​Nancy Aguilar is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT #39661 with an emphasis in Family Systems Therapy. She graduated with her Masters Degree from California Lutheran University. Nancy has worked as a risk reduction specialist/therapist in Public Health with individuals who were afflicted with HIV/AIDS. This experience gave her a broad range of understanding about the complexities in working with individuals facing end of life issues, mental illness and addiction. She learned how individuals can sustain hope in the face of overwhelming challenges. Within her 14 years as an LMFT she worked with families and children in a school setting and served as an adjunct to County Mental Health Services as a contract provider. Nancy worked with families in a community outreach setting, utilizing her bilingual and bi-cultural skills in primarily Spanish Speaking communities. Nancy maintained a private practice as a clinician with an emphasis in grief counseling, mood disorders, couples and family therapy. After 14 years as an LMFT her curiosity to understand and learn more in the field of Psychology brought her back to school to pursue her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. She is currently completing her Doctorate degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute, and completing her dissertation on Bi-cultural Latina Women in Mid Career Change. Her current role at Lotus is a primary therapist intern working under the supervision of Dr. Liz Esalen, Psy.D.
Nancy is passionate about how neuroscience research reveals the brains capacity for change and utilizes these theories in a practical sense. Change can become lasting when we create new neuro-pathways. This knowledge is empowering to individuals who have long struggled with addictions, compulsions and mental illness. Nancy utilizes Psychodynamic, CBT and DBT approaches, particularly mindfulness practices, meditation and distress tolerance skills. She emphasizes a holistic approach to treatment with an emphasis on how the mind, body and spirit can work together in healing. You can email her at: nancy@thelotuscollaborative.com.