Kathrin Winkler, MA, MS, LMFT, EMDR certified, EMDR Consultant, IFS (level 2), Somatic IFS and IFIO (advanced) trained

I have been a high performance athlete since the age of 10 and competed in various international Championships as well as the US volleyball pro beach tour. My early introduction to sports including the accompanied psychological struggles and personal experiences caused me increased curiosity in the field. While completing a graduate degree in sports therapy in Germany (M.S.), I gained an understanding of the connection between a healthy mind and body. This led me to further my knowledge by pursuing a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.). After graduating from Hope International University in 2010, I gained experience working in various settings with different populations. Throughout the years I supported families, individuals and children with issues concerning anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction and sports psychology concerns. 

My specialties are trauma related problems, anxiety and depression in individuals and couples. I am an EMDR certified therapist and honorable member of the Francine Shapiro EMDR library since 2010 plus have been mentioned in the Journal: EMDRIA Newsletter, Vol 15, Issue 2. Furthermore, I am a clinical member of the EMDR International Association. I also integrate parts work with individuals (IFS) and couples (IFIO) which allows a deeper understanding of a person’s underlying fears, motivations and behaviors.

From 2015 until 2020, I worked with individuals in early recovery from substance abuse and became the clinical director for 2 years at a local dual diagnosis program. This experience furthered my skill levels in dealing with concerns of trauma and addiction as well as taught me to deepen my clinical skills through Dialectical Behavior Therapy and further trauma treatment methods like Internal family Systems (IFS) in combination with EMDR.

I am passionate about people receiving good therapy, which also motivated me to support and educate upcoming clinician as instructor at Hope International University for a couple of years and now work as Supervisor. I continue to educate myself on the newest developments in the field of psychology through ongoing advanced EMDR trainings, readings, consultation groups and more. 

Areas of focus:

  • Adults with symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma

  • Individuals who are high performers

  • Individuals trying to overcome struggles that were caused by Substance Abuse and Addiction in their family and life

  • Couples who are looking to re-establish closeness trough learning a new way to interact and relate to one another

Trainings, Certification and Competencies:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for children and teens.

  • Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA approved consultant

  • IFS Internal Family Systems

  • IFIO Intimacy From the Inside out

 Kathrin Winkler, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Lic # 84283) 

Gabrielle Simmons, MA, AMFT 158077

Gabrielle uses a warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach to therapy, helping adolescents and adults better understand themselves, navigate difficult experiences, and create meaningful change in their lives. She draws from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, trauma-focused therapy, and attachment-informed work, tailoring treatment to each client's individual needs, personality, and goals. She is especially passionate about working with clients experiencing trauma and PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, emotional overwhelm, relationship challenges, life transitions, and difficulties with self-esteem or emotional regulation. 

Her approach recognizes that symptoms often make more sense when understood within the context of a person's experiences, relationships, and nervous system rather than as problems that exist in isolation. Her therapeutic style balances compassion and validation with curiosity, insight, and practical tools clients can use outside of the therapy room. Creating a space where clients feel safe enough to be honest, understood without judgment, and empowered to recognize patterns that may no longer serve them is central to her work. Ultimately, she hopes to help clients move beyond simply managing symptoms toward greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, healthier relationships, and a stronger sense of self.

Education

  • M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy, Alliant International University

  • B.A. in Psychology, California State University, Bakersfield

Professional Experience

Gabrielle has experience providing psychotherapy to adolescents and adults with a wide range of presenting concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, relationship difficulties, family conflict, emotional dysregulation, grief, and major life transitions. Her clinical experience includes individual therapy as well as work with couples, families, and parents navigating complex relational and behavioral concerns. Before focusing primarily on psychotherapy, she worked in psychological assessment settings supporting evaluations for ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. This experience strengthened her interest in neurodiversity and in understanding the ways attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, trauma, and relationships can intersect. 

She has a particular professional interest in trauma and in supporting individuals whose mental health is affected by chronic illness, neurological conditions, or significant medical experiences. She continues to pursue advanced trauma-focused education and training to expand the range of evidence-based treatments she can offer clients.

