About Me: Dr. Rebecca Bokoch, PsyD

Education: I grew up in San Diego, CA. I then moved to Los Angeles, and received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. Then, I received my Master of Arts (MA) Degree and Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Couple and Family Therapy from CSPP Alliant International University. I have also completed my coursework for Alliant International University's Infant and Preschool Mental Health Certificate Program, and am working towards endorsement from the Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health. 

Experience:  I have experience working as a therapist in school-based counseling programs for kindergarten through high school students. Because of my time working in school-based counseling, I have experience working with a broad range of presenting problems, including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, emotion regulation difficulties, attention deficits, aggression, behavior problems, divorce and parent separation, blended families, trauma, autism, supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, adoption, and low self-esteem. 

I also worked for a local non-profit, Young & Healthy Pasadena, as the Mindfulness Program Coordinator and Mental Health Specialist, As a mindfulness educator, I traveled to various schools in Pasadena Unified School District and provided a trauma-informed, school-based mindfulness and arts-based preventative mental health care program for children from preschool through high school, as well as support for educators and school staff, as well as parents and caregivers. 

I also specialized in working with families with young children based on my experience and education. In my doctoral program I received a certificate in Infant and Preschool Mental Health, and in my undergraduate at UCLA, I interned at the Megan E. Daly Infant Development Program where I earned a certificate to teach early childhood education classrooms (ages zero to three years). I also have experience working as a child care provider for newborn infants to school age children.

Interests: I have a personal yoga and meditation practice. My passion for mindfulness has influenced my desire to incorporate it into therapy. In addition, I appreciate the use of art, play, music, drama, and storytelling during therapy. I believe that expressive arts therapies help to give children and adults a voice, when it is difficult for them to verbalize everything going on in their lives. Overall, I enjoy applying creative therapeutic modalities to all of my cases. My special interests include: mindfulness, art therapy, play therapy, parenting, sibling relationships, trauma, and infant and child development. 

Other Roles: In addition to working as a family therapist in private practice, I also work as an Associate Professor in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University. I have experience teaching several courses for the Couple and Family Therapy MA and PsyD, Organizational Psychology MA and PhD, and Clinical PhD programs, including: statistics, research methods, mindfulness, parent child psychotherapy, group therapy, crisis and trauma, marriage and family therapy theories and techniques lab, individual and family life cycle, psychopathology, psychopharmacology, and social basis of behavior.