About Renée

I am a former mental health therapist with extensive experience and training working with trauma and survivors of abuse. As a survivor of narcissistic abuse myself I lost almost everything in my life including my identity and my beliefs about myself and the world. Through this incredibly painful process and season I came to know Jesus and my true identity. As a child I was baptized in the Catholic tradition and received my first communion as well as confirmation; however, I have no memory of reading the Bible and I did not have a relationship with Jesus. I was raised in an abusive and dysfunctional alcoholic home with my father, mother and sister. Thankfully my grandmother was a devoted mother and wife and one of few I could look to for some guidance and semblance of normalcy. Nevertheless without a relationship with Jesus and without knowing scripture or reading the Bible I married a non-believer and experienced more trauma. After nearly a decade that relationship was removed from me, in God’s timing, despite me fighting to keep that marriage. I had not planned on becoming a single mom and I did not believe I could survive. The Lord had other plans. Gradually over time, and after that very difficult season in my life, my dependency on that man and that relationship changed to full dependency on Jesus. My children are my greatest blessings and the most treasured title I hold today from God is that of “mom.” I feel immense gratitude that He allows me such a role in this life. My children have stretched me and taught me more than all of my years of education and professional training and I’m grateful and humbled to continue learning from them. 

“God, your God, will restore everything you lost” -Deuteronomy 30:3

If you would like to increase your connection and if you have experienced struggle or trauma, whether that has been a single incident or repetitive and/or relational, and are feeling stuck, disconnected, dissociated or unsure of God’s purpose for you I’m here and happy to connect. I am located in Southern California in Huntington Beach and also available virtually.  If you are wanting healing and guidance in order to be able to walk in your God–given purpose and design with calmness, clarity and peace I hope you will reach out to connect.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

I began my career at the Sexual Assault Crisis Agency (SACA) in 2006 in Long Beach, CA where I worked with survivors of sexual abuse and violence, who often also struggled with depression, anxiety, dissociation, addiction and codependency.  I became interested in the intersection between trauma and addiction while at SACA and my interest continued to grow as I expanded into county contracted positions, residential treatment and outpatient treatment facilities within the Los Angeles area.  I have worked with clients as both a pre-licensed as well as a licensed therapist in various settings including treatment (both residential and outpatient), private practice, non-profit, school based and county contracted organizations, including court-mandated clients involved with the Juvenile Dependency Court and foster care.  I am sensitive to the complexity trauma brings to an individual’s life experience and I love supporting clients individually and in a group setting and also couples as well.

During my years of working in residential and outpatient treatment facilities I found, more often than not, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or traumatic wounding experiences to be at the core and heart of addiction. I began to realize how much is only starting to be researched, realized and understood about the effects of trauma on the brain, especially when connected to addiction. It has been my experience that addressing past trauma is essential for healing and recovery.  By attuning and collaborating with my clients I have found it is possible to develop a safe space in order to address, process, create and initiate new resources in healing from traumatic experiences.  I am passionate about supporting and walking with people through their healing journey and into more intimacy and connection with Jesus.