About us

About Kathleen


Kathleen Wenger,

M.A., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

I have had over 20 years of clinical/counseling experience with couples, individuals and families. A focus and passion of mine has been my work with couples who want to recapture the trust, love, respect and compassion that they once felt. In a world that can divide us, I work with couples to focus on the positive attributes in their relationship and to explore forgiveness for the mistakes that are made along their relational journey. I also enjoy working with mothers and daughters, adoption issues, individuals struggling with depression or anxiety. I welcome you to my practice.

Certifications/Awards/Memberships/Publications

  • President The National Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi Pepperdine Chapter)
  • Straus Institute of Family Mediation Certificate
  • Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Certificate
  • Orange County Adoption Clinical Training Certificate
  • Clinical Supervisor Training-AAMFT
  • Clinical Supervisor Training-CAMFT
  • Chair/Co-chair MFT Consortium of Orange County
  • Founding Member AAMFT Educators Steering Committee
  • Founding Member MFT Educators Collaborative

Experience:

  • 20 years at Pepperdine University as Manager M.A. Clinical Training of Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Pepperdine University-Adjunct Faculty
  • Co-founder of marriagefriendlytherapists.com
  • Private Practice - Couples/Marriage Counseling
  • Facilitator of Laguna Beach Senior Support Group

Meet the Team


Associate: Trisha Church, M.A. - APCC # 6817

Call Trisha at (949) 230-3123 or visit her website at TrishaChurch.com

As a mental health therapist, I provide support and guidance to my clients who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, and relationship difficulties. I specialize in working with individuals, couples, children and adolescents during times that may be impacting their mental health and overall well being. Therapy is a process of self-discovery, growth, and transformation that requires acceptance and a belief that recovery and healing are possible. I commit to building trust, listening, and providing supportive direction. I have additional training in substance abuse and anger management.

I specialize in the individual's areas of difficulties as it relates to the presenting problems. My focus is to create a safe environment for the client to express their thoughts and concerns in a therapeutic setting.

I understand that no two clients or circumstances are the same. My approach is to work with each client with compassion and understanding to build a new positive outlook.

Associate: Irene Alvarez de Schwartz, M.A., AMFT, APCC

Call or text Irene (949) 385-3689 or visit her website at www.Ireneadescounseling.com

I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who believes in the human potential to heal from trauma, develop psychological resilience from adversity, and find inner strength to purposely move forward in life.

My focus is to empower individuals, couples, and families experiencing depression, anxiety, communication difficulties, extramarital affairs, addictions and co-dependency or facing vulnerable life transitions. I achieve this by providing a non-judgmental, compassionate stance, and a safe space where you feel comfortable to share your hurt, concerns, and vulnerability, and work towards your personal or marital goals.

Additionally, I have well-rounded life experience collaborating with families with neurodivergent family members and a deep passion for empowering couples challenged by the unique constrains of raising neurodivergent children.

I am a native Spanish speaker, have lived in different countries as well as many regions in the United States, and feel comfortable working with people from different cultures. I will accompany you on every step of your journey.

My goal is to help you deepen your self- and other- awareness, get in touch with your inner strength, develop resilience from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward to where you want to be in your life. 

I am available in Laguna Beach, Irvine and via Telehealth.

Supervised by Kathleen Wenger, M.A., LMFT #38183, LPCC #1450. 

GET STARTED TODAY

How it works?

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30 min