Director

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Beth Turner is a California licensed psychologist (PSY28721), and Director of CAPS. Dr. Turner received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sexuality Studies from Western Kentucky University. She  received her Doctorate in Clinical-Community Psychology from the APA-accredited program at University of La Verne. Dr. Turner completed an APPIC-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Ohio University’s Counseling and Psychological Services, and post-doctoral residency at California Lutheran University's CAPS. She also received certification training as a Domestic Violence Counselor with an emphasis on same-gender/non-binary relationships, and in providing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Dr. Turner's previous clinical experiences have included college counseling centers, a community mental health center, and a psychiatric inpatient hospital. Her clinical and research interests include working with the LGBTQIA community, coping with discrimination and oppression, recovery from trauma, stress management, and anxiety. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in multicultural feminism, while incorporating evidence-based practices.

Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Miriam Barillas is a California licensed psychologist (PSY26931) and serves as a bilingual staff psychologist, and the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at CAPS. She also serves as a Clinical Supervisor for CLU’s Community Counseling Center within the Graduate School of Psychology. Dr. Barillas received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology from UCLA. She received her Doctorate in Clinical-Psychology with an emphasis in Multicultural Community-Clinical Psychology from the APA-accredited program at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University. She completed a CAPIC-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Pasadena City College Counseling Center. Previous clinical training experiences include university research programs, community mental health, private practice, and a dual diagnosis program. Her professional and research interests include working with the Latinx community, multiculturalism, providing informed psychosociocultural services to students of color, anxiety, mood disorders, psychology of immigration, and increasing the collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the mental health system.

 La Dra. Miriam Barillas es psicóloga licenciada de California (PSY26931) y se desempeña como psicóloga de personal bilingüe y coordinadora de diversidad e inclusión en CAPS. Ella también sirve como supervisora ​​clínico para el Centro de Consejería Comunitaria de CLU dentro de la Escuela de Graduados de Psicología. La Dr. Barillas recibió su bachillerato en Psicología con un menor en Antropología de la Universidad de California, Los Ángeles. Completó un pasantía pre-doctoral acreditada por CAPIC en el Colegio de la ciudad de Pasadena, Centro de Asesoramiento. Las experiencias previas de capacitación clínica incluyen programas de investigación universitaria, salud mental comunitaria, práctica privada y un programa de diagnóstico dual. Sus intereses profesionales y de investigación incluyen trabajar con la comunidad latina, multiculturalismo, proporcionar servicios psicosocioculturales informados a estudiantes de color, ansiedad, trastornos del estado de ánimo, psicología de la inmigración y aumentar la colaboración entre las agencias de aplicación de la ley y el sistema de salud mental.

Staff Clinician

Dr. Jackson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Shaw University, a historically Black college in Raleigh, North Carolina. She received a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from California State University, Long Beach and her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Couples and Family Therapy from Alliant International University’s School of Professional Psychology. She completed a CAPIC-accredited pre-doctoral internship at The Youth Reporting Center in Anaheim.

Previous clinical training includes university counseling services, working in juvenile detention centers, community mental health agencies, and private practice. Using a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy approach, Dr. Jackson’s clinical interests include working with underserved populations, people of color, multicultural concerns, trauma, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal and relational concerns.

Post-Doctoral Resident

Dr. Dittrich received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a minor in Literature from Richmond, The American International University in London, after transferring from The University of Maryland in Germany. She went on to complete graduate degrees in International Service (Roehampton University, London), Trauma & Violence Transdisciplinary Studies (NYU), and Psychology (Pepperdine), before pursuing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the latter. She completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at California State University in Monterey Bay. Dr. Dittrich is also a Certified Professional Coach, having provided independent life coaching services for the past decade, and a certified yoga instructor with a focus on yoga for mental health.

Previous clinical training includes university counseling services, community mental health, neuropsychology, and child psychology. Primarily using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Community Interventions approaches, Dr. Dittrich’s clinical interests include working with diverse and underserved populations, trauma, anxiety, depression, interpersonal and relational concerns, phase of life issues, grief, and personality disorders.

Advanced Practicum Trainee

Ricardo received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Cal Lutheran and is currently in his fifth year of the Doctoral Clinical Psychology program at Cal Lutheran. Ricardo’s previous clinical training includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy-informed individual psychotherapy and group skills training in a community counseling center. In addition, Ricardo conducted group therapy, individual psychotherapy, and case management with adults experiencing substance abuse and severe mental illness in an outpatient setting. Ricardo’s research interests include individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Practicum Trainee

Ryan received his Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University, a Master of Science and Education in Counseling and Human Services from Indiana University, and is currently in his third year of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral program at Cal Lutheran. His previous training experiences included working as a clinical trainee at the student health center for Los Angeles Valley College, and as an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy trainee at the Cal Lutheran Community Counseling Center. Ryan’s research interests include identity, relationship dynamics, and nostalgia.

Practicum Trainee

Luke Rex has a Masters in Psychology from Pepperdine University and is currently enrolled in Pepperdine's Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) program. For the past 5 years, Luke has facilitated acting and drama/improvisational style groups to teens struggling with addiction and dual diagnosis, within residential and intensive outpatient settings. Originally from Australia, Luke immigrated to the USA in 2006 and loves living in California. In his spare time, Luke has a passion for golf and all things 'healing,' having become a Reiki Master in 2018 in Costa Rica.

Practicum Trainee

David received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Miami, a Master of Arts in Psychology at Pepperdine University, and is currently in his third year of the Clinical Psychology Doctorate program at Pepperdine University. David’s previous clinical training includes individual and group therapy work with adolescents in El Segundo and Long Beach. Additionally, he continues to work in a community mental health clinic focusing on child and family therapy. David’s research interests focus on the impacts of technology on developing adolescents and young adults. 

Administrative Assistant

Gregory Daven runs the administrative activities at CAPS. A graduate of the Cal Lutheran Marriage and Family Therapy Masters program, Greg coordinates the administrative aspects of service provision in our office. A skilled therapist in his own right, we feel so fortunate to have his knowledge and wisdom regarding a wide variety of issues related to counseling service provision. Greg's warmth and generous spirit greets visitors even before he does. He is our daily water chef, meditation music dj, and relaxation video director, all of which help to define our center as a place where comfort and humor lay a foundation for healing and growth.