Kimberly Virrueta, MS, AMFT, APCC, CGP

My passion is helping individuals 5 & older, couples, & families through major life events such as illness & grief/loss. Asking for help is often the hardest step. I want to acknowledge your courageous choice to reach out to someone who will hear you, help you, and walk alongside you. Counseling is a place to share your heart and feel connected to someone who cares. This is a safe space to heal from your wounds and find hope. Together, we will help you navigate through the most difficult of times. I offer telehealth anywhere in CA & home visits for local clients in Corona, Norco, and Riverside.

Asking for help is often the hardest step. I want to acknowledge your courageous choice to reach out to someone who will hear you, help you, and walk alongside you. Counseling is a place to share your heart and feel connected to someone who cares. This is a safe space to heal from your wounds and find hope. Together, we will help you navigate through the most difficult of times.

You are the expert of your own life; I respect and honor that. Together, we will explore what is most important to you. This includes your culture/ethnicity, spiritual beliefs, personal values, and other important pieces that make you uniquely YOU. By experiencing unconditional acceptance in therapy, you will learn how to accept yourself. Acceptance can help you develop self-compassion, kindness, and love. Once those qualities are present, you can grow without shame or regret weighing you down.

I bring my whole self into therapy as a genuine fellow human being who, just like you, is doing my best to journey through life. Through our authentic relationship, you can find comfort in knowing that you're not alone and it's OK to be imperfect. Healing occurs when you can safely explore your thoughts & feelings without fear of being judged. The scars you carry are proof of your strength & resilience. I attend to the whole person: mind, body, & spirit. Each part of you deserves to be seen and healed.

I specialize in treating individuals, couples & families who are facing a life-threatening illness. This is often referred to as medical family therapy. I also provide grief & bereavement counseling, general counseling services to individuals, couples, and families, and play therapy (including medical play) for children under 10. Telehealth for CA residents or in person for local SoCal.

More about me as a person:

I'm a blessed wife and mother of three. My mission after raising my kids was to get my Masters in Counseling to help people get through difficult times. Today, my goal is to walk alongside you through pain, help you build coping skills, and heal so you can feel more at peace.

From a very early age, I always wanted to be a pediatric nurse. I loved the idea of helping kids in the medical setting. After I had children of my own, I soon realized that I didn't want to be the person giving shots and making kids cry! During my bachelors degree, I completed a practicum at CHOC Children's Hospital in their Child Life Department. It was then that I found the perfect blending of mental health and medical care: medical family therapy as a licensed MFT/PCC. My career direction was set!

I have a passion for working with kids & families facing cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. Using my love of creativity and play, I bring in art, play therapy, sand tray, and medical play into my treatment plans with young clients. I am a Registered Associate currently earning hours AMFT (#126957) & APCC (#9998) toward full licensure. I am employed at Institute of Advanced Studies and am supervised by Dr. Burton Winer, a licensed marriage & family therapist (#23281).

In late 2021, I began providing counseling to Crystal Roses, a non-profit organization that works with individuals and families facing life-threatening illness. I recently completed my certification in grief & bereavement counseling. I utilize evidence-based interventions to address my clients' presenting concerns. Whether you're experiencing a medical illness, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, parenting challenges, or just need a safe person to talk to, I'm here for you.

My clients would describe my counseling style as gentle and effective, yet focused. I offer compassion, empathy, encouragement, and kindness while remaining committed to my clients' healing, growth, and specific goals they have set for their lives.

I am a follower of Christ, which means that I offer unconditional love to all humans, regardless of their personal beliefs & values. This plays out in how I show love and embody love toward others, both in the therapy relationship and in my personal life.

Get in touch with me for a free 10-minute phone consultation to see if we're a good fit.