Erisa Preston, Psy.D.

Dr. Preston has been practicing the art of psychotherapy since 2004.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2003.  She continued her education with a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology from California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP, Los Angeles) in 2005 and a Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.) in clinical psychology in 2007.

It was at UCLA that Dr. Preston began her specialized training in women’s issues, particularly in sexual abuse, trauma, and domestic violence. For two years at UCLA, she was the executive chair of the Clothesline Project, a powerful national psychoeducational group whose intention is to increase awareness of sexual abuse and to provide healing and support to the survivors of abuse. From this experience, Dr. Preston chose to focus her clinical practice on women and children.  She completed internships with the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Mental Health (Specialized Foster Care unit), and Mount Saint Mary’s University to gain broad training perspectives. For her post-doctoral internship, she did a year of training at Complete Family Services here in the South Bay, where she received particular training in chronic pain management, infertility, and psychological assessment.

Prior to joining a private practice in Orange County, Dr. Preston worked for the Regional Center for over 7 years as a behavioral therapist. She provided in-home, school-based, and community interventions for children and their families. After leaving the Regional Center, Dr. Preston was an integral part of the successful New Day Psychotherapy Group private practice. At New Day, she supervised interns, facilitated the peer consultation and group supervision hours at both office locations, carried a full course load, and provided in-depth psychodiagnostic evaluations.

Dr. Preston’s treatment philosophy is that a primary purpose of therapy is to help people become more complete and authentic versions of themselves. She believes in each of us lies pieces of ourselves which require healing in order to become cohesive and integrated. Her treatment approaches reflect her philosophy: client-centered, collaborative, nurturing, holistic, non-judgmental, strength-based, and eclectic.