Hope is the correct response to the strange, often terrifying miracle of consciousness. Hope is not easy or cheap. It is true.” - John Green

To my mind, so much relief can come from just pure understanding. When we have better, deeper and more loving insights into ourselves, compassion and empathy follows. The idea of loving ourselves can feel very hollow, a quote on a would-be inspirational poster. But I believe in it, as a life-time occupation, a work that is both as complex and meaningful as it is demanding. It is a functioning, tangible thing.

I believe so much of what causes suffering comes from a sense deep inside us that something about us is wrong or bad. I want to work to help people construct a new sense of normal. That may include unspooling the beliefs we may carry about our wrongness as well as coming to a better understanding of ourselves, our needs and our boundaries. We all have reasons why we do what we do and need what we need. It’s my goal to help you better understand yourself, and love yourself. It’s my goal to help you become your best friend, most ardent supporter and fearless champion. You are, in the end, exactly as you should be.

I am a second year MFT graduate student, I have an extensive background in working with neurodiverse populations as well as being open to gender and sexuality exploration and affirmation in addition to non-traditional relationship structures.

In life, we may face challenges that take a toll on our personal well-being and distract us from reaching our personal goals, but seeking therapy is a great start to assess those challenges and make the appropriate changes. Therapy is useful to improve self-esteem, strengthen relationships, and have a positive outlook on life.


My primary goal as a clinician is to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment, where my clients can discuss any issues that may arise. Also, I would like my clients to be able to depend on me to provide specific modalities that can cater to their situation. In addition, I would like my clients to feel motivated and empowered to make changes and improve their lives for the better. Thank you for taking the time to read this introduction and I look forward to supporting you through this journey as showing up consistently is imperative for growth and development. 

In life, we may face challenges that take a toll on our personal well-being and distract us from reaching our personal goals, but seeking therapy is a great start to assess those challenges and make the appropriate changes. Therapy is useful to improve self-esteem, strengthen relationships, and have a positive outlook on life.


My primary goal as a clinician is to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment, where my clients can discuss any issues that may arise. Also, I would like my clients to be able to depend on me to provide specific modalities that can cater to their situation. In addition, I would like my clients to feel motivated and empowered to make changes and improve their lives for the better. Thank you for taking the time to read this introduction and I look forward to supporting you through this journey as showing up consistently is imperative for growth and development. 

Hailing from San Bernardino, CA, Abigail is a young organizer that is deeply passionate
about using her voice to amplify the needs of young people. With special interests in areas
such as Mass-incarceration and Prison-to Pipeline Dilemmas, she is fueled with dedication and drive to stir up change in her community. Abigail has most recently served as a Resident
Advisor, Early Academic Outreach College Advisor in Southeast San Diego, and in the past she served as the Lead Media & Communication Intern at CURB (Californian’s for a Responsible Budget), where she was able to sharpen her skills around writing opinion editorials, curate social media content, and weigh in on the plans of CURB to close prisons across California. A recent graduate at University of California, San Diego with a Bachelors in Psychology and minor in Global Health, she hopes to work to end stigmas around mental health and encourage care in her community. During her time in her Undergraduate career she served as a UC Advocate and Campus Leader. Abigail now plans to spend much of her time working at Urban Restorations Counseling Center to serve as an Intern working directly with community members in search of mental health resources to better themselves.

Heart is sea,
language is shore.
Whatever sea includes,
will hit the shore.
- Rumi

Sometimes it’s hard to find the words for what’s going on in the world and in your life. It
can feel overwhelming to navigate rough waters alone and make sense of a sea of emotions.

After nearly two decades of working in the environmental field, I’ve seen the power in healing nature, ourselves, and each other through self- and collective care. Through my collaborative and person-centered approach, and training in multicultural community counseling, we will work together to define what restoration and resilience means to you.

If you are seeking a non-judgmental and compassionate space to explore challenges
and chart a course forward, I am here to support your wayfinding in a journey toward better mental health and well-being. 

Working in workforce development and my healing journey helped me recognize the importance of mental health awareness in underrepresented communities. It also encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree in Multicultural Counseling. I have a genuine passion for guiding people through their healing process to thrive in every area of their life. I feel it takes a holistic approach to truly find your joy. I consider myself a lifetime learner always looking for opportunities to learn.

Hello! I am originally from Palm Springs, and I just recently graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a specialization in Human Health! I have previously worked with the OASIS department at UCSD, which provided services to underrepresented students at that institution. Now, I am starting my first year as a graduate student at San Diego State University. I am on track to obtain a Master's degree in Multicultural Counseling through the CBB (Community Based Block) Program.


