Carmela Floro, LMFT, a Professional Corporation
About Me
I came to the U.S.A. when I was 7 years old with my sister and paternal grandparents to meet our parents. We were raised by our aunt, uncles and grandparents in the Philippines. The culture shock was difficult, as well as trying to manage the racial, social, and political climate growing up in Missouri. I have had a strong interest in music and psychology from a young age. As the oldest of five children, it became natural for me to be nurturing, caring, and responsible. Throughout my life, I have listened and helped friends and family with their relationship or family troubles. In my practice, I work with clients who have experienced all types of abuse (emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, financial, including sexual), enduring, chronic and painful. They have had to cope with
effects of abuse throughout their lifetime, such as the effect on their self-worth, self-respect, confidence, ability to make decisions, and ability to form healthy relationships. These are just a few of the bigger problems one faces as a victim. Patterns of abuse or toxicity are inter-generational. The messages, beliefs, behaviors, choices, roles, expectations and dynamics (victimization and perpetration creating helplessness and powerlessness) are transmitted from one generation to the next.
My work with my clients is described as empowering, strengthening, holistic, and exploratory, and sparks awareness and consciousness. It is integrative, involving different approaches to strengthen the individual, the couple, or the family.
I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Southern California (USC). I was fortunate to work with Dr. Bosco Tjan at his visual research laboratory and Dr. Boaz Levy on administering the modified Wechsler Memory Scale-III to volunteers with Alzheimer's in the Gerontology Department at USC. I completed my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (with emphasis in marriage and family therapy) at Pepperdine University. I completed my internship at Another Way (through Open Paths Counseling Center) in domestic violence counseling through providing individual and couples therapy to adults (those abused and those who have abused) and co-facilitated anger management groups. I also completed an internship at Valley Trauma Center and completed a 40-hour certification in sexual abuse. I provided individual therapy to survivors of sexual abuse. I worked as an advocate with the sexual abuse response team. Since then, I have worked in various roles in mental health: as a clinician, program manager, and clinical supervisor at Five Acres for over 12 years, as a clinical supervisor for interns at Pasadena Mental Health Center, and as a clinical director at other agencies, managing outpatient clinics and shelters. I have worked in various mental health teams to provide comprehensive services and assistance for clients and families, including thorough assessments and providing referrals which I continue to do with current clients. I am also a nationally certified custody evaluator through PACE. I am also trained in EMDR, dual diagnosis treatments, and trauma focused and CBT treatment approaches.
I have many years of multi-disciplinary assessment experience, working with children (including 0-5 years of age), teens, and adults. I have helped parents with their child and teen through parenting, collateral and family therapy. I am also a victims provider through CalVCP and many of these clients are women who have experienced a long history of abuse in a relationship. I have been in private practice for over 10 years, and 17 years with professional experience working at non-profit mental health agencies. I believe every little bit of effort counts in helping others to create a better life.
I have a background in music (AA in performance/orchestration/arranging) and martial arts.
I am a single mother, and I have a very close and loving relationship with my daughter, who has been a tremendous inspiration for me.