Kristina L. Casola, M.A.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT40673)
Licensed Clinical Therapist; June 2004- Present
Private Office (North County Behavioral Health Group, President)
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Specializing in Evidence Based treatments for Trauma related disorders and
Insomnia
Specialized populations: Veterans and First Responders (Fire Department, Police,
Dispatchers, etc.)
Founder of First Responders Trauma Specialists, a non-profit organization (pending)
A collaborative group of specialized professionals dedicated to serving the unique
community of first responders with respect and understanding of the effects of
trauma experienced over the course of their professional careers.
Staff Psychotherapist: Veterans Health Administration San Diego- Escondido Mental
Health Clinic: March 20014- Present
 Provides support, treatment and collaborates care for Veterans from all eras.
 Conducts diagnostic intakes, individual and group therapies as well as family
education. Specialized training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive
Processing Therapy for PTSD; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.
Staff Psychotherapist- Regional Telemedicine Center: Veterans Health Administration
San Diego; June 2012- Present
 Provide Evidence Based treatments (Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive
Processing Therapy for PTSD) to Veterans with PTSD via telemedicine (secure video
conferencing).
Research Study Therapist: Prolonged Exposure Therapy & PTSD;
February 2009- July 2010 (Left on Maternity leave)
Veterans Medical Research Foundation (VMRF) at the VA San Diego
 Counseled individual Veterans with PTSD and implemented a treatment plan using
Prolonged Exposure Therapy via in person meeting or through telemedicine (secure
video conferencing).
 Participated in weekly case consultation and was rated for adherence to PE protocol
(by video, UPenn) for certification as PE provider through the VA.
Independent Contractor with MHS, Inc. CAT/WINGS Team;
June 2004-September 2006
 Provide Individual, couple, family and group counseling to population ranging from
the “worried well” to those with chronic mental illness.
 Provide information and referral to family members (problems associated with daily
living, workplace conflict, stress management, mental illness, etc)
Mental Health Lead Counselor; April 2003- July 2004
Mental Health Systems, Inc., BPSR Pegasus West*
*County of San Diego Mental Health Program of the Year, 2003
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138 Civic Center Drive, Suite 116 Vista, CA 92084
TinaCasola@gmail.com/ (760) 275-1469 (cell- not for publication)
(760) 650-4128 confidential VM/fax
www.GetTherapyInfo.com
Kristina L. Casola, M.A.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT40673)
This position provides psychiatric rehabilitation to chronically mentally ill adult clients in
an outpatient & day treatment clinic.
 Provide individual and group therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),
Interpersonal relationships, Art Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT),
Symptom Management and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (W.R.A.P.) groups
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Provide family therapy including education on psychiatric illness, treatment options
and area resources.
Conduct psychiatric and bio-psychosocial assessments for Day Treatment and
Medications management Clinic as well as formulate care plan.
Demonstrated knowledge of DSM IV-TR criteria
Consults with psychiatrists and staff nurse on regular basis regarding medication
and treatment of clients
Consults with other treatment providers such as conservator, case manager, and
board & care operators.
Able to set priorities and react appropriately to emergency situations.
Assesses and recognizes behavior/ changes in mood that indicate: suicidal or
homicidal intent or plan, and immediately reports concerns to the proper authorities
(Program Coordinator, PERT, Police, Psychiatrist)
Regularly contacts clients to assure stability and regular program attendance.
Attends treatment team meetings and provides input to treatment plan.
Maintains timely, accurate and legible documentation in accordance with contract,
Medi-Cal and Medi-Care requirements.
Provides input to develop and improve program service and delivery.
Assists other staff in dealing with problematic client behavior.
Provides guidance and assistance to other counselors as required/ and or directed by
the Program Coordinator.
Is actively involved in community in areas related to mental health
Provides input toward policy and procedure design, revision and deletion.
UCSD Department of Psychiatry: Clinical Social Worker I; October 2001 –April 2003
UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services: “Gifford” Clinic
Psychiatric Case Management Services, St. Vincent de Paul Village
As a satellite office under the administration of UCSD OPS, the Psychiatric Case
Management office provides psychiatric assessment, case management and referral to the
chronically mentally ill, homeless population in the city of San Diego.
