Personal Counseling Staff

Andrea Bailey, Psy.D., (she/her) is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and received her doctorate from Fuller School of Psychology in Pasadena, CA. She has worked in college counseling centers for over 10 years, completing her doctoral internship at Cal State Long Beach and her post-doctoral hours at Cal Poly Pomona. She enjoys working with students from many different backgrounds, helping students to better understand themselves and how they can live their most meaningful lives. She specializes in family of origin concerns, sexuality concerns, learning how to manage emotions, exploring purpose and spirituality concerns.She approaches her work from an integrative perspective that includes attachment and relational perspectives, incorporating ACT and mindfulness practices. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with friends and family, being in nature, and creating music. 

Sarah Butcher, M.S., LMFT, (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology. She has worked in community-based, in-home, private practice, and school settings.  Her experience includes working with a variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, couples work and relationship issues, parenting challenges, perinatal mental health, identity questions, spirituality concerns, and life transitions. Sarah pays particular attention to a client’s background and context utilizing a family systems, attachment-based, dynamic, and culturally humble approach. She believes therapy is a place where people can explore and work to understand their relationships, motivations, experiences, and emotions in a safe environment, while growing in self-awareness and capacity for fulfilling relationships. When Sarah isn’t working she enjoys reading for pleasure, swimming, and spending time with friends and family. 

Alison Johnson, Psy.D., (she/her) is a licensed psychologist and received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a Cross-Cultural emphasis from the California School of Professional Psychology. She completed her post-doctoral internship at P.C.C. Since that time, Dr. Johnson has worked in hospitals, private practice, and community healthcare. She is trained in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. She enjoys working with students who have experienced academic challenges, are having difficulty adjusting culturally, those who want to improve their communication, improve their energy, decrease anxiety, or grow beyond trauma experiences. Dr. Johnson likes mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy, watches car shows and other people playing video games, runs half-marathons, and enjoys travel and being with her family. She is bilingual (Spanish).

Vanessa Bermudez, MSW, (she/her) is a case manager and clininican. She was a first-generation college student who grounds herself in her community, values, and traditions. Vanessa transferred from East Los Angeles College in 2016 to UCLA, where she earned a B.A. in Chicana Chicana/o Studies, a B.A. in Sociology. She then earned a Master in Public Administration and a Master of Social Work from USC in 2020. Vanessa uses kindness, compassion, and a trauma-informed care approach to ensure an outstanding experience for clients in both English and Spanish. She is passionate about working with college students dealing with diverse and general life challenges, including but not limited to college adjustment, first-generation, and students dealing with basic needs challenges. Her previous experience includes working with adults, domestic violence survivors, sex trafficking, college students, non-traditional students, undocu students, first-gen, and students with limitations surrounding basic needs. Her current hobbies include hiking, hoosting friends & family and spending time with her family which include her husband, daughter and her two dogs.

Jennifer McCart, Psy.D.,  (she/her) been a therapist at PCC for over 7 years.  She completed her B.A. in Psychology at Taylor University in Indiana, and her doctorate in clinical psychology at Azusa Pacific University. Her program emphasized a systems approach, integration of spirituality, and diversity. Dr. McCart has experience working with children, adolescents, families, and adults in a variety of mental health settings including: community mental health, child and adolescent school counseling, inpatient psychiatric care, and medical rehabilitation. She enjoys doing pscyhological testing, and specializes in ADHD and learning disorder testing. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, creative and performing arts, cooking, outdoor activities, and spending time with her children and family.

Preny Alaverdian (She/Her) is a practicum therapist. She received her BA in Psychology from Woodbury University and is currently a third-year doctoral student at Alliant International University, Los Angeles. She gained experience working at a variety of mental health settings, including in-home, private practice, and inpatient psychiatric care. She is passionate about diverse and multicultural communities and is able to provide services in both English and Armenian. Preny is interested in helping students overcome challenges including academic stress, relationship issues, and motivation. Preny uses a humanistic approach to ensure that each student feels safe, comfortable, and heard during sessions. In her personal life, she enjoys admiring and creating art, spending time with her dog, and trying new foods!

Lucky Chen, M.S. Ed., (She/Her) is a practicum therapist. She received a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at the University of Miami (UM). She gained experience working as a counselor intern at the Institute for Individual and Family Counseling at UM. She also had one year of experience working as a therapist intern at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami. She is currently interested in working with emerging adults from a variety of backgrounds and supporting international students. A fun fact about Lucky is that she loves ice cream and is a conisour of different flavors. Her favorites are Strawberrycheesecake flavor of Ben&Jerry's, the mint chocolate of Baskin-Robbins, and the raspberry cheesecake flavor of Talenti!

Mia Covello, (she/her) is a practicum therapist. She received her M.A. in Psychology at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, and she is currently pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the same graduate school. She is passionate about working with people who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, providing affirming mental health care, and creating safe and informed spaces in non-affirming institutions. When she is not working , she enjoys going to the aquarium, taking long walks on the beach, or adventuring somewhere in the mountains with her partner. 

Vince Esteves (he/him) is a practicum therapist. He is in his third year of a clinical psychology doctoral program at Alliant International University with an emphasis in multicultural community clinical treatment. He has worked with various populations such as survivors of child abuse and domestic violence as well as adults with intellectual disabilities, on the spectrum, mood disorders, psychosis, major depressive disorders, substance abuse, and dual diagnoses. As a Filipino American, Vince is interested in exploring intersectionality with cultures that have experienced diaspora. Aside from therapy, Vince enjoys music, dancing, golf, and will always try to find room for a fried chicken wing. 

Oscar Lau, M.A., (he/him) is pursuing his doctorate in clinical psychology at Alliant International University. He is a practicum trainee at Personal Counseling is passionate about empowering identities and promoting mental wellness in multicultural communities. His clinical interests include navigating minority stressors, intersectionality, LGBTQIA+ exploration, and Asian-American identities and experiences. In his therapeutic approach, Oscar adopts an integrative perspective, drawing upon a range of psychological modalities to facilitate client growth and progress. His long-term goal is to leverage his education to improve mental health treatment for minoritized communities through clinical work, research, outreach, and destigmatization efforts. Oscar identifies as a queer Taiwanese-Hongkongese American, and he hopes that his intersectional identities can offer representation, reassurance, and hope to those he has the privilege to serve. He enjoys singing, calligraphy, and spending time with his friends and family. One of his favorite quotes is "just keep swimming" by Dory, as it reminds us to stay resilient in the face of adversity.

Sydney Todd, M.A., (she/her) is a practicum therapist. Sydney is a 4th year Ph.D. student at The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, and is a doctoral candidate. Her trauma-informed approach to therapy emphasizes creating a strong relationship with her clients that is built on trust and safety. She highly values being a culturally humble and affirming therapist and stands as an ally for folks of all intersecting identities. Her clinical interests include women’s mental health, relationship concerns, attachment-related trauma, and working with LGBTQ+ populations. However, she welcomes the opportunity to help students of all backgrounds and mental health concerns. In her spare time, she loves spending time with animals, attending concerts, and going to the beach. 

Kate Turner, M.A., (She/Her) is a practicum therapist and received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University. She is in the process of pursuing her Psy.D. at the same institution. Kate is passionate about exploring culturally responsive interventions, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, and understanding the impact of the systemic inequalities on mental health. She enjoys working with diverse student populations and helping individuals grow. She approaches therapy through an integrative lens, incorporating cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, attachment, and relational perspectives. In her free time, Kate enjoys reading mystery novels, listening to music, and hiking outdoors.