Starr Harrison, R.N., L.M.F.T.
Licensed Psychotherapist San Pedro
Psychotherapist Adults & Families
Starting her Career as a Nurse which spanned over 30 years and another 15 years as a Psychotherapist
Starr Harrison is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and a licensed Registered Nurse. She is well-qualified and highly motivated. She has more than 15 years clinical/supervision/teaching and mentoring experience. Her previous 30 year nursing career taught relationship-building skills, commitment, team work and created an organic pathway into the field of Psychology.
Specialty Experience:
Substance Abuse and Dependence
Worked within a county funded, out-patient chemical dependency program at a community mental health agency, helping adults achieve sobriety, family reunification and relapse prevention. I recognize that for many people entering recovery is the result of significant consequences. Assisting individuals with developing positive alternatives to substance use, family reunification and grieving the loss of the use of substances is truly a process of recovery.
Domestic Violence/Anger Management
Facilitated groups of male individuals who were mandated to 52 weeks of DV/Anger Management treatment. The most helpful mode of treatment has been shown to be group therapy. Helping them to increase awareness, slow impulsivity and make healthier choices were the goals of treatment.
Parenting
Facilitated groups of parents that were mandated from 12 to 52 weeks of treatment, to help them learn or re-learn new parenting skills and how to make different or better decisions regarding parenting their children. Developing positive-discipline and coping skills assisted parents with being better parents for their children.
Chronic Illness
Facilitated an on-going chronic illness group comprised of male and female adults struggling with chronic diseases. The group setting provided support, resources and psycho-education. Chronic illness is not just about physiological changes, it is insidious and the chronicity can lead to emotional deterioration and overwhelm. Support is a necessity.
Drug Education
Taught drug education to correctional inmates as a certified drug education instructor. Provided them with many other possible options to their previous choices of drug abuse/dependence.
Somatic Experiencing/Mindfulness
Work with clients to develop an integrated way of being with themselves, by helping them increase their tolerance for difficult bodily sensations and suppressed emotions and learning to be in the present moment.
Clinical Supervisor
Provided supervision for MFT and Doctoral trainees and interns in an individual and group setting.
Professional Experience:
Private Practice
Psychotherapist
I have been providing psychotherapy for adults, children and families in the South Bay for a number of years. Helping them to realize their full potential and improve their life situations is the goal of Therapy. I have coordinated Client care with various Psychiatrists in the South Bay Area. Provided Assessment & Referral for individuals entering Treatment.
Santa Anita Family Service in Monrovia, CA and Covina, CA
Staff Therapist & Clinical Director
As Staff Therapist I provided psychotherapy and case management services for individuals, children and families with general life stress, anger management, parenting concerns, domestic violence, and individuals with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as well as substance abuse/dependence. I was later promoted to Clinical Director and my duties included, clinical supervision for MFT and Doctoral Trainees and Interns as well as ensuring all programs were optimally and efficiently productive. We provided mental health services for individuals in the community on a sliding scale basis as well as being a County contracted facility. These experiences provided me with the opportunity to develop community resources and assist individuals with restoring their lives.
Child Abuse Prevention Program
Coordinator
Staff Therapist providing psychotherapy for adults, children and families and group therapy with CD/substance abuse, domestic violence/anger management, parenting and chronic illness.
Corrections at Twin Towers and Central Jail in Los Angeles
Taught drug education to inmates in both Twin Towers and Central Jail as a Certified Drug Education Instructor.
BHC Alhambra Hospital, Rosemead, CA
Intake Assessment coordinator
Worked with individuals with chronic mental health problems such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression in day treatment program. Coordinated admitting patients to the hospital.
Foothill Family Service, Pasadena, CA
Worked with children and families to address mental health issues.
Registered Nurse
Worked as a RN in intensive care, post-open heart and recovery room providing bedside care and charge nurse duties.
Education
Phillips Graduate Institute, Encino, CA
Master of Arts in Marriage Family Counseling
University of Phoenix, Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
Mt. Sinai School of Nursing, Cleveland, Ohio
Nursing Diploma
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
Nursing Program
License and Certifications:
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist #37337
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Registered Nurse #238944
California Board of Registered Nursing
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
3 year certification program
Certified Adult Drug Education Instructor
UCLA certified
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Trainings to learn how to help clients deal with stress using Mindfulness
Professional Affiliations:
American Association of Marriage Family Therapists (AAMFT)
California Association of Marriage Family Therapists (CAMFT)
“I have an especially unique understanding of chronic health conditions and their impact on one’s mental health. Being mindfully aware of our limitations and grounding oneself in the present is a skill I hope to be able to teach my Clients. Life seems to just get away from us especially when using substances or managing a chronic health or mental health conditions. I look forward to the opportunity to assist you with restoring your life.”
