Prof. Labrie French-Asaro is a native Californian and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 18 years of experience working with complex populations. She has been active in the community over the past 15 years, volunteering in the cancer community, working with the local police Crisis Intervention Team, and teaching dance to kids and teens. She found her love of Sociology and Social Work during her undergraduate education at PLNU. She was excited to combine her passion for helping people with a career path. After graduating, she became a Medical Social Worker Lead for a local hospital, providing care and support to patients in the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, and Medical-Surgical floors. After that, she moved on to refine her management and leadership skills in the skilled nursing world. After earning her Master’s degree in Counseling, she took a position as an acute care social worker in a locked intensive care psychiatric unit. There she gained extensive knowledge of chronic mental health issues, addictions, codependent behavior patterns, legal issues in behavioral health, and both cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused therapies. Three years later, she found her niche treating individuals, couples, and groups on a full-time basis at Psychiatric Centers at San Diego. She continues her work there as an Integration Specialist, combining mental health and primary care medicine in an effort to decrease social stigma related to mental health care and increase access to support. She currently has her own private therapy practice in Mission Valley and has a passion for helping adults struggling with grief, post-partum stresses, anxiety, and relationship issues.
Education
- M.C., Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy, University of Phoenix, 2005
- B.A., Sociology – Social Work Emphasis, Point Loma Nazarene University, 2000
Courses Taught
PSY630 Treatment of Older Adults
PSY658 Crisis and Trauma Counseling
Experience in Field
Clinical Experience
- Private Practice, Individual/Marriage/Family Therapy, 2017 – present
- Psychiatric Centers of San Diego, Clinician/Integration Specialist, 2013 - present
- Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, Acute Care Social Worker/Intern Task Supervisor, 2010-13
- Generations Healthcare, Director of Social Services, 2007-2010
- Promise Hospital of San Diego/VillaView Community Hospital, Lead Medical Social Worker, 2000-2007
Professional and Community Involvement
- Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist Church, Children’s Ministries
- American Cancer Society Planning Committee
- San Diego Police Department Crisis Intervention Team, Interventionist
- Alpha Delta Omega National Honor Society
Awards and Honors
- Clinician of the Year – Psychiatric Centers of San Diego, 2014
Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications
- High Risk Patients in a Psychiatric Setting – Abuse and Reporting, PLNU, 2017
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Phoenix, 2012