Lori Lira is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in Christian counseling. As an evangelical believer she is dedicated to helping people by incorporating the truths of the Bible with her skills as a professional counselor. She maintains a private practice in the Palm Desert community in the state of California, where she specializes in individual, marriage, family ,and child therapy.
With over 27 years experience as a marriage and family therapist, and as a graduate of Azusa Pacific University, Lori is currently serving as private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Her areas of expertise include Play Therapy, EMDR, Relationship Therapy, and Faith-Based Counseling. She has a specialized certificate in Play Therapy from UC San Diego, and was a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She is also trained in EMDR, an empirically validated treatment for trauma. This treatment is also effective with many other issues as well.
In addition to being a prominent relationship therapist, Lori has been a presenter for the Southern California Regional Play Therapy Conference, has been a speaker for mothers groups like MOPS and has spoken at many church workshops and seminars. Some of the topics she has spoken on include: Parenting with Purpose, The Five Love Language of Children, Crisis Management in the Church, Help I'm Becoming my Parents; A Look at Dysfunctional Family Patterns, and Take the Mundane Out of Marriage and be a Fool for Love, to name a few.
Lori has an interactive style and is a results-oriented therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates many methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
Education
Lori holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Fullerton in Speech Communication with an emphasis on interpersonal communication. She also holds a Master of Arts degree from Azusa Pacific University in Clinical Psychology. In addition she has a specialized certificate in Play Therapy from University of California San Diego.
License, Certifications & Awards
Lori is Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and was Registered as a Play Therapist Supervisor.
Additional Training
Lori is also trained in the Prepare and Enrich program for couples and EMDR levels 1 and 2 for trauma
Professional Activities and Memberships
Lori is an active member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist (CAMFT), the California Association of Play Therapy, (CALAPT), the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), New Life Network of Christian Therapists and the Focus on the Family referral network.