ABOUT ADRI

My name is Adriana, but you can call me Adri. I am so happy that you're here!

I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in California under the supervision of a licensed therapist. I graduated from Phillips Graduate Institute with my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I was elected as one of the class representatives and graduation speakers, and earned a 4.0 GPA. I earned my undergraduate degree in Art History and Visual Arts from Occidental College, with a focus on Studio Art.

Since childhood, strangers and friends alike would share with me complex experiences of trauma, shame, and guilt. I could help somewhat, but I wanted to be more knowledgeable and effective, especially since I felt it was my calling to serve others. Before attending graduate school, I sought to expand my knowledge by enrolling in IPEC’s coaching program, one of the most rigorous and respected life coaching programs available. Additionally, due to my interest in helping single people and those in relationships connect to their erotic selves and work on creating their most expansive and pleasurable sex lives, I studied under Jaiya Ma and Ian Ferguson in their Erotic Blueprints Coaching program; I completed the program and was certified, but no longer practice under their license.

I am a cisgender and multiethnic woman. My father is an immigrant from Ecuador, and my mother grew up in Los Angeles, with roots in Irish, English, and French descent. Although I have lived in Southern California for most of my life, I spent a few years of my childhood in Ecuador. I do my best to practice cultural humility by keeping myself informed and educated, and maintaining that you are the expert of your life and experiences.

I specialize in working with adults who have experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence, relationship therapy, and sex therapy. I am currently working on my sex therapy education through the Sexual Health Alliance, and I completed Gottman level 1 training. I have additional training in serving people who practice consensual non-monogamy, kink, and/or BDSM.

As a survivor of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, I am passionate about helping survivors overcome shame, re-establish their sense of self, and practice self-compassion, as well as navigating and re-establishing their healthy relationships and creating new ones. I chose to pursue additional training in sex therapy because it is a taboo topic for many mental health professionals and clients alike. I want to de-stigmatize conversations about sex and pleasure and become a resource where you can discuss a variety of challenges that you may be experiencing regarding your sexuality, sexual preferences, sexual challenges, and relational challenges.

I'm an intuitive and empathetic listener, as well as a fierce accountability partner. I’m adept at recognizing unique gifts in people and creating a safe and supportive environment. I take an eclectic approach to therapy, combining postmodern approaches such as narrative therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, and person-centered therapy. I enjoy infusing joy and humor, and focusing on your strengths and resources. Additionally, I take an easygoing yet direct approach to treatment, incorporating a touch of humor and compassion to establish rapport. I gently guide you toward your therapy goals, checking in to see if they need to be adjusted or revised as needed. I adapt to my clients' needs and welcome feedback to tailor their treatment.

When I'm not working, I enjoy doing the New York Times crossword and spending time with my loved ones, which include my two cats, Eddie and Mina. Additionally, I enjoy reading, painting, doing escape rooms, thrifting, gardening, and sewing.


  • M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Phillips Graduate Institute, Encino, CA

    • Alpha Chi Honor Society Member and graduated with a 4.0 GPA

    • Capstone Research Project: “The Effects of Shame and Stigma on the Development of Social Supports for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors.”

    • Elected Saturday Cohort Representative

    • Elected Speaker at Graduation

  • B.A. Art History and Visual Art, Emphasis Studio Art, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA

EDUCATION


RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE


Sex Therapy and Relational

  • Sex Therapy Certificate, Sexual Health Alliance (certification currently in progress)

  • Gottman Level 1: Bridging the Couple Chasm, The Gottman Institute

  • Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR), Sexual Health Alliance

  • 2-Day Conference: Keeping the Spark Alive Summit Weekend!, Sexual Health Alliance

  • Sex Therapy 102, The Institute for Sex Positive Therapy

  • Treating Out of Control Sexual Behaviors, The Institute for Sex Positive Therapy

  • Becoming Comfortable with Kink: BDSM and Beyond, The Institute for Sex Positive Therapy

  • Becoming a Poly-Informed Clinician, The Institute for Sex Positive Therapy

  • Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity, University of Colorado (Coursera)

  • SAR: Sexual Attitude Reassessment, South African Medical Association

Trauma

  • 40-Hour Domestic Violence Counselor Training Course, Casa de Familia

  • Child Abuse & Neglect Mandated Reporter Training, Mental Health & Social Workers

  • The Columbia- Suicide Severity Rating Scale, The Columbia Lighthouse Project

  • Motivational Interviewing – Foundational Course, Psychwire

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, TF-CBTWeb2.0

OCD

  • Fundamentals of Exposure-Based Therapy for OCD and Anxiety Disorders, NOCD Academy

  • OCD Subtypes: Identification and Treatment, NOCD Academy

Life Coaching

  • Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), IPEC, 2018

ADDITIONAL TRAINING & EDUCATION


  • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)

  • American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), Student Member

  • Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, Member since October 2023

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS