About Acorn Family Guidance
As a client of Acorn Family Guidance Center, you have the unique opportunity to benefit from the expertise and solid partnership of two doctorate-level, licensed clinical child psychologists. Dr. Erin Rossello and Dr. Carin Laue have over twenty-five years of experience working with children, teens, and families combined. We have worked with children and families in multiple settings, including schools, community agencies, enrichment programs, camps, early intervention programs, psychological assessment centers, private practice, and more. Our diverse experiences have helped shaped our understanding of child development, community resources, parenting approaches, and overall therapeutic philosophy.
Dr. Erin and Dr. Carin met on their first day of their Master’s program at Loyola Marymount University. A simple ice-breaker led to a discovery of shared values of work and fun. We quickly bonded over our love of children and helping our community. Our shared dream of opening a Family Guidance Center led to pursuit of further clinical knowledge, inspiring us to earn doctorate degrees together at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Along the way, we trekked to several international destinations to volunteer our services at orphanages and schools for children. We balanced all the hard work with having fun. We share a competitive spirit, finishing several triathlons, obstacle courses, and marathons together. When we are not working, we can be found battling each other on the tennis court, practicing yoga, hiking the trails, or sharing food at our favorite restaurants.
Get in touch
We believe our strong partnership will benefit you in understanding and overcoming your family’s unique challenges. Contact us today! We look forward to meeting you.
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Partner
Dr. Carin Laue
dr.carin@acornfamilyguidance.com
Dr. Carin Laue, Psy.D. (PSY28903) is a Licensed Psychologist by the Board of Psychology in the State of California. She is the co-founder of Acorn Family Guidance Center and specializes in treating children, adolescents, and their families.
I earned my doctorate degree in clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with an emphasis in Child and Adolescent Psychology. I completed my predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Vista del Mar Child and Family Services in Los Angeles. In this setting, I gained experience providing therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and caregivers from culturally diverse backgrounds. I am trained in evidence-based practices from a psychodynamic, play therapy, and family systems theoretical framework. I am also a registered play therapist.
My clinical training also includes completing comprehensive psychological evaluations for the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) Assessment Center. I earned my Masters degree while employed as a Behavior Intervention Supervisor, Clinical Trainer, and In-home Therapist for Step-by-Step, Edu-Play in Santa Monica. I have worked with children who have autism, trauma, ADHD, behavioral difficulties, depression, and anxiety. I enjoy assisting parents with implementing behavioral plans and determining strategies to best support their child.
Prior to becoming a Psychologist, I worked with children and families in multiple settings and positions. I began my career as a Lead Counselor and Special Education Substitute Teacher at residential treatment facility for emotionally challenged boys, where I facilitated groups on Anger Management, Conflict-Resolution, and Transition Life Skills. I loved serving as a summer school teacher for the Chinatown YMCA, a Special Education Resource Teacher for San Francisco Unified School District, and a Social Worker for a Child Protective Services agency.
For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about working with children and families. I love the challenges and rewards of working with children and their caregivers. I am dedicated to helping families feel supported and understood.
Education
THE CHICAGO SCHOOL Of PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Psy.D.- Applied Clinical Psychology, 2015
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
MA - Counseling, 2012
Partner
Dr. Erin Rossello
dr.erin@acornfamilyguidance.com
Dr. Erin Rossello, Psy.D. (PSY29018) is a Licensed Psychologist by the Board of Psychology in the State of California. She is the co-founder of Acorn Family Guidance Center and specializes in treating children, adolescents, and their families.
I grew up in West Los Angeles and have strong ties to this community and I feel very blessed to be able to serve the children and families that reside here. I started working with children at a very young age and I could not imagine doing anything else. Working with children and families is my passion and I feel very lucky to get to do what I love every day.
I completed my Doctorate coursework at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where I specialized in Child and Adolescent Psychology. I recently completed my postdoctoral training at Rich & Associates where I focused on social skills training, parenting skills, anxiety, depression, Autism and ADHD. During my internship I also became a certified therapist in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). I am also a registered Play Therapist and have completed over 80 hours of coursework.
I completed my B.A in Sociology in 2004 at the University of California Santa Barbara. During that time, I worked at the UCSB Koegel Autism Center and was trained in Pivotal Response Treatment, an evidence-based treatment to improve social communication skills in children. I provided interventions for children with autism and their families both in-home and in the school setting. I also completed my K-12 Teaching Credential at Antioch University and taught 4th grade, Kindergarten and Preschool. I have also worked with Middle School students at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica where I created and implemented a Girls Group that focused on increasing self-esteem, friendship and overall health and wellness.
I received my Masters in Counseling from Loyola Marymount University during which time I volunteered at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles providing services for children with cancer and their families. I have also worked as an Early Interventionist and In-Home Behaviorist at Step By Step Edu Play in Santa Monica. I provided services for children with developmental delays including Autism Spectrum Disorders and Down’s Syndrome. I used a DIR-Floortime approach coupled with Applied Behavior Analysis in order to produce change in client’s behaviors.
Having such a diverse background has led me to be able to approach my work with families from a variety of perspectives and utilize a multimodal treatment style to best fit the needs of the child and their parents.
Education
THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OR PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Psy.D.- Applied Clinical Psychology, 2015
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
MA - Counseling, 2012
Jordan is a fellow graduate of LMU and an LPCC with many years of therapy experience, earning her B.A. in Sociology from University of Oregon and M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Loyola Marymount University. She has a strong clinical background and a passion for working with young people who struggle with anxiety, worry, and self-doubt. She is highly passionate about overall wellness and assisting clients in developing the coping tools that work for them while highlighting their strengths. She has specialties in the areas of communication and social skill-building, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ advocacy, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, and adjustment disorders. Jordan has a particular passion for art, and working with young people navigating new phases of life.
Associate
Shauna Donfeld, LCSW
shauna@acornfamilyguidance.com
Shauna Donfeld, LCSW (64145) is a MSW graduate of the University of Washington with many years of working with children, teens and moms. She earned her B.A. in Communication from UC Davis and her Teaching Credential from Humboldt State University. A Los Angeles native, she spent a year teaching English in Costa Rica before returning to the states to get her credential and teaching 3rd grade and reading intervention. An avid traveler, she spent a year backpacking around the world and volunteering at an orphanage in Thailand, where she decided to pursue her MSW and move further down her path towards helping children and teens. Before having children of her own, Shauna was a high school counselor at a local high school. The last several years she has combined her love of mind-body wellness by working with new mothers in Fit4Mom Stroller Strides classes and as a personal trainer. Through walking therapy, Shauna helps clients find their inner strengths and voice, manage stress and anxiety, and gain coping mechanisms to help navigate life.
