Meet our Staff
Jeannie Beaumont, LMFT, ATR (MFT 47817) Jeannie is the Clinical Director/Clinical Supervisor of the Manhattan Beach Community Counseling Center. A graduate of Loyola Marymount's Marriage and Family Therapy/Clinical Art Therapy program, Jeannie has been serving the South Bay community in her private practice, Art & Soul Art Therapy Studio, for a decade. A native of the beach cities and a former intern at MB Community Counseling Center, Jeannie has cultivated deep roots here and is dedicated to serving those seeking help with creating more harmony in their life.
Cristina Benitez Allen, AMFT 88449 Cristina is a mind-body psychotherapist specializing in Depth Psychology. She works with clients in a holistic and experiential approach, honoring the wisdom of the body and imagination, to treat relationship issues, emotional wounds, and trauma. She holds a private practice as well as serving Manhattan Beach Community Counseling. Utilizing a Jungian psychodynamic lens and Humanistic principles with Hakomi mindfulness body-centered techniques, she supports deep exploration and resolution beyond traditional talk therapy. She is a native Angeleno of Mexican descent, a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Spanish and English Literature and Creative Writing, attuned to the significance of story, identity, and culture. In 2015, she obtained her Masters in Counseling Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. There she focused on the healing process of soul-making through storytelling, mythology, dreamwork, ritual, and creativity. She actively takes on leadership and supportive roles in therapeutic communities holding circles, workshops, and trainings. She practices meditation and continues to study mysticism with reverence for religious traditions. As a creative, she draws on her roots for inspiration and nourishment. Her special mission is the honor of helping others to uncover meaning in suffering, reconnect with sacred truths, and cultivate an embodied life of authentic presence.
Courtney Sheets, AMFT 104769 Courtney earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2017, but she has known that she belonged in mental healthcare long before then. She has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and in-home settings with clients presenting with depression, anxiety, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, cult recovery, and more. As an associate marriage and family therapist, she previously provided therapy and psychoeducational services to students of Los Angeles City College, and she also currently works as an in-home therapist for victims of crime. She believes that wellness comes in many shapes and sizes, and she is ready to help you find which works best for you.
Patrice Kane, AMFT 100170 Patrice obtained her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Southern California in 2017. She has provided therapy to the students of the West Los Angeles College and Santa Monica College over the past 2.5 years. Patrice's approach to therapy is to always be a human first and a therapist second. She prides herself on being authentic and being able to provide a safe environment for her clients free of judgement. Patrice has worked primarily with complex trauma, anxiety and depression. In her perspective, the client-therapist relationship is paramount for effective change. She believes full-heartedly that with the encouragement and support of the right clinician, any individual can live a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Nicolette Cautero, AMFT 100759, APCC 4145
Nicolette received her master’s degree in depth psychology counseling from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her background includes publishing, public radio and art history. She has served as a therapist at the Harbor College Life Skills Center, a mental health facility serving the needs of a culturally rich community representing a variety of ages, gender identifications, challenges, and aspirations.
Nicolette’s approach to therapy is collaborative and strength based, working together in a safe and supportive environment that offers holistic support for the mind, body and heart. Healing, coping strategies, self-care, personal growth and self-discovery are at the core of Nicolette’s positive psychology based approach.
Nicolette received her master’s degree in depth psychology counseling from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her background includes publishing, public radio and art history. She has served as a therapist at the Harbor College Life Skills Center, a mental health facility serving the needs of a culturally rich community representing a variety of ages, gender identifications, challenges, and aspirations.
Nicolette’s approach to therapy is collaborative and strength based, working together in a safe and supportive environment that offers holistic support for the mind, body and heart. Healing, coping strategies, self-care, personal growth and self-discovery are at the core of Nicolette’s positive psychology based approach.
Jessica Taylor Vara, AMFT 112566
Jessica completed her Master’s degree in Psychology at Antioch University. She now works to create a sense of safety where clients begin the mind-body processing and eventual deconstructing of dysfunctional patterns in their lives. With her weekly support, clients identify feelings, behaviors, and miscommunications that are negatively impacting their daily functioning. Standing by their side, Jessica supports her clients to manage stress, redirect disturbing emotions, and set goals for themselves. Little by little, the worry and sadness begin to lift and her clients find hope, confidence, and determination to shift challenges that once seemed impossible into victories toward personal growth and more fulfilling futures.
Jessica completed her Master’s degree in Psychology at Antioch University. She now works to create a sense of safety where clients begin the mind-body processing and eventual deconstructing of dysfunctional patterns in their lives. With her weekly support, clients identify feelings, behaviors, and miscommunications that are negatively impacting their daily functioning. Standing by their side, Jessica supports her clients to manage stress, redirect disturbing emotions, and set goals for themselves. Little by little, the worry and sadness begin to lift and her clients find hope, confidence, and determination to shift challenges that once seemed impossible into victories toward personal growth and more fulfilling futures.
Monique Bartecek, AMFT 112184
Monique earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from California State University, Long Beach in 2018. She has provided therapy at a women’s shelter and at Jewish Family & Children’s Services in Long Beach for over a year. She has experience treating children, adolescents, and adults with diverse backgrounds and a range of concerns. She has primarily worked with cases involving domestic violence, substance abuse, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Monique has an open theoretical orientation and strives to assist her clients with an approach that is most suitable for them. She is passionate and dedicated to provide a safe and nonjudgmental space for her clients. Monique is ready to work collaboratively with her clients so they may discover personal growth and healing.
Monique earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from California State University, Long Beach in 2018. She has provided therapy at a women’s shelter and at Jewish Family & Children’s Services in Long Beach for over a year. She has experience treating children, adolescents, and adults with diverse backgrounds and a range of concerns. She has primarily worked with cases involving domestic violence, substance abuse, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Monique has an open theoretical orientation and strives to assist her clients with an approach that is most suitable for them. She is passionate and dedicated to provide a safe and nonjudgmental space for her clients. Monique is ready to work collaboratively with her clients so they may discover personal growth and healing.