I am passionate about making a change within my community regarding the attitudes toward mental health and servicing other marginalized communities. I firmly believe that mental health is a human right and should be accessible for all and is just as important as other health services! I am looking forward to working with URCC to help achieve my goals of working with people within my community and providing accessible mental healthcare access!

I am currently a Master’s student at Northwestern University studying Mental Health Counseling. I am new to the San Diego area, having recently relocated from Honolulu, Hawaii. I hope to bring the aloha spirit and multicultural competence from the islands into my sessions!


Storytelling also has been an influential part of my life. As a wedding and lifestyle photographer, capturing people’s experience has been extremely impactful. Transitioning into a counselor role, I hope to listen to your unique personal narrative and process together with a person-centered attitude, cognitive- behavioral techniques, and other elements from psychodynamic theory.


Life is unpredictable and it is my pleasure to sit with you with no judgment. The first step to change is reaching out for help, so I am glad you’re here!

My name is Kiyana. I am from Oakland,Ca., currently serving in the US Navy for 12 years. I am a loving mother and have a passion for nature. My calling is to help heal people from trauma and build resiliency.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them” – Maya Angelou.

Dinecie Collins, graduated from Alliant International University, San Diego with a Bachelors and Psychology (Marriage and Family Counseling). She has experience in collaborating with others to spread awareness about Public Health Epigenetics’ which included building and sustaining resilience. She became a therapist to help people in some way, whether to offer support through the process of improving mental health, addressing relationship difficulties, or adjusting to challenging life changes. She is dedicated to applying her strengths in educational guidance and support to help clients succeed in their everyday life. 

Hi all! My name is Jasmine, I am 30 years old, and I was raised in California. I am currently an LPCC student at Pepperdine University in the Clinical Psychology Program. I am expected to graduate with my second Master’s Degree in May of 2024. I moved to the San Diego area in 2022, and I believe this place has been a great fit for me thus far. I especially utilize the dog beaches for my puppy. I thoroughly enjoy exercising, playing the drums, communicating with my family, working, and self-care. I am looking forward to gaining more insight through my experience at Urban Restoration Counseling Center coincided with my education at Pepperdine. Getting certified is a process, and I am excited for further growth!

I am working towards obtaining my masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. My long term goal is to become a licensed marriage and family therapist and specialize in working with marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples.

In our work together, you are in the driver’s seat and I am the passenger helping you with the GPS. I may have to grab hold of the wheel at times if you’re having difficulty keeping your eyes on the road and that is okay. But at the end of the day, YOU are in the driver’s seat of your own life. You may not have had the opportunity yet to believe that. You may not have found your voice yet to believe that. My role is to help you feel empowered in your life to believe that you are indeed in the driver’s seat. My role is to help you learn how to be a safe driver. My role is to hold you accountable to be a safe driver until you can do that for yourself. And you CAN. You are capable.

My therapeutic style is collaborative. This is your journey and you are the expert of your own life. Let’s work together to figure out what has worked and what has not worked. Let’s work together to uncover those beautiful strengths you already have. Let’s work together to unpack generational trauma and circumstances that brought you to where you are today. Let’s work together so you can create change in your life. You are capable of seeing the change you wish to see in your life, and I’ll be here to support you through this journey you are about to embark on. This space is nonjudgmental, safe, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and culturally sensitive. I look forward to working with you. 

Alexis is a positive and passionate mental health professional. Her passion for mental health and wanting to be a therapist began at a young age. She believes in creating an inclusive, safe, and judgment-free space for anyone to come and heal. Her goal is to empower individuals to see and become their best selves by helping them achieve personal goals through therapeutic strategies and interventions. Alexis is finishing her Masters at Midwestern State University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. The next chapter of her professional career will be becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor or LPCC to provide therapeutic services to underserved populations Treatment approach: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Reframing, Emotional-Focused Therapy (EFT),and Holistic/Integrative therapy. Clinical focus: Alexis’s clinical focus and experience includes serving BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and those experiencing homelessness/housing instabilities. Alexis works with school aged children who are 5+ years old, teens aging in 13-19 years old, and adults.Issues you address but are not limited to:
Grief
Addiction
Domestic violence
Sexual trauma
Sex trafficking victims
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions
Eating Disorders
Psychosis
Personality Disorders

Ebenezer Ezenwa is a current graduate student working on a Master's in counseling. He obtained his Associates degree in Communication, media and languages, Humanities philosophy and arts and Social and behavioral Studies from Norco College and a Bachelor's in African American studies from UCR. Ezenwa has primarily worked in education since graduating from high school while also maintaining a notary business and being a peer mentor to support himself financially.Currently, Ezenwa works at San Diego City College as an Admin Assistant focused on working with first-generation students and students with disabilities and will soon graduate.

