Kimberly Pollard Johnson

I take a holistic approach to counseling working with the whole person helping one understand their life’s journey, the past, dreams and what brings them to present, I believe that being fully present and understanding, brings forth life change. I enjoy working with couples, families, adults, teens, and groups of all ages, ethnicities, cultures and religions.

I am EMDR certified as well as R-TAP (Recent trauma) and G-TAP (Group trauma)specified. I have been certified in Domestic Violence training through the State of California. I am understanding of the issues surrounding domestic violence and how it relates to the individual and their families and others surrounding them. My experience working in a domestic violence shelter helps me understand the cycles of anger and violence and how it now only person but also the impact it plays on the family unit and the surrounding places one needs to function in the world. I helped establish and develop the counseling services at a local non-profit working to provide free counseling services, food pantry services, food assistance along with group counseling in parenting, anger, and for teens to underserved populations.  I have worked with couples, families, children, severe mental health issues, as well as autism spectrum disorders providing counseling services to individuals who may not otherwise receive mental health services. I work to take away the stigma surrounding these issues and try to bring healing and coping skills that will elicit change. For the past several years, I have run a court ordered weekly anger management group addressing the issues surrounding anger and drug use and the impact on family, relational, and parenting issues that are implicated within the process. I work to gain understanding and elicit change within each person’s life without shame and guilt.

I assist in Dr. Puff’s weekly mediation group helping work towards living a more peaceful life. I have been a guest speaker at Cal State Fullerton sharing my journey in my therapy practice along with the experiences all while encouraging an understanding of the issues surrounding life’s issues with the goal of compassion surrounding mental health issues and life’s challenges.

I have a published work titled the “Therapeutic Power of Dogs in Private Practice.” In this paper I explored the use of dogs in the therapeutic setting and the healing power to the human soul. In creating my paper, I researched, studied, and observed my own rescue dogs while working to understand an animal’s unconditional love and how this can help heal oneself. I hope to continue to work tards incorporate them into my practice with the hope of assisting in the healing process with a goal of understanding towards compassion and forgiveness of self and others.

I received my Masters in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpentaria, CA. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a Minor in Sociology from Cal State Fullerton. I am a member of the California Association of Marriage Family Therapists. I am a licensed Marriage Family Therapist and licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I am a member of EMDRIA (the national organization) as well as the local chapter of EMDR Professional Therapy.

I am experienced in issues of relationships and marriage, depression, substance use, addictions, anger, suicide, work/ life dissatisfaction, parenting, bereavement, autism spectrum disorders and difficulty with life’s issues, I honor the spiritual and emotional aspects of life. I look forward to meeting you and embarking on our spiritual journey of understanding and healing.