource Center is where I completed my practicum hours for graduation under Dr. Julie Lee, LMFT while at Pepperdine. I got to be in a therapeutic space for the first time, confirm I do want to be a therapist (you don’t really know until you’re sitting in front of clients), and navigate how I view myself in the role as “therapist.” Thank you to my first clients, my fellow trainees, and Julie Lee.
Mosaic Family TherapyAssociate Marriage and Family Therapist
April 2023-September 2025
I started as the first hire at a private practice in San Clemente. I was about to graduate when I reached out to a supervisor in the area who directed me to Ingrid Johnson, LMFT. I was waiting for the BBS (Board of Behavioral Sciences) to approve my traineeship hours and was eager to secure a job as an Associate Therapist. Ingrid graciously welcomed me to her practice as her first supervisee, showered me in resources and trainings (most notable, EMDR), and helped refine my clinical skills. Thank you to Ingrid for everything, my office neighbors for support, and my clients for allowing me to witness their dedication to themselves.
Fusion Care GroupAssociate Marriage and Family Therapist & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
July 2024-July 2025
July 2025- Present
Fusion Care Group provided me additional hours toward licensure and the ability to reach clients all over California via telehealth. A special thank you to Rachel Coulter, LMFT for supervising me and providing me support as I geared up to take my clinical exam for my LMFT license.
Trauma Therapist Institute- EMDR Basic Training, November 2023
Education
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family TherapyPepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology 2022
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Human Sexuality StudiesSan Francisco State University College of Science and Engineering 2019
Associate of Arts in PsychologyOrange Coast Community College 2018
Let’s get started
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