About Celeste Charbonnet-Cross

MFC# 39769

Celeste Charbonnet-Cross has a broad history of providing information, guidance and support to children and families. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree and Elementary Teaching Credential from the University of California at Los Angeles, she began her educational career in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She remained in the public school system for 10 years prior to opening up her own private school wherein she functioned as owner, director and teacher for approximately 17 more years. Desiring a different focus, Celeste began taking graduate level courses at Pepperdine University and obtained her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology.

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Celeste has provided therapeutic counsel to children, adults, couples and families struggling with such issues as anger and domestic violence, abuse and neglect, depression and anxiety, trauma and loss, addiction and impaired relational functioning. She has also done public speaking, staff trainings and other group work on topics such as stress management, assertive communications and parenting.

Celeste believes that while individuals cannot directly change the outside issues that impact their lives, most have the capacity to learn how to change their thoughts and feelings about these issues. Possessing the ability to change negative thoughts and fear-based feelings into more helpful and positive ones can lead individuals to respond deliberately, respectfully and effectively to various triggering events. Celeste believes that for most individuals, learning such a skill set will lead to more functional, joyful and peaceful lives. As such, much of her therapeutic process – for most presenting problems – incorporates this type of skill teaching.

Celeste has the knowledge, training and experience to be an effective guide for the clients in her care. With warmth, understanding, patience and empathy, she walks with them through their various “crossroads”. She aids them in mapping out the course of their journeys. She assists them in setting realistic destinations. She helps them find their way.