Mental Health Counseling

 Leslie was born and raised in Ventura County; her work is deeply rooted in a lifelong commitment to community care. With a master’s in counseling psychology from California Lutheran University and over a decade of experience in the mental health field, she brings both clinical expertise and a heart for service to her role at Oxnard College.

As the Clinical Supervisor for the college’s Mental Health Team, Leslie supports a team of dedicated clinicians who provide mental health services to students. She also leads workshops and trainings for faculty, staff, and the wider campus community on a variety of mental health topics, aiming to build awareness, reduce stigma, and empower everyone on campus to take part in mental health advocacy and early intervention.

Throughout her career, Leslie has worked in nonprofit organizations, private practice, and community settings, offering individual, family, and group therapy. She has supported Dreamers and undocumented students in navigating the emotional and legal complexities of their journeys and continues to be passionate about expanding access to care for historically underserved communities. Her community work includes facilitating mental health workshops and speaking at events focused on wellness, resilience, and culturally relevant care.

Leslie takes a holistic, trauma-informed approach to her work, believing that therapy is most effective when it honors the whole person, their story, their culture, and their unique needs. She’s committed to connecting students not only with mental health services, but also with resources that support their well-being and academic success

 

Sylvia Lenhardt is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a robust educational background and extensive experience in the field. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from CSUCI and subsequently completed her M.S. in counseling Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy at California Lutheran University in 2019.

Prior to this Sylvia obtained her A.A. in Early Childhood Education with a focus on special education at Moorpark College. This academic pursuit equipped her with valuable experience in teaching both typical and neurodiverse students across various grade levels in private and public schools over several years.

Currently, Sylvia is excited to contribute her expertise at Oxnard College, where she looks forward to engaging with a diverse student population in a nonjudgmental and culturally sensitive manner. Her enthusiasm lies in being an integral part of a creative, vibrant, and student-centered learning community.

Sylvia specializes in addressing Trauma and Trauma-related disorders, Intimate Partner Violence, and Grief and Loss. She employs a diverse range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment-based therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness.

One of Sylvia's distinctive qualities is her encouragement of students to actively collaborate in setting goals and taking steps towards meaningful life changes.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Sylvia holds a deep passion for nature and expresses herself through art. Raised in Europe, she possesses proficiency in several languages and a keen appreciation for diverse cultures.

Valeria Medrano received a BA in Communication Studies at Loyola Marymount University and a MA in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Somatic Psychotherapy from Antioch University Santa Barbara.

She works with individuals, adolescents, young adults, and adults. She predominately utilizes psychoanalysis, psychodynamic psychotherapy, somatic psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy in her approach with clients. Her list of specialties also includes: mindfulness practices, depression, anxiety, life transitions, LGBTQ+ issues, and academic challenges.

Valeria was born and raised in Ventura County and have enjoyed working at Ventura College and its students. It is very rewarding to feel like she is helping those in her own community. She is fluent in Spanish and has had the privilege of working with our Spanish-speaking students by making therapy accessible to them.

In her spare time, she enjoys walking on the beach with her French Bulldog named Bumi Bean, exercising at her local cardio barre studio, and re-watching her favorite television shows and movies

Melissa Burns received her AA in Social Sciences (Psychology and Criminal Justice) from Moorpark College, her BA in Psychology from Antioch University, Santa Barbara and is currently pursuing her MA in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Somatic Psychotherapy at Antioch University, Santa Barbara.

Born and raised in Ventura County, and as an alum of the VCCCD community, Melissa takes great pride in giving back to the community that helped paved the way for her academic and professional success. 

In the therapy room, Melissa integrates Person-Centered and Postmodern theories to create a therapeutic experience uniquely tailored to each client's needs. She specializes in supporting individuals navigating anxiety, life transitions, academic challenges, and the unique experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community, athletes, and first responders. Melissa also welcomes clients with a wide range of concerns, fostering a compassionate space for growth and healing.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys exploring the outdoors- running, cycling, and hiking through the snowy mountains in Canada. At the end of the day, she loves nothing more than curing up on the couch with a bowl of ice cream and her favorite sitcoms.