Mark Barajas, PhD

My work is integrative, and grounded by a strength-based, humanistic approach. As a counseling psychologist I'm invested in prevention and helping people before they develop diagnosable mental illness, but who nonetheless are experiencing symptoms and personal distress. My therapeutic approach incorporates emotion focused therapy, interpersonal therapy, and feminist therapy.

What this all means is I strive to cultivate a warm, trusting, non-judgmental environment where you feel comfortable to open up, talk about your life, and experience emotions. As I come to learn about your hopes, fears, strengths, and growth areas, I'll help you make meaningful life changes.

I completed doctoral training at Western Michigan University and post-doctoral training at University of California Berkeley. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from University of California Davis, served in the Peace Corps in Bolivia as an educator, and am fully Spanish-English bilingual.

In addition to providing therapy, I'm also an Assistant Professor at Saint Mary's College of California where I teach courses in counseling theory, psychopathology, and family psychology and conduct research examining the intersection of culture and mental health.