Dr. Veronica Viesca

Executive Director and Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
California: MFC 80308 │Texas: LMFT-Supervisor 203022 │Washington: LF 61238453

Publications & Media Contributions

Dr. Veronica Viesca, a Southern California native, is a distinguished mental health professional, educator, and researcher with a profound commitment to advancing the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. As a devoted scholar and practitioner, Veronica’s extensive background in academia, clinical supervision, and professional leadership has positioned her as a valuable asset to the nonprofit sector.

Veronica earned her Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego, followed by a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, Veronica brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her academic role. Prior to her tenure at Pepperdine, she served as Assistant Professor and Program Director of COAMFTE-accredited Family Therapy Programs at Texas Woman’s University.

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Board Approved Supervisor in California, Texas, and Washington, Veronica holds a national approved supervisor designation from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Her dedication to advancing the profession is evident in her role as a mentor, providing clinical supervision since 2013 and offering AAMFT supervision mentor training for clinical supervisors since 2016.

Veronica’s research endeavors focus on Biopsychosocial-spiritual influences on health behaviors, the Biobehavioral Family Model, relational distress, metabolic disorders and longevity/health span, Brain injury, emotional expression and relationship distress, couple therapy supervision, emotion-focused couple therapy (EFT), and Telehealth. Her scholarly contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Loma Linda University Research Excellence Award, the Family Process Institute New Writers Fellowship, and the Texas Woman’s University Research Enhancement Award.

Actively engaged in professional organizations, Veronica has served as a member and chair of the AAMFT Elections Council and as a member of the AAMFT Component Evaluation Committee. Beyond her academic and professional contributions, she enriches the field through participation in the Radical Therapist Podcast as a Radical Roundtable contributor and as a practice development and business consultant for mental health professionals.

In 2023, Veronica harnessed her extensive knowledge in research, clinical practice, and business acumen to establish two impactful ventures: a California non-profit, The Center for Mental Health Excellence, and a national practice, The Institute for Relational Well-being. These initiatives reflect her unwavering commitment to enhancing mental health services and therapist training on both local and national scales.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Veronica finds joy in spending leisure time outdoors with her family, engaging in activities such as scuba diving, cooking, and exploring new destinations through travel. Veronica Viesca’s multifaceted expertise, dedication to advancing the mental health field, and passion for community well-being make her an exceptional addition to Th Board of Directors.

Sabrina Parr, LMFT

Clinical Supervisor
As a Clinical Supervisor at the Center for Mental Health Excellence (CFMHE), a California-based non-profit organization dedicated to mental health care, Sabrina Parr, LMFT, brings her wealth of experience and diverse therapeutic approaches to support and guide our team of therapists.

Sabrina Parr, LMFT, was born and raised in the Bay Area. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of California at Davis and her Master of Science at San Francisco State University. She spent her early career working with high school students and dependents of the court, which fueled her passion for working with teens and at-risk youth. She worked for several years in this field until she moved to San Diego.

In San Diego, Sabrina was the clinical coordinator at a juvenile diversion program with Social Advocates for Youth, where she learned the inner workings of the court system, probation, and special education. Following this, she worked briefly for WellPoint Behavioral Health, where she learned about mental health insurance plans and how to navigate through the insurance world. Sabrina started her private practice in 2003 and has enjoyed the flexibility it has provided her while she raised her family.

At CFMHE, Sabrina’s extensive experience aligns with our commitment to providing comprehensive, evidence-based mental health care. In her private practice, Sabrina employs an eclectic approach to therapy and has a variety of specialized training that she draws from. She creates treatment plans based on the unique needs of each client. Sabrina trained in Imago Therapy, a specific style of relationship therapy designed to help conflict within relationships become opportunities for healing and growth. She often uses Imago Therapy with couples and individuals. She is also certified in Positive Discipline, which supports raising self-reliant and responsible children with a positive approach, and often applies this theory when working with parents struggling with their children’s behavior. Sabrina was also trained in and uses Internal Family Systems, an approach that examines the various parts of ourselves from past conditioning and trauma. Additionally, Sabrina utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy when working with clients dealing with the negative thoughts and beliefs often associated with depression and anxiety. Her goal is to support her clients through connection, education, and interventions designed to meet the agreed-upon goals.

As a supervisor at CFMHE, Sabrina’s diverse therapeutic toolkit and client-centered approach contribute to our mission of advancing the field of mental health through cutting-edge research and clinical training.

In her free time, Sabrina enjoys reading, exercise, the outdoors, volunteering, cooking, and spending time with her family. She values a healthy work/life balance and strives to practice what she preaches. Sabrina is known for being organized, punctual, responsive, and consistent. She values her clients’ time and works hard to support them and their goals.

Kelly Ann Riley, LMFT, RPT-S

Clinical Supervisor
As a valued Clinical Supervisor at the Center for Mental Health Excellence (CFMHE), Kelly Ann Riley, LMFT, RPT-S, brings over 20 years of experience to our team. Her expertise aligns with CFMHE’s mission to provide innovative, evidence-based mental health care to diverse populations.

Kelly Ann Riley, LMFT, RPT-S, is a dedicated psychotherapist specializing in working with children, adolescents, parents, and families. Kelly earned her master’s degree at Chapman University and Play Therapy certification at the University of California at San Diego. Kelly’s professional experience has included helping children whose parents are involved in the process of divorce and she is trained in Co-Parenting, which is a specialization that addresses parenting issues that arise from divorce. Recognizing the significant impact that parental separation can have on a child’s well-being, Kelly works closely with parents to facilitate healthy communication and co-parenting strategies to help foster emotional resilience for their children.

At CFMHE, Kelly’s expertise in the Gottman Method for couples therapy enhances our commitment to providing cutting-edge, research-based interventions. Kelly is a skilled couples therapist trained in the renowned Gottman Method, a research-based approach designed to help couples strengthen their relationships and enhance emotional intimacy. With a commitment to fostering healthy partnerships, Kelly provides a safe and supportive environment where couples can explore their challenges, improve communication, and deepen their connection.

Kelly has taught parenting classes in the San Diego area. She has specialized training in two parenting programs, “Redirecting Children’s Behavior” and “Developing Capable Young People”; both programs are focused on raising self-reliant, responsible children.

Kelly’s extensive supervision experience contributes significantly to CFMHE’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of mental health professionals. Her supervision experience includes overseeing parent educators in an early development parent-child program, Parents as Teachers, for a local school district, overseeing a teen hotline and becoming certified as a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor (RPT-S).

As part of CFMHE’s dedicated team, Kelly’s diverse skill set and decades of experience contribute significantly to our non-profit organization’s mission. Her expertise helps advance mental health care through comprehensive training and community-focused services, aligning with CFMHE’s commitment to excellence and accessibility in mental health support.