Adriana Avila’s Journey: My Relationship With Grief

My relationship with grief led me on a journey and created a deeper connection with myself and others.

Psychology Was My Calling

My journey started in 2004 at Cal Poly Pomona, where I received a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources and a minor in Psychology. However, I felt that Psychology was my calling. I started a job in human resources and I wasn’t happy. So, I went against my cultural and familial teachings and I decided to go back to school.

Before applying to graduate school, I did research out of Cal State LA, presented at the WPA (western psychological association), and the CSULA symposium. I volunteered at Project Sister Family Services, worked alongside law enforcement and forensic nurses, and volunteered at an elementary school. I started at the University of La Verne in 2011 and completed my program in 2014. Throughout my graduate journey, I continued to volunteer at Project Sister, was the vice-president of Psi-Chi, and continued to do community work.

From Wraparound Facilitator to Private Practice

After graduate school, I worked at Pacific Clinics and then I worked at Foothill Family as a wraparound facilitator where I worked all the intensive programs. Although I loved the intensive work, the opportunity for private practice came my way and allowed me to flourish as a therapist, which led me on my path to help those in grief.

In my private practice journey I trained with grief expert David Kessler, through his grief educator program, and Paul Denniston, founder of Grief Yoga and Trauma Informed Yoga, and I eventually became EMDR certified. Later, I became a panelist on the UCLA Counseling & Psychology Jump Start Program and participated in several health fairs.

As a native Spanish speaker, I offer bilingual sessions. I also offer individual and group therapy. I enjoy speaking at events, have learned to embrace my life journey and I am humbled by those that I work with in my practice.

Outside of Work

I enjoy working out, doing yoga, reading books, spending time with my dogs, and running. I do 5k runs in memory of my loved ones and I donate to the German Shepherd Rescue in honor of my dog, Mufasa. As a first generation Mexican American, my work reflects the value of community and bringing people together. Therefore, I use my expertise to guide my clients to live a more empowered life.