Hello! My name is Xiao Yan Kelly Zhao. I am currently attending SDSU’s Multicultural Community Counseling (CBB) program. I joined Urban Restoration to provide low-cost therapy to members in the community. I find that therapy is useful for all facets of life and being able to take part in other's healing journey brings me joy. In my free time, I like to sing, take slow walks, try out different restaurants, and watch documentaries. My favorite food is sushi, if you have any sushi restaurant recommendations, please send them my way! 

Meet Sandy, a passionate and dedicated student therapist trainee pursuing her MA in Multicultural Counseling at SDSU. As a proud Latina of immigrant parents, she is fluent in Spanish and is committed to working with immigrants and children of immigrants to help break down the stigma often found in our communities.

At the core of Sandy's therapeutic approach is the understanding that mental health issues often stem from internal barriers that limit our emotional expression. Drawing on a belief in the power of self-compassion, Sandy encourages her clients to explore and work through any suppressed or internalized emotions they may be dealing with through acceptance and understanding of all sides of the self.


Sandy strives to create a safe and welcoming environment for her clients, empowering them to take control of their healing journeys while she provides guidance and support. By helping her clients tap into their inner strengths, develop their emotional intelligence, and accept all aspects of themselves, she believes that everyone has the ability to heal and grow.  

My name is Emily. I am currently a Master’s student at Northwestern University studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Although originally from Portland, I’ve always found myself drawn to sunnier places like San Diego and have felt lucky to be able to plant some roots here in the community.

Prior to being a graduate student, I’ve worked as a Recovery Counselor at Monte Nido in Los Angeles and at The Lotus Collaborative in San Francisco, both facilities specializing in treatment for eating disorders as well as mood and anxiety.
I’ve chosen a career in mental health counseling so that I can share some of what I’ve learned about resilience and transformation through my own journey with mental health. Sometimes things can feel so bad that it feels like you’ll always be stuck feeling that way. You wonder if you’re just broken, and it’s never true. Our brains’ plasticity and ability to heal and overcome obstacles is profound. You are the expert of your own story, so I offer a person-centered approach and draw upon techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you navigate the direction of your story. 

Latia Hoskins (she/her/hers)
Latia is a graduate student at San Diego State University pursuing her Master of Science in Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education. SDSU is where she also received her BA in Linguistics with a minor in Psychology. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, she was stationed in San Diego, California in 2011 with the United States Navy and has since made the city her home. Her studies in Linguistics and Psychology branched out to a desire to teach and bridge educational gaps in communities that need it most. She has worked in many different industries and proudly served as a mentor, tutor, ESL teacher,and mental health counselor in a community college setting which has given her exposure to diverse communities; of various age ranges, ethnic groups, and neurodiverse populations. In addition to English, Latia is fluent in American Sign Language. She is also a certified Yoga instructor with a love of travel and exploration. Latia approaches work with the individual in mind to tailor-fit any and all services provided. As an intern Latia looks forward to enhancing her skills in person-centered and narrative therapy with an emphasis on integrative, holistic treatment and mindfulness practices.

I have dedicated my life to helping better the lives of others in both spiritual and clinical settings. After experiencing my life challenges, I understand the importance of having a community of people to help you process life's journey. This fuels my "why" when supplying mental health support. I want to aid you in reconciling your relationships, families, or you individually back into a healthy place where you are experiencing the abundance of life and healing, creating a safe space filled with empathy, trust, acceptance, and a CBT/collaborative therapeutic approach.


If you seek a non-judgmental space to explore, reframe, and conquer the hindrances in your life, I am here and happy to support you along your journey to excellent mental health and emotional well-being.

Salaam (Peace),
My name is Zeinab Mohamed. I was born and raised in San Diego. I am ethnically Somali and
spiritually Muslim. I am a community-oriented person. I enjoy nature and connecting with
people. I graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. I am
currently in the Community Based Block, Multicultural Community Counseling & Social Justice
Education Masters & LPCC program at San Diego State University. I am thrilled to be on this
journey of becoming a licensed therapist and offering counseling services as part of my
traineeship.
Therapy is a space where you can express yourself in ways that you are not allowed in other
places without judgment or restrictions. I believe that therapy will allow you to be seen and
heard while experiencing your thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental safe space. It can be a
place where you gain clarity through your experiences and interpretations of your life, also,
where you can bring different meanings to your life. What you can expect from me as your
therapist in training is that I will do my best to create a safe, welcoming, and encouraging
environment to help guide you in your therapeutic process.