 Accurately diagnosed DSM IV disorders
 Knowledgeable with psychotropic medications
 Coordinated psychiatric case management for chronically mentally ill, homeless clients
 Formulated care plan, including psychiatric and psychosocial assessments
 Provided crisis intervention: familiar with suicide, Tarasoff and abuse laws and
reporting procedures
 Organized services among various intra- and interagency disciplines
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138 Civic Center Drive, Suite 116 Vista, CA 92084
TinaCasola@gmail.com/ (760) 275-1469 (cell- not for publication)
(760) 650-4128 confidential VM/fax
www.GetTherapyInfo.com
Kristina L. Casola, M.A.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT40673)
 Provided individual and family counseling to clients of diverse cultural backgrounds
 Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings, assisting in all aspects of treatment
planning
 Assumed role of client advocate
 Acted in a public relations capacity, informing local agencies about program services
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Maintained treatment notes and other records in an efficient and timely manner
Identified and coordinated MFTT placement at SVDPV Le Mesa Family Shelter, Winter
2001
Attended city and county meetings in regards to homeless issues as representative of
UCSD
Provided in-service training to SVDPV Residential staff on “Job Stress”
Marian J. Richetta, M.A. (MFC17543) Supervisor: Private Office;
October 2001-June 2004
 Provide individual (adults and minors), group and family therapy
 Create marketing strategies to obtain appropriate referrals
 Maintain treatment notes and other records in compliance with state laws
UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services, “Gifford Clinic”: Marriage and Family
Therapy Trainee;
August 2000- August 2001 *hired onto staff on conclusion of practicum
Caseload consists of individuals with multi-axis and dual diagnosis, including but not
limited to: Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder, Dementia NOS; Personality Disorders: Borderline, Narcissistic, Dependant;
Polysubstance abuse, and a variety of physical ailments including Hepatitis C, Chronic
Fatigue, Chronic Pain, Cystic Fibrosis, infertility and other women’s health concerns.
 Under AAMFT approved supervision
 Participated in multi-disciplinary treatment teams
 Provided psychiatric case management services
 Conducted psychiatric and bio-psychosocial assessments and formulate care plan
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Made appropriate referrals to psychiatrist for medication treatment
Provided crisis intervention services
Provided individual, family and group counseling
Provided information and referral to community services
Facilitated N.A.M.I Care and Share Groups
Provided psycho-educational groups, topics include: Understanding Schizophrenia,
Stress/Anger Management, Parenting Skills, Understanding Depression, Couples
Communication, Coping with the stress of the Holidays
Facilitated weekly group for clients with Psychotic Disorders
Familiar in working with diverse populations including: Homeless, Gay and Lesbian,
Single parents, Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, and several cultural
backgrounds
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138 Civic Center Drive, Suite 116 Vista, CA 92084
TinaCasola@gmail.com/ (760) 275-1469 (cell- not for publication)
(760) 650-4128 confidential VM/fax
www.GetTherapyInfo.com
Kristina L. Casola, M.A.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT40673)
 Familiar with Tarasoff and Abuse laws and reporting procedures
Special Assignment: UCSD Department of Psychiatry: Family Counselor and Case
Manager; St. Vincent de Paul Seasonal Family Shelter; January 2001- June 30, 2001
Education
Masters Degree: Marriage and Family Therapy
University of San Diego, San Diego, California
August 2001
Clinical Practicum: UCSD School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry:
Outpatient Psychiatric Services, commonly known as the “Gifford Clinic”
Bachelors Degree: Psychology
Minor: Business Administration
University of Portland, Portland, Oregon
May 1986
Certificates Held:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), In process of certification through
VA Rollout; Veterans Health Administration, 2014
Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, VA Certification Pending through VA Rollout;
Veterans Health Administration, 2012
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, VA trained by Edna Foa, PhD & Steven Thorpe,
PhD; Veterans Medical Research Foundation, 2009
Certified Gottman Educator (CGE); The Relationship Research Institute, July, 2008
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Certified: Basic, Advanced and Suicide
Critical Incident; The Counseling Team for the County of San Diego HHSA, 2003
Thought Field Therapy (TFT) Level I & II; Victoria Danzig LCSW, 2001
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138 Civic Center Drive, Suite 116 Vista, CA 92084
TinaCasola@gmail.com/ (760) 275-1469 (cell- not for publication)
(760) 650-4128 confidential VM/fax
www.GetTherapyInfo.com
Kristina L. Casola, M.A.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT40673)
Non-clinical Experience
Program Counselor, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, University of Portland;
May 1996-May 1999
Portland Rose Festival Association: Community Relations Intern; 1996 Festival
References upon request
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138 Civic Center Drive, Suite 116 Vista, CA 92084
TinaCasola@gmail.com/ (760) 275-1469 (cell- not for publication)
(760) 650-4128 confidential VM/fax
www.GetTherapyInfo.com