Kirsten Yackley

From a young age I have always been curious about people. I remember going on long car trips and looking out the window wondering what were the life stories of the people I would see passing by me. As I grew older, that curiosity grew into a desire to help people who were struggling. In high school, I began volunteering and learning about how people can heal through human connection. I went on to the University of California, Santa Cruz, to study Psychology and Sociology to dive deeper into how our biological and environmental circumstances can impact our mental health. After college, I worked in the social services field and realized that I wanted to be on the other side of the helping field. I wanted to be in the room with people and bear witness to their stories. I went on to receive my Masters in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Long Beach. I have since gained therapeutic experience working in elementary schools, addiction treatment centers, crisis centers, and private practice settings. I have worked with a plethora of mental health issues and concerns.