Personal Life

Outside of her work as a therapist, Gabrielle enjoys staying active through Pilates, yoga, strength training, and trying new fitness classes. She loves spending time near the ocean, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, writing, and finding creative ways to make everyday life feel a little more intentional. She is also an animal lover and especially enjoys spending time with her cat, Stella. Whether through learning something new, traveling, writing, or spending time with the people she cares about, she values finding ways to stay curious and engaged with the world around her. Wellness, and meaningful connection, and continued personal growth are important parts of her life. 

Areas of focus:

  • Individuals and teens with symptoms of trauma, ADHD, depression, and anxiety

  • Couples experiencing relationship challenges and looking to rebuild and deepen their connections

Trainings, Certifications, and Competencies: 

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT).

  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

  • EMDR trained

Gabrielle Simmons, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (lic# 158077) under supervision of Kathrin Winkler, LMFT (lic# 84283)

Marissa Hartson, AMFT # 153503

Hi! My name is Marissa Hartson and I am an associate marriage and family therapist and graduate of California State University Fullerton. I believe that the heart of mental wellness is the ability to feel safe and comfortable connecting to both ourselves and to supportive others around us. In therapy, I aim to create a space where you can feel supported as you connect to your most authentic self. My hope for you is to leave therapy feeling more joyful, confident, and empowered to create relationships and pursue experiences that feel aligned with your values and goals.

While completing my master’s in clinical mental health counseling, I had the opportunity to treat students in the Tustin Unified School District who were dealing with multiple mental health challenges. Many of my teenage clients were struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relationship concerns that were getting in the way of their academic success. I have also supported clients who were negotiating cultural and personal identity challenges, as well as those coping through difficult life transitions.

I currently work with a variety of mental health and counseling concerns including anxiety, OCD and OCD symptoms, relationship issues, parenting, teen therapy, and life transitions. In working with OCD, I strive to help clients build internal safety and regain trust in their true self. I take a primarily I-CBT approach to OCD which focuses on deconstructing the cognitive tricks that make OCD obsessions so convincing. Intentional ERP exposures can be included as part of treatment based on your preferences.

Struggling with your mental health and relationships can feel isolating, but you don’t have to face these issues alone. If therapy feels like the right step to take, I would be honored to support you in finding the clarity, connection, and confidence you deserve.

Areas of focus:

  • Obsessive compulsive disorder

  • Anxiety 

  • Relationship problems

  • Life transitions

  • Parenting

Competencies:

  • Inference-based cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD

  • Exposure and response prevention for OCD/anxiety

  • CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)

  • Solution-focused brief therapy

Marissa Hartson, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #153503, under supervision of Kathrin Winkler, LMFT (lic# 84283)

Amy Yang, APCC # 18457

My background includes service in hospital trauma centers, community health clinics, and crisis intervention settings. As someone who immigrated to the U.S. as a child, I have experience with Chinese and Spanish-speaking patients in the Burn Trauma Center. I’ve also worked with neurodivergent clients—including those with ADHD, autism, and sensory processing differences—as well as individuals facing acute and chronic medical conditions. In these cases, I often draw on creative, non-verbal modalities to support healing when words aren’t enough.

I specialize in working with couples, families, children, teens, and adults who are seeking deeper connection, emotional regulation, and relational healing. My approach is experiential and collaborative, integrating mind, body, and spirit. I specialize in relational work because I believe our deepest purpose is learning to live in harmony with ourselves and others.

My work draws from both evidence-based models and holistic frameworks, including transpersonal psychology, which helps clients explore meaning, purpose, and spiritual growth.

Areas of Focus:

  • Couples and Family Therapy

  • Children and Teens

  • Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Trauma,

  • Neurodivergence, Career Counseling,

  • Finding Purpose, Highly Sensitive Persons

  • Integrated Physical/Mental Health

Trainings, Certifications, and Competencies:

•          Structural Family Therapy and systemic intervention planning

•          Somatic Psychotherapy (Polyvagal Theory, Neurobiology)

•          Transpersonal Psychology and guided visualization

•          Experiential Therapies (Play, Drama, Art, Expressive Arts)

•          Eastern Practices (Tao/Zen, TCM, Qigong)

•          Gottman Method for Couples/Families and Imago Relationship Therapy

•          DBT, CBT, IFS, Narrative, Psychodynamic, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

•          Clinical hypnotherapy and psychoeducation

Amy Yang, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, APCC # 18457, under the supervision of Kathrin Winkler, LMFT (lic# 84283)